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Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese unveils hotel design by Jean Philippe Nuel

 730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese unveils hotel design by Jean Philippe Nuel

The redesign of Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is said to be an elegant Roman retreat, fusing La Dolce Vita heritage with modern French art de vivre…

Located in the heart of Rome, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese will reopen on July 1 2019, unveiling extensive renovations by contemporary architect and interior designer, Jean-Philippe Nuel.

Situated on a quiet street in the epicentre of Rome, this former 19th century Roman palazzo lies within walking distance of some of the city’s best-known cultural landmarks and parks, including the Trevi Fountain, Villa Medici and the Spanish Steps. Evoking the feel of a Roman home, guests will appreciate the hotel’s relaxed and laid-back atmosphere and the sense of being truly immersed in the essence of this picturesque Italian city.

The hotel will offer 78 guestrooms and suites, with the unveiling of larger suites, a new fitness centre and new well-being programme, and three large event rooms. Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese will also be home to Settimo, an elegant rooftop lounge and restaurant, offering panoramic views overlooking the picturesque Villa Borghese gardens and St. Peter’s Basilica. Adorned with eclectic furnishings and lush green interiors, Settimo will provide a botanical escape on the seventh floor and will serve contemporary Roman cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients. Paying respect to local mastery and heritage, while highlighting the personality of the hotel’s Executive Chef, Giuseppe D’Alessio, signature dishes will incorporate traditional Roman culinary styles such as ‘cucina povera’ and ‘Tripolina’.

Image credit: Accor Hotels

Jean Philippe Nuel’s chic redesigns will combine the heritage and classicism of ‘La Dolce Vita’, with the modernism and design of French ‘art de vivre’. The hotel entrance will feature an iconic display of chromatic counterpoints and vibrant colours, creating a modern lounge with a classical feel. Guest rooms will also exhibit an iridescent ceiling masterpiece, creating the illusion of the bright sky above.

At Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, guests will feel instantly at home, with dedicated and personalised attention through thoughtful gestures and delightful surprises. The hotel will feature a dedicated candle ritual, inspired by the lighting of the streets of Paris during the reign of Louis XIV, which provided citizens with a sense of welcoming and safety. At sunset, the hotel will light giant candles outside the entrance to welcome guests back from their evenings out touring the city, accompanied by atmospheric music.

The ‘home away from home’ atmosphere with personalised wellness and fitness therapies with the SofitelFIT Wellness Programme, and the Sofitel MyBed Sleep Menu, a signature in-room service, transform the bathroom into a private sanctuary with luxurious options for relaxation. Guests can choose between two complimentary baths – a therapeutic Soothing Bath that invites a lazy soak with calming essential oils, or a Bubble Bath that injects fun into the bath time experience. Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese also provides guests with personalised bathrobes to enhance the bespoke nature of the experiences.

The French ‘joie de vivre’ and the Roman ‘carpe diem’ of the renovated hotel will create a uniquely sophisticated, yet simple and contemporary experience where desires are magnified after a day of exploring the historical Roman streets.

Main image credit: Accor Hotels

Checking in to University Arms, Cambridge

 730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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Checking in to University Arms, Cambridge

Combining the best of British interior design and architecture, the University Arms in Cambridge is an effortless reflection of old and new. Editor Hamish Kilburn checked in to the Franklin Suite – and spoke to the leaders behind the project – to unearth the fascinating design story that’s written inside…

In the race for luxury in tier two cities around the United Kingdom, Cambridge city centre’s lack of statement hotels doesn’t exactly rank it highly among others.

Despite the city being riddled in history and context, substandard independents remain firm, not willing to set themselves aside from others in regards to design. But amidst the unimaginative and limited hotel scene, things are changing and there is one property in particular that is shaking up the competition to become one of the UK’s best luxury hotels. Cue the monumental unveiling of University Arms, Cambridge.

Image credit: University Arms, Cambridge

The 193-key hotel, which started life in 1834 as a coaching inn, reopened its grand doors in August of last year as interior designer Martin Brudnizki’s first full completed hotel project in the UK. “Cambridge has a really rich story that’s not just academic,” Brudnikzi told Hotel Designs. “It has a flourishing art scene – Kettle’s Yard is a haven for modern British art – and a food scene that’s worth investigating further. Of course, the architecture is wonderful and really quite awe-inspiring, however the city also has a unique sociable atmosphere. With it being small, you easily feel part of the city even after just a few days.”

Click here for interactively view room no. 201, the Stephen Hawking Suite | Image credit: ACT Studios

Following a number of large fires that broke out in the hotel, the most recent in 2012, University Arms closed in 2016. Working on the architectural restoration project from concept to completion, the team at John Simpson Architects were briefed to create new guestrooms, public areas, a gym and functional back-of-house spaces. “In terms of architectural language, the brief was to create a timeless appeal,” John Simpson from the architecture firm told Hotel Designs. “We wanted to create an architecture that honours the traditions and creates an aura that is present in so much of the historic buildings in the city.”

While the hotel’s shell was on the boards, Brudnizki and his team took the mass of inspiration from the history and culture around the city and infused it into thoughtfully curated interiors. “I always knew we wanted to create a hotel that reflected the academic heritage of Cambridge, whilst also feeling fun and approachable,” added Brudnizki. “The hotel is in the perfect location for university parents to stay at when visiting children or for those visiting the city for a weekend break. With this in mind, we created a hotel that combined academic references – the tie-patterned carpets, suites named after famous academics and the restaurant that feels like a college dining room – with comfort and elegance.

Guests now enter the hotel through an extravagant Porte Cochere entrance. “This element of the design references the scale style of the neighbouring Downing College, highlighting the historic association the hotel always had with the university,” Simpson added.

Image credit: University Arms, Cambridge

The large lobby is complete with two striking chandeliers that hang above both the minimalist check-in area and the concierge desk. On the walls, art curated by Adam Ellis hangs on chains and has been inspired by Cambridge’s roots, its past heroes and heroines and its many eras of charm. A poster-style piece “The Man in the White Suit” next to the lifts suggest that this hotel has been designed by and for the modern traveller to enjoy.

Upstairs, the corridors and guestrooms include nods at every turn to the heritage of the city. For example, the carpet that leads to the guestrooms and suites has been designed to replicate colour and style of the original Cambridge College tie. Each of the suites are named after a significant individual who had a relationship with the city and the interiors represent the character of the personality. The Franklin Suite, for example, was named after Rosalind Franklin, an English Cambridge-graduate chemist who made contributions to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal, and graphite. The terraced suite located on the top floor includes literature about Rosalind Franklin that sit in a modern setting. “We wanted to make sure what we designed wouldn’t feel out of place or context,” added Brudnizki. “With this in mind, it was important for us to work closely with John Simpson, who is an expert in classical architecture, as well as the local area. The best way for us to achieve this was through carefully selecting artwork that rooted the project to Cambridge and that would tie the narrative together.”

In all the rooms, which come in four categories, attention to detail is immediately evident. The ‘do not disturb’ signs are shaped as bookmarks, while the writing desks – think ink quill and paper rather than emails – were inspired by the traditional student desks that are finished with coloured leather tops.

Click here for interactively view room no. 907 | Image credit: ACT Studios

The bathrooms in the suites, complete with underfloor heating, are both stylish and lavish. Victoria + Albert baths positioned by the windows, accented with gold legs, create an immediate statement – as do the gold shower fittings from Vado. The walls, meanwhile, have been painted in the same light blue that is associated with the city, keeping the interiors balanced and tame in all the right places.

If the lobby lounge area is described as the heart of the hotel, the guestrooms the brains, then the soul is quite rightfully reserved to the bar and restaurant located on the ground floor. Brudnizki’s masterful hands have created a welcoming environment that has attracted not only guests but also loyal locals. Guests entering for dinner or to have a drink at the bar enter via a separate entrance to those staying at the hotel. “They still arrive at the front of the building, through grand doors, so there is a sense of occasion and not a sense of separation,” explains Brudnizki. “The bar itself includes a spacious lounge area, with mixed seating and larger tables to encourage communal imbibing. During the day you can use the bar as a place to work or even enjoy an afternoon tea. Whilst at night it becomes a great place to sit back with friends and enjoy drinks before dinner in parker’s Tavern next door.”

Image credit: University Arms, Cambridge

The public areas overlook Parker’s Piece, a large plot of grass that is rumoured to have been where the rules of Football Association emerged from (probably over gin and tonics). The library, which, when pushed, Brudnizki admits to being his favourite area of the hotel, is a clever blend of indoor/outdoor interiors, designed to be light, bright and open for all.

It’s refreshing to see an upscale hotel in Cambridge bravely achieve what no other hotel in the area has managed to; take on the history and heritage of the city and seamlessly blending into the architecture and the fabrics. Through true collaboration between MBDS and John Simpson Architects – both of which were winners at The Brit list 2018 in their categories – University Arms is now a timeless gem, in a league of its own operating in a modern city with a storied past.

Main image credit: ACT Studios

Hyatt to develop design hotel at Japan’s historic racing circuit

 730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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Hyatt to develop design hotel at Japan’s historic racing circuit

Plans have been approved for an Unbound Collection hotel by Hyatt to be developed at the Fuji Speedway, marking the brand’s entrance into Japan… 

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Towa Real Estate Co. Ltd., an affiliate of TOYOTA Group, to develop a 120-key hotel at the Fuji Speedway, Japan’s historic racing circuit.

Slated to open in 2022, the project will be the first in Japan under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand and the first hotel in the world to be built by Towa Real Estate.

“We are excited to see The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Japan for the first time with a project at Fuji Speedway, an iconic destination for motorsports fans across the globe seeking a luxury experience,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “As we look to expand Hyatt’s brand footprint in Japan, we are excited to be entering into a management agreement with TOYOTA group company, Towa Real Estate, as it builds its first-ever hotel.”

Hotel amenities will include multiple fine dining restaurants and bars, as well as indoor pool, fitness center, spa and natural onsen hot-spring bathing facilities. The hotel interior will feature a car museum with an innovative presentation of the site’s attractions that showcase the historic significance of Fuji Speedway. Items such as rare historic automobiles and other museum-worthy collections will provide an unconventional experience that guests would expect from The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand.

“It is deeply gratifying and encouraging to us to have been able to enter into this agreement with Hyatt, which has a history of providing exceptional quality and service to guests in a wide range of cities,” said Masao Ukai, president, Towa Real Estate Co. Ltd. “This luxury hotel will be an integral part of a motorsports-themed entertainment area with Fuji Speedway at its core. Together, Motorsports Village and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand will provide guests with environmentally conscious and unconventional experiences as we aim to make motorsports more accessible and entertaining.”

In the foothills of Mount Fuji, the hotel’s Fuji Speedway location will offer guests convenient access to motorsports events and the upcoming Motorsports Village facility, currently under development by Towa Real Estate in concert with the hotel development.

Situated on the grounds of Fuji Speedway, the hotel will offer unsurpassed views of Mount Fuji, in addition to housing a Motorsports Museum. The site’s immediate proximity to the Oyama Parking Area Smart Interchange, scheduled to open in 2021, will make the hotel’s location accessible to guests arriving from remote areas by car.

The hotel will feature approximately 120 tastefully designed guest rooms and suites of at least 484 square feet (45 square meters) each, a flexible banquet room of 5,381 square feet (500 square meters), and a 2,152 square foot (200 square meter) conference room. These extraordinary facilities will position the hotel as an ideal venue for story-worthy meetings and events.

Main image credit: Hyatt

FIRST LOOK: The Wild Hotel arrives in Mykonos

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FIRST LOOK: The Wild Hotel arrives in Mykonos

The Wild Hotel in Kalafati Beach, designed in collaboration with Alexandros & Filippos Varveris and Sofia & Matina Karavas, will open in Mykonos in May 2019… 

Located on a picturesque cliffside over Kalafati Beach, The Wild Hotel, owned by Interni, will offer a design-led retreat, featuring 40 suites and villas inspired by the colours and lines of traditional Grecian architecture.

Set in a natural amphitheatre, the hotel is home to an infinity pool with views across the Aegean Sea, a private beach for residents and a restaurant – The Taverna – serving classic dishes from the Cycladic Islands. The Wild Hotel is a collaboration of design between Alexandros & Filippos Varveris and Sofia & Matina Karavas, who are both co-owners and architects of the project.

The Wild Hotel offers an unparalleled location on the island of Mykonos; situated on a tip of the island which remains raw and pure, the hotel is situated next to a tiny beach-front village once inhabited by the bravest fishermen of Mykonos, referred to as ‘the wild ones’ by locals. The village is now a tranquil, picturesque port that imbues the area with a rich Cycladic history.

Raw luxury pool

Image credit: The Wild Hotel/Yiorgos Kordakis

Spring 2019 will also see the launch of Ftelia Beach Club, the sister of The Wild Hotel, located on the opposite side of Mykonos Island in the much-loved Ftelia Bay. Ftelia Beach Club will showcase the designs of up-and-coming Italian architect Fabricio Casiraghi. The club’s aesthetic was inspired by the famous resorts of the 60s and 70s in Southern France and coastal Italy, seamlessly blending Mykonos’ buzzy cosmopolitan vibe with the natural beachfront surroundings. Ftelia Beach Club will offer a Mediterranean menu with an emphasis on local produce.

Image credit: The Wild Hotel/Yiorgos Kordakis

“We are excited to announce the opening of The Wild Hotel and Ftelia Beach Club on the island of Mykonos and we are confident that both properties will bring something new and dynamic to the island,” said Alexandros Varveris, Owner and founder of Interni Group. “We have already established our brand with Interni Restaurant, and are excited to watch Interni grow on the beautiful island of Mykonos.”

With these two new properties, The Wild Hotel and Ftelia Beach Club, Interni Group aim to merge the traditions of the island with new cosmopolitan thinking to offer something fresh and different for Mykonos.

Main image credit: Yiorgos Kordakis

Mandarin Oriental announces new hotel in Istanbul

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Mandarin Oriental announces new hotel in Istanbul

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will manage a second luxury hotel in Istanbul, Turkey…

The hotel group Mandarin Oriental has announced that is will unveil a 158-key luxury hotel and residences within three standalone towers that is slated to open in 2022.

One of the towers will house Mandarin Oriental Etiler, Istanbul with 158 guestrooms and suites and 16 serviced apartments.

The remaining two towers will house 251 luxurious Residences at Mandarin Oriental. UNStudio from Amsterdam has been appointed as the master planner and architect.The hotel will have three restaurants and bars, and a selection of adaptable meeting spaces with outdoor areas and terraces, ideal for hosting both business and leisure events. There will also be a spa and fitness centre, offering the Group’s award-winning signature wellness programmes as well as locally inspired treatments.

The hotel will have both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.The Residences at Mandarin Oriental will feature some of the most exclusive homes in the city, providing owners with extensive private gardens and impressive views of the Bosphorus. Owners will also enjoy Mandarin Oriental’s legendary service and direct access to the hotel’s facilities.  In addition, there will be a full suite of bespoke resident facilities, including two outdoor swimming pools with city skyline views, a fitness centre and six beauty treatment rooms.The owners and developers of the project are Astaș Holding A.Ş and Yapi & Yapi.

This is the Group’s third venture in Turkey with Astaș Holding A.Ş who is the owner of the Group’s two other Turkish properties – the award-winning Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum and Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul which is scheduled to open in 2020.

