Hotel Schloss Schauenstein – contemporary design in a Swiss Alpine castle
I know I bang on a lot about spaces that showcase minimalist design without losing their soul or their sense of place, but it’s a balance I always find incredibly beguiling. And Schloss Schauenstein, set high in the Swiss Alps in tiny Fürstenau (the smallest settlement in the world to hold city rights, with a population of just 350), is a perfect example.
The brainchild of chef Andreas Caminada, the hotel and its Michelin-starred restaurant are spread across a 12th-century castle and an adjacent villa. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their opening, both have been reworked by Danish design duo Space Copenhagen, who focused on preserving their historic character while introducing a tranquil, refined mood with a subtle Scandinavian twist.
Running throughout the reimagined interiors is a quiet dialogue between old and new. The original stone walls, timber beams, winding staircases and rich wooden panelling have been paired with oak, wool and linen in muted, earthy tones. Also woven into the mix are restored, upcycled and reupholstered pieces from the castle, which mingle effortlessly with contemporary additions to create a meaningful and layered narrative.
The lobby, with its soaring arched ceiling and stone-tiled floor, sets the tone for the elegant yet intimate atmosphere. Here, Space Copenhagen has incorporated sculptural pieces such as a curved desk, a cylindrical alabaster-based table lamp by Michaël Verheyden for Studio Oliver Gustav, and a burgundy ‘Etcetera’ lounge chair, created by Swedish designer Jan Ekselius in the 1970s and shaped to resemble an undulating ribbon. Their sleek forms are offset beautifully by the ornate chandeliers hanging overhead, while thick beige curtains strung across doorways add softness to the space.
The blend of old and new continues in the nine guest bedrooms, all decorated in nature-inspired hues – rock grey, moss green, burnt orange – that reference the local landscape. Restored panelling and four-poster beds speak of Schloss Schauenstein’s medieval grandeur, yet the feel is relaxed and cossetting. The furniture encompasses antiques alongside iconic designs such as Marcel Breuer’s 1920s tubular-steel ‘Wassily’ chair and Mario Bellini’s voluptuous ‘Camaleonda’ sofa system. There are also pieces created by Space Copenhagen, including the sheepskin-covered ‘Sequoia’ pouf for Fredericia and the slim-stemmed, marble-based ‘Gravity’ floor lamp for GUBI. The ensuite bathrooms, meanwhile, feature angular stone basins, deep tubs and rainfall showers, with minimal fixtures and fittings so as not to distract from their serenity.
Decorated in gentle tones, the restaurant is softly illuminated to form a calm, cosy space where shadows and sun beams dance across the walls. Customised ‘Sela’ dining chairs from De La Espalda reflect the wider interior palette with their combination of wood, leather and wool; there are also cushioned banquettes in plum-coloured fabric. Tactile details such as tableware and cutlery handcrafted by local artisans support the culinary experience, which explores the connections between food, memory and place.
The bar areas are similarly inviting, with warm rusts and greens against wooden panelling and ornate frescoes. Clusters of lounge chairs with embracing curves, including Space Copenhagen’s own ‘Loafer’ series for &Tradition and ‘Stay’ chair for GUBI, invite lingering over drinks and long conversations. These are complemented by Frama’s column-based ‘Sintra’ tables, whose stone again echoes the materials used elsewhere in the interiors and in the very fabric of the building.
This really is the kind of place I love to stay at. It’s a considered transformation that bridges past and present, with a deep connection to the mountains and forests that surround it. In the words of Space Copenhagen co-founder Peter Bundgaard Rützou, it’s somewhere that feels more like a ‘thoughtfully curated retreat’ than a hotel.
Book Schloss Schauenstein here, and see more of Space Copenhagen’s work here.
Photography by Joachim Wichmann, courtesy of Space Copenhagen
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