From a purely architectural perspective, the emotional aspect is undoubtedly found first in a personal living environment, but also in the restaurant and hotel industries—that is, where one spends extended periods of time, enjoys oneself, sleeps, but is also active and gathers with nice people. With the exception of the function of tranquility, this actually applies to a good work environment as well. In this respect, what the Hotel Riesengebirge in Middle Franconia presents here fits the bill. With this project, a building from the 1980s was recently carefully renovated and redefined. The goal was to create a “retreat for unhurried work and experiences,” offering “fresh air, tranquility, and space for concentration”—in short, in technical terms, a location that is perfect for “off-sites, workations, and team-building events where focus and relaxation are equally important.” 350 square meters are dedicated to dining, 1,000 square meters to office space for 30 employees. The renovation aimed to create a sense of spaciousness with plenty of natural light and flexible usage options, while the design language—a blend of old and new—is intended to be inspiring. Traditional Franconian wood paneling and thoughtful details create a powerful and expressive living room culture with classic natural materials such as warm wood and natural fabrics, which guests and employees alike appreciate. The result is a workspace characterized by a balanced interplay: The authenticity of the existing structure blends with the local character of the landscape, creating a sense of place. On the other hand, the furnishings and clear functionality of the spaces offer the opportunity to engage with work tasks in a focused and effective manner. Open-plan meeting rooms were equipped with unconventional seating arrangements, modular,
height-adjustable table solutions, and ergonomic work surfaces. Also whiteboards, writable walls, and mobile presentation materials as well as digital presentation surfaces are included. And all of this is integrated with the warmly designed, emotionally welcoming ambiance of the hotel culture of the location. It is understandable that the term “hospitality” also appears in the operator’s description.
