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