Together with the "Roothuus", the existing Hotel Bären was one of the most iconic buildings in the village. The Bären’s history is closely linked to the history of Gonten. The extension of the Bären marks a new change in the history of this dignified building. The new part of the restaurant is carefully positioned in the north-western part of the building. It is a single-storey timber structure and now includes the entrance for the hotel guests of the Appenzeller Huus, as well as seven additional seating niches and the addition of the kitchen.
The interior atmosphere is characterised by the imposing visible timber roof construction.. The wall elements, which are covered with Jakob Schläpfer fabrics, are eye-catching and thus reflect the tradition of the art of weaving in Eastern Switzerland. The façade of wooden shingles in an earthy brown colour with the window frames in ochre create an appealing contrast. The extension clearly appears as new, but does not compete with the existing.