Erstein Modern Art Museum

The extraordinary variety of the Würth Collection meant that the new museum’s spaces had to be diverse and neutral to welcome the broadest possible range of art. This was fundamental to the space’s volumetric structure. Rather than spectacular architecture that would dominate the exhibited artworks, we adhered to a ‘minimalist’ tradition, prioritising a certain classical modesty that would serve the collection.

The building's morphology can be summed up as two parallel parallelepipeds of equal size (10 × 30 × 14 metres), separated by a reception area.

Exposed unfinished concrete was the obvious choice for two reasons: first, the two monolithic blocks we created were of a brutalist-inspired typology, so the two buildings had to express abstraction without artifice and symbolic protectiveness through a single material; second, the proximity of Würth France’s head offices provided a contrast that showcased the two buildings. The transparency of the glass facades of the head offices found an ideal counterpoint in the opacity and roughness of the unfinished concrete.

"This is an astonishing museum. I love that it is exactly where you least expect it. I also love the fact that the architect did not try to make one of those fashionable baroque sculptures that is so hard to use. The reception, cafeteria and library inside are very pleasant and welcoming. 

The first floor is modular and the space is suited to all sorts of artworks; but I was initially terrified of the very tall room. We had a great neon side made specially, and we managed to get hold of two old artworks that had not yet found (and with probably never will again) a room with a large enough wall. One measures 8m by 8m and has been waiting for this opportunity for 33 years!  

So, this exhibition, particularly thanks to this ‘tall room’, is considered by my friends and supporters to be one of my best personal exhibitions out of the 432 I have curated to date."

François Morellet, november 2008