janus_Extension by :mlzd; photo by Dominique Marc Wehrli

A Swiss architectural practice :mlzd have melded the past with the present by inserting this striking, futuristic-looking extension amidst two, preexisting museum buildings which date back to the late thirteenth century. Located near Lake Zürich, in a picturesque town of Rapperswil-Jona, the multifaceted, perforated brass clad extension provides not only an eye-catching addition to the otherwise conventional-looking museum but also brings it up to date thanks to a number of additional modern facilities such as a new main entrance with a disabled access and a further 170-square-meters of minimalist interior which can serve several functions. (more…)

'Hangover_no.1' pendant light by stockwerk3

Swiss design studio stockwerk3 have created this customisable aluminium pendant light whose form can be easily modified by repositioning of its elements. In total, five various configurations can be achieved and the minimalist ‘Hangover_no.1′ is produced in Switzerland. (more…)

Swissbau 2012, as seen by Architonic

Join us on our photographic journey through the exhibition halls of this year’s edition of Swissbau which took place in Basel, Switzerland on 21 – 25. January. In the following five parts of Architonic’s ever-insightful photo tour, we have published no less than 500 images featuring some of the best manufacturers and the novelties they presented at this year’s edition of Swissbau.

to Architonic’s tour of Swissbau 2012, Part 1

including Alape, Alegna, Antoliniluigi, AOS, Apavisa, Arbonia, Argolite, Arwa, Astec, Atlas Holz, Attika, Axor Hansgrohe, Bauwerk, Berger Metallbau, Casa dolce casa, Cinier, Columbus Treppen, Cosentino, Creaton, Dauphin, Delta Tueren, Eclisse, Eternit, Gaulhofer, Hagemeister

to Architonic’s tour of Swissbau 2012, Part 2

including Bruag, Bulthaup, Dinesen, Buzzispace, Caimi Brevetti, Dornbracht, Duka, Duravit, Embru, Emco, Feller, Forbo, Forster, FSB, Galvolux, Geberit, Gessi, Grohe, Hansgrohe, Hewi, Inda, Kaldewei, Keuco, Laufen, Schaerholzbau, Schmidlin, Talsee, Tece

(more…)

'Staccato' shelving unit by Atelier Oï for Röthlisberger

The multidisciplinary design practice Atelier Oï has recently realised this cleverly-constructed, natural solid ash shelving unit for the Swiss furniture manufacturer Röthlisberger. Composed of multiple interlocking shelfs, the rhythmic, multigrid structure of ‘Staccato’ is ideal for large format books as well as smaller volumes and decorative items while the unit itself can also function as a functional room divider which can be extended in endless combinations.

(more…)

Peter Zumthor's Therme Vals in Graubunden, Switzerland, 1996; photo by Helene Binet

Earlier this week, we have come across yet another highly-interesting podcast, this time from World Radio Switzerland’s Swiss By Design series. In this 17-minutes-long episode, award-winning

broadcaster and journalist Jennifer Davies meets the celebrated architect and 2009 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Peter Zumthor who tells her about his spa complex in Vals, how becoming an architect was a ‘big escape to get away’ from his father and why the ‘the smell of the earth of the area’ plays an important role while designing a building.

listen to the ‘Swiss By Design: Architectural delights’ podcast

'Mon' table lamp by Colin Schaelli for Atelier Pfister

Described by its designer as a ‘pleasant floor lamp that does not scream for exaggerated attention’, this indeed simple, monochrome light has been recently developed by the Swiss designer Colin Schaelli for Atelier Pfister. Composed of two parts; a curved base made of black-coloured metal and a contrasting, egg-shaped, white glass lampshade, ‘Mon’ emanates a soft glow while its helical, half-twisted form resembles the ‘Möbius’ strip’. (more…)

2 EFH Wingert Oberweningen by L3P Architekten; photo courtesy of L3P Architekten

The Swiss practice L3P Architekten has recently realised these two homogenous, single-occupancy detached houses located in the picturesque countryside setting of Oberweningen, Switzerland. The monolithic, asymmetrical structures have been developed as a reinterpretation of a simple detached house, which has been split in two and as a result, two ‘polygonal bodies were formed in which the mutual proximity becomes a quality.’ (more…)

Impressions from this year's edition of 'neue räume'

Following yesterday’s opening of the ‘neue räume 11′ fair, we unveil a second photo gallery with images from the exhibitions of; Holzmanufaktur, Element, Erba Italia, Wiesmann Küchen, Hugo Kretz, Blueroom, Gabaan, Wald-Haus, Materia, Manufakt and many more.

Be inspired!

to Architonic’s ‘neue räume 11, Part II′ album on Facebook

to Architonic’s ‘neue räume 11, Part I′ album on Facebook

find out more about the fair in our special ’neue räume 11′ newsletter