ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION: THE PIONEERS OF A NEW GENERATION

KOHLERSTRAUMANN, a renowned architecture firm led by the dynamic young duo Aaron Kohler and Marc Straumann, has been making waves in the industry with its minimalistmodern design language and philosophy of honest implementation and high quality. What started 20 years ago with a random encounter on a basketball court has turned into a flourishing business with international reach.

Two decades ago, Aaron Kohler and Marc Straumann were playing basketball together as teenagers – today, they are testing the limits of conventional architecture, trailblazing into a world of innovative creations worthy of the 21st century.

At its core, the Basel-based architecture firm KOHLERSTRAUMANN believes that architecture is more than just the physical structures we see and inhabit - it is, as the two founders themselves put it “an art form that can be transformative, transcendent and deeply meaningful”. The firm's philosophy revolves around valuing the details, the spirit of a place, honest materials and construction, and the feeling of space and light.

“We use locally sourced, natural materials, paying close attention to every element, and work with the existing environment rather than against it,” Aaron Kohler explains. “We aim to create architecture that feel like a natural extension of the world around us, forging a deeper connection between people and their surroundings.”

Passion, know-how, innovative thinking and last but not least, the complementary personalities of the two founders have propelled their architecture firm into growth pretty much from the start. Today, only 5 years after going into business together, their team has grown to 22 employees. In that respect, moving into new premises right by the Bankverein has been a meaningful milestone. Their new offices not only offer more space but also almost function as a business card, showing their minimalistic style. However, Marc Straumann points out: "We do not have a trademark as such, nor do we aspire to have one. What is important to us is the development of a place. An honest realisation that emphasises high quality.”