Nuovo museo: background
The Museo Ciäsa Granda in Stampa has served as a museum and cultural centre in Bregaglia since 1958. It houses important works by members of the Giacometti family of artists and by Varlin, as well as an extensive collection on the cultural and natural history of Bregaglia. The museum also includes the unique Atelier Giacometti – unchanged since 1906 and the only surviving workplace of Alberto Giacometti anywhere in the world.
The listed museum building dates back to the 16th century and is now in need of renovation. Infrastructure, exhibition spaces, accessibility, fire safety and escape routes no longer meet the requirements of a modern museum. At the same time, the Atelier Giacometti is not adequately integrated into the visitor experience. As a result, the site’s cultural potential cannot be fully realised.
Fondazione Museo Ciäsa Granda e Atelier Giacometti has been responsible for the museum since 2023, having taken over from the Società culturale di Bregaglia.
Its remit includes renovating and extending the building, overhauling the exhibitions and professionalising the museum’s operations. These plans are being put into place with the ‘Nuovo Museo Ciäsa Granda e Atelier Giacometti’ project.
Alberto Giacometti in front of the Ciäsa Granda, 1964
© Christopher Dean/Photo: Loomis Dean
Progress to date
2021
Architectural competition, won by Muralto-based firm baserga/mozzetti with its «Museo Verticale» design. The winning design combines a sensitive approach to the historic fabric with a bold new extension.
2023
Establishment of the Fondazione Museo Ciäsa Granda and Atelier Giacometti
2024
Completion of the preliminary project (SIA phase 31) for the renovation and extension of the Ciäsa Granda.
2025
Completion of the museum concept for the «Nuovo Museo Ciäsa Granda e Atelier Giacometti».
The building project
The following visualisations show the design following completion of the preliminary project phase:
Ciäsa Granda from the east: A new extension will be built at the south-east corner of the building. The new 100 m² exhibition gallery will extend across the full width of the Ciäsa Granda, encompassing both the historic building and the new extension. It will adjoin the building directly and run beneath the square.
© baserga mozzetti architetti
Ciäsa Granda from the west: The extension on the right connects the different levels of the old building. It provides access for people with reduced mobility, as well as compliant escape routes and modern fire protection, without compromising the historic fabric.
© baserga mozzetti architetti
The preliminary project was made possible thanks to the support of:
- Albert und Ida Nüssli-Stutz Stiftung, Mellingen
- Oscar Neher Stiftung, Chur
- Region Maloja
- Sophie und Karl Binding Stiftung, Basel
- Erica Stiftung, Feusisberg
- Private donors
The Fondazione Museo Ciäsa Granda e Atelier Giacometti extends its heartfelt thanks to all donors who made the preliminary project possible. With this important milestone achieved, it is confident that the next stages will be completed just as successfully.
Current Status
For a project of this scale, it is exceptionally well advanced.
The architectural competition has been concluded, the preliminary project completed, the museum concept finalised and the cost estimate independently reviewed. The Municipality of Bregaglia has approved a funding commitment, and the project enjoys broad support throughout the region. Private funding is now needed to bring it to fruition. The Fondazione is confident that it can successfully complete this next step as well.
Contact for enquiries and further information: Dr. Jakob Messerli, President of the Foundation Board (nuovomuseo@ciaesagranda.ch)
Alberto Giacometti at his worktable in Stampa, 1961
Photograph by Ernst Scheidegger © 2026
Foundation Ernst Scheidegger Archive, Zürich
Unterstütze das Projekt
Bitte überweise den Betrag an:
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