Krueck Sexton Partners Participated in the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław Competition

Model Photography: Krueck Sexton Partners

Renderings: Filippo Bolognese

Krueck Sexton Partners (KSP), was honored to participate in the competition for the redevelopment of the the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław, with the participation of the Association of Polish Architects Wrocław to reimagine the Museum of Architecture in Wrocław—one of the world’s oldest architectural museums—housed in a 15th-century Gothic church and former Bernardine monastery at the edge of Park Słowackiego. This historic site, shaped by wartime reconstruction, holds significant cultural, urban, and landscape value, bridging the city, the park, and the Odra River.

KSP’s design addresses long-standing challenges—fragmented circulation, uneven floors, and unclear entries—by redefining the museum’s primary axis and visitor flow. A new entry pavilion, featuring mass timber arches inspired by the site’s historic cloisters and courtyards, guides visitors from the city through a public exhibit cloister, across the Museum Courtyard, and into a new café and bookshop facing the park. Operable façades create an open, intuitive connection from east and west, integrating the museum more closely with its surroundings.

The project of the redevelopment and expansion of the museum includes a new addition. The new addition features an underground storage area, a new museum treasury. It also includes a new connection between the original museum complex through a grand staircase from the public zone entry courtyard to the new garden hall library reading room. Situated in Park Slowackiego, the new addition blends the boundary between the park and architecture.

The new interconnected flow of the museum continues to the redefined exhibition hall of the church. A universal, accessible exhibit path provides a barrier-free experience for all permanent and temporary exhibits. Visitors begin their journey at the elevator near the presbytery, ascending to the upper levels before following a smooth, uninterrupted descent through the exhibits. Multiple resting and viewing areas along the path offer moments to pause and appreciate the exhibits and the church’s historic architecture. The exhibit experience is designed to be unified and accessible for people with diverse needs.

Sustainability is central to the design. Geothermal HVAC, radiant heating and cooling, rainwater management with cisterns and bioswales, and permeable surfaces minimize environmental impact. Kinetic terra-cotta fins and a double-layer curtain wall optimize daylight and comfort. Improved office and workshop spaces, featuring natural light, greenery, and outdoor access, support staff well-being and collaboration.

This redevelopment is supported by a team of local and international consultants, including Transsolar Klima Engineering, Buro Happold, Meyer Borgman Johnson, M-Des, and Inbepo, who bring expertise in climate-responsive design, inclusivity, structural development, and fire protection. By prioritizing functionality, inclusivity, and comfort—anchored in universally accessible experiences—the museum is transformed into a space that fosters creativity, collaboration, and community engagement for all.

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