As a private law trust the Maurice E. and Martha Müller Foundation was at liberty to decide the procedures that would lead to a construction project.

Factors of importance to the Board

• The Zentrum Paul Klee should meet the highest possible quality requirements.
• The project as a whole is under pressure of time.
• It is unlikely that leading international architect’s offices would take part in a competition procedure.

Taking all these factors into account, the Board agreed to award the contract directly. It believed that this was the fastest and most reliable route to a project of outstanding quality.

With a direct commission, the decision has to be based on visible proof of performance. On that basis, and taking into account the explicit wishes of Prof. Dr Maurice E. Müller and his wife Martha Müller-Lüthi, the Board named Renzo Piano as their candidate of choice.