Header: Joachim Wichmann
Danish firm Space Copenhagen has reimagined the interiors of Schloss Schauenstein, the 12th-century castle in the Swiss Alps that houses chef Andreas Caminada’s three-star Michelin restaurant. Timed for the restaurant’s 20th anniversary, the new design introduces a contemporary feel while respecting the building’s deep history. The project creates a direct conversation between the castle’s past and its present, inviting guests to experience not just the food but the sensory atmosphere of the castle itself.
A curated welcome
Upon entering the castle, guests step into a world where ancient stone walls and timber beams are met with soft, natural materials like oak, stone, wool, and linen. The lobby sets the stage with a restrained and elegant aesthetic. Here, timeless furniture pieces from Studio Oliver Gustav, such as a stone side table by Maverick Lee and a brass table lamp by Michael Verheyden, are placed to interact with the castle’s original architecture.
The journey continues into the Chimney Room Bar, which has a cocooning atmosphere created by warm rust tones. The space is furnished with Loafer sofas by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition, the Stay Chair for Gubi, and Sintra Stone Lounge Tables from Frama. The main dining room is an intimate and evocative area, with soft lighting that makes shadows move across the textured walls. The setting is defined by a sense of calm anticipation. Custom Sela dining chairs from De La Espada, upholstered in a distinct combination of wood, leather, and textile, were designed to fit the refined setting. Throughout the castle, vintage pieces found on-site have been upcycled and reupholstered, sitting alongside the more contemporary designs.
The vision of chef and designer
The redesign was born from a collaborative vision between Caminada and the design studio. “Having worked with Space Copenhagen for our boutique hotel and restaurant Mammertsberg, it was clear to me that they were the perfect people to bring the castle into its next era,” says Caminada. He adds that a primary goal was to connect tradition with modernity.
“To me, experiencing the castle’s spirit and feeling its history has been crucial in planning the renovations for our 20th anniversary. Guests should feel at home in every corner and enjoy both the culinary journey and the castle with all their senses.”
Andreas Caminada
The designers shared this deep respect for the building. Peter Bundgaard Rützou, the studio’s co-founder, adds:
“We hope guests feel less like they’re checking into a hotel and more like they’re being welcomed into a thoughtfully curated retreat”.
Retreat and respite in the guest rooms
The redesigned guest rooms are designed to offer a sense of stillness and retreat. Each room is different, but they all share an understated elegance. The original stone and timber-clad walls anchor the rooms in their medieval past, while materials like oak, soft wool, and linen add a contemporary warmth. The color palette uses earthy tones such as soft greys, burnt orange, forest greens, and warm neutrals to reflect the surrounding alpine landscape.
The furniture is a curated collection of restored vintage pieces from the castle, iconic designs from brands like B&B Italia, Cassina, and Bonacina, and bespoke items created by Space Copenhagen. The lighting is soft and changes with the time of day. Large windows provide views of the valley and the village below, connecting the inside with the outdoors. The bathrooms are finished in stone and have minimalist fixtures, including rainfall showers and deep soaking tubs to enhance the feeling of calm. As co-founder Signe Bindslev Henriksen notes, the rooms are deliberately stripped of excess to allow the architecture to speak for itself.
A reawakening of a historic space
Ultimately, the new design invites guests to experience the castle as a living place where the past is honored and the present is savored. Every detail, from the softly worn stone floors to the specific furniture, shows a deep respect for craft and context. The project is presented as more than a renovation; it is a reawakening of a historic space, shaped by a quiet conversation between architecture, design, and gastronomy. Together, Andreas Caminada and Space Copenhagen have created an immersive journey that brings together heritage with hospitality and nourishment with nature.
