Munich, Berlin and Beijing-based architecture practice HENN has created interiors of a restaurant that evokes transition from sandy dunes to pebbled shoreline with warm color palette in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Called Ritz-Carlton Aura Restaurant, the 400-square-metre restaurant is located on the Mittelland Canal of the Volkswagen Autostadt. The Ritz-Carlton Aura Restaurant and event space offers unique views of the VW Kraftwerk power station. 

The interiors are characterized by light-colors and natural materials, the warm restaurant interior creates a striking contrast with its industrial setting.

The five-star Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg was built by HENN in 2000 as part of the VW Autostadt, and was renovated by Elliott Barnes Interiors in 2013, with the exception of the AURA restaurant. 

HENN won a competition to design the breakfast room and event space which was inspired by coastal landscapes.

Within the arcing steel and glass space, the studio created three distinct spatial zones that evoke the transition from sandy dunes to pebbled shoreline. 

Each band of space uses a nuanced material palette and offers a unique dining experience: individual tables follow the steel and glass facade; a central zone is anchored by a fireplace and living room seating; and the back wall offers intimate dining alcoves. 

Three freestanding buffet islands are clad in natural stone and evoke the lozenge-shape of stones rubbed smooth by waves. 

The 377-square-metre space is also used for events with high-level of flexibility, which was a key design criteria: filegreed screens act as movable partitions and evoke the sun-bleached seagrass of dunescapes.

HENN used artisanal touches and hand detailing to create a sense of haptic-luxury. 

The walls are clad in gray travertine; in the entryway, Bocci Series 73 pendant lights, made of irregularly dimpled glass, create subtle asymmetry and plays of shadow.

While the entryway and lounge carpets were hand-knotted to HENN’s specifications by Berlin-based design firm Reuber & Henning, warm wood panels and hand-troweled plaster work add warmth and tactility.

In addition, the curving, 16m Walter Knoll rug was hand-knotted from silk, wool and nettle and Paul Matter-designed Monolith Table lamps add a subtle gleam of brass. 

The acoustic wall panels are wrapped in a custom-printed textile, made from original watercolor paintings by HENN.

Floor plan

HENN’s upcoming interior projects include the Google Office in Berlin, Serviceplan House of Communication in Munich, and the Baramundi Headquarters in Augsburg.

HENN also began construction on a new headquarters in Changsha, China and a new technology hub in Berlin, Germany. 

Project facts

Project name: Ritz-Carlton Aura Restaurant

Architects: HENN

Location: Wolfsburg, Germany

Year: 2021

Client: Autostadt GmbH

Area GFA: 400m2

Program: Restaurant, Breakfast Room, Event Space 

Status: Built

Specialist Planners: Roman Hartmann GmbH (Carpentry), Dedar (Custom Fabric Printing), Lindner SE (Expansion), IB Zammit (TGA/Building Services), Wehrhahn GmbH & Co. KG (Chimney Builder), Lumen3 GbR (Lighting), Müller-BBM (Acoustics), IGW Ingenieurgruppe Walter + Partner GBR (Kitchen Planner), Dehne, Kruse & Partner Brandschutzingenieure (Fire Protection).

Team

Partner in Charge: Hans Funk

Project Director: Julia Fuchs

Design Director: Tiffany Taraska

Team: Katrin Jacobs, Anne Henkel, Ine Spaar, Katja Schuppelius, Anna Cwik, Martin Erdinger, Ralph Hempel, Thomas Quisinsky, Michael Sadomskyj, Luis Felipe Acevedo, Phyllis Buschmeyer, Deborah Klajmic, Elena Rodas Vargas, Anatolii Romanov.

All images © Robert Rieger

Drawings © HENN 

> via HENN 

HENN restaurant