Koller + Koller am Waagplatz Restaurant in Salzburg, Austria by BEHF Architects

Article source: BEHF Architects 

The listed Koller + Koller am Waagplatz restaurant is one of the city’s most historic buildings and restaurants, while also representing an important social and cultural facility for the city of Salzburg. After undergoing a significant six-month-renovation, Koller + Koller am Waagplatz opens its doors with a brand new look.

BEHF Architects has envisioned a design strategy which brings in the 21st-century to the interior’s aesthetic, giving it a refreshing and contemporary update, and at the same time highlights the historic characteristics of the city’s iconic building from the 12th century. As part of the redesign, an entrance, dining areas and sanitary facilities located on the ground floor have been renovated. An unused second entrance has been re-opened in order to provide separate, direct access to the upper levels as well as to the Freysauff cellar, which has remained essentially unchanged since its construction. The original design of the spaces distributed over upper floors has been left intact and reflects the history of the family-owned company.

General view of the building, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

• Architects: BEHF Architects
• Project: Koller + Koller am Waagplatz Restaurant
• Location: Salzburg, Austria
• Photography: Rupert Steiner, Helge Kirchberger Photography
  
• Net Area: approx. 170 m²
• Completion: September, 2018

Entrance to the listed Koller + Koller am Waagplatz Restaurant, Image Courtesy © Helge Kirchberger Photography

BEHF’s design concept for Koller + Koller am Waagplatz is characterised by a variety of materials and a lively, skilled craftsmanship from Salzburg, Styria and Lower Austria, incorporating metalworks and the use of high quality marble varieties and refined wooden components in traditional ways.

The entire vaulted ceiling of the ground floor is covered with brass mosaic tiles. In order to protect the existing baroque ceiling, the new mosaic ceiling has been installed on a light substructure. The structure is designed in such a way that it optimises the acoustic qualities of the space. Designed by Barcelona-based graphic artist Cristina Spano, the company logo, featuring a vixen and a rooster dancing together, has been randomly distributed on mosaic tiles. It adds the finishing touch to the unique ambience of the place.

Day Bar & Restaurant, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

An existing floor made of Adnet marble has been carefully renovated and preserved. In the main dining room, it is completed by a sophisticated yet playful marble-terrazzo, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

The walls of the restaurant are covered by continuous wood veneer, which extends up from the dark walnut wood veneer to the tinted mirror glass and lighter oak veneer, fitting under the peak of the vaulted ceiling. This transition is marked by backlit glass bottles placed to add a touch of playfulness to the space. Depending on the colour of the glass or the contents of the bottle, the light always appears different.

An existing floor made of Adnet marble has been carefully renovated and preserved. In the main dining room, it is completed by a sophisticated yet playful marble-terrazzo flooring in the same colour, with a distinctive, elegant patterning.

A focal point of the space is a bar counter, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

The entire vaulted ceiling of the ground floor is covered with brass mosaic tiles, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

All the seating, benches and chairs as well as tables are defined by simplicity and robustness.  Made of high quality leather and wood in a restrained colour palette, they are designed to demonstrate their value over time.

Specific attention has been paid to the lighting design. The desired level of illumination has been achieved through the controlled lighting and various lighting configurations, but a very specific atmosphere and distribution of light in the space has been essentially created through the play with the material depths and surface textures.

The main dining room widens to form niches featuring historical elements, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

These intimate spaces serve as more private areas for group gatherings, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

Guests are welcomed at an entry foyer from which a large part of the rooms can be seen, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

As part of the redesign, an entrance, dining areas and sanitary facilities located on the ground floor have been renovated, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

Retrooms, Image Courtesy © Rupert Steiner

Image Courtesy © BEHF Architects

Image Courtesy © BEHF Architects

Image Courtesy © BEHF Architects

Image Courtesy © BEHF Architects

Tags: Austria, Salzburg

Categories: Interiors, Restaurant

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