[New] Straubingerplatz

Austria

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Developer: Hirmer Immobilien

Operator: Travel Charme

Architecture and Interior Design: BWM Architekten www.bwm.at

Vienna-based architecture practice BWM Architekten has been commissioned by real estate firm Hirmer Immobilien to restore Bad Gastein’s Straubingerplatz to its former glory with two new hotel projects – Hotel Straubinger and Badeschloss.

Slated for completion in 2023, the heritageprotected buildings will “work with the layers of the past” according to BWM architect Erich Bernard, who confirms that the studio’s planning ideas “are always preceded by a precise historical analysis”. “It is important to us to work with – and not against – the remnants of the past,” says Bernard. “They give old buildings their charm and special appeal; it’s what makes them attractive and unique.”

Named after a prominent local hotelier family, Hotel Straubinger will comprise 46 guestrooms that combine a natural patina on the walls, surviving doors and other original artefacts with new elements. The colour palette and lighting will be inspired by the chiaroscuro of historical oil paintings, resulting in an expressive use of light and dark shades, while the signature restaurant and bar on the ground floor will be housed within an impressive historic hall.

The cosmopolitan-style Badeschloss opposite is set to feature 100 guestrooms, with design taking a playful approach to bathing culture. Individual areas in the lobby – such as the restaurant, bar and kiosk – will transition smoothly into one another, while a concept store and rooftop spa round out the facilities.

Badeschloss will be fronted by a doubleskin, coloured-concrete façade and topped by an infinity pool, with upper storeys featuring bay windows that serve as “display cabinets” for bathtubs. Markus Kaplan, Architect at BWM, explains: “The fact that the skins have different thicknesses gives the façade a lively appearance and a relief-like character that blends well into the Alpine surroundings.”