In the heart of Wolfsburg's Autostadt, the Ritz-Carlton Group has opened a 5-star superior hotel, an oasis of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of business. The ring-shaped complex is located directly on the Mittelland Canal with a view of the listed power plant and is characterized by spacious outdoor areas, an elegant spa and several fine-dining restaurants. destilat was invited to the competition for the extension of the breakfast room including the adjoining terrace. In addition to the enlargement, the goal was the flexible design of the room for multifunctional use and the creation of a pleasant atmosphere. The design intervenes strongly in the existing architecture: as a contemporary interpretation of the classic coffered ceiling, destilat has opened the ceiling with a diamond-shaped construction complete with vertical window surfaces, which catches the daylight and creates a light, open impression. The striking ceiling grid continues onto the terrace, where it dissolves into an arbor element and combines the outside with the inside to form a harmonious whole. The content of this dining area, called the “harbour terrace”, was the starting point for design associations. Concepts such as travel, ship and longing are found as playful quotations in the design - as a teak floor reminiscent of a ship's deck and as an "open ceiling" reminiscent of the open sky on the high seas. The guests are welcomed by the large, centrally placed, open fireplace, which fills the spacious room structure with a cozy atmosphere. Around it are the huge buffet area with flexible structure, the open show kitchen grouped and the individual seating decks grouped.