.
CHROMA - A Vibrant Experience of Swiss Design
Presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York at NYCxDESIGN 2025
April 17, 2025, New York, NY – Step beyond the everyday and into CHROMA, a fantastical, multi-sensory design installation presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland as part of NYCxDESIGN. Curated by Nadja Stäubli, the creative force behind Zurich-based design studio Sula, CHROMA transforms the Atrium at WSA 180 in Manhattan’s Financial District into a radiant universe of vibrant hues, playful exploration, and rich tactile experiences. The installation celebrates Swiss craftsmanship, featuring newly created interactive sculptures designed by Nadja Stäubli and produced by the Brooklyn-based design studio TWOSEVEN, alongside works by atelier oï, Röthlisberger, USM Modular Furniture, Jakob Schlaepfer, Sula, and more.
The materials throughout the space are meant to be touched. Each piece reels you in and encourages you to feel its story, bringing you closer to the impeccable craftsmanship and Swiss expertise that define these designs. Discover timeless pieces by atelier oï, Röthlisberger, and USM Modular Furniture, alongside the luxurious textiles of Jakob Schlaepfer. Original, soft, plush rugs by Sula invite you to linger, while lively curtains sway in the breeze, filling the space with a swirl of color and texture. Site-specific sculptures, designed by Stäubli and produced by the Brooklyn-based design/build studio TWOSEVEN, blur the lines between art and design, offering tangible, playful forms that encourage interaction and spark the imagination.
CHROMA is not just an exhibition—it’s an experience. Visitors are encouraged to explore and rediscover the joy of design as a full-body encounter. Each element is curated to highlight both Swiss tradition and innovation, combining craftsmanship with playfulness in surprising ways.
“Swiss design is often known for its precision and minimalism,” says Stäubli. “With CHROMA, we’re creating a world that’s just as refined, but also full of softness, movement, and color. It’s a space that welcomes curiosity and invites you to connect—through touch, through color, through play.”
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The installation will be accompanied by a series of public programs during NYCxDESIGN, inviting audiences to engage with the themes and collaborators behind CHROMA. Highlights include:
- Thursday, May 15
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Press Preview
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Opening Night Celebration
Featuring a live DJ set by DJ Sebastiao Loopes.
- Friday, May 16 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Interdisciplinary Approaches in Design Today
Co-hosted by Swissnex, CHROMA design collaborators will discuss the role of creative partnerships in shaping artistic practices with a focus on integrative dialogue.
- Saturday, May 17
Original Performance by Caroline Dartey
3:00 PM & 5:00 PM | Two short, site-specific performances created in response to the exhibition. Caroline Dartey is a dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and lives in NYC.
Please RSVP by email to chroma@vidoun.com. Specify the events you're interested in attending.
“Through CHROMA, we’re excited to spotlight Switzerland as a vibrant hub of design and cultural collaboration,” says Ambassador Niculin Jäger, Consul General of Switzerland in New York. “This installation reflects not only the excellence of Swiss craftsmanship, but also the spirit of openness, creativity, and exchange that defines our approach to design.”
# # #
ABOUT NADJA STÄUBLI & SULA
Founded by creative director Nadja Stäubli, Sula began as a personal art experiment and has grown into an international design studio known for bold, timeless rugs, textiles, furniture, and home objects. Nadja studied photography at Zurich University of the Arts and the School of Visual Arts in New York City, bringing her love of color and analog aesthetics into every facet of the brand. Combining function, quality, and contemporary design with global craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, Sula collaborates with artists, designers, and brands to create enduring pieces rooted in everyday life. Sula has been featured in Vogue, Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Forbes, and many more.
ABOUT THE SWISS CONSULATE IN NYC
The Consulate General of Switzerland in New York is committed to promoting and furthering the interests of Switzerland and its citizens in New York and the Northeastern United States. Moreover, the Consulate aims to raise awareness of Switzerland among the American public, emphasizing and amplifying #SwissImpact. For further details, please follow the Consulate’s social media platforms.
Credits:
Curator & Concept Design: Nadja Stäubli, Sula
Sculptural Production Partner: TWOSEVEN
Featured Designers & Brands: atelier oï, Röthlisberger, USM Modular Furniture, Sula
Fabrics: Jakob Schlaepfer
Scent & Fragrance Partners: dsm-firmenich, Soeder
Visual Identity: Johnny Graf with Dimitri Erhard
Scenic Visualization: Sergej Kop
Space: WSA 180
Presented by: Consulate General of Switzerland in New York
Special thanks to our design partners, collaborators, and sponsors:
WSA 180
180 Maiden Lane Atrium
New York, NY 10038
Press Preview & Opening Party
May 15, 2025
Press Preview 7 - 8 PM
Opening Party 8 - 11 PM
Open to the Public
May 16 - May 21, 2025
Hours
Daily from Noon - 7 PM
Press Contacts
Alexadner Galan
ag@vidoun.com
Max Battle
mb@vidoun.com