Nineteen seventy-eight marked the establishment of the architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron in Basel, Switzerland, by Jacques Herzog and his long-term collaborator, Pierre de Meuron. This partnership emerged from a shared history dating back to primary school and formal training at ETH Zurich, eventually yielding global recognition for projects that prioritize conceptual rigor over fixed stylistic conventions.
Foundations and Academic Influence
Jacques Herzog was born in Basel in 1950. His education began with a degree at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne before he returned to ETH Zurich for further study. Graduating in 1975, he remained at the institute as a teaching assistant to Dolf Schnebli. His early intellectual development was shaped by mentors including the architect Aldo Rossi and the artist Joseph Beuys. This academic grounding preceded his extensive teaching career, which included visiting professorships at Cornell University and Harvard University, as well as a long tenure as a full professor at ETH Zurich from 1999 to 2018.
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The firm founded by Herzog and de Meuron is noted for its ability to reconcile urbanism with pragmatic construction. Early works such as the 1987 Ricola Storage Building in Laufen established their reputation for experimenting with texture and materiality. This focus continued with the 1998 Dominus Winery in Napa Valley, where they utilized stone-filled gabions. Their projects, which range from cultural institutions to residential master plans, often emphasize a site-specific analysis that integrates environmental, social, and historical contexts.
Institutional Research and Collaboration
Between 1999 and 2018, Herzog co-directed the ETH Studio Basel – Contemporary City Institute alongside Roger Diener, Marcel Meili, and Christian Schmid. This research unit functioned as a laboratory for urban development, producing studies on Swiss landscapes and the transformation of cities. Herzog maintained a consistent dialogue with the arts throughout his career, occasionally collaborating with figures such as Rémy Zaugg and Ai Weiwei. His personal early work included video and installation pieces using unconventional materials like tar and asphalt, reinforcing a philosophy that treats architecture as a conceptual discipline.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Basel, Switzerland
- Education: ETH Zurich
- Practice: Herzog & de Meuron
- Pritzker Architecture Prize: 2001
- Academic Tenure: ETH Zurich, 1999-2018
- Member: Académie d'architecture
Questions readers ask
Which major award did Jacques Herzog receive in 2001?
He was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Where did Herzog conduct his academic research on urbanism?
He co-founded and led the ETH Studio Basel – Contemporary City Institute at ETH Zurich from 1999 to 2018.
Achievements
- Pritzker Architecture Prize
- Trained at ETH Zurich
