BAR HOTEL RESTAURANT

Dear Readers,

Between the two photos on this page are just a few weeks, which turned out to be the toughest test for the catering industry worldwide. La Visione (picture on the left and p. 84) entertained its guests for just five weeks before the lockdown forced the restaurant to close. The Italo Disco restaurant (picture above and p. 88) had to postpone its opening planned for mid-March.

Photographer Andreas Reiner has captured the fate of restaurateurs in his home region of Upper Swabia during this forced close-down in impressive black-and-white photographs. We present a selection of them, starting on page 116.

Hardly any other industry was affected by the Corona pandemic as early and as directly as the catering industry. Restrictions ranged from the cancellation of major events, to the complete closure of catering establishments, to strict hygiene and distancing regulations, causing many people employed in the catering industry to fear for their livelihood. And their hardships affect us all! Seldom before have we been made aware of how important cafés, bars, pubs and restaurants are as meeting places or retreats for our social, cultural and emotional well-being. Just imagine what closed restaurants and the absence of outdoor cafés would do to our cityscapes!

Numerous projects featured in this AIT issue on the subject of “Bar Hotel Restaurant” prove that gastronomic projects are also implemented with a great deal of imagination, dedication and enthusiasm for design. During the editorial work, we worried together with the restaurateurs about whether all restaurants would be open again on the publication date. The positive developments in recent weeks are a sign: we can and should finally dine out again!

Best wishes
Petra Stephan, Dipl.-Ing.
Chief Editor
Architect