Issue 48 | March 2017
MILKY
CHANCE THE BOYS ARE ALL RIGHT
PLUS
CEBIT 2017 FINE JEWELLERY BEST OF MUNICH, ZURICH & BERN DESIGN GUIDE AUSTRIA SWITZERLAND’S FINEST ARCHITECTS
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Discover Germany | Contents
Contents MARCH 2017
32 Photo: © Jeff Hahn
COVER FEATURE 32 Milky Chance Our writer Cornelia Brelowski speaks to the famous German band Milky Chance and finds out more about their new album, their huge international success and much more.
SPECIAL THEMES 16 Fine Jewellery Germany has a long history of jewellery making. Thus, in this special theme, we handpicked some of the creative minds behind enchanting jewellery pieces. 22 Design Guide Austria Find out what the country of Austria has to offer when it comes to great design. 50 Best of Munich & Zurich Planning a city trip in spring? Get inspired with our top tips on where to stay, what to visit or do, where to eat and much more in Munich and Zurich. 70 Best of Bern The Swiss capital of Bern enchants visitors from all over the world with its wealth of attractions, events and enchanting beauty. Find out what not to miss in Bern in this special theme. 86 CeBIT 2017 From 20 to 24 March, around 3,000 companies will meet up with approximately 200,000 participants in Hannover at the CeBIT 2017. Here, a focus will be put on the newest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, virtual and augmented reality, humanoid robots and drones.
50 Photo: © J. Lutz / München Tourismus
110 Switzerland’s Finest Architects From the stone houses in Ticino, to the half-timbered houses in Switzerland’s eastern parts and the UNESCO world heritage old city of Bern, Switzerland’s architecture has much to offer. Thus, we handpicked some of the country’s best architects.
FEATURES 42 Ebbelwei: Frankfurt’s Answer to Cider Apple wine, or Ebbelwei, is for Frankfurt what beer is for Munich. It is not just a drink but a way of life and has been so for more than 250 years. Our writer Wibke Carter found out more about the trendy drink. 44 Hotel of the Month, Germany Searching for a top-class hotel that is also a conference centre? Hotel Frankenland in Bad Kissingen combines exactly that; it mixes the individuality and flexibility of a boutique hotel with the space only largechain hotels can rival. 46 Hotel of the Month, Switzerland The four-star Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel in the heart of Basel is an urban retreat par excellence. Here, unique architecture and high-quality design features create a cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting modern globetrotters from Switzerland and the world. 78 Star Interview: Nora Waldstätten Our writer Thomas Schroers talks to Austrian actress Nora Waldstätten about her fascination with acting, her current project, her hopes for the future and much more.
116 Photo: © Sabrina Golob
REGULARS & COLUMNS 8
Dedicated to Design This month’s design section boasts stylish looks for men, exciting design ideas for spring, Swiss design highlights, top-class notebooks and more.
37 Wine & Dine Find out which upcoming wine estates and restaurants to look out for in our Wine & Dine section. 44 Travel This month, our travel section puts special emphasis on big cities, such as Munich, Zurich and Bern. Furthermore, we showcase great hotels and golf clubs. 85 Business Filled with innovative businesses, a focus on the CeBIT and the ISH fair, great architects and legal experts, our business section also boasts our columnist Gregor Kleinknecht’s take on data protection. 125 Culture Calendar Discover Germany’s culture calendar is your perfect guide to what not to miss in March. 130 Barbara Geier Column This month, our columnist Barbara Geier talks about the biggest wine drinkers in Europe.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 3
Dear Reader,
Discover Germany Issue 48, March 2017 Published 03.2017 ISSN 2051-7718 Published by Scan Magazine Ltd. Print Liquid Graphic Ltd. Executive Editor Thomas Winther Creative Director Mads E. Petersen Editor Nane Steinhoff Copy-Editor Isa Hemphrey Graphic Designer Mercedes Moulia Feature Writer Thomas Schroers Contributors Barbara Geier Cornelia Brelowski Emmie Collinge Gregor Kleinknecht Jessica Holzhausen Marilena Stracke
Nadine Carstens Silke Henkele Sonja Irani Toyah Marondel Veronika Fafienski Wibke Carter Cover Photo © Jeff Hahn Sales & Key Account Managers Emma Fabritius Nørregaard Laura Hummer Noura Draoui Sophie Blecha Freya Plakolb Marcel Schuppert Publisher: SCAN GROUP Scan Magazine Ltd. 15B Bell Yard Mews Bermondsey Street London SE1 3YT United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)870 933 0423 Fax: +44 (0)870 933 0421 Email: info@discovergermany.com For further information please visit www.discovergermany.com
© All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Scan Group – a trading name of Scan Magazine Ltd. This magazine contains advertorials/promotional articles.
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You have most likely danced to Nena’s 99 Luftballons in some random nightclub, listened to Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus or had the Scorpion’s Wind Of Change stuck in your head. Every fellow German knows what it means to travel and be asked by other nationalities about German music; and it always means Rammstein and Kraftwerk. As you can see, there are indeed some rather influential German musicians that are well-known throughout the world. However, it seems that in recent years, it has gotten a bit quiet around German musical exports – with one big exception. This big exception is Milky Chance (the German band also adorns our cover this month). With around 630,000 followers on Facebook, over 296 million YouTube clicks for their famous song Stolen Dance, and planned tour dates all over Europe, the United States, New Zealand and Australia, the friends from Kassel are Germany’s most famous and successful, current export. As their new album Blossom comes out this month, our writer Cornelia Brelowski talked to Milky Chance to find out more about their international success, their new project and much more. Other topics covered in this month’s issue are great design ideas for spring, exceptional hotels, Swiss exhibition highlights, the CeBIT in Hannover and fine architects amongst others. Or if you’re planning to go on a city break anytime soon, why not get inspired by our Munich, Bern and Zurich specials? Sit back, relax and thanks for reading,
Nane Steinhoff, Editor
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Discover Germany | Design | Fashion Finds
Fashion Finds We thought it would be a good idea to have a look at current fashion trends for the male audience out there this month. With the warmer days of spring just around the corner, it is never a bad idea to stock your closets up with new pieces and fresh colours. Find out what the DACH region’s designers have to offer this season. EDITOR’S PICKS I PRESS IMAGES
The fashion label CINQUE embodies inner passion and external casualness. Even though the label’s values comply with the Italian lifestyle, the creative origin of the contemporary fashion pieces has been at home in Germany’s Mönchengladbach since the ‘80s. Knitwear £117, T-shirt £34. www.cinque.de
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Discover Germany | Design | Fashion Finds
Spice up every outfit with this fashionable bow tie (‘#90: Dorian’s Edition’) by German brand Gentleman’s Agreement. The label puts special emphasis on sophisticated details, meticulous handicraft and the highest quality. From £68. www.gentman.de
Designed in Berlin. Made in Germany. This cool watch by Lilienthal Berlin is a declaration of love to the city of Berlin with its minimalist design. Approx. £169. www.lilienthal.berlin
Sporty, yet chic, are the best terms to describe these men’s shoes from Marc O’Polo. The beautiful colour makes sure that the shoes can be teamed up with almost every outfit. Approx. £128. www.marc-o-polo.com
CINQUE constantly manages to incorporate the latest trend influences into their collections without overstraining fashion boldness – as can be seen in this work outfit, which is not only casual but also very stylish. Suit jacket £235, shirt £83, pants £100. www.cinque.de
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 7
Discover Germany | Design | Dedicated to Design
Dedicated to Design… Here is a piece of interesting news for you: winter sleep is officially over. It is time for spring, which means it is time to get outdoors, decorate indoors and get that garden project of yours going. Remember when 2017 started and you had your resolutions? Well, now it is time to make them happen. Below you can find five exciting, spring design ideas to help you get started. BY: THOMAS SCHROERS
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1. Working together with a social project in Ghana, ‘my Boo’ produces various bicycles with a bamboo frame. The ‘my Pra’, like all the bikes, is handmade, each frame taking around 80 hours of work. Comfortable driving quality, great stability and the latest technology make this a perfect bike for the city. From £1,300. www.my-boo.de 2. Place your flowers, inside or outside, on this beautiful, folding plant stand. Called FLORANA and produced in Germany by German brand Livendor, this stand is not only extremely functional, but comes completely assembled and ready for use. £276. www.livendor.de 3. Eye-catching. This is the only way to describe grassland’s delightful design lamp, made from grass, which gives private and public spaces a tangible natural feel. Available in multiple sizes and both conical and cylindrical, the lamps are a unique design object bringing one-of-a-kind accents to your rooms. www.grassland.eu 4. Maybe it is not picnic time yet, but this beautiful leather bicycle basket called Retrovelo is perfect for a ride into the city or nature nonetheless. Clearly female oriented, the basket is made in Germany and uses a well-designed system for the attachment to the handlebars. £345. www.heimatwerke.de Photo: © my Boo/Jake Campbell
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5. After you have finished riding that bamboo bicycle, you will want to put your head on a beautiful pillow and relax, right? taPETI designs a proper pillow cover for that. With a minimalist rabbit design, this is the perfect addition to your cosy spring home. £22. www.tapeti-shop.de
Discover Germany | Design | The City Gardeners
An explosion of joy: seedbombs by The City Gardeners
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: THE CITY GARDENERS
Green, fun and trendy. Meet Nordhorn’s City Gardeners. The three guys behind the young company, Derk, Torge and Jan, are adding a splash of colour to grey cityscapes with flowers. Their simple yet undeniably clever seedbombs turn even the most reluctant gardener into a floral magician. Two of the founders grew up in the countryside and, when they moved to big cities, they wanted to take a piece of green with them. So Derk began crafting his so-called seedbombs in his Hamburg flat share. The little hand-rolled balls are made of soil, clay and seeds. They are rock hard, last at least one year and they can be thrown wherever you desire your flowery adventure to blossom. When they are watered, either naturally by rain or by the gardener, nature takes over and the flowers start to grow. “Back when it all started, friends and family loved throwing the seedbombs and watching the plants grow,” says spokesperson Tatjana with a warm smile. Open-
ing the online store in 2011 was the logical next step to turn more people into guerrilla and urban gardeners. The enthusiasm caught on and today the seedbombs are still the bestsellers. “We receive many photos of vibrant flower meadows from our thrilled customers,” Tatjana adds. “It is wonderful that our seedbombs bring a smile to people´s faces.” Whether buying them for your balcony, garden or to make your way to work a little greener, the seedbombs are not only an ideal gift, but also a whole lot of fun. www.diestadtgaertner.de www.city-gardener.com
‘Butterfly Delight’ seedbombs.
The City Gardeners.
Nougat & nut spreads. Handmade. Vegan. Milk and lactose-free www.wienersalonnougat.at
Discover Germany | Design | HEY-SIGN
Paravent ‘Wave’.
Rug ‘Carée’.
Handcrafted felt furnishings for characterful rooms with great acoustics HEY-SIGN, based near Düsseldorf, combines sustainability, eco-friendliness and high-class design using natural wool felt. The material has many outstanding quality features, the fibres are durable, stain resistant and help to absorb sound. This is why HEY-SIGN designs not only feature in private homes, but do exceptionally well in office spaces. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: HEY-SIGN, REIMUND BRAUN
Smartphones and tablets have changed working environments, allowing flexible assignments of office desks. But they have also made it necessary to create spaces where people can retreat and relax. In recent years, HEY-SIGN has put a greater focus on customised elements for the business world, especially because the sound-absorbing quality of felt makes it so well suited for this environment. In accordance to this, HEY-SIGN has recently designed a new range of room dividers, partitions and acoustic elements. Interesting for large office spaces, home offices or lounges is the newly extended highly sound-absorbing series WAVE. The name says everything about the form. HEY-SIGN recently complemented the room divider with wall, room and table modules that create a great room acoustic and additionally separates spaces visually. 10 | Issue 48 | March 2017
For this, HEY-SIGN has been awarded the German Design Award 2017 in the ‘Special Mentions’ category. The WAVE series is also very suitable for home offices and private residences. Often enough, home offices are very uninspiring places and can be just a spare bedroom or a corner in the living room. This can be easily changed: Using felt in living rooms or bedrooms creates a great room atmosphere, makes larger spaces more relaxed and adds cosiness to small ones. HEYSIGN products fit into nearly every space, because customers can choose between 50 different colours – from natural earthy tones to bright yellow, red or turquoise. For more than 18 years now, the creative duo Bernadette Ehmanns and Mathias Hey have been the driving force behind HEY-SIGN. Both discovered felt as the
product for interior design in 1999 and since then have developed a wide product range, addressing the technical potential of this age-old natural material: Lamps, rugs and high-quality felt accessories like paper baskets, boxes, table decorations or seat cushions for designer chairs set colourful accents. The raw material for the felt collection is the best merino wool. The material is left natural without any chemical treatment. All products are manufactured at the HEY-SIGN manufactory in Meerbusch – handmade in Germany. www.hey-sign.de
Wooden bowl.
Seating furniture ‘Enno’.
The ErgoSystemÂŽ A100 sets new standards and is perfectly equipped for almost any purpose and location: randomly configurable handrail combinations with custom-scalable profiles, brackets angled for optimum grip and colour combinations to match any interior turn the issue of barrier freedom into a joy for hands and eyes alike. The unique-to-the-market diagonal-oval styling of the rails guarantees particularly dependable support, moreover. Rounding the ErgoSystemÂŽ A100 off are a maintenance-free drop-down support rail, towel holders in single and double variants, a multiple award-winning shower-head bracket, wall hooks, shelf racks and toilet-roll holders. More information at BAU Munich, hall B4, stand 131 or at www.fsb.de/ergosystem
Discover Germany | Design | Küppersbusch
‘Shade of Grey’.
Unobtrusive but noticeable
– a design inspired by various shades of grey Küppersbusch is one of Germany’s most famous manufacturers of household appliances with a history dating back into the 19th century. In the second quarter of 2017, Küppersbusch is launching its new series titled ‘Shade of Grey’. The colours of the kitchen devices are a toned-down grey metallic that blends smoothly into the surrounding surfaces. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: KÜPPERSBUSCH
Küppersbusch’s new series ‘Shade of Grey’ plays with a colour that is currently a favourite with interior and kitchen designers. It is a shade that enhances the quality of the different devices: ovens, kitchen hoods, warming drawers or refrigerators, for instance. Even though the colour grey might not spring to mind when thinking of warm colours, the shade chosen here is quite a warm one and reflects the warmth many kitchen devices emit. On the one hand, it is a very understated and unobtrusive design, on the other hand it is 12 | Issue 48 | March 2017
so special it sticks out from the ordinary. The subtle colour also allows combining the devices with many different surfaces and kitchen styles, either stone, concrete, wood, shiny white lacquer or matte white kitchen surfaces. It is more a statement than an actual colour. The new ‘Shade of Grey’ series contains a 60-centimetre-high built-in oven with steam cooker and pyrolysis, as well as a more compact 45-centimentre-high version. It also includes a fully automatic
coffee machine, a warming drawer and drawer for accessories and fitting kitchen hoods. The continuous design allows to combine devices from different series. Nearly 150 years of success in design and product development Küppersbusch has a long history and therefore great experience in designing and developing kitchen appliances. In 1875, the company brought its first oven to the German market. Küppersbusch, situated in Gelsenkirchen, has a close connection to the Ruhr region, an area that was the centre of Germany’s coal industry and industrial production. So it might not surprise that the company first focused on coal-fired ovens and hobs. In 1913, the company had become the largest factory in Germany specialised in cooking appliances and employed more than 2,000
Discover Germany | Design | Küppersbusch
people. In 1925, Küppersbusch developed its first electric cooker. Over the years Küppersbusch has become an internationally renowned supplier of premium kitchen devices – for the private sector and professional kitchens. As a full-range provider Küppersbusch offers everything from oven to sink out of one hand. Award-winning designs combined with functionality It took a great deal of effort and an eye for future developments and design trends to make Küppersbusch products successful for more than a century. Quality, timeless design and customers’ needs and wishes are always in focus. “Our design continuity and our decision to distance ourselves from short-lived trends have always been the focus of my design strategy for the Küppersbusch brand,” says Klaus Keichel, who had been in charge of the Küppersbusch’s household range design for more than 40 years and just recently retired. Since January 2017, his son Marcus Keichel has taken over the position, continuing the family and design tradition that has gained Küppersbusch more than 60 international awards so far. “Marcus brings his own style but has a similar approach to design as his father,” says Andrea Heiner-Kruckas, head of marketing and product management. Marcus Keichel studied industrial design,
architecture and cultural history in Berlin, where he has worked as freelancer and later in his own agency for many years. In 2003, he co-founded the industrial design studio LÄUFER + KEICHEL and has, for example, designed stools and chairs for renowned manufacturers that are already regarded as future design classics. He has received a number of awards, including the famous GOOD DESIGN Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. “I’m looking forward to taking on this new role and continuing what my father has built up over the last 40 years,” says Marcus Keichel. He sees his greatest challenge in dealing with the increasing complexity of
Marcus Keichel.
kitchen devices and wants to create products that are easy and fun to use. Aesthetics and functionality has always been an inseparable entity at Küppersbusch: high-quality technology without proper design might look boring, while a great design alone does not work when it comes to devices people are using on a daily basis. Brand-defining details make Küppersbusch products highly recognisable, so they stick out in comparison with international competitors. To lead in questions of design, to perfect functions and to make devices that are easy to use and strikingly beautiful are all part of Küppersbusch’s design and brand philosophy. www.kuppersbusch.com
‘Shade of Grey’.
Historical ovens and stoves.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 13
Discover Germany | Design | Product of the Month
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
ANZ_Discovery.indd 1
Top left: The 1917 Metallic Edition. Top right: The Pen Loops show the symbol for the chemical element. Below right: A stylish accessory: the Business Card Case. Bottom: Small, handy and flexible: the Jottbooks from LEUCHTTURM1917.
16.02.17 10:42
100 years! The LEUCHTTURM1917 Metallic Edition LEUCHTTURM1917 – the 1917 stands for the company’s year of foundation. 100 years later, this occasion has inspired a limited edition with a special emphasis on the foundation year as a design element – the 1917 Metallic Edition. TEXT: LEUCHTTURM1917, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: LEUCHTTURM1917
Metal stands for something durable in its own way. It can be precious and noble, but also robust and functional. These attributes have accompanied the company on its successful path and thus will continue to be part of LEUCHTTURM1917, according to Hanseatic tradition. A cover material that has been specially developed and designed for this edition lends the notebooks an elegant, fine metallic shimmer in gold, silver or copper. Obtained from the brand name as a pu14 | Issue 48 | March 2017
ristic design element, the 1917 was embossed on black banderoles. They refer to the anniversary year and the 100-yearlong company tradition. Experience and continuity are important prerequisites for quality and provide a stable foundation for ideas to unfold. LEUCHTTURM1917 is convinced that small details make a big difference. Today, the Hamburg-based company’s elaborate solutions can be found all over the
world; the products of LEUCHTTURM1917 can be bought in over 50 countries. If you want to have a look at the original limited edition and gaze at the company’s other product range, head to the following website. www.leuchtturm1917.com
9 5 8 c a z a l
THERE IS JUST ONE TRUE STYLE. MINE.
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Fine Jewellery
Photo: © Waterkant®
Photo: © Jenn Werner
SPECIAL THEME: FINE JEWELLERY
Embellish your life Germany has a long history of jewellery making and elegance, its simplicity, high quality and originality has made it one of the leaders in jewellery design. Meet some of the creative German minds behind enchanting jewellery pieces on the following pages.
Photo: © Triangel
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Fine Jewellery
Time with character
Left: The A&S 3014: stainless steel case and bracelet, leather strap, three bar water resistant, sapphire crystal, Swiss made Quarz Movement Ronda 1062. Right: The A&S 3259: stainless steel case, leather strap, ten bar water resistant, sapphire crystal, Swiss made Quarz Movement Ronda 5030.D. Below: Guido Abeler. Bottom: Heinrich Abeler and sons.
Since 1898, ABELER & SÖHNE have manufactured fine watches of the highest quality that are entirely ‘Made in Germany’. The traditional brand from Münster puts special emphasis on workmanship, the highest precision and a passion for time that has been passed on for four generations.
values, each model comprises modern features. After all, owning an ABELER & SÖHNE watch means to own something rather exceptional with a fascinating aura.
TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: CARL ENGELKEMPER GMBH & CO. KG
www.abeler-soehne.de
Founded by watchmaker Heinrich Abeler in Münster in 1898, ABELER & SÖHNE stands for four generations and over 100 years of family tradition and passion in the watch industry. While ABELER & SÖHNE had nine family-managed shops in Germany in the 20th century, the family business today delivers their high-quality watches to over 300 point of sales in Germany and adjacent European countries. Their headquarters, from where the watches are distributed, is the Münsterbased Carl Engelkemper GmbH & Co. KG – a jewellery and watch house that was founded in 1860. Run by Rainer and Guido Abeler in the second and third generation, it seems no wonder that Engelkemper’s main focus is to sell their own brand ABELER & SÖHNE. A watch by ABELER & SÖHNE is coined by tradition – it meets the highest requirements of craftsmanship, while it withstands the common strains without
disruptions. It embodies what the brand represents in every detail: highest quality, a classical and timeless design, a passion to exceptional details and full adherence to ‘Made in Germany’. At ABELER & SÖHNE, the latter means that design, quality standards, brand management, parts logistics, quality control, marketing, distribution and montage are all 100 per cent ‘Made in Germany’. “Thereby, we put special emphasis on ‘typically German’ as it means clear line management and timeless appearance – in the spirit of the elegant understatement of true watch connoisseurs,” smiles Guido Abeler, managing director. Style and elegance for him and her ABELER & SÖHNE’s portfolio of men’s and women’s watches meets the highest demands and convinces with excellent workmanship, precision and an extraordinary attention to detail. While incorporating the family business’ traditional Issue 48 | March 2017 | 17
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Fine Jewellery
Photo: © helmutvogler/Fotolia
A tribute to the North Sea Inspired by the beauty of the North Sea, Sandra Gallian designed WATERKANT®, an exclusive statement jewellery collection for all lovers of the sea. The design of each piece depicts the play of ebb and flow at the shores of this maritime wonderland. TEXT: VERONIKA FAFIENSKI I PHOTOS: WATERKANT®
ished and textured precious metals as well as near natural structures creates a ‘coast and sea effect’. “Our clients feel like they are wearing a piece of the North Sea on their finger.”
When Sandra Gallian came to live at the North Sea a few years ago, she was smitten with the diversity of its nature. “As a visual communications designer, I carry my camera everywhere and have captured the textures and colours of the Wadden Sea in my photography,”Gallian says. Feeling a deep connection to these shores inspired Gallian to create WATERKANT®, an exclusive collection of rings, charms and pendants. “I have long dreamt about creating my own jewellery collection so it felt like a natural next step to design a series devoted to the North Sea.”
WATERKANT® is a small craftsmanship production with the possibility to customise the look of each piece by choosing between different precious metals, as well as including diamonds and engraving.“It is important to us that clients can personalise our collection. Some clients also created their wedding rings with us,” says Gallian.
The name of the collection is a literary term for ‘coast’ in the old German dialect of Lower Saxony. “Those who love the North Sea say that its beauty lies within the play of ebb and flow, of water and waves, sea and sand – our designs incorporate exactly that,”says Gallian. The combination of pol-
The exclusivity of WATERKANT® makes the contact between Gallian and her clients even more so important. “In addition to personal consultations, we also use our website and social media presence to engage directly with our clients: they are our ambassadors.”
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All materials used by WATERKANT® stem from sustainable sources. “We source our materials only through ecological and socially responsible mining,” says Gallian. “I am also currently exploring new sustainable materials, including different organic polymer structures which have a bio certificate.” Gallian’s philosophy is to ‘never stop exploring’. “I love to travel and I always take my camera with me. And although the beaches are different everywhere, the sea always has the same calming effect. There is something inherently beautiful which is unique to the sea.” www.waterkant-schmuck.de www.facebook.com/waterkant
ZEIT MIT CHARAKTER M a d e
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G e r m a n y
Carl Engelkemper GmbH & Co. KG, Lindberghweg 144, 48155 Münster, Tel. 02 51 / 66 03-121, Fax 02 51 / 6 32 97, www.abeler-soehne.de
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Fine Jewellery
More than just accessories
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: TRIANGEL
Jewellery label Triangel designs statement pieces that not only enhance their wearer’s beauty, but they also carry a great deal of meaning. Since 1988, Gaby and Reinhard Ladhoff have been the heart and soul of their fine jewellery manufactory Triangel in Beverstedt, near Hamburg. Their jewellery is inspired by the surrounding Hanseatic flair, the poetic sea and its breath-taking interplay of colours. Reinhard Ladhoff explains:“The organic structure of the finished pieces radiate clarity and form perfection. It is a symbiosis of Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry and the force of the landscape.” Ladhoff works with precious stones, gold and silver to create jewellery that also conveys a personal message. Their recent favourite piece is a ring called ‘one world - one religion’, which was inspired by the on-going wars, the terrorism and the violent exodus seemingly all happening in the name of god.
The teachings of the world’s five major religions are engraved in the ring, which turns it into a powerful symbol for unity, encouraging a peaceful co-existence. The profits of this beautiful ring will be donated to the charity Sea-Watch, which rescues refugees. Every piece of jewellery has a story behind it. Ladhoff adds: “The company’s name Triangel stems from our commitment. Design, production and marketing are aligned with individuality, mentality and the taste of our customers. Today our collection includes 500 different products.” Triangel’s jewellery is a form of artistic expression merged with style, craftsmanship and quality. It is the perfect formula for popular yet meaningful designs. www.triangel-schmuck.de
Where are you anchored? Young jewellery label Ocean Story® stands for a sense of home, of longing and remembering places we hold dearly in our hearts. Their bracelets and necklaces are beautiful keepers of our stories. Using rope as an integral part of jewellery inspired German designer Rebecca Buschhüter to open her own label. Never did she dream of her anchor bracelets, which combine this unconventional material with gold and silver, turning into a customer favourite. Ocean lover Buschhüter explains: “For me the anchor symbolises strength and connection. Wherever I am, the anchor keeps me in touch with the sea. Each client has their own connection. It might be the memory of a nice holiday or the anchor as a symbol for loyalty, support, stability, hope and optimism.” The new ‘Coordinates’ collection is inspired by coins from hidden treasures. Every maritime necklace and bracelet features an individual engraving of coordinates chosen by the customers, so they always carry their favourite place with them. 20 | Issue 48 | March 2017
There are many places that hold personal meaning to us. For example, where we first kissed our partner, where we were born or simply where we feel most at home. “Our customers’ joy when they receive one
‘Coordinates’ bracelet.
