REVISITED: A visit to Taverne Johann after 20 years
With our REVISITED format, we revisit completed projects and ask: How does architecture stand the test of time? Following a single-family house in Witterswil last year, our second visit takes us to Taverne Johann in Basel. More than 20 years after the renovation, Christian and head chef Christoph Hartmann speak again in the video about the interplay between hospitality and space.
Anna Stärk
25. June 2026
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Which hospitality needs in spatial design still work today? The fundamental needs – connection, authenticity, and atmosphere – remain unchanged. A restaurant continues to be a social space that brings people together. What has worked particularly well at Johann from the very beginning is the openness of the space, its earthy materiality, and its sense of honesty. These qualities create trust and longevity – values that remain relevant today.
Are there aspects you would approach differently today? With the experience gained over the years, one might introduce more flexible seating arrangements or even more adaptable lighting concepts. However, many of the original decisions – such as limiting the material palette to a few honest materials like copper, oak, and concrete – have proven to be exceptionally sustainable. This clear, craft-driven interior ages gracefully and establishes a strong identity rather than chasing trends.
What defines timeless interior design? Timeless design is reduced, honest, and functional. When materials are allowed to age and develop a patina, they gain character rather than showing wear. At Johann, decoration was never the focus; proportion, tactility, and light were. This approach allows a place to remain vibrant and relevant for decades.
How has guest behaviour changed over time? Today, the boundaries between restaurant, bar, and social gathering place have become increasingly blurred. Guests stay longer and come not only to dine but also to meet, connect, or work. At Johann, this can be seen, for example, in the careful integration of former leisure areas such as the bowling alley, which is now perceived as an atmospheric part of the overall spatial experience. Spaces today need to accommodate a wider range of uses.
How has the architecture supported this change? The robust and open structure has been an advantage from the outset. Solid materials and a clear spatial organisation have allowed for subtle adaptations without compromising the character of the place. This adaptability is crucial – and in the future, architecture will increasingly serve as a framework rather than a determinant of operational concepts.
What changes do you anticipate over the next 20 years? Hospitality will become even more strongly shaped by sustainability, flexible use, and community. Kitchens will become more visible, and energy efficiency will be taken for granted. Architecture must respond with durable, resource-conscious, yet flexible concepts – spaces that can evolve in both use and atmosphere without sacrificing quality.
Why has this restaurant remained consistently successful? Because it offers identity rather than stylistic reinvention. The combination of a clear philosophy – in cuisine, hospitality, and spatial design – creates credibility. Johann has succeeded in remaining rooted in its neighbourhood without becoming outdated. Authenticity has replaced fashion.
What role does architectural quality play in long-term economic success? A significant one. Good architecture is ultimately the most economical long-term solution: it requires less explanation, ages gracefully, and reduces renovation costs. When guests enjoy spending time in a space because it feels coherent and authentic, this has a direct impact on the success of the business.
Have guests’ tastes and expectations changed? Yes – today’s guests expect more atmosphere and greater authenticity. They intuitively read spaces: is something genuinely crafted or merely staged? The response is not to introduce new effects, but to continue refining what already exists through a conscious approach to light, detailing, and the history of the place.
Which architectural qualities will be most important in the future? Flexibility, material honesty, and identity. A restaurant must be adaptable, durable, and at the same time full of character. Spaces that allow stories to unfold and support multiple forms of use will remain relevant. Timelessness is not created through neutrality, but through conviction.
Pinterest, digital mood boards, Instagram, ChatGPT and other AI-powered research tools – the number of digital information platforms is vast, and they’ve become an integral part of our daily workflow.
And yet, our analogue architecture library possesses a unique power of its own. As a tactile archive of architectural history and a source of inspiration for future thinking, it remains a constant presence in our studio – sometimes used more, sometimes less, but always accessible.
