VIRTUARCH: Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence
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Check out the best moments of our 20 anniversary event!
On the evening of October 17th, 2023, the breathtaking skyline of Shanghai served as the backdrop for the grand celebration of VIRTUARCH’s 20th anniversary. The event took place at the iconic ROOF 325, located atop the Shanghai History Museum in People’s Square, marking two decades of architectural excellence. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the stage was set for an unforgettable evening.
In a festive atmosphere, guests were greeted on an elegant black carpet, flanked by four panels displaying projections chronicling 20 years of architectural brilliance and showcasing VIRTUARCH’s excellence in realizing industrial buildings, R&D centers, offices and schools.Â
A magical setting with an elegant black carpet welcomes the guests, featuring VIRTUARCH’s projects on display with the skyline of Shanghai as a background
Daniel Heusser, President of VIRTUARCH; Chiara Dossi, Operations Director of VIRTUARCH;Â Lisa Gregori, Stylist and Founder of AD MAIORAÂ
A handshake of a long cooperation: Daniel HEUSSER, President of VIRTUARCH; ZHANG Haitao, Director of the Architecture Department of VIRTUARCH; BUEHLER Liyang, one of the signature Industrial projects of VIRTUARCHÂ
Distinguished Speakers
The event opened with a speech by Mr. Daniel Heusser, President of VIRTUARCH, who set the tone for an evening celebrating two decades of architectural innovation.
Esteemed speakers graced the event with their presence. Mr. Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai, acknowledged VIRTUARCH’s significant contribution to the Swiss community and highlighted the importance of China for Swiss businesses and the footprint Swiss companies left on the development of China.
Mr. Sacha Bachmann, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai
Mr. Christian Sommer, CEO & Chairman of the German Centre for Industry and Trade Shanghai, a key figure in the Shanghai business landscape, gave an insight of his experience as client of VIRTUARCH and highlighted the ability of VIRTUARCH to create great workplaces for the German Centers in Shanghai and Taicang, as well as VIRTUARCH’s contributions also to the German community.
Lastly, Mr. Carlo Diego D’Andrea, National Vice President of the European Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC) and Board of the EUCCC Shanghai Chapter, emphasized the role of Italian creativity represented by Ms. Chiara Dossi, Operations Director, in VIRTUARCH’s success.
20 Years of Excellence Unveiled
The event celebrated VIRTUARCH’s journey, commencing with its establishment in 2003 in Switzerland. One of the first significant projects entrusted to VIRTUARCH’s subsidiary in China was the landmark EuroCampus project of the French and German Schools in Shanghai. VIRTUARCH took responsibility for the entire project in the role of Owner’s Representative, leading the project to success, being completed on time, under budget, and in good quality.
In 2004, VIRTUARCH took a monumental step by securing its first industrial project: the design of EMAG’s Taicang factory. This project was noteworthy not only for its technical complexity but also for the creative freedom it offered to design an industrial building inspired by traditional Chinese architecture.
In 2005, the first completed Industrial Project by VIRTUARCH in China, HAEFELE in Beijing, had its start of production.Â
In 2008, VIRTUARCH relocated to its current office at Suzhou Creek, witnessing the growth of some of the company’s key figures. Notably, Ms. Cathy Dou, who evolved from a Steel Structure Engineer to the Deputy Operations, Mr. Zhang Haitao, currently leading the Architecture Department, and Ms. Chiara Dossi, the Operations Director were already key pillars of VIRTUARCH’s team in China then.
The year 2010 marked a pivotal moment for China’s economy and Shanghai’s development, which VIRTUARCH keenly followed. The company’s involvement in the Expo 2010, particularly the project management for the Thai pavilion, showcased VIRTUARCH’s ability to get projects completed within strict deadlines.
By 2011, the factory of SULZER PUMPS in Suzhou was in full operation. VIRTUARCH could realize an industrial project that was technically very complex but was a landmark in terms of quality of workplace, sustainability, and architectural language.Â
Starting in 2016, VIRTUARCH ventured into international territories, exploring opportunities in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. By 2018, projects of VIRTUARCH have been realized in Vietnam, Korea, and Myanmar.
In 2019, VIRTUARCH opened an office in Bangkok, Thailand, to further strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia.
However, 2020 brought unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, including remote work, travel restrictions, and construction site closures. Despite these hurdles in China, VIRTUARCH continued to grow abroad and secured a significant project in Switzerland: The Innovation Center in Rapperswil, designed to house startup companies.
With China continuing to be the most important market of VIRTUARCH, with the biggest office and team located in the East Asian powerhouse Shanghai, more outstanding projects were completed, among them the new campus of DEHONG SCHOOL in Beijing, certainly the best school campus in Beijing at the moment.
The resilience and adaptability of VIRTUARCH were proven when we opened our first large industrial project in Thailand in 2023 where VIRTUARCH provided full EPCM services. Additionally, the company expanded its horizons by opening two offices in Switzerland, broadening its reach into Europe.
These 20 years of excellence were made possible by the tireless commitment, expertise, and passion of the entire VIRTUARCH team. The night was marked by the recognition of this dedication, with five awards granted to leading and outstanding employees.
Recognizing Contributions Beyond ArchitectureÂ
VIRTUARCH’s commitment extends beyond its expertise of getting high-quality projects done. SwissCham Shanghai, represented by its newly appointed General Manager, Ms. Vittoria Pesenti, acknowledged VIRTUARCH for its remarkable contribution to the Swiss community and Chinese society. Notably, the Longxing Kindergarten, initiated by Christian Guertler and Daniel Heusser as board members of SwissCham, was highlighted as an example of VIRTUARCH’s social responsibility.
A Night of Celebration and Engagement
The evening continued with a fun and engaging quiz, where guests had to guess eight questions related to interesting VIRTUARCH facts. Congratulations to all the guests who won prizes.
A fabulous Jazz band provided a soothing musical backdrop as guests enjoyed the night under the starlit Shanghai sky. The afterparty on the rooftop was a perfect way to continue the celebration in a relaxed and joyous atmosphere.
A special thanks goes to Eastant Communication & Events for the great organisation of this wonderful evening.Â
Building Better Futures Together
This unforgettable night celebrated not only VIRTUARCH’s remarkable 20-year journey but also provided an opportunity to express gratitude to clients, partners, and friends for their trust and support over the years.
VIRTUARCH looks forward to building better futures together for many more years, armed with two decades of architectural excellence, a dedicated team, and a commitment to innovation. The event was a testament to the enduring spirit of VIRTUARCH, a company that has proven its ability to adapt, evolve, and thrive in the face of challenges and changes in the architectural landscape. Cheers to 20 years of excellence and many more to come!
2003 – 2023 VIRTUARCH | 20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
VIRTUARCH is an international award-winning design and project management firm originating from Switzerland and with offices in China and Southeast Asia. With over 20 years of experience, we have successfully delivered more than 500 architectural and project management projects in China and across Asia.
If you are planning to build a new factory or would like to renovate your workspace environment, please feel free to book a call with us at info@virtuarch.net.
