LAUFEN at Swissbau 2026 Basel

From 20 to 24 January 2026, LAUFEN took part in Swissbau with a stand concept that placed water at the centre of a poetic and immersive experience. 

Conceived under the guiding theme EVERY DROP MATTERS, our presentation explored water as the origin of life and as a defining element of contemporary living spaces. Design, innovation and attentiveness came together in a stand that invited visitors to slow down and engage with LAUFEN through all senses. 

At the heart of the stand was a staged fountain with an expressive drop installation. Visitors were welcomed with a drink, marking the beginning of an interactive journey through which our brand and product highlights could be discovered intuitively and sensorially. The stand concept was developed in collaboration with atelier 522, creating a space defined by clarity and lightness, oscillating between concealment and revelation. Water became a ritual and a source for a new understanding of living space, quiet yet intense in its presence. 

Along the exhibition route, a range of product highlights was presented. With VOLTA, the washbasin collection developed in collaboration with Yves Behar, we celebrated the natural flow of water alongside the use of solar energy in the firing process, enabled by the world’s first emission free electric kiln. Water, warmth and air were also central themes within the CLEANET family of shower toilets, whose functions could be experienced directly on site. The PRO collection, which has represented a holistic approach to bathroom design for two decades, was shown in its latest evolution with PRO X, continuing this success story into its third generation. 

We also marked the expansion of our premium portfolio with VITREON steel, a glazed steel material that combines the strength and malleability of steel with the durability and chemical resistance of glass. Defined by refined geometries, precise edges and a distinctive tactile quality, VITREON steel reinforces the washbasin area as a flexible and expressive design zone within the bathroom. Alongside this material innovation, we also presented solutions focused on functionality and everyday use, including installation systems such as RAIA and INEO, as well as products for the shower and kitchen environments, where VARA systems and kitchen taps illustrated different ways of experiencing water in daily life. 

Sustainability was embedded not only in the narrative of the stand, but also in its construction. With a total weight of around 105 tonnes, the Swissbau 2026 stand reflected a substantial architectural presence, developed through a conscious approach to material reuse and reconfiguration. Around 90 percent of the materials employed were reused at least once, including structural elements for floors, walls and ceilings, as well as components repurposed from previous exhibitions such as ISH 2025. Wood structures, aluminium profiles and cabling were largely reused and newly adapted, underlining a circular mindset in temporary architecture, where scale, design ambition and responsible use of resources were addressed together. 

The sensory journey concluded once again with pure water. As a quiet source of strength, it accompanied visitors beyond the stand, leaving a lasting moment of mindfulness.