STATEMENTS
Gabriel Borter, Atelier 5, architect, Berne
"The subject of commerce, one which architects often struggle to
reconcile with architecture, was approached in a refreshingly youthful
and surprisingly creative manner. The mix of speakers is key. Young
artists who interpret the act of buying/selling in their own way and
thus generate unique experiences for both parties. It was a nice twist
to witness participating marketing people and investors repairing to
the uncontrollable field of creativity in order to quench their thirst
for the quick buck. Congratulations for bringing into being such
events, which approach one of the difficult themes of capitalism
light-heartedly, question the sense and the nonsense and allow all
sides of an argument to have their say." Participant at the
Architecture Talks Lucerne 2006

Martin Lepper, ECE Project Management, Hamburg
"The Architecture Talks Lucerne 2006 fully delivered on the promised
topics: professional speakers, exciting projects, an effective
presentation and competent discussions. And to top it all off, an
unforgettable location. Keep up the great work!" Participant at the
Architecture Talks Lucerne 2006

Robert Müller, Bartenbach LichtLabor, lighting engineer and project director, Aldrans near Innsbruck
"The Architecture Talks Lucerne provided an outstanding networking
platform: the composition of participants was extremely interesting.
With regards to the organisation, may I offer you my compliments: never
have I experienced a more perfectly organised event." Participant at
the Architecture Talks Lucerne 2006

Myrta Ramel, Ideen zum Wohnen, interior designer, Safenwil/CH
"This year’s event was also very well organised and I left with
numerous impulses. Congratulations! A lot of commitment and dedication
clearly goes into the organisation of this event, which serves up an
international roster of first-rate speakers; red-hot, globally relevant
architectural topics; all this on our doorstep, in a location which
could not be any more fitting... Attending the symposium once again
allowed me to find some important and inspiring jigsaw pieces for my
own activities. I already look forward to the next event.“ Participant
at the Architecture Talks Lucerne 2006

Hans Binder, Binder Architektur AG, Winterthur
"The Architecture Talks dealing with the
future of the hotel were very well organised, instructive and
inspiring; the selection of themes and speakers was varied, even
colourful. A warm thank you for two wonderful days…" Participant at the
Architecture Talks Lucerne 2005

Iria Degen, interior designer, Zurich & Paris
"Hotel Future at the KKL in Lucerne was a
truly valuable experience in every respect. Listening to international
stars sharing their visions and their experiences of the hotel business
provided me with both inspiration and know-how; and all this in such an
architecturally worthy location, organised with Swiss professionalism -
a delight!" Participant at the Architecture Talks Lucerne 2005

Corinna Kretschmar, JOI-Design, Hamburg
"The quality of the speakers was
overwhelming! A very special event - first-rate quality and an
impressive setting! International flair, great conversations and
lasting inspiration! Thank you." Participant at the Architecture Talks
Lucerne 2005

Pius Müller, Marketing Service Pius Müller GmbH, Zurich
"‘A safari over the thicket of the nation’ –
‘A live-cells treatment for visionaries’: this is how I perceived the
two days in Lucerne. A discreet, perfect organisation, outstanding
presentations, a memorable gala dinner and wonderful conversations.
Just some of the reasons why I am certain to attend in the future."
Participant at the Architecture Talks Lucerne 2005

Christian Rassaerts, architect, Stuttgart
"A firework of expert presentations was on
offer, highly varied in their perspective and -a rarity- open-minded,
honest and self-critical! Information, innovation and professional
depth were all a world above the usual level! I left Lucerne inspired
and motivated! The framework provided by Lucerne and the KKL as a venue
were ideal, the organisation and planning were perfect. All my respect
and warmest thanks for your successful project!" Participant at the
Architecture Talks Lucerne 2005

Matteo Thun, architect and designer, Milan
"A highly informative platform for hotel
operators, investors and designers. The programme offered by the
Architecture Talks Lucerne is not to be found at tourism and real
estate fairs. I will thus come back next year with pleasure to keep
learning." Speaker at the Architecture Talks Lucerne 2005

Ramesh Kumar Biswas, architect and urbanist, Vienna, Berlin and Kuala Lumpur
“I have spoken at several premium symposia in
different parts of the world, but the Architecture Symposium in
Pontresina has been definitely one of the best so far – not just with
regard to the content, but also the conception and organisation, which
allowed plenty of fruitful time for formal and informal discussions
between speakers, participants and media.” Speaker at the 5th
Architecture Symposium Pontresina 2002

Lindsay Bremner, professor of architecture and city planning at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
„The annual Architecture Symposium in Pontresina
should be a highlight on the international architectural calendar. Over
the last five years, it has combined cutting edge speakers, stimulating
debates, a high quality venue, great setting and efficient organisation
– all that makes for a memorable conference. Under the leadership of
Frank Joss, the occasion is imbued with integrity and dignity. His
search for a humanist architecture ensures an enduring future for the
Symposium. I was greatly honoured to have contributed to the debate in
2002.“ Speaker at the 5th Architecture Symposium Pontresina 2002

Sean Griffiths, FAT, architect, London
„The 5th Pontresina Architecture Symposium was an
extremely enjoyable, informative and thought provoking event. The range
of topics – all relating to the public realm, but with very different
aspects ranging from housing in townships in South Africa to the issue
of Ground Zero in New York – constituted particularly apt choices of
subject matter. Within each of these topics the range of speakers was
very good with a genuinely diverse range of views being represented.
This meant that the debate was healthy and relevant which is not always
the case at symposia of this type. The Symposium was a wonderful
opportunity to meet new people in the field and to spend time in the
beautiful landscape surrounding the Symposium.“ Speaker at the 5th
Architecture Symposium Pontresina 2002