The new building is at the same time museum, greenhouse and aviary. Touring through the museum, the visitor experiences different climatic conditions, different light atmospheres, living nature in its diversity and its history. The visitor is sensitized to the current discussion about sustainable management with natural resources.
The core of the exhibition is wrapped with an additional layer which functions at the same time as atrium, winter garden and aviary. This climatic transition zone allows the experience of nature which is reinforced through the view, plants and birds. Through the position of the stairs inside this layer, the zone also serves as public circulation. The exhibition spaces are reached through this zone on the different floor levels.
The simple and compact volume is set in a direct relation to the nearby church, the ensemble of the two volumes of the buildings creating a new city entrance to St. Gallen. Through its materialisation, volume and architectural language the new building sets a counterpoint to the historic church showing the evolution of architectural styles and different construction methods.
The glass facade with which the building is wrapped, is reminiscent of industrial greenhouses of botanic gardens. In this way the program is represented in a sensitive way on the outside of the building.
The building volume is very compact, leaving the building plot partially free and untouched. The museum is slightly sunk in a courtyard which houses school- and seminar rooms, archives and technical rooms. Four bridges lead over the court to different programs in the ground floor and serve as entrance and space for delivery. The exhibition rooms are stacked on top of each other. The top of the building houses offices for the administration.
Nature is the most important topic of the building. The compact volume and its glass filter as transition zone between exterior and interior represent the program to the outside, by at the same time being very efficient in terms of energy consumption and sustainability.
