The Fontenay, Hamburg

You and your team were the winners of the competition for the 5-star superior hotel The Fontenay in Hamburg. Was this something special?

Störmer: Definitely! The requirements of the investor were very high, the briefing was very qualified and already contained many details. That was both help and challenge. We seem to have exactly met the wishes of the client with our design. The Fontenay looks the same today as we had planned in the competition and proposed to the project manager. This is a rarity that makes us very proud.

On which basic idea is the concept based for such a structure?

Störmer: When we design a hotel in our office, we are guided by the people who will be there temporarily. In this case, demanding holidaymakers and business travelers, locals who want to spend a special day there ... They should be comfortable and enjoy pure beauty.

What significance does this hotel have for your office?

Störmer: We were already able to realize many interesting and big projects. The Fontenay is certainly our previous masterpiece. Designing a hotel of this class in such a location - directly on the Outer Alster Lake - is something unique. True to the motto “Lakeside Luxury“ the hotel should offer its guests every comfort. This starts with the expansive lobby, continues in the spacious rooms with private loggia and extends to the spa area on the top floor of the hotel. There are not the largest and most expensive suites, but an area from which all day and overnight guests benefit.

The demand for comfort is also reflected in the furnishings in the rooms: well thought out layouts, fine materials and separate areas. In the bathroom, the guest also expects a shower toilet. What is the idea behind it?

Störmer: I appreciate these hygienic toilets - as I prefer to call them - they are already state-of-the-art in Asia. Naturally, we wanted to offer this comfort to the guests of this luxury hotel, which is why all rooms and suites are equipped with an AquaClean Mera equipped by Geberit. We quickly came to an agreement with interior designer Matteo Thun, who made the design, and Aukett + Heese, who carried out his plans.

The market now offers a wide range of comfort toilets. Why did you choose the Geberit model?

Störmer: With Geberit products, the successful design language, the sophisticated technology and such important details as the flow of water in the WC ceramic convince me. This fits perfectly with the concept of the whole house, where water and flowing movements play an important role. Since these properties are also found in other products from Geberit, it was clear that we wanted to go further than the AquaClean Mera. Because in many cases, it is precisely these details that decide whether a house in the end seems consistent.

Which products are these, for example?

Störmer: The operating panel of the AquaClean Mera and the actuating plate Sigma80. Both harmonize perfectly in terms of design and operation with the control element for lighting, curtains and air conditioning in the rooms. A soft touch or a mere approach by hand will suffice and the desired function will be carried out.
In the public toilets of the restaurants, the decision was made to use the Sigma70 flush plate, which is very similar to the others: simple and elegant due to the glass surface. On the men's toilets are urinals from the series Preda, which convinced by their elongated shape and also invisible technology.

In your opinion, what characterizes the cooperation with Geberit?

Störmer: From the beginning, it became clear that Geberit cares about this project. The exchange was intense and on an equal footing and we were always provided with the information we needed for our work quickly and competently. That is also the merit of Norbert Steffens, the Key Account Manager Hotel of Geberit.

Finally, a personal question: What is your highlight of The Fontenay?

Störmer: Clearly the atrium with its 200 panes of glass and the chandelier suspended from the ceiling. The light scenarios programmed for the illuminated panes give rise to very different moods. I designed the chandelier with its modern interpretation, which seems to float in the room, especially for this house. In the evenings, he dips the atrium in an elegant light.