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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Grätzlhotel – An Innovative Hotel Concept in Vienna, Austria by BWM ArchitektenJuly 14th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: BWM Architekten Grätzlhotel is a project of the Urbanauts Hospitality Group, which consists of architects and hotel and marketing experts. The theme can be summed up as ground floor utilisation, and the formats are garden-level and streetfront studio apartments. BWM Architekten, in their capacity as hotel designer and interior expert, have designed the two grätzlhotels karmelitermarkt and meidlinger markt, creating accommodation with individual charm for guests seeking a unique, direct experience of Vienna. With this innovative hotel concept, BWM Architekten are now also taking on the role of hotelier – a role that has already earned them the Rolling Pin Award as “Hotelier of the Year”!  Image Courtesy © Monika Nguyen
 Image Courtesy © Heidrun Henke Designer and operator of the grätzlhotel BWM Architekten have already made a name for themselves as hotel designers and architects. Their much-lauded projects include the internationally renowned Topazz and 25hours hotels in Vienna, the spa and wellness hotel Vivamayr in Altaussee, and a modern budget hotel for Wombat’s, a chain of hostels in European cities including London, Berlin, and  Image Courtesy © Wolf Silveri  Image Courtesy © Monika Nguyen For the first time, BWM are now venturing into the area of hotel management. They came up with an unconventional concept for the grätzlhotel and converted vacant street-front shops into charming suites and a reception. The term “Grätzl” served as the inspiration: this typical Viennese word describes a neighbourhood within a city district with its own individual character and charm, which encompasses the immediate residential and commercial surroundings. This is where the locals and the business people meet, where they do their shopping and where they enjoy a cup of coffee. BWM drew on the idea of the Grätzl for their hotel concept: the aim is to allow guests to become part of these vibrant surroundings and experience the unique atmosphere first hand.  Image Courtesy © Monika Nguyen  Image Courtesy © Monika Nguyen The design of the rooms is also part of the concept: no two suites are the same, with each one having its own distinct personality. The high-quality surface materials and vintage objects originating in the vicinity give guests an authentic, personal urban experience. There is no reception in the traditional sense. Instead, that role is assumed by typical urban spots: a market stall (grätzlhotel meidlinger markt) and a former lamp shop (grätzlhotel karmelitermarkt) that now houses a café/restaurant aptly named zur rezeption. The grätzlhotel currently operates 18 suites in the three Grätzls Belvedere, Meidlinger Markt and Karmelitermarkt. Three more suites will be opened in the grätzlhotel meidlinger markt at the end of July 2016, and 2017 will see the addition of new Grätzls.  Image Courtesy © Monika Nguyen  Image Courtesy © Monika Nguyen Suites and reception – Design and fittings Although each suite merges with the urban life taking place right outside its window, the architects (BWM Architekten: grätzlhotel karmelitermarkt and grätzlhotel meidlinger markt; Kohlmayr Lutter Knapp: grätzlhotel belvedere) attached great importance to creating comfortable, safe havens. The suites are like small studio apartments, and the urban style mirrors their surroundings: tasteful, high-quality design combined with local elements. Original vintage lamps from a former lamp shop form a lighting constellation, and a bamboo jungle discovered in a quiet backyard inspired the design of the Viennese Jungle Room. The combination of elements of surprise, humour and irony, together with local stories, forms a vibrant collection of rooms. When converting the café zur rezeption, the architects merged old and new, preserved elements left over from its past days, and added new, relaxed design elements.  Image Courtesy © Wolf Silveri  Image Courtesy © Wolf Silveri The suites are as individual as the guests staying in them and have all modern conveniences. Each suite has a kitchenette as well as a rain shower and box spring bed. They also provide enough space for get-togethers with friends and spontaneous visitors. Hotelier of the Year 2016 And one more thing: Thanks to the innovative idea behind the grätzlhotel, the two grätzlhotel managing directors, Theresia Kohlmayr and Fanny Holzer-Luschnig, received the Rolling Pin Award for “Hotelier of the Year” in May 2016.  Image Courtesy © Wolf Silveri  Image Courtesy © Heidrun Henke  Image Courtesy © BWM Architekten
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