Langen Foundation
The former missile station in the Hombroich cultural area is the site for another outstanding architectural project that blends in harmoniously with its environment. Ando sees this as an experience that uses a combination of simple building materials, glass and concrete, to create a dialogue between building and nature. Viktor and Marianne Langen’s life work forms the basis for this new art house, which the Japanese architect Tadao Ando was contracted to design. It will be completed in spring 2004. The first exhibition will be dedicated to a selection of the Langen collection of modern and Japanese art. The Langen Foundation aims in future to stimulate unusual meetings between art and its surrounding architecture.
Tadao Ando’s architecture, a built space as an independent sculpture, and the presentation of the art inside it create the possibility of interactive experiences. Architect and builder involved themselves in a planning process, whereby the knowledge by each of the other served to consolidate their particular features. A striking architectural ensemble by Per Kirkeby, a sculpture by Chilida and unmistakeable architectures by Erwin Heerich have close spatial relationships with this building.
The Langen Foundation building will comprise three sections:
1. a large rotunda made of concrete with a small passageway opening;
2. a concrete cube, which, though extending only 3 m out of the ground, penetrates 6 m deep into the earth and releases two church naves, cut through by an outside 40 m long staircase;
3. a connecting 80 m long glass veranda with an interior concrete core as a further space.
The three building elements not only embody architectural positions in ideal terms, they also stand for positions in terms of content:
1. the semicircle is a symbolic place of reception, of inner collection, and thus the entrance to the sections of the building which are located behind it;
2. the building which is sunk into the ground and comprises the two apparently independent cubes corresponds to nature being overlaid by the ramparts and bunkers of the former missile station. Ando thus repositions the location. This is supported by the hanging in the interior: the "earth body”, with its 9 m high room walls, will show modern and contemporary art;
3. the glass veranda opens up the view of nature and directly promotes dialogue between interior and exterior, the contemplation of nature, the experience of architecture and the enjoyment of art. The long room which is concealed in the concrete core will house selected works from the Langen Japanese collection and will work contemplatively.
Integrated beautifully into the surrounding landscape, lies Museum Island Hombroich at the river Erft near Düsseldorf.
A number of small a pleasant exhibition halls are spread over the spacious grounds. These buildings are a work of art in themselves.
"When I visited the place for the first time, I was instantly struck by the uniqueness of this museum amidst a forest, completely in unison with the countryside. I was very impressed by the basic idea and its realization.
The new museum is to be created on nearby grounds, which used to be a NATO rocket base. Therefore, my blueprints are aimed to design an object that will match the existing museum.
The museum will have two sections with an exhibition hall in each of them. The section hosting permanent exhibits is to be structured and build in double-layers; i.e. a concrete base combined with glass. The remaining rooms, designed for special exhibitions, connect to the side of the main section in an angle of 45°. Two of these annexes are to be erected parallel to each other. Furthermore, the bottom part of these sections lies underground.
High glass walls and a passage will surround the permanent exhibition section. A corridor, resembling the architecture of traditional Japanese wooden terraces, creates a place where visitors can take in the effects of the landscape and the surroundings. The entrance hall, set above the water, will be a place of contemplation.
Visitors will be able to view and enjoy the artwork in peace and tranquillity. The section hosting special exhibitions lies underground and cannot visually interfere with the surrounding countryside.
It was my main goal creates an object covering a wide area and yet not interferes with the landscape. A simple geometric structure, harmonizing with its surroundings.
I hope that this structure will become the new attraction of Museum Hombroich." Tadao Ando
