
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.

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.
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.
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