The workshop was founded in 1947 by Ernst Zimmermann, who returned from the war determined to build something lasting. He established our first location in a converted barn outside Interlaken, where he could source timber from sustainably managed forests he'd known since childhood.
His daughter Margrit joined him in 1968, bringing formal design training from Basel. She introduced the clean lines and functional minimalism that now define our aesthetic, proving that traditional joinery techniques could serve contemporary needs.
Today, Margrit's son Andreas leads our team of seven craftspeople. Half learned their trade through our apprenticeship program, ensuring techniques refined over decades pass to the next generation.
Every piece of timber we use comes from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. We maintain relationships with foresters who plan harvests years in advance, selecting trees marked for thinning rather than clear-cutting.
Our workshop still relies on hand tools for final fitting and finishing. Power equipment speeds rough milling, but human judgment determines final dimensions and surface quality.
Clients receive weekly progress updates during production. We encourage workshop visits at any stage so you can see your commission taking shape and understand the care invested in each step.
Our workshop team brings together different perspectives on woodworking. Some trained in traditional cabinetry, others in architectural millwork. This diversity strengthens our approach to complex commissions.
We maintain a low commission volume intentionally. Each craftsperson works on three to five pieces simultaneously, allowing time for wood movement adjustments and finish applications that require days of drying between coats.
We relocated to our current facility in 2003 when growing commission demand outpaced our original barn workshop. The new building incorporates passive solar design and geothermal heating, reducing our environmental impact while maintaining stable humidity for wood storage.
Our timber inventory includes oak, walnut, cherry, and ash aged for minimum two years. We also maintain a reserve of reclaimed wood salvaged from demolished barns and chalets, offering pieces with unique character and history.
Modern furniture manufacturing optimizes for speed and cost. Factories output thousands of identical units designed to sell quickly and dispose of easily when trends shift.
We optimize for longevity and adaptability instead. Our pieces use joinery that can be disassembled for moving, repaired when damaged, and refinished as wood surfaces wear. This approach requires more time initially but eliminates the replacement cycle that defines mass-market furniture.
When you commission custom work, you're making a decision that affects your home for decades. We take that responsibility seriously.