KUNSTFORUM INGELHEIM
Conversion, refurbishment and extension of a listed building ensemble

The Kunstforum Ingelheim was built in 1861 as the town hall of Nieder-Ingelheim. It has been used for exhibitions since the 1950s. It has become nationally known through the International Days of Ingelheim – art exhibitions that are firmly anchored in the cultural landscape of Rhineland-Palatinate and are organised every year with the support of Boehringer Ingelheim.

Together with the market square and fountain, the former infant school and a late Baroque residential building, the Old Town Hall forms a listed ensemble on Francois-Lachenal-Platz, close to the Imperial Palace.

As part of the necessary refurbishment, a new foyer and an additional exhibition space under the courtyard were added to the ensemble. The new underground exhibition space complements and enlarges the Kunstforum to a total of five exhibition rooms.

The new entrance to the Kunstforum is via the inner courtyard into the new foyer with ticket sales and museum shop. The listed pavilion adjoining the foyer was converted into a café with a catering kitchen and seating in the inner courtyard.

In order to provide barrier-free access to all levels, the existing staircase was redesigned and a lift was installed.

The exhibition rooms were given a neutral interior design, particularly suitable for temporary exhibitions. A flexible arrangement of darkening elements enables both daylight exhibitions and the complete panelling of the window openings as a hanging surface.

A particular challenge was to create a ventilation and air conditioning system that meets the high requirements of international lenders, despite the limited space available.