Kunstsammlung K20, Dusseldorf

The Kunstsammlung K20 in Dusseldorf, part of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, showcases the state's premier collection of modern art. Located on Grabbeplatz, K20 is one of three venues under the Kunstsammlung banner, alongside the K21 in Standehaus and the Schmela-Haus. Established in 1961, the collection aimed to reestablish Dusseldorf's importance in the arts after the loss of the Dusseldorf Picture Gallery in 1805. The K20, opened in 1986, exemplifies the modern architectural approach of Dissing+Weitling, featuring a sleek black granite façade and emphasizing the gallery's spacious, light-filled exhibition rooms.

Inside, the museum is organized around its expansive Grabbe Hall, a 14-meter-high, 600-square-meter space used for temporary exhibitions. The hall flows into the building’s two upper floors, which are accessible by a series of single-flight staircases. These floors house additional galleries, some illuminated by skylights, showcasing the core collection. In 2010, a new extension by the original architects expanded the exhibition space by 2,000 square meters. The extension’s design complements the original structure, adding two column-free halls and the Klee-Halle, specifically designed for temporary exhibitions with specialized lighting.

Surrounding the entrance to the museum is Paul-Klee-Platz, a serene public space redesigned in 2012. Featuring white benches encircling Himalayan birches, the plaza includes an original fragment of Dusseldorf’s 1384 city wall, connecting the contemporary art venue with the city’s historical roots.