Exposé

Harry Gugger Studio

A constant beginning

Aren’t we all constant beginners advancing in life?

We find this view liberating and we believe that this unbiased perspective deserves to be celebrated and should not be obscured nor by experience and routine nor by ideology.

Doesn’t this view speak of a Dilettante’s approach?

As admirers of art and science we cultivate our knowledge out of inherent interest with passion and pleasure. We deliberately attain the necessary openness that allows us to abandon the architect’s traditional role as the author of an architectural project, in favour of a multiple authorship of architect, client and the adequate specialists.

How reliable are admirers?

Professional in our organization and precise in our work method we cultivate a sense of impartiality in order to grasp the unique character of each project. This approach leads to an extensive examination of all given conditions and a lively dialogue with the client and the engaged consultants.

What is the power of conversation?

The dialogue serves to find the optimal interlacing between conditions given by the site, client requests, programme specificities and building technology. Thereby, we aim at creating a readable, emblematic, functional and enduring architecture that benefits the community and the environment alike.

Who we are

Harry Gugger established Harry Gugger Studio (HGS) in 2010 in order to create closer ties between his academic work and practice. He aimed at creating an environment that fathoms synergies from his two decades of partnership at Herzog & de Meuron and the research work of his chair ‘Laboratoire Bâle’ at the Swiss Federal Technical Institute in Lausanne (EPFL). In doing so, distinct interrogations of science, engineering, environment, society and art should find vigilant responses.

Already within its first years of practice, the Studio, based in Basel, successfully designed and executed work in Switzerland, Canada the Middle East and Central America. Projects range in scale and functions, from urban schemes and civic buildings, to private houses, exhibitions and furniture. Particular emphasis is placed on the singularity of each project, aiming at exploring its distinct potential, in close collaboration between HGS, clients, users and corresponding consultants.

We are a tightly organised, highly skilled international team with a wealth of experience and an exemplary portfolio of realised projects. We combine an innate Swiss precision with a broader international outlook to create unique and robust architectural solutions that blend these contrasting perspectives. We draw upon our worldwide network of specialist consultants, scientists and artists to amplify the knowledge base of our in-house teams. We activate this network in a project- and phase-specific manner, in order to develop fully integrated projects that respond to the given demands in the best way possible.

What we do

We wish to develop a shared ambition

Together with our clients we share the ambition to uncover the core of each project and produce distinct, intriguing and considered architecture in an open, holistic and cost-conscious manner. Whether we are working on urban design schemes, an individual building, interior space or a single piece of furniture this ‘shared ambition’ is the touchstone that we always refer to in developing the design.

We cultivate collaboration and research

Our collaborative, analytical approach to work is pioneering. We define the needs of each project by thoroughly exploring the brief, the context and the demands of all stakeholders. We then firmly pursue these demands from conception to completion. Our inclusive methodology consolidates knowledge from multiple disciplines so that we can accommodate the diverse interests of our clients, social welfare, public space and the environment in our designs. This way we generate added value for all stakeholders.

We deliver bespoke design

We do not cultivate a personal style or pursue formal preferences in our designs. Our approach ensures the development of an elaborate and distinctive architecture that successfully embraces and serves social, economical and ecological demands.

Awards

2021 - Building Award

Silo Erlenmatt wins the Building Award in the civil engineering category

2021 - Beton 21

Silo Erlenmatt is awarded at the Beton 21 organized by Beton Suisse

2019 - Heritage Awards of the city of Vancouver

Ehrenauszeichnung, award of honour for The Exchange

2017 - American Architecture Prize

American Architecture Prize Design of the Year 2017 in the category of Heritage Architecture for 'The Exchange'

2023 - International Prize for Sustainable Architecture

Hirtenweg was awarded with the Gold Medal at the International Prize for Sustainable Architecture

2009 - Premio de Urbanismo y Construcción de la Ciudad

CaixaForum-Madrid receives the "Premio de Urbanismo y Construcción de la Ciudad" of X Bienal de Arquitectura Española, ES

2004 - The Prix Meret Oppenheim Award

Harry Gugger is awarded the Prix Meret Oppenheim, Office Fédéral de la Culture, CH

1999 - Brandenburgischer Architekturpreis

Brandenburgischer Architekturpreis 1999, Land Brandenburg/D for the Library Technical School Eberswalde, DE

