If you love design and interiors, a visit to the Vitra Design Campus is essential. You will be blown away by the vast collection of contemporary architecture on this unique site. As well as touring the campus, allow plenty of time to explore the brands fabulous flagship store – the VitraHaus.
Swiss designers HQ
The Vitra Design Campus’ diverse mix of buildings epitomise the Vitra brand philosophy. The campus is home to the Vitra’s head office and manufacturing plant. It operates as an independent, publicly accessible institution and is one of the leading design museums worldwide.
Campus architecture
A fire in 1981 destroyed almost half of the production facilities which began the evolution of the ensemble of buildings designed by prominent architects. Now known for its quality architecture, the campus is is defined by the distinct styles of the architects invited to design for the site.
Structures by Frank Gehry and Nicholas Grimshaw, followed by other prominent architects like the late Zaha Hadid, Tadao Ando, Jasper Morrison, Alvaro Siza, Herzog & de Meuron and SANAA have ensured the Vitra campus’ continued international attention.
Strategic location
You’ll find the Vitra design campus on the outskirts of Basel – in the tri-country region where Germany, Switzerland and France meet. The campus ranks among the top cultural attractions in the Basel region.
Allow plenty of time to explore the large campus and book into a site tour if available. After your tour, have lunch in the café, and explore Herzog & de Meuron Vitrahaus.
Make a day of it
The VitraHaus is Vitra’s flagship store where visitors can experience all of Vitra products under one roof. Designed over five levels, the store offers visitors inspirational ideas for their own homes. The buildings interior is changed regularly as are the exterior views of the surrounding landscape.
We drove from Zurich to the Vitra Campus (located just outside Basel) and found it to be an easy day trip.
Our local tip
Allow enough time to explore the VitraHaus, It’s very inspiring and gives you an opportunity to fully explore your own taste in design and interior decoration.