“We are delighted to be announcing a second Mandarin Oriental property in Istanbul, together with an exciting luxury residential project. We look forward to extending further the Group’s presence in one of the world’s most historic and vibrant cities,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental. “Operating two complementary hotels in a single city is something that the Group has already done successfully in Hong Kong and will soon do in London. We believe there is room for more than just one Mandarin Oriental hotel in certain select destinations around the world.” he added. “Having strengthened our successful collaboration with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Bodrum, and through the upcoming opening of Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, Istanbul it is our intention to establish this second Istanbul property, uniquely located in the prestigious district of Etiler, as one of the world’s most impressive addresses.

The project is slated to cater to a discerning clientele who enjoy this legendary city so rich in history and culture, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia,” said Astaș Holding A.Ş, and Yapi & Yapi’s Board of Directors.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, now operating 32 hotels and six residences in 23 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group’s oriental heritage and unique sense of place. Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development, and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

NH Hotel Group unveils hotel room of the future

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NH Hotel Group unveils hotel room of the future

The innovative concept of The Mood Room allows guests to customise their guestroom using a tablet to control lighting, music, curtains and temperature to suit their emotions and specific needs…

NH Hotel Group, Signify and CYBEROBICS have launched Mood Room, the “room of the future”, at NH Collection Berlin Mitte, the first hotel to feature the concept since a pilot project at NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding in Spain and now featuring new fitness options.

This follows technology expert Jason Bradbury’s hotel review with Hotel Designs where he identified future hotel design trends, one of which was intelligent rooms.  Designed around three parameters – personalising guests’ experience, connected technology and sustainability – Mood Room enables guests to regulate the lighting, music and temperature to adapt the mood to their own tastes. Using only the touch of a tablet, guests can choose between six main pre-set modes and 19 moods to help them sleep, work and relax better, and enjoy a unique technological experience.

“Digitalisation is already an intrinsic part of everyday life in many areas,” said Maarten Markus, Managing Director Northern Europe NH Hotel Group. “Hotels must not be left behind; we need to be even more determined to open the way to change, testing out new services and solutions and offering them to our customers. With the introduction of Mood Room in our offering, our Northern Europe business unit now has a magnificent new easy-to-operate product, making a hotel stay an even more pleasant experience”.

“Guests can choose between six main pre-set modes and 19 moods to help them sleep, work and relax better, and enjoy a unique technological experience.”

For Signify, too, this partnership is an excellent example of how interconnection is generating entirely new models in the hotel industry: “The four Mood Room at the NH Collection Berlin Mitte are like a window into the future”, says Karsten Vierke, PR Manager of Signify in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “Smart lighting and interconnection are becoming the order of the day at home and at work. Naturally, these changes should not suddenly stop at the hotel door. For me, a really satisfactory hotel stay involves a combination of good service, atmosphere and convenience. By working with our partners in climate control, lighting, music and fitness, we’re showing how smart technology and automation can create a whole new hotel experience.”

One of the new and distinctive features of the Mood Room at the NH Collection Berlin Mitte is the sports and exercise settings provided by fitness and lifestyle brand, CYBEROBICS. By selecting the “Set the Tone” mood, guests can interface with CYBEROBICS’s workout exercises, choosing between four different fitness videos: Yoga Power, Six Pack Attack, Quick Fit or Just Relax. Again, the system chooses the right type of lighting and mood for the occasion.

For Oliver Schulokat, CEO of CYBEROBICS, the Mood Room ties in perfectly with the new move towards ‘on-demand fitness’: “Digitalisation will have wide-ranging consequences for the way people train in the future to improve their physical fitness,” he said. “Our goal is to promote with CYBEROBICS that evolution, making fitness available to even more people and in this way turning it into a natural part of their everyday lives. That’s why CYBEROBICS covers all areas of life—at home, at work and in the hotel when we’re away. We see the NH Hotel Group as a generator of innovation in the hotel industry, using digitalisation to take its guest experience to a whole new dimension. At this point we are seeing many points of contact with CYBEROBICS’s vision. We’re therefore very happy to be launching this partnership”.

The Mood Room project, presented for the first time at the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding, has taken sustainability, connectivity and customer experience into account as key factors. Thanks to Philips RoomFlex, the Mood Room™ has become a totally individualised stay experience. Philips RoomFlex is a fully programmable system for controlling lighting in the hotel rooms, which can be easily integrated into the sensor technology and other systems, such as heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, visual protection and booking software.

Spotlight On: May’s features announced

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Spotlight On: May’s features announced

Hotel Designs has officially dropped its May editorial features, which are Bars and Restaurants and Bathrooms… 

Throughout May, Hotel Designs’ Spotlight On features will look at two highly topical features, namely Bars & Restaurants and Bathrooms – both areas of which are transforming drastically in order to cater to modern travellers’ demands.

Bars and Restaurants

Colourful and lavish restaurant

Image credit: Dukes Dubai

With Gastronomy evolving to be a major travel trend, the design of a bar and of a restaurant has never been so important. Hotels are recreating and reopening these areas to become just as much of an experience as checking in or walking into a stunningly designed guestroom or suite. Instagrammable moments can now be captured in a design hotel’s dining areas, once a space reserved for guests-only, which is now desired to be the life and soul of the city open for all to enjoy.

Bathrooms

Modern bathroom in a shell of wooden structures

Image credit: Kaldewei

With our highly regarded Recommended Suppliers, we will explore, post-ISH, the heavily congested arena of bathroom design. Will colour finally find its way into the modern bathroom, and will the bathroom spa become a popular choice for designers who want to recreate amazing spaces? We will go beneath the surface to uncover all the hottest bathroom trends and we will try to discover what the hotel bathroom of the future will look like.

If you wish to find out more, or know of a product that we should be talking about, please contact Zoe Guerrier on 01992 374059 or z.guerrier@forumevents.co.uk

Main image credit: The Cow Hollow Hotel, Manchester

JO&JOE opens in Paris with longest house-warming party

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JO&JOE opens in Paris with longest house-warming party

The design hotel in Paris “where youth hostels meet hotels” opens with interiors by global architecture and design studio PENSON…

After first launching in 2017 in the city of Hossegor, JO&JOE has opened a hotel that shelters its disruptive design concept in Paris. The brand, which was launched by Accor in 2016, is described as a “a vibrant living space, a home that is open to the external world and designed to meet the expectations of Millennials and all those who value sharing, spontaneity and experience”.

JO&JOE is a hybrid hospitality concept, a mix of hotel and hostel, called Open Houses, offering a completely fresh experience in terms of design, dining options, service and customer experience.

JO&JOE Paris has developed its interiors with global (UK based) architecture and game-changing design studio PENSON. At the Open House of Paris Gentilly, street art is everywhere thanks to the work of nine local and international artists who have covered the walls with their creations.

The rooms at the hostel-like hotel are split into three categories: Together (dorms), Yours (private hotel-like guestrooms) and Cabins (Private space with access to communal bedrooms and restrooms).

For launch of the new property, the brand is hosting what it is calling “the longest house-warming party with events taking place between April 25 – June 6.

By 2020, the hotel aims to have launched Open Houses in London Budapest, Glasgown, Paris, Rio de Janero and Rome.

JO&JOE welcomes everyone in its engaging and vibrant Open Houses, offering a completely fresh experience in terms of design, dining options, service and customer experience.

Main image credit: JO&JOE

LIVE FROM MILAN: Inside Tom Dixon’s new restaurant and showroom

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LIVE FROM MILAN: Inside Tom Dixon’s new restaurant and showroom

British designer Tom Dixon has gone beyond the exhibition hall at Milan Design Week by unveiling his latest collection of products in the studio’s new permanent restaurant… 

After five years of exhibiting in the traditional way during Milan Design Week, British design studio Tom Dixon has opened a new restaurant and showroom called The Manzoni in Milan to display his latest collection.

The new space has pre-opened and will reopen after the show as a permanent epicentre for guests to view the studio’s latest lighting, furniture and accessories collections.

Aptly named The Manzoni after the Italian novelist Alessandro Manzoni, the new 100-cover restaurant has been created by Dixon’s Design Research Studio.”With the city being so active and engaging right now, it is the right time to forget being temporary and build something permanent,” said Dixon. “Just like in London, we don’t think it’s enough to just have a showroom. We need a place where people slow down and experience our products in a live setting.”

Operating as the designer intends his products to be promoted – by being used and handled – The Manzoni is a living and breathing showroom and restaurant, which will be styled in true Tom Dixon style – think reimagined simple shapes, clean and crisp colours and even an immersive green jungle.

“The Manzoni is more than a restaurant,” says Dixon, “It is also an experimental space, a theatrical backdrop.” The concept was created so that guests to the restaurant can browse before they dine while showroom visitors can grab a bite to eat before of after browsing the latest products within the season’s collection. Visitors to both the restaurant and the showroom will be able to see the studio’s products in an active context.

Main image credit: Tom Dixon Studio/The Manzoni

St Regis opens “curated mansion” in Hong Kong

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St Regis opens “curated mansion” in Hong Kong

Renowned interior designer André Fu completes his latest project, St Regis Hong Kong, located in the vibrant district of Wan Chai…

An ode to the cultural diversity and timeless elegance of Hong Kong, The St. Regis Hong Kong has opened and is described as a curated mansion which has been realised through the masterful lens of designer, André Fu.

Design elements throughout the hotel seamlessly combine classic luxury with modern sophistication, incorporating signature details which pay homage to Hong Kong’s rich culture and heritage.

“Hong Kong has always been one of the most attractive destinations for global luxury travelers, and the St. Regis brand is synonymous with timeless luxury and impeccable standards of hospitality,” said Henry Lee, Chief Operations Officer and Managing Director, Greater China, Marriott International. “We are very glad to add The St. Regis Hong Kong to Marriott International’s strong luxury portfolio in the market. The St. Regis Hong Kong represents the very best of the St. Regis brand, with its distinctive design, exquisite fine dining and truly exceptional service.”

Designed for business travellers and culture seekers alike, the 27-storey property boasts 129 appointed guestrooms and suites featuring warm and inviting touches throughout. A residentially-inspired retreat in the heart of Wan Chai, guestrooms at The St. Regis Hong Kong feature wood flooring and accents infused with understated Asian sensibility, deep soaking bathtubs and expansive windows with sweeping views of the harbour and city. The hotel is also home to a heated swimming pool and poolside bar, as well as a health club with a spa treatment room and other luxury amenities.

Image credit: Marriott International/St St Regis

The St. Regis Hong Kong also introduces two exceptional dining concepts to the region with L’Envol and Rùn, each spearheaded by award-winning chefs. At L’Envol, guests can indulge in French Haute cuisine created by chef Olivier Elzer who has accrued a remarkable 18 Michelin stars throughout his career to date. The hotel’s signature Cantonese restaurant, Rùn, is led by renowned chef and winner of the Silver Award in the 2012 Best of the Best Culinary Awards, Hung Chi-Kwong. Famed for his contemporary interpretations of Cantonese cuisine, Chi-Kwong’s restaurant will serve innovative takes on traditional Cantonese fare.

The Drawing Room is an all-day eatery with views of the Terrace. Meanwhile, the St. Regis Bar is a contemporary bar for after-hours digestifs.

The St. Regis Hong Kong is also an all-encompassing events destination with approximately 12,000 sq. ft. of event space across five venues. The sophisticated Astor Ballroom, with its cathedral high ceiling design, is perfectly suited for grand-scale events; while the Rockefeller Room is a versatile space for corporate meetings or more intimate affairs.

The hotel’s opening follows Marriott’s plans to open more than 30 luxury properties this year.

Main image credit: Marriott International/St Regis

Rendering of beachside project

Corinthia Hotels to debut in the Middle East

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Corinthia Hotels to debut in the Middle East

Corinthia Meydan Beach Dubai, which is slated to open in 2020, will be Corinthia Hotel’s debut property in the Middle East…

Corinthia Hotels has announced that it will open the brand’s first hotel in the Middle East. Due to launch in 2020, the contemporary beachfront hotel marks the beginning of ambitious expansion plans by the hotel group. Corinthia Meydan Beach Dubai will be located on the prestigious JBR beachfront, reflecting the enriching brand values for which Corinthia is known.

Rendering of beachside project

Working in partnership with Meydan Group, Corinthia Meydan Beach has been designed as a new beachfront resort and destination that will aim to reflect both the bliss of the beach and the excitement of the city.

“The energy, vision and quality of resources assembled for this project by Meydan means that this hotel is in the enviable position of offering the market something fresh and new.” – Matthew Dixon, Area Managing Director Middle East, Corinthia Hotels

Situated within Dubai Marina, overlooking a pristine stretch of white sand, the 55-storey hotel will be home to 360 guestrooms and suites. This beachfront landmark will be complete with cascading infinity pools, the region’s first ESPALife Spa and unforgettable culinary experiences. It’s also intelligently designed for spectacular views across to the Dubai Eye and Palm Jumeirah. Internationally renowned American design professionals AE7 have ensured each detail of the hotel has been meticulously considered to create a tribute to the region’s tradition of architectural grandeur and cultural traditions.

Plush interiors in render

Image credit: Corinthia Hotels

“Corinthia Meydan Beach is an exciting addition to the region’s hospitality landscape, representing both a landmark milestone for us as a brand, and for Dubai,” said Corinthia’s Area Managing Director Middle East Matthew Dixon. “The energy, vision and quality of resources assembled for this project by Meydan means that this hotel is in the enviable position of offering the market something fresh and new; an interpretation of heritage, culture and service values that we feel have not yet been bought to the UAE. We are confident that this property will enhance the Corinthia brand in the region, brilliantly enhancing our existing portfolio.”

The existing Corinthia portfolio features the flagship Corinthia London, as well as award-winning Corinthia Hotels in Budapest, Malta, St Petersburg, Prague, Lisbon, Khartoum and Tripoli. From city-centre hotels to coastal resorts, each one is connected by a strong Corinthia philosophy. Inspired by its Mediterranean, family-run heritage, the brand is dedicated to providing uplifting moments, unforgettable experiences and exquisite service.

Main image credit: Corinthia Hotels

In Conversation With: Harry Allnatt, Richmond International

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In Conversation With: Harry Allnatt, Richmond International

Following Hotel Designs’ public unveiling of its 30 Under 30 at Meet Up London, editor Hamish Kilburn catches up with one of the winners, Harry Allnatt from Richmond International, to discuss challenges and opportunities that come with being a young rising star of the industry…

Among Hotel Designs’ celebrated 30 Under 30s, which were spectacularly unveiled at Meet Up London, is Harry Allnatt (29).

A unique and talented young creative whose ability is most certainly not defined by his date of birth, Allnatt is a senior designer at Richmond International. Having been at the firm for eight years, he is now a vital team member who has worked on some of the company’s most important hotel and hospitality projects in recent years, including Four Seasons Hvar, Langham Boston, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, P&O Britannia and many others.

The foundations of Allnatt’s career started following an early admiration of design. He attended Nottingham Trent University to study furniture design having been inspired by the ethos of the likes of Jasper Morrison. “My goal at the time was more to be an architect and, in my head, furniture design was like mini architecture.” he says. “As part of the course, in 2009, I was encouraged to partake in a placement year. Before I knew it, I was working for an architectural practice in Milan that specialised in hospitality and high-end design.” It was at this point in his career when Allnatt’s curiosity took over. “Why stop there, I thought. I started to think about more than the pieces I was creating, to the room and space around the furniture,” he explained. “Milan certainly enriched my interest in furniture design, but the placement year also exposed me to so many new projects, which led me into the path of interior design.”

