Contrast, Cleanliness, Regularity: Material Strategies in David Chipperfield's Museums
David Chipperfield, laureate of the Pritzker Prize in 2023, has designed over a dozen museums throughout his career, with some still under construction. As a typology that has significant urban and social impact, Chipperfield and his team have skillfully leveraged each commission to transform neighborhoods and cities while still honoring the essence of the place and the pre-existing. His museums make powerful statements without being obtrusive, and this is reflected in the choice of materials and the construction solutions used.
MUDEC / David Chipperfield Architects. Image © OskarDaRiz
David Chipperfield, laureate of the Pritzker Prize in 2023, has designed over a dozen museums throughout his career, with some still under construction. As a typology that has significant urban and social impact, Chipperfield and his team have skillfully leveraged each commission to transform neighborhoods and cities while still honoring the essence of the place and the pre-existing. His museums make powerful statements without being obtrusive, and this is reflected in the choice of materials and the construction solutions used.
Like an oversized minimalism, Chipperfield gives the material space to unfold and be understood. In his galleries and museums, the materials appear exposed, clean, and highlighted through contrast. They give character to the space while giving prominence to the art on display, generating suitable atmospheres for its proper appreciation. Regularity, continuity, and repetition help shape this background, while the filtered light finishes building the right scene.
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