V-ZUG Stories and Inspiration

Design and architecture

Inspiring personalities from the world of architecture, design and art discuss the future of spaces and objects in a fast-paced and ever-changing world.

In the middle of a retail revolution, physical showrooms are still a thing. This is why, in an increasingly digital world, V-ZUG commits to real life through the V-ZUG Studio – a place to experience the brand, interact with the products, and have inspiring conversations on food, design and new ways of living. We spoke with Gabriel Castelló Pinyon, Global Interior Art Director of V-ZUG.

HENRYTIMI is an Italian company named after its creator, Henry Timi: a celebrated artist and craftsman, and advocate for “art interiors”.

During Milan Design Week 2023, V-ZUG and Monocle hosted a series of intimate conversations on the future of design and production. Headlined by top names in the design industry, the V-ZUG x Monocle Talk series unpacks how we can improve quality of life through circularity.

With Milan Design Week 2023 coming to a close, we asked Martin, our V-ZUG Head of Corporate Design and Gabriel, our Global Interior Art Director to share their personal highlights with us.

Elisa Ossino and Stefano Roveda curated an interactive art installation exploring the concept of circularity. On show at V-ZUG’s soon-to-open studio in the heart of Milan, the experiential artwork is inspired by the 65th anniversary of the brand’s iconic Adora washing machine. It represents the company's relentless activities to achieve a truly circular economy.

The renowned Swiss architect, Valerio Olgiati, spends winters in Flims (GR, Switzerland) and summers in his “Villa Além” in the Portuguese region of Alentejo. In this interview, he explains what has led to his architecture becoming more radical.

V-ZUG’s TechCluster Zug epitomises contemporary urban manufacturing rooted in the past.

Kitchen Talks

Acclaimed chefs talk about their views on the role of food in our society now and in the future. They share their own culinary journey and reveal the recipes they love to cook at home.

Emmanuel Stroobant was 16 when he had ‘a calling’ while working in one of Belgium’s best restaurants, l’Hostellerie Saint-Roch. Despite his plans of becoming a lawyer, he ended up opening a restaurant in Liège and then moved to Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Switzerland’s top chef Tanja Grandits is convinced that to have excellent ideas you need the freedom to think of them and the opportunity to develop without being put under pressure.

Andreas Caminada is one of the internationally best-known Swiss chefs. He achieves excellence by focusing on his strengths.

Qualified software engineer Zineb “Zizi” Hattab exploded onto the gastro scene in 2020 with her vegan restaurant KLE in Zurich. The career changer recognized early on that her true passion was creating delicious food.

Shared Inspiration

In a world that needs purpose more than ever, we curate meaningful stories through the work of writers, photographers and artists.

The factory goes vertical

While skyscrapers and high-rises have long existed for living and working, the idea of a vertical factory is less common. Already a pioneer in urban manufacturing, V-ZUG is now launching a six-floor factory: the Zephyr Ost.

The flavour of kindness

Since taking over the renowned restaurant Stucki in Basel fifteen years ago, Tanja Grandits has earned two Michelin stars with her unmistakable monochrome cuisine. But the monochrome touch is just one aspect of her culinary approach.

Where friendship meets success

For nearly two years now, Mammertsberg – a restaurant with a history spanning more than 100 years – has been run by Silvio Germann, Chef of the Year 2024, and renowned sommelier Giuseppe Lo Vasco. At the spectacular restaurant and hotel, located near Lake Constance, the two have created a culinary oasis and carved out a place themselves at the very top of the Swiss restaurant scene with a masterful combination of exquisite wines and refined dishes. In addition to their shared passion for food and wine, the two are also close friends – and this may be the most important secret ingredient to their success.

The shape of ideas

Creativity, agility, leadership, teamwork: these soft skills are often hailed as the keys to success in today’s marketplace. Yet, it’s when the abstract becomes tangible that a manufacturing company begins to thrive. A selection of objects and production tools found at V-ZUG’s headquarters, dating back from different eras of its history, remind us that ideas must take shape in order to become facts.

Gabriel Castelló Pinyon on the V-ZUG Studios

A design story by Elisa Ossino: V-ZUG Studio Milano

An artful fusion of innovative technology and natural materials. Elisa Ossino’s vision for the new V-ZUG Studio Milano is inspired by poetic simplicity and the collaboration with artist and artisan HENRYTIMI.

HENRYTIMI’s pure shades

HENRYTIMI is an Italian company named after its creator, Henry Timi: a celebrated artist and craftsman, and advocate for “art interiors”.

A menu to celebrate

This year marks 111 years since V-ZUG’s foundation. To celebrate this unique anniversary, we’ve decided to prepare a special menu, collaboratively created by some of the most inspiring Swiss chefs and influenced by our country’s heritage.

Andreas Caminada about intuition and innovation

Andreas Caminada has been a V-ZUG Ambassador for 15 years, and like the Swiss-based manufacturer, he is celebrating an anniversary. In 2024, his legendary Michelin-restaurant, Schloss Schauenstein, turns 20. But Caminada is not nostalgic at all, because for him, the only thing that counts is looking ahead to the future.

Human-driven automation

Automation is changing the way V-ZUG manufactures its products, but it’s people who still make the difference.

The Cedric Grolet phenomenon

Famous for his desserts in the shape of flowers and trompe-l’œil fruits, Cedric Grolet is a force to be reckoned with in the world of pâtisserie.

In the kitchen of Dominik Hartmann

30 years old, 17 Gault Millau points, 2 Michelin stars. These are the lucky numbers of Dominik Hartmann, enfant prodige of the new Swiss fine-dining scene.

Sandra Stöckli's path to victory

In August 2022, Sandra Stöckli won the overall World Cup in paracycling. And that is just the most recent podium in a career that started more by fate than by choice.

A forest is growing

A project that is only a small part of a larger sustainability strategy set to reduce emissions by 80 % within 2030.

Anne-Sophie Pic, the spirit of a dish

An aura of exception surrounds ten-time Michelin-starred chef Anne-Sophie Pic. But this self-taught chef can also reveal her fun and humble side, especially when she admits with a smile that she hasn’t always been able to cook like she can now.