Esther Zumsteg – Herzog & de Meuron

Esther Zumsteg is Curator-at-large and Director of the Jacques Herzog und Pierre de Meuron Kabinett, Basel. She established the kitchen – a multidisciplinary team that works on exhibitions, books, publications, and on special projects extending from the complete works of the architectural practice. The development of open, experimental approaches and platforms for the presentation, communication and documentation of the current active projects and completed archive projects of Herzog & de Meuron are at the core of these activities.

Since joining the practice in 2000, Esther has committed herself to exploring strategies and concepts for exhibitions and monographs, extending to collaborations with other disciplines. She led the creation of H&dM’s documentation and communication departments, both of which have grown into independent business areas today. As Partner in Charge she was responsible for the conception of the first H&dM website and continued the development of the publication of H&dM’s complete work in book form. A logical consequence of these focal points was the implementation of a strategy for the archive of H&dM and finally the conception and continued stewardship of the Kabinett as a living laboratory.

Esther was a Senior Partner and served as a member of the Strategic Board from 2018-2023, was a Partner from 2009-2018, and was Head of Communications from 2003 to 2014. She has been a member of the Kabinett’s Foundation Board since its inception in 2015.