Hamburg city ring and tube with leather bracelet.
‘One world – one religion’ ring.
Reinhard and Gaby Ladhoff.
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: JENN WERNER
of the coordinates pieces is incredible,” Buschhüter smiles.“It is lovely to hear their stories and to experience their enthusiasm.” Whether you are a sailor, a traveller or a romantic, Ocean Story®’s timeless jewellery is a statement for remembering what is important to us, every single day. www.oceanstory.de
‘Coordinates’ necklace.
Sichern Sie sich mit diesem Gutschein-Code ihre persönliche Wunschgravur.
„Muttertag“
CARRY Auch erhältlich in vergoldet oder rosévergoldet.
Ein ideales Geschenk für Herzensangelegenheiten, wie Taufe, Geburt, Muttertag oder zum Valentinstag.
www.beka-bell.de
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Design Guide Austria
Photo: © VELLO Bike
Photo: © Flickr.com, James Cridland
SPECIAL THEME: DESIGN GUIDE AUSTRIA
Austria’s design scene Austria might not be the first nation to come to mind when you think about great design. However, the country has much to offer in this respect. Find out more on the following pages.
Photo: © Camp Champ Photo: © Triangel Schmuck design
22 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Photo: © Atelier Allure
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Design Guide Austria
Top left: High-quality equipment, a four flame expedition stove and a lot of space. Above left: Small, lightweight and durable: Camp Champ is ready for transport. Right: A professional kitchen fit for outdoor use - no matter where.
Cooking like a two-toque chef while enjoying adventures in the great outdoors His love for cooking outside and the idea to introduce a professional toolset and comfort to outdoor cookery, led Franz Moser to develop the foldable outdoor kitchen Camp Champ. Based in the Austrian Salzkammergut, these innovative, high-quality outdoor kitchens are built by skilled traditional craftsmen and include everything a passionate cook might need. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: CAMP CHAMP
One of the current trends is glamping – the more sophisticated version of camping where people do not have to deny themselves the comforts a hotel room might offer in the great outdoors. Camp Champ fits perfectly into this concept, with an approach more familiar to the high-class Edwardian picnic than the soup-in-a-can dinner many campers stick to. “It is the right product for people who value great materials,” says Franz Moser. “The Camp Champ brings the luxury of a home-cooked meal and the comfort of a dining room right into the wild.” Being robust and repairable was important for
the design – after all Camp Champ can be used in different environments, from tropical heat to freezing temperatures. What fascinates most is not only the small size when everything is stored, but how much space it provides when unfolded. Camp Champ includes high-quality cooking utensils, a spice rack, various knives made by the well-known manufacturer J.A. Henckels and a gas stove with four flames. Every tiny little piece has its exact place, so there is no clattering of crockery and cutlery. “Storing everything is a bit like playing Tetris,” says Franz Moser. Moser himself is not only a pro-
fessional engineer, but also a passionate hobby chef and adventurer often touring with his SUV. Taking a road trip or having a week away from civilization was always Moser’s greatest pleasure. In 2014, Franz Moser developed Camp Champ because such a high-end travelling kitchen could not be found on the market. Camp Champ is a design pioneer: “I was at a trade fair recently and discovered that cubistic forms are currently a trend in kitchen design,” says Moser. Nothing can be more cubistic than a foldable kitchen cube. The sapele wood integrates seamlessly into its surroundings, may it be during a garden party or a safari tour, no matter if cooking for a great party in an Alpine hut or for a romantic dinner on a rooftop terrace, watching the sunset or the moon rise over the city. www.facebook.com/CampChampKitchen www.campchamp.at Issue 48 | March 2017 | 23
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Design Guide Austria
VELLO Bike+
The freedom bike After successfully launching the initial foldable VELLO Bike, designer Valentin Vodev and his team have upped the ante with the VELLO Bike+, the world’s first self-charging electric folding bike. Available at Indiegogo, the lightweight bike is a sensational innovation, literally enabling its users to ride their bike forever. TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS I PHOTOS: VELLO BIKE
VELLO Bike is the brainchild of Austrian product designer Valentin Vodev. It has been eight years since Vodev created a prototype, when he was preparing for a trip to Cuba. The idea stuck with him and in 2014 he partnered with entrepreneur Valerie Wolff and launched his first Kickstarter campaign. The campaign was hugely successful and reached more than double of its goal. For the VELLO Bike+ a second campaign was started and by now it has reached the magnificent number of almost 520,000 euros. So how does a self-charging bike work? In fact, it employs an Integrated Kinetic Energy Recovery System (K.E.R.S.), which 24 | Issue 48 | March 2017
can convert mechanical energy from braking and riding downhill into electrical energy, that is recharging the lithium-ion battery and gives you an extra boost when riding uphill. Also, even when the selfcharging mode is deactivated, the VELLO will assist the rider with constant support for at least 35 kilometres. The electric bike can be connected to a free smartphone app allowing to select six different pedalassistance levels and even lock the motor to prevent theft. “A self-locking magnet allows hands-free folding, which makes it very different from a typical folding bike with complicated hinges to open,”explains designer Valentin Vodev. The magnet is part of a sophisticated mechanism and de-
sign, that enables the VELLO to be folded down to a suitcase’s size. From a performance point of view, the VELLO is built on a stable, shock-absorbent steel frame, characterised by two parallel frames. Lights are integrated into the frame and the use of smaller 20-inch wheels supplies necessary responsiveness while driving in urban areas. For Vodev and his team, the VELLO Bike+, which is now live on Indiegogo, is part of a larger world view. “For us, converting ideas into products is a metamorphosis from the common to the unexplored – discovery through which we can define new functions and forms.” Needless to say, with the VELLO, you yourself are able to explore the unexplored in a great way too. www.vello.bike www.ks.vello.bike
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Design Guide Austria
LE TOIT. Thomas Hauser.
CHOREUTAI.
ATELIER ALLURE
A treasure in Vienna The fine jewellery label ‘ATELIER ALLURE’ stands for innovative, artisanal and perfectly executed jewellery and goldsmith art. TEXT: TOYAH MARONDEL I PHOTOS: ATELIER ALLURE
Designer and goldsmith Thomas Hauser has been making jewellery for over two decades. He acquired the experience and know-how in major jewellery houses such as Cartier and Tiffany in Paris and New York where he learned from the best of his generation. The artist also designed unique accessories for the worldwide-renowned labels Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. In 1998, he founded a studio in New York before settling into his current scenic ‘Salettl’, a stunning nouveau garden studio, in 2005. He received the iF Design Award and Good Design Award. With the collection of concrete/palladium rings developed at the Vienna University of Technology, the talented Austrian won the Red Dot Award, a prestigious product design award. “My interest in jewellery design began with the fondness of the autobiography of the Florentine goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini that I read when I was a teenager,” explains Hauser.
Innovative and experimental work is the key to his creations. The award-winning craftsman offers pieces ranging from limited editions of fine jewellery collections to individually commissioned orders as well as perfectly virtuosically crafted classical one of a kind pieces far away from the mainstream. “I get inspired when I decelerate while strolling around. As a jeweller I’m a craftsman, metallurgist, engineer, researcher, and conceptual artist – all at once,” says the Viennese designer. “I’m using an alchemistic approach when I’m designing - that is orchestrating the dialogue between various materials and forms.” Currently, the most popular items designed at the Atelier Allure belong to the collections CHOREUTAI and MASSIVE CHAMPAGNE, created from NIELLIUM, a black precious alloy, without the need for coating or surface treatment.
uncommon skills in applying traditional manufacturing techniques to create jewellery that expresses a new contemporary design vocabulary. According to the artist, jewellery is a figurative expression of personality. “Jewellery is a fine medium of communication and provides a possibility to dwell in company of beauty. Jewellery is an ambassador of love and spirit,” Hauser tells Discover Germany. Finally, the Viennese jewellery maker said his aim is to speak explicitly to contemporary niche connoisseurs and true jewellery lovers - as well as those yet to come. Until April, you can admire the goldsmith art of Hauser’s bracelet ‘1080°’ at the MAK – The Austrian Museum of Contemporary Art. www.atelierallure.com CHOREUT 07.
Thomas Hauser prefers the term ‘craftsmanship’ to describe the application of his Issue 48 | March 2017 | 25
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Design Guide Austria
Wooden Mesh. Photo: © COFICO (VN)
Translucent Vavona Burl. Photo: © HALE GmbH (AT)
Shower Screen Des: Torsten Müller, http://spa-designer.de. Photo: Ulrich Dohle
Inspirational co-creativity glass-inspiration’s laminated safety glass solutions are inspired by their customers’ dreams and visions. TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI
A compact but thriving Austrian enterprise, glass-inspiration is flexible and quick in responding to clients worldwide. Up until now, they have accepted orders from 22 countries, with rising tendency. They work conscientiously and take a close look at each single order. Often, they receive sample pictures from architects and designers who are fascinated by a promising design but do not exactly know how to apply it. This is where glass-inspiration comes in. The firm supports the search for the right material and idea, offers trial laminations and practicability tests, and in general accompanies all clients throughout the whole respective project. Based in Kirchdorf an der Krems, the enterprise produces high-quality laminated safety glass for both interior and exterior use, with the most diverse possible range of inlays varying from genuine thin stone 26 | Issue 48 | March 2017
to grass and fabric, from wood veneer to Swarovski crystals and mother-of-pearl. glass-inspiration offers 30 various materials and over 300 possible design ideas. glass-inspiration welcomes anyone with a unique design idea and creative enthusiasm. Their customer base is formed by both architects and designers, private customers and subcontractors. Also, big company names like DAN kitchens, KONE, ROLEX and Swarovski appear in their order book. This year, glass-inspiration will be joining a highly anticipated grand project in the USA, namely the new Greek Orthodox St. Nicholas church at Ground Zero, New York City. The beautiful design by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava transports a translucent yet protective spirit. The imposing building will feature safety glass panels with integrated genu-
ine thin stone, illuminated from the inside. glass-inspiration will deliver these unique elements for a highly aesthetic and meaningful architectural project which will form a future magnet for anybody visiting New York City. Engaging on a global scale by overcoming language and other barriers is the exciting goal the small Austrian company is facing – as marketing manager Elisabeth Feuerhuber says: “With optimism and ambition and the ever-pushing drive of creating something new, also a small enterprise can achieve amazing!” www.glass-inspiration.com
Circular Windows. Photo: © SCD GmbH
ef fe c t- e n e r g y | w w w.ef fe c t- e n e r g y.c o m
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Design Highlights
Photo: © VELLO Bike
Photo: © Flickr.com, James Cridland
Photo: © Flickr.com, Clary Sage College
SPECIAL THEME: SWISS DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
Switzerland’s design innovators When thinking about Swiss design, you probably think about the Swiss army knife. However, there are far more products, design companies and great designers to discover. Find out what exquisite design products and innovations Switzerland has to offer on the following pages.
Photo: © Flickr.com, Fred Lee
28 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Photo: © Flickr.com, Little Greene Paint Company
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Design Highlights
The architecture of furniture
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: BEDA SCHMID
Swiss furniture label schindlersalmerón designs quality furniture using architectural principles. Functionality, style and architectonical context provide the backbone of their outstanding statement pieces. What began as a passionate hobby for furniture design stemming from architectural perspectives, became the successful label schindlersalmerón. Today, a decade after architects Christoph Schindler and Margarita Salmerón founded it, schindlersalmerón is one of Switzerland’s most popular furniture companies. schindlersalmerón works closely with architects and designs unique pieces that can still be serially produced and adhere to exemplary environmental standards. It has received many awards such as the Lista Office Award 2012 for the innovative connection of three metal sheets as used for their 3T Stool. “We are particularly proud of our ‘Flankenschnitt’ chairs. The original design was developed focusing on the new technological possibility of cutting a double-
curved surface with one movement of the robotic arm. To meet special requirements of our various clients, the chair is now available with a great range of different features to choose from, such as armrests, long backrests or stackability,” says Salmerón. “It is not only a firm bestseller but also Christoph’s favourite.” Salmerón also reveals her personal favourite, the ‘Ast-Hocker’. This stylish stool borrows its principle and look from branch forks. “Before the industrialisation, it was common to use branch forks due to their ability to withstand extreme strain. The stool merges traditional methods with modern 3D scanner technology,”Salmerón explains.“And, of course, it is lovely to find the material on a walk through the forest.”
The ‘3T Stool’ ensemble with their award-winning innovative connection are stackable, light and can be used outdoors. The ‘Flankenschnitt’-family includes chairs and tables in massive wood and with the characteristic double curvature on the legs.
www.schindlersalmeron.com
We are Swiss pioneers in Large Volume Injector Devices Offering a clever platform for unique devices
BUILDING BRIDGES FROM DRUGS TO PATIENTS.
+41 62 209 71 00 info@sensile-medical.com www.sensile-medical.com
Designed and Engineered in Switzerland
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Design Highlights
Left: Feuerring ‘Tulip’. Photo: Dennis Savini Middle: Figs filled with ricotta and pistachios. Photo: Dennis Savini Right: Enjoying sociable get-togethers. Photo: Dennis Savini
Feuerring
Barbecue on art The Feuerring opens up new and stylish possibilities for everyone’s favourite summer pastime – barbecuing. Steel sculptor Andreas Reichlin is the inventor of the Feuerring; the first of its kind. His main priorities are intransigence in form and workmanship. TEXT: FEUERRING GMBH, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF
Health impairments called for solutions: Reichlin’s stomach could not tolerate barbecued food from the grill and thus, he looked for a possibility to still live his passion for fire. The outcome is the Feuerring: sculptural design, form and functionality for a revolutionary barbecue experience. A blazing fire caters for an atmospheric mood during grilling – waiting for the perfect embers becomes a thing of the past. With the Feuerring, one grills on a steel ring that can reach temperatures of between 30 | Issue 48 | March 2017
150 and 300 degrees so that the grilled food can either be seared or cooked gently on low temperatures. Besides sausages, meat, whole roasts or fish, fried eggs, crepes, raclette, rösti and much more can directly be cooked on the hot ring. With the Feuerring, culinary imagination knows no limits. On specifically designed table and chair cubes, the host can sit around the wonderful fire bowl with their guests; everyone can grill for themselves and therefore the host is able to spend time with the guests.
With the Feuerring, one does not need to wait for the perfect embers and rather grills next to a blazing fire while enjoying barbecued foods without the unhealthy, charred aftertaste. Enjoying conviviality and great cuisine, while drawing creative energy from it: Reichlin’s philosophy of life has found its expression in the Feuerring. Essentials at the Feuerring: atmosphere and warmth through an inspiring fire, cosy get-togethers with friends, an emphasis on gentle grilling of high-quality food and producing culinary menus. Here it says: enjoy with all senses! Swiss product Alongside his partner Beate Hoyer and a small team, Andreas Reichlin has managed the Feuerring GmbH in Switzerland’s Immensee since 2009. With the use
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Design Highlights
of regional handcraft, Feuerring works sustainably and produces a Swiss original: the patented Feuerring. Highlights 2016 literally was a ‘distinguished’ year for Feuerring: new culinary dimensions opened up and one highlight followed another. In spring, the ‘Tulip’ Feuerring and the entire Feuerring model series were awarded the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Award’s highest award ‘Best of the Best’ for ‘pioneering design’. In April, the Feuerring GmbH celebrated the release of its self-produced recipe book set FEUER & RING with an opulent event. In summer, this artful and momentous book set also received the highest ‘best of the best’ award in the category ‘Red Dot Communication Design’. During the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, visitors, athletes and winners were spoilt with creative barbecued goods from the Feuerring in the House of Switzerland; head chef Chris Züger managed the catering team and thus brought the Feuerring further into the world.
Since 1987, the Designers’ Saturday in Langenthal has been a significant meeting place for design. For the first time, Feuerring was invited to design the Mühlehof’s outdoor area: waste products, raw and half-finished steel elements were powerfully and artfully staged to document the milestones of the Feuerring production. Warming flames invited to relax and the palates were pampered with culinary delicacies; accentuated with an almost mystical soundscape with percussion and vocals. The installation ‘Feuerring am DS’ also received an award: the bronze winner in the XL category.
ments in a playful way. With the Feuerring’s raw material of steel, new rooms were created so that the Feuerring could be seen from fresh perspectives. Thus, wonderfully reduced and meaningful photos emerged that accompany Feuerring in 2017.
An exciting year ended with the German Design Award ceremony. In October, the German Design Council certified Feuerring’s excellent design with the ‘Winner Award 2017’.
www.feuerring.ch info@feuerring.ch
Experiences and enjoyment were Feuerring’s main focus in 2016; in 2017 the focus will be ‘form in space’. Forms always stand in relation to their surrounding space. Photographer Sylvan Müller and Feuerring searched for new perspectives and have photographically captured spatial mo-
Besides the pleasures around the Feuerring, the interested barbecue enthusiast can enjoy the reduced forms, the line, colour and shadow plays with surprising combinations and perspectives and he or she is also invited to join. Feuerring – unique in its kind.
From top left: Book vernissage. Photo: Dennis Savini Beate Hoyer and Andreas Reichlin. Photo: Günter Standl House of Switzerland in Rio. Photo: EDA Langenthal Designers’ Saturday. Photo: Dennis Savini Recipe book. Photo: Büro Nord
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 31
Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Milky Chance
Milky Chance
The boys are all right Milky Chance look back on what many would label four fairy tale years. Now presenting their second album Blossom, released on 17 March by the progressive rock label Vertigo, they are taking the next step after a truly magical intro to the international musical scene. TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI I PHOTOS: JEFF HAHN
Four years ago, the young duo’s homeproduced song Stolen Dance landed several hundred thousand clicks on YouTube within record time – a surprise success that no one had seen coming, least of all the two musicians. The first, equally self-produced album Sadnecessary followed through their own label Lichtdicht in October 2013. Meanwhile, Stolen Dance has been clicked on nearly 300 million times and sold two million times in the US alone. Soon, the two high school graduates found themselves performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and at highprofile venues like the Red Rocks open air stage. Within four years, their singles had topped multiple international charts, they played on both festivals and on sold-out club tours – and the fairy tale has never stopped since. After a grounding period in their home town of Kassel in northern Hesse in early 2016, during which they resumed cowriting songs at their home, they decided to “take the next step” and find a producer. 32 | Issue 48 | March 2017
They consequently got in touch with renowned German songwriter and producer Tobias Kuhn to combine forces for Blossom. But let’s take a step back to the recent beginnings. Clemens Rehbein and Philipp Dausch were just 16 when they got to know each other at school in music class. They soon began writing songs together and toured as street musicians with friends through the whole of Europe on a little bus. Soon, their trademark mix of dreamy lyrics and highly danceable beats was established and they started exclusively composing and producing their songs together at home. All they needed was a Mac computer, a guitar and a working internet connection. However, says singer and guitarist Clemens Rehbein, for Blossom, they longed for a bigger studio offering more possibilities and “more real instruments”. This is also mirrored by the setup for their already sold out Before Blossom tour, for
which the duo will be accompanied by an additional drummer and their longtime co-musician Antonio Greger on guitar and harmonica.“I can’t wait to perform the new songs live,” says Clemens Rehbein. “We appreciate both the exclusive atmosphere of smaller clubs where the condensed energy accumulates and sizzles up to a boiling point, but also the bigger stages and festivals have their charm. Nothing is more enticing than playing on an openair festival in summer. It is the mix of both small and big venues that we love.” Mixing two different elements is also crucial for their songwriting process. While Clemens Rehbein composes the harmonies and melody for a song, followed by the lyrics, it is the co-work with Philipp Dausch which then produces what they call a “ping-pong effect of creative back and forth and an on-and-on process”, leading to their magical mix of driving beats and thoughtful, almost analytical content. Despite the uplifting title, after Sadnecessary the sadness has not necessarily left for Blossom either. Their new song Cocoon, for example, reveals yet more heartache: “So let’s go back to our cocoon / On the blackened afternoon / I see your heart is bleeding too / Let me bleed instead of you.”
Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Milky Chance
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 33
Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Milky Chance
“The real motor for me is still to digest, analyse and express events and experiences that happen in my life. Just like on Sadnecessary, we combine contemplative lyrics with a vibrant underbelly of beats and sounds for Blossom, too. It has become a sort of trademark approach for us.” When asked about role models, Milky Chance refers to the “old greats” of jazz, soul, blues, rock and folk, dropping names like Ray Charles, Hendrix and Dylan – which naturally takes the interview to the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature.“What I like is the fact that song lyrics have become an acknowledged cultural good now, just like any highly acclaimed literature written by the likes of Kafka,”states Clemens Rehbein. “And what I like even more is that [Bob] Dylan took his time to acknowledge that he had actually won the Nobel Prize! I guess these things aren’t very high on his list when he is out there on his farm.” With their own down-to-earth approach, Milky Chance are creating a musical expression and atmosphere which has become their unique and defined style. The immediate success shows that it appeals to millions. Their Before Blossom tour will start in London and take them all the way to the US once more. So how do the two young high-flyers keep their feet on the ground? “The circumstances and the parameters may have changed – but we are still the same,” says Clemens Rehbein. “Basically, all we need to ground ourselves is the home soil of Hesse. Most of our friends haven’t left the city (of Kassel) and when we come back, everything is like it always was, that is a big help.” More sense of their down-toearth attitude comes with asking them for their perfect day. “The perfect day?” Clemens Rehbein laughs. “Well – that might be being on a family holiday in Sweden or so, having breakfast outside and then taking a walk together to a lake.” Simple pleasures. The boys are all right.
Blossom album release: 17 March on Vertigo Berlin (Universal Music). www.milkychance.net
34 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Discover Germany | Cover Feature | Milky Chance
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 35
the place to be for business.
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Discover Germany | Wine & Dine | GEGESSEN WIRD IMMER
Fresh and prized groceries.
The curated grocer The start-up GEGESSEN WIRD IMMER – meaning ‘eating is always a good idea’ – is an online grocer based in Berlin. With the help of passionate employees and a warehouse full of high-quality products, it is realising one main purpose: making grocery shopping transparent again.
Furthermore, GEGESSEN WIRD IMMER also delivers fruit boxes to companies around Berlin. These boxes provide seasonal fruit and, of course, a steady stream of vitamins to keep your team healthy.
TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS
Founded by Philipp von Sahr, Friederike Tschacksch and Beatrice von Wrede in 2015, GEGESSEN WIRD IMMER has put together a range of delicious and hand-crafted groceries. There is a clear focus on the quality of the product and the support of producers around Germany. “Passion and curiosity for groceries are part of our everyday life,” explain the founders. As a result, they aim to draw product, supplier and consumer closer together. This proximity already exists in their own work. Potential producers are visited in person and products are tested for the inclusion in the company’s range collaboratively. Only products with the best ingredients make the cut and find their way to the warehouse shelves, before being delivered to customers all over Germany. The product range offers a solid basis for ordinary grocery shopping including or-
ganic fruits and vegetables, baking goods, drinks, cheese and meat. One also finds hidden gems, like Nikka Whisky distilled under unique conditions in Japan or a heroic espresso blend labelled ‘Skywalker’. Grocery shopping was never that easy and comfortable - all groceries are delivered within a day or on the same day if one lives in Berlin and come in sustainable packaging to minimise plastic waste. In addition, GEGESSEN WIRD IMMER curates a diverse selection of culinary present boxes, which make perfect gifts for colleagues, friends or family. In addition to private customers, emphasis is placed on B2B relationships. Businesses can choose between hampers for employees, partners and customers, good-byes, wine lovers or gourmets. They can also customise their selection and order everything giftwrapped, with a personal greeting card.
At GEGESSEN WIRD IMMER, every food item becomes a nice gesture and statement. Go and convince yourself at: www.gegessenwirdimmer.de Aesthetic business gifts.
Founders Philipp von Sahr, Friederike Tschacksch, Beatrice von Wrede. Photo: © Gegessen wird immer
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 37
Discover Germany | Special Theme | ProWein 2017
SPECIAL THEME: PROWEIN 2017
The entire world of wines Once again, from 19 to 21 March 2017 in Düsseldorf, everything will revolve around the topic of wine and spirits. Then the world’s most important trade fair for professionals from the commerce and gastronomy sector will start - the ProWein. TEXT: PROWEIN, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: MESSE DÜSSELDORF / CTILLMANN
38 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Discover Germany | Special Theme | ProWein 2017
All relevant wine regions of this world are represented at the ProWein. Around half of the 6,300 exhibitors come from France and Italy. They present themselves with all relevant wine regions – from Abruzzo to Veneto; from Bordeaux to Sud-Ouest. Germany, Spain, Austria, Portugal and overseas count towards the further top exhibitor nations. In total, over 60 countries take part. An additional 300 exhibitors will showcase special spirits, such as fine brandies, cognac, single malts, grappa or exotic cachaça. A diverse framework programme that comprises tastings and seminars will accompany the ProWein directly at the fair stands of the exhibitors. In addition, there will be a ProWein forum with numerous, moderated tastings and talks. Another highlight for the industry visitors is also the Champagne Lounge in which around 40 winemakers and champagne houses will present themselves. ProWein’s comprehensive and unique offerings attract experts from all over the
world: over 55,000 visitors from 126 countries visited the leading trade fair last year; every second visitor came from abroad. Since its debut over 20 years ago, ProWein has been a pure trade fair. Each visitor thus needs to provide evidence that they professionally deal with wine – as a specialist dealer, in wholesale, in the area of import or export or as a restaurateur. In accordance with this, much is ordered at the ProWein. After the ProWein closes, all private wine enthusiasts from in and around Düsseldorf also get what their hearts desire. For over ten years, the ‘ProWein goes city’ campaign has run in numerous restaurants, hotels and wine shops. The programme includes wine tasting menus, cooking courses, bottle parties or art events with vintner wine tasting sessions. The full programme can be found at the following website: www.prowein-goes-city.de
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 39
Discover Germany | Special Theme | ProWein 2017
Discovering new tastes with organic wines from south-western Germany The vineyards around the Kaiserstuhl in Baden-Wuerttemberg are famous for high-quality wines. Situated in Vogtsburg-Bischoffingen vineyard Abril is the largest organic winemaker in the region. Successfully combining innovation and tradition, the young team strive to make wines with unique character. Eva-Maria Köpfer, sommelier and vineyard manager.
TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: WEINGUT ABRIL
“Craftsmanship is important to us,” says sommelier and vineyard manager Eva-Maria Köpfer.“Our wines are perfectly ripened, straightforward, with a mineral taste but without fuss.” Abril has three ranges of wine: Fruit, basic wines ripened in steel barrels; Stone, wines ripened in wine casks; and Time, selected wines ripened in barrique barrels. “Farming eco-friendly and sustainable is very important to us,” says Köpfer, even though it might take more effort. Abril’s young team brings in new ideas while honouring the vineyard’s long tradition. “We may be young, but luckily also traditional. We do not follow every trend
Daniel Hank, cellarer.
and have a classic, clear style. And that is something we are proud of.” One of the chefs’ favourite wines is a Müller-Thurgau, a white wine from Abril’s fruity range. “This grape variety has sadly enough lost its popularity.”But now young vintners want to make sure the wine’s potential is honoured again. “We ferment this wine with a tasteless yeast, so that its true character emerges: Our Müller Thurgau has a very natural fruity aroma, a great minerality without any heaviness,” explains Köpfer.“We simply want to make wines we love to drink ourselves.” www.weingut-abril.de
Vineyard Abril.
Hall 13, stand C89/C90 at ProWein 2017.
Two brothers on a mission Wine label Bicking & Bicking is a true newcomer amongst its peers. The brothers Achim and Lukas Bicking are determined to follow their instincts and are not afraid to start from scratch. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: ANDREAS DURST
Achim and Lukas grew up on their parent’s wine estate in North Palatinate. Initially they were going to run the parental vineyard but soon it became clear that the brothers clashed with their father’s views on winemaking. Last year they cut ties and took over a vineyard in Wallhausen by the Nahe. “We love clarity and authenticity,” Lukas explains. “We pay great attention to our wine’s straight-forward structure, which does not primarily come from the fruit but more from the soil’s character. The spontaneous fermentation through wild yeast in the vineyard as well as the maturing process in wooden barrels, are very important in order to bring out each wine’s variety of flavours.” 40 | Issue 48 | March 2017
The soil properties of the Nahe-area are extremely versatile, which Riesling especially benefits from, hence the brothers plan to focus on their Riesling production and fully explore the soil’s advantages. White wines are close to their hearts and their selection includes Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc, MüllerThurgau but also the red wine Pinot Noir.
Vineyards.
In the upcoming years, the Bicking brothers will switch to organic production and continue their mission to find the perfect wine. Lukas adds with a smile: “We do not just want to make wine, we want to create moments that bring happiness - in liquid form.” www.bickingundbicking.de
Achim and Lukas Bicking.
Discover Germany | Special Theme | ProWein 2017
Characterful Rhineland wines that reflect history and family tradition For more than 230 years, Weingut Schales, situated in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, has produced outstanding wines that feature the typical characteristics of the Rhineland, the taste of lime soil, minerals and fruits. The wine’s high quality is reflected in its price and performance. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: WEINGUT SCHALES
“We want to carve out the individuality of each grape variety with all its various facets and aromas so that our customers gain a unique insight into the wine world of the Rhineland,” says vineyard owner Astrid Schales. The grapes are grown and harvested as gently as possible and the wines are matured as such. But is there any wine Astrid Schales prefers? “That is a difficult question, when a family has worked in a vineyard for many generations with a passion for the Rhineland’s different grape varieties,” she says. The vineyard has been in family hands for eighth generations. Today’s owners balance tradition and innovation
with great success, simply through their love for wine. So while there might not be one favourite wine, Astrid Schales has a recommendation: “When eating wild boar the barrique-ripened Pinot Noir from our CARDINALIS collection fits perfectly.” What is also important for Astrid Schales is the health aspect: “This might seem paradox at a first glance, but there are many studies that show: moderate wine consumption has no negative affect on people’s health,” says Schales. “A glass per day definitely does no harm.”Especially if it is a great wine from the Rhineland. www.schales.de
The Schales family.
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Discover Germany | Feature | Frankfurt’s Answer to Cider
Mainufer bank of the river.
Photo: © DZT
Frankfurt-Ebbelwei Festival.
Ebbelwei
Frankfurt’s answer to cider Apple wine, or Ebbelwei, is for Frankfurt what beer is for Munich. It is not just a drink but a way of life and has been so for more than 250 years. From designated jugs to special terminology, and even its own historic tram, Ebbelwei is trendy! TEXT: WIBKE CARTER | PHOTOS: TOURISMUS AND CONGRESS GMBH FRANKFURT AM MAIN
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is more than just an old saying and the people of Frankfurt have found a special way to ensure their daily vitamin intake: Ebbelwei. Apple wine, similar to the British cider though quite different in taste, is mainly made from eating apples or cooking apples, which are pressed during production in October, and has an alcohol content of 4.8 per cent to seven per cent. Also known as Äppler, Stöffsche, Apfelmost (apple must), Viez, and Saurer Most (sour must), the flavour of Ebbelwei is, as the name suggests, quite sour and tart. 42 | Issue 48 | March 2017
There is a local wisdom that apple wine only tastes well after at least three glasses (presumably because taste buds have stopped working by then). Large-scale apple wine production began in the 16th century, yet popularity with consumers did not peak until the middle of the 18th century when a change in climate meant that grapes did not ripen anymore and diseases destroyed many vines. Savvy businessmen were forced to turn to other fruits to save their wine-making industry and as apples proved to be a suita-
ble alternative to grapes, a new beverage, apple wine, was born. Today, the two principle apple wine producers in Frankfurt, Possmann and Höhl, produce a staggering 25 million litres of apple wine and juice each year combined. It is easy to distinguish locals and visitors in Frankfurt by the way they drink and talk about their Ebbelwei. A true apple wine drinker (a Schoppepetzer) enjoys the beverage pure and will only in special circumstances, if ever, contemplate mixing it with sparkling water. This “watered down” version, called a ‘Sauergespritzer’, is especially popular for first-time drinkers. A sweet version, particularly fashionable with the ladies and known as a ‘Süßgespritzer’, is mixed with lemonade, though this variation is frowned upon by the majority of
Discover Germany | Feature | Frankfurt’s Answer to Cider
apple wine aficionados. Ebbelwei is a drink that is popular all year round in Frankfurt. In summer, strawberries are often added to create a kind of apple wine punch, while in winter, apple wine is served piping hot with cinnamon sticks and cloves, for example on the Christmas Markets. Traditional Ebbelwei taverns and restaurants offer a standard 0.3-litre serving, which always comes in a ‘Geripptes’, a glass etched with a diamond pattern that refracts light and improves grip. In combination, the glass filled with apple wine is a ‘Schoppen’. Ebbelwei is also served by the ‘Bembel’, a specific measurement just like the beer pitcher (one needs to know this terminology to blend in with the locals). The ‘Bembel’ is a ceramic, grey-coloured jug with a blue floral pattern, which has over the years become the main symbol of Frankfurt’s apple wine culture. Apfelwein (cider) in a gerippte (traditional glass).
Locals traditionally enjoy Ebbelwei in the city’s rustic apple wine pubs, which are easy to recognise by the fir wreaths hanging above their doors. No doubt, apple wine tastes best when enjoyed in combination with the local fare, such as loin ribs with sauerkraut, boiled eggs and potatoes with the famous green sauce,‘Handkäs mit Musik’ (cheeses marinated with vinegar and onion), and the legendary Frankfurters (sausages). The best Ebbelwei, though it is served all over Frankfurt, is found in the suburb of Sachsenhausen which has gained fame as the beating heart of the city’s apple wine scene. Apple wine culture has played an important role in Frankfurt’s joie de vivre for many years and fittingly, once a year, the locals pay tribute to their favourite beverage with its very own celebration, the Frankfurt Apple Wine Festival (11-20
August 2017). Visitors can taste countless varieties of traditional apple wine as well as sparkling ranges, apple wine spirits, and the ever-popular apple wine cocktails, or kit themselves out with the proper Ebbelwei equipment from traditional glasses and lids to the famous jugs. There is no more proof of the locals’ love for their apple wine than the fact that they have their own historical tram dedicated to it. Since 1977, the Ebbelwei-Express has been taking more than 1.2 million visitors on an apple wine tour through Frankfurt. The multi-coloured streetcar passes the city’s most famous sights like the Römer Square or the Goethe Memorial while participants can try a bottle of Ebbelwei – the straight version, of course. www.frankfurt-tourismus.de www.ebbelwei-express.de
Roemer Square Frankfurt.
Cityscape Frankfurt.
Ebbelwei-Express.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 43
HOTEL OF THE MONTH, GERMANY
Hotel Frankenland
Your selfie heaven A hotel and conference centre in one, Hotel Frankenland in Bad Kissingen combines the individuality and flexibility of a boutique hotel with the space only large-chain hotels can rival. Here, guests’ wishes come true, whether they involve wellness offerings, culinary delights or high-quality conference locations. This diverse offering also makes Hotel Frankenland the perfect selfie location. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: HOTEL FRANKENLAND
Conveniently situated in the heart of Germany, Hotel Frankenland’s guests are as diverse as the services it offers. Couples, groups of ladies on wellness breaks, conference guests, business travellers, commuters, weekenders, health-conscious spa aficionados and culturally inspired guests flock here to enjoy the best experience a hotel can offer. Conferences are especially popular at Hotel Frankenland, as it provides an infra44 | Issue 48 | March 2017
structure for large meetings and symposia while still being able to focus on individuality. “Despite offering 500 rooms and three conference centres with 25 rooms for 1,800 guests, our house retains its personality,” says Andrea Hergenröther, marketing director of Hotel Frankenland.“Our employee’s individuality is being encouraged and breathed, and we rely on charm and character rather than on stereotypical hotel catchwords. The spirit of our employees is what sets our four-star superior
event hotel apart from bland conference hotel blocks where guests are boxed into boring bedrooms.” Not restricted by any hotel chain’s rules and regulations, Hotel Frankenland oozes individuality and flexibility and improvements can be discussed, decided and put into action internally.“Our central location and attractive pricing set us apart from our competitors too,” says Hergenröther. From wellness to free fall Apart from the generous conference centres, Hotel Frankenland offers various catering options – a banquet hall for 500 people, two à la carte restaurants, Frankenland Stuben and Rôtisserie as well as two buffet restaurants and a vaulted cellar for dining. The most popular attraction is
Discover Germany | Travel | Hotel of the Month, Germany
visitors can gaze at the world’s largest, underground bucket wheel excavators or the crystal grotto amongst other experiences. Or why not have a drink in the world’s deepest bar? Perfectly staged conferences “Our longstanding conference clients include Siemens, Continental, Technogym, Audi BKK and more. The planning for these clients is usually done blindfolded, as we and our clients can work together as a winning team,” explains Hergenröther. The conference complex comprises 2,500 square metres and offers three conference centres with 25 conference rooms, three cafeterias, two exclusive banqueting halls and an outdoor event space. Whether seminars, conferences, symposia, congresses or exhibitions, Hotel Frankenland offers a suitable solution for both small and large groups. Wi-Fi, movie screens, beamers, audio and video solutions, microphones, speakers and high-voltage connections are just some of the extras that may be included. The all-inclusive conference offer is a great solution which comprises, amongst other perks, a free sports and wellness package for all conference attendees. “When we cater for new clients, wishes and specifications often change on site, but due to our decades of experience in the conference sector, spontaneity does not pose a hurdle for us,” Hergenröther says
and adds: “‘Average’ doesn’t exist here. Each client gets the wished service that caters to their individual needs. Through year-long cooperation, we are a wellcoordinated team with many companies – this also reflects in a loyalty bonus.” Average conferences are therefore a rarity at Hotel Frankenland, with their special events partner pro-log offering unusual outdoor experiences from rock climbing and stays in winter bivouacs to archery and crossing ravines as well as dedicated teambuilding activities and management seminars. “We like to reminisce about the time a tiger was let loose on our premises, a chain reaction with 200 people was initiated on our event green or the time we produced 100-kilowatt electricity at the Forum Frankenland for a presentation of saucepans curated by cooking accessories company AMC,” says Hergenröther. Not surprisingly, the year 2018 holds many secrets in store for guests of Hotel Frankenland. “We constantly invest in our hotel to offer our guests a unique and unforgettable stay in a modern, yet cultivated atmosphere,” Hergenröther says. She adds: “There is one little secret that I can share with you: We plan to expand our premises in 2018 from the current 16,000 square metres to 20,000 square metres. Keep your eyes peeled!” www.hotel-frankenland.de
the AquaWell pool area including sauna areas on more than 3,000 square metres. The equally impressive, 1,000-squaremetre-large spa provides a space for relaxation and treatments that spoil the body and soul. The facilities also include a pool for sports fans and a gym area. Two bars and a dance club for up to 400 people provide ample opportunities for a different kind of recreation. The Kisspark caters for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies alike. Paintball, GoKart and Free Fall are just some of the activities offered on a regular basis. Those who want to experience the world outside Bad Kissingen and Hotel Frankenland from a different perspective may enjoy a flight in a motorised paraglider or visit the ‘Adventure Mine Merkers’ where Issue 48 | March 2017 | 45
Discover Germany | Travel | Hotel of the Month, Switzerland
HOTEL OF THE MONTH, SWITZERLAND
Urban retreat in the heart of Basel The four-star Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel in Basel is the latest addition to the Krafft Gruppe. Nomad’s unique architecture and high-quality design features create a cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting modern globetrotters from Switzerland and the world. TEXT: VERONIKA FAFIENSKI I PHOTOS: MARK NIEDERMANN
The Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel is conveniently located at Brunngässlein 8, in the heart of Grossbasel. Whether it is a city break, business stay or luxurious indulgence that guests are after – the Nomad’s 65 rooms and penthouse suite provide the right retreat for any requirement. The hotel’s unique architecture is a concept of Buchner Bründler Architects in Basel. The Nomad consists of two buildings which are connected by the ‘Eatery’ – the hotel’s vibrant restaurant and guests’ favourite meeting point. Catherine Leonhardt, the hotel director, says: “Our Eatery and Bar are the heart of the hotel, attracting guests from all over the world. It is perfect for both, enjoying breakfast in the morning as well as coming together for cocktails in the evening.” Nomad’s tasteful décor was tailor-made by Zürich-based Grego Architecture. Colour46 | Issue 48 | March 2017
ful Kilim rugs and carefully selected fine leathers and linen create a snug and welcoming atmosphere. “Local craftsmanship is merged with high-quality materials, providing a sense of completeness and unity,” states Franz-Xaver Leonhardt, CEO of the Krafft Gruppe. “We act with dedication, passion and joy, aiming to provide each of our guests with a unique experience.” Delightful features such as Aesop care products in each room as well as a Pinocchio coffee machine, water bar, tea from the ‘Teegarten Miniatures’ and fresh fruits on every floor make guests feel looked after. Using the casual ‘Du’ (‘you’) reinforces a sense of comfort and hospitality typical of a home away from home. Guests have also free access to the gym and sauna area, yoga mats and Brompton bicycles. While in Basel, urban nomads also love to explore the bars, shops and art galler-
ies the city has to offer. So what do locals recommend for a perfect day? Catherine Leonhardt suggests to “explore the brewery and bar Volta Bräu, then visit the wine bar Consum in the lively Kleinbasler old town, have dinner in the Restaurant Krafft Basel with a visit to the Kunsthaus just around the corner, and finally enjoy the views by taking a ferry ride over the river Rhine”. Nomad is in walking distance to excellent transport links and the city centre. Bookings can be made via the Nomad website. www.nomad.ch
Discover Germany | Travel | Manor House of the Month
MANOR HOUSE OF THE MONTH
Take a break at Gutshaus Stolpe Our daily lives are hectic. Meetings, deadlines, and a multitude of responsibilities are sometimes truly overwhelming. So why not take a break in a relaxing atmosphere to slow down?
There is a great deal to explore at Gutshaus Stolpe - most of all the secret of how to relax. Never has winding down been easier.
TEXT: SILKE HENKELE I PHOTOS: GUTSHAUS STOLPE
www.gutshaus-stolpe.de
Located close to the quaint historic village of Stolpe, close to the north German peninsula of Usedom, lies Gutshaus Stolpe. Embedded in a lush, green environment and the nearby romantic river Peene, the current owners, the family Stürken, have turned this 19th century manor into a unique gem of tranquility. “Our guests value the quiet they find here. Their lives are stressful and they come to Gutshaus Stolpe to unwind and forget their daily struggles,” explains Annamarie Klostermann, the director of Gutshaus Stolpe. The team at Gutshaus Stolpe manages to superbly link their customers’ needs, nature and culinary surprises. “We want our guests to have a unique experience at Gutshaus Stolpe - an experience that speaks to all senses,“ says Klostermann.
Consequently, it is not only the manor, the romantic surrounding, or the exquisitely furnished rooms that transport the hotel’s guests into another world, but also an extraordinary service. “Exquisite food and service have a long-lasting tradition at our hotel and we are very proud that Gutshaus Stolpe has been a Michelin-star holder for many years,” enthuses Klostermann. In the summer, Gutshaus Stolpe will become part of the annual MecklenburgPomerania Music Festival. This year, on the 7 July, Ute Lemper, the famous German chanson singer and actress, will hit the stage in Gutshaus Stolpe’s stables and take her audience on a journey around the world with a medley of chansons by Bertolt Brecht, Jacques Brel and others. Issue 48 | March 2017 | 47
Discover Germany | Travel | Best Golf Club in Austria
BEST GOLF CLUB IN AUSTRIA
Lake Attersee
Where Austria’s natural beauty unites with a versatile golf course design Golf am Attersee combines everything that guarantees a great golfing experience: an 18-hole course directly at the shore of a glacial lake, a good transport connection and a relaxed atmosphere. Open from April to November, the golf course is part of a network providing great golf holidays in a landscape full of natural beauty on the doorstep of the Mozart city of Salzburg. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: GOLFCLUB AM ATTERSEE
What makes the 18-hole, Par 71 golf course Golfclub am Attersee a true jewel among other golf courses is not only the location, but also the diverse terrain, offering many challenges for experienced golfers and novices. During planning and building, the architects have integrated natural biotopes and existing landscapes into the courses design, so small vales vary 48 | Issue 48 | March 2017
with hills, natural tracks with clearly artificial design. This makes the course versatile and so much fun to play. “We have quite a relaxed atmosphere here,” says golf course manager Andreas Hagara. “Of course, during the high season in July and August we also have many visitors, but it is not as overrun and stressful as in other golf holiday destinations.” The course is large
enough to provide undisturbed space for everyone. Next to the golf course there are well laidout training facilities – also with great views over the lake and the Höllengebirge mountain range. The golf course also has an adjoining golf school: for beginners, as well as more advanced golfers, who want to enhance their technique. At Golfclub am Attersee the buzz of a touristic region with restaurants and hotels unites with picturesque farms and natural biotopes to create this special atmosphere. The region is a famous holiday destination for biking, hiking, swimming,
Discover Germany | Travel | Best Golf Club in Austria
sailing and – of course – golf during the summer months. The season at Golf am Attersee normally starts early April and ends at the end of November, depending on the weather. Versatile sport options around lake Attersee The Attersee is the last one in a row of lakes and is very rich in marine life. But, more importantly, the water is very clear and the surface shimmers in blue and turquoise when hit by the sun. The water has drinking water quality and one can see up to 25 metres deep, looking down at the fish swimming by. This is why the lake is so popular for sailing trips and diving. So, enthusiast golfers not only find a great golf course here, but also other interesting activities they could enjoy during a longer stay in the Salzkammergut region. The area looks back on a long and rich history of human settlement; archaeological findings trace the first settlements back to
the Neolithic period. The Romans came here as well and traces of their villas can also be found at the lake’s shore. It was the climate that made the Attersee so famous during the 19th century when the rich bourgeois discovered travelling as a mode of relaxation and new transport methods made it easier to reach even remote places. In 1881, a train line opened directly at the lake Attersee’s shore. During the Belle Époque – from the late 19th century to the First World War – the Attersee was in the centre of the so-called Sommerfrische. Artists like Gustav Klimt retreated here, also attracting rich tycoons and other prominent Austrian people. The landscape has always attracted holidaymakers with its quietness and relaxing atmosphere and the good transport connection still is a plus. “Salzburg, Vienna and Munich are all very easy to reach,” says Golf am Attersee manager Andreas Hagara. The main motorway is only five minutes away from the golf course, the
airports in Salzburg and Linz can be reached in 30 to 45 minutes. Holiday packages with multiple golf challenges “We are not a members-only club, but orient towards the tourist sector,”says Hagara. Many people come for one or a few days to retreat from everyday life, enjoying the landscape and their most favourite sport. This is why Golf am Attersee has become part of the Golf & Seen network (www. golfundseen.at) that unites 13 golf courses and 21 hotels in the Austrian Salzkammergut region, one of the most impressive landscapes in the heart of Europe. All golf courses have something in common; they lie at the shore of one of the region’s famous lakes with a view towards the mountain panorama. Golf & Seen offers different holiday packages, for example two nights in a hotel and a day pass for two different golf courses, for instance Golf am Attersee. www.golfamattersee.at
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 49
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
Nymphenburg Palace. Photo: © J. Lutz / München Tourismus
SPECIAL THEME: BEST OF MUNICH
Ten brilliant ideas for a trip to Munich in spring 2017 Put an end to darkness. Light is quality of life and makes us happy. While spring is still practising, numerous opportunities to refuel on lux and lumen can be found in Munich. Thus, read about ten great examples for a Munich trip to the light on the following pages. TEXT: MÜNCHEN TOURISMUS, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF
Rainbow-coloured Allianz Arena. Photo: © Sigi Mueller / München Tourismus
50 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
Springtime in the city. Photo: © Christian Kasper / München Tourismus
The Olympic site in the evening. Photo: © Werner Boehm / München Tourismus
1. ‘Heavy metal with light show’ in the German Museum
3. Shining star of the south – the Allianz Arena
Light is more than illumination. That is what the German Museum wants to bring closer to visitors with a new, impressive light show. The 117-metre-long, blue-lit tunnel, which connects the physics exhibition with the special exhibition room, cannot be missed. Of course, visitors can also gain further insights into the topic of light: for example, they can gaze at their own thermal images, learn about what light is comprised of and much more. www.deutsches-museum.de
When the Allianz Arena is illuminated in FC Bayern’s red colour, the stadium seems like a space ship from another planet. More than 300,000 LED lights on 26,000 square metres illuminate the modern landmark’s diamond-shaped membrane cushions. The innovative lighting system can be controlled digitally and masters 16 million colours. On days when no games are scheduled, guided arena tours are special highlights. www.allianz-arena.de
2. Street art in the spotlight – MUCA and the Magic City exhibition
4. Poet of the light – Munich’s light designer Ingo Maurer
In the heart of Munich’s old town, Germany’s first Museum for Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA) opened at the end of 2016. Its façade was designed by the renowned street art artist Stohead and is an artwork in itself. On 2,000 square metres, internationally celebrated artists will showcase their works and experimental formats and interesting positions are also displayed. www.urbanartmuseum.org
Since the ‘60s, the internationally renowned light designer has designed exceptional lamps in his office in Munich: from the ‘Bulb’ lamp that has become a mile stone of design history to winged table lamps and light installations for some of Munich’s underground stations, such as ‘Am Moosfeld’, ‘Westfriedhof’ or ‘Münchner Freiheit’. He also designed the orange-red overhead lighting for the mezzanine floor under the Marienplatz. Visit or book a guided tour in Ingo Maurer’s showroom in Schwabing. www.ingo-maurer.de
The exhibition Magic City – The Art of the Street (13 April until 10 September 2017, Small Olympic Hall) is a declaration of love to Munich. On 2,500 square metres, street art presents itself in all its diversity: political, lyrical, cuttingly, critical and above all, entertaining. www.magiccity.de
Schwabing. Back then, the quarter was a place for culture and creative professionals – and still is today. The ‘Blaue Reiter’ artist group around Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc was founded in Schwabing’s Ainmiller Street. In 1911, a new neighbour joined the group: Paul Klee. The two-hour-long walking tour for groups of up to 12 people leads directly into Munich’s legendary neighbourhood and visits Ingo Maurer’s showroom, the Heinz-Bosl Foundation, the Constantin Film AG, the Munich Distillers Bar and others. www.muenchen.de/guides
5. Light design and global player – guided tours through Schwabing Thomas Mann wrote the famous lines “Munich glows…” in his domicile in
Shopping paradise ‘Fünf Höfe‘. Photo: © S. Mueller / München Tourismus
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 51
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
Facade of the ‘Residenz’ in Munich. Photo: © Vittorio Sciosia / München Tourismus
6. Munich’s nightlife – moon light and mood light Every full moon, the Luna Party invites guest to celebrate at Hotel Bayerischer Hof’s Blue Spa Terrace & Lounge. Free entry. www.luna-party.com Furthermore, Munich’s techno temple Harry Klein belongs to Germany’s top techno clubs, according to DJ Mac magazine. The disco is situated in the city centre and does not only play great music, but also impresses with its visual artists, light shows, video projections and animations. www.harrykleinclub.de, www.facebook.com/harrykleinclub 7. Light and luxury – guided tours in Munich’s palaces Over centuries, night lighting has been a symbol for power and wealth. Thus, a guided tour gives an insight into how in Munich’s palaces Nymphenburg, the Res52 | Issue 48 | March 2017
idenz and in Schleißheim, the nights were turned into day. www.schloesser.bayern.de 8. Light in the darkness – tent roof tour Equipped like at an expedition, a guide leads visitors along the edge of the Olympic Stadium’s roof. When night falls, visitors get headlights and can gaze at sunsets and the breath-taking panoramic view. www.olympiapark.de 9. Light in the jungle Growth lamps make the impossible possible: plants that grow towards the bottom. The hanging gardens that artist Tita Giese designed for the Salvator Passage are an attraction in the city quarter ‘Fünf Höfe‘ in Munich’s old town. The vines fall up to 12 metres into the shopping arcade that was designed from the architectural team Herzog & De Meuron. www.fuenfhoefe.de
10. Light art in the Lenbachhaus Directly upon exiting the ‘Königsplatz’ underground station, ten brightyellow neon steles from the American light artist Dan Flavin point towards the neighbouring, main museum building of the Lenbachhaus. The museum also has another light installation from Flavin on offer: the accessible light sculpture Untitled (for Ksenija). Furthermore, Thomas Demand’s scripture sculpture LENBACHHAUS also points towards the Lenbachhaus’s new entrance. Wirbelwerk is the title of the spectacular spiral that the Danish-Islandic artist Olafur Eliasson realised for the Lenbachhaus’s new atrium. Illuminated from the inside, the sculpture shines its shadows and colours onto the surrounding walls. Additionally, light artist Dietmar Tanterl created the light installation ROTWEINROT for the northern staircase. www.lenbachhaus.de www.simply-munich.com
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
Little London Bar & Grill:
The Queen of Munich’s Steakhouses A royal dining temple for wine and dine gourmets; at Little London Bar & Grill, guests enjoy outstanding premium beef cuts, English craft beers and exclusive homemade gins in an elegant and cosy atmosphere. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: LITTLE LONDON BAR & GRILL
Head chef Konstantin Grailer explains the culinary concept of Little London Bar & Grill: “Our style of cooking is influenced by the British colonial era and we try to use seasonal and local products as much as we can. On the one hand, to support local farmers, on the other hand to serve everything as fresh as possible, which is very important to us.” Grailer himself loves British cuisine. In fact, he has been working for British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay at the prestigious Claridge Hotel in London. The American Montague grill is the heart of Little London Bar & Grill. With temperatures reaching up to 928 degrees Celsius, steaks remain extremely tender and juicy while being grilled. With a range of different steak types, guests experience that meat is not only food but also a philosophy.
