The Zurich Art Museum has firmly denied allegations that its Chipperfield extension building has suffered water damage, stating that dark stains visible on concrete walls are normal discoloration and pose no threat to the artworks housed within. The museum responded decisively on Friday to claims made by a business publication questioning the integrity of the building.
The controversy began when Inside Paradeplatz, a Swiss business portal, published a blog post describing the Chipperfield extension as resembling an "underground parking garage after heavy rain" and a "tropical house for artworks." The publication pointed to dark spots visible on the concrete walls as evidence of potential water damage that could threaten the museum's valuable collection.
Following the publication of these allegations, the art museum's technical director immediately contacted the responsible supplier to conduct a thorough inspection of the questioned areas. The comprehensive examination revealed that the concerns were unfounded, with experts confirming that no water damage had occurred in the building.
Museum officials emphasized that the dark markings are simply normal discoloration of the exposed concrete, with most of these variations having been present since the building's original construction. They stressed that such discoloration is a common and expected characteristic of exposed concrete surfaces and does not indicate any structural problems or moisture infiltration.
The museum maintains strict environmental controls throughout the facility, with climate conditions being constantly monitored and precisely regulated to ensure optimal preservation conditions for the artworks. Officials stated that at no point has there been any danger to the museum's artworks or collection areas, and all preservation standards continue to be met.
The Chipperfield extension, which opened four years ago, represents a significant architectural addition to the Zurich Art Museum. Despite the recent allegations, the building continues to operate normally, housing important artworks in carefully controlled environmental conditions that meet international museum standards.
