yunīku
Japanese transliteration of “unique”
Uniqueness emerges where small imperfections tell the story of the vitality of handmade craftsmanship and the care and dedication that go into every piece.
Our Philosophy
Our studio offers an inspiring environment where the focus is not only on learning, but also on experiencing the creative process together. Our goal is not to achieve perfection, but to rediscover the joy of craftsmanship and, in a world where almost everything can be industrially produced, to create objects that still bear the unmistakable touch of their maker.
Behind atelier yuniku are Francesca, Tereza and Pablo – three friends with backgrounds in architecture and design, for whom working with their hands has always played a central role. Each of us brings our own interests, experience and focus, ranging from ceramics and textiles to natural cosmetics and floristry. What connects us is a shared enthusiasm for exploring different creative disciplines and occasionally bringing them into dialogue with one another. This diversity now also strongly shapes the character of the studio. We are not experts in everything – and that is precisely where our strength lies. For many of our offerings, we collaborate with a network of guest teachers and friends who contribute their knowledge and perspectives to the studio and help expand what we offer.
Francesca Garcia
Co-Founder of atelier yuniku, Administration and Communication, Course Instructor
In her work as an architect, Francesca has dedicated herself in particular to the creation of humane and environmentally friendly accommodation for refugees and has worked on socially participatory projects. Now Francesca wants to give more space to her passion for creative crafts and plants and their effectiveness and is looking forward to sharing her creative spirit, teaching and hopefully inspiring others. Francesca impresses with her sensitive and supportive approach, which both colleagues and course participants appreciate equally.
Pablo Grossmann
Co-founder of atelier yuniku, Community Manager, course instructor
Pablo is an unconventional architect with training in art and experiential education. He has several years of experience working with communities, participatory planning and designing learning experiences. He is particularly interested in design with an architectural-anthropological approach. With his bubbling creativity and infectious curiosity to always try new things, he finds a solution to every problem and inspires and motivates with his passion.
Tereza Vyhlídalová
Co-Founder of atelier yuniku, Social Media, Responsable for Members, Course Instructor
Tereza is a designer and ceramic artist with a background in interior design and architectural visualization, five years of experience in pottery, and ten years working as a florist. She leads the atelier’s ceramics practice, bringing creativity and attention to detail to every piece.
Sandra Smolcic
Atelier Assistant
Sandra is an art historian and primary school teacher. Her work spans communications for museums and festivals, writing projects, teaching, tending her allotment garden by the river, and spending time at atelier yuniku.
When it comes to ceramics, she enjoys working freehand, whether she's hand-building a cereal bowl or creating lettering and signage for the atelier.
She also loves experimenting with paper, creating illustrations that have an almost painterly quality.
Chiara Seregni von Fix & Stitch
Teacher
Chiara is the founder of Fix & Stitch, a Zurich-based slow craft studio that explores making by hand as a form of intuition, self-expression, and connection. Using techniques such as crochet, knotting, and working with tactile materials, she transforms traditional craft into creative experiences that invite people to slow down and create with intention. Inspired by the emotional meaning objects can carry, her work goes beyond everyday items – becoming small personal symbols designed to be worn, used, and kept close.
Website
Christine Zeltner von SCHNITT.a.r.t
Teacher
Christine Zeltner is a trained clothing designer with a degree in Fashion Design. She teaches at secondary school and, under her label SCHNITT.a.r.t, develops creative, sustainable sewing courses and custom fashion projects. Her classes focus on wearable garments with a good fit, resource‑conscious making and an open, solution‑oriented way of working with people and materials.
Website
Ebru Oezel
Teacher
Ebru Özel is an art educator (IAC Zurich) who has been working with traditional Ebru art, the technique of marbling and painting on water, for many years. In her marbling courses at the atelier, she introduces the history, materials and techniques of Ebru and guides participants as colours on water turn into unique marbled papers and images. She shares her passion at events and studios, creating a calm, exploratory space where people can experience the meditative quality of this ancient art form.
Jo Wong
Teacher
Joanne Wong is a biologist and illustrator based in Zurich. She holds a diploma in Botanical Illustration from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and combines her background in biology with a love of nature and meticulous, precise drawing and painting. In her workshops she creates a calm, focused environment where beginners learn, step by step, to observe and depict plants realistically while enjoying hand-bound sketchbooks and carefully selected, high-quality materials.
Website
Natalia Kobylinska von MURAWY
Teacher
I'm Natalia — a trained architect and engineer, shaping Zurich's buildings by day, weaving by night. Each rug is a completely unique upcycled item, finished with the utmost care, and made to brighten any space it finds a home in.
Website