S AM Schweizerisches Architekturmuseum
Leading Swiss institution for contemporary architecture with changing exhibitions in Kunsthalle Basel building.
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About the museum
The Swiss Architecture Museum was founded in 1984 as a foundation in Basel. It sees itself as the leading institution for promoting contemporary architecture in Switzerland and wants to connect expert discourse with a broad audience. Its first exhibition in 1984 was dedicated to architect Jean Prouvé; since then it has realized more than 150 exhibitions, including shows on Zaha Hadid (2005) and Bernard Tschumi (2015).
Originally the museum was housed in the Domus House of 1958. Since 2004 it has been based in the Kunsthalle Basel building on Steinenberg, whose interior spaces were designed according to a concept by architect Peter Märkli. The Kunsthalle and S AM share house and entrance but remain independent institutions.
The S AM has specialized in changing exhibitions and shows an average of four per year, with focal points "History and Present in Switzerland" and "Learning from ...". Also offered are tours, city walks, panels, lectures and workshops as well as publications in its own series. Since 2026, Adam Szymczyk has directed the house.
Highlights
- Changing exhibitions on architecture and urban planning, on average four per year
- In the Kunsthalle Basel building on Steinenberg
- One ticket also valid for Kunsthalle Basel
- S AM Tours: walks in urban space and excursions
- Holiday workshops and family Sundays for children
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Stiftung Schweizerisches Architekturmuseum
- Director
- Adam Szymczyk
- Visitors per year
- approx. 34,424 (2018)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 8Students, apprentices and scholars with ID, seniors (from 64/65), retirees and AHV recipients, job seekers, groups 10+, KulturLegi |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · All under 18 years free admission. |
| Seniors | CHF 8Seniors from 64/65 years, retirees and AHV recipients with ID. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · People with disabilities and one accompanying person free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 8Students, scholars and apprentices with ID. |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 8 per personGroups from 10 people, price per person. |
Ticket also valid for Kunsthalle Basel in same building. Free admission according to museum includes S AM members, Museums-PASS-Musées holders, ICOM members, Colour Key holders, refugees with status F, N, S or B and press. Discounted: Swiss Museums Pass, Swiss Travel Pass and BaselCard.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All rooms completely wheelchair accessible; at Steinenberg 7 entrance, staff assistance needed (phone +41 61 206 99 01).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Holiday workshops and family Sundays for children and young people; all under 18 years free admission.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bankverein
Between tram stops "Bankverein", "Barfüsserplatz" and "Theater"; tram 2, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no parking facilities.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shared bookstore with Kunsthalle Basel in the building.
Events & venue rental
Event inquiries according to museum to Administration & Events team (event@sam-basel.org).
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Each exhibition has public and private tours, city walks ("S AM Tours", also by bike) and excursions. For kindergartens, schools and universities, the museum offers dialogical walks and workshops, also outside opening hours; class visits without tour should be registered early (education@sam-basel.org). |
