Ständehaus

The Ständehaus in Düsseldorf is a historic building on the Kaiserteich pond that today houses K21, the contemporary art department of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen. Originally built in the Historicist style between 1876 and 1880, it served as the seat of the provincial parliament of the Prussian Rhine Province until the 1930s. After a heavy bomb hit in World War II destroyed everything but the exterior walls, the building was reconstructed in the late 1940s and used from 1949 to 1988 as the seat of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament. With its four-wing layout, the architecture recalls Italian Renaissance palazzi, while the original mansard roof echoed French architecture of the 17th century. In front of the north facade stands a bronze fountain sculpture that commemorates a visit by Emperor Wilhelm I and Empress Augusta in 1884.

After the building stood empty for years following the parliament's move, it underwent extensive renovation and conversion. The Munich architecture firm Kiessler+Partner developed a concept that combines the historic room structure with modern exhibition space. A central element is the new glass dome, which floods the top floor with daylight and offers a sweeping panoramic view over the city. This structure gives the interior a bright, open atmosphere. The plenary chamber was also restored to its original dimensions to make the historic fabric visible. Beneath the building, a large underground exhibition space was created, with porthole windows offering a view of the Kaiserteich.

At K21, you can experience artworks from the late 20th and the 21st centuries in an architecturally appealing setting. The uniformly white walls and ceilings serve as a neutral backdrop for the works on display and emphasize preserved historic elements such as the staircases. Sculptures by contemporary artists are also installed in the park in front of the building. For many years, the installation "In Orbit" by Tomás Saraceno drew particular attention: a walkable net suspended high up beneath the glass dome that attracted thousands of visitors. The museum opened in April 2002 and has since presented a diverse mix of classic and modern positions in contemporary art.