At the beginning of the ´70s the Metzgerstüble, initially built as a steakhouse, became a bar & restaurant well integrated in the social life of the small village of Mellau. Service and hospitality became legendary. After the original building was hit by the heavy floods in 2005, demolition followed. The owner decided to rebuild the Metzgerstübl... read more

At the beginning of the ´70s the Metzgerstüble, initially built as a steakhouse, became a bar & restaurant well integrated in the social life of the small village of Mellau. Service and hospitality became legendary. After the original building was hit by the heavy floods in 2005, demolition followed. The owner decided to rebuild the Metzgerstüble on the same plot although the new dominant flood prevention line from the river, the integration of a neighbouring transformer station and the tightly flanking street made positioning of the building on the site not an easy task. The long rectangular footprint is the result of a maxed out setback plan.

For the visitor coming form the Mellenbach-Bridge, the open entrance creates a generous welcoming space. The bar is entered through a small porch. The toilets, kitchen and storage rooms are located in the rear of the building. Besides the central bar there are two elements dominating the interior. A 10 meters long window opens to the south, facing the village and the river. Sitting in the window allows a direct view on the frosted river in winter and the proliferating green in summer. Behind the bar a second window towards the streets incorporates the beverage bottles. Hence the activity inside the bar arouses curiosity especially by night.

The restaurant is completely covered in wood. A special brushed strip cladding provides for al less “smooth” character. Only local timber was used for the carpentry. Spruce for the wooden structure, white fir for the inner and outer coat, light ash for the doors and furniture. The Floor is covered thoroughly in grey stone, textile surfaces covered in calf leather and traditional dark felt add a residential feel to the interior.
The new Metzgerstüble is an attempt to develop a contemporary building for guests away from alpine clichés that welcomes both tourists and the residents of Mellau.

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