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Set in Basel’s Steinenvorstadt neighborhood, Art House Basel is a cultural touchstone with sustainability at its core. The contemporary structure, made from concrete, black marble, and sustainable natural stone, was built to Swiss Minergie standards. As such, the building was designed to be efficient with LED lighting and green fixtures. During construction, the team discovered building remains and alerted the Basel City Archaeology Department, which photographed and archived the artifacts. To inspire guests to explore the city sustainably, every guest is given a BaselCard, which offers discounts at cultural spaces and free use of local public transportation. As the city is a hub for art and artists, the hotel has launched a series of exhibitions that showcase the work of local creators.
The hotel was built according to Swiss Minergie standards using sustainable natural stone. During excavation, building remains were discovered, excavated, and archived by the Basel City Archaeology Department.
The hotel recycles waste, uses refillable toiletries, and chooses natural products instead of plastics wherever possible.
Due to the Swiss Minergie standard, the building requires far less energy. Energy-efficient devices and LED lighting are used in most cases. Instead of AC, the hotel installed an efficient ventilation system.
Tap water is clean and drinkable in Switzerland. In addition to in-room taps, a water system is installed in the first-floor lounge so that guests can always access filtered water.
The hotel works with regional partners to offer local products whenever possible. Most of the breakfast buffet consists of regional and organic goods.
Cultural collaborations are on offer, including a program of art exhibitions that showcase the work of local artists.
Thanks to a cooperation with Basel Tourism, guests are given a BaselCard, which offers discounts on many cultural and recreational activities.
The BaselCard allows guests to use public transportation free of charge throughout their stay, including travel to the hotel. The property is easily accessed via public transportation. E-bikes are also available to guests during their stay.
Art House Basel offers fair working conditions regarding hours, health, safety, and training opportunities and has a flat hierarchy to motivate employees to take on more responsibility.
We spoke with Antoine Faeh, the Original behind Art House Basel, to learn the latest on the hotel’s conscious journey.
We are constantly testing new possibilities to become more sustainable—there is always room for optimization. We work in close cooperation with our local suppliers to innovate and improve processes.
We work very closely with our local partners, including suppliers, museums, and Basel Tourism, and spearhead our own cultural initiatives. In 2023—for the first time—we plan to host an event where various local artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their art at our hotel. We would like to continue to facilitate such collaborations in the future.
The biggest hurdle is communication between the guest and the hotel. On the one hand, we want to meet the expectations of our guests but on the other hand, we expect them to be responsible with resources. To find the right balance, it is essential that we educate our guests and communicate our values so that there are no misunderstandings.
The Originals Antoine Faeh
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