Where Materials and Time Come to Life

Gewerbemuseum Winterthur has been around for 150 years – and it’s still cutting-edge. Located in the heart of Winterthur’s old town, just a 15-minute walk from the train station, its exhibitions explore the intersections of design, art and everyday life. Here, materials speak, time ticks and questions swirl. What’s on display often feels familiar – but is rarely seen from this perspective.

What Things Are Made Of

In the «Material Archive», the spotlight isn’t on finished products, but on the raw materials that shape our world: wood, glass, metal, plastic, paper, leather, paint and ceramics. Carefully categorized and brought to life in the hands-on “Material Lab,” these materials invite exploration through all the senses.

At the experiment tables, children can touch soft sheep’s wool, run their hands across a brush made of horsehair or spin a color wheel that reveals shades beyond the classic spectrum. And along the way, curious minds uncover surprising facts: How many everyday materials are made from petroleum? And which metal is the best conductor of electricity?

Time Reimagined

Upstairs, time takes center stage. The museum’s impressive timepiece collection spans five centuries – from delicate pocket watches to massive tower clocks. Many of these treasures come from the private collections of Konrad Kellenberger and Oscar Schwank, highlighting the rich horological traditions of Switzerland and Germany.

But it’s not just about precision mechanics, but the human stories behind them: like farmers who carved their gearwheels from wood because metal was too costly or the curious fact that Zurich and Geneva once kept different local times.

Topics That Matter

Rotating exhibitions tackle relevant issues of today: from the aesthetics of tattoos and the lifecycle of wood to the future of food. Even plastic has been critically examined. Together, these exhibitions bring everyday life into the museum, inviting visitors to reflect, question and engage.

Interactive workshops and open studios encourage hands-on discovery and remind us that design isn’t a luxury – it’s part of daily life.

Good to Know

Children under 16 benefit from free admission and can celebrate birthdays in the “Material Lab” upon request. The museum café on the ground floor serves a changing daily menu and makes a cozy place to take a break. The entire building is accessible: there’s a ramp at the entrance, an elevator to all exhibition levels and wheelchairs available on request.