Laufen is organizing the 1st edition of the architectural conference: Day of Swiss and Czech Architecture

The company Laufen, a leading Swiss manufacturer of designer bathrooms, and the HST Chamber of Commerce Switzerland - Czech Republic are organizing the 1st annual architectural conference in Prague on September 22. “The unique event entitled Panorama of Swiss Architecture will be a great opportunity to meet leading architects working in Switzerland, as well as to address the most pressing issues in Swiss and Czech architecture. We are pleased to have secured the participation of personalities who are not only experts in their field but also a great inspiration,” says Sergio Castro, the general director of Laufen CZ, which represents Laufen in the Czech market.

Four experienced speakers, who are also representatives of renowned architectural firms, will present highly relevant topics that currently resonate with the Swiss professional community and may also inspire the Czech environment. Most of Switzerland is fully urbanized, with nearly 80% of Swiss people living in cities where many practices that we still consider radical experiments are long established. In addition to sustainability in Swiss architecture, listeners will hear lectures on regional differences in construction approaches, the blending of new and old traditions, and reflections on the relationship between buildings and their cultural-social environments.

“Anyone who works in architecture professionally should not miss this event. We will introduce Czech professionals to the current state of Swiss architecture and show them that it is not only picturesque mountain valleys with villas but also very progressive and rapidly evolving architecture offering ample inspiration. The conclusion of the event will also provide a unique opportunity for personal meetings with the individual personalities,” describes Mr. Sergio Castro. In addition to lectures, the conference program will include a discussion panel focused on comparing selected aspects of Czech and Swiss architecture and examining the Czech environment through the eyes of foreign experts. The conference will be led by architect Peter Bednár, who works at the studio Jakub Cigler Architects.

Professional experts from Switzerland will speak

Miroslav Šik

Participants can look forward to a presentation from Miroslav Šik, one of the biggest personalities in Czech architecture who has long been active in Switzerland. “Miroslav Šik possesses extensive knowledge in the field of architecture, and his rich experiences along with the opportunity to personally observe the development of Swiss architecture are unique. He also has perfect knowledge of the political-bureaucratic processes during construction. At the conference, he will speak about the contrast between high architecture in Switzerland and the densely built suburbs of Basel and St. Gallen,” adds Sergio Castro. Miroslav Šik emigrated to Switzerland in 1968. He studied architecture at ETH Zurich, where he later worked as a professor. After gaining valuable experience, he founded the architectural office Architektbüro Šik in 1988, focusing on the construction of kindergartens, tourist resorts, cooperative housing, and the redevelopment of sacred centers. In the Czech Republic, his lectures have been attended by students and the public at the CTU, CAMP, and the Prague AVU, where he has led the School of Architecture since 2018.

Matěj Draslar

The journey of the next speaker also took him from the Czech Republic to Switzerland and is similarly fascinating. Matěj Draslar, an urban planner and architect, currently works at the top Swiss architectural firm agps Architecture. At a very young age, he became a partner for the firm in the areas of Los Angeles and Zurich. The studio is globally renowned not only for the work of the progressive architect Marco Angélil but also boasts a number of interesting projects, including the design of the famous cable car in Portland, Oregon, which is also part of the public transport system.

Nicolas Vaucher

Architect Nicolas Vaucher from Burckhardt+Partner will talk about the current state of Swiss architecture and its connection to the cultural environment. After studying architecture, he gained rich experience abroad – in New Zealand, the USA, and France. He has contributed to or been responsible for numerous award-winning projects – first at BMW architects and then at Burckhardt+Partner since 2008. In addition to his professional activities, he is an active member of various professional associations and architectural committees. “Nicolas Vaucher is known for advocating and promoting architecture that improves urban and social environments. He will share his insights from years of experience with the conference attendees, presenting what makes Swiss architecture unique and highlighting specific aspects of the Swiss approach to architecture, including a mindset that combines tradition and modernity,” adds Sergio Castro.

Lidor Gilad

Lidor Gilad from Itten+Brechbühl will focus on sustainability in Swiss architecture (Swisstainability) in his lecture. As a partner at the firm and head of the design department, he specializes in the realization of public buildings such as hospitals, healthcare facilities, museums, galleries, airports, railway stations, university campuses, and research buildings. He also serves as a teaching assistant at the Academy of Architecture at USI in Mendrisio. Sustainability is one of the firm’s main focuses.

The conference is held with the support of the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in the Czech Republic.

Invitation to the event with the option to register