FRANKFURT AM MAIN, 29 April 2025
BUILT HOSPITALITY | Contemporary hotel architecture between mountains and sea
On 29 April, the JUNG Architecture Talks took place for the 16th time in Frankfurt am Main. The evening at the Jugend-Kultur-Kirche St. Peter was held under the theme Built Hospitality. We invited architects from Bad Gastein, Frankfurt, and Berlin to speak about contemporary hotel architecture and sustainable hospitality concepts—from the mountains to the sea.
We welcomed Berlin-based architect and furniture designer Sigurd Larsen, originally from Denmark, of Sigurd Larsen Design and Architecture. One of his most talked-about recent hospitality projects is the Michelberger Farm, located in the Spreewald region south of Berlin. From InterContinental Hotels Group, we were pleased to welcome architect Stefanie Rummel. As Senior Director of Design & Engineering at IHG, she was responsible, among other projects, for the design of the new Kimpton Main Frankfurt. Last but not least, we welcomed architect Ike Ikrath of the architecture office A.IK from Bad Gastein. In addition to his architectural work, he also operates several hotels in the Austrian spa winter resort together with his wife—including Hotel Miramonte, Haus Hirt, and the Alpenlofts.
The evening was moderated by Dr. Thomas Welter, Federal Managing Director of the BDA (Association of German Architects).
We welcomed Berlin-based architect and furniture designer Sigurd Larsen, originally from Denmark, of Sigurd Larsen Design and Architecture. One of his most talked-about recent hospitality projects is the Michelberger Farm, located in the Spreewald region south of Berlin. From InterContinental Hotels Group, we were pleased to welcome architect Stefanie Rummel. As Senior Director of Design & Engineering at IHG, she was responsible, among other projects, for the design of the new Kimpton Main Frankfurt. Last but not least, we welcomed architect Ike Ikrath of the architecture office A.IK from Bad Gastein. In addition to his architectural work, he also operates several hotels in the Austrian spa winter resort together with his wife—including Hotel Miramonte, Haus Hirt, and the Alpenlofts.
The evening was moderated by Dr. Thomas Welter, Federal Managing Director of the BDA (Association of German Architects).
Impressions
Photography: Tim Dornaus
SIGURD LARSEN
SIGURD LARSEN DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE, BERLIN
Sigurd Larsen, born in Denmark, studied architecture at the Aarhus School of Architecture and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. Before establishing his own office in Berlin in 2010, he worked with OMA in New York, MVRDV in Rotterdam, COBE in Copenhagen, and Topotek1 in Berlin. From 2011 to 2016, he was a research associate at the chair of Enrique Sobejano at the Berlin University of the Arts. Since 2016 he is Professor at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences. His work has been featured in numerous international journals and publications and has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale.
“In our built projects, we aim to develop a contemporary, sustainable interpretation of vernacular architecture. In every given physical and cultural context, local knowledge of how to build in a specific climate is a key source of inspiration for our work.”
www.sigurdlarsen.com
“In our built projects, we aim to develop a contemporary, sustainable interpretation of vernacular architecture. In every given physical and cultural context, local knowledge of how to build in a specific climate is a key source of inspiration for our work.”
www.sigurdlarsen.com
Image: © Packshot
STEFANIE RUMMEL
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP, FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Stefanie Rummel is a seasoned expert in hospitality design and project management, with over 20 years of professional experience. She holds degrees in both architecture and business administration from the University of Mainz. Currently, she serves as Senior Director of Design & Engineering at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). Prior to this role, she worked for companies including Marriott and Wyndham Hotel Group. She operates at the interface of real estate development, architecture, interior design, and design, and in her role maintains close relationships with owners and investors. In addition, she ensures that projects across the IHG portfolio align with the brand standards of the group. One of her most recent projects is the new Kimpton Main Frankfurt.
www.ihg.com
www.ihg.com
Image: © Privat
IKE IKRATH
A.IK, BAD GASTEIN / AUSTRIA
Ike (Thomas) Ikrath is an architect and passionate hotelier. After a successful career as an architect in Vienna, he entered the hospitality world through his wife Eve (Evelyn), the daughter of a hotelier. Together with Eve – who had previously worked in PR and marketing in New York and Paris – he took over Haus Hirt and Hotel Miramonte in Bad Gastein in the mid-2000s. That was the beginning of a remarkable success story. Once a sleepy spa and ski resort, Bad Gastein has since transformed into a new lifestyle destination for urban creatives and cosmopolitan travellers. Ikrath now also operates a third hospitality venture, the Alpenlofts. Naturally, he personally oversees all architectural matters.
“I’m neither really an architect nor a hotelier – I’m simply interested in people.”
www.hotelmiramonte.com | www.haus-hirt.com | www.alpenlofts.com
“I’m neither really an architect nor a hotelier – I’m simply interested in people.”
www.hotelmiramonte.com | www.haus-hirt.com | www.alpenlofts.com
Image: © Privat
MODERATION
The event was moderated by Dr. Thomas Welter, Federal Managing Director of the BDA (Association of German Architects).
www.bda-bund.de
www.bda-bund.de
Image: © Till Budde
