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Atelier’s Robert Adrian Wettstein
Josefstrasse 188, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
E-mail: robert(at)wettstein.ws

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Biography Robert Adrian Wettstein

I live and work in Zurich, Switzerland. My studio is centrally located in the city and close to a green park. I work in product design, lighting design and furniture. My work is therefore related to space and involves many artistic techniques, such as photography and painting. I work as a lecturer and mentor at the Zurich University of the Arts. My mother tongue is Swiss German.

Member of the Board: Design Biennale, Zurich & Netzwerk Design Geschichte, Zurich.

About this site

This site contains Robert Wettstein’s design and art portfolio. It features self-initiated projects and commercial projects. 

Robert Adrian Wettstein, born Zurich, 1960

Trained in orthopaedic technology. Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) Design,Art & Inovation, 2009, Basel FHNW. Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), “Material and art techniques” 2018, Zürich ZHdK / SIK (Schweizerische Institut für Kunstwissenschaft)
Own practice and workshop since 1985. Structure Design established 1986.
“Studio Robert A. Wettstein” and “Structure Design” are his own trademarks.
Since 2002 lecturer for ideation / design thinking at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)

2023 Studio market for unique pieces and prototypes at Josefstrasse 188, Zürich.

Lecturer: ZHdK Industrial Design, CAS Atmospheric Design;

Past: Interior Design Development Programme IKEA & ZHdK. Fachrichtung Trends & Identity, ZHdK.

Publication of Robert Wettstein:

“Gefühltes Design” (2009) the ideation method of “fact finding” is described in detail.

“Der Landistuhl im Detail” an analysis of the iconic Landi chair.

Selection of exhibitions and events:

2022 “Design without borders” group show at Kiscell Museum Budapest, curated by Szilvia Szigeti; Part of the group show “RAW SENSES” at Zürich Design Weeks; “Design Galerie im Museum” group show at Gewerbe Museum Winterthur; Second Nature Galery, COUNTER VIEWS group show, St. Moritz.;Finalist and participant in the exhibition and Video “Paper on Skin” Tasmania, Australia.

2021 „Inspired by Switzerland“ Participation with a wooden cutlery at Decorative Art Museum Moscow, curated by Gabriela Chicherio. May 2021, a 30 year old pilot chair is one of the first vintage chairs minted as NFT.

2020 Vienna Design Week in cooperation with OKRO & Pro Helvetia ; DESIGN DAYS LAUSANNE, „Inspired by Switzerland“ at Viceversa Galerie curated by Gabriela Chicherio.

2019 „Rebellische Pracht – Design-Punk statt Bauhaus“ Museum Marta Herford. OKRO Gallery Chur “Lieblinge”

2018 “Kunst: Szene Zürich 2018” Artspace Shedhalle, Rote Fabrik. Project Semaphore Help

Armory Artweek, New York at Artbox Project. Participation with: Cloud lamp.

2017 Kunst(Zeug)Haus, Rapperswil. “Cottidiana-Perspektiven des Alltäglichen”. Participation with: Pilot Chair.

“20 YEARS SALONESATELLITE. Planets and Stars of new creativity” at Fabbrica del Vapore Milan from April 4th 2017. * Participation with: Bastian Easychair.

2016 „Venice Design 2016* Palazzo Michiel, Global Art Affairs Foundation. Participation with: Summerfiber Easy Chair.

2012 Take a Seat. Espresso, Red Bull, Campari Soda and Red Wine Chair, Auction at “Z am Park” Zurich.

2013 Artgenève 13, Salon international d’art, Geneva at Lullin+Ferrari. „THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT“ at Helmrinderknecht contemporary design gallery. Designers Design at „Neue Räume 13“

2011 “Möbliert” Solo Show at Galerie am Hirschengraben. Catch of the Year 3, at Artspace Dienstgebäude, Zürich.

2010  „L’eco delle Vanità“ Plusdesign Gallery Milan, Italy;“13,798 grams of design“ curated by Maria Cristina Didero e Susanna Legrenzi* Lambrate Artproject Millan, Italy; „Sostenibilita a tutto Vapore“ at Fabbrica del Vapore Milan, Italy curated by Ottagono Magazine*; Catch of the Year 2, Dienstgebäude, Zürich.

2009 „Springline“ Plusdesign Gallery Milan, Italy; Kunstzeughaus Rapperswil, Switzerland. „Shaping the New Century“ European Design Since 1985, Indianapolis Museum of Art Indianapolis, USA*.

2004 Design Miami/Basel Galerie P.C Neumann; „Avverati, a dream come True“ curated by Beppe Finessi, Cosmit Milan, Italy*

2006 Art Basel Furniture Partner Gallery Massimo DeCarlo Milano. Interieur 2006 Kortrijke Belgium „Guest of the Guest“ at the Alfredo Häberli’s solo exhibition;Interieur 2006 Design for Europe.

2004 „Cris Cros“ Swiss Design Gewerbemuseum Winterthur, Switzerland.„Design-Ikonen des 20. Jahrhunderts“ Sottsas und die Folgen…Kunstkreis Hameln, Germany. „Beutelbau“ Backsteinprojekt Lüneburg: public space project , Lüneburg, Germany.

