jouin manku envisions hotel des berges and spa for rest and relaxation

in the quiet alsatian town of illhaeusern on the eastern french border the owners of the famed auberge de l’ill restaurant commissioned french studio jouin manku to envision a new structure for an accompanying hotel and spa.

in the quiet alsatian town of illhaeusern on the eastern french border the owners of the famed auberge de l’ill restaurant commissioned french studio jouin manku to envision a new structure for an accompanying hotel and spa. the modest structure contains only five junior suites to maintain the idea of tranquility and peace, located on the second floor. on the ground floor, a romanesque-inspired mineral pool and multi-faith chapel offer the ultimate space for a quiet getaway. the structure itself is rather restrained, making up what it might lack in size with an exhaustive attention to detail that ensures every edge and every connection is executed immaculately.

only three primary materials were utilized to create the building, concrete, oak wood, and dark stone, each left untreated in their natural state- a testament to the purity of the material and the landscape it resides in. the timber structure, with a pitched roof that alludes to the specific region, sits partially upon a solid concrete volume spanning the entire length of the building footprint, containing the chapel and administrative spaces. slender timber slats wrap around the outer facade of the elevated wooden form creating a light screen filtering direct sunlight into the private suites. on the inside, a constantly changing array of light and shadow trace over the surfaces throughout the day.