High-quality Entrecôte steaks, Porterhouse steaks, T-bone and Irish Black Angus Tomahawk steaks are only a small insight to the menu. The signature dish, Tafelspitz, is the local specialty, which is grilled and not boiled as usual. For night lovers, Little London Bar & Grill offers delicious Black Angus Beef Tatar until one in the morning. Little London’s extraordinary range of about 250 different wines completes the culinary adventure. Sommelier and owner Mario Pargger presents some of the most exclusive bottles stored in the chambrair, an impressive walk-in climate cabinet made of glass. Chateau Fieuzal 1998 is one of its treasures.
periodic gin tastings where Mario Pargger himself or Pia Keil introduce everyone to the world of gin. With accompanying snacks and classy gin and tonic novelties, they show guests how to make and flavour their own gin, give important information on the use of botanicals in gin and explain the spirit’s special magic. There is nothing left to say except Little London Bar & Grill truly is the Queen of Munich’s Steakhouses. For more information and dates of special events like the gin tastings, visit the following website. www.little-london.de
Little London Bar & Grill is also popular for its range of about 140 types of gins and over 120 different whiskeys and craft beers. Little London Steakhouse offers Issue 48 | March 2017 | 53
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
At the Oktoberfest. Photo: Hofbräu München
People who want to learn more about the brewing process can participate in a brewery tour. Photo: Hofbräu München
The Hofbräuhaus in Munich. Photo: Stefan Braun
Brewing fine beer since 1589 Established in the late 16th century, the Munich brewery Staatliches Hofbräuhaus München (also known as Hofbräu München) is world-famous for its fine beer. Based on the original recipes handed down by its founder, the Duke of Bavaria, the different types of beer are served in the brewery’s Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, in the Hofbräukeller and, of course, at the Oktoberfest. TEXT: NADINE CARSTENS
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who lived nearby, was a regular guest in 1780. Empress Elisabeth of Austria (‘Sisi’) often dropped in when she visited her hometown, as well. Even John F. Kennedy discovered this place as a student. These are just some of the many famous guests who enjoyed the Hofbräu beer at the worldfamous Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, one of Munich’s oldest beer halls. Owned by the Bavarian state government, the brewery Hofbräu München produces a wide range of traditional beers that were established within more than 400 years and are being exported to more than 40 countries. Now54 | Issue 48 | March 2017
adays, the Hofbräuhaus attracts about two million people from all over the world every year, while about 250,000 guests also go to the Hofbräu tent at the Oktoberfest (the world’s largest beer festival) to experience the Bavarian ‘Gemütlichkeit’ (cosiness) and enjoy the refreshing beer. In 1589, Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V founded the first Hofbräuhaus on the site of the Munich royal residence of that time to supply the royal court with beer. “His successor Maximilian I officially allowed Munich landlords to purchase beer from the Hofbräuhaus and to serve it to the com-
monality,” says Stefan Hempl, spokesman of the brewery. “This was the beginning of Hofbräu München’s success story.” This first Hofbräuhaus lasted till the year 1808 and was only a few steps away from today’s building, Hempl explains. “But by building his ducal Weissbier brewery in 1607, Maximilian I had already laid the historical foundations of today’s Hofbräuhaus.” By the 19th century, the royal beer was known all over Europe and was even exported to America. Today, the brewery has licensed ten beer halls on three continents. Cherishing old traditions Munich citizens and travellers from all over the world go to the Hofbräuhaus, as it is one of the city’s major sights and a meeting place for visitors of all nations, ages and social classes.“The Hofbräuhaus is probably the most famous pub in the
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
world today,” says Hempl. Its heart is the ‘Schwemme’ (in English: taproom) where more than 150 groups of regulars consisting of about 3,500 people tend to meet. With a 400-year history, it is just natural to also cherish old traditions. For example, one of the regulars’ traditions is to pay with beer tokens instead of money – just like it was common practice centuries ago. As befits a traditional beer hall, the Hofbräuhaus serves hearty Bavarian dishes that go with the beer, including cheese plates, roast pork, boiled beef, Bavarian veal sausage, or Munich Sauerbraten of Alpine Ox. “All of our specialities come from our own butcher’s, our own confectioner’s and our own bakery,” Hempl states. “Here, artificial food additives are a taboo.” While live music is on the daily programme, there are also many other cultural events, such as yodel courses,
readings and dancing classes, taking place on a regular basis. Those who want to learn more about the brewing process of Hofbräu beer, can participate in a brewery tour by appointment only every Monday to Thursday, starting at 10am. After an introduction, participants will watch a short film, followed by a tour where they will take a glimpse behind the scenes: The brewery’s owen well and the bottling plant are just some of the interesting stations on the way. Hofbräukeller and Jagdschlössl The Hofbräukeller on the east side of the river Isar is also owned by the Hofbräu brewery. Established in 1892, the restaurant offers a traditional beer garden right next to the Wiener Platz that is certainly one of the most popular ones in the city. About 1,800 people can dine here, enjoying a refreshing beer and some of the hearty Ba-
varian specialities. In summer, guests can alternatively switch to cocktails that are served in a summer bar with beach sand and deck chairs. Inside, the Hofbräukeller offers room for 450 guests, while two more halls, which are perfect for events, have seats for 600 additional guests. In the restaurant’s basement, there is also star chef Andi Schwaiger’s cookery school. In the south of Munich, tourists can find yet another jewel related to Hofbräu München: The charming Harlachinger Jagdschlössl which is known for its upscale Bavarian cuisine. Friedrich Steinberg, who is also landlord of the Hofbräukeller, runs this modern Bavarian pub with Joachim Bauer. One of this place’s highlights is a beer fountain, where guests can draw beer by themselves. Mozart would have enjoyed that. www.hofbraeu-muenchen.de
The brewery. Photo: Hofbräu München
The Hofbräukeller. Photo: Hofbräukeller
Enjoying beer in the beer garden Photo: Hofbräu München
The Harlachinger Jagdschlössl. Photo: Harlachinger Jagdschlössl
More than 150 groups of regulars meet at the Hofbräuhaus. Photo: Hofbräu München
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 55
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
Where Bavarian hospitality meets modern alpine chic White washed walls and wooden claddings, modern furniture and traditional fabrics – the traditional four-star Alpen Hotel Munich is a family-led business in its fourth generation and combines heritage with contemporary style. The hotel lies in a quiet side road in the heart of Munich’s city centre with many attractions in close distance. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: ALPEN HOTEL MUNICH
No matter if you are travelling for business, having a romantic weekend with a partner or a short family trip, the Alpen Hotel Munich is the perfect starting point to explore the city. The central place Karlsplatz/ Stachus lies just around the corner, as well as the main station. The Alpen Hotel Munich has been in family hands for more than 150 years and is currently led by the two brothers Alexander and Stefan Bauer. “We have invested a lot into the hotel to make the atmosphere very special and comfortable for our guests,” says Alexander Bauer.“We place great value on personal service, many come back here as regular guests again and again.” The 56 | Issue 48 | March 2017
four-star hotel even has a courtyard garden where guests can start their morning with an opulent breakfast buffet or relax after a busy day. An open fireplace in the lobby adds cosiness and warmth during the winter. The hotel has 55 light and airy rooms with individual character: “I would describe the rooms, the restaurant and the lobby as modern alpine style or alpine chic,” says Bauer. Everything is furnished using subtle colours and natural materials like wood, felt and typical Bavarian loden fabric. Some of the rooms have new rustic furniture made of old scaffolding wood. Mühldorfer down pillows and duvets were
added only recently. The hotel is certified after the EU organic standards and for example provides fair trade cosmetics only. The design extends throughout the hotel, from the rooms to the restaurant Stefans. “My brother Stefan Bauer heads our restaurant and puts great emphasis on using local and organic produce,”says Alexander Bauer. The breakfast buffet serves a wide range of organic specialities – from bread and pastries to assortments of jam or dairy produce. Fresh and local produce also form the basis of the dinner menus: homemade pasta, ‘Flammkuchen’ – a thin, pizza-like speciality with Alsatian origins – or an organic meat burger. Another way Alpen Hotel Munich shows how important family business is for the hotel’s management: nearly every day fresh flowers adorn the restaurant’s tables – directly delivered from the family’s own flower shop (www.muskarin.de). www.alpenhotel-muenchen.de
BAYERISCHE STAATSOPER 2017 munICH OPERA fESTIvAl – junE 24 julY 31 Opera Ballet Concerts Recitals
Franz Schreker The Stigmatized Sat, July 1, 2017 FeStival PRemieRe
tickets / infos www.staatsoper.de/opernfestspiele t +49.(0)89.21 85 19 20
Partner of the Munich Opera Festival
Carl Maria von Weber Oberon Fri, July 21, 2017 FeStival PRemieRe
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Munich
Vino e Gusto at daylight.
Dessert, Tirami Su.
Owners Guido Prick (left) and Donato Giugliano (right).
The Vino e Gusto in Munich
– Where fine Italian food meets ecological awareness In December 2015, sustainability consultant Guido Prick and fine dining restaurant manager Donato Giugliano took over an exquisite Italian restaurant in the heart of Munich’s old town. When they relaunched in September 2016 after careful renovation, the Vino e Gusto became “the place to go” with both the locals and guests from all over the world. Here is how they did it… TEXT: SONJA IRANI I COPYRIGHT: VINO E GUSTO, PHOTOS: LOUIS RAFAEL, ZURICH
Situated right next to Munich’s popular Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Vino e Gusto is the perfect place to enjoy some dolce vita in the heart of Germany’s Southern metropolis. It offers a large sun terrace with a beautiful view over Munich’s old town, classy interior made from natural woods and an in-house bar and Enoteca with a cleverly designed wine storage that even serves top wines by the glass. Thus, you do not have to change the location if you fancy a fine Italian wine in the Enoteca or a drink at the bar after lunch or dinner. “Thanks to the warm and welcoming Mediterranean atmosphere, our guests like to call the Vino e Gusto their second living room – just with better service!” laughs 58 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Guido Prick, who has spent the past 20 years of his career in environmental protection and sustainability management at his company eCO2value. With the Vino e Gusto, he would like to fulfil a long-time vision and set an example for a totally new kind of restaurant: “In about five to seven years, I would like to launch the first truly sustainable CO2-free premium restaurant that doesn’t make any compromises when it comes to culinary delights.” The latter being guaranteed by Donato Giugliano who has some 20 years of experience in gastronomy. Until then, Prick enjoys the delights of Munich on walks with his bulldog Malesh. “I prefer the early mornings, when the city
slowly wakes up,” he says. One of Prick’s and Giugliano’s biggest achievements so far is the huge positive feedback they get from the long-term locals, for example their neighbors in Munich’s old town. Plus, there is an interesting mix of international guests thanks to several top hotels nearby. “Malesh actually has a solid fan community by now which stretches from America to Russia and the Middle East!” laughs Prick. “Particularly the Brits love him and repeatedly enquire about his post-Brexit feelings. He is, after all, an English Bulldog in Germany!” www.vino-e-gusto.com
Caesar’s Salad with Parmesan and croutons, Summer Salad with Shrimps.
ANZEIGE
LADIES FIRST EINE GANZE ETAGE IM BESONDEREN FÜR FRAUEN Hoteldirektorin Edeltraud Ulbing kam auf die aussergewöhnliche Idee des Ladies-Executive-Floor für das Münchner 4-Sterne-Hotel
Frauen haben beim Thema Hotel und Übernachtung oft andere Bedürfnisse als Männer. Das relexa hotel München kennt die Herausforderung nach der Devise „Ladies First“. Es ist auffällig, welch unterschiedliche Erwartungen wir Frauen doch an die Ausstattung und an den Service in einem Hotel haben. Wir fragen zum Beispiel: „Warum nur ist in vielen Hotelbädern ein Föhn installiert, der gerade mal für einen üblichen Männerhaarschnitt ausreicht, bei einer echten Frauenmähne jedoch versagt? Warum denken Bad-Designer nicht darüber nach, dass Frauen nicht täglich ihre Haare waschen wollen, wenn sie voller Stolz die Decken-Regenwasserdusche als einzige Duschquelle installieren? Und warum müssen sich Frauen regelmäßig fragen, wie
relexa hotel München
es gelingt, ihr Businesskostüm auf den Hosenbügel zu zwängen? In der Tat, das typische Standard-Hotelzimmer hierzulande ist noch immer „männlich“, mit Bier und Erdnüssen in der Minibar, Pay-TV und eben leistungsstarker Dusche. Laut Manager Magazin sind inzwischen 20 Prozent der Businessreisenden weiblich. Das relexa hotel München punktet bei weiblichen Geschäftsreisenden, indem sich das Haus auf die weiblichen Bedürfnisse einstellt. Frauen wollen vor allem Sicherheit, Behaglichkeit und gesundes Essen, melden Befragungen unisono.
LADIES-EXECUTIVE-FLOOR SICHERHEIT Valet Parking, helle Hotelflure, Zimmer in Aufzugnähe, Türspion, weiblicher Roomservice.
RUND UM´S BAD Leistungsstarker Föhn, gut ausgeleuchteter großer Spiegel, hochwertige Kosmetika, große Handtücher.
BEHAGLICHKEIT Frische Blumen, Musik zum Entspannen, ausgewählte Zeitschriften, Yogamatte, gemütliche Sitzecke.
GESUNDES ESSEN Mineralwasser auf dem Zimmer, Obst/Salat im Roomservice, vegetarisches/veganes Frühstück
Die Damen sind begeistert, die Herren, die natürlich nicht ausgeschlossen werden, stört´s nicht.
Schwanthalerstr. 58-60 ·
80336 München
muenchen@relexa-hotel.de ·
· Telefon +49 (0)89 | 99 65 06 - 0
· Telefax +49 (0)89 | 99 65 06 -472
www.relexa-hotel-muenchen.de · www.relexa-hotels.de
Wearable toughness for men.
Rings with personality for hands with personality. BLASTA – the fusion of the art of jewellery making and the next-generation design of high-end cars. By men, for men. www.blasta.ch
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Zurich
Photo: © Zürich Tourism / Rubiano Soto
SPECIAL THEME: BEST OF ZURICH
Cultural and contemporary Well known as a global centre for banking and finance, the Swiss city of Zurich has far more to offer. Visitors especially appreciate the picturesque, pre-medieval town, waterfront promenades, the great shopping opportunities, as well as famous cultural activities. Find out what else Zurich has to offer on the following pages.
Photo: © Zürich Tourism / Elisabeth Real
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 61
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Zurich
Treasures from the deep sea Come to Zurich’s Museum Rietberg and explore the mystical story of Osiris, the Egyptian God of rebirth. The exhibition features 300 statues, sarcophagi and ritual objects recovered from the Mediterranean Sea. It captures an astonishing piece of history.
Left: Osiris exhibition. Photo: Christoph Gerigk, © Franck Goddio, Hilti Foundation Middle: The resurrection of Osiris. Photo: Christoph Gerigk, © Franck Goddio, Hilti Foundation Right: Osiris forecourt at Museum Rietberg. Photo: © Museum Rietberg, Rainer Wolfsberger
Those cities were the backdrop for the annual celebrations of Egypt’s founding myth: The mysteries of Osiris, which tell tales of death and resurrection, of chaos and order.”
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE
The Museum Rietberg, in the city of Zurich, was founded in 1949 and the former Villa Wesendonck became the new home of a collection donated by Baron Eduard von der Heydt. A large underground extension increased the exhibition space by 125 per cent in 2007. Today, Rietberg hosts over 15,000 artworks and is one of Switzerland’s top ten museums with 90,000 visitors per year. Rietberg is the only Swiss museum for non-European cultures, exhibiting an internationally renowned collection of art from Asia, Africa and Ancient America. “The museum intends not only to focus on the fascinating variety of artistic expression, but also to raise interest and understanding of foreign cultures, views and religions,” explains spokesperson 62 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Alain Suter. “With many activities, we also aim to make culture easily accessible to kids.” The spectacular exhibition Osiris – Egypt’s Sunken Mysteries, just opened its doors and will run until the 16 July 2017. After being shown in London and Paris, it has made its way to Zurich and boosts a breathtaking collection of the latest archaeological underwater finds. “Around 300 statues and cultural objects, sarcophagi and gold objects from 16 centuries are presented in a display space of 1,300 square metres,” says Suter. “The artefacts on display come from the legendary ancient cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus off the coast of Egypt which both finally sunk in the eighth century.
The objects discovered at the bottom of the sea by the archaeological team led by Franck Goddio who is also the exhibition’s curator, are set against a spectacular backdrop of changing colours and lighting, featuring underwater photographs and videos. The stunning collection takes visitors back in time and is a fascinating experience for young and old alike. The Osiris exhibition is one of a kind and marks a special year for the museum itself. It celebrates its 65th birthday and the tenth anniversary of its Smaragd (emerald) extension, which has become the museum’s new landmark. There are plenty of reasons to pay Museum Rietberg a visit. www.rietberg.ch
PINBALL
A world first – a kickabout in a museum! Take on your family in the pinball arena.
TAKE TO THE FIELD WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY THE FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY™ There’s only one original – and it’s here at the museum! Get ready to pose for the ultimate family photo.
GALAXY OF FOOTBALLS
These footballs were handmade by underprivileged children from all over the world. Be inspired by the global passion for the beautiful game and make your own ball in The Lab.
THE RAINBOW
Eagles, lions, dolphins and elephants – discover the amazing variety of shirts from all 211 FIFA association football teams.
RECOMMENDED ON
15 interactive stations | 60 screens | 500 videos and over 1,000 exhibits. All information on the ultimate day out of footballing fun available at: FIFAMUSEUM.COM
“MY KIDS AND EVEN MY WIFE HAD A FANTASTIC TIME – and the chance to put our own footballing skills to the test at the end of the tour was the icing on the cake.” ONE DELIGHTED DAD ON TRIPADVISOR – MARCH 2016
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Zurich
Exterior view of Beyer.
All the time in the world since 1760 When one goes to the watch and jewellery store Beyer on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse 31, one can expect more than an exclusive shopping experience. As the oldest, owner-managed watch and jewellery store in Switzerland, Beyer is not only a wellknown name, but a whole philosophy rooted in a famous tradition. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: PRESS SERVICE
Founded in 1760, Beyer has since been passed down through generations from father to son – each one a fully trained watchmaker. As the first and largest retailer in Switzerland to specialise exclusively on selling clocks, watches and jewellery, Beyer is currently managed by René Beyer in the eighth generation of the Beyer family and can draw on a wealth of experience and deep-founded expertise when advising clients. Competence, handicraft, personal dealings Beyer is not only a store. It also has its own watchmaker’s and goldsmith’s workshop. Thus, clients can expect a first-class after 64 | Issue 48 | March 2017
sales service.“When a client visits us, there is always at least one watchmaker present that can carry out repair or cleaning works immediately,” notes René Beyer, owner of Beyer. He adds: “We offer intensive and personal customer care that leaves no wish unfulfilled.” At Beyer’s store, buying a watch or jewellery becomes a rather unique experience in itself: there is a valet parking service and customers can enjoy a glass of champagne while gazing at the vast variety of exclusive products offered in the store’s display cabinets. Whether a client seeks a security escort, reading glasses or a phone charger, Beyer is sure to provide it. Furthermore, the shop
has its own prayer room and holds various exclusive events throughout the year to foster strong client bonds. “We hold pearl seminars, watchmaking courses, manufacture tours or large concerts. Beyer is more than just a store – we know our clients and want to offer them an exceptionally personal service,” René Beyer adds. This means only qualified specialist sales staff from the watch or jewellery branch, as well as eight experienced watchmakers, work at Beyer. In total, Beyer’s employees speak 14 different languages to cater for every customer’s needs. As a large multi-brand store, a wide selection of watches from 13 of the most prestigious watch brands, including Rolex, Breguet or Cartier, can be found in Beyer’s product range. It has been distributing most of the brands for decades and Patek Philippe for more than 160 years. Speaking of Patek Philippe: in 2011, Beyer decided to open the first and only retailer-managed Patek
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Zurich
Philippe Boutique in Switzerland directly next to their shop in Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse. This new Patek Philippe Boutique is run by a highly trained team of Beyer staff. The families Stern and Beyer have been friends for years and have always had the desire to jointly operate a boutique in Zurich. In 2016, the boutique even ranked first on the list of monobrand businesses from Luxe magazine’s Zurich ranking. Not only famous for watches For around ten years, Beyer has also been a leading seller of fine jewellery. Whether one searches for classical jewellery, extravagant, contemporary creations or even individualised, handcrafted unicums – Beyer has got it covered. Carlo Mutschler and his team of five highly experienced goldsmiths in the company’s own goldsmith’s workshop use carefully selected, rare precious stones to even make their own handmade creations, or to design extraordinary custommade pieces in the Bahnhofstrasse.
Another exceptional service Beyer offers is that customers can simply swap their old watches when they want to buy a new one. When a client brings in their old watch, Beyer sells it for them for a commission. The client can then use the money from the sale to purchase a new watch at Beyer. Since 1965, Beyer has further specialised in selling a large number of vintage and antique watches, including many rare ones by Patek Philippe, IWC or Rolex. Whether antique large clocks, luxurious pocket watches or rare complications, Beyer presents a large variety of delights in two display cases and on their website. Beyer’s vintage specialist Jürgen Delémont examines every watch to ensure it is genuine.
www.beyer-ch.com
Last but not least, the basement houses an impressive watch museum – the only museum on the Bahnhofstrasse - where visitors can admire around 300 exhibits dating from 1400 BC to the present day. One of the world’s most important watch
Patek Philippe Boutique by Beyer.
The watchmakers’ workshop.
René Beyer, owner.
museums, visitors can look at exceptional pieces, such as Sir Edmund Hillary’s Rolex which he wore at the first ever ascent of Mount Everest. Other exciting, historic watches are displayed, such as sundials, water clocks or scientific instruments for time determination. “We constantly expand our collection by 15 to 20 new pieces annually,” adds René Beyer. All in all, the family business in its eighth generation offers everything in one house and caters for an exceptional shopping experience.
The watch museum.
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Zurich
Feeling the presence of a passionate art collector Presenting European masterpieces from Old Masters like Renoir, Cranach and Monet in a historical ambience, the Oskar Reinhart Collection ‘Am Römerholz’ in Winterthur is a must see for every art lover. TEXT: NADINE CARSTENS I PHOTOS: OSKAR REINHART COLLECTION ‘AM RÖMERHOLZ’
Oskar Reinhart was one of the most important art collectors and patrons in Switzerland: until his death in 1965, he acquired an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures – European masterpieces from the 15th to early 20th century, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Delacroix and Cranach. Today, the most prestigious treasures of his collection can still be seen in his former mansion ‘Am Römerholz’ in Winterthur. The second part of his collection is housed in a former Gymnasium in the city centre of Winterthur, mostly consisting of German, Austrian and Swiss masterpieces: the Museum Oskar Reinhart.
furniture and art collection to the Swiss Confederation. After his death in 1965, the building was slightly remodeled to serve as a museum and was opened to the public in 1970. Now, visitors can explore about 200 exhibits with a focus on French paintings from the earlier 19th century, which can be considered as forerunners of Impressionism (like Delacroix and Corot) as well as an exquisite collection of Old Master paintings. If you walk through Oskar Reinhart’s private residence, you can literally feel his presence and get an impression of his dedication to art: it is a magical, historical place.
Since the collector and patron had no heirs, he bequeathed his villa with its
Visitors of all age groups will be able to explore the museum: even children have the
66 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Main image: The café is a particularly attractive part of Oskar Reinhart’s house. Left: Edouard Manet, Au café, 1878. Middle: The gallery inside the mansion. Right: Vincent van Gogh, Courtyard of the Hospital at Arles, 1889.
chance to learn more about Reinhart and the works of art he loved. In an audio guided tour, the collector’s fictional niece will show them round the different rooms of the mansion. In children’s workshops, they can also engage with art themselves under the guidance of specially trained experts. Not just the historical house and Reinhart’s collection are worth a visit. Surrounding the villa, there is also a beautiful, spacious garden which is one of Switzerland’s few remaining designed gardens from the beginning of the 20th century. Reinhart additionally placed some fine sculptures to the landscape and put in a pond. With its spacious terrace, the café is the perfect place to enjoy a moment of rest. It is also a particularly attractive part of Reinhart’s house – guests have the chance to hire the café for events such as birthday parties or wedding ceremonies. www.roemerholz.ch
y o j n E
a good night’s sleep at the charming Hotel Adler, a unique three-starsuperior hotel in the middle of Zurich’s old town and savour Swiss specialities at the famous Swiss Chuchi restaurant.
h ler.c h d a l .c hote chuchi s swis
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Zurich
Once an industrial area, today a family-friendly hostel with historic charm It was an innovative project when six friends from Winterthur in the Canton of Zurich turned a carpenter’s workshop in the centre of an old industrial estate into a hostel. Depot 195 now offers accommodation in dorms and private rooms that can compete with hotel standards. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: DEPOT 195
Depot 195 is only a seven-minute walk away from the main station, a unique hostel in the middle of a lively and urban former industrial quarter. The charming brick building lies on the historic complex once owned by the Sulzer brothers. The factory producing marine engines had been the main employer in the city and when the production was relocated, depression followed. No one really knew what to do with the area that was larger than Winterthur’s historic city centre. Then cultural institutions, shops, restaurants and offices found a home here and revitalised the quarter. “Today this is a modern and trendy quarter, very symbolic 68 | Issue 48 | March 2017
for the changes in Winterthur,” says Alex Ulrich, who founded the hostel together with friends four years ago. Couples, business travellers or pupils on a school trip – often visiting the science centre around the corner – will find great accommodation in Depot 195 with its 80 beds and different rooms – from dorms, single and double bedrooms to large family rooms.“Our family rooms provide space for up to five people which makes a stay with us far less expensive than in a hotel,” says Alex Ulrich. “Our prices are very fair.” www.depot195.ch
Restaurant Villa Sunneschy – House of pleasure Restaurant Villa Sunneschy is situated directly on lake Zurich in Stäfa. It is not only an international restaurant but also an event location for weddings, family gatherings, corporate events and seminars. Next time you visit Switzerland – We hope to see you!
