Max Ernst Haefeli (1901-1976) – Swiss Architect and Designer

Advertisements
Haefeli chairs 1926 by Max Ernst Haefeli
Haefeli chairs 1926 by Max Ernst Haefeli

Max Ernst Haefeli (1901-1976) was a Swiss architect and furniture designer born in Zurich.

Biography

He worked in the Otto Bartning studio in Berlin between 1923-24.

1924— 25, joined his father’s architecture office, Pfleghard und Haefeli.

In 1925, he established his architectural firm.

In 1926, he designed the library’s refurbishment in Girsberger, Zurich, including the interior chairs and table.

In 1927, he was appointed head of the Swiss architects’ collective group.

Morris Chair 1927 by Max Ernst Haefeli
Morris Chair 1927 by Max Ernst Haefeli

He designed the Rotachhauser building, Wasserwerkstrasse, Zürich, in 1927—28, an early example of Switzerland’s Modern ‘Neues Bauen’ style and a breakthrough in Zürich architecture.

In the late 1920s, he worked closely with Ernst Kadler-Végeli and Swiss manufacturer Horgen-Glarus.

From 1928 to 1931, he was a planning team member for the 1931 Siedlung Neubühl in Zürich.

He was a teacher at the artisan school in Zürich and the Juventus Abendtechnikum.

Advertisements

1937 he co-founded the architectural firm Haefeli, Moser, and Steiger (HMS). HMS designed the Kongresshaus and the cantonal hospital in Zürich from 1942 to 1951. Haefeli was responsible for the hospital’s outer skin and interior spatial layout. Later projects included designing and constructing swimming pools, cemeteries, zoos, and commercial buildings.

Exhibitions

Work is shown in the ‘Form ohne Ornament’ exhibition of c1927 (chair and table models for Girsberger bookstore).

(Furniture) put in the store for production at ‘Das Neue Heim’ c1931 exhibition, Wohnbedarf Shop, Zürich.

Head of the Schweizer Architekten Collective, the ‘Weissenhof-Siedlung’ in Stuttgart, 1927 (mobilisation and accessories for several apartments, by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe).

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

Advertisements

More on Furniture Design

Atika (1987 – 1999) – Czech Design Group

Formed in 1987, Atika was aligned with the Anti-Design orientation of Archizoom, Alchimia, and Memphis in Italy. One of its goals was to support Post-Modernism, seeking an outlet for experimentation and new means of expression. Its expressive language used signs of symbolic meanings that referred to nature, society, and urban destruction.

Keep reading

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.