Situated in the old town, the NH Hotel has emerged from a comprehensive renovation with a fresh aesthetic, thoughtfully redesigned rooms, and reimagined communal spaces for the 2021 season. The Hamburg-based architects at Ratschko call their vision "contemporary cosy"—and they've delivered exactly that. The welcoming lobby features an organically curved sofa, a working fireplace, and intimate seating alcoves; a sleek bar and flexible co-working zones round out the offering. Both hotel guests and external visitors can book these adaptable spaces for work sessions or collaborative meetings.

The clean-lined design palette—from earthy tones to soft pastels—blends industrial aesthetics with a whisper of 1920s salon charm. Raw concrete columns, restored and sealed, stretch floor-to-ceiling, while geometric elements—muted mosaic tiles in various greens, wooden slat finishes on the bar and walls—reinforce the clarity of the vision. Custom lacquered built-ins beneath the fireplace and along the dining counter elevate the concept further. Flexibility and sustainability anchored the design philosophy: tall curtains serve as acoustic dividers in the lobby and restaurant, creating transformable spaces. The architects stayed equally committed to the Spanish NH Hotel Group's sustainability ethos, from modern building systems to interior choices. Materials and furnishings were salvaged from the existing fit-out, repurposed, and reinstalled wherever possible. "The hotel industry's pattern is shorter and shorter refurbishment cycles—everything often becomes waste within four or five years," notes architect Kai Ratschko. "We rejected that approach, focusing instead on timeless, quality fundamentals." Fabrics, cushions, wall colours, and panels inject style accents that can be swapped out as trends shift, easily extending the space's lifespan by another five years.

www.ratschko.de

Photography Credits:

Jakob Börner
www.jakobboerner.com

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 01|21)