Building and Resonance

The construction of Hotel Maistra has been underway for nearly three years now, with the topping-out ceremony celebrated at the end of 2022. During this intense period, what were your personal milestones, and which experiences have left a lasting impression on you?

Bettina Plattner: Exactly. We began construction three years ago in May, and I vividly remember the excavation from that time – a very deep, wide, and impressive hole. The construction of the structural shell tested our patience. Despite the uncertainty around delivery times and material shortages, we were relatively fortunate, as the materials for the foundations had been ordered in advance. The situation became more challenging with the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, but thankfully, aside from extended delivery times, we didn’t encounter any serious issues.

We will never forget the exceptional collaboration with master builders Seiler and Costa, under the leadership of Paolo Crameri and foreman Gianni Agosti, throughout the entire shell construction phase. Their motivation, reliability, and dedication were truly unmatched. From day one, the atmosphere on the construction site was incredibly positive – a rare and remarkable thing. This keen sense of teamwork was evident during the topping-out ceremony in October 2022, where over 150 members of the workforce gathered. It was a truly memorable and wonderful moment!

Today, the work has progressed well beyond the building’s structural shell; we are now deep into the interior phase, including the planning of the furniture. One particularly fascinating aspect is the creation of the terrazzo floor. Work on the ground floor began in mid-January, led by Christian Aubry and Lucrezia Zanetti, and will take about four months to complete. Every day, a dedicated team of nine people works meticulously, selecting, washing, and laying stones, all while on their knees. Only at the very end is the floor polished, revealing the true beauty of the terrazzo. This process goes far beyond typical construction – it’s a form of architectural artistry. To our knowledge, Hotel Maistra will feature the first and only terrazzo floor made from Bernina rock. An amazing story!

As dedicated developers, you are deeply involved in the process and actively shape the project alongside the architects and other team members. How does this collaboration unfold? What have you learned from it? What aspects have been particularly positive, and have there been any challenges or pain points along the way?

We often hear that we’re incredibly committed, but for Richard and me, there’s simply no other way. We can’t imagine commissioning a hotel to be built without being actively involved. For us, it’s about realizing our dream, and our level of involvement feels completely natural – especially since we’re hoteliers ourselves. Our collaboration with architect Gion A. Caminada has been excellent. We’ve been working together since 2017, long before the actual groundbreaking ceremony. There’s a mutual respect: he listens to us, and we listen to him. He brings us into the construction process, and we include him in our conceptual ideas. 

This experience has been significant for both of us. In past projects, like Saratz or Hotel Castell, the vision and strategy were always predefined – in the spirit of “architecture follows vision.” But the process at Hotel Maistra has been entirely different. Here, architecture, vision, and concept evolved together, simultaneously. This way, architecture becomes an integral part of the concept. Many of Caminada’s ideas helped shape the development of our vision, and conversely, our input has influenced the architecture. We see this as a unique and exciting opportunity for our hotel project.

Over time, the concept of “resonance” has become central to our collaboration. We’ve noticed the term frequently appearing in discussions about the future of tourism as well. Resonance, in essence, means vibrating at the same frequency, making connections, and eliciting a response. This applies not only to relationships between people but also to the interaction between buildings and those who experience them. Resonance is a key concept in architecture – it’s not just about functionality but about how spaces impact people, evoking well-being, inspiration, and emotions.

Resonance also defines Richard’s and my leadership style, as well as that of Irene and Martin Müller, who have been entrusted with the management of the Hotel. It’s reflected in the strong relationships we foster—with employees, guests, partners, and friends. Over time, we’ve come to see how everything aligns and finds its place naturally. Working with Gion A. Caminada has been incredibly rewarding and positive.

Of course, there are challenges. Well, actually, just one: Gion A. Caminada questions everything.

