Piano’s three green waves: a museum that looks like landscape practicing how to become architecture.
Museum collection in the city of Bern, Switzerland.
Featured in Renzo Piano's definitive monograph, Renzo Piano: Complete Works 1966–Today.
Visitor Guide
Walk the roofline first, then go inside. You’ll understand the building’s whole idea — art and terrain stitched together — before you see a single drawing.
From the meadow-facing side where the three ‘hills’ read as a sequence; late afternoon for smooth gradients and long shadows.
You can go inside. Ticketed admission (adult around CHF 20; discounts and combined tickets available). Hours vary — check current schedule before you go.
This is Piano doing ‘structure as topography’: the building is a long-span structural gesture disguised as a gentle hill.
2–3 hours
Design & Structure
Long-span roof geometry coordinated through structural analysis and digital modeling; daylight and gallery environmental control integrated without interrupting the continuous ‘landscape’ form.
Steel structure and glass with earth-toned finishes; the materials serve the illusion of the building as landform.
Wave-like long spans with careful deflection control; engineering makes the roof read effortless and smooth.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Zentrum Paul Klee — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Renzo Piano
View all →
California Academy of Sciences
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Musical Instruments Museum
Harvard Art Museums
High Museum of Art
Morgan Library & Museum
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Zentrum Paul Klee?+
Zentrum Paul Klee was designed by Renzo Piano and completed in 2005. It is located in Bern, Switzerland.
Where is Zentrum Paul Klee located?+
Zentrum Paul Klee is located in Bern, Switzerland. Its coordinates are 46.9492°, 7.4739°.
When was Zentrum Paul Klee built?+
Zentrum Paul Klee was completed in 2005. It was designed by Renzo Piano.
Can I visit Zentrum Paul Klee?+
Zentrum Paul Klee is a real building in Bern that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.