Mercure Zürich City

The Mercure Zurich City in the striking Vulcano quarter now has a new look: all 319 guest rooms and the public areas with lobby, a restaurant, a bar and a lounge area have been redesigned and realised by BRUMANN using a resource-saving approach. Three new, multifunctional conference rooms with a total capacity of up to 130 people were also created.

The design concept developed focusses on the local architecture and transfers modern architectural elements seamlessly from the exterior to the interior. Geometric shapes such as lines and circles, monolithic constructions as well as linear structures and organic forms characterise the overall appearance of the hotel. The colour palette reflects this connection to the outside world by combining urban grey and black tones with vibrant red accents. This fuses the design elements of ‘modern urban architecture’ and the ‘organic forces of a volcano’ in a clear, contemporary interpretation. This fascinating balance is particularly impressive at the Local Wall. A clear design language that also impressed the client: "The Mercure Zurich City is exemplary of our aspiration to combine authentic hospitality with innovative design and sustainable thinking. Brumann has realised this vision with great sensitivity, creating a hotel that not only blends into its urban surroundings, but also helps to shape them," says Erik Florvaag, CEO & Managing Partner of The Chocolate in the Pillow Group, describing the result.

As part of the realisation of the design concept, BRUMANN reused existing furniture in numerous areas. By skilfully combining new materials, modified existing furniture and aesthetic adjustments, it was possible to realise an appealing, sustainable and resource-saving overall concept. For example, the bed headboard was retained and attractively redesigned; the sofa, as part of the existing furniture, also served as a source of inspiration for the colour scheme of the walls. Small changes such as a new panel for the desk frame, new foiling in the bathroom area or panelling on the back wall of the wardrobe provide additional aesthetic accents. The upcycling was continued in the public areas. The bar was re-clad and creates a new dynamic in the room with the new, open bottle rack, which is also continued in the successful mix of existing and new furniture. The coffee station has also been re-clad and can now be closed; in the restaurant area, a room dividing element has been converted into a fireplace. A sustainable approach that offers guests a modern and inviting ambience while conserving resources.

BRUMANN's combined expertise in a strong design-build approach enabled a smooth rebranding during ongoing operations within a few months. "The collaboration with Brumann was characterised by professionalism, creativity and genuine partnership. The result speaks for itself: a well thought-out design concept that plays with the existing resources and breathes new life into the building - in line with our sustainable development strategy," says Thomas Reichert, Senior Project Manager at The Chocolate on the Pillow Group, summarising the project.