Fondation Beyeler, Riehen

The ARTE documentary “Fondation Beyeler – Rethinking the Museum” by director Corinna Belz follows the development of the Fondation Beyeler’s new museum ensemble in Riehen over a period of four years. The film offers insights into the complex planning and design process, including the transformation of the historic gardens. From 2019 to 2026, VOGT Landscape Architects worked on the redesign and development of the two historic gardens into a shared museum park.

With the expansion of the Fondation Beyeler, Berower Park and Iselin-Weber Park are being brought together as one museum park for the first time. Originally two independent estates, they share a history spanning more than 250 years and were designed as English landscape gardens by F. Caillat in the 19th century.

The new buildings designed by Peter Zumthor bring the historic gardens together into a spatial ensemble shaped by their distinct characters and atmospheres. While Berower Park is defined by the interplay of architecture, art and landscape, Iselin-Weber Park retains its more intimate, naturalistic character.

VOGT’s approach is rooted in a careful reading of the site's historical, spatial and ecological layers. The design understands the landscape not as a static monument, but as a living landscape shaped by time. Through selective removal, opening up and addition, historic spatial sequences and sightlines are revealed once again, while new requirements are integrated into the existing landscape.

Particular importance is given to trees as spatial design elements. Mature trees are complemented by carefully positioned new plantings that define spaces, guide views and establish new relationships between architecture and landscape. Having been maintained with a light touch over many years, Iselin-Weber Park has retained an almost enchanted, overgrown character. Its established vegetation and valuable habitats are as fundamental to the design as the traces of its history.

The park management plan provides the framework for long-term development. Maintenance is understood as an integral part of the design process, continuously shaping the park’s spatial, historical and ecological qualities. Rather than reconstructing an idealised historical state, the museum park adds a new layer to the history of the two landscape gardens. Its spatial and atmospheric qualities continue to unfold through care, use and the ongoing growth of the landscape.

Fondation Beyeler - Museum anders gedacht - Die ganze Doku | ARTE