Image: An extension has been added to the building

Kunsthalle Zürich, one of Switzerland's leading contemporary art attractions, has opened following a major transformation of its home at the city's Löwenbräukunst.

A team formed of Swiss architectural practices Gigon / Guyer and Atelier ww was chosen to lead the redesign of the Löwenbräu complex in 2002. Work started in late 2010.

The Löwenbräukunst is located on the former Löwenbräu brewery site and brings together a range of public, private and commercial art organisations under one roof.

Kunsthalle Zürich has been housed at the Löwenbräukunst on a temporary basis for around 14 years, with the redevelopment now providing the institution with a new permanent home.

Löwenbräu-Kunst AG owns the development and its partners include the Kunsthalle Zürich Foundation, the Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund and the City of Zürich.

The project included the conservation of the Kunsthalle Zürich building on Limmatstrasse; a revamp of the existing art spaces; and the creation of new structures at the site.

As a result of the transformation, the total space available for exhibitions has increased by a third to 1,184sq m (12,744sq ft). The space will also cater for education programmes.

A spokesperson said: "The core of the construction project, and a visible hallmark of the Löwenbräukunst, is the addition of an extra storey to the roof of the west wing of the Löwenbräu building.

"This will increase by a third the total area available to the Kunsthalle for exhibitions. The white cube will clearly identify the Kunsthalle Zürich from the outside."

Image (c) ARGE Löwenbräuareal (Gigon/Guyer Architekten and atelier ww)