The town of Biel-Bienne on the shores of Lake Biel is considered the cradle of Swiss watchmaking. It is home to the Art du Temps watch and jewellery boutique, which boasts a luxurious ambience. The aesthetic highlights include a free-floating spiral staircase and an exclusive unique fitting from Dornbracht.
With attention to detail
A listed building near Biel’s old town was extensively restored and returned to its original state for the boutique. To preserve the many details of the building as authentically as possible, the responsible studio Gebert Architekten relied on numerous high-quality natural materials, including clay, lime plaster, and linseed oil paints. Inside, wood, herringbone parquet flooring, hand-laid straw marquetry, and glass prisms create an artistic interior.
The centrepiece of Art du Temps is a free-floating spiral staircase, whose banister is illuminated by a custom-made chandelier and clad in brass. The warm golden colour can be found throughout the premises, ensuring aesthetic continuity and sophistication.
Unique customised design from Dornbracht
Like watch and jewellery designs, no facet of the bathroom design was left to chance. High mirrors, Italian ceramic tiles with a fine linear structure, and a dark wood washbasin create a stylish, cosy atmosphere. The exclusive Dornbracht fitting, which offers an unusual form of water flow, is an eye-catcher: a filigree pipe, in the Brushed Durabrass (23kt Gold) finish, protrudes from the wooden ceiling and allows the water to flow gently into a crystal bowl. The ensemble is completed by a handle in the Vaia design, which is integrated into the mirror.
The unique piece demonstrates the unimagined creative freedom opened by the German manufacturer’s new business model Dornbracht Atelier – and how personal wishes and visions can be translated into unique fitting designs.
Design highlight with a wow effect
“We wanted to create a wow effect in the bathroom with a very special solution, which is easily achieved with the floating spout and the brass elements,” explains Nick Schiess, Sales & Relationship Advisor at Art du Temps. “It is part of our philosophy to work with the best manufacturers and only use the highest quality products. Having worked in the sanitary industry myself, it was clear from the outset that Dornbracht was our first choice. The collaboration was very pleasant and focused. We were able to benefit greatly from the company’s many years of experience, which was particularly helpful during the planning stage,” says Schiess.
Location: Biel-Bienne, Svizzera
Design: Gebert Architekten
Brand/Finiture: Dornbracht Atelier (rubinetto custom, finitura Ottone spazzolato, Vaia)
Client: Art du Temps
Photo: Interiors Stöh Grünig – Exterior and bathroom Oliver Oettli