in the quiet alsatian town of illhaeusern on the eastern french border the owners of the famed auberge de l’ill restaurant commissioned french studio jouin manku to envision a new structure for an accompanying hotel and spa. the modest structure contains only five junior suites to maintain the idea of tranquility and peace, located on the second floor. on the ground floor, a romanesque-inspired mineral pool and multi-faith chapel offer the ultimate space for a quiet getaway. the structure itself is rather restrained, making up what it might lack in size with an exhaustive attention to detail that ensures every edge and every connection is executed immaculately. 

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the structure’s scale and materials fit into the tranquil surroundings
image © nicolas mathéus (also first image)

 

 

only three primary materials were utilized to create the building, concrete, oak wood, and dark stone, each left untreated in their natural state- a testament to the purity of the material and the landscape it resides in. the timber structure, with a pitched roof that alludes to the specific region, sits partially upon a solid concrete volume spanning the entire length of the building footprint, containing the chapel and administrative spaces. slender timber slats wrap around the outer facade of the elevated wooden form creating a light screen filtering direct sunlight into the private suites. on the inside, a constantly changing array of light and shadow trace over the surfaces throughout the day. 

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image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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the multi-faith chapel provides a quiet, clerestory-lit space capable of accommodating groups or individuals
image © nicolas mathéus

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the entry hallway exhibits the serene nature of the design
image © nicolas mathéus

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oak, concrete, and stone are found throughout the structure
image © nicolas mathéus

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the bedrooms feature custom mulit-functional furniture
image © nicolas mathéus

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private balconies all face the outdoor pool area, sheltered by the low-lying canopy
image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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the reception desk sits between the entry to the interior spa and outdoor pool
image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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the indoor mineral pool extends to the outside, accessible through the water
image © nicolas mathéus

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simple details within the structure bring it to life
image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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image © nicolas mathéus

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the timber frame structure is repeated throughout the building and incorporated into each room

 

 

project info:

 

 

design: agence jouin manku: patrick jouin and sanjit manku; yann brossier, daphna glaubert, mickaël gouret, henry gagnaire
site architect: atelier rauseo, silvio rauseo
contractors: main contractor: armindo
timber structure and roof: creacharpente
plasterwork: werey stenger
internal joinery: l’atelier des ménétriers, les creagenceurs
stone: gervasi frères
hvac: naegelen
hot stone: atelier deshommes
lighting: d’ecolighting
stainless-steel pool: inoxxia
photography: nicolas mathéus
graphic design: hémera studio

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