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 (Landesmuseum Zürich) 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 Zürich 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 Graduate School of Design (2015 – 2017), they are now Full-Professors of Architecture and Design at the ETH Zurich.
In 2018 Christ & Gantenbein received the Dezeen, “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).
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