Art Deco Hotel Montana, Lucerne, Switzerland

Posted in Projects on 4 September, 2024

A comprehensive overhaul the hotel’s ground floor public spaces was made by Swiss design firm Interior Architecture AG. Owner and Creative Director, Ina Rinderknecht tells the story.

Following the successful renovation of two floors of guestrooms, our client extended their trust to us for the comprehensive overhaul of the hotel’s ground floor public spaces.

Ina Rinderknecht

Over the years, the historical essence of the building had been over- shadowed by furniture from the 1990’s, diminishing its old-world glamour.

Approaching the project with a discerning eye, we delicately peeled away layers to reveal the original structure, akin to a detective unraveling a mystery. Studying the colours and materials meticulously, we eliminated unnecessary clutter and crafted elegant, bespoke furniture for each room, thereby restoring and highlighting the timeless beauty of the spaces. A wonderful lighting concept enabled us to highlight the beautiful boiserie and marble panels.

The renovation of the ground floor included the primary «15 Gault-Millau»- restaurant, the bar lounge, the adjoining cigar lounge and the main reception area with bathrooms. By refreshing the intricate woodwork and marble walls,
we were able to preserve the historical integrity of the rooms.. Our approach involved delicately layering new furniture atop the exquisite backdrop, ensuring a seamless connection between old and new.

To maintain the original charm of the Art Nouveau building, we meticulously selected colours that harmoniously blended with the existing elements. Soft rose and aqua greens were chosen for the restaurant, both in fabrics and the marble used on the custom-made tables. The tone of the new furniture was inspired by the fireplace room with its rose-colored marble wall cladding and the dark green stone elements of the original fireplace. These tables feature a bronze base, a marble top, and a wooden structure—crafted as our own design pieces. Our custom benches gracefully integrate into niches, connecting the front room with the main marble hall.

Versatility of the furniture was one of our goals for this project. The large centre table serves as the breakfast buffet in the morning, while during the day large groups can find a communal table to share their meals. The green sideboards
double as elegant consoles during the day, and breakfast stations in the morning.

SCALA RESTAURANT
Experience culinary delights with breathtaking views of Lake Lucerne, the mountains of Central Switzerland and Lucerne’s old town. The Gault & Millau restaurant guide has rewarded its high level of quality and the warm and
professional commitment of the service and kitchen team with 15 points for many years. A grand chandelier by Apparatus graces the restaurant, serving as a captivating centerpiece. The atmosphere is airy and fresh, decorated with subtle and calming colours.

LOUIS BAR
The bar has undergone a remarkable transformation, featuring a new counter, backbar, and furniture. What was once gloomy and dark, now radiates a light and inviting feel, creating a more vibrant and appealing setting.

With over 130 single malt whiskies, the bar has a range of rarities such as the Black Bowmore that is unique in Switzerland. The bar owes its name to the legendary jazz trumpeter Louis Armostrong. Jazz and blues sounds provide the
perfect backdrop for smooth immersion in the peaty world of whiskey enjoyment.

SMOKERS LOUNGE
Contrastingly, the smokers lounge exudes a darker, cozier ambiance, evoking a masculine touch through dark green, camel browns, and bronze accents. Custom-designed leather benches, tables, and a bar contribute to its distinctive look, while Maxalto lounge chairs enhance the overall atmosphere. With a large number of different cigars and over 60 varieties of rum from Central and South America, the lounge offers one of the largest selections in Switzerland.

LOBBY
In the lobby the main focus was on highlighting the historical architecture and ornamental beauty of the walls, mosaic floors and the ceiling. For that purpose we had to reduce the excessive additional use of colors from the 1990’s
renovation. This allowed a purer encounter with the real soul of the house.

The new front desk radiates strength with its special rounded form and the concave marble elements. It is a new point of attraction that remains in the memories of the guests.

Factsheet
TYPE 4 Star Hotel / 15 GaultMillau Restaurant / Bar
LOCATION Lucerne, Switzerland
SCOPE OF WORK Renovation of Lobby and F&B Outlets
YEAR January, 2024
CLIENT Hotel Montana AG
IMAGES & Copyright: Agi Simoes

Interior Architecture AG
Seestrasse 78, CH-8703 Erlenbach am See, Switzerland
T: +41 44 915 32 77
E: mail@ina-rinderknecht.ch
W: ina-rinderknecht.ch

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