Kurt Merki Jr. was born in Accra, Ghana, in 1978, and his journey into design began in his father's furniture factory. This early experience laid the foundation for his career, which took a significant leap when he moved to Switzerland in 1997. By 1999, he had passed his master craftsman's exam as a cabinet and furniture maker, marking the start of a promising career in design.
Kurt spent the next eight years working as an interior designer for various architectural firms in Zurich, where he honed his skills and gained valuable experience. In 2008, he moved to Milan to further his education at the Scuola Politecnica di Design, where he earned a master’s degree in interior and product design. His time in Milan also included a formative stint at Studio Antonio Citterio in 2009. By 2010, Kurt had returned to Zurich and launched his own design studio, embarking on a path of independent creation.
Throughout his career, Kurt Merki Jr. has made significant contributions to various fields of design. In product design, he collaborated with Duravit, creating the XSquare bathroom furniture series, which earned both the iF Design Award and Red Dot Award in 2019. His Vero bathroom furniture series was equally successful, receiving the Red Dot Award - Best of the Best, the Iconic Award, and the iF Product Design Award. Beyond furniture, Kurt played a pivotal role in the brand development of "Scent of Africa," designing its unique perfume bottle, which debuted globally in March 2022.
Kurt's influence extends to the retail sector, where he designed store concepts for Kochoptik and several global locations for Läderach Chocolatier Suisse, including their flagship store on New York’s iconic 5th Avenue.
In the realm of architecture, Kurt designed the new headquarters for Läderach Chocolatier Suisse in Bilten, which also features the House of Läderach—a chocolate museum and coffee shop. This project was recognized with the Swiss Location Award in 2021, affirming its status as an outstanding experience destination. Additionally, he has designed several private residences in Switzerland and Ghana, showcasing his versatility and expertise in architectural design.
In 2022, Kurt ventured into the yacht design industry, bringing a fresh and innovative perspective to luxury maritime design. His groundbreaking creation, the Symbiosis Yacht, launched in 2023, embodies a perfect blend of elegance and functionality. This achievement earned him international acclaim, culminating in his nomination and subsequent victory at "The International Yacht & Aviation Award 2024" for Interior Design, solidifying his status as a visionary in the industry.
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