Great start: ARCHITECT@WORK impressed on all levels in Zurich

The signs that this Zurich edition of ARCHITECT@WORK would be a great success were more than promising. The 176 available exhibitor spots were in higher demand than ever and sold out months before the show started. Equally impressive was the increase in visitor numbers, which this time reached 2,560. Beyond the numbers, the appeal of this unique trade fair format was clearly felt. This may be due in part to the biennial rhythm, which heightens the appetite for innovation, and also to ARCHITECT@WORK’s ongoing commitment to integrating fresh faces, exciting themes, and new partners into its well-established concept.

2025 kicked off with a materials exhibition curated by revalu, the leading data and collaboration platform for resilient building design through intelligent material decisions. With the overarching theme of "Transformation," revalu showcased exceptional materials that represent an alternative, inspiring vision for a healthy, regenerative, and carbon-reduced future. The exhibition gained even more impact with the presence of Fabian Hörmann, architect and founder of YR22, who gave a keynote on "Transformation and New Material Cultures."

Speaking of lectures: the seminar series, curated and moderated by swiss-architects.com, drew large audiences eager to hear diverse perspectives on current design thinking. The speaker lineup included Sergio Marazzi, Stephan Popp, Franziska Plüss, Gabriele Demme, as well as Miriam Weyell and Anina von Ballmoos – a strong female presence on stage. Visitors could end their event tour with stimulating discussions in the exhibition area hosted by Hochparterre Bücher, the renowned architecture bookshop and a first-time partner of the Zurich edition.

This edition also once again featured feedback from both exhibitors and visitors – a valuable input to ensure future events remain top-tier experiences. Anina von Ballmoos praised the relevance of the topics presented: "To me, ARCHITECT@WORK is a great platform for interaction between planners and businesses. You can discover finalized projects as well as products still at the beginning of their design journey. It’s exciting to speak directly with developers, even if it ’s not for a current project – you remember it later, and it shows the incredible developments in building components, constructions, and materials."

Architect Frederik Gordt, a regular visitor, appreciated the variety of innovations: "Whether it's products or companies you’ve never seen before – that’s definitely a reason to come. I come not necessarily looking for concrete solutions, but to make contacts, meet people, and be inspired."

One exhibitor highlighted the fair’s fairness: "The booths are compact, equal for everyone, and that’s a big plus."

A visitor from the French-speaking part of Switzerland said she was curious to see what’s being offered in the German-speaking region: "As an architect, I value the exchange. I really liked the mix – it’s not only architecture, but also construction companies. That leads to great conversations about many topics. I was especially impressed by the project exhibition with contributions from around the world."

Good to know: New this year is the A@W Xperience digital platform – a special service from ARCHITECT@WORK. All innovations can be explored online, and all lectures are available on-demand. Additionally, the platform features expertly researched articles by international journalists covering various topics.

The next Zurich edition of ARCHITECT@WORK will return in two years, on May 12–13, 2027, opening the spring season of A@W in the DACH region. However, Switzerland won’t have to wait quite as long: the second edition of ARCHITECT@WORK Lausanne is scheduled for September 30 and October 1, 2026 – an important date on the Swiss trade fair calendar.