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A partnership to protect art and culture

The artworks at the Kunsthaus Zürich are unique and must be protected from damage, theft and deterioration. To achieve this, the Kunsthaus relies on comprehensive Siemens security systems – including an innovation to protect the exhibits.

A valuable partnership

Around 4000 paintings, sculptures and other artworks from the Middle Ages through to the present day, together with more than 100,000 hand drawings, prints and photographs covering five centuries: the Kunsthaus Zürich plays host to one of the country’s largest art collections. More than half a million visitors a year enjoy these and other attractive temporary exhibitions in an international format. The majority of this unique collection is owned by Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft (the Zurich Art Society), one of Europe’s largest art sponsoring organisations.

Where the past meets the future

The artworks, which can be admired across the 11,500 m3 of exhibition space, are remarkable witnesses to European culture. The Kunsthaus Zürich makes these cultural assets accessible and preserves them for future generations.

It is devoted to all genres of art and is showcases the shifting trends in modern art. This vital task also involves minimising the potential risks: whether fire, theft or vandalism, the Kunsthaus is keen to protect its artworks and of course its visitors. This major European art institution has entrusted this task to state-of-the-art technology from Siemens, which forms a crucial part of the comprehensive security concept.

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Our collaboration with Siemens ensures that our exhibits are protected and we can focus our attentions on our core strength – namely communicating art and inspiring visitors – without having to worry.
Christiane Klotz, Art Historian Kunsthaus Zürich

Multifaceted security

The opening of the Kunsthaus Zürich’s extension in 2021 makes it the largest art museum in Switzerland. As it did for the existing buildings, Siemens Smart Infrastructure also provided various access control, fire protection system, intruder detection and picture alarm products for the new construction. The aim of this three-and-a-half project was to reconcile numerous different requirements: the valuable artworks are scrupulously protected from damage or theft and perfectly preserved whilst still being brought alive for art enthusiasts. The safety of staff and visitors is also important, particularly when it comes to fire protection.

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Tailored security concept

Siemens’ technology enabled a tailored security concept to be implemented at the Kunsthaus Zürich. A comprehensive protection system (including video surveillance) would immediately identify unauthorised access and trigger appropriate action in the form of alarm and control functions.

In the event of an indoor fire, smoke could be thinned out by ambient air in high-ceilinged exhibition rooms, causing a delay in the alarm sounding – with fatal consequences. Special aspirating smoke detectors are therefore used. They continually take air samples that are fed to a highly sensitive detector via a network of pipes. If this detects smoke particles, the alarm is raised and the extinguishing process is triggered.

Our systems help the Kunsthaus minimise risks such as theft and fire. This ensures that pictures and sculptures have lasting protection for future generations.
Matthias Rebellius, Member of the board, Siemens AG and CEO Siemens Smart Infrastructure

A sophisticated new development

The modern, intuitive security technology enables the Kunsthaus to incorporate all systems and sensors into the existing security management systems. To protect the artworks from being touched, the Kunsthaus and Siemens worked together to develop a new technology: a capacitive sensor produces a warning sound if someone gets close to the artwork, and staff are informed.

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Technology overview

‘Siveillance’ optical and capacitive wireless detectors can be incorporated into overarching security systems and thus provide reliable protection for the artworks. Optical wireless detectors use infrared distance measurement and vibration detectors for theft detection, whilst capacitive wireless detectors offer proximity and theft protection. Both detectors are easy to install and draw little power.

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Siemens Arts Program: lab of ideas for creativity and change

Art and culture are a vital foundation for any society. They are essential drivers of identity, creativity and self-reflection.

Thanks to its culture programme established in 1987, Siemens has now been developing its own, specific formats of music and art for nearly forty years. To begin with, the focus was on the founder family’s altruistic interests; now, the group is involved in countless cultural projects as a supporter, creator and catalyst. The Siemens Arts Program gives the company a face alongside its solutions business and showcases its corporate responsibility.
Siemens ‘Houses of SmART’ campaign supports cultural centres such as museums, opera houses and theatres by offering technologies to improve security and sustainability.

We at Siemens feel huge responsibility to preserve our historic heritage. Using every trick in the book, and more!
Prof. Dr. Stephan Frucht, Artistic Director of the Siemens Arts Program