Loading...
Inauguration of new Maison Davidoff took place on 25th of October in Basel on Nauenstrasse 73. I was honoured to be present at the opening ceremony.
THE NEW ERA HAS BEGUN AT THE HISTORICAL LOCATION OF THE COMPANY, AS THE HEADQUARTERS HAS BEEN LOCATED AT THIS ADDRESS SINCE 1930.
The modern, elegant and charismatic architecture has replaced the old building. The new Maison Davidoff was designed by Diener & Diener Architects in a way to reflect philosophy of the brand. Therefore, the new building has an open space concept inside and a glass facade with significant cigar-shaped concrete columns outside. Its dynamic and creative design totally represents the character of Oettinger Davidoff. Moreover, it fits organically into the city composition.
INAUGURATION OF THE MAISON IS NOT THE ONLY EXCITING NEWS FOR THE COMPANY. IN THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER, OETTINGER DAVIDOFF WELCOMED THE NEW CEO – BEAT HAUENSTEIN, AND THE NEW CHAIRMAN – DOMENICO SCALA.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Beat Hauenstein, Domenico Scala and Roger Diener and asking a few questions.
Mr. Hauenstein / CEO of Oettinger Davidoff
As the new CEO of Davidoff, what is your vision for the company?
There are two main things to consider: the first one is to identify our consumers’ needs, and to effectively translate these in retail. The second is reinforcing independency of Oettinger Davidoff as a family business. As you know, there is one type of fuel for independency – solid profits. We want to craft, improve and sustain profitability on a long term, including social responsibility.
Shall we expect changes in branding and/or marketing of Davidoff?
I see Davidoff as the innovation leader in our industry, when it comes to the premium hand-rolled cigars. We did a tremendous job, if you compare the products with how they looked and felt 5 – 7 years ago, thus, it’s about keeping the high standards and developing the processes within current regulations framework.
Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader?
I think, that would be my four children, as they are very native, they negotiate everything all the time. Leadership means you have to listen, have to understand and have to find the way to move forward, so to comprehend several parties is essential.
What is the biggest challenge for the company?
The industry is facing big changes. For example, regulations and transformations within the digital world. To define, develop and implicate the operating model of our premium cigar company within the future – that will be a big challenge. How we will communicate with our customers, how we can get their feedback and how to bring them closer to our products… Aficionados want to fill their precious time beautifully. And that is what we are offering – with cigars.
What motivates you?
The biggest motivation is passion for the product. Also, working day by day with a highly motivated team. We are facing together all the challenges and developments. This is incredibly inspiring.
Mr. Diener / Diener & Diener Architects
What is your design philosophy?
The specific qualities of the design can be attributed to the object’s form. However, the actual design process deals with questions that reach beyond form alone: our design process seeks to establish a correlation between the building project and the city’s social cohesion…
What was the idea and inspiration for the design of the new Maison Davidoff?
…The building at the Basel headquarters of Oettinger Davidoff establishes new conditions for the work and is also intended to express the inviting culture of Davidoff in the city. The shape of the building takes its articulation from the particular contour and arrangement of prefabricated load-bearing columns made of concrete.
Do you have any experience with “green” or sustainable design?
We already gave examples in different respect. In Aarau we designed a museum in accordance with Switzerland’s Minergie Modernisierung, Minergie ECO… The „Reuse“ of old buildings, another very important issue in sustainable design, can be seen most clearly in our extensions designed for historical buildings, such as the Swiss Embassy in Berlin, the City Museum Aarau, and the East Wing for the Museum of Natural History in Berlin.
More details about Davidoff you may find on their official website.
I wish Oettinger Davidoff team a long and successful life at the beautiful new headquarters.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me -> GET IN TOUCH.
