A Daring Fusion of Dada and Design in Zurich

Words Vidula KotianDate 28 August 2024

Opening shortly, The Home Hotel Zürich is poised to redefine the city’s cultural landscape with its audacious infusion of Dada.

Located at the historic site of a significant Dada festival, in the old Sihlpapier paper factory, this hotel isn’t just a place to stay—it’s an art movement reborn. The design takes bold cues from the radical works that originated in Zurich’s very own Cabaret Voltaire during WWI, challenging societal norms.

The hotel is nestled in a former paper factory

“The overall design concept of this hotel celebrates the art of collage techniques,” explains Erik Nissen Johansen of Stytl Trampoli, the designers behind the project. “Just as Dadaists experimented with combining disparate elements, we’ve layered different materials and bold combinations of colors and patterns to create a dynamic yet harmonious ambiance.” Here, avant-garde meets comfort, with every corner offering a visual feast, thanks to a collaboration with artists from Cabaret Voltaire. A warm, earthy palette sets the stage for a striking blend of old and new. Original terrazzo floors meet custom carpets and wooden flooring, while historic columns draped with lush greenery underscore the hotel’s rich artistic lineage.

“Just as Dadaists experimented with combining disparate elements, we’ve layered different materials and bold combinations of colors and patterns...”

Erik Nissen Johansen, Stytl Trampoli

On display, the poster for Kleine Dada Soirée, 1922

"Composition Dada" by Sophie Taeuber-Arp, 1920

The Sihlpapier paper factory circa 1967 from the Baugeschichtliches Archiv Zürich

With a nod to its legacy as a venue for the famed international Dada Weeks, the hotel will continue to host an array of cultural events—from concerts and comedy nights to literary readings, making every stay an immersive experience.

The interiors celebrate the art of collage techniques

"However short-lived, Dada constitutes something like the Big Bang of Modernism. It paved the way for later movements as diverse as surrealism, pop art, and punk."

Erik Nissen Johansen, Stytl Trampoli

The hotel’s restaurant, LouLou, extends the creative spirit to its cuisine, where traditional dishes are reinvented with flair. The culinary highlight includes an innovative sourdough pizza topped with fresh oysters, offering a mix of traditional and gourmet flavors. Complementing this, the Raw Bar offers a tantalizing array of seafood, from succulent shrimp to fish, each dish crafted with an artisan’s touch.

The Home Hotel doesn’t just celebrate the legacy of Dada; it propels it into the present, making it a landmark of artistic and social innovation in Zurich.