Restaurant Villa Sunneschy Seestrasse 156, 8712 Stäfa Tel: +41 44 927 30 90 E-Mail: info@villa-s.ch Website: www.villa-s.ch
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Bern
SPECIAL THEME: BEST OF BERN
The city that has it all “It is the most beautiful that we have ever seen,” wrote Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in a letter to a friend during his stay in Bern in 1779. Today, the Swiss capital still enchants visitors from all over the world with its wealth of attractions, events and enchanting beauty. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: BERN TOURISM
70 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Bern
Nestled into a valley surrounded by impressive mountains, such as the Bantiger or the Gurten, Bern is not only pretty to look at from afar. In fact, its old town has such a special atmosphere that many visitors come here to appreciate the relaxing atmosphere of the cosy cafés, gaze at small boutiques or admire the ancient architecture.‘Hurry’ and ‘hectic’ are foreign words to the Bernese and they enjoy life to the fullest, while taking time for what is really important. Thus, the city makes a perfect destination for a relaxing weekend getaway.
Furthermore, no other city in Switzerland offers such an abundance of culture, leisure and entertainment alike. Home to the country’s greatest museums and galleries, Bern is considered a culture hotspot that offers internationally renowned art and unique architecture. After going shopping, indulging in one of the top-class restaurants the city has to offer or simply relaxing in a coffee house, why not explore the surrounding, untouched nature that is perfect for skiing in winter or hiking in summer?
THINGS TO DO IN MARCH: - Carnival in Bern (2 - 4 March): Dress up and join the street party. - Museum Night (17 March): All façades of cultural institutions will be magically illuminated and visitors can enjoy Bern’s cultural offerings at unconventional hours. - International Jazz Festival Bern (from 11 March – 20 May): Around 20,000 visitors will flock to Bern to enjoy international musicians and world-class performers at more than 200 individual concerts.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 71
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Bern
Cast and sandblasted.
Bell charms
Liquid bronze.
Swiss tradition, personalised. The ‘Berger Glockengiesserei’ foundry offers a fascinating in-depth look at the fine art of bronze bell casting.
store are still situated in the small village of Baerau at the foot of the Bernese Oberland mountains.
TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI I PHOTOS: ROGER KERN
The Berger bell foundry looks back on more than 280 years of expertise. Every single piece is lovingly handcrafted in the traditional way. A standing special treat at Berger Glockengiesserei is an offer for customers to help cast their own bell – a unique and fascinating experience. In the Middle East, the sound of a chiming bell means luck. In Swiss tradition, a bell is believed to fence off evil spirits and demons from house and home. As bell founder Roger Kern says: “What could be better than making luck a gift in the form of a bell?” 72 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Mentioned in the Bern trade register of 1730 for the first time, the company looks back on a long tradition. Old bills of sale prove that the ground on which the bell foundry still stands today was sold to a certain Daniel Berger hundreds of years ago. These old sale bills are being kept with care and pride by the Berger foundry. However, the first casts were not crafted for bells but for bronze watchcases that became the first successful ‘Berger’ product. From there, the path took the company to crafting traditional cow bells, a product that remains the main attraction of the enterprise today. Both foundry and
Berger bronze bells are popular with people from all walks of life, both the young and the old. Customers are mainly those who are looking for a traditional yet unique present. Internationally active Swiss, German and Austrian companies also make a huge part of the Berger clientele, as well as clubs and associations. A bronze bell nowadays makes for a unique company or customer gift and many groups also enjoy the open workshop events where they can witness or partake in the traditional casting process. According to taste and function, a group can get involved in the casting process either in
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Bern
parts or in full, from decoration through to pouring the liquid bronze. It is even possible to invite the Berger foundry team with their ‘travelling melting furnace’ to a specific event and experience the bronze casting first hand, away from the workshop. The tradition of bronze bell making is several hundred years old. A positive model (‘origin’) is used to make the impressions in the sand moulds in which the pure bell bronze will later be poured. Two sand moulds are needed, one for the outside of the bell, and one for the inside, the ‘core’. Sand, mixed with a binding agent, is being packed inside a frame to form the outer shape and include any custom lettering or ornaments desired. For preparing the die for the internal core, the mould is turned upside down and the internal core frame is attached. Then, the second sand mixture is poured inside the origin. After removing Casting the bell.
the bronze model, the two parts of the die are put aside for a few days to harden, before casting begins. They get locked together and then it is on to the furnace where the liquid bronze, heated to over 1,100 degrees, is being poured into the dies. The sand binder burns off and after the bells have cooled sufficiently, the sand die is torn apart and the remaining sand removed from the bell. The bell is now manually turned and the raw surface is cut away. The turned bell is then ground to a fine finish. At last, the holding hole is drilled and the hammer (clapper) is assembled. Protection of the environment is a key priority at the Berger foundry. Since 1992, only electro and gas energy has been used for the bronze melting process. The poured amount is pre-measured according to task to avoid excess energy and the sand used for the moulds is being recycled after each
process. Metal chips that come off with the turning of the bell to produce the typical shimmering rings are being fully re-used as well as the air pipes and any excess bronze from the pouring process. The traditional carved straps are made of planttanned leather only and even the packing at Berger Glockengiesserei uses recycled materials and wood shavings, with carbon neutral shipping being a given. In 2017, the Berger bell foundry will continue extending their availability online as well as on-site, by perfecting both their warehouse and their factory store in Bäraustraße 8, Baerau, Emmental. Luck be a chiming bell – with a unique and personalised gift from Berger Glockengiesserei. www.swissbells.com/contao/index.php
Completed moulds.
Berger bell foundry.
Final check.
Turning of the bell.
Fasting the strap.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 73
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Bern
Albert Einstein in Bern
From top left: One of the museum’s highlights: Einstein’s Swiss passport. The mirror staircase transports the visitor into a different reality. Animated films explain Einstein's theories. Einstein's music stand: unique exhibits like these make Einstein and his times come alive. The 'Goldener Albert' is awarded at the 'Night with Albert'. The Einstein Museum is part of the Bernisches Historisches Museum.
Albert Einstein and his achievements do not need explaining as his formula E=mc2 is known to all, albeit properly understood by very few. The Einstein Museum in Bern is dedicated to the memory of this exceptional genius. TEXT: SILKE HENKELE I PHOTOS: BERNISCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM, BERN
Albert Einstein, one of the most influential scientists of our time, has a particular bond with Bern. It was here that he pioneered his famous formula in 1905, thus marking this particular year as an ‘annus mirabilis’ (year of wonders) in physics. It is therefore no surprise that Bern honours one of its most famous citizens with a museum dedicated entirely to Albert Einstein. “The Einstein Museum, which is located in prestigious Bernisches Historisches Museum, is particular on so many levels,” enthuses Severin Strasky, head of marketing and communication. “It is a perfect place to meet a historic, highly influential figure in breath-taking surroundings. A spectacular glass staircase welcomes our visitors to the adventure of getting to know Albert Einstein. While the exhibition gives our visitors access to the scientist, it 74 | Issue 48 | March 2017
also shows the human being behind the genius, and gives valuable background information about the time in which Einstein lived,” concludes Strasky. Postcards written by the genius himself, Einstein’s Swiss passport, animated films explaining Einstein’s theory of relativity as well as exhibits and film documents dating from Einstein’s time all do a fabulous job in helping visitors get to know Einstein on a more private level. At the same time, they do not fail to produce a lively and informative picture of Einstein’s 20th century. “Our museum attracts national as well as international visitors of all ages, and our premises are always worth a visit; for example as the highlight of a casual stroll through charming Bern. Einstein Museum becomes even more attractive in June
when we invite our visitors to spend a ‘Night with Albert’: captivating experiments, exclusive tours and presentations as well as concerts will get our visitors even closer to the genius of Albert Einstein,” explains Strasky about upcoming events. In the context of this event, the museum is going to hand out the ‘Goldener Albert’ (Golden Albert), a prize that is awarded to the winner of a competition that invites school classes, groups or individuals to creatively examine the topic of light speed. www.bhm.ch/en/exhibitions/einstein-museum www.nachtmitalbert.ch
IN THE BERNISCHES HISTORISCHES MUSEUM The world’s first Einstein Museum shows important aspects of Einstein’s life, his time and his revolutionary theories. k Admire the original objects and writings k Discover the unique historical audio and film material k Learn about Einstein’s physics through animation films k Book a guided tour in English, German or French k Enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant in the museum park Einstein Museum in the Bernisches Historisches Museum Opening Hours: Tue–Sun 10 am – 5 pm (Mon closed) Helvetiaplatz 5, CH-3005 Bern, Tel. +41 31 350 77 11 www.einsteinmuseum.ch 2_0_subscribe_DG:Layout 1
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Bern
The Swiss capital’s cuisine with a view While Bern is certainly not short of fine restaurants, Restaurant Rosengarten has been considered one of the city’s best haunts ever since its relaunch in 2004. A go-to location in the Swiss capital, it teams its stellar reputation for food with unbeatable views and a real dash of homeliness at all times of the day. TEXT: EMMIE COLLINGE I PHOTOS: RESTAURANT ROSENGARTEN
While it is often associated with its storied spot overlooking the city, just metres from the Bärenpark, the stylish café and restaurant has been flourishing since it was taken over by experienced Swiss restaurateurs Fritz Riesen and Fabian Schüttel, whose delectable culinary offerings are a bold confirmation that this restaurant offers far more than just a sun-drenched terrace. “I think that’s what we’re most proud of,” explains Riesen with a smile. “The fact that the restaurant isn’t just known for its breath-taking views over the old part of Bern but that our guests all express the same appreciation for the ambiance and the good value of our delicious cuisine.” 76 | Issue 48 | March 2017
While the duo’s menu is abound with assiduously chosen seasonal and regional ingredients, the dishes are elevated at dinner with the presence of first-rate locally sourced meats, fine seafood dishes and a cherry-picked wine list. The sophisticated cuisine focuses on honest, wholesome fare, relying on ingredients that are grown locally and organically in and around Bern. Even in the midst of the capital city, Restaurant Rosengarten provides a real breath of fresh air and serves as a haven for its widely diverse clientele. Riesen nods in agreement, explaining that the team are in the throngs of an overhaul to improve the brasserie-style restaurant’s acoustics and lighting. “We place a lot of value on
a stylish ambiance so that the guests feel at ease,” he says, gesturing out the floorto-ceiling windows and merrily acknowledging the snow: “The views over the old town of Bern are still impressive at any time of the year.” With an adjacent playground for kids and expansive, beautifully maintained gardens to admire, the blooming seasons of spring and summer are naturally a prime time to visit Restaurant Rosengarten for a quick pre-work croissant on a scenic commute or a leisurely lunch to escape the hubbub of the city. But even outside of the tourist seasons, the team whip up their honest ingredients into an ever-changing, mouth-watering menu, served from 9am to midnight. What is more, they also cater for private and corporate events while still welcoming regulars for freshly roasted local coffee and drawing in business diners with their delectable fare. www.rosengarten.be
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Best of Bern
Happy 25th anniversary, Nila Moti The Indian Nila Moti Trust provides fair work for mothers in need. The stunning handmade textiles travel from India to Switzerland where they are sold to fund the trust. This beautiful concept is turning 25 this year. Lunch break in Khimsar.
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: NILA MOTI
Swiss couple Monica and Michel Matter founded Nila Moti in 1992. Their shared passion for India paired with their dedication to charity has become the pillar of the trust. Over the years, Nila Moti has expanded and today employs 60 underprivileged mothers, giving them a regular income and social benefits. The two boutiques in Penthalaz and Bern are not only a great location to find fair-trade fashion but also offer an insight into life in Rajasthan, where the clothes are made. Monica Matter says with a smile: “It would not have been possible without our loyal customers, fantastic colleagues and of course our Nila Moti ladies in Rajasthan
who had to learn everything from scratch and are rightfully proud of their work.” Nila Moti offers elegant Swiss designs for all occasions. Pure natural fibres from silk, cotton and wool are skilfully turned into various fashion items from jackets and tunics to skirts and scarfs. “Yesterday, a lovely sophisticated customer showed me a photo of her wardrobe: all Nila Moti creations. That touched me deeply,” Matter adds. “Travellers from all over the world visit our craft centre in Rajasthan and praise our ladies and their work. We are all extremely happy and proud of their achievements.” www.nilamoti.org
Group photo at Nila Moti Trust in Khimsar, Rajasthan.
Silk jackets; big range of colours and sizes.
Experience the difference: Gin and absinthe made in Switzerland Inspired by the Jura Mountains, a region where a special kind of absinthe has been produced for centuries, Swiss entrepreneur Lars Urfer founded the craft distillery Matte Brennerei in the city of Bern. In the heart of the so-called Mattequartier, one of the city’s oldest craftwork districts, he now creates some of the best gin and absinthe worldwide. In our interview, he has revealed some of his secrets…
Photo: © Florian Vescey
TEXT: SONJA IRANI
So far, Urfer has produced two “babies”: the Matte Dry Gin and the Matte Absinthe. “We add 11 different ingredients to our Matte Dry Gin,” reveals the gin specialist. “These include coriander, cubeb pepper and ginger, which lend the Matte Dry Gin its unique fresh and spicy flavour.”The two uniquely flavoured gin and absinthe can be bought through specialist retailers such as Globus and Terravigna as well as the distillery’s website. So what is Urfer’s key to success? Well, for one, it is the fact that he and his team do everything by hand. “Plus, a lot of peo-
ple rediscover the added value of local and sustainable businesses,” he adds. “Here, they can not only get an in-depth view of the production process, but actually be part of the production and the experience.” Thus, Urfer and his team offer a range of events such as workshops and tastings. “We’ve even got a cocktail bar, where you can make use of our distillates to mix delicious cocktails,” he says. “Plus, the distillery can be rented as a special location for a private event.” www.mattebrennerei.ch
Photo: © Thomas Oehrli
Photo: © Christine Baumann
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 77
Discover Germany | Star Interview | Nora Waldstätten
78 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Discover Germany | Star Interview | Nora Waldstätten
Nora Waldstätten Talking about acting and life Born in 1981, Nora Waldstätten has already worked both nationally and internationally, in all kinds of productions and genres. Ahead of the release of the latest movie-length episode in the crime film series Die Toten vom Bodensee (The Dead from Lake Constance) on ZDF in May, Discover Germany found out about her fascination with acting, her approach to the series and her hopes for the future. TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS I PHOTO: ROWBOAT, PIETRO DOMENIGG
What was your initial fascination and how does acting captivate you today? N. Waldstätten: At six years old, I first stood on stage and was immediately excited by the magical world of the theatre. I thought I’d become a ballerina, but after a couple of years with the children’s ballet I was offered my first speaking part, I had a light bulb moment: I wanted to become an actress. Until then I could only express myself with my body, but the entrance of language opened a new world for me. To date, I’m animated by the profession and the fact, that one can tell stories within a team and hopefully move people with it. What characterises a project you are interested in? What do you hope for in your directors? N. Waldstätten: The script and the role I’m offered is obviously the basis. And when I notice, while reading, that the piece opens up mental and emotional realms, it’s already almost done for me. And when wonderful directors like Olivier Assayas or David Schalko direct, one can only be thankful. Both directors inhabit the ability, Josef Hader by the way too, to create a uniquely creative atmosphere. They put huge trust in you and value each of your ideas and proposals. For me, that’s the
ideal way of working as every person, the whole team, thrives and grows beyond expectations. In May, the new episode of Die Toten vom Bodensee will be released. Describe your character, investigator Hannah Zeiler, and give us a peek into the story. N. Waldstätten: The new episode revolves around a bride, who is found dead on her wedding day. Artfully draped, she lies in a cormorant reserve. Is that a first clue or was it a revenge murder? As a child, Hannah had a traumatic experience. Her mother died during a tragedy at sea and her father vanished. She survived and had to live with the breach. Her basic trust in life is broken, everything which was familiar is gone. The experience changed her into a very controlled person, relying on logic more than on feeling or even life. However, beneath all of this, there is a high sensibility and longing for connection. Through working with her colleague Oberländer she is more and more forced to open up and trust. And he is not disappointing her. She notices that she can rely on him and therefore on life, too. To play this careful development, this evermore opening human being, who is still constrained by her habits, is very thrilling work.
Hannah Zeiler has her very own dynamic. How do you portray the different traits? N. Waldstätten: Her special dynamic for me is her fragmentation between trust and fear. Fear, to be disappointed of life and hurt. As an actress, my desire is to portray this inner struggle, let more and more light shine through the fragile wall and show her in the process of opening. Episode for episode, I’m trying to strip away parts of her armour. Formerly, you were known as Nora von Waldstätten, but recently you got rid of the von. How come? N. Waldstätten: I’ve wrangled with the von for a couple of years. At 19, I had the idea to take that alias, because I thought it had a beautiful sound. In the naivety of my age I didn’t expect the additional impact of the name. Lately, I noticed more and more that it conjured wrong images and ideas, which have nothing to do with who and how I am or how I grew up. In acting you’ve already achieved a lot. What are dreams, wishes and hopes, you have for the future? N. Waldstätten: I still dream of learning to play guitar, of travelling with the TransSiberian railway from Novosibirsk to Vladivostok, of spending time in France and gourmandising through delicious restaurants while there. And I hope that we humans will be able to take better care of us, our fellow people and the world at large.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 79
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Exhibition Highlights Switzerland 2017
Roman Signer, Seesicht / Lake View, steal sculpture, 2015, Kunsthaus Zug. Photo: © oliverbaer, Arbon
SPECIAL THEME: EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS SWITZERLAND 2017
Calling all culture enthusiasts If you are a culture enthusiast and love great exhibitions, museums and more, be sure to read the following pages. We have handpicked some of Switzerland’s exhibition highlights of 2017 that should not be missed.
Photo: © Flickr.com, Tobias Leeger
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Exhibition Highlights Switzerland 2017
Raúl Illarramendi in St. Moritz Gallerists like the German Karsten Greve are an important link between artist and audience. By exhibiting a high diversity of artistic genres, Greve keeps his collectors at pace with the times.
Top: EA n°210, triptych, colour pencil and gouache on canvas, 200 x 480 cm / 78 3/4 x 189 in. Photo: © Studio Raúl Illarramendi Bottom: Galerie Karsten Greve St. Moritz / sculpture by Joel Shapiro. Photo: © Galerie Karsten Greve
Brummett are currently on show, while Greve’s Parisian gallery is hosting an exhibition of works by French-born artist Pierrette Bloch.
TEXT: SILKE HENKELE
www.galerie-karsten-greve.com Karsten Greve has been active in arts since 1969. He opened his own gallery in 1973 in Cologne, Germany with a solo exhibition of works by Yves Klein, one of the founding members of the French Nouveau Réalisme. Ongoing and intimate contact with artists like Cy Twombly or Louise Bourgeois finally set the scope of Greve’s artistic interests that he describes as follows: “Basically, the programme of my galleries is highly diverse. The artistic post-war genres I am interested in range from painting, drawing and graphic arts to sculpture, installation, and photography.”
It is here, in beautiful St. Moritz, that Greve has staged his latest coup, namely an exhibition of works by the Venezuelan Raúl Illarramendi, who, through his unusual technique, challenges visitors to reassess the established.“Raúl Illarramendi’s works of art are characterised by the exploration and mediation of the single line between drawing and painting. They annihilate the singularity of the graphic mark, while emphasising the abstract aspect of painting, thus allowing the works to be understood as drawn paintings,” says Greve, explaining Illarramendi’s artistic approach.
In reaction to an ever-growing international clientele and an increasing demand for post-war art, Greve opened additional galleries in Paris in 1989, as well as 1999 in St. Moritz respectively.
If Illaramandi’s works have made you curious, do not miss the opportunity to see them as well as works by other exceptional artists. In Greve’s gallery in Cologne works by American photographer Thomas Issue 48 | March 2017 | 81
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Exhibition Highlights Switzerland 2017
Treasure trove and art laboratory in Switzerland There are many reasons to travel to Zug in Central Switzerland. One of them is the Kunsthaus Zug, home to works of Swiss Surrealism and Fantastic Realism – and, above all, the most comprehensive collection of Viennese Modernism in Europe outside of Austria. TEXT: SILKE HENKELE
Housed within an impressive building opened its gates to visitors on the 26 Febdating from the 16th century, with modruary. A regular guest at Kunsthaus Zug, ern enlargement on the picturesque outthe exhibition shows works by Pavel Pepskirts of the old town of Zug, Kunsthaus perstein, one of the most renowned conZug is an important address for lovers of temporary Russian artists. His latest procontemporary art. Works of Gustav Klimt ject, a homage to the artistic genius Pablo and Egon Schiele can be found as well as Picasso, propels the observer into the fuworks by contemporary artists Kawamata, ture and visualises fictional encounters Tuttle, Signer and Kabakov, which connect with Picasso in the year 3111. the museum’s immediate surroundings to In September, the Austrian artist Mithe exhibition space by means of notable chael Kienzer inaugurates the freshly reinstallations of art. furbished Kunsthaus. From November, the “We aim for tailor-made ventures, rooms of the Kunsthaus Zug will presumlong-term cooperations with artists and ably dress in black: the last exhibition of realising projects in the public sphere,” the year is devoted to the textile designs of explains Matthias Haldemann, director Christa de Carouge. of Kunsthaus Zug, the museum’s con2_0_3C_Online_Advert_half_page_Layout 2 07/05/2015 09:34 Page 1 cept. Kunsthaus Zug’s latest highlight has www.kunsthauszug.ch
Platino, mural painting Ouverture, 2010, Kunsthaus Zug. Photo: © Florian Holzherr, Munich
Pavel Pepperstein, Centaur and Nymph, 2016. Photo: © Pavel Pepperstein, Courtesy Artist @ Nahodka Arts Ltd
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Discover Germany | Culture | Top Beauty Expert, Austria
Dr. Balogh performing treatment.
Dr. Balogh’s surgery.
Univ.-Doz. Dr. Brigitta Balogh.
T O P B E A U T Y E X P E R T, A U S T R I A
Improving the life of patients suffering from long-term neuropathic pain conditions Next to head and back pain, neuropathic pain is among the most common chronic disease and occurs after damage to the nerve structures. Vienna-based Dr. Brigitta Balogh is not only specialised in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, but also in treating severe pain conditions that are the result of nerve damage. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: UNIV.-DOZ. DR. BRIGITTA BALOGH
In Germany alone about five million people, around six per cent of the population, suffer from neuropathic pain. Often enough, neuropathic pain is not diagnosed correctly and many patients visit many doctors until they finally get the right treatment and therapy in a specialist clinic. Neuropathic pain can occur to the central and peripheral nerve system. Patients suffer from spontaneous pain attacks, disabling sensitivity disturbances or even loss of sensitivity. Since the symptoms are very diverse, a diagnosis is never easy. Therefore, Dr. Brigitta Balogh, a specialist for aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery, only plans the necessary treatment after a neurologist and pain therapist have made various tests to determine the exact cause and loca-
tion of the pain. “A high-resolution ultrasound shows even the delicate nerves and can identify the exact location of a lesion,” says Dr. Balogh about one aspect of the diagnosis. A method to treat neuropathic pain is through medication, which reduces the pain and increases a patient’s life to a certain degree. But above that, other forms of therapy are useful like transcutaneous electrical stimulation of nerves (TENS) or ergotherapy. Dr. Balogh offers specialised operations that not only lighten the symptoms, but focus on the cause. “With most of my patients, the pain is the result of accidents or operations when a nerve has fused with surrounding scar tissue or has been accidently transected,” explains Dr. Balogh.
