Hosoya Schaefer Architects is an architecture office based in Zurich, founded in 2003 by Markus Schaefer and Hiromi Hosoya. The firm started as a collaboration between Swiss and Japanese architects, and currently employs 36 people. Their approach is rooted in addressing architecture as part of broader systems—considering context, time, and everyday life rather than focusing solely on form. They aim for restraint and precision, preferring structures that serve long-term use through careful material choice and attention to detail.
Their activities span building design, urban planning, media installations, strategic planning, and consulting. The firm has worked internationally, producing masterplans and public buildings, as well as smaller-scale interventions such as furniture and interior elements. High-profile projects include the HafenCity Elbbrücken and Wilhelmsburg Elbinsel urban quarters in Hamburg, Engadin Airport near St. Moritz, and the Tech Cluster Zug. They were awarded the Holcim Awards Acknowledgement prize in 2008 for sustainable design in Milan and have curated exhibitions, such as the Salon Suisse at the Venice Biennale.
Recent work investigates the intersection of architecture and craft, emphasizing durability and sustainable practices through collaborations with Japanese artisans. Their projects reflect a commitment to enabling patterns of use and supporting community life, rather than imposing predetermined solutions. The office maintains a consistent involvement from concept to completion, adapting each project to its specific conditions while engaging with an extensive international network.