Ulrichshof Hotel Rimbach, German Holiday Resort Building, German Architecture Interior

Ulrichshof Hotel in Rimbach

Resort Building in Hesse, Germany design by noa*

15 Jun 2019

Architects: noa*

Location: Rimbach, Hesse, central Germany

Photos by Alex Filz

Ulrichshof Hotel

Ulrichshof Hotel …from a large farm to a world of magic noa* (network of architecture) rethink the family resort Ulrichshof and transform the former farmstead into an exploratory world of senses.

“Things were pretty much all there already, but elements were out of sight, they did not communicate with each other and were hiding beneath the forest, the farm and the existing hotel. ”
(Stefan Rier)

The team of architects, designers, psychologists, hunters, textile designers and lighting artists invented a bottom up-approach for the entire project. “things were pretty much all there already, but elements were out of sight, they did not communicate with each other and were hiding beneath the forest, the farm and the existing hotel”, explains Stefan Rier, co-founder of noa*.

The former farm, the Bavarian forest, the exceptional location, a building with an intense history and the intuition to discover the potentials of the hidden things, were the key elements that inspired both architects Lukas Rungger and Stefan Rier. Together with their network of architecture they conceived and developed a sustainable concept for the future of the hotel.

“During the initial design phase we walked for hours through the nearby forest, we were sitting for hours in the old barns to get inspiration, watching and discovering the beauty of the ensemble”, says Lukas Rungger. Those moments were fundamental, and really inspiring. The darkness of the woods evolved into magical stories of foxes, fairies and ghosts.

Architecture and Interior Design as an entity rich in contrasts
The Bavarian forest forms the narrative frame for the entire resort, it works as a script. The architectural shapes of the existing farms act like a protective wall around the newly conceived ensemble of the project. noa* managed to add a contemporary momentum, while still being very respectful: not a single volume is higher than the surrounding trees.

The spirit of the place as a main character noa* reinvents the Ulrichshof: both Lukas Rungger and Stefan Rier form a new stage, a platform for the concealed. The glazed facades of the lobby and the “Waldpassage” dissolve the built volumes and re-enact the Bavarian forest.

The character of the surrounding forest becomes a design principle for the internal spaces. At the same time it defines the basis of a magical stage for fables and fairy-tales. Various “touching points” are implemented with maximum care and crafts. Traces of animals carved into wooden panels become physical and visual moments of storytelling. Full height glazing panels open up the main views towards the outside.
Fairytales without kitsch and pomp

“To express the deep world of fairy tales there’s no need of unnecessary elements.”
(Diana Gallmeier, Psychologist)
“Children need fairy-tales” is the title of Bruno Bettelheim’s, which inspired the composition of the interiors.

Interior concept – Diana Gallmeier – Psychologist
The Bavarian forest of legends
“There is no need for spare elements to tell the deep worlds of the myths and legends”, says Diana Gallmeier, Munich based psychologist; she has been working within the collective of noa* especially for this project.

Bridges, paths and alleys border the central lobby. They are in contrast towards the organic shapes of architecture and design elements. The reference to the outside is communicated amongst typical trees of the Bavarian Forest within the interior itself.

The furniture is a design consequence of noa*s collective work ethos: curtains, lamps and sofas are all inspired by the magic of the place. These are key points of contact, they invite to make every single moment a moment of desire.

Ulrichshof Hotel, Rimbach – Building Information

Architect noa*
Completion date: 2014

Photography: Alex Filz

Ulrichshof Hotel in Rimbach images / information received 150619 from noa*

noa*

Location: Rimbach, Hesse, central Germany, western Europe

German Hotel Designs

German Hotel Building Designs – recent selection:

Hotel & Spa Seezeitlodge, Lake Bostalsee, Saarland, central Germany
Design: GRAFT

photography : Michael Moser, Guenther Standl and Seezeitlodge
Hotel & Spa Seezeitlodge, Lake Bostalsee

Forsthaus am See, Feldafing, Bayern, southern Germany
Design: WSM Architekten

image : WSM Architekten
Forsthaus am See, Bayern 4-Star Hotel

AC Hotel Würzburg, region of Franconia, north of the German state of Bavaria
Design: HDVL Designmakers

photo courtesy of architects office
AC Hotel Würzburg building interior design

Architecture in Germany

New German Architecture

German Architecture Designs – chronological list

German Architecture News

German Architect

Hotel Buildings

James Simon Galerie, Berlin
Design: David Chipperfield Architects

photo © Ute Zscharnt for David Chipperfield Architects
James Simon Galerie

FOM University, Düsseldorf, north west Germany
Design: J. MAYER H. Architects

photo : David Franck
FOM University Düsseldorf Building

VW Autostadt Roof and Service Pavilion, Wolfsburg
Design: Graft Gesellschaft von Architektem / landscape architect wes Landschaftsarchitektur

image from architecture studio
VW Autostadt Roof and Service Pavilion