L'Auberge de l'Ill

Ten years after the restaurant was first fitted out, Jouin Manku was once again asked to work on the interior architecture of the Auberge de l'Ill. The trust and complicity established between the Haeberlin and Baumann families, and the architects Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku, enabled the project to develop ideally. The aim was to enrich the guest experience and improve the welcome, while respecting the spirit of the place.

The major intervention in this space focuses on the ceiling, where three large mirror-polished stainless steel discs measuring 4 metres in diameter are installed. Their delicately worked surfaces evoke aquatic waves, creating shimmering "puddles" that reflect and amplify the river's presence, adding an extra dimension to the room's volume.
The walls are clad in a light fabric, carefully laid out, which contributes to the acoustic comfort of the space. In the quest for refinement, precious details such as the patinated bronze skirting boards are also taken into account.

In the Auberge de l'Ill, an exceptional volume is created with a huge marquetry panel (3 m x 7 m), forming a large alcove around two custom-made tables. The panel, designed by graphic artist Philippe David on the theme of the river, features birds, insects, willows and aquatic plants. It's the world's largest marquetry surface, featuring nearly a dozen different wood species. The décor incorporates the technical constraints of marquetry, creating a depth of field with juxtaposed cut-out shapes. Bronze reeds extend the panel, protecting the intimacy of the space without enclosing it completely, recalling the cosy ambience of traditional winstubs.

To enhance guests' peace and quiet, the pathway leading to the Alsatian Room and Pigeonnier areas has been redesigned. The curtain of Murano glass rushes has been transformed to encourage guests to bypass the diners' area.

This new itinerary is enhanced by a fairytale setting and a few magical moments. The wall is covered with a finely embroidered fabric of colorful butterflies. From time to time, as a surprise, half-open shutters reveal landscapes treated in oxidized copper, animated by butterflies and magnificent hanging paper birds. These works of art were created by artist Diana Beltran Herrera, in a nod to the regional tradition of paper cut-outs.