As a result of his studies and the valuable experience he gained in the design incubator of Milan, Allnatt started to acquire a unique set of skills as a creative designer in order go beyond  decoration. “It’s actually really helped me to add value to projects, especially when required to design certain looks,” he said. “It also allows me to design interiors and furniture that is not just aesthetically pleasing, but that also meets operational standards – standing the the test of time and enabling staff to maintain excellent service.” An exceptional example of this is The Sterling Suite in The Langham London, which is frequently praised for its effortless functionality and timeless feel. Allnatt admitted to working on almost all of the six-bedroom suite’s casegoods and laughs: “I don’t think I could do that one again.”

The plush Sterling Suite at Langham London

Image caption: The Sterling Suite, Langham London

Approaching every project around peoples’ movements and behaviors, Allnatt’s ethos is a tight fit for Richmond International, which is known for being a company that designs awe-inspiring hotels that are also practical spaces. “I’m inspired by stripping things back to discover what is necessary,” he says. “To me, that’s what makes a beautiful project – and it’s this approach that is now very relevant in interior design. If a space is designed to be used well, then it will enrich the overall experience of the people using it.” Allnatt’s explanation gives credence to the obvious shift in how modern design is perceived by those checking in; the knowledgeable and more aware consumer.

Unchartered waters ahead

With its prestigious reputation on the international hotel design stage, Richmond International was asked to repackage its luxury hotel visions onto the high seas. With the aim to modernise all spaces, the team, led by Director Terry McGillicuddy, were asked by P&O Cruises to redesign two new ships, Britannia and Iona. “Britannia was by far the most challenging project, purely because of the amount I had to learn and work out on the job,” explains Harry. “I learnt quickly about the regulations from Terry, P&Os incredible technical team and the shipyard. However, going from designing for land to designing for sea was a challenge, but I am so proud that we were one of the first hotel designers to really tackle a project of that magnitude at sea.”

Simple, minimalist cabin on board P&O Britannia

Image credit: P&O Britannia

Following the success of both vessels, Allnatt, the retentive designer, is now a senior designer working on the firm’s next marine project, to create the interiors of a new luxury cruise liner of which the details are yet to be unveiled. “It really is like designing a city on the sea,” Allnatt laughs. “The beauty of it [designing cruise ships] is that we get to create so many different spaces – from the casinos to the theatres, cabins to bars.”

The challenges for young designers

Being young in an industry full of legends can be daunting, to say the least, which adds to weight on the shoulders of having to prove oneself as an individual. The somewhat right-of-passage feeling of unease and overwhelming responsibility that comes to us all in the start of our journey, was for Allnatt the time to stand out. “The industry is saturated with great designers, and the landscape is so subjective,” he explains. “Creating an identity and establishing yourself, inside and outside the company I believe is one of the major challenges that young designers have to face in our industry.”

QUICK-FIRE ROUND

Hamish Kilburn: What’s your favourite colour?
Harry Allnatt: Blue, I love grey and all the different shades.

HK: What’s been your favourite year so far?
HA: 2018 was the year that shaped me the most. It’s been lovely having a local project in London and seeing it through from concept to site completion. Seeing something take shape on a daily basis has been very rewarding, but not without it’s problems.

HK: What is your favourite hotel?
HA: Rosewood London because it all ties together. The rose-bronze gallery from the courtyard entrance, the staff uniform… even the guest signage, which is an open book sitting on a plinth. There is an unmatched sense of discovery in this hotel. Details you notice makes the space more than just a good-looking luxury hotel.

HK: Are there any shortcuts or secrets for getting ahead?
HA: I wish I knew them. It’s as simple as working hard and soaking up information as a sponge. Being a designer is a lifestyle.

HK: Where’s next on your travel bucket list?
HA: I would love to go to the Amalfi Coast.

HK: Who is your current design icon?
HA: Tony Chi and Yabu Pushelberg. They both fool you into thinking a detail is simple, but the process of making something look simple is complicated. 

Having worked on a variety projects, Allnatt is grateful to the company that supports him in becoming a rising star. “Without Richmond International I would not have been given these incredible opportunities to work on so many amazing projects,” he says while reflecting. “Working in collaboration with Vivienne Westwood’s team, for example, on the London West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, was an incredible experience. The aim was to merge fashion and design together, and during this project we created a feature console inspired by their prints and graphics – it was great!”

Large and spacious public area of plush suite

Image Caption: Penthouse of London West Hollywood

The sensitive designer who sits before me is a knowledgeable leader who makes the most of the opportunities that present themselves – and is, as such, a worthy name alongside 29 others who deserves to be included in Hotel Designs’ 30 Under 30.

Rendering of the Wet Deck, one of the hotel's two pools

W Hotels announces second arrival in Bali

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W Hotels announces second arrival in Bali

W Bali – Ubud is set to bring a new level of W’s bold design to the cultural heart of Bali…

W Hotels Worldwide has announced the signing of W Bali – Ubud, the brand’s newest W Escape, which is being developed in partnership with Indonesia’s Ruang Teknik Group.

The expansion into Ubud marks the second W Hotel in Indonesia, following the opening of W Bali – Seminyak in 2010.

Rendering of the Wet Deck, one of the hotel's two pools

Positioned on a hilltop, deliberately oriented toward the morning sun rising in the east, and southwards over stunning, unobstructed views of the Tanggayuda Valley, W Bali – Ubud is expected to reinvent the dreamy Ubud experience with eclectic, surprising art and design set amongst a versatile vibe that is at once laid back and social.

“Ubud is a hidden destination like no other, where legends and nature intertwine with everyday life to create a magical sense of adventure,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “W Bali – Ubud is an exciting next step for us. We are applying a unique, vibrant sensibility to this hotel, one that has not been seen before on the island. W Bali – Ubud will combine the brand’s boundary-breaking approach to design with the rich cultural, spiritual and artistic influences of Ubud to show off the best of this incredible locale and all we’ve learned in the decade since W debuted in Indonesia.”

The hotel’s design will redefine modern luxury in the destination, taking inspiration from social, historical and physical insights and embedding elements of each into the rooms and public spaces. Upon entering the hotel, guests will be immersed in modern interpretations of traditional Balinese art styles with works from local artists, that lead to breath-taking lounges perfect for soaking in spectacular jungle sunsets as sounds of cool beats drift through the air. The hotel will offer 100 inspired guestrooms, including 10 villas with private swimming pools and an EWOW suite (the brand’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite).

As the brand’s newest W Escape, W Bali – Ubud will bring a bold new take on international cuisine with a Balinese twist to multiple on-site bars and restaurants. Traditional Asian flavors intertwine with international influences at the stylish all-day dining restaurant Morinda. Meanwhile, Synn, a specialty restaurant featuring the finest of Balinese and world cuisines will be an underground sensation, literally. The new restaurant is partially underground, opening towards a jungle cliff.

“Bali’s hotel market continues to see strong growth and it remains a major destination in Marriott International’s footprint,” said Paul Foskey, Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “We look forward to partnering with Ruang Teknik Group in introducing W Bali Ubud, the second W-branded hotel in this market.”

W Bali – Ubud is slated to join the brand’s robust portfolio of more than 50 hotels around the globe, including the recently opened W Dubai – The Palm (February 2019), as well as the soon-to-open W Aspen, W Ibiza and W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island following Marriott announcing that it will add 30 new luxury hotels to its thriving portfolio this year.

Main image credit: Marriott International/W Hotels

LIVE FROM MILAN: Minotti unveils 2019 indoor collection

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LIVE FROM MILAN: Minotti unveils 2019 indoor collection

During Milan Design Week’s Salone del Mobile, Minotti has finally lifted the lid on its highly anticipated 2019 indoor collection…

Hot off the heels of being at the centre of the action as the style partner for Meet Up London, Minotti has yet again raised the level of furniture design with the unveiling of its 2019 Collection during Milan Design Week.

Collection after collection, year after year, Minotti’s unquenchable passion can be sensed from all corners of the design-hub city.

For the 2019 Collection, the furniture company has conceived a new stylistic code, a new vision of the interior with surprising suggestions and atmospheres which play host to our new designs. Its intention is to provide food for thought in a surprising, creative, practical and dynamic way, to all those who choose our brand around the world.

The new collection, coordinated by Rodolfo Dordoni with Minotti Studio, brings a new vision of the living area to life, in which seating systems and furniture outline structured spaces and reveal new geometries in a continuous alternation of curves and straight lines. The result is a surprising variety of compositional solutions featuring unexpected combinations of textures and materials.

“Our partnership with designers with strong identities rooted in different cultures forge ahead with the 2019 Collection,” the company explains in its press material. “By seamlessly becoming part of the “Minotti project” they [the designers] have joined us in enhancing the new collection, so creating a renewed stylistic code with an international flavour.”

Alongside Rodolfo Dordoni, the new collection welcomes the signature of Christophe Delcourt from France, Nendo from Japan and Marcio Kogan / studio mk27 from Brazil, also witnessing the début of Danish studio GamFratesi.

Below is a handfull of the individual pieces in the collection:

DANIELS – Christophe Delcourt design

Comparable to a landscape design project, where carefully plotted combinations of elements create a new domestic scenery, the Daniels seating system redesigns the living areas with brand new compositions, in which regular curves and ellipses interrupt the linearity of the layouts, imbuing them with a more dynamic momentum.

The seats are designed based on the concepts of full modularity and maximum comfort, and feature a single cushion. The vast design system also includes decisively large chaise-longue couches with curved seating areas.

The frame of the back, and the combination of two different depths produces an effect in which the backrests appear to overlap, creating movement at the back which dispels the perception of the sofa as a continuous screen when set in the centre of the room, as well as making it possible to add the Clive console table, which further accentuates its motion.

AMBER – Christophe Delcourt design

With a design that develops a quarter, eighth and sixteenth of a circle into three-dimensional elements, the Amber low units give the impression of modular furniture with countless configurations, flaunting forms that twist and turn in the space.

They are designed to stand alone or for use as part of an arrangement, as individual features or combined in seating systems, creating interesting contrasts between hard and soft materials that convey a dynamic effect to the various solutions.

LAWSON – Rodolfo Dordoni design

With the fluid line of its shapes and the equilibrium of its soft volumes, the Lawson seating system explores different types of seats, offering innovative solutions that push out the traditional style boundaries, ranging from small lounge armchairs to the larger easy chair, and even sofas.

WEST – Rodolfo Dordoni design

A faceting effect livens up and interrupts the cubism that sets the morphology of the West seating system apart from the clichés of modern design. Characterised by its suitability for use in a wide range of different contemporary and traditional arrangements, West also features glints of pure creativity, such as the chaise-longue, available in pentagonal or hexagonal form and the elements that stand out for their striking backrests in saddle hide, ergonomically shaped to rise and support the rear cushion.

ANGIE – GamFratesi design

A saddle hide element designs a wing that embraces the armchair, sustaining the frame like a sculptural bustier, characterised inside by the inviting softness of the seat and backrest. Behind the apparent simplicity of the design lies an advanced technological process used to make both the padding with different textures of foam and the saddle hide bustier, made using two different Baydur moulds, which perfectly follows the curved line of the armchair and available in Bordeaux, Ash, Dove Grey, Sage, Mud, Moka and Black colours.

The GamFratesi studio, signing the design, worked on the idea of contrast, emphasising it and juxtaposing the stiff frame of the saddle hide element with the softness of the upholstered part, which can also be seen on the back, so setting the scene for interesting colour combinations of saddle hide and fabric.

SHELLEY – GamFratesi design

Distinguished by its elegant formal cubist shape, Shelley sports a linear geometry, enhanced by the presence of saddle hide and its accurate processing technique.

Its characteristic alluring saddle hide volume hosts cushions covered in fabric and opens at the front on the sides to reveal the inviting seat, while the rear part accommodates the body in a soft embrace. The saddle hide also serves to bind the legs together, wrapping itself round them and allowing the top part to emerge, ending in a fine decorative detail with Black Nickel finish.

The bearing frame reveals interesting shape solutions, such as the sloping front legs, slightly open at the sides or the tightness of the saddle hide at the base of the chair, which gradually loosens in an elegant tapering effect towards the exterior of the top part. Sartorial details, such as neat piping, define the edges of the cushions, with those of the backrest and armrest designed as three separate elements.

SUITCASE LINE – Rodolfo Dordoni design

The iconic cubic Suitcase armchair, designed by Rodolfo Dordoni in 1997, gets an overhaul in the 2019 edition of Suitcase Line, providing a contemporary take on the concept and geometric rigour of the original piece, characterised by new details.

With the chrome feet that originally supported the armchair now removed, the volume sits on the floor and features four flawless strips in aluminium on the corners that provide a glimpse of the upholstery at the end. The strips are painted in an all-new Brandy colour finish that adds depth to the metal.

As recalled by Rodolfo Dordoni, who designed it the same year he had started the collaboration with Minotti, “Suitcase was born as a declaration of intent, indicating the change that Minotti wanted to give to its new path. It was an armchair without particular features, without exuberance in form, minimal, but with a different interpretation. It was enough dressing it up, putting a dress on it to mark the subsequent phase of interpretation of the product. We have added new sensations to its lines, the same work we did on the shapes has been applied to the surfaces, too. This has been the strong intuition.”

GRANT – Rodolfo Dordoni design

A coloured top – in Mulberry, Olive, Rust and Smoke – that plays around with the transparencies and texture of the glass, treated using a special fusion process, is the distinguishing feature of the Grant coffee table.

Made of metal, it has a one-piece crown-shaped frame in a polished Chrome or painted Black finish, with legs tapered towards the bottom.

The tactile sensoriality of the top, with its slightly wavy surface characteristic of pieces in fused glass,  is contrasted by the plasticity of the forms, endowing a simple furnishing element with a sculptural feel.

Minotti is an Italian company, established in 1948, with a solid reputation at an international level as an excellent expression of “Made in Italy” in the field of contemporary furniture design and ambassador of a classic-modern lifestyle in the residential and hospitality segments.

LIVE FROM MILAN Foster + Partners and LG unveil world’s first rollable LED TV

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LIVE FROM MILAN Foster + Partners and LG unveil world’s first rollable LED TV

Architectural firm Foster + Partners has collaborated with LG to design and launch the world’s first rollable OLED TV during Milan Design Week…

Launching during Milan Design Week, architectural firm Foster + Partners has unveiled the world’s first rollable OLED TV in reaction to the rising demand for discreet technology. Raising the bar in consumer technology, the new LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R, the world’s first rollable TV.

The practice has designed the TV’s external geometry and finishes as well as playing an active part in creating specific internal mechanisms. The screen technology is set to redefine the idea of the television and the living spaces it occupies.

“The design is a creative response to the challenge of creating invisible technology that is unobtrusive with a quiet sculptural presence,” said Mike Holland, Head of Industrial Design at Foster + Partners. “It dematerialises the screen, which can be automatically rolled in and out of a discreet minimalist rectangular enclosure when needed, offering a sense of liberation to design interior spaces.”

The television is omnipresent in most living spaces, and with screen sizes getting bigger it often dominates a room even when not being used. The new LG OLED rollable screen allows freedom from walls and offers a sense of liberation to design interior spaces. It features a sculptural minimalist rectangular volume crafted from aluminium, which contains the rolling mechanism and integrated speaker, fronted by matching tonal fabric. The ultra-thin screen rises from the top of this box, supported by a sprung steel backing and slender arms. The minimal detail and simplicity of design allows it to become part of a variety of interior spaces.

The stand will be on display at Tortona Zone, Superstudio Più from April 9th to April 14.

