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NEWS
BIG wins contest to design bespoke watch museum in Switzerland
POSTED 16 Jun 2014 . BY Katie Buckley
The structure by BIG is an intricate spiral pavilion, like the movement of a fine time piece Credit: BIG
Danish architectural practice, Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG) has won a contest to expand the world famous head quarters of luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet in Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, to include a new design museum.

The 2,373 sq m (7,785 sq ft) pavillion will be built to match the story-telling purpose of the structure, which aims to open as a museum dedicated to Audemars Piguet’s history.

Seeing off fierce competition from top international firms - including Snohetta and Richter Dahl Rocha - BIG’s winning intertwined spiral design aims to bridge the gap between architecture and watchmaking as the design is influenced by that of a watch.

Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 and has been fashioning luxury timepieces ever since. Based in Switzerland –the watchmaking capital of the world – the brand wants to expand it’s historic headquarters to include a design museum. In a statement, Bjarke Ingles (BIG) commented that the project would be a “pavilion for the art and science of watchmaking that is conceived as storyline for the visitors – every element governed by the functional requirements of the exhibition, while appearing as a striking sculpture conceived in a single gesture.”

By marrying the two disciplines of watch crafting and architecture, the enticing spiral structure appears to be the perfect place to showcase extraordinary craftsmanship and keep the company's legacy alive and accessible to the public.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
BIG wins contest to design bespoke watch museum in Switzerland
POSTED 16 Jun 2014 . BY Katie Buckley
The structure by BIG is an intricate spiral pavilion, like the movement of a fine time piece Credit: BIG
Danish architectural practice, Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG) has won a contest to expand the world famous head quarters of luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet in Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, to include a new design museum.

The 2,373 sq m (7,785 sq ft) pavillion will be built to match the story-telling purpose of the structure, which aims to open as a museum dedicated to Audemars Piguet’s history.

Seeing off fierce competition from top international firms - including Snohetta and Richter Dahl Rocha - BIG’s winning intertwined spiral design aims to bridge the gap between architecture and watchmaking as the design is influenced by that of a watch.

Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 and has been fashioning luxury timepieces ever since. Based in Switzerland –the watchmaking capital of the world – the brand wants to expand it’s historic headquarters to include a design museum. In a statement, Bjarke Ingles (BIG) commented that the project would be a “pavilion for the art and science of watchmaking that is conceived as storyline for the visitors – every element governed by the functional requirements of the exhibition, while appearing as a striking sculpture conceived in a single gesture.”

By marrying the two disciplines of watch crafting and architecture, the enticing spiral structure appears to be the perfect place to showcase extraordinary craftsmanship and keep the company's legacy alive and accessible to the public.
RELATED STORIES
MORE NEWS
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, UK.
McKinsey: 84 per cent of consumers say wellness is a top priority
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of Wellness 2026 research report.
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Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Balanced Body

Balanced Body is the global leader in Pilates equipment and education. Founded nearly 50 years ago, [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 


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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS