Halland Art Museum

The orientation of the new spaces is governed by the city and the river. Placing the new volumes north of the existing museum creates a possibility for two entrances, one towards the street and one in the park, while the River Nissan forms a majestic backdrop beyond. A new thoroughfare connects the city to the museum that continues to link into the sculpture garden and cultural trail alongside the river. The sculpture park extends toward the river, where a new riverside jetty in in the future may allow visitors to arrive by the museum boat, as well as their own kayaks. This new public space is for everyone; you do not have to be a museum visitor to visit and enjoy it.

The entrance gallery is the hub that links the new and old parts of the museum. It is a bright space, filled with daylight from where visitors can admire the surrounding landscape and view activities within the museum. The reception, shop and café are all served by the same desk; their central location allows museum staff to welcome and serve guests from  both entrances. The entrance gallery can operate independently from the other parts of the museum; events can be held in the auditorium while the display spaces are closed. For larger events, the auditorium can open up into the café space. The restaurant and café spaces are situated riverside.

In contrast to the open, light filled entrance gallery, the new exhibition space takes the form of a closed, energy efficient concrete volume. The pre-cast concrete exterior is covered with a repeating pattern; an abstracted reference to the existing building façades. The rationale is to create optimal climate conditions to aid the conservation of artworks on display, as well as to ensure their security.

Art plays an important role in the design of the new museum spaces, as well as the landscape outside. Artists will work alongside the design team from White Arkitekter to create a new civic architecture that breathes culture; inside and out.