“Our project is a mix of deep, simple pleasures and sparkle” (Sanjit Manku, Architect)
Inspired by the site’s natural beauty overlooking the vine-covered hills of France’s Champagne region, Studio Jouin Manku has designed, built and delivered a new spa hotel in Mutigny. In its essence, the goal was the discreet insertion of a 101 rooms hotel/spa into the landscape. The architecture assures a constant visual connection to its surroundings from the forest and its undergrowth to the horizon, with its valleys and hillsides covered in vines in between.
Two connected blocs, one dedicated to social interactions; transparent and light, with the welcoming warmth of a central fireplace and the light sculpture rising through the monumental staircase, the suggestion is clear-champagne. This public space is joined to a second, more vertical volume containing the hotel rooms, where the views through the tree canopy are more intimate.
Drawing on the historical tradition of storing champagne in the chalk and salt mines left behind by the Romans, the hotel can be accessed either via a cave-like undercroft at the rear of the hotel or from the parking area. Designed as a prelude to the light-filled discovery that follows, the ‘public’ level is a free-flowing multipurpose space oriented around a central light-filled patio and panoramic views over the region. Reception, tasting tables, bar, restaurant and even seminar spaces all merge in front of the spectacle of the site’s natural beauty.
The dining areas are in two speeds. “The Chefs table”, designed by Studio Jouin Manku, is a modular series of raised dining tables near the restaurant’s core kitchen. Designed to promote intense personal interactions between food professionals and guests overproduce, diners can either stand around the high tables (for tastings or buffet self-service) or sit on retractable stools concealed in the body of the table. Custom-designed overhead bar lighting ensures perfect illumination of the subject at hand. This area also doubles as a buffet as required.
The restaurant’s more traditional dining is on the periphery of the space near the bay windows, making the most of the views. The concrete structure creates intimate dining areas and frames the exterior view. All restaurant areas use earthenware ceramics on the floor and walls, a nod and a wink towards the laboratory nature of gastronomic food production. Wood and leather bench seating along the walls is complimented with more traditional seating, adaptable to different configurations. All restaurant areas use earthenware ceramics on the floor and walls, a nod and a wink towards the laboratory nature of gastronomic food production.
The spa and wellness areas located on the bottom level of the building use a chalk-toned render on the walls and vertical surfaces, recalling the particular soil characteristics of the Champagne region. Blue slate-coloured floor ceramics also make a subtle link to terroir. The pool traverses the building envelope with both indoor and outdoor access extending its seasonal functionality by many months.
101 bedrooms in either standard, executive or suite-style are furnished entirely with designs by Studio Jouin Manku realised in oak, wool, linen, and leather. The custom wardrobe handles in the form of Vinewood are cast in metal. Orientated towards the exterior, the architecture is careful to ensure that only the view is visible from each room.
Enjoy even more @ Mutigny Resort – France
Article edit by Nadia Toppino
Food, Wine & Hospitality Journalist