Main image credit: Foster + Partners/LG

Great Hotels of The World confirmed to speak at Hotel Summit

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Great Hotels of The World confirmed to speak at Hotel Summit

Pedro Colaco, the CEO of Great Hotels of The World, will join editor Hamish Kilburn  for an engaging seminar at Hotel Summit on how hotels can increase revenue by channeling bleisure trends… 

Following an exclusive interview with Hotel Designs, Great Hotels of The World (GHOTW) has confirmed that it will speak at the up-coming Hotel Summit, which takes place on July 8 – 9 at Herythrop Park, Oxfordshire.

The CEO of the company, Pedro Colaco will join editor Hamish Kilburn for the live seminar and Q&A entitled: How to increase revenue by utilising on blesiure trends. “I’m delighted to be a part of this year’s Hotel Summit representing Great Hotels of the World, discussing the importance of bleisure travel in today’s market,” said Colaco. “We believe that the lines between leisure and work are blurring, and will dominate the travel industry for years to come. Hence, we handpick the upscale hotels that we represent in the GHOTW portfolio to cater to this growing demographic of corporate travellers who expect more from their hotel experience, and advise our members on how to make the most of their offerings and market them proactively to fit the bleisure trend.”

The topic was decided after a recent study by GHOTW concluded that 75 per cent of business travellers would extend their business trip for leisure purposes. The live session will explore how hoteliers can operate flexible working spaces that are suitable for both business and leisure travellers. The seminar will aim to identify ways in which hotel owners and managers can increase revenue.

“Pedro’s knowledge and first-hand experience in transforming hotels into becoming beleisure gems is something that really inspires me to ‘go big or go home’ on this topic,” said Kilburn. “I am thrilled that Pedro and I are putting this topic under the spotlight for this session, and I am looking forward to hearing the conversations and debates ripple out of the seminar room.”

The Hotel Summit is specifically organised for senior professionals who are directly responsible for purchasing and procurement within their organisation, and those who provide the latest and greatest products and services within the sector.

A highly focused event that brings together hotel professionals and key industry solution providers, the Summit consists of one-to-one business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities; in less than two days!

How to register 

If you are a supplier to the hospitality industry looking to meet top hotel professionals, contact Jennie Lane at j.lane@forumevents.co.uk– or click here to book your place.

If you are a hotelier and would like to attend the Summit, please contact Liam Cloona on l.cloona@forumevents.co.uk – or click here to book your place.

LIVE FROM MILAN: Pedrali unveils new collection

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LIVE FROM MILAN: Pedrali unveils new collection

Pedrali has presented its latest collection at Salone del Mobile during Milan Design Week… 

Ten new products are currently being presented by Pedrali at the Salone del Mobile during Milan Design Week. The pieces are being unveiled alongside some of Pedrali’s more iconic collections, giving character to the Palace of Wonders.

Soul Outdoor – pure creativity
Design: Eugeni Quitllet

Soul Outdoor is a new, special evolution of the original version made in bent wood and launched by Eugeni Quitllet last year. The inspiration is the same that the Catalan designer defines as “a link between the concrete and the abstract, between the real world and that of dreams, between past and future… the unspoiled state of creation”. An armchair able to express an idea of uncontaminated and pure creativity, defined by its soul.
A curved aluminium tubular frame, with classical shapes but solid proportions, clasps an ergonomic seat in shaped teak slats, almost like an embrace. The contrast between the two outdoor materials and the aesthetic result of the aluminium shininess make this armchair innovative and original. The lines of Soul Outdoor are accentuated by the fluidity of aluminium, which ensures strength and lightness, while presenting a strong visual impact.
The Soul original version, suitable for furnishing elegant and refined indoor spaces, has a solid ash frame combined with an ergonomic polycarbonate seat, which appears suspended.

In January, Soul has received the Special Mention of the German Design Award 2019 in the Excellent Product Design Furniture category.
Materials: Soul Outdoor with aluminium tube frame Ø30 mm and seat with teak slats. Soul with solid ash frame and polycarbonate seat.
Finishes: Soul Outdoor with polished, anodized or powder coated aluminium combined with teak seat with water-based oil treatment. Soul in bleached ash with a transparent or white seat; black ash with a transparent smoky grey or black seat; walnut stained ash with a transparent or white seat.

Colourful scene with chairs

Image credit: Pedrali Soul Outdoor

HÉRA – fluidity of shapes
Design: Patrick Jouin

Wood – the ultimate natural raw material – is the inspiration behind Héra, the new armchair designed by Patrick Jouin for Pedrali. In true respect for the material Jouin chose to preserve it by purifying this design and presenting an extremely refined, fluid form.
Available in ash or American walnut, this armchair embodies the concept of lightness, fusing it with comfort: the backrest, in three-dimensional bent plywood of 6mm thickness, has a remarkably elegant and ergonomic design, while its upholstered seat in polyurethane foam supported by elastic belts gives great cosiness.
The rectangular-section legs with round edge display an attention to detail that makes this item particularly suited for use in some of the world’s leading hotels and restaurants.

This armchair blends the Italian company’s know-how with the finest handcrafted joinery techniques; it is the result of years of interaction, research and close collaboration between the French designer and Pedrali.
The wooden elements of the ash version of Héra are FSC-certified and finished with organic water-based paints. The use of raw materials sourced from certified forests and of water-based paints made principally from plant-derived resins is a guarantee of the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Materials: frame in solid ash or American walnut; three-dimensional bent plywood backrest of 6mm thickness; seat upholstered in flexible expanded polyurethane foam, with elastic belts.
Finishes: bleached ash or American walnut; upholstery in fabric or leather.

FOLK – now traditional chair
Design: CMP Design

Folk collection accentuates the quest for simplicity. Its friendly character, the warmth of ash wood, the soft and compact dimensions, human lines seamlessly convey the concept of a chair that speaks a universal language. The power of proportions is clearly evident in the time-tested forms, re-elaborated with the new possibilities offered by technology. A light, durable die-casted aluminium ring, becomes the structural and distinctive element which enables the piece to be easily disassembled for recycling purposes or to replace its components. The solid ash frame snugly embraces the aluminium ring that holds the seat, which is available in ash plywood, upholstery, or cane seat. This last version guarantees visual lightness and maximum durability thanks to the nylon yarn woven into the wicker material. The bent plywood backrest ensures total comfort and cosiness.

The collection includes a chair and a barstool in two heights (650 and 750 mm) with a footrest.
The wooden elements of Folk are FSC-certified and finished with organic water-based paints. The use of raw materials sourced from certified forests and of water-based paints made principally from plant-derived resins is a guarantee of the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Materials: frame in ash, ring in die-casted aluminium. Seat in ash plywood, upholstery or natural cane seat, with grey nylon yarn woven into the wicker.
Finishes: bleached or black lacquered ash; aluminium, polished or powder coated in various colours. Fabric, leather or simil leather upholstery.

Jamaica – Italian bohème
Design CMP Design

Designed by CMP Design, the name of this collection was inspired by Bar Jamaica in Milan’s Via Brera, a legendary hub for intellectuals and artists in the twentieth century. The elegance of this chair speaks of an age in which art,
technology and the imagination came together to give a human face to the aesthetics of machines, reimagining a peaceful world with creative sociability.
The result is a modernist collection which reworks the classic forms of the past with a contemporary edge by changing the ways in which traditional materials of bent plywood and tubular metal are used. In Jamaica, the warmth of the ash plywood used on the legs, with a variable tickness, and the shell, featuring a central lumbar support, is masterfully paired with the tubular steel backrest, which adds a subtle chromatic element and is more curved in the armchair version. The shell can be fully padded and upholstered in fabric, optimising the comfort of the seat and allowing numerous customised options. The wooden elements of Folk are FSC-certified and finished with bio water-based paints. The use of raw materials sourced from certified forests and of water-based paints made principally from plant-derived resins is a guarantee of our company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Materials: legs and shell in ash plywood; steel tube Ø16 mm.
Finishes: bleached or black lacquered ash; powder-coated steel, antique brass, black nickel. Fabric or leather upholstery.

Image credit: Pedrali Jamaica

ELINOR TABLE – a classy hug
Design: Claudio Bellini

The Elinor collection is the result of the collaboration inaugurated last year with Claudio Bellini, leader designer of the office furniture contemporary scene. Elinor table springs from a new perception of space; the concept brings to mind the soft, curving lines of the namesake executive chair, conveying a refined yet contemporary image. The result is a product with premium aesthetic credentials that meets the needs of a constantly-changing market. Designed to furnish contemporary office spaces and domestic settings, the Elinor table has a simple yet distinctive design, with carefully refined details. The base is formed of two moulded elements of fixed dimensions, made from rigid polyurethane foam and upholstered in genuine leather; they support a table top in ultra-thin 6mm solid laminate, with rounded lacquered MDF support beneath it which conceals the steel structure. The Elinor tables can be adapted; the two elements of the base can be positioned in several ways to create different geometric arrangements, allowing a variety of aesthetic results. These moulded elements, when arranged in an asymmetric way, donates lightness to the setting thanks to the space between them, by ensuring great stability. The table tops can be square (1500 x 1500mm) or rectangular (1100 x 2000mm, 1100 x 2600mm, 1100 x 3000mm), always feature soft edges.
Also available with a central cable management for office environments.
Materials: top in solid laminate; support in MDF, structure in steel; base in rigid polyurethane foam upholstered in genuine leather.
Finishes: genuine or simil leather upholstery; tops in black, arabescato white or black marble Fenix, or in white compact full colour solid laminate.

BUDDY SOFA – friendly spirit
Design: Busetti Garuti Redaelli
The successful Buddy collection expands its horizons, enriched with a new furniture solution: a two- and three-seater sofa designed for the living room at home, but equally suitable for waiting rooms, informal office meetings, or lounge areas in the contract and hospitality sector.
While it still reflects the collection’s friendly, reassuring design, this sofa adds further comfort to the seat, thanks to a combination of four different densities of polyurethane foam supported by elastic belts, offering greater softness for a domestic environment in which one feels truly pampered.
The sofa is incredibly versatile: not only is it available with or without armrests, but several seating modules can be positioned together. Available in two sizes: 2480 x 900 x 735 mm and 1800 x 900 x 735 mm.
Version with removable covers available on request.
Materials: fireproof polyurethane foam in four different densities, upholstered in fabric, leather or simil leather; steel frame, aluminium legs Ø25 mm.
Finishes: powder coated aluminium or antique brass.

TRIBECA LOUNGE – Fasten your seatbelt!
Design CMP Design

Tribeca collection gains new elements, highlighting its fresh, dynamic, colourful and playful side. A lounge chair and a two-seater sofa which, like the chair, armchair and stool, evoke the comforting echoes of the past, offering a modern reinterpretation of the classic Sixties patio chairs made from steel and woven cord.
An outdoor icon, revisited through new materials: a webbing in vertically-woven extruded PVC with a nylon core that is truly durable, easy to clean and colourful, is combined with the solid tubular frame. Handcrafted with the highest attention to detail, this chair is incredibly soft and comfortable, and puts a contemporary twist on tradition with cutting-edge design and quality.
Materials: steel tube frame Ø20mm powder coated for outdoor use, back and seat in woven extruded PVC with nylon core, UV resistant.
Finishes: white, pink, red, terracotta, brown, blue, sage green.

REMIND – between mind & heart
Design Eugeni Quitllet

“Remind, or call back to mind – a concept rendered in Latin by the word ‘re-cordis’, meaning ‘to pass through the heart”. (Eugeni Quitllet)
Mind and heart have been both essential to create Remind: the heart in its creation and the mind in its production. While evoking the soft sinuous curves of wooden chairs from the late nineteenth century, Remind’s organic silhouette recalls “something never seen before”, a universal shape able to fit into any space and style of decor. The result is an innovative polypropylene armchair, in which each element is conceived to ensure total comfort and cosiness. The breathable texture makes it airy and even lighter. Made from injection-moulded polypropylene, the armchair is functional and versatile, perfect for both outdoor and indoor spaces.
REMIND PIXEL: It’s time for creative flair and personalisation. Now, the perforated backrest of Remind can be decorated with tiny colourful pixels made from polypropylene, so anyone can become an artist by creating infinite patterns: a number, a letter of the alphabet, an object, or simply a dash of contrasting colour.
Pedrali’s plastic furniture is made using premium raw materials and is recyclable and eco-compatible. Our polypropylene products are 100% recyclable, demonstrating the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Materials: single-material chair in polypropylene charged with glass fiber; polyopropylene pixels.
Finishes: beige, sand, green, red, grey, black. Pink, red and black pixels.

TAMARA – roaring Twenties
Design Basaglia Rota Nodari

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of its lighting collection, coinciding with the thirtieth edition of Euroluce, Pedrali presents Tamara, a lamp that successfully blends style and elegance. This new suspension light takes inspiration from the shape of the headlights of early twentieth-century automobiles, paying homage to Tamara de Lempicka, modernist painter, icon of elegance and charm, who in her famous self-portrait is behind the wheel of a green Bugatti. Made from aluminium powder coated in various colours, Tamara stands out for its soft form, in which fleeting, rounded yet angular lines combine to make a versatile product. The light produced provides direct illumination of the surface beneath; however, an opening in the upper section of the shade, and the convex profile of the closer in opaline polycarbonate, allows a delicate band of light to shine onto the ceiling.

Tamara offers interesting compositions for geometric effects that give a unique look to any room.
Materials: aluminium diffuser Ø180 mm; opaline polycarbonate closer.
Finishes: powder coated aluminium with matte paint in various colours, or in satin brass or satin copper finishes; cable and ceiling rose available in black or white.

ARKI-TABLE adjustable – a perfect balance
Design Pedrali R&D

Arki-Table optimises its ability to meet the needs of flexibility and functionality of most modern working spaces, with a new version with the height-adjustable top. Suitable for meeting rooms and work stations, this table is able to adapt to his users and their needs, making real the concept of smart and dynamic office.
Two electric actuators, connected to a control unit and activated by two buttons placed under the top, move as one and allow to choose the ideal height of the top, from 740 to 1140 mm, to have maximum comfort during the workday.
Available in white or black full colour versions, Arki-Table adjustable has an ultra-thin 6mm solid laminate top with central cable management with a cover (150 x 600mm), steel trestle legs and an extruded aluminium support.

Top in solid laminate 6 mm in three dimensions: 1000 x 2000mm; 1000 x 2400mm; 1000 x 3000mm white, black or grey.
Materials: solid laminate top 6 mm; steel legs; extruded aluminium support.
Finishes: top in white full colour, black, in three different grey or in black Fenix.

Al Faya Lodge: A boutique hotel made from stone and steel

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Al Faya Lodge: A boutique hotel made from stone and steel

Architecture firm Anarchitect was inspired by the desert location and opted to use raw materials to design the five-key boutique hotel…

Located in Sharjah, the third largest emeritus that make up the UAE, Al Faya Lodge is a striking architectural gem that was developed by SHEROOT. The lodge-like boutique hotel sits on undisturbed desert, of which architecture firm Anarchitect used as inspiration when crafting it out of raw materials and earthy colours, resulting in a camouflaged hotel within the red sands and baron landscape.

Embracing its heritage, the location of the lodge was formerly occupied by a clinic and grocery store in the 1960s, which were located next to one of the UAE’s first petroleum pumps.

