Michel J. Koch born August 7, 1950, in Zurich, Switzerland, is a senior architect and owner of MKD Design, established in Curaçao. Graduated from the Art School in Zürich in 1970 he came to Curaçao 2 years later as the in-house designer for Spritzer & Fuhrmann, one of the largest retail firms for jewelry and luxury items of its time.
He developed new store systems, philosophies for display-sales as well store fronts for new and existing buildings. Mike received unprecedented training and basic knowledge in architecture from the Swiss Architect H. Gubelin, who was contracted by Spritzer & Fuhrmann on a retainer base. During this period Mike designed and completed several new sales outlets and remodeled existing ones in the Caribbean and New York. Furthermore, he was closely involved in developments and project planning for the Caiman Islands, St. Thomas and New Orleans.
In 1980 Mike established with Armando Ravelo the interior architect firm Ravelo Associates here in Curaçao. After the above experience Mike decided to establish his own architect and design firm in 1984, named MKD (Mike Koch Design N.V.)
Also at the same time the firm Ganeko N.V. was established in Curaçao, a light fixture manufacturer where Mike became a co-owner. In 1990 a light fixture design by MKD had been awarded by the Design Centre of Stuttgart, Germany. (also, through to Ganeko's technical input) Also in 1990 MKD became member of S.A.I.A. (Society of Antillean Architects and Engineers; today renamed for DC – AE, Dutch Caribbean Architects & Engineers).
MKD decided to merge with IMD in 1993, this after a successful design planning period for the new head office of Curoil in Curaçao. In 1998 Mike was awarded with the cultural price for architecture in The Netherlands Antilles, the "Colá Debrot price". Between 2001 and 2018 Michel J. Koch was the Consul(H) of Switzerland in Willemstad for the Dutch Caribbean.
Graduated in 1970 · Zurich, Switzerland
