It’s not really a museum. It’s more like Disneyland for creative adults.

The Vitra Campus in Basel might just be one of our favourite design and learning spots on earth. Viewed as a space of inspiration, the Vitra can transform even the bleakest viewpoint into an array of color and fascination. It’s a little bit factory, a little bit school, a little bit design lab, a little bit iconic destination, a little bit headquarters, a little bit conference center and a little bit monument. Plus it has a collection of iconic buildings by audacious architects such as:

Alvaro Siza - Spanning a 60+ year career, Siza is one of Portugals most admired architects who strikes a steady balance between “critical regionalism” and “poetic modernism;”

Zaha Hadid - She was an Iraqi-born, award-winning, British architect whose projects served as symbols of progress;

Frank Gehry - Known for his postmodern architecture, Gehry integrates unique designs and shapes into his work while being greatly influenced by his natural surroundings.

And that’s just a sample of the architecture masters. Beyond that it is also a working-home furnishings warehouse and the place where the classic Charles Eames “Lounge Chair & Ottoman” is manufactured.

Fortunately for us, a few folks on our team went on a field trip to visit the Vitra where they got a behind the scenes tour of the Vitra world, to understand how such beuatiful and timeless objects come to life.

Here’s Gleybe’s take on her top five Vitra Campus things that are worth knowing:

(1) Why is the Vitra worth understanding?

Just like how we form relationships with people, when you take the time to understand something you value different perspectives more. Taking a field trip to the Vitra allowed me to understand how things are made better not just through design, but through the overall experience. From how all the exhibits are well organized, to the great hospitality from the staff, to the daily happenings, everything is consistent. It’s just an overall good company doing overall good work.

(2) What is a word worth knowing?

Haus - It carries the same meaning as house in English. VitraHaus, built by Herzog & de Meuron, is Vitra’s main store and home. It was a cool word to see.

(3) Can you describe a space worth visiting?

The Vitrahaus, it’s a showroom where you can explore, tryout and purchase iconic furniture and design objects. It’s an interesting space because the Vitrahaus does not design its own pieces, everything is bought from brands or designers that are exclusive to Vitra. The pieces for sale are not sold anywhere else in the world.

(4) What is a question worth asking?

Who is Tadao Ando? This was a question I pondered when I saw the cool, smooth concrete of the Conference Pavilion at the Vitra Campus

(5) Can you describe an item worth purchasing?

If I could, I would buy everything. But my favorite item (which unfortunately I couldn’t purchase at the time) was the cork dove. I loved the design.

The last word: To be around this kind of iconic design, with such a holistic approach to design and the importance placed on the pre-design, not just the post-life of the object, was incredibly inspiring and gave new focus to matching design with experience in our work.

Slash Field Trip: The Vitra