Now the three single-story stone constructions have been transformed, including the addition of a luxury spa and salt-water swimming pool. Featuring just five guestrooms, its contemporary feel combines aspects of its original features, blended together with luxe, minimalist modernity.

image of seats by pool

Image credit: Sharjah Collection

Featuring a dining room, reception room, library and viewing deck, every aspect of the design looks to emphasise its surroundings. The guestrooms feature a skylight for star-gazing at night with a fire pit primed for recapping adventures.

The boutique hotel, steeped in authenticity, becomes one of of the main components of the Sharjah Collection, a unique group of luxury lodges and boutique hotels.

Main image credit: Sharjah Collection

IN THE FACTORY with Knightsbridge Furniture

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IN THE FACTORY with Knightsbridge Furniture

To stitch together how Knightsbridge makes its contract furniture, editor Hamish Kilburn travels up to Bradford in West Yorkshire to step inside the modern factory that chooses to do things the traditional way…

Priding itself on being 100 per cent British-made is something that has become somewhat of a unique selling point for contract furniture company Knightsbridge.

Giving ‘in-house’ a whole new meaning, every item that has a Knightsbridge logo on it was conceptualised, sketched, prototyped and produced in the hearty West Yorkshire town of Bradford – and has been for 80 years.

In an average week, around 700 items of furniture are made in the Victorian factory – and all pieces start as nothing more than a stacked load of timber or Birch plywood, which is imported from Russia and Europe. While many factories internationally have chosen to use automated machinery to carve their frames, Knightsbridge is among the minority that still, to this day, cuts its materials by the hands of skilled workers. “Many of our employees come through the apprenticeship scheme, which is something we are very proud of,” said Craig Weston, Operations Manager at Knightsbridge. “Because everything at Knightsbridge is handmade and hand-cut, the role in the factory therefore requires a very specific set of skills, which isn’t easy to teach just anyone.”

Stack of timber

Image credit: Knightsbridge Furniture

As we walk from process to process, I notice that an arm of a chair starting to take form. “This is one of the most difficult pieces we make,” says Weston who points to the worker on the cutter who is meticulously carving out detailed incisions. “As a strategy, we ensure that we always have a higher stock of the items that are more complex to produce.” With high demand for Knightsbridge products and limited facilities, this is a resourceful method that reduces the possibility of delays in the manufacturing process.

Contract chair in the process of being upholstered

Image credit: Knightsbridge Furniture

Once each frame is cut, sanded, assembled, tinted, polished and dried, it is then ready for the upholstery process. On average, it takes the team at Knightsbridge approximately one hour to upholster a typical sofa. As the demand in hotel interior design renovations increases, the company also offers a reupholstery service whereby it will reupholster any piece of furniture (even if it’s not a Knightsbridge product). The cluster of seamstresses working is impressive and the decision to keep a cap on fabric stock is reassuring. “To reduce waste and save space, we only stock as much material as we need in this area,” Weston explains. “What’s more, although we have colour and fabric options, we will match any colour the client wants.”

Seamstress working

Image credit: Knightsbridge Furniture

Elsewhere in the factory, away from the main production line, is the design and development team. Led by Director Jason Brown, who lives and breathes by the ethos that you can’t turn down the volume on creativity, the soul of the factory is my home-from-from during my visit. “I have every furniture designers’ dream job, right?” laughs Brown. “It’s such a privilege being able to have all the tools, kit and skills to be able to prototype products in-house.” Brown is a man after my own heart who seems to wear many hats in his role. “The most obvious element to my role is that I sketch and design the future collections,” he explains. “But what most people perhaps don’t know is that my team, which is magic by the way, also have to provide the factory workers with all the technical drawings when we start producing a new product. As you can imagine, there is no margin for error in this department. We are always looking for new ways to be innovative, while being mindful of time, quality and cost for the overall business.” For Brown, like all great designers, thinking creatively and thinking commercially are difficult plates to spin at the same time. “It’s a challenge, but that’s why I love it,” he adds.

Despite Knightsbridge having the ultimate in-house design dream team, led by a visionary who clearly leads within the pack, the company is also proud to work with outside influences when designing future products. The latest collaborations to come out the factory include the likes of John Coleman, Sean Dare, Jim Hamilton and David Fox.

Knightsbridge is a modern company like no other. Proud of its heritage and confident to push boundaries, it seems as if this British-born company has all the materials, workforce and ideas – all stored under one roof – to lead the contract furniture market into another 80 successful years of business.

Milan Design Week 2019: What’s on

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Milan Design Week 2019: What’s on

This week, hundreds of designers from all corners of the world will descend onto Europe’s soulful design hub that is Milan for the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, the Euroluce lighting show and other events happening within the city walls. Editor Hamish Kilburn cuts through the noise to identify what to bookmark over in Milan…

Design lovers are arriving in Milan today to attend what is arguably the most significant event in the design calendar.

From April 8 – 14, the Italian city  centre transforms into a creative hub that witnesses product launches, emerging trends, which this year are expected to be themed around health and wellbeing, bringing the outdoors indoors and creating closer human interaction.

Salone del Mobile, which is arguably the main event of the week, will be split into three categories this year there are: Classic – Tradition in the Future, drawing on the values of tradition, craftsmanship and skill in the art of making furniture and objects; Design – products that transmit functionality, innovation and a great sense of style and finally xLux – the section you’ll want to spend most of your time at – the luxury section devoted to timeless objects in a contemporary key.

Meanwhile, Euroluce the International Lighting Exhibition. The show, which has run every two years since 1976, presents the most innovative solutions in the field of light for interiors and exteriors.

As the shows open their doors, here are a few events to bookmark:

Sebastian Herker – Milan man of the moment

Image credit: Sebastian Herkner/Freifrau

Hot off the heels of becoming Maison Objet’s Designer of the Year, Sebastian Herkner is moments away from launching new products in Milan. On the both upcoming shows Salone del Mobile and Euroluce in Milan, the studio will showcase new products for brands like Ames, Dedon, Emu, Freifrau, Gloster, Pulpo and Thonet as well as designs for our new partner Vibia.  The studio will also present collections for Schönbuch, Wittmann and Zanotta.

Turri – architectural furniture

Image credit: Turri

The furniture company has confirmed that it will launch a new collaboration with architect Daniel Libeskind who will be on the company’s stand at Salone del Mobile on Wednesday April 10 to discuss the new project with the company. Until then, the furniture company thats motto is ‘The Italian way to Beauty’ is keeping extremely tight-lipped about what we can expect.

Swedish Design Moves – HEMMA goes wild

Image credit: Swedish Design Moves

Swedish Design Moves returns to Milan this year with HEMMA gone wild – a sequel to the 2018 exhibition, HEMMA – Stories of Home.

Curated and designed by Joyn Studio, HEMMA gone wild invites visitors to experience an abstract and playful vision of home, from hallway to living room and onwards through an unfolding scenography that showcases the best of Swedish design, drawn by curiosity and a mood of mystery.

Humanscale – Human touch

Todd Bracher, long-time collaborator with Ergonomic leaders Humanscale, and Studio TheGreenEyl have designed an immersive, interactive experience. Bodies in Motion will invite visitors in to explore human movement, as represented through dramatic beams of light. The display can be seen in the historic vaults located under Milano Central Station, as part of the third edition of Ventura Centrale.

USM

The Swiss furniture innovator USM will be returning with their mega-structure at the Fair in collaboration with UNStudio. Visit their stand (A07/B06) in hall 20. If you’re visiting on Tuesday, CEO & Great-Grandson of USM’s founder Alex Schaerer will be on the stand, as will Ben van Berkel, UNStudio founder and Ren Yee, Head of Design/Strategies, UNStudio. If you would like an interview with Alex, Ben or Ren let us know and we will help make arrangements.

Minotti 

Returning to the fair, the Italian furniture company in familiar surroundings will launch its 2019 Collection of luxury and timeless pieces. The premium furniture brand, which was Hotel Designs’ Exclsuive Style Partner for Meet Up London, will unveil all on its stand. Minotti will premiew the new collection, coordinated entirely by Rodolfo Dordoni, which also includes some products designed by Christophe Delcourt. The collection is a return to its roots, but with a vision of the future, to innovate while staying true to our style and our traditions. The inspiration for a collection marked by an intriguing layering of influences and styles, for a timeless elegance that is nonetheless strikingly unexpected.

Brodie Neill – Plastic in the ocean

Image credit: Brodie Neill

Following the sustainable Gyro table – a circular table featuring a top made from inlaid fragments of recycled ocean plastic, designer Brodie Neill will launch yet another public statement to highlight climate change. He will unveil a contemporary hourglass filled with microplastic instead of sand during Milan Design Week in order to highlight the issue of ocean plastic pollution.

Nendo – Breeze of Light

The Japanese studio Nendo will present a new lighting display entitled Breeze of Light. This installation, in collaboration with Daikin, evokes the sensation of a comfortable breeze by the movement of light and shadows, not actual air. A virtual flower garden is illuminated using 115 individually-controlled spotlights directing light on 17,000 flower-shaped polarising films. Changes in shadow intensity of the flowers produce the effect of a breeze passing through the garden.

Tom Dixon

Going against the grain, Tom Dixon took the decision not be showcasing products at Salone del Mobile. Instead, he’s opening his own restaurant and his furniture, lighting and accessories will feature throughout the restaurant’s dynamic mise en scene.

Salone Satellite 

Exhibition hall

Image credit: Salone del Mobile

As Hotel Designs continues to support young emerging designers, the Salone Satellite is to place to be if you want to discover new talent. Back for its 22nd edition, this year’s theme ‘Food as Design Objects is aimed to challenge designers to debate climate change and

Ahead of the event, Claudio Luti, President of the Salone del Mobile, had this to say: “At this particular time of great success for Milan, it is important to consolidate the Salone del Mobile’s powersof attraction, offering its visitors not just a wide range of products, but, especially, opportunities for international interface and for reflection on the relationship between creativity and business.”

Milan, the moral capital of a thriving design hub, has opened its doors as designers, architects flood in. The small city with a large personality is ready to witness many moments that are about to written and no-doubt go down in design history.

Main image credit: Salone del Mobile

Minimalist Muji opens first hotel in Japan

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Minimalist Muji opens first hotel in Japan

The Japanese retailer, Muji, opens its first hotel in Japan, Muji Hotel Ginza – and it’s a minimalist’s dream…

Spread over six floors, the 79-key Muji Hotel Ginza designed by UDS has opened as the brand’s first hotel in Japan following the successful openings in Beijing and Shenzhen last year.

Muji Hotel Ginza’s thoughtful design is true to the company’s sustainable principles, using upcycled materials such as flagstone of Tokyo’s tramway from 50 years ago and even the waste materials from ships.

The 79 guestrooms all vary in size and are presented in nine categories. Designed to fill a gap in the market between luxury and mid-scale, the hotel’s interiors are true-to-form minimalist.

Minimalist interiors - writing desk

Image credit: Muji Hotels

The interiors convey an atmosphere typical of Muji; natural materials, alongside upcycled products with a small number of rooms including traditional Japanese textiles. Fuji Hotel’s pricing structure remains the same throughout the year, regardless of seasons and holidays, which supports the brand’s commitment to fairness and affordable living as the hotel aims to become a base for visitors to enjoy a deeper immersion in Ginza and Japanese culture.

“Great care has been taken to ensure that the room will restore travelers in body and spirit alike,” the hotel’s website states. The mattresses have been designed informed by posture research, while the lighting designed in order to aid sleep quality.

The hotel opens together with the global flagship store Muji Ginza as the “anti-gorgeous, anti-cheap” alternative hotel.

Main image credit: Muji Hotels

 

 

Timothy Oulton unveils lavish SS19 collection

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Timothy Oulton unveils lavish SS19 collection

The luxury design company, Timothy Oulton, which prides itself on being an authentic and daring source of energy and inspiration, unveils its SS19 collection… 

Driven by a burning desire to create experiences that touch people in a significant way, while living by the motto that “life is better with a bowler hat”, Timothy Oulton has unveiled its SS19 Collection , an assortment of items that have been designed with the idea that truly authentic materials and human-scaled design have the power to change how people feel.

With the belief that great creativity is both enduring and yet perennially fresh, the SS19 collection sees Timothy Oulton bring its authentic handcraftsmanship approach to a gamut of new visceral and richly sensorial materials, which include seleneite crystals, printed velvets, sheepskin, deep handfinished leather and reclaimed Edwardian parquetry. “I like good design, whether traditional or modern,” Oulten said in press material around the collection. using original time-honoured techniques, the studio prides itself on using only the best traditional methods in its products.

The newly unveiled collection includes an update on Timothy Oulton’s innovative lighting range. Continuing last season’s foray into natural minerals and rocks is the Selenite collection of pendants and sconces. For the large Selenite pendant, more than 560 individual crystals are affixed by hand to create a dramatic stalactite-type effect.

“We look for the most authentic, sensory materials and then think how best we can use it.” – Timothy Oulton

Meanwhile, the Inception mirrors – now available in three separate sizes – give a nod to the ’70s. Inspired by the era’s infinity mirrors, each Inception piece lights up to reveal a seemingly endless line of reflections, appearing smaller and smaller as they fade into the distance. When turned off, it becomes an elegant, everyday mirror.

Timothy Oulton's Speakeasy Monaco Bar & City

Image credit/caption: Timothy Oulton’s Speakeasy Monaco Bar & City

“It always starts with the materials first, we look for the most authentic, sensory materials and then think how best we can use it,” said Oulton when commenting on the inspiration behind the new designs. “Great interiors have the power to change how you feel, so whether it’s down time or entertaining, it’s about engaging the senses and feeling alive. That’s an energy that we try to embody in all our products, and it was very much the driving force behind our 2019 Collection.”

Among the stand out pieces is the eye-catching Studio Sofa, an addition to the Metro collection, which can now be finished in Acid Jungle velvet fabric, which is, as Oulton describes: “an expression of modern-urban cool”. The new fabric, which depicts a jungle scene against a night-time backdrop, is deliberately not pattern-matched, meaning that no single item within the collection is the same.

Also new to Metro, is the smart and sophisticated City armchair, a leather swivel chair that can transform any room into a multifunctional space. And the rugged yet elegant new Milano chair, with its minimalist oak frame and luxuriously thick leather, is the perfect way to inject style into an urban apartment. The Milano takes its cue from the Italian design movement of Rationalism and in particular the work of Gruppo 7, a group of architects who wanted to reform Italy’s architecture in the 1920s to strike a balance between classicism and industrially-inspired design. The Milano chair embodies the movement’s simplistic yet well engineered furniture with its clean lines and modern, comfortable sit.

Building on the ruggedly refined palette of the Loft range, Timothy Oulton introduces for the first time the Buck’dN Brok’n leather onto the Westminster Button sofa, its classic Chesterfield model. Previously featured on the iconic Saddle Chair, Buck’dN Brok’n is characterised by its deep scores and scratches that evoke an aged and storied life. The idea of a life well lived is also embodied by the new Edwardian collection, featuring tables and mirrors fashioned from reclaimed parquetry oak and mahogany that originally formed the floors of Edwardian dance halls in the UK.

A warm, weathered oak frame and luxuriously thick leather bring a relaxed and welcoming feel to its minimalist silhouette. Milano is perfectly suited to
contemporary interiors and evenings by the fire, just make sure the whisky’s ready nearby.

Extending the range of Timothy Oulton’s offering, the collection changes gears with the wildly luxurious long-haired Yeti Sheepskin, newly available in black and brown. Yeti is showcased on the rustic new Cabin bench, inspired by the cosy feel of traditional forest cabins, and the Trio chair, a creative reinvention of a traditional slipper chair with generous proportions.

