SynthesNeubau by Märkli Architekt; photo by Simone Vogel

Zurich-based architect Peter Märkli and his practice have recently completed this generous new building located in Zuchwil, Switzerland. Featuring a natural stone, recessed steel and glass façade, the four-storey SynthesNeubau is the new European headquarters of a medical device company and houses some 1300 of its employees. The lighting concept was developed by Zurich-based lighting studio, Reflexion. (more…)

Holiday house Vitznau by Lischer Partner Architekten Planer AG; photo by Roger Frei

A Swiss architectural practice Lischer Partner Architekten Planer AG have completed this concrete-clad, minimalist holiday residence located in Vitznau. Boasting spectacular views of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland’s fourth largest lake, the interior of this two-storey house has been lined with larch wood block panels following ‘the clients’ desire was to live in a timber house.’ (more…)

Stählemühle by Philipp Mainzer Office for Architecture and Design; photo by Ingmar Kurth

German practice Philipp Mainzer Office for Architecture and Design have given an abandoned, old mill estate a new lease of life by converting it into a state-of-the-art fruit distillery. Located in the south German city of Eigeltingen, the new, 143-square-meters ‘Stählemühle’ encompasses a distillery as well as degustation and tasting areas. The conversion was completed in 2010. (more…)

Sleeping on the bridge: alternative usage of a former connection of two buildings; Photo © Pierre Kellenberger / Architonic

At a former industrial site in the North of Zurich, young people show the potential of an open floor plan, how to build sustainably using recycled materials, how to be resource conscious, and demonstrate that food from Aldi – a discounter – can well be in line with an ecological and anti-consumption attitude. (by Susanne Fritz)

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Sugamo Shinkin Bank / Tokiwadai branch by Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design

The French-born, Japan-based architect Emmanuelle Moureaux has realised this joyful three-storey Tokiwadai branch of a Japanese Sugamo Shinkin Bank. Featuring a distinctive white façade punctured by numerous, variously-sized windows and incorporating a reoccurring theme of leaf motifs, the building aims to provide the visiting clients with ‘a natural, rejuvenating feeling.’ (more…)

Kitzbühel Mansion by splendid architecture; photo by Ralf Buscher

Developed to reflect the local landscape and architecture, this striking 530-square-meters detached villa was realised by a Hamburg-based practice, splendid architecture. Clad with recycled Tyrolean wood planks, the two-storey residency is located in the renowned Austrian ski resort, Kitzbühel. (more…)

Dutch Mountain by denieuwegeneratie; photo by Jaap Vliegenthart / John Lewis Marshall

While ‘Dutch Mountain’ might sound like a rather evident oxymoron, similarly, the eclectic and decidedly curious interior of this single family residence doesn’t fall short to live up to its name. Developed earlier last year by a young Amsterdam-based practice denieuwegeneratie, the house has been designed with an aim to minimise its ecological footprint and thanks to a number of experimental sustainable strategies, ‘Dutch Mountain’ is in effect ‘a house in which the total amount of energy produced exceeds its consumption: excess energy can be used for a electric car.’ (more…)

Bayadere Orange flooring by Missoni for Bolon

Two family-owned businesses: the legendary Italian fashion house Missoni and the Swedish flooring specialists Bolon have collaborated on this latest collection of woven vinyl floor coverings. Bearing Missoni’s unmistakable bold patterns, the vibrantly coloured collection comprises three different designs: reminiscent of Missoni’s trademark zigzag ’Optical’, linear ‘Bayadere’ and equally distinctive but toned-down in its colourway, the monochrome ‘Flame.’ In total, the entire range is available in nine different versions and it was launched earlier in April during Milan’s Salone del Mobile fair and will be presented again in less than two weeks during the upcoming Clerkenwell Design Week in London (22 – 24 May). (more…)