A design proposal submitted by Studio Markus Kraft for the Swiss National Bank's next banknote design competition is drawing renewed attention. Although the proposal ranked first in the advisory committee's evaluation, it was not selected as the final design. Nevertheless, it leaves a strong impression for its compelling integration of Switzerland's topography and the symbolism of its currency into a single banknote.
The starting point of this design is the geographical conditions of Switzerland. Approximately 70 percent of Switzerland's land consists of mountainous terrain. Altitude is not merely a matter of landscape but a key factor influencing settlement patterns and overall cultural and economic activities. Connecting this with the fact that the Swiss franc has long been regarded internationally as a symbol of stability and reliability, Kraft established a concept: rock. Rock serves as the physical foundation of the Swiss land while simultaneously acting as a medium symbolizing the image of a solid currency.
The front of the banknote features stones collected from different altitudes. Each rock has been photographed with precision at its actual size. The composition, ranging from river pebbles in the lowlands to crystals in the alpine regions, is not merely an arrangement of specimens. Each stone functions as a portrait of a specific place while simultaneously serving as a trace embodying long geological time. This marks the moment when the banknote transcends a simple means of payment to become a medium that captures the physicality and time of the nation's land.
The reverse side consists of an abstract landscape created based on Swisstopo data. It reinterprets actual topographical information through a combination of terrain and light forms. Switzerland's settlement structure, which varies with altitude, is also revealed in visual stages. It is designed to allow the location and way of people's lives to be interpreted alongside the vertical structure of the country.
The strength of this lies in the relationship between the front and back sides. The front side reveals a microscopic sense of distance through the tactile feel and density of the mineral surface. Conversely, the back side reveals a macroscopic scale through a broad view of the landscape and topography. Within the banknote held in the hand, the closeness and distance of matter and landscape form a single dialogue structure.
