CASE STORIES /
Hotel Walhalla

May 2020

The physical setting of an event and seminar hotel is crucial for its guests’ satisfaction. A lot is at stake whenever guests are invited to a conference, meeting or any other event. Everything must run smoothly, and the organiser must have peace of mind during the event itself.

These are the top priorities at the four-star event and seminar Hotel Walhalla in St Gallen, Switzerland. The essential elements of this venue are professional infrastructure, modern technology, contemporary interiors and daylight, excellent catering and a high level of service. Everything must be perfect to ensure a successful event and a great guest experience.

Hotel Walhalla was about to embark on a large-scale enlargement of its conference facilities. In close collaboration with the hotel, Iria Degen Interiors AG harmoniously and respectfully fused old and new to create an exceptional interior design and atmosphere:

”We kept the semi-listed, structural components of unique architectural interest and enhanced them with new features to give the hotel a fresh identity,”
Nicole Maurerlechner, Dipl. Interior Architect FHZ.

In this symbiosis of new and old, the choice of materials is crucial. Existing, distinctive materials, such as undulating wooden ceilings and Bordeaux red marble are combined with new natural materials, such as burnished bronze and natural stone. Natural elements were also brought into play when Nicole Maurerlechner chose of carpets of woollen yarns. Individual carpeting solutions at the same time enabled a focused use of classic geometrical patterns and meticulously matched colours which, in Nicole Maurerlechner’s view, ensure “an organic style that supports a soft, warm atmosphere.”

For an interior designer, however, the design line is not the only consideration. All materials and surfaces were carefully selected to meet functionality criteria and demands of being able to withstand daily wear and make for a healthy indoor climate.

When selecting chairs for the seminar area, the requirement for functional use was of vital importance. Although organic shapes are valued in the design line, the geometry must also be covered so that the chairs can be easily set up and handled.

Another crucial functionality and design feature is to ensure good acoustics in the new conference facilities. This is achieved with the Colortec carpet solution, whose unique acoustics derive from its integrated felt backing:

”We primarily selected carpets to ensure the acoustic requirements, but also the feel-good factor in the conference rooms play an important role: you have to secure a pleasant atmosphere from seminars to wedding events” says Nicole Maurerlechner.

New collaboration is a matter of trust

The refurbishment of Hotel Walhalla is the first project in which Iria Degen Interiors AG has collaborated with Dansk Wilton. We know that new collaboration is a matter of trust, because so much is at stake in such a project – everything must succeed. To Nicole Maurerlechner, this trust was instilled early on:

“In our search for a customised carpet solution, we encountered Dansk Wilton. A new collaboration always entails a certain risk, but from the outset of the design development phase and production of samples, we soon realised that Dansk Wilton was a very reliable partner.

This instilled us with the trust and peace of mind we needed to know that the final implementation would also succeed, which we have now verified.

We’ve been thoroughly satisfied with the high level of service throughout the process and we’ll return to Dansk Wilton whenever we have a new project.”

We are grateful to Iria Degen Interiors AG for this trust and we look forward to collaborating on the next projects transforming new creative ideas into unique carpeting solutions.

Carpet Facts

Project:
Hotel Walhalla in St Gallen, Switzerland

Carpet solution:
Dansk Wilton delivered custom designed Colortec carpet solutions.

Carpet specifications:
DW Contract Colortec 1500 g/m2 with integrated felt backing for corridors.
DW Contract Colortec 1700 g/m2 with integrated felt backing for seminar areas.

Architects:
Iria Degen Interiors AG

“In our search for a customised carpet solution, we encountered Dansk Wilton. A new collaboration always entails a certain risk, but from the outset of the design development phase and production of samples, we soon realised that Dansk Wilton was a very reliable partner.

This instilled us with the trust and peace of mind we needed to know that the final implementation would also succeed, which we have now verified.

We’ve been thoroughly satisfied with the high level of service throughout the process and we’ll return to Dansk Wilton whenever we have a new project.”

Nicole Maurerlechner,
Dipl. Interior Architect