The Kunsthaus Göttingen generates the impulse for the city’s new art district and is also considered as a supra-regional cultural magnet.
At the same time, the new building carefully complements the small-scale structure of Göttingen’s old town.
The building’s external appearance uses details and geometries typical of the region, like projecting storeys and steep roofs, from the context of Göttingen’s old town and transforms them into a distinct design.

The building is naturally embedded in the historic city center and yet is clearly recognizable as a house of arts.
The flexibly usable foyer area on the ground floor is designed to form a link between public street space, the Kunsthaus and the public inner courtyard of the new art district.
Despite the cramped, small plot size, a column-free, solid reinforced concrete structure allows for surprisingly spacious exhibition areas and maximum flexibility across all floors.

The linear structure of the horizontal modeling plaster is reminiscent of stacked papers. It is a reference to the exhibits – works on paper – that are primarily shown in this building. An almost forgotten, historical craft technique was chosen for the design of this surface – combed modeling plaster. Using a specially made template with irregular grooves, the soft, natural mineral plaster was carefully combed onto each storey – a reference to similar surfaces on surrounding historical buildings.
The cantilevering of each storey not only generates maximum exhibition space, but also creates a link to the regionally typical surroundings with half-timbered structures and cantilevered ceilings and roofs. In its imposing appearance, with only a few shimmering metallic openings, the Kunsthaus also marks itself as a contemporary place of education with international appeal.

The new five-storey building with a basement and converted attic is used as a public house of arts. International and local art is presented on three exhibition levels within the context of temporary exhibitions. The focus lies on photography, new media and works on paper.
The exhibition rooms are lit by a finely balanced artificial lighting system and are therefore independent of natural daylight. Only a few windows built as precise openings offer specific views of the urban surroundings. However, the rooms can also be completely darkened by means of sliding wall constructions.
The top floor is used for art education. Large, naturally lit lecture rooms can be used for seminars, special events, presentations and openings. For these purposes, the west side of the roof was designed as an incised terrace area with room-high sliding glass windows. A small serving kitchen on the top floor provides culinary delights for events.
The basement contains additional uses such as storage, sanitary facilities, cloakroom and all technical areas.

Building project: New building Art house Göttingen
Client: City of Göttingen
Competition: 2016
Completion: 2021
Photographers: Simone Bossi; PREFA | Croce & Wir (shots of the inner courtyard)
Architectural film: Ertzui Film