‘Switzerland isn’t ugly, but there’s room for improvement’: Pierre de Meuron on architecture and urban planning

At 74, renowned architect Pierre de Meuron is still shaping the future of architecture. Together with his long-time partner Jacques Herzog, de Meuron is designing the new headquarters of the Lombard Odier bank in Bellevue in canton Geneva, set for completion in 2025. Appearing on La Matinale, he shared his insights on urban planning in French-speaking Switzerland. “No, Switzerland is not ugly,” de Meuron said, addressing the so-called “hideous” Switzerland portrayed by Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) in an article this summer. Born in Basel, de Meuron co-founded the world-renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron with his childhood friend Jacques Herzog, and together, they’ve tackled iconic projects like the Tate Modern in London, Beijing’s national stadium, and Basel’s Roche towers, including Switzerland’s tallest skyscraper (205m). Their first major project in French-speaking Switzerland, the Lombard Odier headquarters in canton Geneva, is scheduled for ...