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the Fuggerei (Lounge)

The client for the project is the Fugger Foundation, which are tasked with the preservation and operation of the Fuggerei in Augsburg. The Fuggerei was founded in 1521 by Jakob Fugger the Rich and was subsequently expanded and modernised by the following generations. The Fuggerei is one of the oldest social housing projects in the world and is still active today, where 140 residences are made available for needy, Catholic residents. The residents pay a yearly rent of 0.88€ - roughly equivalent to 1 Rhenish guilder (14th/15th century coin). The Fuggerei also houses a restaurant, which was to be redesigned with a new interior and operator. The renowned Augsburg cook and restaurateur Toni Ludwig won the honour with his exciting new gastronomic concept.

The Task
Develop a Restaurant and Biergarten in The Fuggerei, a Listed Historic Building. For many decades, the Fuggerei (Lounge) was a popular destination for both tourists and locals looking for high-quality, traditional cuisine. Part of the task for the new design was to continue this tradition, while incorporating the elements of the new gastronomic concept. Three adjacent rooms with historic groin vaults provided the space for 100 seats and a long, central counter, while the outdoor Biergarten provides seating for an additional 150 guests. Instead of the traditional generously sized plates, the kitchen provides local specialties in small portions, which can be mixed and matched from a large display counter. The innovative idea of Bavarian-Swabian tapas had to be carefully and coherently executed in the context of the historic site.

The Idea
Refined Austerity, Fine Craftsmanship, Elegant Details. The design concept for the restaurant kept a certain distance from bold, contemporary trends. Thoughtful reduction to the essentials, skilled craftsmanship and elegant, authentic materiality were key components of the design. Chrome, stainless steel and white surfaces were renounced. The solid – yet well-proportioned – fumed oak tables are combined with French walnut chairs, Solnhofen tiles for the floor and bar front, and Belgian linen upholstery. These are complemented by a tasteful selection of patinated brass elements and hand-forged handrails, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The untroubled, attentive design approach is carried out in every detail, including the tableware and cutlery: “less is more” applies well here, in order to keep the focus on the large selection available on the menu. The only decorative element in the simple, unembellished interior is the portrait of Jakob the Rich, watching over the space with a benevolent expression. The artist Thomas Koch developed the portrait based on an original drawing by Albrecht Dürer. The portrait was applied using mixed media techniques and is particularly impressive in the restaurant’s clear, reduced design language.

The Design Challenge: Acoustics and Lighting for Vaulted Ceilings

The biggest challenge for the design was how to properly deal with high traffic and large groups in a historic space with vaulted ceilings. A specialist was brought in to help ensure proper acoustic treatment. The result is clear for any guests that visit “Die Tafeldecker in the Fuggerei”. This is likely one of the few restaurants with a comparable vaulted ceiling that successfully facilitates a calm, relaxed atmosphere while the hectic buzz and commotion of everyday life remains without. The black chandeliers – a custom design created in cooperation with two lighting manufacturers – enhance the historic character of the space despite the “modern” technology: warm LEDs with lens and anti-glare technology that leaves nothing to be desired.

The Success
If the enthusiastic reaction from both clients and guests in the first days is any indication, the restaurant is bound for success. The space’s design has received high praise from the residents and neighbours, who see the new restaurant as an important attraction and revitalization for Augsburg’s historic Jakobervorstadt district.



Project / Text: Dreimeta, Augsburg
Photos: S. Herud, Berlin