Panel discussion: curating ‘wow’ moments in hotel design

To celebrate the launch of House of Rohl and Studio Mica’s involvement in the Wow! House 2023, displaying at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour this summer, Editor Hamish Kilburn chaired a panel discussion with leading designers on statement hotel design (watch full video below)…

WOW!house 2023 House of Rohl Bathroom by Studio Mica Photography James McDonald image 1

In the global community of interior design and architecture, we are so used to walking into a showroom and seeing the latest products on display. But what is, arguably, more effective than seeing cold objects with no contextual reference is walking into an immersive space and experiencing products being displayed the way they were intended. Cue the launch of the 2023 edition of the Wow! House, a full-scale installation on display at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour throughout the month of June, that comprises of 18-full size room sets. Each one is the result of a meaningful collaboration between interior designer and supplier.

The concept of the Wow! House is to collaboratively challenge conventional approaches to interior design, while stretching audience’s imaginations to think beyond two-dimensional trends.

This year, highlights from the installation included a mirrored bathroom, a 3am room made complete with a playful deconstructed disco ball, a safari-meets-townhouse design scheme,  and a bathroom set from Studio Mica and House of Rohl that confronted wellness through the clever use of materials, tones and form. The organic and earthy set oozed natural zen from all angles and proved that ‘wow’ moments don’t have to be ostentatious or outrageous assaults on the senses.

Image caption: WOW!house 2023 House of Rohl Bathroom, designed by Studio Mica. | Image credit: James McDonald

Image caption: WOW!house 2023 House of Rohl Bathroom, designed by Studio Mica. | Image credit: James McDonald

To add an extra layer of meaning to this year’s work of art – amplifying its power to encourage designers to think less and design more – Hotel Designs, together with House of Rohl, hosted a forward-thinking and considered panel discussion days after the installation opened to put the topic of ‘statement design’ under the spotlight. In front of a live audience ahead of a private viewing of the Wow! House, Editor Hamish Kilburn chaired an open and honest conversation with Abi Kendler (Studio Mica), Geraldine Dohogne (Geraldine Dohogne Design) and Jeremy Blake (Jeremy Blake Architects).

The topical interaction was caught on camera, and is available to watch on-demand (see below):

> Since you’re here, why not watch our factory tour, where Editor Hamish Kilburn went behind the scenes at the Perrin & Rowe HQ?

House of Rohl is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: James McDonald