Bechtler museum, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (2000-2009)
Photo: Enrico Cano
Project: 2000-2005
Construction: 2007-2009
Client: Andreas Bechtler
Partner: Wagner Murray Architects PA, Charlotte
Site area: 1’912 m²
Useful surface: 2’490 m²
Volume: 16’992 m³
The museum is located in downtown Charlotte, a city that has undergone a rapid urban
development in recent years. It houses the works of art of the Andreas Bechtlers’ collection
with important artists such as Tinguely, Niki de Saint Phalle, Picasso, Giacometti, Matisse,
Mirò, Degas, Warhol, Le Corbusier, Léger. The cube-shaped building is hollow inside to offer
an outdoor public courtyard that is outlined by the plastic volumes at the back. The fourstorey structure is characterized by the soaring glass atrium that extends through the core of
the museum and diffuses natural light throughout the building thanks to a system of vaulted
skylights. Despite its modest dimensions, a great plastic force is created by the play of solids
and voids. It can be thus defined as an architecture-sculpture where the voids mark a new
urban space sheltered by the fourth floor gallery jutting out from the core of the building and
supported by a huge single column rising from the plaza below. The choice of the materials
for the interior spaces and the terra cotta exterior cladding provide the museum with a
rigorous, though elegant simplicity.
Project: 2000-2005
Construction: 2007-2009
Client: Andreas Bechtler
Partner: Wagner Murray Architects PA, Charlotte
Site area: 1’912 m²
Useful surface: 2’490 m²
Volume: 16’992 m³
The museum is located in downtown Charlotte, a city that has undergone a rapid urban
development in recent years. It houses the works of art of the Andreas Bechtlers’ collection
with important artists such as Tinguely, Niki de Saint Phalle, Picasso, Giacometti, Matisse,
Mirò, Degas, Warhol, Le Corbusier, Léger. The cube-shaped building is hollow inside to offer
an outdoor public courtyard that is outlined by the plastic volumes at the back. The fourstorey structure is characterized by the soaring glass atrium that extends through the core of
the museum and diffuses natural light throughout the building thanks to a system of vaulted
skylights. Despite its modest dimensions, a great plastic force is created by the play of solids
and voids. It can be thus defined as an architecture-sculpture where the voids mark a new
urban space sheltered by the fourth floor gallery jutting out from the core of the building and
supported by a huge single column rising from the plaza below. The choice of the materials
for the interior spaces and the terra cotta exterior cladding provide the museum with a
rigorous, though elegant simplicity.
