PLÜ Restaurant,
Grand Casino Baden
The new restaurant “PLÜ Restaurant and Lounge” in the Grand Casino Baden enhances a place located between past and present.
Baden-based Atelier West Architekten created a “blossoming” winter garden in a five-month renovation.
Client
- Grand Casino Baden
Building Owner
- Grand Casino Baden
Architect
- Atelier West Architekten AG, Baden
Contractor
- Deckisol AG, Urdorf
Surface Area
- 200m² ELEGANZA™, RAL 1024
Photography
- © Atelier für Fotografie René Rötheli, Baden
BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT
Noble materials and intense colours took over to reconnect with the garden that existed in the past. In contrast with the dominantly stark white space that existed before the refurbishment, the new restaurant space transposes indoor the splendour of the surrounding park.
The Grand Casino Baden vision emerged in the summer of 2018 with a modern and inviting restaurant design. In addition to creating a lounge, the restaurant received a new independent name.
“PLÜ”, freely translated from the French word for “more”. Its two dots on the Ü visually symbolises the additional “more” feeling guests feel as soon as they enter.
COLOURS FROM NATURE
Today, guests are welcomed in a spacious semi-circular winter garden. The gaze wanders over a lush décor of warm patterns, natural, high-quality materials, and playful details. It creates a rich canvas that opens onto the wooden terrace and garden.
The new semi-circular bar stands as the central point around which the space revolves, connecting the restaurant space and the kitchens.
Colourfulness and the use of refined materials help create a true haven. Every surface conveys that feeling, From walls to floors to ceilings.
Here, the architects used green and golden yellow in addition to the natural material tones.
Colours are drawn directly from nature – magnolias, meadow flowers and timehonoured tree trunks. These references illustrate the architects’ concept of “a unique scenography of the park”, said Guadalupe Falguera, Atelier West Architekten interior architect. It is a means to bring nature and guests closer together.
CEILING SOLUTION
In a restaurant, guest comfort comes first. So, the architects opted for the seamless ELEGANZA™ acoustic ceiling system from Knauf Ceiling Solutions. With 95% sound absorption, it gives every guest the space they need to enjoy peace and quietness. In addition, the seamless appearance of the ceiling system provides an entirely homogeneous and flat surface.
The finishing of the ceiling in a glamorous golden tone accentuates the luminous details of the general concept.
Collaboration and project management were essential to the architects from start to finish. Starting with the consultation, the flexibility to discuss details and sometimes needing solutions based on experience or willingness, not only a good product. These details give PLÜ a warm and welcoming atmosphere, creating a feelgood ambience between a high-class glamour and a down-to-earthiness. After all, the philosophy of the PLÜ is based on the “little things that make the whole thing synonymous to a little bit more,” as the Grand Casino Baden itself says about its new restaurant.
Text excerpts: Nicola Schröder,
Conzept-B, Zürich