He always says, “When we have an idea, we must first tear it apart and then rebuild it from scratch.” That takes time – and many conversations. Again and again, he sent us back to square one, which can be nerve-wracking. But in the end, this approach results in care, beauty, and quality. Caminada told us from the outset, “You must persevere until the very end.” It’s a demanding process, but we stayed the course.

Now, as the opening is approaching, we often think, “We need to move forward,” and try to speed up decision-making. Yes, the architect is moving forward too, but he can’t really be rushed – because he refuses to compromise. For him, only the best solution will do! Maistra is set to open on November 17, 2023, and while Gion A. Caminada senses our urgency, we understand his commitment to his pace. Both sides recognize each other’s motivations, so, in the end, everything is working out just fine.

How closely does Hotel Maistra align with the original vision?

(Convinced) Very close! Closer than ever before. It’s incredibly close. Our vision has become clearer and more refined as we’ve developed the concept and construction together, hand in hand. It’s gained depth and substance along the way. New elements have infused the original vision with even more energy. Throughout the entire process, we’ve never lost sight of the original idea. The architecture has seamlessly woven itself into the vision.

The hotel is anything but ordinary and holds a number of conceptual and architectural surprises. What are you most excited about?

What makes the hotel truly special, beyond its overall architecture, are the rich stories behind the materials – particularly the stone. The terrazzo, crafted from stone sourced in the Bernina region; the Bodio Nero from Ticino used for the columns and floor tiles on the terrace; and the local stone pigments that define the color scheme. These elements even inspired the Maistra jewelry collection, featuring jade and Arzo marble, a Swiss stone used in the spa at the base of the hotel, where the original architectural vision was conceived. These materials have even led to the creation of products sold in the “Maistra Concept Store.” In that sense, it’s something truly unique.

Additionally, there are nods to the grand hotel era throughout: the columns, the terrazzo, the intricately designed coffered ceilings, the pine hall, the red runners in the corridors, large floral motifs on the room ceilings, and the subtle touches of brass. All these details combine to make the experience extraordinary.

The spa area will be nothing short of spectacular, featuring an atrium and cloister that spans three underground floors, open to the sky above. Here, the elements truly come into play – rain and snow will fall directly onto the piazza, which is lined with Arzo marble. The hotel will also boast a curated library, the Creative Box, and a vibrant Concept Store. We are incredibly excited for all of this to come together.

The hotel is set to open in mid-November 2023. What challenges remain to be addressed before then?

Right now, we’re focused on planning and placing orders for all the interior furnishings. We’re cautious about delivery times, which is why we’re aiming to finalize everything by early May. All orders and contracts for the interior work have been placed, so now it’s all about staying on schedule with the implementation. 

We’re fortunate to have been working as a team of four for some time, collaborating closely with the Müllers on all material and conceptual matters. We feel confident moving forward. The Müllers have also begun hiring staff and planning the team’s uniforms. The Maistra 160 team will eventually consist of around 40 people – 15 of whom have already been hired. We'll launch a recruitment campaign at the beginning of summer. Although the hotel industry is facing challenges right now, we’re optimistic about filling all the positions.
 

Alongside the hotel, the Maistra employee residence, Chesa Curtinella, is also under construction on the outskirts of Pontresina. This project is progressing smoothly, thanks to strong construction management and an excellent architect. However, ensuring that both the hotel and residence are ready to open simultaneously in November requires careful coordination, with no room for delays or unexpected issues. There’s little margin for error.

The shortage of skilled workers in the hotel industry is a significant challenge at the moment. How is Hotel Maistra addressing this issue?

A key competitive advantage is that we’re opening a brand-new and undoubtedly exciting hotel. Both we and the hotel management team led by Irene and Martin Müller have a compelling reputation for excellent management and employee relations. We’re placing a much greater emphasis on talent management, employee benefits, and talent development, and we’re making sure to communicate this clearly. Additionally, we offer a high quality of work and life here in Pontresina, enhanced by the modern Chesa Curtinella employee residence. Frankly, I’m not sure what more we could do.