Company
Our values
Building culture as a benchmark for superior living quality
Romano & Christen develop living spaces that fulfil the natural desire for daylight and activity as well as retreat and security. Primary materials such as wood and stone, open-plan layouts, harmonious proportions and the reduced playfulness of organic elements combine to form a whole. The result is personal places of power and well-being.
As active promoters of a high-quality built environment, Romano & Christen create liveable spaces as part of comprehensive concepts for large housing estates and customised solutions for individual buildings. Romano & Christen sees building as a cultural and social process and combines individual needs with social responsibility wherever possible. We think and act holistically, progressively and innovatively.
Our history
2024
Romano & Christen has developed into an established player in the construction industry, with a strong focus on long-term business relationships and a successful portfolio of projects.
Michael Christen starts a new chapter with his own office, while Markus Romano continues to lead the company successfully.
2020
The strain of the past few years has been enormous, pushing both of them noticeably to their limits.
Michael Christen decided to sell his remaining share in the company to Markus Romano.
It was agreed that Michael himself would choose the time to communicate and inform about this step.
2012
Michael Christen sells 90% of his shares in Romano & Christen Management AG and Romano & Christen Immobilien AG to Markus Romano.
The two continue to run Romano & Christen Generalunternehmung AG together.
1998 - 2002
There was a severe property crisis and nobody was waiting for the company. The first employee to join the team was Markus Huwiler from Sins, Romano’s former lower pen.
The pressure during the start-up period was enormous. It was often unclear how the bills could be paid. However, what kept the company going was an unshakeable belief in success and an uncompromising forward strategy. There was no choice but to continue building in order to pay yesterday’s outstanding bills.
Despite the financial challenges, the founders invested the little money they didn’t have in building a brand, advertising and a professional image. The 60-hour weeks, which had already become routine during the evening technical centre, continued seamlessly.
For more than 15 years, the founders worked virtually non-stop under high pressure, yet managed to achieve extraordinary things under the most difficult conditions and with minimal resources.
1998
When Michael Christen wanted to build a wooden house for his sister and Markus Romano actively acquired land, the collaboration deepened. This resulted in joint projects and the name Romano & Christen. Eventually, the two moved into a shared office on Horwerstrasse and founded Romano & Christen Management AG.
1995
Romano started his own business at the age of just 26. During his studies, he worked on a farmhouse in Greppen - the Neubächtelhaus.
1994
During his studies, Romano realised the first system house together with Bisang Holzbau. Even then, he was already working with Bisang, Mario De Donno, Elektro Mathis and Hugo Hofstetter, who are still regular partners today. This collaboration began over 30 years ago in Sins and still continues today.
1992
Markus Romano starts the evening technical course in Horw and meets Michael Christen.
After four and a half years, they both successfully complete the programme.