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.
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.
Architecture and science – two fields that go hand in hand in the Basel region. These aspects are skillfully intertwined on the MAIN CAMPUS of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil. This life sciences and innovation ecosystem, developed over the past few years near the French border on behalf of Senn Resources AG, offers an attractive and highly interconnected home for companies and institutions ranging from startups to multinational corporations...
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.
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.
On May 9, 2025, the Industry Night Regio Basel will take place – a unique event where companies open their doors. Blaser Architekten has taken the initiative and brought together seven companies from the region to provide a joint insight into the diverse aspects of construction projects.
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 topic of green roofs and biodiversity conservation in inner cities has gained increasing importance in recent years and is becoming a key component of sustainable urban planning. As an architectural practice, we regularly engage with this subject, for example through our work on the Stücki Park project on Hochbergstrasse. This provides good reason to take a closer look. In line with our credo “sharing experience”, we aim to gain deeper insights into why urban greening and bird conservation are so important and what role Basel plays in this context. We spoke with two experts on the subject. We begin with Dr. phil. nat. Jean-Pierre Biber from the Advisory Office for Bird Issues, Department for Nature and Landscape Conservation of the Canton of Basel-Stadt.
Auch wir bei Blaser Architekten befinden uns mitten in der digitalen Transformation aller Geschäftsabläufe und können von uns behaupten, dass wir bereits vieles umgesetzt haben. Die Digitalisierung ist aber kein Sprint, auch kein Marathon – viel mehr ein Weg, den wir nicht mehr verlassen werden. Laufend werden neue Tools entwickelt, KI wartet in immer kürzer zu werden scheinenden Intervallen mit neuen Möglichkeiten auf. Das bedeutet, dass wir die digitale Transformation nicht als Prozess verstehen, der nun bald abgeschlossen sein wird, sondern als selbstverständlich gewordener Teil unserer täglichen Aufgaben. Deswegen ist es uns wichtig, diesen Weg aufmerksam zu gehen, was heute möglich ist zu implementieren, aber auch neue Entwicklungen nicht zu verschlafen. Einer unserer Mitarbeitenden ist in diesem Thema besonders zuhause und legt sich dafür ins Zeug. Zamri Thüring ist Student des Master-Studiengangs in Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) an der FHNW und arbeitet bei Blaser Architekten in der Qualitätssicherung für Computer Aided Design (CAD, QS). In diesem Blogbeitrag teilt er seine Erfahrungen und Einsichten.
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.
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