OUR STAY AT:
BÜRGENTSTOCK
HOTEL & SPA
Modern design was Jesse’s first love, a well-known fact for those who are familiar with his early works. And while he has since executed home designs across North America in a range of vernaculars, he still maintains a deep respect for impeccable examples within this stylistic category. The Bürgenstock Hotel is an example of this, and our stay was nothing short of memorable.
Our stay offered a grand example of architecturally significant surroundings, embodying several of Jesse’s design ideals at an impressive scale. For example, he believes a “modern” structure requires a deep commitment to the environment through every profile, fixture, and material application. This was well adhered to by any metric. It is not modern simply for the sake of aesthetics, but modern in its responsiveness to the site constraints.
The structure suavely works with the topography to its advantage, reflecting an incredible body of architecture and engineering to an extent that it feels gently placed in its natural setting. To further this intention, it is clad in local limestone in both smooth and rough formats to blend with the nature surrounding it.
”A MIND THAT IS STRETCHED BY A NEW
EXPERIENCE CAN NEVER GO BACK TO ITS
OLD DIMENSIONS.
— Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. 
This material continuity grounds the massing, making the large suspended wings feel anchored rather than foreign. The integration of the funicular tram leading to the ferry is another layer of this thoughtful masterplanning, ensuring that even the arrival experience prioritizes the views from the restaurants, lounges, and spa.
