Making education a foundation for the future
Irène and Gerd Burla look back on a rich and varied life, one that has also been marked by a personal loss. They support ETH because of the pivotal role the university played in the lives of both Gerd Burla and their daughter.
Mr Burla, as an architect you’ve been responsible for a number of remarkable projects – where might people have come across your work?
GERD BURLA – Working with the agency Interbrand Zintzmeyer & Lux – a partnership that lasted from 1977 to 2007 – I was able to shape the architectural expression of the BMW brand worldwide. In technical terms, I’d say my most demanding project was the brand-specific interior design of the entire aircraft fleets of Lufthansa and Thai Airways. The most fascinating and challenging of all, however, was my collaboration with the American light artist James Turrell on his Roden Crater project, an extinct volcano near Flagstaff, Arizona. Since the 1970s, he’s been pursuing his life’s work there, transforming celestial phenomena into light within the crater, making light and colour tangible. I worked alongside him as an architect for several years. I’ve since donated my architectural plans to the Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture (gta) at ETH. And people with an interest in fashion may also remember the Hannes B. boutique in Zurich, which I designed – now part of the collection at the Swiss National Museum’s Collection Centre.
“I was only able to study thanks to a scholarship, and at ETH I found professors who encouraged and guided me.”
Your ties to ETH go beyond your studies.
GERD BURLA – I quickly took an interest in becoming involved in the Polyball. In my second year, I became Head of Decorations and was elected to KOSTA, the committee responsible for organising the ball. I played an active part in the event for many years – first as President, later as an adviser. After I was married, the Polyball became something of a family affair, with Irène also getting involved. Once during set-up, our then twelveyear-old daughter even “flew” across the hall of the main building on a wire cable.
Flying high was also the theme for your wedding – which made headlines from Blick to the New York Times.
IRÈNE BURLA – It started as a joke. Gerd said, “Let’s get married in New York.” I replied, “In a helicopter.” On the day of the wedding, we received a call at the hotel asking whether the press could join us. After a live interview on CBS Radio, the TV station WPIX filmed our ceremony above Park Avenue from a second helicopter. The piece was broadcast on the evening news.
Your daughter Joan-Bryce was born in 1984. How did her path unfold?
IRÈNE BURLA – She discovered her love of horses at an early age. After starting riding at seven, she began competing in show jumping while still at secondary school. She went on to study agricultural sciences at ETH, completing a doctorate on horse husbandry and behaviour before moving on to her last position, a postdoc at Agroscope in Tänikon. She was diagnosed with cancer before even starting her Master’s thesis and had to endure many difficult periods. Despite this, she was highly successful in her research and received an award from the International Society of Livestock Husbandry for her doctoral thesis. In it, she studied horses kept in open stables and how their interactions are influenced by factors such as resting areas and feeding management. Her findings have also been fed into revisions in federal legislation.
Your daughter passed away at a young age. Is her connection to ETH the reason you’re supporting the university with a named fund and a gift in your will?
IRÈNE BURLA – Our daughter received tremendous encouragement at ETH. Her illness was always taken into account, and her demanding research given full support. That allowed her to pursue her passion to the fullest – something for which we’ll always be deeply grateful to ETH.
And you, Mr Burla – do you also feel the desire to give something back to your alma mater?
GERD BURLA – Very much so. And to help make education a foundation for the future. I was only able to build a career because, at every stage, there were people who supported me. My parents were of modest means. I was only able to study thanks to a scholarship, and at ETH I found professors who encouraged and guided me.
You travel a great deal. Where are you off to next?
IRÈNE BURLA – Ever since Gerd began working on the Roden Crater project, we’ve travelled regularly to the American Southwest. We love being on the road there. The vivid rock formations, cacti, golden grasses swaying in the wind, and those deep black nights where you can see the Milky Way – it’s quite unique.
