Amaru, St. Moritz
Located inside the historic Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz, Amaru is a Peruvian restaurant helmed by chef Claudia Canessa. Named after the mythical serpent of the Incas, Amaru opened for bookings in early December 2023.
"For me this project was about weaving together the mountainous locations of St. Moritz and Peru. We didn’t alter the architecture of the room, and luckily we had some very beautiful existing elements to play with. The vaulted ceiling of the restaurant I emphasised by commissioning the London-based artist Timna Woollard to cover with a mural depicting oversized wildflowers of the Engadin region, in which St. Moritz is nestled. I did make one fairly major adjustment however, by installing glossy olive green lacquered panelling around the entire room, the studded design of which takes its inspiration from a Spanish Baroque door."
– Luke Edward Hall
The grand entrance hall of the Kulm was the first of its kind.
"I hope that guests will feel a tangible connection between the landscape, the cooking, and the interior. At the same time, my approach is an eclectic, romantic and theatrical one. After all, when I visit a restaurant, I want to be transported somewhere fantastical. I want to enter into another world, but this world has to feel connected to something real."
– Luke Edward Hall
In addition to his interior design and art direction work for Amaru, Luke was commissioned by the Kulm to work on branding elements for the hotel. His sketches have been printed on stationery and cotton tote bags; each guest will receive a bag when they check in.
Photography by Billal Taright