Basel is often considered Switzerland’s capital of architecture. Not only are the architects in Basel incredibly talented, but it also boasts of a magnificent architectural competition system that enables offices all around the world to participate – whether or not they are based there.
Being comparatively small in size, Basel is a very dense city. Due to the restricted building space available, the density of buildings is very high. However, this competitiveness has only increased the quality of projects found in the city. The strong architectural identity, in turn, has invited an extremely high standard of living. Basel also houses several notable buildings designed by internationally acclaimed architects such as Frank Gehry, Mario Botta and the Basel-based duo Herzog & de Meuron. All of these factors make Basel one of the most engaging and inspiring architectural scenes out there.
Re-thinking The Future is a global platform for architecture and design. RTF along with our authors has curated a list of top architecture firms in various cities across the globe. Please note that the names are arranged in alphabetical order and are not ranked in any manner.
Alexander Thomass Architekt | Architects in Basel
Scope of services: Architecture, Research
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Designing to complement the architectural context of the site
Website: www.alexanderthomass.de
Alexander Thomass is a freelance architect based in Basel and Berlin. His architectural services include project management and interior design. His projects include extension of a residential unit at Ottensen Hamburg, Lübeck townhouse, House Roy Schaffhausen, Atelierhaus Neuenhagen and Torhaus Harburg, etc.
Alltag.org
Scope of services: Architecture, Urban planning, Research
Types of Built Projects: Institutional
Locations of Built Projects: Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Viewing architecture as a cultural contribution, sustainable answers to design problems
Website: http://www.alltag.org/
Founded by Christian Schmitt and Daniel Faust, Alltag.org believes architecture is a translation of craft, innovation, knowledge and ambition. It provides a possibility to think about the future and to develop places and homes taking into account everyday context. Their projects include Living Baselland, Chancellery Singapore, Campus Bammatta and Primary School Walka, etc. Christian Schmitt has also supervised and worked on various projects at Herzog & de Meuron from 2009 to 2013. In 2016, Daniel Faust received Prêmio Itamaraty de Diplomacia Cultural from the Brazilian Ministry of Culture for his commitment to cultural dialogue with Brazil.
Alma Maki GmbH
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior Design, Renovation
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Tailor-made design solutions for clients in both renovations as well as new constructions
Website: www.wp.almamaki.ch
Founder Alma Maki is a trained carpenter and has over 44 years of professional experience in various architectural offices, especially in restoration. She also teaches building construction and design at the University of Konstanz.
Architeam 4 AG
Scope of services: Architecture, Renovation
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Institutional, Public Buildings
Locations of Built Projects: In and around Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Characterized by an intensive study of modernity. Their design trademarks include contemporary design and integration into the urban context and innovation.
Website: www.architeam4.ch
The design philosophy at AT4 focuses on optimal living and working conditions with extensive adaptability to the needs of future users. Their projects include the conversion and renovation of a castle, single-family residential units, district centres with concert and theatre halls, restaurants, apartments and offices. AT4 regularly takes part in competitions.
Architecture Club | Architects in Basel
Scope of services: Architecture, Design Analysis
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Designing buildings by building physical models. These models work as design tools during the entire process to test proportions, light and materiality.
Website: www.architectureclub.ch
Founded by Pawel Krzeminski and Karolina Slawecka, Architecture Club aims to combine art, craft and technology to develop unique site-specific concepts. They enjoy working in different scales of architecture and design, ranging from residential to urban projects. The firm is currently developing a study for the city of Basel and a few private houses in Switzerland.
Atelier Atlas Architektur
Scope of services: Architecture, Architectural Journalism
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: The principal architects Celine Dietziker and Lukas Gruntz are skilled architects as well as editors at Architektur Basel.
Website: www.atelier-atlas.ch
Founders, Celine Dietziker and Lukas Gruntz, worked at various architectural offices in Basel, Zurich and Tokyo before creating Atelier Atlas Architektur. Currently working as editors at Architektur Basel, their publications include Basler Wohngrundriss Quartett (Basel Living Floor Plan Quartet), Les traits de Bofill à Paris, Challenge of compacting the inventory, Architecture Tokyo, etc.
Atelier für Architektologie GmbH
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Conscious designing practices regarding single-family climate change and environment
Website:www.architektologie.ch
From 2019-2021, founder Sarah Barth has researched and taught for the history of urban planning at ETH Zurich. She is also a founding member of Countdown 2030 (a collective that campaigns for change in architecture in times of the climate crisis). Their projects include Margarethenstrasse- renovation and reconstruction Binningen, Penta Haus- facade renovation Nusshof, Schweizergasse- renovation and extension in Basel, Bäckerei Kult (Cafe at Basel), etc.
BauPlatz Architektur GmbH
Scope of services: Architecture, Renovation
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Strategic planning through the entire design process from implementation to handover, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions.
Website: www.bauplatz-architektur.ch
Founded by Martin Wyss in 2019, BauPlatz Architektur GmbH succeeds the company Buser Architekten where Martin Wyss worked from 2016-2018. It believes in conscious architecture and its responsibility in relation to climate change. Their projects include extension and renovation of a single-family house at Birsfelden, renovation of commercial building at Riehen, Interior construction bouldering hall at Basel, etc.
Berchtold.Lenzin Landschaftsarchitekten
Scope of services: Landscape Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Landscape
Locations of Built Projects: In and around Basel
Style of work / Core competencies: Planning and implementing tasks in the areas of open space design, often also for public spaces
Website: www.blla.ch
Founded in 1999, Berchtold.Lenzin Landscape Architects is a merger of the existing practices of Roman Berchtold (Zurich) and Christian Lenzin (Liestal) with offices in Zurich and Basel. Their projects include Triemli City Hospital at Zurich, Mattenhof settlement, Evangelical meth Oerlikon Church, etc.
Berrel Kräutler Architekten | Architects in Basel
Scope of services: Architecture
Types of Built Projects: Residential
Locations of Built Projects: Europe
Style of work / Core competencies: Coming up with innovative design solutions that enhance the quality of life, that are motivated by a strong sense of idealism
Website: www.bkar.ch
Founded by Raphael Kräutler and Maurice Berrel, Berrel Kräutler Architekten avoids being classified as any specific category of architecture, construction method, material, or style as they believe in developing specific themes for various projects and coming up with contextual solutions. Their projects include a school house in Vouvry, a fire station in Pratteln, the extension of the AHV building in Geneva, and the conversion of St. Jakobshalle in Basel.
