David Chipperfield Designs Dedicated Pavilion for Anselm Kiefer’s Monumental Painting
A custom concrete structure in Germany finally houses Kiefer’s massive 2007 masterpiece, Black Flakes.
1A Permanent Home Found
After nearly two decades in storage, Anselm Kiefer’s monumental painting Schwarze Flocken has found a permanent home. The work, measuring eleven meters tall and seven meters wide, is now exhibited in a dedicated pavilion in Künzelsau, Germany. This project marks the first time the 2007 piece has been presented to the public.
2Architectural Collaboration Origins
The pavilion was designed by David Chipperfield Architects to specifically accommodate the massive dimensions of the painting. The concept of a single-artwork structure originated from Kiefer himself, who collaborated closely with the architects. This project continues the long-standing professional relationship between the Würth Group and Chipperfield’s studio on their cultural campus.
3Monolithic Concrete Design
Located at the southwestern edge of the Carmen Würth Forum, the pavilion features a compact, monolithic form. The exterior is constructed from textured concrete with a rough, bush-hammered finish that complements the surrounding sculpture garden. A shallow, recessed portico provides a sheltered entrance, creating a transition from the landscape into the tall interior.
4Artist-Led Spatial Planning
Kiefer worked directly with the architects to define the exhibition room’s proportions and the placement of structural openings. The painting serves as the central focus of the 140-square-meter space. Exposed solid timber beams span the ceiling, while integrated skylights introduce natural, shifting daylight that alters the appearance of the painting’s dense, textured surface.
5Passive Climate Control
The building utilizes an unconventional approach to internal climate regulation without active systems. A wall assembly consisting of a concrete exterior, brickwork, and interior clay plaster maintains frost-free temperatures. This design allows the building to respond naturally to outdoor conditions, integrating the local weather and seasonal changes into the visitor’s viewing experience.
6Materiality and Historical Weight
Schwarze Flocken incorporates oil, emulsion, shellac, earth, and twigs, creating a heavily layered surface. The work draws inspiration from a poem by Paul Celan, which addresses the devastation of the Holocaust. The physical weight of these materials, combined with the building's concrete construction, emphasizes the somber historical themes within the artist's practice.
7Technical Project Specifications
The project was completed on October 13th, 2026, with structural engineering provided by Mayer-Vorfelder und Dinkelacker. Executive architects Kraft + Kraft Architektenpartnerschaft mbB oversaw the construction process. The lighting design was managed by Kardorff Ingenieure, ensuring that the natural illumination from the skylights effectively highlights the painting’s complex, textured composition throughout the day.
8Redefining Gallery Constraints
This pavilion demonstrates how bespoke architecture can overcome the limitations of traditional museum galleries. By developing the building’s footprint and climate strategy around a single artwork, the project enables a full-scale public encounter with the piece. It serves as a model for housing oversized works that require specific environmental and spatial conditions.