Swissotel Kursaal Bern was built in the 1980s, having a breath-taking view of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of Bern. On the ground floor of the famous hotel, Architect and Interior Designer Nina Mair redesigned the Giardino Restaurant & Bar which serves as popular meeting point for locals and international guests alike. The design features inter alia a fully glazed winter garden, a monolithic stone bar, local natural materials, subtle structures, and numerous thoroughly arranged plants. In 2021, the designer already renovated the 163 rooms and the hotel lobby, completing the overall interior design of the hotel public spaces with the Giardino concept.

The design concept combines two worlds. Nina Mair creates a powerful connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces, between spaces meant for introverted and communicative activities. Different needs and wishes of the restaurant and bar guests are met. The restaurant opens up to the garden areas, the fish pond, and the historical neighbourhood of Altenberg.

The bar is located in the more introverted area of the space. The use of handmade tiles, grooved oak surfaces, and textiles in shades of green and blue creates a soothing atmosphere. The connecting element is the centrepiece, an 11-meter-long monolithic element made of Swiss stone called Spluga Verde. On the side facing the restaurant, the centrepiece houses cozy seating niches, while on the other side, it becomes the bar counter. Softly padded seating niches, alluding being carved from a large stone block, provide private nooks in the open space of the winter garden and creating a sense of security.

The excellent Mediterranean cuisine can be enjoyed either in the sunlit winter garden or in the elegantly designed bar. In line with the name Giardino, Nina Mair incorporates a variety of plants to create a fantastic spatial atmosphere and bring the sensory garden experience indoors. "Through our biophilic design concept, we aim to provide guests with a sense of well-being, energy, and joy of life," says the designer. The choice of materials was driven by the concern to contribute to healthy, long-lasting interiors in which people feel comfortable. This passion for natural materials is evident in many lovingly designed details. Tactile materials and matte surfaces express Nina Mair's artistic approach to architecture and aesthetics.

Guests can book a particularly special space upon request. The Private Dining area offers seating for 14 people for a private meal in a separate area of the Giardino. The design team, led by Nina Mair, paid special attention to the acoustics of this space. All wall surfaces were equipped with textured, three-dimensional sound absorbers made of sheep's wool. The colour palette of soft sand and powder tones emphasizes the soothing effect of the natural materials.