Timothy Oulton's Loft Vignette3 Cabana Yeti

Image credit/caption: Timothy Oulton’s Loft Vignette3 Cabana Yeti

While the new collection’s dynamic accessories arguably takes centre stage, the company is also dedicated to produce sustainable items with its Noble Souls collection, which launched last year. Including three sofas within the collection, all of which have different profiles, the feather-filled sofas come in a variety of fabric finishes.

With more than 40 galleries around the world – from New York to Hong Kong to Sydney, and a flagship in Chelsea, London – Timothy Oulton continues its plan of opening new stores in great cities around the globe, with recent additions including Seoul and Abu Dhabi.

In addition to launching innovative products, the studio has also been responsible for the completion of hospitality projects such as 1880 members’ club in Singapore, The Blue Room at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and Glazebrook House Hotel in Devon, England.

The latest collection from the brand is a refreshing insight into the mind of the visionary behind the brand. Oulton’s journey, which started in 1976 when he set up his first boutique antiques shop that was owned by his father, has led him to become one of the industry’s most creative individuals. Continuing tradition, each Timothy Oulton piece in the SS19 collection is inspired by the past, but reconceived from a modern perspective, producing yet another uniquely authentic collection that further pushes the boundaries of interior design.

Main image credit: Timothy Oulton’s Metro Collection Studio Sofa with Acid Jungle velvet fabric 

Faloria Mountain Spa Resort reopens in the Dolomites

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Faloria Mountain Spa Resort reopens in the Dolomites

In Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s most glamorous mountain destination, the newly renovated Faloria Mountain Spa Resort combines comfort, modernity and tradition, which together arguably defines a new model in hospitality in the Dolomites…

In its own words, Faloria Mountain Spa Resort is: “Charming hospitality in the heart of the Dolomites”. The historical hotel in Cortina, which gave its first glimpse of its new design concept last year, has reopened following an expansion and renovation.

Establishing a new benchmark in the hospitality of the entire Alpine region, the hotel features new guestrooms, a spa covering over 1000 sqm, a gourmet restaurant and new common areas. It now reopens with the aim to allow guests to live an unforgettable experience in accordance to the highest international luxury standards. The project architect Flaviano Capriotti, has designed an environment inharmony with the surrounding landscape, where Alpine tradition meets contemporary accents.

Contemporary guestroom

Image credit: Faloria Mountain Spa Resort/Andrés Otero

The new guestrooms offer guests an exclusively refined environment, where the charm of mountain furnishings is combined with a contemporary touch. The rooms are wide and bright spaces, with huge windows to enjoy an enchanting view of the Dolomites. The parquet, boiserie and tasteful details lend a delightful domestic flavour, without forgoing refinement and exclusivity.

The bed headboards are designed with botanical drawings of the local alpine flowers, selected from the Florae Austriacae atlas, written by the botanist Nikolaus von Jacquin in the 18th century. The botanical theme then becomes a common thread throughout the SPA, the common areas and the restaurant.

The Faloria Spa Resort opens a new wing, and internal restyling designed by Italian architect Flaviano Caprioti.

Image credit: Faloria Mountain Spa Resort/Andrés Otero

The new SPA Area, the largest in the entire Alpine region, is a veritable jewel. A surface area of more than 1000 square metres, where guests can enjoy a unique sensory journey with 25-metre long semi-Olympic pool, sauna, ice fountain, calidarium, vitality pool, chilling out areas and private treatment rooms. The Spa offers an emotional experience targeting all levels of perception: visual, tactile, olfactory and emotional for a regenerating holiday. Materials and colours recall larch woods, the stone of Dolomite rocks and the green of lake water, so that guests feel they are immersed in the nature of Cortina.

Main image credit: Faloria Mountain Spa Resort/Andrés Otero

In Conversation With: Pedro Colaco, CEO, Great Hotels of The World on bleisure

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In Conversation With: Pedro Colaco, CEO, Great Hotels of The World on bleisure

With the global rise in bleisure travel, one company and its members are more equipped than ever before to cater to the demands of modern business travellers. In light of this, and ahead of leading a panel discussion on the topic, editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Pedro Colaco, CEO of Great Hotels of The World, to find out why independent hotels need to rethink their business facilities in order to maximise on every opportunity…

The saying goes: “Turn your wounds into wisdom”, which is a slightly dramatic term that, in short, means learn from your experiences. One man who built his empire on this motto – albeit it learning from other brands’ wounds but very much his own bleisure travel experiences – is Pedro Colaco, the CEO of Great Hotels of The World (GHOTW). Colaco is also the founder and CEO of tech company Guest Centric, which completed the acquisition of GHOTW last year, and with it brought valuable digital experience. Having spent years seeing hotels getting it wrong, Colaco decided to help GHOTW’s members get it right. “How many times have you checked in to a hotel late at night, perhaps because of a delayed flight or whatever, you were hungry and tired but there was no food?” Colaco rhetorically asks. “Welcome to the glamorous life of yesterday’s business travel,” he laughs.

As we skip the small talk and start discussing the current landscape of the hotel development, both in our element identifying great independent hotels as well as off-the-grid hotspot locations around the world, I wonder what Colaco’s definition of a ‘great’ hotel is. “For us, in terms of our memberships, we work with larger hotels in the bleisure segment in order to bring as much value to them as we can,” he explains. “A GHOTW hotel needs to have something special about it, whether that is a cinema, a theme park or simply just a great rooftop pool or bar.”

Establishing shot of Atlantis The Palm

Image credit/caption: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, one of GHOTW’s members

It strikes me that becoming a member of GHOTW is something that should be seen as a prestigious complement, an accolade celebrating potential if you like. “Take Dubai, for example. There are many incredible hotels within the city, and more opening every day, but we want to ensure that we do not have too many hotels within one region,” Colaco explains. “Therefore, we have to think strategically and hand-select the independent hotels that we can best help to take to the next level.” In essence, a hotel can only become part of the GHOTW portfolio if it meets the company’s criteria and if Colaco and his team genuinely believe they can help. “One of the large segments that we provide in terms of marketing is MICE,” adds Colaco, which makes sense considering the facilities from Guest Centric that it can lean on.

“A staggering 75 per cent of business travellers want to extend their stay for leisure.”

The company, which provides global hotel sales and marketing services, recently shared the results of new headline-grabbing survey that it led. The study showed a staggering 75 per cent of business travellers want to extend their stay for leisure. What’s more is that of the 75 per cent, more than two-thirds would turn their work trip into a holiday while staying in the same hotel. “Long gone are the days when business travellers had to stay in soulless business districts,” explains Colaco. “I’m sure you will agree that modern business travellers want check in where the action is. Independent hotels are born in a place and live in a place, and it’s that personality of each property that we want to capture and amplify to the world of prospective business travellers.”

Luxury spa with detailed wallcoverings

Image credit/caption: The spa at Al Bustan Hotel & Spa Beirut, one of GHOTW’s members

QUICK-FIRE ROUND:

Hamish Kilburn: I have just given you a large sum of money, and you are only allowed to use it to build a hotel. Where in world would this hotel be?
Pedro Colaco: Oh my gosh, for me? How generous! A desert island somewhere. It would be very simple – I think there is a lot to be said about ‘undertourism’. My hotel that you have so kindly given me the funds for will be a hidden gem away from the noise. In all seriousness, watch this space for new travel trends celebrating going back to basics!

HK: Where’s next on your travel bucket list?
PC: Patagonia, Iceland and the Polar Circle to see the northern lights. I have to visit all these places before I die, but getting the time off to explore these wonders is mission impossible!

HK: What’s your biggest bugbear in this industry?
PC: Some hoteliers’ lack of attention detail with technology. Modern travellers are connected and demand instant gratification. I think many hoteliers fall behind by adopting gimmicks without having considered whether or not they will help the guests’ experience.

HK: You clearly travel a lot, what is the one item you cannot travel without?
PC: My razor! You asked…

HK: Has there been one person who you can identify as an inspiration to your journey in this industry?
PC: That’s difficult, there are so many people who inspire me. From a business point of view alone I have had many great mentors. Honestly, there is not one single person I can mention.

HK: Looking back, is there anything that you would have done differently?
PC: Oh lots! Are you kidding me? But you learn from your mistakes and I have no regrets!

“GHOTW has the technology and the commitment to help our members compete on a global scale.” – Pedro Colaco, CEO, Great Hotels of the World

With the experience and technology from Guest Centric, the resources that GHOTW has at its fingertips are impressive, to say the least. “It’s hard to be an independent hotel in today’s market as more and more hotel groups launch lifestyle brands in tier two cities,” says Colaco. “However, GHOTW has the technology and the commitment to help our members compete on a global scale.”

Modern, contemporary lobby area

Image credit/caption: The lobby of Altis Belem Hotel in Lisbon, one of GHOTW’s members

For me, in the little time I have had to get to know one of the many masters behind the brand, it’s clear that Colaco likes to work within a team in order to support the underdogs in our industry, the independents. In doing so, he and his team of experts are helping local businesses within the hotel industry to not only survive, but also to thrive. With recent news from the brand stating that it will receive more than €3,000,000 investment over the next two years in order to welcome new members from around the globe, GHOTW – a company that cares – just became greater!

Gleneagles to redesign its famous restaurant

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Gleneagles to redesign its famous restaurant

The redesign of The Strathearn restaurant at Gleneagles is being led by Ennismore Design Studio and was inspired by the golden age of railway travel…

With the aim to bring back the glamour and decadence of fine dining experiences of the 1920s and ’30s, Gleneagles will in May 2019 unveil the relaunch of its famous restaurant, The Strathearn following a design transformation by Ennismore Design Studio.

The space – which has welcomed a host of famous faces over the decades, from Vivien Leigh, Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir Sean Connery, to John Travolta, Bob Hope and Her Majesty The Queen – is to unveil a new look inspired by an era when glamorous socialites would travel in style from London to Gleneagles to enjoy summer seasons of country sports and decadent dining.

The new designs will celebrate that elegant spirit through a setting that evokes the theatre of the outdoors, the beautiful flora and fauna of Scotland. The creation of a stunning mosaic-floored orangery will offer beautiful views of the estate and the Ochil Hills across the seasons, while a new stage for musical performances will complement the elegance and drama of the rich décor – evocative of first-class carriage journeys in the early twentieth century.  A new kitchen-style breakfast servery will also double up as an occasional private dining space – breathing fresh life into the area that housed Gleneagles’ kitchen in the 1920s.

“After years of meticulous planning, 12 months of interior design work and four months of careful renovation, we can’t wait to unveil the beautiful new look in May.” – Sharan Pasricha, CEO of Gleneagles and Ennismore

Dinner at The Strathearn will be an even more decadent affair, with traditional gueridon service from bespoke dining trollies bringing excitement and energy to the room as a selection of classic dishes are finished at the table. Personally attending each table, the team will add a theatrical flair to the evening, as they effortlessly carve Scottish smoked salmon, prepare and dress a salad, or flambé a ‘Steak Strathearn’ on request.

“As one of the final strands of our three-year design transformation, the renovation of The Strathearn restaurant was always going to be one of the most important phases of all,” said Sharan Pasricha, CEO of Gleneagles and Ennismore. “After years of meticulous planning, 12 months of interior design work and four months of careful renovation, we can’t wait to unveil the beautiful new look in May.”

“Originally known simply as ‘the Dining Room’, the restaurant has been a destination for decadent dining and lively celebrations since Gleneagles first opened nearly 100 years ago. It’s been cherished by generations of guests, so we didn’t want to radically change the fabric of the space or the spirit of the experience. Instead, we wanted to take the essence of The Strathearn and turn up the volume. By amplifying all the elements that are so well loved – the elegant décor, the history, the lively atmosphere, the culinary theatre and the exceptional food – the team has brought back the vibrancy, energy, playfulness and glamour of fine dining experiences a century ago.”

The Strathearn will be overseen by Restaurant Manager, Daniel Greenock, who has moved home to Scotland having honed his craft at Marcus Wareing’s Michelin-starred restaurant at the Berkley Hotel and the world-renowned three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York.

Now under new owner Ennismore, Gleneagles has enlisted the skills and expertise of some of the UK’s most acclaimed designers including David Collins Studio, Timorous Beasties, Macaulay Sinclair, Goddard Littlefair and Ennismore’s own in-house design studio – with the aim to create designs and spaces that celebrate the rich, glamorous heritage and beautiful architecture for which the hotel is famed.

The latest redesign announcement follows Gleneagles’ Conor O’Leary winning Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List 2018 for his unmatched leadership style.

Main image credit: Gleneagles/Ennismore

Meet Up North: Headline Exclusive Partner announced

 730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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Meet Up North: Headline Exclusive Partner announced

Hamilton Litestat has been confirmed as the Exclusive Headline Partner for Meet Up North, which takes place at Hotel Gotham on July 1, 2019…

Following the announcement yesterday, which unveiled the details around Meet Up North, British manufacturer Hamilton Litestat has been confirmed as the event’s Exclusive Headline Partner.

The technology accessories lighting solution company, which sponsored The Brit List 2018 and Meet Up London 2019, will attend the event that will be attended by the industry’s leaders and visionaries.

“The decision for Hamilton Litestat to become the Exclusive Headline Partner for Meet Up North was one that was made following the success of its previous networking events, including Meet Up London last week,” said Gavin Williams, Head of Marketing at Hamilton Litestat. “We look forward to being in Manchester with the team from Hotel Designs in order to promote our brand and our innovative products in the north to designers, hoteliers and architects.”

This year’s Meet Up North will take place at Hotel Gotham’s Club Brass rooftop VIP lounge on July 1.

Early bird tickets now available

Between now and April 30, 2019, early bird tickets for the event are available to purchase:

Suppliers: £99 + VAT (£150 + VAT after early bird offer expires after April 30).
Designers, architects and hoteliers: £10 + VAT (£20 + VAT after early bird offer expires after April 30).

If you are a supplier to the industry and would like to attend Meet Up North, click here.
If you are a designer, architect or hoteliers to the industry and would like to attend Meet Up North, click here.

There are various sponsorship opportunities and packages available for Meet Up North. If you would like to discuss these with our team then please contact Zoe Guerrier by either emailing z.guerrier@forumevents.co.uk or calling 01992 374059.

Main image caption: The Hamilton Litestat team attending Meet Up London as Exclusive Headline Partners

Meet Up North 2019: Manchester venue announced

 730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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Meet Up North 2019: Manchester venue announced

Hotel Designs has announced that it is taking its successful Meet Up networking event concept to Manchester’s Hotel Gotham on July 1, 2019… 

Following the success of Meet Up London last week, Hotel Designs has announced that its Meet Up North networking event will take place at Manchester’s Hotel Gotham on July 1.

Leading designers, architects, hoteliers and key-industry suppliers are expected to gather at the hotel’s exclusive members-only rooftop bar, Club Brass, for drinks and canapés above the city.

The VIP lounge on the 7th floor of the hotel was chosen as the venue for Meet Up North after editor Hamish Kilburn described Hotel Gotham as Manchester’s decadent playground in his interactive hotel review that was published last year.

“If Hotel Gotham is the King of King Street, then Brass is the jewel in the crown,” says Hotel Gotham on its website when describing the members-only rooftop bar.

“We have decided to return to this vibrant city, which is full of raw creativity at every corner, due to popular demand in addition to the recent increase in hotel investment in the city, especially in the luxury market.” – Hamish Kilburn, editor, Hotel Designs.

