Go Back
As snow gently blankets Zurich, the city takes on an air of serene elegance. In this tranquil winter scene, the Museum für Gestaltung on Ausstellungsstrasse appears as a warm beacon of culture. Its crisp, white modernist façade, dusting of snow on its clean lines, hints at the treasures inside. Just minutes from Hauptbahnhof, this historic 1930s building is itself a design icon: “an outstanding example of Swiss modernist architecture”.
In winter light the museum’s exterior reads like a sculptural statement. Erected in 1933 as part of Zurich’s Arts & Crafts School, the building combines form and function. High ceilings and wide galleries, now glowing with warm light against the cold, reveal its heritage: Adolf Steger and Karl Egender designed every detail for aesthetic economy. Architecture buffs can even join a specialized tour or private guide to appreciate this must-see landmark up close. In winter’s calm, one can almost hear the hush of history in the halls.
Within these serene galleries, the focus is on Swiss creativity. The “Collection Highlights” exhibition, for instance, showcases everyday objects that became design legends: the sleek Rex peeler, the classic Victorinox Swiss Army knife, and even the Swiss-born “Helvetica” typeface. These humble icons underscore how Swiss luxury often lies in clever simplicity. Farther along, a gallery project called 6 Rooms × 6 Positions invites contemporary Swiss designers to reimagine period rooms, a dialogue between history and the avant-garde. Upstairs, the museum walls bloom with about 80 poster prints, offering a curated glimpse of the world’s largest poster collection. This archive counts over 330,000 original posters, making even a stroll through the hallway feel like a global cultural tour without leaving the warmth.
In winter 2025 the museum’s exhibitions add extra sparkle. The ongoing “Museum of the Future – 17 Digital Experiments” (open through Feb 1, 2026) transforms the space into an immersive lab investigating how digital and AI technologies can animate exhibits. And for holiday flair, the building itself becomes an installation: an interactive light display, “Reactive Signs, Digital Digits”, has its upper windows counting down to New Year’s, digits morphing with the passerby’s shadow. These creative showcases, from vintage posters to futuristic projections, ensure that even a snowy evening at the museum feels vibrant and exclusive.
After browsing, Zurich’s winter finds its quiet pleasure in the museum’s lounges. The Swiss Design Lounge, furnished with plush armchairs, invites you to linger with a hot drink by the window. Nearby, the museum café serves a seasonal, regionally-sourced menu, think rich mulled wine or hot chocolate and Alpine-inspired bites, perfect for warding off the chill. In the sunlit gift shop, an elegant selection of treasures awaits: select poster reprints, design books and limited-edition Swiss objects make for sophisticated souvenirs or gifts. Collectors will appreciate finding unique items, perhaps a rare print to grace the home library or a sleek gadget from a local designer.
For the discerning traveler, the Museum für Gestaltung can be much more than a casual stop. Private group tours are available on request, allowing art lovers to delve into the archives or current exhibitions with an expert guide.
In sum, the Museum für Gestaltung (Ausstellungsstrasse) embodies the ethos of Winter in Switzerland with CINCH: refined, atmospheric and steeped in local artistry. Here, the pristine stillness of a Swiss winter day is echoed by elegant spaces and inspiring exhibits. For global tastemakers, collectors, aesthetes, jet-setters or culture insiders, it serves as a crystalline reminder that Switzerland’s high life is as much about design and thoughtfulness as it is about alpine grandeur. A visit feels like a scene from a stylish winter travelogue, where every detail speaks of craftsmanship, comfort and enduring elegance.
© All imagery courtesy of Museum für Gestaltung Zürich