1999 - Rolf Schock Prize for the Visual Arts

Rolf Schock Prize for the Visual Arts, Stockholm

1996 - Construtec Prize

Construtec Prize for the Signal Box in Basel, European Prize for Industrial Architecture, Hannover, DE

1996 - Max Beckmann Award

Frankfurt a. M., DE

1996 - Brunel Award 1995

Washington DC for the Railway Engine Depot Auf dem Wolf in Basel, US

1995 - Brunel Award 1994

Washington DC for the Signal Box in Basel, US

Press

20.05.2021, «Loyers abordables et qualité de vie: La solution modulaire», TRACÉS, Alexander Felix

16.05.2021, «So schön können Sozialwohnungen sein», Sonntagszeitung, Andrea Eschbach

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04.2021, «Dreimal gut und günstig», TEC21, Alexander Felix

04.2021, «Neualte Offenheit: Umbau Silo Erlenmatt von Harry Gugger Studio», werk bauen + wohnen, Jenny Keller

03.2021, «Design Hôtel», Maisons et ambiances, Corine Stübi

12.2020 ,«Ausblick durch Bullauges in ein zweites Leben», Architektur, Bauen + Handwerk Bern/Basel 2020/21

11.2020, «Vetrauen in den Bestand», Schweizer Ingeneurbaukunst, Clementine Hegner-van Rooden

10.2020, «Rohdiamanten im Silo», TEC21, Nicolas Bassand und Peter Seitz

09.2020, «Das Quartier als urbanes Experimentierfeld», DETAIL, Jakob Schoof

29.08.2020, «Birsfelden erfindet sich neu», Basler Zeitung, Andrea Schumacher

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02.08.2020, "Vom Kornspeicher zum hippen Treffpunkt", Sonntagszeitung Wirtschaft, Andreas Herzog

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08.2020,«Silo in Basel», Baumeister, Hubertus Adam

06.2020,«Strukturerhalt», Hochparterre, Andreas Herzog

16.05.2020, "Das neue Silo", Basler Zeitung, Daniel Aenishänslin

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05.2020, «Full House», Schweizer Baudokumentation, Claudia Frigo Mallien

04.2020, «Du diamant brut: la nouvele élémentarité des silos d'Erlenmatt», TRACÉS, Nicolas Bassand

03.2020, «Viscosistadt Emmen», Phoenix #49, Manuel Pestalozzi

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06.2019, «Ortsplanung von unten, Entwicklung Zentrum Birsfelden», Werk, Philipe Cabane

07.06.2018, «Ein Weggang aus Basel in Raten»,
bz REGION, Christian Mensch

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09.2017, «Wohn- und Gewerbehaus in Basel», DETAIL

2017,«Public Space? Lost and Found», MIT SA+P Press,
Coryn Kempster with Julia Jamrozik

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04.2014, «The Exchange», Mark Magazine #49

03.2014, «Boston Society of Architects Award 2013»,
Design New England

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28.03.2014, «14 millions d’habitants, c’est vivable»,
Le Temps, Yelmarc Roulet

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21.03.2014, «Une Suisse à 14 millions d’habitants, c’est possible»,
Tribune de Genève, Pascal Schmuck

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21.03.2014, «Eine Schweiz für 14 Millionen Menschen»
Basler Zeitung, Christoph Heim

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21.03.2014, «Eine Schweiz für 14 Millionen Menschen», Hochparterre, Palle Peterson

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16.03.2014, «Eine Schweiz mit 14 Millionen Einwohnern? Kein Problem!», Sonntagszeitung, Gabi Schwegler

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03.02.2014, «Maya-Museum aus Basel», Hochparterre, Axel Simon

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17.01.14, «Stalking Heritage Far From Home», New York Times, Edward Rothstein

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01. 2014 ,«Swiss Performance - Rückzug mit Ausblick», Archithese, Katharina Sommer

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28.11.2012,«Eine frage von Verantwortung», Theater Basel, Stephanie Gräve

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17.11.2012, «Architekturgespräch Einsiedeln: Was ist Architektur?», Harry Gugger

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24.09.2012, «Un artiste intransigeant et libre», Le Temps, Harry Gugger

10.01.2012, «Planspiele für 16 Millionen Schweizer», Basler Zeitung, Harry Gugger

Harry Gugger Studio is hiring!

Take a look at our current vacancies