“There is arguably no greater venue that is more relevant for this year’s Meet Up North event than Hotel Gotham,” Kilburn commented on the announcement. “With the hotel group imminently about to expand its luxury arm even further in Manchester, with the highly anticipated opening of The Brooklyn, Hotel on the cards, Hotel Gotham shelters everything and more we need in order to make this event the best Meet Up North yet. We have decided to return to this vibrant city, which is full of raw creativity at every corner, due to popular demand in addition to the recent increase in hotel investment in the city, especially in the luxury market.”

Early bird tickets now available

Between now and April 30, 2019, early bird tickets for the event are available to purchase:

Suppliers: £99 + VAT (£150 + VAT after early bird offer expires after April 30).
Designers, architects and hoteliers: £10 + VAT (£20 + VAT after early bird offer expires after April 30).

If you are a supplier to the industry and would like to attend Meet Up North, click here.
If you are a designer, architect or hoteliers to the industry and would like to attend Meet Up North, click here.

There are various sponsorship opportunities and packages available for Meet Up North. If you would like to discuss these with our team then please contact Zoe Guerrier by either emailing z.guerrier@forumevents.co.uk or calling 01992 374059.

The inaugural Meet Up North took place last year at King Street Townhouse and was attended by more than 200 designers, architects, hoteliers and key-industry suppliers.

About Hotel Gotham

Hotel Gotham is sheltered in what is arguably the city’s grandest properties and is an exclusive city-centre sanctuary, previously a bank that was designed in 1935 by none other than architect Edwin Lutyens.

The hotel, which opened in 2015, prides itself on offering a modern and comfortable experience in a unique and luxurious environment, with exquisite service all within a bespoke private club in the heart of Manchester.

 

Image credit: Hotel Gotham


Main image credit: Hotel Gotham

Nobu Hotel Los Cabos opens

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Nobu Hotel Los Cabos opens

The opening of Nobu Hotel Los Cabos marks the hotel group’s debut into Mexico…

Officially open today, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, debuts 200 stylish guestrooms and suites. Both WATG and Studio PCH have blended Japanese minimalism with locally sourced Californian raw materials, such as custom furniture pieces, wood-soaking tubs, teak and stone materials, shoji-inspired closet doors and Japanese inspired lanterns.

The first Nobu Hotel in Mexico, perched beachfront on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, houses elegant meetings and event spaces, a luxurious spa with Natura Bissé products and, what all Nobu Hotels must have…a spectacular Nobu Restaurant and Bar with ocean views, making this the third Nobu restaurant in Mexico.

Light and bright public dining area

Image credit: Nobu Hotel Los Cabos

The natural growth of Nobu Hospitality, built on service, image, and reputation, offers the complete spectrum of hotel, restaurant and residence management for unique projects around the world.

Founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, with operations spanning five continents, the Nobu brand thrives in the world’s capitals as the ultimate destination lifestyle experience.

Also set to open in 2019 are properties in Barcelona and Chicago, with Warsaw recently announced for 2020.

Main image credit: Nobu Hotel Los Cabos

Hotel Designs’ 30 Under 30: Winners announced

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Hotel Designs’ 30 Under 30: Winners announced

Hotel Designs’ unveiled the winners of its 30 Under 30 initiative at Meet Up London on March 28, 2019…

40 shortlisted 30 Under 30 finalists were among the more than 200 interior designers, architects, hoteliers and key-industry suppliers who gathered at Minotti London on March 28 for Meet Up London. The event, which was Hotel Designs’ first networking event of the year, witnessed the unveiling of Hotel Designs’ 30 Under 30.

Speaking at the event, editor Hamish Kilburn said: “I have to say, as a young design editor, I support this initiative with every fibre in my body. Throughout this whole process I have been so impressed to see such interesting in-house schemes in leading design and architecture firms in order to give credit to the rising stars of our industry. But I have been as impressed with individuals going it alone and really proving themselves to be creative geniuses.”

Below are the final winners who have been listed in alphabetical order.

Adam Crabtree
Studio: Chelsom Lighting
Role: Technical Engineer

Adam Crabtree works closely with the sales and projects team to develop solutions for all bespoke lighting enquiries. As a fundamental part of the Technical team Adam is involved in development of the project all the way from design concept stage to final product installation.

Projects:

  • Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London
  • Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
  • The Peninsula Hotel, London
  • Le Meridien, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
  • Great Scotland Yard
  • One Aldwych
  • Plan B
  • Puro Lodz
  • Six Senses, New York

Ali Bacon
Studio: The Gettys Group
Role: Senior Project Designer

Ali Bacon is a dynamic and talented designer who creates thoughtful, memorable places for The Gettys Group’s diverse hospitality clients. She brings more than a decade of experience designing for commercial clients, and her wide-ranging expertise in hospitality, retail, and multi-family residential applications can be found in projects throughout the country and beyond.

Projects:

  • The Blackstone, Autograph Collection, Chicago, IL
  • Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection, Columbus, OH
  • White House Napa Valley Inn, Napa Valley, CA
  • Hilton Portland Downtown, Portland, OR
  • Claridge House, Chicago, IL
  • World of Wine, Porto, Portugal
  • Hyatt Centric City Center, Sacramento, CA
  • Sheraton Ft. Worth, TX

Anya Gordon Clark
Dexter Moren Associates
Role: Interior Designer

The most important feature of Anya Gordon Clark’s personality as an interior designer is her desire to create non-banal spaces with a strong mark of her personality along with unstoppable wish to learn new and improve her existing skillset.

Projects:

  • Avon Gorge Hotel
  • Vintry & Mercier hotel

Catherine van der Heide
Studio: HASSELL
Role: Interior Designer

Catherine van der Heide puts a key focus on a project’s complexity to extract a meaningful and bespoke narrative. As an interior designer at HASSELL, Heide has collaborated on a diverse range of projects throughout the UK, South East Asia and Australia.

Charlotte Roe
Studio: WISH London
Role: Interior architect

Since joining WISH London last year, Charlotte Roe has become an invaluable team member who has contributed to the successful design of a variety of projects. Working primarily in the hospitality and commercial sectors, Roe has immersed herself in all aspects of interior design from concept to completion.

Charlotte’s passion for current trends and fine detail has shown through in a recently completed high end commercial project based in Windmill Street, Fitzrovia.

Projects:

  • The Nadler Hotel, Covent Garden

Daniela Anedda
Studio: M Studio London
Role: Interior Designer

Daniela Anedda gained a Bachelor degree in Architecture at the University of Cagliari, Italy, and then moved to London in 2016 to study Interior Design at KLC School of Design. During her course, she had the opportunity to work for the Lelievre showroom where she could deepen her knowledge about fabrics and schemes and have a first glance of the interior design world. With M Studio London she now works on high-end residential and commercial projects, following all stages of the design process.

Projects:

  • InterContinental, Porto

David Jelensky
Studio: M Studio London
Role: Interior Designer

David Jelensky moved to the UK in 2011 to enrich his abilities at University Campus Suffolk, studying Interior Architecture & Design. As an innovative designer, passionate about architecture and design, he is characterised by precision and exquisite attention to detail creating elegant technological designs representing purity, sophisticated use of materials, environmental responsibility. This has been captured through his successful design projects as he was rewarded by first class in Bachelor of Arts, Interior Architecture and Design. His skills has been enriched in London and Dubai working on high-end residential and hospitality projects.

Projects:

  • InterContinental, Porto

Gina Langridge
Studio: WATG
Role: Designer

Gina Langridge is an ambitious and passionate designer who utilises design as a tool to create exciting human experiences. She strives to design spaces that harmonise within the landscape setting, delivering the best possible design solution for both client and guest.

Langridge has experience working on a wide range of projects throughout the UK, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. She has a solid grounding in the design of tourism and hospitality facilities, and her involvement in hugely successful renovation projects has strengthened her construction experience.

WATG has a robust internal leadership programme, providing a voice and a platform for our young designers to flourish. As one of WATG’s brightest rising stars, Langridge has been selected to take part in the 2019 programme for her excellent communication skills, strong self-awareness and a passion for excellent design.

Langridge is a leader of tomorrow and has been successful in exceeding expectations at every turn.

“Gina is a talented and astute landscape architect. She has been involved in the design and delivery of some of our most memorable recent work, including refurbishments, which are extremely difficult to deliver,” said John Goldwyn, Vice President, Director of Planning & Landscape, WATG. “Gina demonstrates the perfect blend of skill in client focus and attention-to-detail that hospitality projects require.”

Gioia Corrada
Studio: M Studio London
Role: Interior Designer

Gioia Corrada gained her degree in Interior Design at IED in Milan and then a Master’s degree at Polytechnic of Milan. By the end of her studies, she had learnt how to manage projects, be a team player and to work to high standards with attention to detail. Gioia went on to work for a Design and Architecture studio in Milan which gave her the chance to work on a project for the Salone del Mobile in 2014. After moving to London, she joined M Studio in March 2018 to pursue a career in the world of Interior Design and get a first-hand insight into the world of high-end luxury design.

Harry Allnatt
Studio: Richmond International
Role: Interior Designer

Harry Allnatt, a product and furniture design graduate, joined Richmond in 2011 following a placement year in Milan as part of his degree, which resulted in steering his career direction towards interiors in the hotels and hospitality sector.

With a strong eye for detail, Harry enjoys challenging the norm to achieve sophisticated design solutions on many complex projects.

Allnatt has consistently shown creativity, responsibility and an unwavering level of commitment which has resulted in our recognition of his skills, rapidly progressing him to the position of Senior Designer.

Projects:

  • Langham Boston
  • Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
  • P&O Britannia
  • Four Seasons Hvar

Jen Lees
Studio: HBA London
Role: Interior Designer

Jen Lees found her passion for interiors whilst successfully completing her BA (Hons) in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design degree from Leeds Arts University. Throughout her studying, Jen created a number of her own personal collections, aimed at the interior design sector, gaining a wide understanding of the importance of innovation and originality within design.

After exhibiting her degree show at New Designers 2016, she began her internship placement year at HBA London, working on a variety of global luxury projects. Now a Designer, with a strong focus on FF&E specifications, she applies her eye to detail and knowledge in material culture to create dynamic and fresh aesthetics to suit every client’s vision, whilst still pushing the boundaries of design to form a unique space.

Projects:

  • Amadria Park Capital Zagreb, Croatia
  • InterContinental Munich

Jodie Hatton
Studio: Brintons
Role: Designer

Jodie Hatton was one of the designers at Brintons behind the award-winning collaboration with design studio Timorous Beasties. Unlike most other carpet manufacturers, Brintons designs and develops all of its own looms and supplies carpet to both commercial and residential markets globally.

Projects:

  • Kimpton Fitzroy London
  • Holland Casino, Rotterdam
  • D&D London

Jordyn Dickson
Studio: The Gettys Group
Role: Designer

Designer Jordyn Dickson is a native of Chicago’s north suburbs. She draws interior design inspiration from trends in the world of fashion, and — as a talented musician herself — she spends most of the day plugged into artists like Kurt Vile to fuel her creativity.

Dickson holds a degree from the CIDA-accredited design program at Indiana University.

Projects:

  • Hampton Inn Public Area Prototype Refresh,
  • Hilton Worldwide
  • Hampton Inn Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
  • Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs, FL
  • TownePlace Suites Colorado (5 locations)
  • Residence Inn Deerfield, IL
  • Fairfield Inn San Diego, CA

Josh Piddock
Studio: Project Orange
Role: Architect

Josh Piddock completed his RIBA Part 2 at Sheffield School of Architecture in 2015 and joined Project Orange later that summer having travelled India in between. He completed his Part 3 at the University of Bath and fully qualified as a RIBA chartered Architect in 2017.

Piddock is currently working on an exciting custom build project in Norfolk, amongst other early stage projects in the office, whilst outside office life most of Josh’s time is taken up in the renovation of his flat in Hackney and in entering architectural competitions with his self-confessed wacky ideas.

Projects:

  • My Fortune Guntur, India
  • The Park Hotel Bangalore
  • NHOW London
  • Room 2, Southampton.

Kate Jarrett
Studio: Scott Brownrigg
Role: Interior Designer

Kate Jarrett is a creative young designer who thrives in all elements of the design process, from initial concept to project management and site installation. Having joined Scott Brownrigg in 2016, she has excelled in winning the respect of every client she works with. Jarrett has worked closely with glh Hotels and Hard Rock in delivering the public areas for the exciting new hotel located in London’s Marble Arch. She has also been intrinsic in creating a fun, young and Instagram-able hot spot and destination 10th floor bar on the edge of Leicester Square. A key strength is Jarrett’s all-round ability to communicate extremely well with clients, design team, consultants and contractors, with an end goal to produce an exceptional and innovative final product.

Projects:

  • GLH Hotels
  • Hard Rock Hotel London

Kayleigh Jones
Studio: Brintons
Role: Designer

Kayleigh Jones joined Brintons in 2016 as the result of a close working relationship between the carpet manufacturer and Birmingham City University’s (BCU) School of Fashion and Textiles. Impressed by the originality and inspiring nature of her material concepts, the Brintons panel had no hesitation in awarding the prize to  Jones, a graduate of BA (Hons) Textile Design (Constructed Textiles), for her project ‘Puff, powder, Gloss – cosmetictactility’ which was influenced by the seductive materiality of cosmetics. Following this, Brintons decided to offer the young designer the opportunity of joining their busy design department.

Lauren McEwen
Studio: Goddard Littlefair
Role: FF&E Designer

Lauren McEwen began her career with a five-year stretch at David Collins Studio, establishing herself as an FF&E specialist, with standout schemes for luxury hospitality projects including the Delaire Graff Estate in South Africa and the award-winning Gleneagles Hotel. McEwen was also involved in the design of the public spaces at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Residences, housed within Ole Scheeren’s Maha Nakhon tower in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the most architecturally significant developments in the region. The project won several major awards including the ‘Best Luxury Condo Development’ at the Thailand Property Awards.

McEwen joined Goddard Littlefair in 2018, which has also challenged her ability to design within budget, another constraint the studio believes makes designers become more creative.

A committed advocate of craft, McEwen regularly keeps up to date with the latest techniques, visiting workshops and factories to reinforce her understanding of how things are made.

Projects:

  • Delaire Graff Estate
  • Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok
  • Gleneageles, Scotland
  • Hilton Vienna
  • Grosvenor Hotel, London

Lisa Liu
Studio: WATG
Role: Architect

Lisa Liu is a RIBA and ARB qualified architect, with a Master’s degree from London’s distinguished Bartlett School of Architecture. Born in China, raised in New Zealand and now living in the UK, Liu has a diverse understanding of culture and locale, which is showcased throughout her work.

Having worked on a variety of land-uses; mainly hospitality, residential, and commercial projects; throughout Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East, she’s contextual within her design process, bringing the local surroundings into the heart of the project. Lisa has been involved in the design and delivery of some of our most memorable recent work.

“Lisa is a very talented architect, with great design skills. She has designed some of our most outstanding hospitality projects, and has a great sensibility for context and local culture” Nic Jacobs, Vice President, WATG.

Her advanced technological skills have allowed her to become a leader in emerging digital programmes at WATG. She has been a trailblazer in the use of the innovative software, particularly Grasshopper, and is able to use these tools, alongside her impeccable design skills to create a fantastic project.

Liu is a natural leader and an incredible asset to WATG and the architectural profession. We look forward to watching this talented individual grow and flourish.

