“We are completely stunned that we won,” says Stylt founder and creative leader Erik Nissen Johansen, “especially as the competition consisted of some of our greatest heroes.” Among the nominated in the same category were Philippe Starck, Rockwell Group and Yabu Pushelberg.
Erik Nissen Johansen received the award from Minja Yang, deputy director of the World Heritage Centre, and François de Mazieres, Mayor of Versailles, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Friday.
Prix Versailles is a global award that recognizes excellence in commercial architecture, such as stores, malls, hotels and restaurants. The goal is to erase the perceived differences between commercial and cultural architecture, and create a new paradigm with sustainability and social and cultural values in focus.
Stylt were asked to transform the logistics central of a former cheese factory in the little town of Thun, not too far from Bern, into a personal boutique hotel by the property owner Credit Suisse.
The hotel is run by a local team headed by the Swiss hotelier Manfred Weilguni. In the century-old building Stylt has created a hotel experience far from the traditional staid and proper Swiss chalet style. Spedition offers atmospheric lighting, a moody, muted colour scheme and surprising persona details.
Spedition Hotel & Restaurant has already boosted the reputation of the entire town of Thun. People now travel there specially to eat at the restaurant, and people who previously just passed through go out of their way to stay at the hotel, which has been fully booked since the opening day in late 2016.
Stylt Trampoli is an award-winning concept- and design agency with clients and projects all around the world. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the agency consists of architects, art directors, designers, marketers and branding experts, working closely together on projects for the experience and hospitality industry.
