Schwan Locke is a 151-room aparthotel in the Theresienwiese area of Munich, Germany. Fettle were appointed to design the public areas included the lobby, coffee shop, guest lounge and bar as well as the large courtyard space and the gym. Our vision for the project was to create a space for locals and travellers alike, grounded in its location within Munich. We drew inspiration from the Deutscher Werkbund movement, originating in Munich in the early 20th century.
The spaces that we have created pay homage to these principals, whilst ensuring that they respect the existing aesthetic of the Locke brand, the hotel’s location and the modern world. The result is an interpretation of modernist principals rather than a pastiche of this iconic style, reflected throughout the hotel in elements such as detailing to the café counter and feature bar within the Ground Floor Lounge as well as in many of the furniture and lighting pieces.
The design ensures the public areas within the hotel feel comfortable and inviting and can transition easily throughout the day allowing guests to eat, drink, relax and work within the various spaces. To help with this, we created varied seating options layered with flexible lighting throughout the ground floor that can be tailored to a specific time of day or purpose.
A colourful yet relaxing palette has been used to ensure that these spaces maintain a sense of fun, including muted reds, greens, yellows and blues, echoing the era of the early modernist movement. We have used light timbers, chrome and steel, contrasting with the more tactile finishes used on the furniture. Raw plaster and bold painted finishes have been employed to keep the scheme bright and welcoming.
The majority of upholstered furniture for Schwan Locke is bespoke, taking inspiration from furniture of the early 20th century. This sits alongside elements sourced from design brands and vintage pieces providing layers to the scheme, an approach that was also taken in regard to the lighting. We designed bespoke pendants within the coffee shop, paired with locally sourced chandeliers within the bar. We also sourced wall, table and floor lights, both off-the-shelf and vintage ensuring the overall aesthetic is varied and interesting yet comfortable.
