Two winners announced for Bauhaus Museum in Dessau

The Bauhaus Dessau Foundation revealed not just one, but two winning firms to design the Bauhaus Museum in Dessau, Germany. The Foundation launched the open international competition with the intent to have a museum constructed in Dessau's City Park, in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus in 2019.

Last week, the jury rigorously deliberated the winning entries -- which were all submitted anonymously.  At the end of the two-stage competition, Gonzalez Hinz Zabala from Barcelona and New York-based Young & Ayata both scored first prize. The jury selected Berrel Berrel Kräutler AG of Zurich for third prize and JA Architecture Studio from Toronto for fourth prize. Last but not least, three Special Recognitions were also revealed.

In the coming months, the Foundation will start negotiations with both first-prize teams to decide which firm will construct the museum.

Which team do you think will be chosen to construct the museum? What's your prediction?

More info below.

"The planned Bauhaus Museum Dessau will for the first time provide the opportunity to present to the public for the long term the outstanding collection of the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation under the best possible conservation conditions. The awarding authority expects a design proposal as a result of the competition procedure which implements the desired qualities and quantities in a functional overall concept within the specified cost and time frames and positioning the Bauhaus convincingly in a contemporary manner. 

The planned site for the Bauhaus Museum Dessau is located in the City Park directly in the city centre of Dessau. The City of Dessau-Roßlau, competition co-promoter, is searching for plots that integrate the Museum building within the landscape architectural situation of the City Park, while respecting the existing qualities and uses.  The spatial program of the new Bauhaus Museum covers a total of 3,500 m2 and includes 2,100 m2 of exhibition area. The museum and City Park should strengthen and complement each other and enrich the location as a cultural centre."

Claudia Perren, Director and CEO of the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation and building contractor, comments on the decision for an open competition: 'We consciously decided for an open, anonymous announcement, to offer young offices and international architects a real chance. They have used their chance. The first prize winners form New York and Barcelona and the other prizes are all international ones. This is a first-class competition.'

Check out the winning entries below.

1ST PRIZE (33,000 €)

Architects: Gonzalez Hinz Zabala (Roberto González Peñalver, José Zabala Rojí, Anne Katharina Hinz), Barcelona/Spain
Landscape architect: Roser Vives de Delás, Barcelona/Spain

Excerpt from written jury assessment: 'The new Bauhaus Museum [...] conceives of itself as an iconographic heritage / less is more and with its glass foyer story communicates between urban city life and the municipal park and attracts visitors to the muse-um. [...]The glass envelope of the entire building [...] provides [...] a maximum of curatorial freedom for staging. The shell takes up the original Bauhaus intention – to be an open school. [...] In terms of both func-tionality and display capabilities in all spaces, this design is a very good contribution -- the museum edifice is an instrument to express activity and productivity -- creativity and social interaction.“

1ST PRIZE (33,000 €)

Architects: Young & Ayata (Michael Young, Kutan Ayata), New York/USA
Landscape architect: Misako Murata, New York/USA

Excerpt from written jury assessment: 'The building conceives of itself as an open collective (..). It is a stand-alone structural shell that will become a new point of reference in its heterogeneous urban environs. The design concept boasts a suggestive power (..) and has a high recognition value (..). References to various Bauhaus approaches (..) have been formulated in a conclusive manner.(..) What is thus created (..) is a powerful, daring and fascinating, seminal architectonic testimonial to the 21st century that, in global competition (..) will make a unique footprint.'

3RD PRIZE: (18,000 €)

Architecture firm: Berrel Berrel Kräutler AG (Maurice Berrel), Zurich/Switzerland
Landscape architect: ASP Landschaftsarchitekten AG (Florian Seibold), Zurich, Switzerland

Excerpt from written jury assessment: 'The two-storied polygonal structure opens up on all sides with dramatic and multi- faceted references between interior and exterior and redefines the entrance to the municipal park. The result has a delicate appearance that integrates well into the green space and will not be perceived as a singled-out museum temple but as an open house for exchange and cultural encounters.'

4TH PRIZE (11,000 €)

Architecture firm: JA Architecture Studio (Nima Javidi), Toronto/Canada
Landscape architect: JA Architecture Studio (Behnaz Assadi), Toronto/Canada

Excerpt from written jury assessment: '[...] a polygonal and self-contained structural shell that sensitively addresses its urban design position. It shows a clear-cut edge towards Kavalierstrasse and a ramp forms a clear transition to Friedrichstrasse. All in all, the draft design convinces with its sculptural approach which demonstrates a strong commitment to the museum as a municipal building.'

Chris Dercon, Director of the Tate Modern in London and one of the material prize jurors stated: 'The typology of the museum architecture cannot be defined clearly. The vertical is over – a new theme is flexibility. However, the new development has no clear direction. The two first prizewinners are very diverse. It will be a chance to start the discussion in the international public and with experts. To be the beginning of the New, Dessau and the Bauhaus are ideal places. This is exciting.'

For Peter Kuras, the mayor of Dessau-Roßlau, the attention for the competition itself is highly valuable. 'It is a very important day for Dessau-Roßlau. It is good to see the potential of Dessau within such a round of an international jury. Two first prizewinners will start an international debate, which we will follow with large interest.'

Below are more images of the winning projects, as well as the Special Recognitions -- who received 5,000€ cash prizes.