Japan Swiss Architectural Association (JSAA) and the Embassy of Swizerland are pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition “The Last Act of Design” by Swiss architects Christ & Gantenbein.

Christ & Gantenbein have recently completed significant projects in Switzerland such as the Swiss National Museum and the Kunstmuseum Basel, and are regarded as one of the leading young architect teams of Switzerland.

The exhibition presents a selection of photographs of the buildings of Christ & Gantenbein by Italian photographer Stefano Graziani, prints of architectural drawings especially re-edited for the occasion, and 3D-printed models showcasing 9 unrealized buildings designed since 2007.
While providing a deep insight into Christ & Gantenbein’s work, the exhibition will also investigate the very tools available to communicate architecture, such as drawings, architecture models and photography. Suggesting a “last act of design”, the documents presented reflect on the way in which, once the design process is over, architecture can still be re-crafted by means of its manifold representation.

Celebrating the first event held by the Japan Swiss Architectural Association (JSAA) established in 2018 as a platform for cultural exchange in the architectural field between Japan and Switzerland, the compilation of Christ & Gantenbein’s pursuit will be exhibited for the first time in Japan.

この度、日瑞建築文化協会（JSAA）とスイス大使館は、スイスの建築家クリスト＆ガンテンバインの「The Last Act of Design」展を開催いたします。

スイス国立博物館・バーゼル州立美術館など近年のスイスにおいて重要なプロジェクトを手がけるクリスト＆ガンテンバインは、いまやスイスを代表する若手建築家の一組と言えるでしょう。

本展では、クリスト＆ガンテンバインが「The Last Act of Design」と呼んでいる建築におけるデザイン行為に着目し、彼らのつくりだす建築が持つ意味の多様性の表出を試みます。建築は竣工後も写真・図面・模型といった様々な媒体で表現され、鑑賞者はそれらの媒体を通じて建築を知覚し、空間を想像します。写真家ステファノ・グラツィアーニの解釈から撮られた写真、配色・線にアレンジを加えたドローイングや3Dプリンタによる模型といった様々な媒体によって、クリスト＆ガンテンバインの建築の多様な側面に迫ります。

日本・スイスの建築文化交流のプラットフォームとして2018年に設立した日瑞建築文化協会（JSAA）の最初のイベントとして、クリスト＆ガンテンバインの探究の集大成を日本で初公開いたします。

Christ & Gantenbein

Christ & Gantenbein is a leading architectural practice in Basel, Switzerland. Interested in the sustainability of form, Christ & Gantenbein’s landmark projects mix the ancient and modern in beguiling ways. Their haptic approach unexpectedly challenges materials, using them in a sensitive yet versatile manner.

Founded in 1998 by Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein, the studio staffs a team of 60 architects. Their award-winning large-scale renovations and expansions of the Swiss National Museum in Zurich and the Kunstmuseum Basel cemented their position as builders of cultural space. Housing schemes in Paris (ongoing) and in Munich (2018), a mixed-use tower in Basel (2016), a flexible office building in Germany (ongoing), the Lindt Chocolate Competence Center near Zurich (ongoing) – and the recently won competition for the extension of the University Hospital in Zürich, testimony of the flexibility of their approach and their interest in handling a variety of programs and sites.

Since graduating from the ETH Zurich in 1998, Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein have taught at the ETH Studio Basel (2000–2005), the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio (2004, 2006, 2009), the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (2008), a well as the ETH Zurich (2010–2015). Research conducted in this latter period culminated in the two monographs Typology (Park Books, 2012, 2015). After teaching at Harvard GSD (2015 – 2017), they are now Full-Professors of Architecture and Design at the ETH Zurich.

In 2018 Christ & Gantenbein received the Deezen „Architect of the Year“ Award, in recognition of its “substantial body of work and mature portfolio”. Further distinctions include the 2018 Wieneberger Brick Award, the Design Miami/Panerai Visionary Award won by the firm in 2017, the best architect 18 – Gold Prize (2017), best architects 17 Award, the Essence Award – Gold Prize as well as the Red Dot Award “Best of the Best” prize all won in 2016, the Swiss Steel Construction Award – Prix Acier (2014).