DEEP DIVE – Auseinandersetzung mit Branchen-Themen: Bauindustrie zwischen Politischem Mikromanagement und Europäisierung
Rückblick auf unser Podiumsgespräch im Klybeck Areal am 3. September 2024. Am 3. September 2024 fand im Klybeck Areal ein spannendes Podiumsgespräch statt, das sich mit der Frage beschäftigte, wie die Bauindustrie den Spagat zwischen politischem Mikromanagement und Europäisierung meistern kann. Gastgeberin auf dem Klybeck Areal war Anita Fetz, alt Ständerätin und Verwaltungsrätin der Rhystadt AG. Auf dem Podium waren Hans Peter Wessels, alt Regierungsrat Kanton Basel-Stadt, Gabriela Theus, Geschäftsführerin Immofonds Asset Management AG Zürich sowie Christian W. Blaser, Blaser Architekten Basel. Moderiert wurde das Podium von Manuel Hutter, Verwaltungsrat der Kontur Projektmanagement AG. Anlass für uns, das Gespräch und die Gedanken dieses Abends noch einmal Revue passieren zu lassen...
How are lighting fixtures created that go far beyond their function as sources of light and become an extension of a space’s architecture? In conversation with the founders of PrintYourLight, we discuss the influence of architecture, nature, and co-design on their work, the possibilities of 3D printing, and the role of light as an identity-defining element of design.
Press Release. After 20 years at the helm of the Board of Trustees of Architektur Dialoge, Christian W. Blaser has stepped down as President. With the transition to a rotational chairmanship within the board, the foundation is reorganising its structure while continuing its established event series and maintaining a focus on the foundation’s future development.
Under the title “TeckNow”, the former watch factory of Basis Watch M. Thommen AG will open its doors from 7 to 10 May 2026 and become a stage for design, art and music. At the centre of the exhibition is the furniture design of Werner Blaser (1924–2019). Selected pieces from the collections of Daniel Salzberg and Christian W. Blaser will be presented alongside models by contemporary manufacturers Spectrum Design, Molteni&C and Löffler ERGO. We are pleased to introduce our partners in more detail below.
The main campus of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area is home to numerous innovative companies in the biotech and healthtech sectors. The University Hospital Basel also maintains a branch here, offering a forward-looking learning environment through the Skills Lab Simulation Centre. We reached out to Prof. Raphael Guzman, Head of Clinic and Chief Physician of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Basel, to learn more about the benefits of the new Skills Lab.
Auf den ersten Blick weckt derBegriff «Corporate Architecture» oft die Vorstellung von uniformen,austauschbaren Gebäuden ohne erkennbaren Bezug zum jeweiligen Standort. Dochals Architekten und Generalplaner, die immer wieder in diesem Bereich tätigsind, wissen wir: Hinter Corporate Architecture stehen komplexe Aufgaben, derenUmsetzung Präzision, Adaption, Kommunikation, logistische Fähigkeiten undweitere anspruchsvolle Kompetenzen erfordert – genau diese Herausforderungenmachen solche Projekte für uns besonders spannend.
Participation, collective ownership and self-governance – these three principles form the foundation of housing cooperatives. Unlike private real estate companies, the focus is not on maximising returns, but on the long-term preservation of housing, stable cost-covering rents and social responsibility.
The Hirsacker Foundation is a private foundation based in Liesberg, Canton of Basel-Landschaft. By public mandate, it offers places in "Supported Living" as well as in "Accompanied Day Structuring" specifically for people on the autism spectrum. Founded in 1987, more than 60 employees are currently dedicated to enabling clients to lead self-determined and fulfilling lives. Tailored to individual needs, the services include nature-oriented, manual, and creative activities that take place in a safe and supportive environment, focusing on joy of life, development opportunities, and social inclusion. Maintenance work that has become necessary is now being undertaken by Blaser Architects. This encompasses several properties of the Hirsacker Foundation, particularly the "Riederwald" residential building and the "Hirsacker" area. A first sub-project has already been completed, with other works still pending.
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