Nicolaus Hartmann Jr

1880 saw the birth of Nicolaus Hartmann Jr, and another chapter in the architecture of St. Moritz was about to begin.

After training at the Ecole d’Industrie in Lausanne and the Technical University of Stuttgart, Nicolaus Hartman Jr returned to St. Moritz when his father died in 1903, and took up his office. During this transitional period of the early 20th century, Hartmann Jr’s style was more reformist in execution, with flashes of neo-Renaissance and Swiss Rusticity hewn throughout his designs. It was this confluence of design languages that proved to be a melting pot for what would become known as the “Engadin Style”.

The aesthetic elements essential to this would be his use of arched and funnel windows, high roofs and a blending of sgraffito and intricate stonework. He would produce designs that were both local and grand, which would keep a low profile while also retaining the aesthetic innovation that gave St. Moritz its indefinable appeal.

Dr Dosch explores the design shift and change in periods between father and son. “While Hartmann Sr focused mainly on construction work in the Engadin, Hartmann Jr was perceived as a hotel architect and a local protector throughout Switzerland. Hartmann Sr was an architect of historicism and therefore less interested in his own formal language. Hartmann Jr, in contrast, sought to transcend this and embraced the latest trends in regionalist reform architecture of the early 20th century.
Typical for Hartmann Jr is that, although he was primarily a regionalist, he was also an occasional historian. The Engadiner Museum and the Hotel La Margna beautifully embody the native motif of the Engadin funnel windows. The Segantini Museum and Haus Hanselmann (remodelled in 1912/13), on the other hand, feature elements inspired by international models: the former, the ancient Pantheon in Rome; the latter, Renaissance palazzi in Florence.”

Hartmann Jr’s legacy is writ large throughout the area; here are just a few of his key works to look out for.

Hotel La Margna – 1906

Fresh from designing the expansion of Hotel Margna in Sils, Hartmann Jr took on the task of designing the Hotel la Margna. He used commanding granite stone sourced from local quarries, both inside and out, and furnished the hotel in elegant wood panelling that was complemented by distinctive columns adorned with detailed engravings. Symbols also featured throughout, with the apotropaic dragons referencing local customs and traditions, as well as the engraving of St. Moritz’s patron saint, St. Mauritius.

The hotel’s manager David Frei tells us what Hartmann Jr’s involvement brought to the hotel.

“When I became General Manager of Grace La Margna St Moritz, I had a deep appreciation for the legacy of Nicolaus Hartmann Jr. His approach to blending Art Nouveau elegance with a strong sense of place resonated with the enduring charm of the property. The most impressive feature of his design for me is in the lobby where the set of granite columns, sourced from Soglio, define the space’s character with their intricate detailing and distinctive colours. Beyond their decorative appeal, these columns also provide architectural drama, framing the space with balance and rhythm, making them central to the lobby’s grandeur and timeless charm. Those familiar with his broader work in the Engadin always appreciate how the hotel reflects the architectural character of the area, blending seamlessly with the landscape while standing out for its sophistication.”

A visit to the hotel today, with its well-preserved frontage and visual references to Hartmann Jr’s Art Nouveau style, serves as an impressive reminder of the village’s grand ambitions to establish itself as a standout hospitality destination, and Hartmann Jr’s input in fashioning this.

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