Fondation Martin Bodmer, library and museum, Cologny, Switzerland 1998-2003

Project: 1998
Construction: 2000-2003
Client: Fondation Martin Bodmer
Site supervision: Studio Archilab, Pully
Site area: 5500 m²
Useful surface: 1280 m²
Volume : 9000 m³

The collection of written documents kept at the Fondation Martin Bodmer constitutes a remarkable cultural heritage. The building stands between two classical-looking villas in the large estate acquired by its founder, the Swiss diplomat Martin Bodmer. The new extension consists of a two-storey underground construction between the two villas to which it is connected in the basements. The entry is from the garden, crossing a courtyard which is sunken on the lake side. The exhibition space has been interpreted as a “concealed case” with nothing emerging from the ground but the five glass parallelepipeds on a square base that let natural light in. Inside, the exhibition spaces are characterized by the contrast between the daylight enveloping the suspended works of art and the dim light on the showcases set along the perimeter. The interior space seems boundless and changeable, only defined by the arrangement of the books supported by jointed elements.