project management for design, permission and construction planning of a 4-star-plus hotel for GRAFT architects
The Hotel and Spa Seezeitlodge occupies an advantageous position in its natural surroundings, overlooking a serene lake from a wooded promontory. The design aims to build on and enrich the character of the location.
The building figure is a product of the surrounding topography. The hotel connects the realm of the wood with the expanse of the lake, mediating between the land and the water.
Guests arrive at the hotel through oak woodland, barely seeing the lake. The path to the hotel leads on towards two green hills on which the main section of the two-storey hotel rests. The lobby is situated beneath it at the natural gap between the hills, revealing a breathtaking view over the lake as one enters. The lobby frames the sunset which in turn animates the space with the cycle of nature. An open-air terrace with fireplace offers guests an opportunity to enjoy the evening spectacle.
From the lobby, guests can proceed onto the restaurant, bar and reading room or to the conference spaces and spa. These functional spaces, as well as the administrative facilities, are embedded in the topography of the hilly landscape. The 2,000 m²-large spa and wellness area faces onto the surrounding woodland to create a sheltered, private environment of high-quality indoor and outdoor spaces. The restaurant, conference areas and some parts of the spa open onto the lake, and enjoy an incredible panoramic view.
The 100 hotel rooms and suites are located on the two upper floors: the rooms on the southwest enjoy the setting sun in the evening, while those on the northeast side see the rising sun in the morning. The suites at the north end of the hotel building offer spectacular views over the cape and the lake.
The below-ground infrastructure linking the administrative areas, spa and conference areas is minimal. A penthouse and bar will be constructed on the roof at a later stage. The woodland on the west side has been thinned out to provide more views of the lake, and the wood used for the façade of the hotel.
The gross building area totals approximately 11,800 m², including the outdoor wellness areas and the covered parking spaces. GRAFT’s design is a response to the spirit of the place, and builds on its qualities to create a new harmonious whole. The result is a travel destination with a special identity of its own.
Top Hotel Opening Award, Nominierung
Die 100 schönsten Hotels in Europa 2018, GEO Saison 02/2018 (https://seezeitlodge-bostalsee.de/geo-saison-hotel-ranking-2018/)
One out of ten best design hotels 2020 by the French newspaper Le Figaro (https://www.lefigaro.fr/voyages/a-santorin-sao-paulo-ou-osaka-coup-d-oeil-sur-les-10-nouveaux-hotels-design-de-l-annee-20200904)