2003 „Deutschlandreise international“ Köln, Germany; „Welness-Design“ Vitra-Workshop Domaine de Boisbuchet, France. „Swiss Design – traditionaly progresive“ at Totem Gallery, New York, USA;  „Swiss Design – traditionaly progresive“ 5. Biennale for Architekture Sao Paolo, Brazil.

2001  „Download Remix“ by Alfredo Häberli*, Ambiente Frankfurt a.M. Germany; „Transparente“ Salonesatellite Milano, Italy; Galerie „Einzigart“ Zürich. Single exhibition; „Puls“ selected Swiss Designers at „neue Räume 01“

2000 „Europalette“ Swiss Center Milan, Italy; „change.to/comfort“ Salonesatellite Milano, Projekt; „Design for Europe“ Biennale Interieur 2000 Kortrijk, Belgium*.

1999 „Black Schwarz“ Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Lausanne, Switzerland.

1998 „Der Hang zum Mini“ miniature Furniture edition Mus‘ign Bad Essen, Germany

1997 „Dea“ Design Europeo Anteprima, Spazo Zeus Milan, Italy*.

1996 „Design im Wandel“ Ueberseemuseum Bremen, Germany *

1995 „Kindsize“ Möbel für Kinder. Ausstellung der Messe Frankfurt, Germany,*

1994  „Polstermöbel und Schaukelleuchten“ Mus’ign, Design Museum* Single exhibition, Bad Essen, Germany.

1993  „The minimal animal interior“  Galerie Dilmos Milano, Italy. Single exhibition. „Design Preis Schweiz“ Kunstmuseum Solothurn, Switzerland.*

1992 „Transmöbel 5“ FS Coaches at Porta Genova, Milan, Italy. „Kreaturen“ Galerie Papenheim Zurich,Switzerland, Single exhibition.  „Design in Europa“ Kunst und Museumskreis Bad Essen, Germany.

1991 „Nomadi“ FS Coaches at Porta Genova, Milan, Italy. „Mehrwerte Schweiz und Design die 80iger“ Museum f. Gestaltung Zürich, Switzerland.

1990  „Geordnete Arbeiten“ Galerie Hiltrud Jordan Köln,Germany. Single exhibition. „Oggetti Inattesi“ Studio Scalise, Neapel. Italy. Single exhibition.

1988 „Café Diesel“ Installation Ansaldo Milan, Italy, Single exhibition.

1986  „Wohnen von Sinnen“ Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf, Germany*; „Erkundungen“ Int. Design-Congress and Exhibition, Stuttgart, Germany*.

1985 „Barockoko der Hang zum Gesammtkunstgewerbe at Möbel Perdu, Hamburg, Germany.

*with catalogue

Museum purchase:

The clothstand „Herz“, the lamp „Spunk“ and the chair „Echo“ purchased by the Art Museum Duesseldorf 1987.
The egg cup „twinset“ purchased by the Musee d.Arts Decoratifs Lausanne 1999 , Museum für Gestaltung Zürich; 2005 Co-Pilot Paperchair purchased by Robert Wilsons Watermill Collection New York, 2007 „Tristan“ „Pilot“ at Peter und Elisabeth Bosshard, Swiss Contemorary Art Collection, Kunstzeughaus; 2009 „Herz“ and „Tristan“ Indianapolis Museum of Art, Design Collection.  Some early works are now in the Archiv der Avantgarden (AdA) Dredsen, Germany. Collection Egidio Marzona.

Publications:


“Gefühlscollagen, Wohnen von Sinnen”, Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf, DuMont Verlag 1986,
Kunstforum Band 82, 1986;
Wind (Japan);
International Design Yearbook 9 /1994 by Ron Arad;
Sourcebook of modern furniture‎ by Jerryll Habegger, Joseph H. Osman, W. W. Norton & Company 2005;
International Design Yearbook 11/ 1996 by Alessandro Mendini;
1000 Chairs, Peter & Carlotte Fiell, Taschen 1997;
Designing the 21st Century by Peter & Charlotte Fiell, Taschen 2001;
International Design Yearbook 17 by Ross Lovegrove 2002 ;
„More Paperwork“ by Nancy Williams, Phaidon 2005;
Mobili italiani contemporanei /Contemporary Italian furniture, Cristina Morozzi, Silvio San Pietro, Edizioni L’archivolto Milan 1996;
“kid size”, The Material World of Childhood, Vitra Museum Hatje Cantz 1997;
„The eco-design handbook“ by Alastair Fuad-Luke, Thames & Hudson 2002;
ecoDesign: The Sourcebook, Alastair Fuad-Luke  Chronicle Books 2006;
Designmai 03 Berlin;
“Design Encyclopedia” The Museum of Modern Art by Mel Byars 2004;
European Design Since 1985: Shaping the New Century by Craig Miller, Merrell 2009;
Eco & co, Editrice Compositori 2010.
Blackbox Publikation Zürich: “WIE MACHE MALE BAUE SCHREIBE GESTALTE ICH ?” 2013.
2016 Time Space Existence. European Cultural Center. “Venice Design 2016” Editor Global Art Affairs Foundation.

Contact: Atelier’s Robert Adrian Wettstein
Josefstrasse 188, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland
E-mail: robert(at)wettstein.ws

Links:

>Robert Instagram

>LinkedIn

>Robert on Pinterest

> Saatchiart

>Robert Wettstein’s Structure Design @ Architonic