Swiss interior designer Paul Sumi (1918–2013) is born in Biel and completes an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker in the family business run by his father, Jakob Sumi. From 1944, he studies at the School of Applied Arts in Zurich, graduating under the Swiss furniture designer and interior architect Willy Guhl. While still a student, he wins a competition to design a new ballot box, which is manufactured by Belmag. It remains in use in many Swiss cantons to this day, including the Canton of Zurich.

In 1947, Paul Sumi marries Bertha Schütz. In 1954, he takes over the joinery workshop on Mattenstrasse in Biel, together with the showrooms at the corner of Mattenstrasse and Zentralstrasse, and develops the business into an interior design practice. Paul Sumi also teaches cabinetmaking at the vocational school in Biel.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Paul Sumi becomes a highly successful interior designer. He designs hotels, restaurants, shops, residential interiors, travel agencies, hair salons and opticians. He also designs executive offices for several watch manufacturers, creates the Lignum pavilion at the Biel trade fair for many years, and regularly exhibits with the gestaltendes Handwerk group at the Basel MUBA trade fair.

Also in the 1960s, he begins collaborating with the Lübke company in Rheda, Westphalia. For Lübke, Paul Sumi develops a number of successful pieces of furniture, including armchairs, chairs and loungers with flat-steel frames. In 1984, he hands over his joinery business to his successor.

Paul Sumi is the father of the renowned Zurich architect Christian Sumi.

Paul Sumi’s projects and furniture designs anticipate future trends in many respects. This is one of the reasons why his designs repeatedly receive awards such as Die gute Form (1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1967) and Die gute Industrieform (1962). A selection of Paul Sumi’s interior design and architectural projects:

• Executive offices and interiors for the following companies: Doxa, Le Locle (1964); Diametal, Biel (1968); ASUAG (Allgemeine Schweizerische Uhrenindustrie AG), Biel (1973 and 1979); ETA SA, Grenchen (1974); Rolex, Biel (1974); Nivada, Grenchen (1974); Cendres et Métaux, Biel (1975); Omega rooftop restaurant, Biel (1977); Rado Watch, Lengnau, rotating display case (1978); Eterna executive office (1980)

• Banks: Volksbank, Biel (1974); Spar- und Leihkasse, Biel (1976)

• Architecture: Restaurant at the Kongresshaus, Biel (1966); municipal building, Tüscherz (1976); extension to a school holiday home, Romang (1976); renovation of the Grob residence, Biel (1981)

Paul Sumi’s furniture archive is held in the Design Collection of the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, while the ai-s holds the archival material relating to his interior design work.