ABOUT
I was born in Switzerland, and I grew up in an environment where precision, curiosity, and attention to detail were part of everyday life —
values strongly shaped by the Swiss educational system at the time.
Building on this foundation, I have dedicated my career to the intersection of design, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling.
With formal training and a professional background in architecture, design and visual communication, I approach eyewear not merely as an accessory, but as a crafted object — a small piece of architecture for the face.
With more than 35 years of experience, my work in product design, visual arts, and spatial installations has been recognised internationally,
with more than 35 awards and distinctions in Germany, Japan, and the U.S.
My passion for eyewear began early, with my first designs dating back to 1989, and has remained a central thread throughout my career.
I have had the opportunity to collaborate with companies across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., supporting projects from initial concept development to material consulting, complete collections, and technical components.
Beyond eyewear, my work continues in visual arts and spatial design, exploring how people interact with objects, spaces, and systems of communication — both analog and digital. I believe that architecture and visual art are closely interconnected, both fundamentally concerned with space, structure, and human experience. At the intersection of design, craft, and concept, I continue to explore how thoughtful objects and environments can create meaningful connections.
This site is intentionally quiet. No moving parts. No triggers. Nothing that chases your attention.
Like the surface of still water — faintly rippled, almost still. With depth. And beneath that surface:
a private topography of thoughts, tools, and ways of seeing.
It doesn’t aim to impress. It simply reflects how I’ve come to think — across disciplines, and over the years.
A FAMILY NAME ROOTED IN HISTORY
With origins likely derived from the French ‘Bonange’ — meaning “Good Angel” — Bonengél carries a history that reaches back to the
17th century. During the migration of Huguenots to German-speaking regions, the name was adapted and evolved into its present form.
Bonengél is not just a name; it’s a quiet thread of history — personal and enduring, much like the work I pursue with care and intent.
THE MARK OF ORIGINS
Designing for myself means approaching the task with the same discipline as I would for others — keeping focus, creating meaning, and reducing to what matters. Finding the right symbol for Bonengél meant looking beyond decoration — toward meaning, structure, and clarity.
The Bonengél logo draws from a blend of intuitive structure and subtle symbolism. The three horizontal lines not only suggest balance and stability but also reflect the three core areas of expertise: eyewear design, graphic work, and architecture and interiors.
Visually, the form echoes the letter B, representing the studio name Bonengél, while the mirrored extensions hint at an abstract E — a discreet reference to Eyewear. This duality is intentional, connecting brand and craft in a single, unified mark.
The layered composition also subtly alludes to the design of a classic 5-barrel hinge — a hallmark of high-quality eyewear construction —
where three barrels on one side interlock with two on the other. It’s a quiet reference to precision, durability, and the craftsmanship that defines Bonengél.
Though original in design, the logo’s layered simplicity resonates with the aesthetics of traditional ideograms —
such as the ancient symbol for "three" [ 三 ] in Chinese and Japanese script — where form and meaning are seamlessly intertwined.
Without imitation, the logo reflects the Bonengél philosophy: clarity, structure, and thoughtful craftsmanship.
SOBRE: Fabián M Hofmann Bonengél, un arquitecte i dissenyador nascut a Suïssa, crea obres d'art visualment sorprenents a més dels seus projectes arquitectònics i de disseny.
Ha rebut nombrosos premis i reconeixements internacionals per les seves instal·lacions espacials, dissenys de productes i obres gràfiques, incloent-hi reconeixements a Alemanya, Japó i els EUA. En els darrers anys, Hofmann Bonengél s'ha centrat en l'art visual i creu que l'arquitectura i la pintura estan interconnectades. El seu treball explora diferents formes de comunicació i treball en xarxa, tant en espais urbans com digitals, i examina la connexió dels individus dins la societat i els diferents mitjans de comunicació, ja siguin analògics o digitals.