Clemens Sels Museum

Competition 2003, revision 2015

The planned donation of a private Art Nouveau collection provided the opportunity to rethink the plans for extending the museum, which had been rejected after the 2003 competition, and to plan a concrete exhibition.

The winning competition design from 2003 was already based on paying special attention to and emphasising the existing ensemble of Obertor and Deilmannbau, thus anticipating the Deilmannbau’s status as a listed building in 2013. Then as now, the building retains its solitary effect. Starting from the Obertor and the extension to the south by the Deilmann Building, the structural development is also continued by the extension stages to the south, thus taking up the idea already started by the Deilmann Building of structurally reinterpreting the old city fortifications along Mühlenstraße and Zitadellstraße. By splitting the extension areas into several bodies, individual structural volumes are created that do not compete with the existing building, but instead enter into a dialogue with it. The choice of façade material and the structuring of the façade through storey cornices and concrete window frames were also made with this in mind. When choosing the clinker brick for the extension areas, however, a rough slate-coloured stone is proposed. The ensemble of Obertor and Deilmannbau – which are also independent in their materiality – will thus be joined by another ‘partner’ that is independent in its materiality. The main entrance will (initially) remain in the Deilmanbau. However, the L-shaped connecting structure will allow it to be converted into a new foyer.