A neurolysis means removing scar tissue that puts pressure on a nerve and thus causes the described pain. Using microinstruments and the operation microscope, it is even possible to suture injured nerves and treat painful neuromas. Botox today is known for its use in aesthetic medicine, but is effective in some pain treatments: “Botox can be used for treating Sudeck’s dystrophy or certain forms of migraine,” says Dr. Balogh. Sudeck’s dystrophy is also a long-term pain condition. In the end, a multilevel approach is most likely needed to treat neuropathic pain. www.drbalogh.at
Dr. Balogh performing treatment.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 83
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Discover Germany | Business of the Month | identro GmbH
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
3D laser technology for a more precise approach when measuring and re-designing spaces Hannover-based identro GmbH uses the newest 3D laser technology to capture rooms in their full complexity, allowing better insights before planning new interiors. identro’s wide portfolio includes implementing shop and interior fittings, procuring interior decorations and furniture and various construction services. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: IDENTRO GMBH
“Compared with other companies, by using modern 3D laser technology we deliver a more precise, fast and comprehensive three-dimensional data acquisition of interior spaces,” says founder and manager Frank Hillenbrand. Especially when it comes to complex, contorted spaces this is a very precise and also cost-saving alternative. It does not even take long to take the measurements, so the disruption to normal business is rather limited. Even from a distance of 100 to 120 metres, the measurements are precise, so it is not necessary to build scaffolds or platforms. If, for example, working in danger zones, a 3D model can be made from a safe distance to guarantee the safety of workers. Using 3D technology involves three important steps. First of all, scanning the project
site with a 3D laser scanner. This allows gathering digital information about the building and its infrastructure. In a second step, the gathered data is transferred to a registration software that allows processing the data according to the questions the user has in mind. Extracting the results is the third step, including 2D and 3D data like floor plans, profiles or complex 3D models architects and planners can work with. Analysing tools allow the comparison of inventory data with digital CAD-models.
to create panoramas, animations or videos for presentations. identro is not only a service provider, but a partner who lends its support at every turn. identro founder Frank Hillenbrand and his partners have more than 15 years of professional experience as architects or in the field of project and key account management. In this capability, they have implemented standardised project concepts for financial institutions, fashion brands, communication companies, retailers and fast-food restaurants. Hillenbrand also has an International Masters in construction management and speaks German, English and French fluently. www.identro.de
This also helps clients to understand the results. They can, for example, examine a 3D visualisation of the building. Clients, architects and planners can take a closer look at details – for example structural damage – without needing access to the premises. The software makes it possible Issue 48 | March 2017 | 85
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
Photo: © Deutsche Messe
SPECIAL THEME: CeBIT 2017
Benefiting from the opportunities of digitalisation Digitalisation changes society and the economy unlike any other technological development before. By interacting with each other, individual digital technologies develop disruption and innovation dynamics like never before. The form of the cooperation between human and machine, as well as between virtuality and reality make these dynamics especially clear. TEXT: DEUTSCHE MESSE, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF
Photo: © Dan Taylor/Heisenberg
86 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Photo: © Northdocks GmbH, www.northdocks.com
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
Photo: © Deutsche Messe
Hannover. The impacts of the digital transformation are perceptible everywhere, especially in the economy where they are broken up and replaced by handed-down processes, established structures and existing industry boundaries. The boundaries of cooperation that cross corporate and industry borders are renegotiated and new forms of working and business models emerge. Digital transformation is the CeBIT’s central topic in Hannover. CeBIT is the world’s most important event for digitalisation in the economy, in society and in administration.
possibilities in the limelight. If offers the start-up scene a home: at SCALE 11, more than 400 international start-ups present themselves. Through its combination of exhibitions, conference and networking, the CeBIT is an obligatory date for the entire digital world. However, it is not only a stage for information and innovation, but also especially a platform for inspiration and discussions. In the past few years, the CeBIT Global Conferences have de-
veloped into the most important digital conferences. In 2017, it again offers more than 200 international speakers on several stages in hall 8. Furthermore, the CeBIT’s partner country in 2017 is Japan. Get free professional visitor CeBIT tickets that are valid for all five CeBIT days.
In 2017, it will be held from 20 - 24 March. Each year, around 3,000 companies meet up with approximately 200,000 participants on the CeBIT. Thereby, a focus will be put on the newest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, virtual and augmented reality, humanoid robots and drones. At the CeBIT, digitalisation can be experienced in application scenarios. With the CeBIT 2017’s top subject of ‘d!conomy – no limits’, the CeBIT puts digital transformation’s wide variety of
Photo: © Dan Taylor/Heisenberg
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 87
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
Easily scotching ransomware & Co. Tradition is good and vital. This also applies for IT security solutions. Without the experiences of the past decades, infrastructures would not be so well protected. However, solely relying on tradition is a dead end and new measures help to scotch modern hacker attacks.
tive encryption activities, as well as blocks ransomware before the system gets damaged. Files that are already damaged after encryption activities can be restored into their original state.
TEXT: SOPHOS GMBH, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: SOPHOS GMBH
For this to function reliably and, at the same time, enable productive working, companies need to count on solutions that collaborate as a system nowadays. Hitherto, the implementation of this strategy turned out to be rather cumbersome as different stand-alone solutions had to be integrated into one system. Sophos’ Next-Generation Enduser Protection now offers an integrated method for the first time that protects all devices, infrastructure segments, applications and data that a user encounters. So that hackers do not have a chance with novel attacks, such as ransomware, zero-day exploits or stealth attacks, Sophos Central Endpoint Intercept X forms another 88 | Issue 48 | March 2017
next-generation protection that can also easily be implemented into the existing IT security architecture. This solution comprises of four system-critical safety components: 1. Signature-free threat and exploit recognition: protection against malware and hackers that blocks zero-day exploits, unfamiliar and memory-resistant attacks, as well as threat variants without file scanning. 2. CryptoGuard: An anti-ransomware innovation that identifies and stops defec-
3. Root cause analytics: A visual 360degree analysis of the attacks that shows where the attack took place, which system components were affected and where it could have been stopped. Moreover, it provides recommended actions for similar attacks in the future. 4. Sophos Clean: The Sophos Clean technology (formerly Hitman Pro) detects and removes spyware and malware that is deeply embedded in the system. Developed as a core component of Sophos Synchronized Security, Sophos Intercept X contains the Sophos Heartbeat technology. It establishes a direct connection be-
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
tween the Next-Generation XG Firewall and the encryption solution SafeGuard. Like this, a coordinated and automated reaction to attacks follows. The product can be installed and managed from afar through the cloud-based management console Sophos Central. Administrators can control and configure settings, issue licences, add new endpoints and track all activities. A dashboard that was especially designed for the Sophos partner helps to display all of Sophos’ Central Services. Thus, the partners can grant better security for their clients and additionally obtain an ideal overview of potential, additional revenue opportunities. Up to now, a direct reconciliation between security solutions of the physical or virtual network and the endpoints, thus, the many laptops, smartphones and so on that form these networks has effectively been impossible. Every day, IT and security experts pay the price for this: missed indications that could have recognised or prevented an attack; delay in the reaction to threats and the resulting missed opportunities to mitigate these threats; an abundance of alerts whose significance is unknown or, in the worst case, completely
irrelevant; difficult and time-consuming examinations that do not achieve anything in the end. A synchronisation is missing: a contextual exchange of information between the endpoint’s and the network’s IT security solutions. The advantages of synchronised security can be broken down into two areas that reinforce and strengthen each other. First of all, the automatisation of the processes and the coordination of the reactions across all networks significantly improves the protection against threats. Secondly, synchronous security increases profitability and efficiency as it illuminates a threat’s five W’s: what did when, where and why did it happen and who caused it? Answers to this help streamline and accelerate the incident’s investigation and thus, limit the damage. Sophos Synchronized Security comprises of a secure communication channel between Sophos’ endpoint and network security solutions – the Sophos Security Heartbeat. When the firewall recognises malicious data traffic, it immediately notifies the terminal and the agent reacts dynamically, it identifies and questions the
suspicious process. In many cases, it can automatically stop the process and remove the residual, infected components. In turn, the terminals periodically report their current security status to the firewall. If the status is affected – as in the case of a runtime identification before the verification – the firewall will implement a corresponding policy for the isolation of the endpoint. The outcome is a higher security level through a central management platform. A test version and more information can be found on the following website. www.sophos.com/intercept-x Root cause analysis provides insight into threat activities You caught something! But how did this threat reach your network, where was it active, which database is affected and – especially important – which measures do you need to take now? Sophos Intercept X has answers for you: a thorough, forensics-based analysis provides information about the cause of attacks, as well as about their infection paths and offers detailed instructions for the removal of infections and for the prevention of future perils.
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 89
Konica Minolta Business Solutions
Experience the workplace of the future In line with the motto and mission statement “YOU aim for a new digital era. WE make you part of it.” IT services provider Konica Minolta will be taking their visitors at CeBIT 2017 on a fascinating journey; starting with the digital services of the present day and ending with a visionary workplace of the future. A revolution and a new digital era for people and companies alike. TEXT & PHOTOS: KONICA MINOLTA
The high-tech nation of Japan is the CeBIT partner country for 2017: Japan is a think tank for digital technologies and a pioneer in research and investment in digital competence, making it a world leader in all things digital. Japanese society is also open to exploring ideas such as humanoid robots, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. As a global player from Japan with offices throughout the world, Konica Minolta is part of this tradition. Digital technologies open up endless possibilities 90 | Issue 48 | March 2017
for humans and the economy. Completely new, previously unthinkable business models are created, which give rise to new products and services that change lives. A motto without borders: “d!conomy” – no limits CeBIT 2017 is also following this approach to digital transformation. “d!conomy” was the previous CeBIT motto, which this year has been expanded with the addition of “no limits”. A concise phrase that none-
theless reflects the enormous potential of digitalisation for companies and modern society. A new digital era Digital technologies have been increasing the efficiency of information processes in business for many years. Today, however, the concept of digital transformation no longer merely involves digital products and services, but also revolutionises interaction between people, devices, and rooms in the company as a whole. A new digital era has begun. Digitalisation that goes beyond products As an IT services provider, Konica Minolta supports its customers in the digital transformation process and can contribute its
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
holistic concepts and expertise to realise the full potential of existing information. Customers benefit from more efficient, structured, and productive workflows. Here, the digital revolution also extends far beyond individual products and is redefining the relationship between people and their work. The Konica Minolta vision is that the workplace of the future will not be a place, but rather a situation. We will be performing given tasks within specific time limits, in a team that changes depending on the project. YOU aim for a new digital era Innovative solutions for business processes in the digital age at CeBIT 2017 substantiate Konica Minolta’s claim to be a driving force in the digital revolution. From process consulting and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions such as digital processing of inbound invoices and the digital HR file, to security and smart cloud services such as ‘Text to
Speech’, and a search engine for companies: all these solutions enable Konica Minolta’s customers to devote more time to their core business. However, a company’s digital journey does not end in the present day for Konica Minolta or at CeBIT.
panies who want to maximise the opportunities of the new digital era are in the best of hands with Konica Minolta. About Konica Minolta Business Solutions
The Konica Minolta trade fair stand will focus in particular on the workplace of the future. Visitors will be able to experience live visionary solutions, which generate company value from new and existing information sources – for example, through optimised use of space and the combination of contents for more effective communication.
Konica Minolta, Inc. is a global player with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. With more than 43,000 employees, the company develops and manufactures cutting-edge technology solutions in the business technology, industrial, healthcare, and planetarium business sectors. The Business Technologies division has its German and European headquarters in Langenhagen, near Hannover.
WE make you part of it
www.konicaminolta.de/business
The applications that Konica Minolta presents in cooperation with MOBOTIX AG to unite people, rooms and digital technologies in intelligent work environments, as well as a revolutionary IT services concept at CeBIT 2017 make one thing clear: com-
Left, top and bottom: Headquarters of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Deutschland GmbH and of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH in Langenhagen, near Hannover.
Workplace of the future
Bottom right: Johannes Bischof, President Konica Minolta Business Solutions Deutschland.
Visit Konica Minolta at CeBIT 2017 20-24 March, Hall 3, Booth H17 For more information, see: www.cebit2017.konicaminolta.eu
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Security consulting for the information age BWS IT-Security Consulting is operating at the forefront of what is arguably one of the most important challenges for business in the modern world. Nowadays, most information is processed through IT technology and there is a growing need to establish coherent security systems around these technologies. At this year’s CeBIT (Hall 6; Booth J40), BWS will present its portfolio, which includes ISO 27001, pentesting, risk management and more. TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS I PHOTOS: BWS IT-SECURITY CONSULTING
Following current trends, BWS IT-Security Consulting was established as a brand of the company BWS Automotive Consulting three years ago. While the latter is focused on supplying the automotive sector with various IT services, software development and IT consulting, the former was founded to serve the growing market of IT security. Within this market, BWS IT-Security offers a number of consulting and business development services, which help to create a management system for information security for their client’s companies. When starting a new project, the renowned experts working at BWS begin with a precise analysis of the status quo. Initially, it is important for them to see whether there are pre-existing security guidelines for the use of data and if the or92 | Issue 48 | March 2017
ganisation is even ready to establish a new IT-Security system. During the analysis, BWS is making use of simulations and even pentesting (the legal ‘hacking’ of a company by IT experts), which helps gather the necessary insights into their client’s IT infrastructure. Consequently, the first assessments are transformed into a catalogue of activities that need to be performed to create a new security system. In developing their client’s IT-Security, BWS adheres to international standards like ISO 27001 and national standards by the federal office for information security. In recent years, BWS has observed a growing awareness for information security. However, many companies that discover a security problem do not possess the required expertise to find their individual
solution, while the financial benefit is often not clearly visible. Here, BWS is helping as well, as the consultancy is not only actively developing security management systems, but is also coaching clients about the different fields of information security. Most valuable is that BWS IT-Security is not tied to any software developers or organisations, but is an independent consultancy. The importance of staying independent when working with information is clear, as this is a business sector where objectivity is the major asset. www.bws-it-security.de
Visit BWS IT-Security Consulting in hall 6, exhibition stand J40 at the CeBIT 2017. 20-24 March 2017 Hannover, Germany cebit.de
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
The power of protection The cyber threat situation is more complex now than ever before in regards to quantity, as well as quality. For example, while a ransomware attack against a company took place every two minutes in January 2016, a worldwide attack was recorded every 40 seconds in October 2016. Thus, advanced cyber security and defence solutions from companies like Kaspersky Lab have become increasingly important. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: KASPERSKY LAB
Kaspersky Lab is a globally operating cyber security company that offers far-reaching threat intelligence and safety expertise to protect companies, critical infrastructures, state institutions and private users. More than 400 million users and 270,000 corporate clients are already protected by Kaspersky Lab’s customised solutions. At this year’s CeBIT, Kaspersky Lab will celebrate its 20th anniversary under the slogan ‘NextGen Security – IT security in a new dimension’. Therefore, the cyber safety expert will put a special emphasis on multilayer, flexible and scalable IT security solutions with which organisations and companies of each size and industry can achieve maximum cyber security. Whether cloud, cyber security, drones, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, virtual reality or 5G – technology trends at the CeBIT outline the newest technologies
and latest digitalisation possibilities. However, the foundation of digitalisation success is cyber security. Thus, Kaspersky Lab will give a profound insight into current and future cyber attacks that organisations must guard themselves against in times of industry 4.0. “Technological developments and digital change are brilliant,” says Holger Suhl, general manager for the DACH region at Kaspersky Lab. “However, without modern cyber security, digitalisation strategies are doomed to failure. Thus, we offer a holistic security approach with solutions that are reliable, efficient, adaptable and easy to manage. At the Kaspersky exhibition stand, we introduce our 20year threat intelligence that comprises a unique combination of adaptive technologies and our long-term cyber security experience.”
Top leftt: Kaspersky antivirus lab. Below: Kaspersky headquarters. Middle: Holger Suhl, general manager for the DACH region at Kaspersky Lab.
Kaspersky Lab constantly further develops its portfolio of solutions. Therefore, besides the classical endpoint, service and incident response portfolio, visitors to the CeBIT will also be informed about next generation solutions. Suhl adds: “Nextgeneration security means multilevel security approaches that support the forecast and detection of, as well as reaction to cyber security incidents. It also describes a combination of human and machine, by means of so-called ‘HuMachine’ technologies, with which security intelligence emerges through big data in combination with machine-learning algorithms and our highly experienced security experts.” www.kaspersky.com
Kaspersky Lab will present its full service and solutions portfolio at CeBIT: - Security Intelligence Services - Security Awareness and training sessions - Industrial cyber security - Endpoint and mobile security - Safeguarding of virtualised environments - Prevention of ransomware and DDoS attacks Visit Kaspersky Lab in hall 6, exhibition stand H18 at the CeBIT 2017.
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Technician working with the KIX field service app. Photo: © shutterstock, Viktor Gladkov
Improving service management In professional operations of any kind, few things are more important than service management. Technology needs to be maintained, errors need to be fixed and processes want to be optimised. c.a.p.e. IT, located in Chemnitz, Saxony, is a professional provider of Open Source services and products, which enable invaluable improvements in service management operations. TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS
When c.a.p.e. IT was founded in 2006, it was out of knowledge that was gained through years of experience by working in the field. Initially, the company consisted of only CEO Rico Barth and three founding colleagues. In the last ten years, the service specialist has experienced substantial, organic growth and currently employs 30 people. There are a couple of core ideas to c.a.p.e. IT. One of them manifests itself in the idea of open source technology. “Even before 94 | Issue 48 | March 2017
c.a.p.e. IT, we were working with open source software, have had great experience with it and are supporters of the principle of open source. One could say, we are open sourcers and hence we wanted to continue using this philosophy when starting the company,” explains Barth. As a mission, the provider set its eyes on the improvement of service management. Specialising on the advancement of these business processes, the company is analysing its clients in depth and consulting
them with regard to the right strategy. Of course, it is also implementing its own solutions and products. KIX / KIX Professional c.a.p.e. IT’s main product offering is the open source, browser-based and free system KIX. KIX and its companion, feebased system for the industrial sector KIX Professional, is a software that enables the restructuring of service departments of all kinds. “One could call it the ERP of service,” says Barth. The basic system supports various areas: IT service, technical service, maintenance and repair and also customer service. The industrial version of the system is further able to adapt to different business focuses. Naturally, additional modules are compatible with KIX Professional.“Let’s take your
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
heating system at home as an example. It’s a system that faces certain incidents. There could be an error. Therefore, it needs maintenance or repair services. Most probably you have a company doing that and here is where KIX comes in.” In fact, when used by such a technical service company, KIX is able to regulate all incoming items and offer the manager a clear overview of the status and development of each individual assignment.
“KIX can be focused very precisely. The needs it serves exist across all modern business sectors, as no company can withdraw itself from the digital revolution,” says Barth. For him, it is important to show people the benefits of restructuring the service management business process. In the end, everyone likes to work more efficiently and
therefore technology of any kind must work on point and reliably. With its open source systems, c.a.p.e. IT facilitates this and if you are not able to make it to the CeBIT, the company will also inform you about your possibilities at the Hannover fair in April. www.kixdesk.com
Case Study: IMA Klessmann GmbH Before looking at one of c.a.p.e. IT’s success stories, one should note the sheer range of application possibilities for KIX. Imagine an industrial plant or production facility and the many machines that operate there. Imagine an office building and the IT technology used by the employees. Take building technology as an example; KIX enables structured service management for all of these sectors. Wherever service is needed, KIX can be applied.
KIX Professional in IT Services. Photo: © shutterstock, Arjuna Kodisinghe
The IMA Klessmann GmbH is a producer of machinery for woodworking. When it was decided that the support for their 500 IT-workstations was to be improved, management chose to focus on a reorganisation of the workflow as opposed to employing further IT specialists. A ticket system was implemented and thus error reports and service needs are directed in a clearer way. Now, IMA employees can report problems through simple clicks and the IT service personnel has an easy overview of the open assignments, their respective status and history. c.a.p.e. IT at CeBIT “The CeBIT is always a highlight for us and with our own growth, we have continuously grown our presence at the fair. For us, the platform functions very well. It’s a place of contact with existing clients and interested newcomers and a chance for us to show our product,” explains Barth. At this year’s, CeBIT, c.a.p.e. IT will present certain case studies in a tangible way. Machinery from the hospital environment will show the many ways that technical service is needed in the medical sector. A client from the car industry will provide a motor, displaying the same need in a different business sector.
At CeBIT 2016. Photo: © c.a.p.e. IT GmbH
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Security: Companies must brace for a ‘phygital’ world In 2016, one particularly scary form of malware plagued organisations large and small: ransomware. By employing elaborate cryptware, hackers use this method to encrypt files and prevent users from accessing their data until they pay a ransom. TEXT: RALPH HORNER, VP DACH, NEXUS I PHOTOS: NEXUS GROUP
According to a recent study by the German Federal Office for Information Security, two thirds of German companies were affected by this cyber threat over the first half of 2016 alone. The results: considerable costs through outages or the preventive shutdown of IT infrastructures or production facilities, or the loss of data. Some companies even paid the ransoms.
online, safe interconnectedness is the bedrock of the digitised economy. An increasingly mobile workforce, Cloud Computing and the growing use of mobile devices in business add to this development. Businesses are eager to realise the benefits of digitisation, but their ability to do so will depend on the security of online communication and transactions.
With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), and as more and more businesses take their processes, products and services
“The importance of a common IT security strategy cannot be overstated – and its development is an issue for the C-level,”
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says Ralph Horner, vice president for the DACH region at Nexus Group. The Swedish company specialises in security solutions and services for the management of physical as well as digital access and has advised many companies for decades on how to secure their assets. According to Horner, “businesses must take a comprehensive approach to counter threats – otherwise they will have a hard time profiting from trends like IoT”. IT security: business case and compliance issue Taking IT security seriously is not just a business case, but also a compliance issue. In 2016, the European Parliament adopted the European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Directive (GDPD), which will come into effect in May 2018. It aims
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
at harmonising European data protection law and at protecting an individual’s personal data more effectively. With the GDPD, the EU has raised the data protection standards for companies operating in the European market and significantly increased the sanctions for breaches. Businesses now face a tight deadline in which they have to adjust their IT infrastructure and processes to meet the new requirements. As the boundaries between security in the physical and virtual worlds become increasingly blurred, they must secure physical as well as digital access to their resources by using a combination of technological tools equipped to handle this convergence. At Nexus, they even coined a term for this emerging environment: ‘phygital’. Securing identities According to Ralph Horner, trusted digital identities for people, machines, and connected devices are the key prerequisite for security in the ‘phygital’ age. Digital identities come into play when customers use online services, when employees log onto a network remotely from their home office or when smart devices communicate with central servers. To avoid data protection breaches and costly legal litigation, businesses need to be able to issue secure identities and control access to every asset they have, be it the users’ computers, servers, cloud platforms, security doors or connected “things”. Public Key Infrastructures (PKI) set the standard in terms of safety, flexibility and scalability when it comes to enabling secure and reliable communication within a network. To help organisations adapt to an increasingly flexible working world, Nexus has just introduced its solution called ‘Personal Mobile’ – an app, which enables the use of mobile devices for secure two-factor authentication and allows for a safe mobile access to data and systems. With the physical and digital worlds increasingly merging and the number of communicators in the network exploding, organisations are in need of a comprehensive and gapless security infrastructure. Platform solutions for a central management of digital and physical identities over
the complete lifecycle not only provide the most-efficient protection, but also reduce the required handling effort and complexity through automated workflows. Risk analysis: take the 360-degree perspective So where to begin for businesses eager to get a grip on their Identity and Access Management? “Start by thinking about security as ‘phygital’ security and carry out a thorough risk analysis throughout your whole organisation,” Horner explains. Only if there is clarity about the starting points, can businesses choose the right technology and define processes and responsibilities. In times of the convergence of security online and offline, a comprehensive Identity and Access Management becomes a central element within the security architecture of modern organisations. Another crucial success factor lies in a competent technology partner with the skills to integrate legacy systems into a new overarching security architecture. “Hardly any organisation needs to reinvent the wheel,” Horner explains. “However, every organisation should prepare for the ‘phygital’ world.”
Safe access on the go: Personal Mobile.
Strong authentication protects data and systems.
Nexus at CeBIT: Hall 6 (Business Security), J48 More information: www.nexusgroup.com
Ralph Horner, vice president for the DACH region at Nexus Group.
A digital economy requires safe and reliable digital identities.
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Your key to data protection Swiss company Centraya can be seen as the Swiss army knife for cloud security. It meets the highest standards for data privacy in any cloud application and encrypts data without master keys or backdoors. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: CENTRAYA
Data protection has always been crucial for any kind of organisation, and with the rise of cloud computing it is more relevant than ever before. Paradoxically, storing data in cloud applications, hence making it an easy target for theft, has become the norm for most companies across the globe. Michael Hoos, CEO of the European Cloud Access Security Broker Centraya, explains: “During past decades, businesses have spent fortunes on data protection. But suddenly the cloud appears and the only safety measures are contracts and trust. That did not make sense to us. Why can’t customers use the cloud and still keep full control over their data?” Centraya provides the solution. It protects structured and unstructured data in cloud applications such as Salesforce, MS,
CRM, Servicenow without compromising the application’s functionality or straightforwardness. While Centraya is using all required encryption mechanisms, only the customer generates and owns the keys, which raises the security level. “Today, Centraya is primarily useful for companies that are subject to stringent requirements such as patient data handling regulations,” Hoos adds. “How-
ever, due to the new EU Data Protection Directive, Centraya becomes relevant for every business.” With penalties worth millions for any violation taking effect from May 2018, it is time to start thinking about sufficient data protection and Centraya is your leading partner. www.centraya.com
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
Fingerprint Scanner LF10 with integrated Liveness Detection.
Face Identification.
Multi-biometric solutions and more than 20 years of international experience DERMALOG Identification Systems GmbH, with head offices in Hamburg, is Germany’s pioneer for biometry and the largest German manufacturer of biometric devices and systems. To date, the company has provided its technology and solutions to more than 160 large-scale installations in more than 80 countries. DERMALOG employs a team of scientists who continuously develop Biometric Identification Systems - the so-called DERMALOG AFIS (Automatic Fingerprint Identification System) and the Multi-Modal ABIS (Automatic Biometric Identification System) that use several biometric features in combination.
tion included in the ABIS. They use infrared technology to acquire images of the detail-rich, intricate structures of the iris, which are visible externally, regardless of a person’s eye colour. The Iris Biometrics developed by DERMALOG provides exceptional accuracy and speed.
TEXT & PHOTOS: DERMALOG IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS GMBH
In addition to Iris and Fingerprint Recognition, DERMALOG Face Recognition technology combines facial feature biometrics. The technology is non-intrusive and widely accepted. Especially in combination with identification cards, it is able to confirm that the person submitting information matches the provided identification document. Face Biometrics raise security levels at monitoring systems, access control, mobile solutions and Border Control.
As a well-known multi-biometrics provider, DERMALOG is able to link the AFIS fingerprinting system to other biometric modalities. For example, Iris and Face Recognition can be used for single and Multi-Modal Identification. Characterised by the utility to customised deployment models based on unique needs and market conditions, the modular system is specially designed to meet government agency requirements and delivers fast, secure and reliable results. A Multi-Modal Biometric System (MMBS) enhances the accuracy to the maximum. Cutting-edge fingerprint scanning devices, biometric Border Control Systems, Biometric ID Cards and ePassports as well as Biometric Voting Systems complement DERMALOG’s product portfolio. ‘FingerLogin’, ‘Finger-Payment’ and ‘FingerBanking’ are also solutions developed by
DERMALOG. Founder and managing director Günther Mull says: “We are a software developer, a hardware manufacturer and a system integrator all in one.” Fingerprint Identification After many years of research, DERMALOG developers and engineers have succeeded in perfecting their recognition system for fingerprints. The world record for fingerprint matching is now 914,959,533 in one second per standard blade server. As an established product in different parts of the world, the DERMALOG AFIS has been implemented in numerous largescale projects, including systems for criminal investigations. Iris Identification Recent automated methods of biometric identification by DERMALOG include Iris Recognition as an ideal and secure solu-
Face Identification
The Multi-Modal DERMALOG ABIS ensures quick and efficient service while providing information safety using fault tolerant architecture, disk mirroring, automated database backups, and disaster recovery options. ABIS is a fully customisable software package - providing the ability to perform tasks for searching, storing and processing biometric templates. www.dermalog.com Issue 48 | March 2017 | 99
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First-class IT support Founded almost 20 years ago, the XMART IT Consulting has become an allaround expert for IT services. As a full-service consultant, XMART is able to see projects through from start to finish. In 2016, the company redeveloped and restructured its managed services in three categories, first class, business class and economy class and at the forthcoming CeBIT (Hall 005, Booth E01) it will present this innovative new structure.
the fact that XMART is sending its own employees overseas fosters the relationship bonds with clients. “All our overseas personnel is directly employed by XMART, to give our clients the same quality comfort they are used to.”
TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS I PHOTOS: XMART IT CONSULTING GMBH
Full-service consulting
While, at the end of the last millennium, the company initially started as XMART InterNet Consulting, it quickly grew and became a GmbH in 2000. Only four years later the headquarters had to be relocated due to strong employee growth, a process that XMART had to go through again a few years later. At the moment, the consulting employs 120 people and its business has gone far beyond German borders. 100 | Issue 48 | March 2017
“Our client structure revolves around medium-sized companies and corporations, so our thought processes always have been international,” explains CEO Thomas Martin. Over the years, XMART has expanded to three continents and opened subsidiaries in Norway, the Netherlands, Asia and the United States. The subsidiaries serve a strategical vision, as they enable XMART to guarantee a 24/7 customer support across all time zones. Furthermore,
Due to the overall growth of the company, XMART has been able to include more and more business services over the years. Nowadays, XMART is a full-service consulting firm, offering the full plate of a server’s life cycle all from a single source. This said, the IT consulting is focusing on the software parts, as well as the hardware. With regard to the former, software is developed, programmed and through the helpdesk and service management options maintained throughout its use. In terms of
Discover Germany | Special Theme | CeBIT 2017
hardware, XMART is offering the necessary technology and maintenance of it. For Thomas Martin, the helpdesk and its 24-hour availability is a major factor of differentiation from competitors.“It allows us to be constantly available for our clients, support them immediately on a basic level and guarantee them the comfort of having a strong partner by their sides.” The airplane concept Last year XMART repositioned and refocused itself, by finding a new approach to its managed services. “Imagine an airplane. You have first-class seats, business class and economy class, but no matter where you sit, all fliers arrive at the same location. With our three possibilities for service management it’s the same. The goal and destination for the three classes are the same, but there are considerable differences in the comfort while getting there,” explains Martin. There are a few ways how the differences of the classes manifest itself. Looking at the economy class for example, the support response time is longer than for the business class service. For the flagship first-class service, it is the smallest as there is a dedicated service technician on call, who is, at the maximum, working with only two clients. In advance of a project, all clients are analysed in detail and in collaboration with the client, in order to find the right solution for their technical needs. Displaying at the CeBIT At this year’s CeBIT, XMART will present its first-class service management option by making use of a complementary booth design. Shown on the images around this article is the visual design that visitors can expect. Interested parties are invited to take a seat in the first class and get to know XMART’s services as they are explained by the consultant’s themselves. It is a seat you want to be in, because while the goal of a journey may be the same in all classes, everybody knows that the journey itself is already the destination and with XMART utmost comfort is guaranteed throughout. www.xmart.de Issue 48 | March 2017 | 101
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Comprehensive data at just one mouse click ‘Industry 4.0’ is a term often used when referring to the age of digitalisation. But what exactly does digitalisation mean and how does it change the traditional workplace? We have asked two experts: Jörg Högemann, CEO at einfach.effizient., a consulting agency and Jens Büscher, CEO at Amagno, a company for document management. TEXT: SILKE HENKELE | PHOTOS: ISTOCK
What are the implications of digitalisation for the traditional workplace? Jens Büscher (JB): “A PC in your office does not automatically digitise your workplace. Imagine the following: company data, documents, and emails are all digitally stored in one central and secure spot. You can access these data from your PC, tablet or whatever appliances you are using, and use this data similar to a sheet of paper. Click on, let’s say, the order number on any digital sheet and all relevant documents will pop up within seconds. 102 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Manual and tedious filing procedures or folders are history. Interactive, digitised documents are the next logical step after paper.” Jörg Högemann (JH): “The traditional work place has disappeared. Digitalisation has progressed and has consequently changed office workplaces into computer-assisted areas. All in all, digitalisation facilitates the implementation of efficient and quick work processes, which consequently reduces the duplication of work, mistakes, and idle times.
Main image: Paperfree digitised workplaces thanks to Amagno document management. From left to right: Employees save time and can focus on their core tasks. Digitised business processes offer huge chances for German small and medium-sized businesses. Jens Büscher, CEO at Amagno. Photo: © Thomas Weber Jörg Högemann, CEO at consulting agency einfach.effizient. Photo: © Timo Lutz
However, very often the side effects of a rushed introduction of digitised processes are overlooked and neglected. Take, for example, semi-automated processes, which come to a standstill at any unforeseen circumstance; too many parallel and contradictory signals through different channels distracts employees, or digitised systems laid out to represent an exact copy of a traditional paper processes also leading to a ‘waste’ of resources. The process of digitalisation demands a highly strategic approach.” Will workplaces remain safe? Will employees be overtaxed by the new processes? JH: “If digitalisation is strategically approached, employees don´t need to worry. Progress very often enables us to organise repetitive tasks in a way to eliminate sur-
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prises and to be taken over by machines. Competition will force us to actively use these possibilities. With this, new workplaces will be generated to develop and administrate these automised processes; and where new products, business models or customer solutions will be conceived. Work, all in all, will become more diverse - and whether this new situation will entail more or less work in total primarily depends on how we are going to use our chances to increase our competitiveness in an increasingly global market place.“ JB: “Fear is the biggest enemy of digitalisation! A high level of user friendliness and a perceptible added value can help to gradually remove this fear. Only companies that decide for digitised processes will remain competitive. In the end, digitalisation is thus going to safeguard jobs.“ For small and medium-sized German businesses, is there still potential to digitise day-to-day processes? JH: “Small and medium-sized businesses have only just started or are about to start. If companies want to remain competitive, they will need to combine two basically contradictory strengths: they will
need to digitise/automise repetitive tasks. The future job, on the other hand, is going to entail varied, non-repetitive processes that will ask for a flexible, cooperative workforce, which is able to solve potential problems and come up with its own ideas.” JB: “There is still huge potential as only about ten per cent of the companies have digitised their business processes yet. Digitalisation positively affects business performance. It makes processes much more transparent, delivers a high level of quality and, above all, generates legal certainty. Let’s also not forget financial advantages: the digital receipt of invoices, digitalised validation and clearance processes as well as automated booking processes may save up to 50 per cent of current costs; particularly if cash discounts are consequently made use off.” Are businesses sufficiently diligent when it comes to integrating production and administration processes? And how does this effect parallel business structures? JB: “Parallel structures compromise the advantages of digitised processes. It is therefore really important to digitise processes
on all levels and get external help for the conversion.” JH: “A difference between production and administration will become irrelevant in the future. Rather, we will need to differentiate between repetitive tasks we have to automise no matter where and variable tasks that need to be carried out by humans and which thus need organisational solutions that take into account novelties and surprises.” Where will we stand in five years? JH: “New business models will have evolved, we will see an increase in fullyautomated processes and the first approaches towards a fundamental change of working environments as well as the principles of management and teamwork.” JB: “We will see paper-free workplaces as well as cross-company digitised business processes. We will also see established businesses which will have missed the crucial moment to adjust to digital reality and the according dramatic consequences.” www.amagno.de www.einfacheffizient-beratung.de
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To be successful, companies need to recognise and use their data potential In a computer-driven economy, data has become increasingly important. To adapt, companies need to discover their own potential. Cubeware is a software provider with a focus on Business Intelligence (BI) and Performance Management and, as pioneers in this field, provides an all-in-one platform. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: CUBEWARE
“The discussion about data as a new production factor has existed for a few years now,” says Ralf Pichl, vice president sales and marketing at Cubeware. Aspects like big data, industry 4.0 and cloud computing have caught the public’s attention because they affect so many different areas of life – and not only singular business branches. “Companies have always collected data, first with pen and paper and later on with ever more support from IT. But what has changed in the last decade is the amount of data, people and machines create every day,” explains Pichl. “Without automated processes, technological knowhow and new corporate approaches a valid and legally conform handling of data is impossible.” For that, companies need the right set-up. It is especially crucial for companies, who are not digital natives, to know and exploit their data potential to stay competitive with new players. 104 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Here, Cubeware might help. Founded in 1997 in Rosenheim, Bavaria, Cubeware today has five dependences in the DACH region, San Jose and Bangalore. With its 125 employees, Cubeware develops business intelligence and performance management software for a wide range of industries. 4,000 customers worldwide rely on Cubeware technology.
Pichl. “This holistic and enterprise-ready approach is very important. Otherwise, companies build up more and more information silos and consolidation efforts to get an overall insight in companies’ data increase exponentially.” CSP C8 is standardised and thus easy to roll out. On the other hand, it is flexible and customisable so that the software adapts to companies’ processes and not the other way round. At CeBIT 2017, Cubeware will demonstrate its new driver-based planning model and the world’s first BI chat-bot for enterprise ready use cases. www.cubeware.com
With the integrated business intelligence platform CSP C8, Cubeware enables companies to not only visualise their data, but to collect data from different business units, to consolidate it in consistent data models and to plan according to the real status quo, allowing better decision making. The platform covers the full operation cycle of modern BI solutions:“We call it the BI pentathlon consisting of data management, modelling, governance, distribution, data visualisation and planning,” says Ralf
From top left: BI reports are available on different devices through the bot. The BI pentathlon: data management, modelling, governance, distribution, data visualisation and planning. Ralf Pichl, vice president sales and marketing at Cubeware. Smartphone with ‘Cubeware App’. Skype for business.
What you See is What is Next. IoT
See you at CeBIT! 20 – 24 March 2017 Hannover ▪ Germany cebit.com
Cloud
Startups VR Drones AI Security
Global Event for Digital Business
Photo: © Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH / Jens Liebchen
Photo: © Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH / Pietro Sutera
SPECIAL THEME: ISH 2017
‘Water. Energy. Life.’ From 14 to 18 March, visitors from all over the world will head to Frankfurt am Main to visit the ISH 2017 trade fair. The ISH is the world’s leading trade fair for the combined topic of water and energy and showcases renewable energies, air-conditioning technology, bathroom and building innovations. In the following special theme, we showcase some of this year’s innovative exhibitors.
Photo: © Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH / Jens Liebchen
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Photo: © Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH / Pietro Sutera
Discover Germany | Special Theme | ISH 2017
V I S I T E C P O W E R AT MESSE FRANKFURT
14.-18.03.2017 HALL 8.0, STAND E57
EC POWER Efficient and sustainable energy production EC POWER’s XRGI® is a combined heat and power plant (CHP) that works on the principle of cogeneration – the simultaneous production of electricity and heat. The innovative power plant makes an active contribution to environmental protection because it is energy efficient, sustainable and significantly reduces CO2 emissions. TEXT: ELISABETH DOEHNE, NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: ARTIST DESIGN
Founded in 1996, EC POWER has grown to become the technologically leading European producer of combined heat and power plants ranging from three to 80-kilowatt electric. Over 7,500 XRGI® systems have already been sold in more than 27 European countries and over 20 patents are now testament to the unique innovative strength of EC POWER. Furthermore, with the highest sales volume of cogeneration plants per annum and throughout Germany, EC POWER has come first in the cogeneration plant ranking since 2014. From apartment blocks to municipal buildings – an XRGI® supplies economical and eco-friendly electricity and heat to any building with an annual heat requirement of 30,000 to 2,000,000 kilowatt-hours. In fact, the company can help save energy
costs in all properties that require electricity and heat throughout the year. “Our philosophy is to make cogeneration of heat and power both easy and economic,” explains Helmut Barsties, a representative for EC POWER. Electricity made efficiently Electricity is always generated based on the same principle: fuel is burned in a combustion engine. The rotational motion released during this process drives a generator producing electricity, rather like a dynamo on a bike. Electricity production generates a great deal of heat. A combined heat and power plant makes use of this heat by capturing it in a heat exchanger and feeding it into a circuit – enabling it to be used for space heating or domestic hot water. The XRGI® plant also has a clear advantage over solar and wind energy. It
is more reliable because it provides energy independently of wind and weather. XRGI® combined heat and power plant (CHP) With cogeneration, electricity is produced directly where it is needed, thus preventing network costs and transmission losses. Up to 96 per cent of the primary energy is put into use in the building. Thus, it is certified with the top heating efficiency class of A+++. Furthermore, at the end of 2015, with the EC POWER ACADEMY, a training centre with seminars for XRGI® cogeneration plants was established. Here, five showrooms render each detail and the highly efficient performance of the showcased XRGI® plants tangible: the installation technology allows the units to be put into operation in the academy. Looking ahead, the company seeks to promote and integrate its CHP – which generates energy demand-controlled and independent of the weather – as an ideal part or addition to the renewable power industry. www.ecpower.eu Issue 48 | March 2017 | 107
Discover Germany | Special Theme | ISH 2017
Volvo Zentrum St. Petersburg.
Volvo Zentrum St. Petersburg.
The power that be
– the rise and merits of cogeneration and renewable sources WOLF Power Systems not only provide you with an optimal and economic indoor climate. From single-family houses to apartment buildings, from office buildings to industrial plants, WOLF Power Systems create innovative, intelligent and individual cogeneration system solutions for the national and international market, side by side with their clients. TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI I PHOTOS: WOLF POWER SYSTEMS
With more than 35 years of experience in the field of complex combined heat and power (CHP) systems, WOLF today stands for the development, production and installation of more than 2,200 cogeneration units worldwide, ensuring secure, reliable and cost-effective operation. WOLF Power Systems are the go-to address when it comes to CHP solutions. A combined heat and power plant consists mainly of a combustion engine, a generator and heat exchangers. As primary ener108 | Issue 48 | March 2017
gy sources, either natural gas or renewable fuels like sewage gas and biogas are possible. The combustion gas engine drives the generator, which turns the applied energy into power. The power is then distributed to the consumer network or directly sent to a supplier. All WOLF combined heat and power plants are built according to the same principle. A frame, constructed of steel sections, provides the heat exchange unit with the connections for the heating supply and return lines, exhaust and fuel. Inside the unit, a plate heat exchanger
(functioning as engine cooling water heat exchanger) and a tube bundle exchanger (as heat exchanger), as well as the emission control system are to be found. Reaching an efficiency rate of 90 per cent, meaning that 90 per cent of the primary energy is being turned into electricity and heat, the obvious benefits of the combined power plant are undisputed. Counting in the radiation heat, even 95 per cent efficiency is being reached, as opposed to 30 to 40 per cent through a conventional power plant. From single-family house up to large-scale projects, the WOLF Group offers client specific, tailored solutions across their whole range of performance. The WOLF motto, “Perfectly in tune with you”, means that each and every client with their respective
Discover Germany | Special Theme | ISH 2017
needs are at the centre of any cooperation with the company. With 15 outlets in Germany alone, WOLF Power Systems are also set up internationally with nine subsidiaries and 60 sales partners worldwide. The company’s history dates back to 1920, when Anton Wolf was born in the heart of the world’s largest hop-producing area, the Bavarian Hallertau region. The son of a Geisenfeld-based tinsmith, he founded the WOLF company in the nearby town of Mainburg in 1963. Originally starting out as a manufacturer of machine parts for heat generators and hops drying plants, at the beginning of the ‘70s the company also began producing ventilation and airconditioning systems, followed by entering the field of heating technologies a decade later. Today, as a subsidiary of Centrotec Sustainable AG, WOLF offer the whole spectrum of modern heating and climate control technology. The CHP branch WOLF Power Systems, together with their own subsidiaries Kuntschar + Schlüter and Dreyer & Brosse, now deals exclusively with co- and trigeneration systems on the national and international market. WOLF Power Systems clients are decision makers, who strive to reduce CO2 emissions while securing supply reliability at the same time. The economic and eco-friendly CHP technology, producing both heat and power at the same time, applies its effiSchlosshotel Lerbach, Bergisch Gladbach.
ciency benefits to set-up or process with a high heat and power demand, from family home to industrial facility. Cogeneration or CHP is being used for many different applications worldwide nowadays. You will find WOLF Power Systems units from the Red Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus) in Berlin to the Moscow Kremlin; at a Scottish biogas project, at Herne hospital in North RhineWestphalia; with a powdered milk manufacturer in Uruguay as well as an Australian waste treatment plant. WOLF Power Systems supports planners, engineers and end customers with the holistic planning and coordination of heat and climate control components, when and wherever it comes to cogen-
eration, heating, air-handling, ventilation and solar power. No matter if nationally or internationally, WOLF Power Systems stand side by side with their clients, from feasibility study to layout and planning, through to installation and commissioning, including a lifelong service. With a focus on natural, bio- and sewage gas, the enterprise will also connect even more with their clients’ needs this year, by enhancing both their regional and international presence. Following their motto of “Perfectly in tune with you”, WOLF Power Systems will expand their service comprehensively, securing a direct and fast communication through latest technologies. Tune into the future of power generation. www.wolf.eu
Communal Energy Generation, Mainburg.
Maritim Hotel, Düsseldorf Airport.
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Switzerland’s Finest Architects
Hamburg Elbphilharmonie by Herzog & de Meuron. Photo: © Maxim Schulz
SPECIAL THEME: SWITZERLAND’S FINEST ARCHITECTS
Creating timeless architecture From the stone houses in Ticino, to the half-timbered houses in Switzerland’s eastern parts and the UNESCO world heritage old city of Berne, the country’s architecture has much to offer. Contemporary architects pick up on the Swiss architectural traditions and offer a unique diversity that garners them worldwide fame. TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS
Messe Basel by Herzog & de Meuron. Photo: © Rosmarie Voegtli
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Switzerland’s Finest Architects
ETH Zurich School. Photo: © ETH Zurich
One of Switzerland’s most famous architectural artists was Charles Edouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier. Today, he is still highly influential and his attempts to combine human existence and the industrial society in his work remains controversial, as well. While Le Corbusier died in 1965, the duo Herzog & de Meuron have become the latest international stars. Both Herzog and de Meuron are graduates of the ETH Zurich university, which is one of a handful of schools offering dedicated study programmes for architecture. Their work, which features minimalist designs, has become an international sensation and the list of their achievements is long: the Tate Modern in London, the ‘Birds’ Nest’ in Beijing, the newly opened Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and many more. At home in Switzerland, the two have created the St. Jakob Park in Basel and the Schaulager, which combines a public museum and an art store.
Switzerland may be a small country but, as you can see, its architectural reach goes far beyond geographical borders. Rooted in a long history, new creative voices constantly arise to keep that reach intact. On the following pages, we will present some of these voices and will give you insights into their work.
Eglise Saint Pierre Firminy by Le Corbusier. Photo: © Richard Weil
Unité d’Habitation by Le Corbusier. Photo: © Matthew Riley
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Sign of the times:
Above and right: Froriep headquarters, ARCH + DESIGN: Forster & Uhl, together with Hürlemann AG. Photos: Beat Bühler.
Building for the future Timelessly modern, streamlined and economical: Forster & Uhl architects can do without sensationalism and instead strive to build for the future. They foster the art of making a lot out of a little, by combining a pragmatic approach with creative joy. “We don’t care for names – what counts is the result,” says architect Christian Forster. TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI
Forster & Uhl architects work closely together with their clients, and they like to see them happy with the result. The compact team of seven start their research with clearly identifying their target group first. As Christian Forster says, the question of “For whom do we do this?” stands at the beginning of each task. Joy forms a key aspect of the designing process. Creative joy for Forster & Uhl architects concerns both the aesthetic and the functional aspect. Sustainability and durability also play a major role and they take pride in being not only architects but builders as well. As Walter Gropius 112 | Issue 48 | March 2017
famously stated in the Bauhaus manifesto of 1919: “. . . Art may not be taught. They [the art scholars] must return to the workshop”. Depending on the nature of the project at hand, Forster & Uhl consequently also offer both implementation planning and construction supervision. Andres Uhl and Christian Forster started their Zurich-based office in 2005, with first projects such as an apartment building, terrace houses and a dentist’s office. The office states matter of factly: “We apply new techniques and materials, colour, form and structural elements as necessary.” A pragmatic yet aesthetically satisfactory
vision, and their clients thank them for it. Be it theologists, dentists, nobel laureates, lawyers, cooperatives and communities, foundations, or the much quoted “regular guy”, the architects find a way to make them “happy with the result”. Recently, Forster & Uhl have applied their expertise as architects for the restoration of the Swiss Froriep law firm headquarters in Zurich. The office describes itself as an international law firm of the highest standards with an entrepreneurial spirit. Together with designers of Hürlemann AG, Forster & Uhl designed and implemented a complete makeover of the Zurich Froriep building, which happened to coincide with a major personal restructuring and realigning process within the firm itself. The newly designed Froriep headquarters looks like a contemporary, modernised version of the ‘20s New Objectivity style, with clean-cut angles, structuring design elements made of glass, wood and chrome but
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Switzerland’s Finest Architects
featuring also – and this is definitely a sign of the times – a gigantic rock as a reception desk. The building now breathes a modern yet rock solid attitude, so to speak. The rock element, a reminder of what makes Switzerland great, namely its nature and more specifically the Alps, may be only a single item, but the way it is placed in the reception area speaks a language of its own. While the outside of the building is streamlined, solid and easy to the eye, the interior has been literally lightened up by replacing walls with intermittent glass fronts and through constructing white or reflecting ceilings; thereby creating lofty and light-filled spaces. While the conference rooms are held in reserved white and wooden hues, drops of colour and designs have been added for the seating areas. The staircase, an oftenneglected stepchild of building design, is of a delightful elegance, featuring wooden handrails and slim vertical railing rods. The entire outlook of the building is a delicate balance of grounding and lifting elements. Wooden panels and granite materials on the one hand; glass partitions,
white ceilings with slim lighting “strips” and horizontally lined mirror ceilings on the other. For the headquarters of a renowned modern law firm, the overall friendly and trust-building outlook offers the right environment for both clients and partners and the employees. This year, another major project is on the agenda for Forster & Uhl architects. The restoration of a listed Zurich building from 1927, containing 54 cooperative flats and two day nurseries, will include creating six additional apartments through a roof extension. The shell of the building will be comprehensively redeveloped and the kitchen units, baths as well as the entire building technology completely renewed. Half of the flats will be fitted with balconies overlooking the tree-lined inner courtyard and the surroundings will be upgraded through pergolas and barbeque areas.
Röntgenhof cooperative flats. Visualisation: Forster & Uhl
Delphinstrasse apartment building. Photo: Indievisual, Zürich.
For Forster & Uhl, building for the future means building for the future inhabitants. Increasing their life quality is not a fringe benefit of the design, it is the architects’ central goal. St. Marienkirche. Photo: Michael Freisager.
www.foruhl.ch
Above and below: Froriep headquarters, ARCH + DESIGN: Forster & Uhl, together with Hürlemann AG. Photos: Beat Bühler.
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Urnäsch AR, extension and conversion of residential house, 2009-2011.
Urnäsch AR, residential house, 2009-2011.
Quality first
Wallisellen ZH, Zwicky Areal, renovation of cotton-spinning mill, 2011-2015.
When it comes to construction trends in 2017, sustainability and high quality are more important than ever. This approach fits perfectly with Zurich-based firm ZANONI Architekten, who have preferred long-lasting quality over short-term attention for 35 years. In our interview, founder Tomaso Zanoni explains his recipe for success and what his Swiss heritage has to do with all this.
they have been with us for many years, their comprehensive experience means that we add a lot of value to our projects. One thing that we observe every day is that our large-scale experience enhances our work on the little things and vice versa.”
TEXT: SONJA IRANI I PHOTOS: ZANONI ARCHITEKTEN, ELIAS VETTER; VISUALISATIONS: ZANONI ARCHITEKTEN
A Swiss speciality “Our business is comprised of several different divisions. As such, we are just as much urban planners as we are architects or consultants,” says Tomaso Zanoni, who founded ZANONI Archiekten in 1982 after a successful career as a freelance architect and lecturer. Ever since then, he and his team have realised a wide range of challenging projects within architecture, consulting and urban planning.
sultation as well as strategic studies and procedure models to planning and realising construction projects.
A broad portfolio
“Much of our success is due to our dedicated team, which is made up of 15 highly qualified employees,” says Zanoni. “Since
The services that ZANONI Architekten offers today, include comprehensive con114 | Issue 48 | March 2017
When it comes to architecture, Zanoni and his team have realised a range of different stylistic buildings – from small-scale and exclusive residential construction to largescale public buildings such as offices and schools.
But broad does not mean that the work of ZANONI Architekten is not accurate. Quite the opposite is true: when it comes to work ethics, Zanoni and his team put a well thought-out plan above everything else. “Some say it’s a Swiss characteristic to be a careful planner and thinker,” he says. “And I think that’s true. We are indeed extremely thorough in everything we do. In the world of construction, this means that we carefully think through a project from start to finish and consider every little detail. That, in turn, ensures a high level of
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Switzerland’s Finest Architects
quality, which is what we are striving for at all times.” A sustainable future “There has been a noticeable increase in the importance of sustainable construction, which affects all areas of our work,” says Zanoni. “When it comes to regional, technological and aesthetic traditions, there is a tendency towards responsible architecture. In our industry, globalisation means that the distinctions, for instance between different climate zones, are emphasised in the planning phase and then reflected in the materials used.” The company’s leading principle fits in quite well with the current trends. “We always try to find an adequate approach in order to provide our clients with a high-value answer,” adds Zanoni. “We are not interested in short-term attention, but long-lasting quality. That’s why we rather operate in the background and work calm-
ly and methodically.” He continues that, at first glance, the buildings constructed by his team may not look that spectacular, but rather self-evident. “That’s because well thought-through buildings fit in naturally with their environment and thus appear as if they had always belonged here. Many qualities only become visible if you take a second look and that’s our goal in everything we do.” Zurich takes the lead As a consequence of this specific method to ensure quality, Zanoni has deliberately decided to not expand his business beyond Switzerland. “I am a firm believer that the first-class quality can only be reached if you are based close by,” he explains. The team therefore focuses on urban, living and work space in and around the city of Zurich. Here, the company’s services include expert advice, process support, feasibility studies and master plans as well as
Wallisellen ZH, Zwicky Areal, renovation of the ‘Kleine Färberei‘, 2011-2015.
