The people and places shaping Basel

This guide offers unique insight into some of those who are shaping Basel today and the chance to explore and immerse yourself in their worlds. From chefs and designers to watchmakers and architects, what unites all of these people are their mindset and the deep care that they have for what they do – something that UBS shares too.

The interactive map below includes the selection of places we’d recommend visiting throughout Art Basel.

How to stay ahead of your time

While DuBois et fils has always kept its exclusivity and focused on time-honoured Swiss manufacturing, today it is a company facing firmly towards the future and a pioneer of blockchain technology.

A taste of refinement

Despite becoming Basel’s best-known chef and picking up two Michelin stars for her restaurant along the way, Tanja Grandits remains hands-on and assiduous in her work.

Meticulously honing the process

Whether producing bronze casts via traditional, lost wax processes, creating large-scale steel structures or 3D scanning, the Kunstbetrieb foundry’s ethos centres on close collaboration with artists. All manner of craftspeople are brought together under…

The pursuit of elegance

Nadine Fink’s jewellery brand, Nana Fink, joyfully combines art deco influences with modern sensibilities, demonstrating a mastery of sophistication that is never at risk of being boring.

Designing a world of possibilities

The driving force behind Stefan Senn’s designs has always been what the carpenter has been missing in his own life – and the realisation that others might be in need of those things too.

Defining good taste

Ginsberg and Früh are much less guided by trends and favourite eras than they are their personal preferences. It’s perhaps why they have become Basel’s unofficial arbiters of taste.

Designs for life

Architects Emanuel Christ and Christoph Gantenbein are soon to publish a monograph of the sketches and plans from their projects that were never built. It’s a testament to their general approach: deep, studied learning…

Improving on tradition

Founded in 1753, the biscuit-maker Jakob’s Basler Leckerly is one of Basel’s – and, indeed, Switzerland’s – most historic companies.

Modernising a time-tested craft

Over the past 20 years, Matteo Gonet’s eponymous glassworks has established a rolodex of impressive clients in the worlds of art, design and architecture. While the drama of delicate glass emerging from fiery kilns…

Pushing the boundaries of flavour

We’re not just serving food; we want to tell stories with what we serve, through presentation, preparation methods and flavours. Our favourite events happen in intimate settings.”