Posted: October 22, 2012
A winter holiday in the village of Zermatt conjures up images of old wooden chalets, rich fabrics and cozy nooks filled with alpine antiques. The history of hospitality in Zermatt runs deep, and with so many classic Belle Epoque hotels and renowned restaurants, it is hard to make a mark. Enter Heinz Julen - local artist, designer, architect, and hotelier who has set the standard for alpine modernity, by mixing surprising elements of old and new amongst his own furniture designs and artwork.
The Beginning:
Heinz’s visions have always loomed large in a surreal state. The juxtaposition of modern industrial and bucolic swiss mountain style existing on the same plane. In 1994, Heinz began his first full-scale design and build project, the View House, an apartment building featuring his signature style, with every aesthetic detail conceived by Heinz himself.
In 1997, he began his first hotel collaboration, the INTO, with its breathtaking suite complete with a hot tub that rose through the glass ceiling and hovered above the hotel. After a €27 million construction, the hotel was only open to the public for 7 weeks before being largely torn down. The shell exists today in the 5* Omnia Hotel.
Over the past 15 years, Heinz has made an unmistakable mark on the mountains of Zermatt, designing restaurants, hotels, private homes, and his iconic line of furniture.
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