Sketches and drawings in focus: insights into the multifaceted design and development process of Swiss firm DEON Architekten

The archive of Lucerne-based firm DEON Architekten contains beautiful sketches and drawings in a range of techniques such as charcoal, ink, pencil, and marker, on drawing or tracing paper and on plans. Many of these sheets are collaborative works, created in dialogue-based design within the firm, with external partners, and with clients. The diversity is vast and sometimes surprising, and they all illustrate that drawing is a brilliant tool for the development of ideas.

Sketches and drawings are the main lens through which this first full monograph on DEON Architekten's work explores 19 of their buildings and projects from the years 2000 to 2025. They range from a minor intervention in an existing structure to major industrial plants, from remodeling a private residence to a large housing development, research commissions, and submissions to public competitions. Divided into four chapters Shape, Building Redevelopment, Interaction, Large Form the volume focuses on the diverse processes that characterize the construction of architecture, the joint search for solutions, the flow of design. Sketches and drawings are reproduced in true size and supplemented with plans, visualizations, and photographs. These lavish visuals illustrate DEON Architekten's design process and realized buildings.

Autorentext

Hansjürg Buchmeier ist Bildhauer, Fotograf und freischaffender Künstler. Er lehrte von 2009-2022 am Institut Architektur der Hochschule Luzern, wo er für den Teilbereich der Visuellen Gestaltung verantwortlich war.

Luca Deon ist Architekt und Gründer von Deon Architekten in Luzern. Er lehrte 1999-2024 als Dozent am Institut für Achitektur der Hochschule Luzern.

Peter Omachen ist Architekt und war 2001-2023 als Denkmalpfleger des Kantons Obwalden tätig. Seit 2001 lehrt er als Dozent an der Hochschule Luzern.