Houses for herbs
Ricola and the architects Herzog & de Meuron have been collaborating since the early 1980s. Over the years, the results of this inspiring dialogue have become widely known. For us, the ongoing partnership with Herzog & de Meuron is also a way to communicate what our brand is built on.
Take a quick look at some of our corporate architecture.
1983
Renovation of the Head Office:
The start of an architectural partnership
For Ricola's first expansion in 1951, a building once used as a temporary Catholic church was acquired and converted to house both our production and administration. Thirty years later, the interior no longer met the needs of our growing company. In 1983, the architects Herzog & de Meuron were commissioned to redesign the space. A decades-long dialogue began!
1985
Bakery Renovation:
Our brand heritage revisited
This is where it all began. Emil Richterich bought the bakery in 1924. In 1940, he converted it into a small factory and started producing herb drops. When it came to renovating our heritage building, Herzog & de Meuron went back to the original structure of the property. Like several other buildings in the town, it was divided into a barn and stable on one side and the living area on the other, each built from different materials. Knowing where we come from is part of who we are.
1987
Factory Building in Laufen:
Building a brand
Our new factory building in Laufen was a milestone. We were expanding and needed more space for processing and packaging. Building a factory might be all about functionality – for us, it was also about identity. Ricola comes from Laufen. So Herzog & de Meuron looked to the Laufen valley for inspiration.
They found the piles of wood from the old sawmills. That was it. So, the rear-ventilated weather protection facade of our new factory building was structured horizontally. Behind the facade, our herbal drops are prepared for distribution, which is quite a complex job. So, we wanted the exterior of the building to have a simple identity, but also to be surprising, just like the brand we were building.
1993
Packing and Distribution Building in Mulhouse:
Opening up
Our Ricola building on the southern edge of the city of Mulhouse is a warehouse and factory in one. It is a simple hall with a flexible floor plan and a convincing concept: it recalls a cardboard box lying on the floor with open flaps.
The cantilevered roofs on the two long sides open up to the landscape as well as to the entrance and the loading areas. They provide shade and protection. The short sides of the building are closed by a black concrete wall. Water from the roof runs down these black concrete walls and trickles into a bed of gravel, forming a fine film of plant life on the walls. So, nature has its say in our products as well as in our architecture.
1999
Our “Beehive”:
Welcoming nature
Our marketing department, which we now call the "Beehive", needed more space to meet the demands of a growing business. This meant a new office building with 35 workspaces and a conference room. It was built in the garden behind the old headquarters, but the architects had to make the most of the narrow plot. The new glass building, inspired by a garden pavilion, creates transparency while reflecting the surrounding nature. Trees, shrubs, and plants are now an integral part of the site.
The beauty and energy of the organic world surround us. Living and working in sustainable harmony with nature is also part of our DNA.
2014
Herb Centre Laufen:
Blending nature and architecture
Together with Herzog & de Meuron, we wanted to set new standards in sustainable industrial architecture. At the same time, we wanted the best for our Swiss herbs — a naturally ideal indoor climate. This is how the idea of the loam building was born.
As the central facility for our herb processing, our Herb Centre integrates key steps under one roof. The synergy of material and spatial design, combined with resource-saving production, maximises the energy efficiency of Ricola's production. The Herb Centre has become both a striking landmark and a source of inspiration for architects, engineers, and environmental specialists. For us, it is also a beautiful expression of our corporate philosophy.
Learn more about our architecture
Download the architecture guide “Seven Buildings” brochure.
