A groundbreaking new museum dedicated to the work of renowned American sculptor Alexander Calder has opened in Philadelphia, designed by the acclaimed Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. The Calder Gardens Museum, covering 1,691 square meters and completed in 2025, represents a revolutionary approach to experiencing art through an intimate and ever-changing encounter with Calder's iconic sculptures and mobiles.

The museum's design philosophy breaks away from conventional museum architecture, creating what the architects describe as "a new type of place for being with art." Rather than focusing solely on traditional exhibition spaces, the building emphasizes an interplay between art, architecture, nature, people, and the surrounding urban environment. This innovative approach aligns with the client's vision to provide visitors with a completely unique and personal experience with Calder's artistic legacy.

Herzog & de Meuron, led by partners Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron, and Jason Frantzen, collaborated with a extensive team of specialists to bring this vision to life. The project team included Associate and Project Director Aurélien Caetano and Mehmet Noyan, along with Project Manager Ninoslav Krgovic. The design process involved numerous consultants, including structural engineers from Ballinger, lighting specialists from Flux Studio Ltd, and landscape designer Piet Oudolf, who is renowned for his naturalistic garden designs.

The museum's construction utilized a variety of premium materials, with particular emphasis on wood and concrete elements that create a warm yet contemporary atmosphere. The building incorporates advanced technical systems to meet the stringent requirements of art preservation while maintaining an inviting environment for visitors. Specialized firms handled various aspects of the construction, including Hagen Construction for custom woodworking, Von Rickenbach Swiss Design for specialized consulting, and Madison Concrete Construction for the structural elements.

Photographer Iwan Baan captured the completed museum, showcasing how the building integrates seamlessly with its Philadelphia setting. The architectural photography reveals the careful attention to detail in both the interior spaces and the building's relationship to the surrounding cityscape. The museum's design creates a dynamic dialogue between Calder's kinetic sculptures and the architectural spaces that house them.

The project represents a significant addition to Philadelphia's cultural landscape and demonstrates Herzog & de Meuron's continued innovation in museum design. By reimagining how visitors interact with art in a museum setting, the Calder Gardens Museum establishes a new paradigm for intimate cultural institutions dedicated to individual artists' work.