Both institutions are housed in old town properties that require major renovation and are currently providing inadequate conditions for their magazines and warehouses. On top of this, there has not been enough space to accommodate the collections and archive material in one location for a long time, resulting in the operation of several external warehouses. Jointly used by both institutions, the new building will permanently bring together and protect our valuable cultural heritage and its unique assets.
A new building for a museum and an archive
The Natural History Museum Basel and the State Archive Basel-Stadt are venerable institutions with a long tradition which fulfil the mission of preserving and maintaining valuable cultural assets. The treasures they harbour are irreplaceable sources of Basel’s natural and urban history.
Giving experiences
The new Natural History Museum will display the full splendour of its internationally acclaimed collections of butterflies, birds, fossils, minerals, beetles, and much more. Not only are these objects stunningly beautiful and fascinating, they also constitute an invaluable basis for scientific research. It is the mission of the new museum to make this science accessible to everyone.
There will be exciting exhibitions and up-to-date educational programmes for children, youngsters and adults, inviting them to engage with a wealth of themes relating to our natural world. The museum will provide lots of opportunities to uncover facts and explore history. We will create ample space for school classes as well as function rooms, a bistro that invites you to linger and a fun museum for visitors to stay and browse. The new Natural History Museum will offer something for everyone.
Political background
Only in german
> Proposal by the Government
> Report of the Construction and Spatial Planning Commission (BRK)
Architecture
Schedule
Excavation
Shell construction
Interior work
until 2026
Installation exhibitions/
Facilities and moves
until 2028