Hasta La Ideas

Dezeen podcast: in this podcast recorded on our recent architectural tour of Basel and Zurich, leading Swiss architects talk about their work and offer opinions on the current state of Swiss architecture.

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Christine Binswanger, a partner at Herzog and de Meuron talks about the renovation of the Museum of Cultures in Basel (above), which involved a conflict with conservative members of the public and the local authority.

Binswanger (above) also outlines the practice’s approach to repurposing existing buildings and talks about a more “careful” approach from clients to commissioning statement architecture.

Daniel Wentzlaff of Nissen Wentzlaff Architects describes the inspiration behind the one-piece cast concrete Laufen Forum building (above and below).

Wentzlaff also gives his views on the definition of Swiss style, which he claims is based in the country’s traditional Protestant mentality.

Fabian Hörmann, an associate at EM2N Architects talks about the diverse range of projects that the practice are involved in – including Im Viadukt (above), a repurposing of vacant railway bridge arches in Zurich – and how they are trying to involve themselves in more ambitious projects on an urban planning scale.

We also spoke to Mike Critchley (above) from Beta Projekt Management, who implemented Christian Kerez’s design for School Leutschenbach in Zurich (below).

Critchley talks about the technically challenging glass and steel construction of the school as well as the important relationship between architecture and the public sector in Switzerland, which supports applications from young architects for high-profile projects.

The tour was organised by bathroom brand Laufen and there are photos on our Facebook page from Basel and Zurich.

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