Après Ski Club
Architectural Scenography x Art
Spanning across three distinct vertical levels, the Après Ski Music Club and Bar Sudhaus in Sonthofen represents a radical reinterpretation of alpine nightlife architecture, meticulously executed by studioacht.
Opposite the main bar, a long, custom bench crafted from warm nut-wood anchors the perimeter. The wall space directly above is activated by a sculptural installation, composed of polished steel rings in varying dimensions, projecting dynamic geometric patterns across the lounge area.
The defining structural centerpiece of this double-volume space is the monumental light chimney. Here, an expansive wooden panel with elegantly rounded margins hangs freely in front of a vast, 4.3-meter-high wall envelope. Concealed behind this floating shield, the sleek pathway of the high-grade stainless steel flue is subtly revealed. Terminating just above the floor, the shaft emits a warm, amber illumination, replicating the visceral ambiance of an open fire. Circular lounge seats upholstered in rich brown leather and detailed with contrasting orange stitching are distributed sporadically throughout the volume, while a dedicated wardrobe and a minimalist kiosk seamlessly connect to the main dancefloor area.
The first floor transitions into an intimate mezzanine lounge, furnished with deep sofas in dark brown leather, polished side tables, and matching leather-topped stools. Ascending to the second floor, a secondary, smaller bar counter occupies a more introverted space, where walls and ceilings are enveloped in a saturated, dark brown monochrome tone. Acting as a striking backdrop along both lateral walls, a cubic bar structure made of perforated, reflective high-grade steel manipulates light through thousands of microscopic apertures.
The architectural skin of the venue continuously alters the indoor climate throughout the day: during daylight hours, diffused, tender rays of natural light filter through the custom wooden blinds of the tall street-facing windows. At nightfall, this atmosphere undergoes a dramatic chromatic transition, as an intense pink glow pierces through the wooden louvers, projecting an avant-garde visual signature onto the urban exterior.
Architectural Scenography: Suzanne Faltenbacher
Creative Direction: Suzanne Faltenbacher x Daniel Kronwinkler
Scope: Custom Spatial Synthesis, Lighting Scenography, Installation Art, Site-specific objects
Dimension: 230 sqm
Location: Sonthofen, Germany