In a truly extraordinary setting, 'Pâtisserie Johanna' now graces the historic Speicherstadt within a former cocoa warehouse, offering views of the modern HafenCity. Navigating strict heritage conservation requirements at every turn, the design team created a thoughtful renovation and interior concept that honors the warehouse's industrial heritage while bringing it vibrantly into the present day.

The ground floor project on this UNESCO World Heritage site—previously a market hall with diverse food vendors—is a tribute to Johanna, the owners' daughter. Inka and Ralph Orth realized their daughter's vision: a master confectioner whose life was lost in the Ahr Valley floods. The patisserie's interior was designed to radiate elegance, with pastries displayed like precious gems in illuminated cases. Black and gold define the palette, echoed in the logo—a gold butterfly silhouette on black. Upon entry, visitors encounter a light installation: a shimmering swarm of gold butterflies. This motif repeats throughout in varied materials: LED walls, illuminated signage, glassware, and more. Jewel-like pastries sit in softly spotlit vitrines, creating a gemologist's reverence for fine craft. Glass partitions and folding panels with solid wood frames maximize transparency and light. Black leather upholstered benches line the walls, while gold powder-coated steel shelving anchors the bar. Matte black HiMacs worktops, Versailles-pattern vinyl flooring, and chairs with gold/bronze cushioning alongside black-topped tables complete the refined industrial aesthetic.

www.patisserie-johanna.de

Photography:
Martina Goyert

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 03|24)