Mottahütte, Lenzerheide GR
The Challenge
The old Mottahütte in the Lenzerheide ski resort no longer met today’s standards or reflected the spirit of the times, either inside or out. It was replaced by a new building featuring a spectacular, light-filled wooden exterior façade with a “Klötzli-style” design that flows seamlessly into the interior of the hut. At the request of the owners, Bianca and Sergio Andreatta, the interior walls—which are up to eight meters high—and the spacious rooms were designed to evoke a cozy, homey atmosphere, yet the furnishings, furniture, and accessories lend the space a certain modernity with a charming touch of prestige.
Round lounge chairs in the Bauhaus style.
Lights shaped like ice cream scoops.
The Idea
We drew inspiration from the British author Ian Lancaster Fleming and the fictional character he created for his novels and films, James Bond. We wanted to create an atmosphere worthy of this fictional, world-famous secret agent. We had images in our minds of 007 gracefully navigating the run with style and flair, and then enjoying the Alpine sun with a Vesper Martini in an opulent chalet, befitting his style. The Mottahütte was meant to provide the perfect setting for such a scene. We wanted to infuse the location with a little more “Fire and Ice.”
The implementation
The goal was to create a modern yet nature-inspired cabin vibe. We deliberately paired the light wood, which dominates throughout the space, with dark furniture and fabrics to create a clean, elegant contrast. We also chose predominantly round shapes to soften the straight lines of the wooden structure and beams. Good examples of this are the dining chairs in the restaurant, which we discovered in Finland, and the Bauhaus-style lounge chairs across from the open fireplace. But the wooden bar stools, side tables, and small stools—reminiscent of milking stools—also repeatedly echo these rounded shapes. Black details, whether on the armrests or table legs, always add a touch of sophistication to the overall design.
A Heinz-Julen chandelier from the old Mottahütte.
Dark furniture for a clean, elegant contrast.
We decorated the hidden nooks in the restaurant with the existing Heinz-Julen chandeliers, which we “rescued” from the old Mottahütte. This allowed us to fulfill Bianca and Sergio’s desire for a nostalgic touch. The light from the chandeliers now shines down on the new, cozy regular spots. For the large fireplace room, we chose lights shaped like ice balls. They now hang above the black-and-gray Bauhaus armchairs. And in the foreground, the warming fire crackles.
