“Using the inspiration offered to us by art”

150 150 Daniel Fountain
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Laufen invites partners from the hotel industry to the Biennale

As part of its partnership with the Salon Suisse Swiss bathroom specialist Laufen invited CEOs from hotel groups, architects, interior architects, project developers and media representatives to Venice in order to give them artistic inspiration and to promote the dialogue between art and architecture. Organized by the Swiss cultural foundation Pro Helvetia, the Salon Suisse offers an event programme that accompanies the Swiss contribution to the Biennale with discussions, lectures and events. It is part of the international art exhibitions’ official events and takes place in several series at the Palazzo Trevisan.“Laufen is committed to supporting this cultural initiative since 2012 and is proud to be able to contribute to the diffusion of Swiss culture and tradition on such an important and internationally significant occasion. As a bathroom manufacturer which deals with very heterogeneous target groups, occasions such as the Venice Biennale and Salon Suisse give us an important opportunity to engage with opinion leaders and decision makers from the world of art and design”, explains Ilker Hussein, Manager Global Projects at Laufen.

Part of the programme was, among others, the visit of the official opening event including a boat trip through the laguna of Venice for invited guests. Furthermore, the guests had a VIP access to numerous events taking place around the Biennale where they could meet artists and curators personally. Thanks to its long-standing expertise as a premium supplier for hotel bathrooms, Laufen is aware of the close connections between art and hotels. Many hotels hold art exhibitions regularly or furnish lobby or hotel rooms with art objects like paintings or sculptures – because art adds even greater individuality to an already stylish interior design. Alongside location and service it should be an integral part of every good company’s flagship.

“If bathroom design is to continue to evolve and break down boundaries”, Ilker Hussein says, “then we have to draw on the inspiration that can be found through art. There needs to be an international dialogue between the fields of art and architecture, which is something that the Venice Biennale encourages and Salon Suisse gives Laufen an unmissable opportunity to inspire and be inspired by an international audience.”

Daniel Fountain / 20.07.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
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