With the very first “Servus,” you can feel it: the genuine, down-to-earth, and warm-hearted Bavarian soul. But what happens when traditional dialect meets modern design? The answer lies in the Agrad Chalets on the edge of Aschau im Chiemgau region, where things are truly cozy and feel just right. And because the way people speak says a lot about their way of life, we want to introduce the chalet village using the very words you’re likely to hear around here.

The old house on the church square has stood for centuries. Its oldest parts date back to 1661—a date engraved into the intricately carved beams of the parlour. Today, this historic building is home to Refugium Lunz, a guesthouse revived by the creative minds behind FORMDEPOT—partners known for breathing new life into old architecture. The house looks back with respect and forward with care.

Some places don’t need to be reinvented, just rethought a little. For example, what was once a simple campsite on the edge of Aschau in Chiemgau has been transformed into a stylish, modern chalet village – without losing even a hint of its intimate connection to nature. On the contrary. With the Agrad Chalets, a place of power has been created that blends quietly into its surroundings and is luxurious without saying it out loud.

Iwan Baan is considered one of the most important photographers of architecture and the built environment. In impressive images, he documents the growth of global megacities as well as traditional or informal buildings and the works of well-known contemporary architects, including Rem Koolhaas, Herzog & de Meuron, Kazuyo Sejima and Tatiana Bilbao. From October 2023 to March 2024, the Vitra Design Museum will dedicate the first comprehensive retrospective to the Dutch photographer. The exhibition “Iwan Baan. Moments of Architecture” presents a panorama of early 21st-century architecture in its urban and social contexts, and the people who live in it, with the photographer’s wide-ranging oeuvre…

Milan, July 13, 2023 – Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group (FMTG) continues its expansion in Italy and presents its project plans for the new Falkensteiner Park Resort Lake Garda in Salò. Architect Matteo Thun is responsible for the architectural concept as well as the interior design. The innovative project on the shores of Lake Garda, embedded in a botanical park, designed by star landscape architect João Nunes of PROAP, includes a 5-star hotel that will become part of the Falkensteiner Premium Collection, as well as 170 Premium Living Apartments. Opening will take place in two phases starting in 2025, with a total investment of 140 million euros.

What is the right way to live? Everyone wants to be a King – balanced, calm and relaxed. But is that possible? The world is full of mice that gnaw at roots and toads that block the water to fountains. Our society is based on performance, so anyone that doesn’t work has no value. On top of that, there’s the irritating temptation of the world of commodities. But you don’t have to own everything in order to be considered successful or happy. If a fairy godmother were to appear and offer to grant three wishes, very few people would be able to decide which ones. Then there’s the constant angst-inducing news reports: coronavirus, war, climate change. Life is not easy. How much energy is expended just to find the best energy provider alone?

Carpets are not only trendy when it comes to furnishing, they also make you dream. When we get to know a new carpet we first do so with our eyes. We see its pattern, colours and shape to make a first contact. But sooner than we think, the same carpet conquers all our senses – we walk barefoot over it, feel its haptics and structure, run our fingers over it. We conquer it as a playground on which we can also sit, lie down, listen to music, talk to each other, meditate. Finally, the carpet becomes a harmonious part of our living spaces. From the bedroom or living room, to the bathroom or wellness area, to the entrance hall…