Rotkreuz ZG, Suurstoffi, new lecture hall of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
Wallisellen ZH, Zwicky Areal, renovation of cotton-spinning mill, 2011-2015.
Vals Rufena GR, new residential building, 2012-2014.
planning concepts for city, district and area developments. In recent years, ZANONI Architekten has also increasingly taken over the overall management to provide modern infrastructure or complex open spaces. From old to new Aside from planning and constructing new buildings, Zanoni and his team also take care of complex concepts for historical and listed buildings that require special knowledge of renovation and integration. A good example for the successful tackling of such a challenge is the development of the Zwicky Areal in Wallisellen/Dübendorf near Zurich. On the grounds of a former silk twining plant, ZANONI Architekten currently creates a vibrant, new city district that will provide a wide range of diverse work and living space. www.zanoni-architekten.ch
Rotkreuz ZG, Suurstoffi, new construction of school, 2015-2016.
Vals Rufena GR, new residential building, 2012-2014.
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Switzerland’s Finest Architects
Bahnhofstrasse Wettingen. Photo: leistungsfotografie.ch
Onwards: Planning and building with KMP architects KMP buildings are marked by a high level of life quality, sustainable value and, last but not least, a low-risk investment for the builder. Having just recently moved into their own, in-house-planned new office building in Wettingen in the Swiss Baden region, the ever-growing team is facing the future with a full order book and much optimism. TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI
KMP architects continuously face the challenge of coordinating their clients’ wishes and visions with the framework set by technical standards and building laws. Formed by the initial demands and parameters, the architectural concept springs as the optimal, individual and logical answer to the building task at hand. 116 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Throughout the process of working on their designs, KMP make it a priority to focus on the needs of the people who will eventually reside in the respective building. For them, they plan and create modern, functional spaces with character and personality. Both location and site play a major role in this process. Build-
ings are designed to harmonise with their surroundings and, on the technical side, high-quality construction leads to a long-lasting, high building value. The sustainable handling of resources is of equal importance. KMP apply Swiss Minergie standards and take their responsibility as Minergie specialist partner seriously. The office looks back on almost 50 years of experience. Founded in 1969, its first projects consisted of single homes for friends and family members. Due to the successful realisations, bigger contracts for housing developments and public buildings soon appeared on the agenda. The company
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Switzerland’s Finest Architects
grew continuously and estate activities increased. In 2003, the firm became a public limited company: ‘KMP Architektur AG’. The steadily growing number of employees and the pressing need for more space has recently led to the planning and building of KMP’s own new premises at Bahnhofstrasse Wettingen, with ultra-modern spaces and optimal work conditions. Here, says architect and co-managing director Nerma Prohic, the team of 56 happily faces the 2017 KMP agenda: designing, planning and building with intensified enthusiasm. KMP provides service for the entire spectrum of the planning and building process. From feasibility study to handover day, every step is executed through the same hand. This means that procedures can be efficiently coordinated and distilled, a fact that pays off in both schedule reliability and budget safety. KMP focus on their clients’ demands and satisfaction by keeping close to their long-tried and tested principles of liability, responsibility and close collaboration. Therefore, the builder, partner or employee - anyone working with KMP can count on absolute professionalism. They stand by their word and thereby the word becomes a promise; likewise, engagement and fairness are given with all inner and outer dealings. As Nerma Prohic states: “Responsibility comes automatically with the task of putting buildings up and dealing with land. Also, each single choice of material is related to the topics of environment and resources - another high priority with KMP.
The same kind of respect and consciousness is applied to all interactions with our clients, both on a personal and financial level.”
Day nursery Wettingen. Photo: Sabrina Golob
For KMP, cooperation with clients and co-workers means building the ground for lasting partnerships. This includes internal knowledge access and exchange and thereby building on the firm’s know-how, as well as openness and transparency towards their clients and business partners. For 2017, moving into the newly constructed company building has come with a make-over of the entire corporate identity, complete with new logo, website and font. The adjoining area of the new office building will soon be finished. Right in time for spring and summer, a new terrace with a lounge, a garden with a BBQ spot and seating areas will be ready to be conquered and enjoyed by all KMP employees. Due to the additional space, three new staff members will be hired soon. With a solid amount of commissions under their belt, KMP will be working on numerous projects throughout the region. Following their motto ‘KMP plans and builds’, the firm is facing the future with optimism and enthusiasm. While keeping a close eye on the building industry’s development, the KMP team members are looking forward to the manifold exciting projects and challenges to come.
Flora Affoltern. Visualisation: Rafael Schmid Architekten AG
Hombergstrasse Nussbaumen. Photo: Eliane Dürst
www.kmpag.ch All three below: Bahnhofstrasse Wettingen. Photos: Sabrina Golob
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Discover Germany | Special Theme | Switzerland’s Finest Architects
Innovative adaptation “We are no signature architects, we build according to task and the builders’ demands.” This motto is reflected by the manifold nature of the projects realised by maurusfrei Architekten AG. Spacial, functional and technical challenges are being met in a way that gives each project a strong, unique and convincing character.
Top left and right: St. Moritz train station. Photos: Ralph Feiner Above: Rebberg Fontana development. Photo: Vincent Simonet Below and bottom: SOMEDIA media house. Photos: Romeo Mori
with 17 housing units. The exclusive superstructure, set slightly above the town centre of Chur, features natural stone façades and green roofs and effortlessly melts with the surrounding landscape.
TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI
Good architecture at maurusfrei Architekten AG means building a house that answers to both the setting as well as the demands and ideas of the builder. Unique architecture for them stems from a brilliant design idea and its conscientious implementation, which is what the maurusfrei Architekten AG team does on a daily basis, using both heart and mind. Winning the competition for a vocational college was the starting point for the maurusfrei Architekten AG. While the AG was founded in 2005, the company today consists of 30 architects, project managers and draftsmen, with offices in the two Swiss cities of Zurich and Chur. From draft to implementation and more – maurusfrei architects offer solutions for private clients as well as institutions. The team like to tackle challenges together with their builders, with a genuine interest in making their ideas a reality. Consequently, the maurusfrei Architekten AG 118 | Issue 48 | March 2017
approach concerns both architecture and construction as well as landscape, interior and urban design. The St. Moritz train station was recently reopened, just in time for the Ski World Championship 2017. The overhauled layout and station buildings allow both the beautiful resort and its surrounding nature to shine, by still championing innovative design and architectural expertise. Equally sculptural and with a tad more drama to it, the Chur-based media house SOMEDIA has also brought much attention to the maurusfrei Architekten AG approach. Based on the industrial turn-ofthe-century style, the building is marked by its vicinity to the imposing massif of the Calanda and its wild, romantic landscape, while also forming a direct connection with the booming West-Chur district. Building in tune with the environment marks the Rebberg Fontana development
For builders interested in a co-creative and innovative design process, maurusfrei Architekten AG will clear the path to see their dreams fulfilled. www.maurusfrei.ch
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Austria’s Legal Experts
Photo: © Flickr.com, www.weisspaarz.com
Photo: © Flickr.com, Daria / epicantus
S P E C I A L T H E M E : A U S T R I A’ S L E G A L E X P E R T S
Choose the perfect attorney From Innsbruck to Graz, Vienna or Salzburg; reliable legal services can be found all over Austria. To find out more about some of the country’s best legal experts, take a look at the following pages.
Photo: © Flickr.com, Sarah-Rose
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 119
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Austria’s Legal Experts
Stefan Warbek with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Stefan Warbek.
Protecting intellectual property and creative solutions in a global environment For those working in the creative sector or developing new innovative technology or business solutions, one of the biggest challenges is how to protect their ideas and intellectual property. Austrian law firm WARBEK Rechtsanwälte has successfully specialised in giving legal advice and finding solutions for businesses and individuals working in these sectors. TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: WARBEK RECHTSANWÄLTE
Creative or innovative industries always have a special workflow and flair, but also rather specific needs and a unique set of challenges – especially concerning intellectual property. The lawyers at WARBEK Rechtsanwälte have specialised in finding solutions for the challenges creative and innovative industries face. The lawyers at WARBEK Rechtsanwälte understand that solutions in this area must be tailor-made and that confidentiality is of upmost importance when creative and innovative projects are concerned. Working in only a small and dedicated team of experts ensures that their clients’ creative ideas and innovative developments are well protected – no matter in which sector 120 | Issue 48 | March 2017
they are working: engineering, research, art and culture, show business, sports or fashion. “Creative ideas and solutions for life’s challenges are not only the engine of our society’s development but also the driving force of any economic success. This fascination with immaterial value in our society is exactly what our law firm deals with on a legal level,” says Stefan Warbek, founder of WARBEK Rechtsanwälte. Be it the Austria Ski Group, universities or SOS Children’s Villages International, Dr. Stefan Warbek is proud to have gained their trust. He adds: “It is a special honour for us to be able to support His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
WARBEK’s services include intellectual property rights such as copyrights, patents, trademarks or designs as well as important personal rights such as data protection. Due to their long-term experience in these fields, WARBEK Rechtsanwälte are also qualified advisors when it comes to preparing for significant legislative changes such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation, which will be applicable from May 2018 and will drastically increase penalties for violations. “Data protection has always been part of our legal portfolio as it concerns immaterial values. We are happy to support our clients with our long-term experience in these fields,” says Dr. Warbek. With a fantastic network of national and international patent attorneys, tax and management consultants, investors and PR agencies, WARBEK Rechtsanwälte can provide top-quality guidance – locally and abroad. www.warbek.at
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Austria’s Legal Experts
Kersten Bankler.
Stefanie Lugger.
Where business gets personal At the Vienna-based Lugger | Bankler office, personal engagement and a thorough understanding of their clients’ business form a major part of the firm’s philosophy.
a long-term basis, they strive to invest in their employees and put an emphasis on a continuous, organic and stable growth.
TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI I PHOTOS: PETRA SPIOLA
Their goal, namely to guarantee an efficient service and a personalised support, has led to a tailor-made approach applied respectively to each individual case. The partners and their team offer short decision paths, quick reaction spans and an efficient, problem-solving attitude.
Partner Kersten Bankler states: “It is of major importance for us to fully understand our clients’ business. This approach, in combination with a close cooperation, marks who we are. Rather than focusing on problems, we operate on a problemsolving basis.”
Concentrating on business and commercial law for national and international entities, public institutions as well as private clients, the office further offers advice on energy and environmental issues as well.
The two founding partners Stefanie Lugger and Kersten Bankler had previously worked at major law firms before they decided that they could implement their ideas and visions much better by starting their own office. Perfectly complementing each other with regards to expertise, Stefanie Lugger and Kersten Bankler founded their own Vienna-based firm in 2011. Numerous national and international clients have since enjoyed their fresh approach and success has shown that their initial perception of a growing need for personalised advice was the right one. Following their philosophy of committing to a sustainable, individualised service on
With a common background in corporate international law, the two partners split their expertise by respectively covering litigation, payment services law and energy law (Stefanie Lugger) and M&A corporate law, restructurings and commercial law (Kersten Bankler). With an attitude of practical and prompt advice, paired with personal attention and care, the office is by now well established on the market.
The Lugger | Bankler concept of a tightknit cooperation with the client, combined with a detailed and in-depth understanding of their business, puts both the firm and their clients on the right path. www.lugger-bankler.at
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 121
Discover Germany | Business | Information and Communication Technology Expert
Commercial director Dr. Svetlana de Souza. Photo: © Guenther Iby
Founder Daniel Gorin. Photo: © Boris Gorin
I N F O R M AT I O N A N D C O M M U N I C AT I O N T E C H N O L O G Y E X P E R T
Because words mean the world Learning English has never been as enjoyable and effective as with the apps designed by Alphary. Using state-of-the-art technology and the renowned suite of Oxford learner dictionaries, FeeBu – Alphary’s Feedback Butterfly – offers a ‘gamified’ learning experience that features personalised feedback. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE
Great things often have small beginnings. That is certainly true for Alphary. In a sleepy town near Basel, a chance encounter of Alphary’s founder Daniel Gorin and a young English teacher named Alex marked the beginning of the company’s successful journey. “One day, I asked Alex to test the phase6 flashcard and vocabulary memorisation software I had invented as a student,” CEO Gorin remembers.“My hopes of a lucrative deal with his private school were crushed, however, when Alex told me straight to my face why he wouldn’t use phase6 in his classroom.“ “He said: ‘Daniel, your software may be appropriately designed to help beginners memorise the meaning and translation of words on a flashcard, but my students already know English, they are on an inter122 | Issue 48 | March 2017
mediate level.’ So the vision of creating the world’s first intelligent, digital and adaptive English vocabulary-building tool was born.” Gorin’s vision manifested itself in the creation of Alphary, a company dedicated to creating innovative English learning solutions that help learners and teachers alike. Alphary’s approach of combining cutting-edge natural language processing technology with the latest research into language learning immediately attracted attention from the professional language and teaching communities. Alphary avoids unconstructive ‘right or wrong’ feedback. Instead, the specifically developed feedback engine, FeeBu, gives intelligent, personalised feedback so users can learn from mistakes. The game elements, including rewards and hints, attract
the younger demographic and motivates them. Commercial director Dr. Svetlana de Souza explains: “The FeeBu app is particularly well-suited for students studying English as part of a course, as well as teachers. Learning words and phrases – the building blocks of language – is most effective when it is ‘blended’ with other activities inside or outside the classroom.” The company’s partnerships with leading educational organisations such as Cambridge University Press, National Geographic Learning and Langenscheidt bear testimony to its great achievements. Last year, the Oxford English Vocabulary Trainer app, developed by Alphary in collaboration with Oxford University Press, was awarded Silver in the category ‘Excellence in Design of Content – non-profit or public sector’ of the prestigious British Learning Technology Awards. Learning a new language is a beautiful journey and Alphary apps are the ideal travel companion. www.alphary.net
Discover Germany | Business | Recruiting Expert
RECRUITING EXPERT
TEXT: SILKE HENKELE
International recruitment for engineering experts
yet? Do not despair: “We are 100 per cent convinced that the perfect candidates for our clients are out there. We will find them for you!” promises Schultes.
Finding the right job candidates for your business can be very difficult - especially when you have very particular requirements.
www.schultes-partner.at/en
Although the labour market offers a wide variety of highly educated personnel, finding the perfect match for a vacancy in your firm can become a real struggle. Hence, particularly engineering businesses with an international mind-set will be glad to learn about the Austrian family-run company Schultes & Partner. “Our recruiters have 15 years of experience to show and our engineering experts have been in the market for 25 years. Our insights are thus comprehensive and solid,”says Lucia Schultes, CEO at Schultes & Partner. Thanks to the varied experiences of the team, Schultes & Partner expertly combines recruiting, engineering, project management and consulting activities
under one roof, whereby the international market is of utmost importance to the recruitment agency. “Markets and businesses have no doubt become international over the years and still continue to become even more so,” says Schultes. “We have thus decided to focus a considerable part of our business activities on international recruitment projects.” By means of extensive talks and discussions, Schultes & Partner gets to know the characteristics of the job on offer and the employer alike, which enables the team to take a holistic approach towards search for the perfect candidates. Do you have an engineering business and have not found your perfect match
Lucia Schultes, CEO at Schultes & Partner. Photo: © Susanne Spiel
Photo: © Schultes & Partner
Industry is looking for solutions. And finds them at one place. HANNOVER MESSE 24 – 28 April 2017 ▪ Hannover ▪ Germany hannovermesse.com
Get new technology first Issue 48 | March 2017 | 123
Discover Germany | Business | Solicitor Column
Data Protection:
Reloaded TEXT & PHOTO: GREGOR KLEINKNECHT
The data protection regime, which is currently meant to provide our electronic life with basic privacy and protection, is set out in the Data Protection Act 1998 and in related legislation. The 1998 Act in turn implemented the European Data Protection Directive of 1995 into UK law. That was a very different age from today’s world, where pretty much everything about us, from our bank details, social networking activities and holiday photos, down to our medical history is a piece of data available at the touch of a button and we are directly or indirectly identifiable to the many sites and service providers that we rely upon (and many we don’t). The press has been awash with examples recently of wholesale data breaches and of personal data being illegally accessed while entrusted by customers to organisations such as telecom service providers and banks. A revamp of the data protection rules has long been overdue to make them fit for an increasingly digital, technological and globalised world, and to give enforcement more teeth. Again, the impetus is coming from the EU with the aim of providing greater data protection for EU citizens. The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be directly applicable in all EU member states from 25 May 2018, by which time organisations that process our data will have to be compliant with the new requirements. In the UK, the GDPR will replace the 1998 Act, Brexit notwithstanding. The anticipation is that, following Brexit, the rules will be incorporated initially unchanged into national UK law. The new regulation is aimed both at harmonising and enhancing the regulatory 124 | Issue 48 | March 2017
framework governing data privacy and at transforming the approach that organisations take to protecting you and me (or ‘data subjects’, in tech speak) from infringements of privacy laws. So how exactly will the GDPR strengthen data protection? First, the requirement of consent to the use of personal data will be strengthened and made more transparent, while at the same time making it easier to withdraw consent. Secondly, both data controllers, who determine the purpose and means of collecting personal data, and data processors, such as cloud service providers, must comply with a strict notification policy: a data protection breach which poses a risk to individuals must be notified to the national supervisory authority within 72 hours and to affected individuals without undue delay. Thirdly, the GDPR vests greater power in data subjects to obtain information on, gain access to, and exercise control over any personal information that is being processed about them and why; the ‘right to be forgotten’ will also be strengthened. ‘Privacy by design’ will become a legal requirement, meaning that controllers must incorporate data protection systems at the outset of their activities rather than to add procedures and frameworks at a later stage. The GDPR will simplify and harmonise the role of Data Protection Officers and it will generally no longer be necessary to submit notifications and registrations to local Data Protection Authorities.
Importantly, the GDPR will extend data privacy for EU citizens beyond the physical boundaries of the EU. Even if an organisation is located outside of the EU, it must still comply with the GDPR requirements when processing the personal data of EU citizens. The GDPR will enable substantial sanctions to be imposed on organisations found in breach of its requirements and in circumstances where there has been a serious infringement, fines of up to four per cent of annual global turnover or 20 million euros can be imposed, whichever is higher. Let’s hope that these enforcement powers will be used to give real effect to data protection and privacy. Not surprisingly, many organisations that collect and process personal data have already started to adapt to and implement the new regime.
Gregor Kleinknecht LM MCIArb is a German Rechtsanwalt and English solicitor, and a partner at Hunters Solicitors, a leading law firm in Central London. Hunters Solicitors, 9 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3QN, E-mail: gjk@hunters-solicitors.co.uk www.hunters-solicitors.co.uk
Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar
Snow Jazz Gastein. Photo: © Gasteinertal Tourismus GmbH
Culture Calendar Save the date as there are plenty of great events scheduled for the weeks to come. From music festivals and exciting exhibitions, to fantastic sport events and social highlights, Discover Germany’s Culture Calendar is your perfect guide to what not to miss in March. TEXT: THOMAS SCHROERS
Retro Classics 2017 (2 – 5 March) Europe’s greatest exhibition for classic cars takes another spin. Automotive legends from all over the world will present their classic elegance and power. Visitors are invited to discover a different world of driving culture and lifestyle and discover the finest classic cars. www.retro-classics.de
Otello at the Opera Zurich (5 March) In the beginning of March, the Zurich opera will celebrate the premier of the legendary play by Giuseppe Verdi, which in turn is based on the tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Produced by British artist Graham Vick, the plot is transported into modern times. www.opernhaus.ch
40 International Handel festival (until 5 March) George Frideric Handel is one of Germany’s most famous classical composers. In 2017, the city of Karlsruhe is celebrating the musician for the 40th time with its international Handel festival. Featuring a new production of the drama Semele and various concerts, this event series is not to be missed. www.staatstheater.karlsruhe.de
lit.COLOGNE (7 – 18 March) One of the largest of its kind, the lit.COLOGNE is a literature festival established in 2001. Around Issue 48 | March 2017 | 125
Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar 200 events are part of the festival, which excels by bringing together authors and artists from various disciplines. www.lit-cologne.de
ITB Berlin (8 – 12 March) The world’s leading travel trade show, taking place in Berlin, presents the whole diversity of travel. Over 10,000 exhibitors will display for more than 200,000 visitors. 187 from all over the world will be represented and the revenue, seven billion euros, is massive. www.itb-berlin.de
Snow Jazz Gastein (10 – 19 March) For ten days, the international festival will present jazz projects, bands and musicians including the Tiptons Sax Quartet, Steven Santoro and Simon Frick. The theme for this year’s festivities is ‘My favourite things’ and visitors can expect to discover and listen to their favourite music. www.gastein.com
Retro Classics. Photo: © RETRO Messen ergonoMedia – Georg Kludsky
Diagonale. Photo: © Diagonale/Miriam Raneburger
126 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Pink Floyd meets Edgar Allan Poe in Zurich (12 March) Musical theatre that is bound to surprise and excite is put on stage at the Theater Rigiblick in Zurich, where the music of Pink Floyd will
Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar
Itb Berlin. Photo: © Messe Berlin
Opera Zurich. Photo: © kuhnmi
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 127
Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar converge with the literary worlds of Edgar Allan Poe. It is a special combination and a wonderful artistic endeavour integrating classical culture with music from pop culture. www.theater-rigiblick.ch
Liszt Festival Raiding (22 – 26 March) “I am the concert” is one of classical composer Franz Liszt’s most famous quotes. His hometown of Raiding is celebrating work and life of the musician three times in 2017. The first part of the Liszt Festival commences in late March with five concerts. www.lisztfestival.at
Earth Hour (25 March) With the annual Earth Hour, environmentalists are staging a silent protest for more environmental protection. From 8.30 to 9.30 pm, countries around the world, including Germany and its capital Berlin, will turn off the lights of some of their largest buildings for one hour. www.earthhour.org
Leipzig Book Fair (23 – 26 March) A second important literature event in March is the book fair in Leipzig. Authors, readers and publishing companies engage, present and discover what is new. It is an event characterised by its love for literature and books and a worthwhile undertaking both for fans and professionals. www.leipziger-buchmesse.com Book fair. Photo: © Tom Schulze
World Theatre Day (27 March) Originating in Vienna, Austria in 1961, the world theatre day is an international event celebrating the power of cinema. In Germany, many theatres invite for an open day with audience discussions and exhibitions. Additionally, messages from international theatre personalities are presented in more than 50 languages before shows around the world. www.world-theatre-day.org
Diagonale – Festival of Austrian Film (28 March – 2 April) Austrian cinematic production is presented and discussed during the Diagonale. At the core of the festival is a nuanced, diverse and critical exploration of Austrian cinema. Of course, the programme is specifically selected to offer newcomers to the Austrian film scene, but also dive deep with experienced viewers. www.diagonale.a 128 | Issue 48 | March 2017
Book fair. Photo: © Tom Schulze
Discover Germany | Culture | Culture Calendar
Semperoper. Photo: © Flickr.com, Michael Kaercher
Handel. Photo: © dierk Schaefer
Liszt pop art. Photo: © Liszt Festival Raiding
Wine Fair Rhineland-Palatinate (Various dates) Showcasing the best of the best from Rhineland-Palatinate, the dedicated wine fair takes place in four German cities throughout March. Starting in Leipzig (3 – 5 March), it moves to Bochum (10 -12), Kiel (24 – 26) and Bremen (31 – 2 April). Inform yourself and taste or buy wines from this exceptional region at any of the events. www.weinmesse-rlp.de
Wine Fair. Photo: © dasTeam www.dasteam.de
Issue 48 | March 2017 | 129
Discover Germany | Culture | Barbara Geier
Who drinks the most? TEXT & PHOTO: BARBARA GEIER
If you had to take a guess, who would you say are the biggest wine drinkers in Europe? I’m pretty sure that Italy and France, the lands of Bordeaux, Chianti and Prosecco would top your list. Well, think again, at least when it comes to Italy, because 2015 was “the first time that Italy has been out-drunk by its German counterparts”. Thank you to the Telegraph writer who came up with this fabulous sentence in an article about the biggest wine drinkers around the world – “out-drinking” had not been in my vocabulary so far. While overall wine consumption in Italy has dropped to an all-time low with hardup Italian families cutting back on wine spending, Germans show no signs of flagging in the wine department. That’s not just because in comparison to Italians the average German certainly does not need to save on wine money. To me, Germany has always been a traditional wine country even if that’s not how the world, and in particular the UK, sees us. Admittedly, my view is influenced by the fact that I’m from the Pfalz (Palatinate), Germany’s second-biggest wine producing region. Where drinking wine with your lunch (and dinner, and at any time in between) is not unusual but normal. Much like in France, which, in this part of Germany, incidentally is our next-door 130 | Issue 48 | March 2017
neighbour, just a few kilometres “down the road”. So, how much are we drinking overall then? Based on figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), Germans drank 20.5 million hectolitres of wine in 2015, Italians drank 20.4 million (okay, it was a narrow win), the French drank 27.2 million and the Brits drank 12.9 million, which is 2.4 per cent more than in 2014. You’re catching up, and considering that you’re just over 60 million and we’re about 80 million, that’s not too bad. By the way, to present you with the full picture, I should also provide you with the per capital consumption figures. We might have beaten the Italians as a nation, but certainly not on an individual level. The overall consumption translates into about 37 litres of wine being drunk per person in Italy while the latest figures of the German Wine Institute for 2016 reveal a per capita wine drinking habit in Germany of 20.6 litres. Well, all I can say is that if the whole of Germany drank like the good people in the Pfalz, these figures would look different – although we might still not reach the French with 42 litres per person. In any case, enjoy your next glass of wine, maybe it’s even a German one in which case you should definitely
raise it with a ‘Prost’ instead of ‘Cheers’. And please don’t forget to look into your co-drinker(s) eyes! If you don’t, there’ll be tragic consequences. Ask a German…
Barbara Geier is a London-based freelance writer, translator and communications consultant. She is also the face behind www.germanyiswunderbar.com, a German travel and tourism guide and blog that was set up together with UK travel writer Andrew Eames in 2010.
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