Location: Weimar
Client: Mövenpick
Construction Period: 2008
Work Phases: 1–9
Restaurant “Mövenpick“ in Weimar
Weimar – city of famous writers and thinkers – is known to everybody who enjoys historic cities as well as classic German literature. At the square “Am Frauenplan” in the historic old town and close to the Goethe National Museum and the Goethe Park, the restaurant “Mövenpick” is located.
In its concept, the Swiss gastronomy combines its indigenous tradition and the classics of Goethe and Schiller, transports them into the interior design and turns these given aspects to its own advantage. The interior concept divides the restaurant into different space sequences and integrates the authentic Swiss “Mövenpick” into the urban Weimar culture.
The main idea for the restaurant was to translate the ubiquitous classicism into an ornamental imagery. To paraphrase Goethe: “Sameness leaves us in peace, but it is the contradiction that makes us productive.” Thus, different designs were chosen for the various zones.
Consequently, the theme “men’s suit” structures the first sequence with a golden-brown-anthracite wallpaper. The corner next to the entrance is dedicated to Goethe and Schiller, the counter and cake buffet were redesigned and the back corner is named after Anna Amalia.
This zone – in clear contrast to the men – is allocated to contradiction. The keyword is nature: standing for femininity and sensibility, contrasting to the area dominated by the male theme. Here, you can find floral patterns on the wall that are emphasized by gentle colors.
The nature and butterfly themed design leads down to the basement and presents a space – contrary to the general expectations – that is light, friendly and surrounded by natural images. This last space sequence closes the all-round view of the restaurant that successfully embeds the traditional references in its concept.
The interior design is complemented by dark wooden furniture, indirect warm lighting and matching paintings. The board floor was ground, newly glazed and waxed. Quotations and aphorisms of the writers form the Weimar classics were imprinted into the wood. Thus, they carry on the historic trace as a connecting element and regional root.