Daniel Reichenbach AG is a family business that has been working with heat and stone since 1972. GstaadLife met with Daniel Reichenbach and Flavio Hauswirth in their remarkable space in Grund - part showroom, part museum - to talk about a trade that continues to shape the way we live.

You create custom fireplaces and also restore antique ceramic stoves. What does that involve?
We build custom fireplaces of all kinds. Nothing we make is standard. Every chimney is different and much of the work uses local natural stone that we cut and shape ourselves. We also restore antique ceramic stoves. These pieces come from across Switzerland and sometimes from France. Each one is unique. A full restoration usually takes around four weeks and involves two stages. First, we restore it in our workshop, repairing or replacing any broken tiles. Then we rebuild it on site. The exciting thing is that these beautiful antique exteriors can contain full modern heating systems inside. You get the charm of the old with the comfort of the new.

Is it difficult to find skilled people to do this work?
Yes, very. Like most trades, it’s hard to find good people, especially in our field. Very few people train as Ofenbauer now. Last year in the whole of Switzerland only around 8 to 15 completed their training, and in Canton Bern there were just two. So we often bring in people from other practical professions and work from there.
I think this problem begins at school. Children these days are told they must study to “be someone,” but no one tells them they can build a strong career with their hands. Yet skilled craftspeople are needed everywhere, especially here in the region.

What do you enjoy most about this work?
Definitely the creativity. If we are involved right at the initial planning stages, we can help shape the whole idea - the form, the materials and the function. When architects trust us and give us the space to bring our own ideas, we can design and build truly impressive pieces. It is a mix of technical skill and artistic work and that combination is what makes it so satisfying.

How has the work changed over the years?
Design trends change and technology has advanced a great deal; the work is much more technical now. Modern heating systems need precise planning, safety checks and integration with newer building methods. At the same time, clients want fireplaces that look traditional but work with modern expectations. So we are always balancing old craftsmanship with new technical requirements.

How do you see the future of this type of craftsmanship?
As long as people build houses, we will have work. Even if construction slows, there will still be demand. The last 20 to 25 years have been extremely busy. People keep saying it will slow down, but so far it hasn’t. If you’re creative and do a good job, there will always be opportunities.

When people see your fireplaces or stoves, what do you hope they feel?
A fireplace is the centre of a home. People naturally move toward fire because it brings warmth, comfort and a feeling of safety. When we create a fireplace, we want people to feel that instinctive pull. We want them to walk into a room and feel welcomed by it. If our work can create that sense of gathering, warmth and connection in someone’s home, then we have done our job well.

ANNA CHARLES

We are keen to encourage new craftsmen and women into the industry. To learn more about Daniel Reichenbach AG, contact +41 33 744 4787 or visit https://holzofenbau.ch