2023

Swiss Consul’s residence in Rio de Janeiro

Swiss design vocabulary and Brazilian joie de vivre

These rooms are used for negotiations, drinks receptions and festive occasions. To that end, we wanted to design a Swiss environment in which the culture of the host nation was also palpable throughout the building. Furniture, textiles and light fixtures are of typically Swiss design; and the craftsmanship of the interior is of the highest quality. When it came to choosing colours and patterns, however, we were inspired by the local surroundings – Roberto Burle Marx’s Copacabana promenade, for example. The vibrancy of these influences can be seen in the sofas and armchairs in the lounges, the specially designed curtains in the meeting rooms, and the terrace. In contrast, the photographs on display explore the typical Swiss themes of mountains and snow. All the furnishing elements can be rearranged according to need: to create an intimate setting for a confidential conversation, for example, or to provide seating for a film screening. This versatility extends to the lighting concept, which is designed to enhance the atmosphere of any occasion.

Client: Bundesamt für Bauten und Logistik BBL, Bern
Furniture: Girsberger Customized Furniture, Bützberg und horgenglarus, Glarus
Carpets: Ruckstuhl AG, Langenthal
Textiles: Création Baumann AG, Langenthal
Curtains: Furrer Wohnen, Zürich
Lights: Ribag AG, Safenwil, Eins und Viele, Basel/Berlin, Arber Agentur GmbH, Rüschlikon
Art: Georg Aerni, Zürich
Photograph: MCA Estúdio, Rio de Janeiro