Kunsthaus

The Kunsthaus in Bregenz, Austria, is an art gallery celebrated for its minimalist design and masterful use of natural light. Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, it won the Mies van der Rohe prize in 1998. The building features three levels of galleries with a self-supporting external skin of brushed glass. Natural daylight is diffused through a glass ceiling, eliminating the need for artificial lighting within the gallery spaces. A separate black concrete building houses administrative functions, shops, and a café. The gallery was completed in 1997 and is noted for the high quality and elegance of its details. Bregenz itself is the capital of the Vorarlberg state in western Austria, situated on Lake Constance and has a history dating back to Celtic and Roman settlements.12