The armchair “HE 103” by the Bernese designer Hans Eichenberger from 1955. (archive image) Keystone/MUSEUM FUER GESTALTUNG ZURICH/HANDOUT, FX JAGGY sda-ats
This content was published on February 2, 2024 – 7:50 p.m. February 2, 2024 – 7:50 p.m
(Keystone-SDA)
The important Swiss designer Hans Eichenberger is dead. The creator of numerous furnishings for banks, restaurants, shops and SBB carriages as well as a ski binding died at the age of 97.
Eichenberger most recently lived in a retirement home in Bremgarten near Bern. He died there on January 6th, as his daughter told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Friday. She confirmed an online report from the Tamedia newspapers.
The carpenter and draftsman, who was born in 1926 in Gross Höchstetten BE and had his own studio, shaped Swiss living culture, especially in the 1950s to 1960s. According to his designs, furnishings and furnishings were created in a straightforward, modern style. His work includes, among other things, more than 35 chairs and armchairs, including the Expo armchair (1964) and the Saffa chair (1955).
Eichenberger, who described himself as a “non-academic designer,” also designed furniture for restaurants, shops, bookstores and banks. His work has been exhibited several times in well-known institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) in New York, the Museum of Design in Zurich and the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein (D).
Car with blue and red fabric upholstery
For years he worked in development teams for SBB wagons and ski safety bindings. His train cars with seats covered in blue and red fabric became famous. From 1966 to 1980 he developed safety bindings with the ski manufacturer Head.
In 2016, at the age of 90, Eichenberger received the Swiss “Grand Prix Design” for his “pioneering role” in the Swiss history of 20th century furniture design and interior architecture. He had already won the Swiss Design Prize in 1954, 1957 and 1958.