Traube Tonbach: clay as a hallmark of Black Forest fine dining

A story of resilience

The Traube Tonbach, in Baiersbronn, is one of the most prestigious gastronomic landmarks in the world. Its Schwarzwaldstube restaurant, with three Michelin stars, has been a symbol of culinary excellence for decades.
 On 5 January 2020, a devastating fire destroyed the 230-year-old main building, reducing generations of hospitality memory to ashes. However, the Finkbeiner family reacted with determination: they would not only rebuild the complex, but do so with sustainability criteria and natural materials, reaffirming the hotel’s bond with its surroundings.

Reconstruction with identity

The new building, opened in April 2022, is made up of three volumes that recall the architectural tradition of the Black Forest with a minimalist and contemporary language. The commitment was not limited to aesthetics: the family entrusted the work to more than 50 companies from the region, maintaining consistency with its commitment to the community and the environment.

ClayTec in the skin of the project

The reconstruction opted for ClayTec natural clay, a material that embodies sustainability, authenticity and comfort.

• On the facade, ClayTec rammed-earth elements of around 40 m² each were incorporated, adding texture and character.
  
  
• In the lifts, the rammed-earth walls become an architectural detail that surprises and connects interior and exterior.
  
  
• In the restaurant rooms, the artisan company Lehmbau Glück applied its creative Blackforest Style technique, combining clay adhesive and reinforcement mortar, clay base mortar with straw, and a top coat of coarse clay plaster with straw.
  
  

The result is surfaces with a natural, expressive and unique finish, evoking the essence of the Black Forest while creating a sophisticated atmosphere.

Aesthetics and indoor wellbeing

Clay provides more than beauty: it creates a balanced indoor climate, regulates humidity, traps dust and odours, and improves acoustics. The dining room conveys serenity and modernity in equal measure, combining light wood, clean lines and clay-textured walls that invite a complete gastronomic experience

Technical data

Architecture: New build after fire (2020-2022)
 Use: Hotel and gourmet restaurants
 Studio: ARP Architektenpartnerschaft Stuttgart
 Artisan workshop: Glück Lehmbau Maler- und Stuckateurbetrieb
 ClayTec products: Clay base mortar with straw, Clay adhesive and reinforcement mortar, Rammed earth
 Location: Baiersbronn, Black Forest, Germany
 Photography: Julian Beekmann Fotografie
 Hotel and restaurant: Traube Tonbach

Naturalness as a gastronomic experience

The new Traube Tonbach proves that tradition and modernity can converse through materials. Clay, applied with mastery, reinforces the identity of a place that has known how to be reborn without losing its essence.

At RedVerde we work with brands such as ClayTec to integrate natural materials into projects that seek to unite design, sustainability and wellbeing.

Want to explore how to apply these systems to your project? Contact us and we’ll advise you.