VitraHaus is one of the most spectacular buildings made in Europe in recent time.

Last year I had the opportunity to visit it several times – each time feeling impressed and excited about the place and how well the architects, Herzog & de Meuron, have managed to put 12 buildings together to a five storey structure… a pile of houses intersecting as nothing you have ever seen before.

Vitra is a Swiss furniture company founded back in 1950. Over the years Vitra has worked together with some of the best and most visionary furniture designers around the world: Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames, Hella Jongerius and many more.

VitraHaus Model

In 2006 it was decided to extend the VitraCampus, in Germany just north of Basel, Switzerland, with a new showroom.

Herzog & de Meuron was hired as architects and came up with the suggestion for VitraHaus as it stands today. Below are photos from some of the visits…

Outside…

VitraHaus from the outside

a few more photos from the outside…

Still outside.. but this time from the center of the building

Eames elephants on grass…

Inside…

Panton plastic, Jongerius colour circle and more…

Miniature Eames rocking chair, boy in a window…

The shop, chair and stairs…

Panton Pantower, Panton chairs, Jongerius lamps and coffee…

A great place and very much worth visiting should you be in Southern Germany or Northern Switzerland.

Best regards,
Martin