Mahesh Parekh
Studio: ARA Design
Role: Junior Designer

Mahesh Parekh’s culturally rich background and his travels back home in India have placed him in a strong position for a colourful career in design.

Working his way up the ladder from an intern at ARA Design to now being a junior designer, Mahesh has grown into a confident young creative member of the team who has proven his skills in a number of projects, one of which is Isrotel Hotels.

Marion Pierru
Studio: Wilson Associates
Role: Junior Designer

Marion Pierru is a Junior Designer at the Wilson Associates’ Paris office, leveraging nearly five years of professional experience in the architecture and design industry.

Prior to joining the Wilson Associates team, Pierru was with George Wong Design, where she worked with clients such as Hyatt’s Hotel Louvre in Paris. Having won the opportunity to be on the design team through a student design competition, the Hotel Louvre project sparked Marion’s passion for the hospitality industry and became the catalyst for the career that has followed in the years since. Marion has also worked on projects such as the renovation of Un Hotel Trait D’Union and Baton Rouge Pigalle in Paris.

At Wilson Associates, Pierru assists in all phases of a project’s design. With the approval of the project manager and design director, she prepares a preliminary budget and purchase estimate, secures product samples, and creates specification books and presentation boards. As a primary contact with the purchasing agent, Marion prepares FF&E specifications to adhere to the client’s budget and the overall design direction for the project. At Wilson Associates, Marion works with the design team in Paris on projects across the globe and locally, including the Hotel Scribe in Paris and a range of properties for luxury brands such as Park Hyatt, Carlton and Jumeirah.

Nicola Brook
Studio: Nicola Brook Design
Role: Director

With more than eight years’ experience in the superyacht interior design sector, Nicola Brook recently set up her own firm, a human-centred interior design and creative consultancy studio based in London. Nicola is looking to broaden the studio’s portfolio into hotel design, believing that this fast-paced sector has many close links to the superyacht market which shaped her creative vocabulary.

Omar Nakkash
Studio: Nakkash Design Studio
Role: Co-founder, Designer

Omar Nakkash launched NAKKASH Design Studio which specialises in contemporary designs and furniture sourcing as well as designing signature commercial spaces such as Nourish and Parlour Boutique. Nakkash, who is based in Dubai, made his debut as a solo product designer with Trinity, a sculptural table lamp, at the Beirut Design Fair 2018.

His ability to look past design for aesthetical purpose and more for functionality made him a strong candidate in Esquire 100, which is described as “a list of men and womden who have helped the publication become the voice of the modern man.”

Patrick McCrae
Studio: ARTIQ
Role: CEO

This year, Patrick McCrae celebrates the tenth anniversary of ARTIQ, the art consultancy he first launched in 2009 to bridge the gap between the art and business worlds and to promote fair pay for artists.

Today, ARTIQ is one of the UK’s leading art consultancy, working with an extensive client base throughout the EMEA to bring outstanding art and experiences to businesses and brands and to push barriers constantly in terms of what art can achieve and who it can reach and engage with.

Projects:

  • Gleneagles, Scotland
  • Sessions House
  • Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik
  • Mode Aparthotel Arc De Triomphe
  • The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square

Rebecca Quickfall
Studio: Diamond Interiors
Role: Interior Designer

Formally a designer at Jasper Sanders + Partners, Rebecca Quickfall is a burgeoning talent defined by energy and enthusiasm, as both studios will agree.

Quickfall was an integral part of helping bring Jasper Sanders + Partners’ projects to life. Her creative and thoughtful contribution to every project gives clients the confidence that the solutions are right for their business.

Designing for people and creating valuable experiences that are not just intelligent spaces, Quickfall thrive as part of a team and believe collaboration is essential to good design.

Rosalynn Youdan
Studio: Jestico + Whiles
Role: Designer

Immediately after graduating with a first-class honours degree from Falmouth Rosalynn Youdan joined Jestico + Whiles in 2014 and has since played a pivotal role on several unique hotel and hospitality projects across the globe.

Her wide experience at Jestico + Whiles also includes the award-winning micro-brewery and pub Shilling’s Brewing Co. in Glasgow, which graced the cover of FX magazine in 2018, and the latest venture for etc Venues at London’s historic County Hall.

With experience in cruise liner design Youdan was lead designer for areas of Iona, the first of the next generation of ships for P&O. The ship launching in 2020 is set to be the largest cruise ship to be built exclusively for the British cruise market, with capacity for 5,200 guests and more than five speciality restaurants

Projects:

  • InterContinental Hotel Tbilisi
  • Old Spitalfields Market
  • Ted & Muffy Boutique
  • Shillings Brewing Co.
  • London County Hall
  • Hard Rock Hotel Malta
  • Hard Rock Hotel Berlin
  • Project Gala Cruise Ship
  • W Hotel Edinburgh
  • Hotel Palace Lucerne Switzerland
  • Hotel Titlis Palace Engelberg
  • W Marrakesh

Sarah Murphy
Studio: Jestico + Whiles
Role: Architect

Sarah Murphy joined Jestico + Whiles in 2014 after graduating from the University of Manchester with a First-Class Honours degree in Architecture.

Throughout her time in the practice she has been studying to qualify as an Architect and is currently undertaking her Part III.

Her architectural design background has been reinforced through the wide range of hotel and hospitality projects in which she has played a key role. Murphy has formed invaluable connections with the extensive design team and with self-determination remains close to the project to ensure the final product is as faultless as it can be.

Murphy is currently leading design of key areas of the design of Titlis Palace Hotel, a beautiful grande dame hotel in a mountainous area of Engelberg, Switzerland,  nestled below the shadow of Mount Titlis.

Projects:

  • Paul Street Hotel, London
  • Odeon, Shaftesbury Avenue, London
  • Hard Rock Hotel Malta
  • Hard Rock Hotel Berlin
  • Hotel Palace Lucerne Switzerland
  • Hotel Titlis Palace Engelberg

Scarlett Supple
Studio: Soho House Design
Role: Senior Interior Designer

Scarlett Supple has now been working in the industry for seven years.

It was during her second year as an interior designer that led the design of the main farmhouse, 5 cabins and 2 of the main barns at Soho Farmhouse in Chipping Norton. She said of the project: “The architects and I worked closely to develop a design that was true to the existing features of the space and celebrated the local materials as well as designing bespoke furniture and lighting that made each area unique.”

Arguably, her largest achievement since joining Soho House Design in 2015 was leading the design of Soho House Mumbai. “My time was spent designing bespoke fabric, with inspiration taken from traditional Indian motifs and patterns, working with local craftsman developing bespoke furniture and lighting as well as working with external developers and suppliers to ensure a successful opening of our first Soho House in Asia,” she said.

Projects:

  • Soho House West Hollywood
  • Soho House Greek Street
  • Babbington House
  • Soho House Mumbai
  • Soho House Paris

Simona Mirón
Studio: Gensler
Role: Architect

Simona Mirón taps into her boundless creativity to design unique and contemporary hotel environments – providing design expertise on projects from concept through to completion – for some of the most challenging clients not just in the Europe but also in Saudi Arabia, Malta and North Africa among others. Mirón is currently leading on the design of a complex 5* Hotel in the Middle East that’s part of a $300 million redevelopment. Her responsibilities include providing design expertise, collaborating and coordinating with 11 consulting firms in order to develop solutions that embody her client’s vision and needs.

Her growth within the profession over the last few years has been a joy for her colleagues to observe. Tom Lindblom, Hospitality Leader and Principal at Gensler comments: “Simona has developed a very strong design language for hotel and hospitality design. She makes the very important connection between master planning and architecture to create holistic designs for our clients on projects in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Her combination of clear design thinking, team spirit, amazing computer skills, and relentless work habits allows Gensler to continue to make innovative and successful projects. We look forward to great things for Simona.”

Achievements:

Leading the design of 5* Hotel that’s part of a $300 million redevelopment in the Middle East.

Winner of Europan 13, biennial competition for young architects under 40 years of age to design innovative urban design schemes across Europe, out of 1,862 entries across 15 countries for her Stavanger Project.

Winner of Gensler’s Design Excellent Award which celebrates the company’s most innovative projects.

Stephanie Riedl
Studio: B3 Designers
Role: Interior Architect

Stephanie Riedl’s career began in Stuttgart, Germany, where she gained her Bachelor of Arts in Interior and Architectural Design in 2016. During her studies Steph carried out a number of internships covering interior design, carpentry and residential design consultancy.

Riedll began working for Dittel Architects in Stuttgart after completing her studies and worked on a number of interior and branding projects. She then moved to G20 Architects where she freelanced and assisted in the design of a new build hotel.

Upon moving to London in June 2017, Steph joined B3 Designers; an award-winning interior design and branding studio specialising in restaurants, bars and hotels.

Most recently, Riedll also assisted with the design and attended the opening of the recently refurbished Champions Bar & Restaurant at the Marriott Hotel in Frankfurt.

Yosola Akinwumi
Studio: HBA London
Role: Junior Designer

From a young age Yosola Akinwumi has always been mesmerised and taken inspiration from the built environment she is surrounded by and her educational paths have guided her in the pursuit of her architecture dreams.

She studied Interior Architecture and Design at Nottingham Trent University, which gave her the opportunity to complete a year’s internship with HBA London. After completing her university degree, Akinwumi joined HBA London as a Junior Designer in 2016, fast expanding her skills in technical drawings and FF&E design. She continues to evolve in her design knowledge and flair, creating tailored design solutions. Since working with HBA London, she has been involved with projects in the Middle East, China, Maldives and Europe.

Projects:

  • Waldorf Astoria, Doha
  • Luxury Collection, Doha
  • Raffles Hotel and Residences Istanbul

The full gallery of Meet Up London, where the 30 Under 30s were unveiled in spectacular fashion, can be accessed here.

Meet Up London ’19: In pictures

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Meet Up London ’19: In pictures

Hotel Designs’ Meet Up London, which took place on March 28 2019, provided an evening full of celebrations…

More than 200 of the industry’s finest attended Meet Up London held at Minotti London’s showroom on March 28 for Hotel Designs’ first networking event of 2019. New to this year, the evening included the final of Hotel Designs’ 30 Under 30, while also publically cutting the ribbon for the unveiling of its new website. Here is the official gallery of the evening.

#MEETUPLONDON19

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Hotel Designs’ next Meet Up in the calendar is Meet Up North, which takes place in Manchester on July 1. More details to follow. 

Exclusive style partner: Minotti London

Exclusive headline partner: Hamilton Litestat

Event partner: Tarkett

Gifting Partner: Aslotel

The Lowry Hotel, Manchester, unveils images of new presidential suite

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The Lowry Hotel, Manchester, unveils images of new presidential suite

The £700,000 renovation of the luxury hotel, The Lowry in Manchester, was led by The Brit List award-winning design firm Goddard Littlefair…

Amidst the increase in luxury hotel development in Manchester, The Lowry Hotel is upping the ‘luxury stakes’ once again by unveiling the first look at its newly renovated Presidential Suite, designed by Goddard Littlefair and the largest both currently available or planned in the city.

The renovations totalled £700,000 and include a complete reconfiguration and redesign of the space, an enlarged dressing room and a new bespoke marble bathroom. The suite also includes a fully equipped kitchen, large bathroom with a double steam shower and free-standing bath, super king size bedroom, a walk-in dressing room and lounge plus a dining room for up to eight people. There is also an additional second bedroom and with adjoining bathroom.

Image of stylish, modern guestroom. Geometric headboard and views over Manchester

Image credit: Gareth Gardner

The floor-to-ceiling windows offer views across the river Irwell and Manchester’s skyline, and the room also comes with a mini grand piano, two in-room bars, two smart TVs and an Amazon Alexa. As well as complimentary valet, luggage management, personalised welcome drinks and in-suite check in, guests can take advantage of a butler, on-site hairdresser, endless beauty treatments, Tesla hire, private chef or personal trainer whilst staying in the luxury suite.

“We drew inspiration from Manchester’s industrial history and in particular from cotton, weaving and the city’s industrial forms, geometry and heritage.” – Goddard Littlefair

Renowned interior designers Goddard Littlefair, Interior Designers of the suite, commented on the inspiration behind the design: “‘This was a special and prestigious project for us, showcasing the first of our new designs for The Lowry Hotel. We drew inspiration from Manchester’s industrial history and in particular from cotton, weaving and the city’s industrial forms, geometry and heritage, including the shape of Trinity Bridge over the River Irwell, directly outside the hotel. We were also inspired by Lowry’s own colour palette, as the artist famously kept to a base palette of only five colours, mixing them to achieve tonal shades that nonetheless stayed within a distinctive overall range.

Marble-lined shower area plus freestanding bath

Image credit: Gareth Gardner

“The new design has a residential feel, with light and bright tonal colours used for the walls, curtains and carpets, offset by darker joinery, geometric-patterned fabrics used for cushions and curtain trims for added visual interest. Colours range from rich bronzes and burnt oranges to off-whites and textured blue-greys. Special joinery features include four sets of double screens around the living and dining areas to help zone the space and a bespoke dining table for eight with a feature veneer inset pattern.

“The bedrooms and bathrooms feature timber slatted walls, which mirror on the opposite wall, whilst the bathroom also has feature walls in luxurious, richly-veined marble. The main bedroom features a bespoke, contemporary version of a four-poster bed, in a room where the colours become softer, more muted and restful. The stunning dressing room, with a large, anthracite velvet ottoman at its centre, is dominated by a tiered feature light, made of threads and inspired by Manchester’s cotton production history.”

Soft interior decor. Geometric wall partitions within the suite and a baby grand piano on the right.

Image credit: Gareth Gardner

In homage to the hotel’s namesake, L.S Lowry, a selection of art has also been chosen for the room by ARTIQ. Kate Terres, Head of Operations at ARTIQ, commented: “The collection at the Lowry presented an exciting opportunity for us, because it is rare for hotels to be named after celebrated artists.  In curating the collection with Goddard Littlefair, ARTIQ pulled specifically on L.S. Lowry’s recognisable palette of charcoals and dark reds against pale smoky backdrops. Alongside these distinctive tonal elements, the curation draws on the shapes evoked by Manchester’s solid industrial architecture of the twentieth and twenty-first century – examples of which can be viewed from the Presidential Suite – as well as heavily abstracted figures that draw on Lowry’s matchstick figures.

“The collection is comprised of painting, sculpture, photography and print, with an emphasis on varied and rich textures that range from highly polished stainless steel – representing the industrial subject – to thickly modelled paintings incorporating found elements. Examples of large format photography depicting an abstracted industrial narrative contrast with the delicacy of the works by artist Kelly M. O’Brien. Kelly’s mixed-media practice involves burning paper and layering with inserts of gold leaf and, for The Presidential Suite, focuses on a linear radiating pattern that recalls the bridge architecture viewed from the window as well as playing with a high/low contrast of material. Also in the collection is work by artist Laetitia Rouget, whose playful series focuses on simplistic line drawings of the human in thickly pulled paint – a modern interpretation of Lowry’s matchstick men.”

 The luxury Lowry Hotel also boasts six Riverside suites, an additional 164 guestrooms, a spa, bar and The River Restaurant.

Main image credit: Gareth Gardner

 

 

 

Editor Checks In: March ’19

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Editor Checks In: March ’19

Reviewing March: here’s to the future…

One of the many treasures of being a young design editor comes the morning after the night before. Waking up fresh-faced, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t feel as if what we achieved last night at Meet Up London was nothing short of being exceptional!

Ever since I arrived at Hotel Designs in May of last year, I have taken tremendous pride in the fact that I have the tools and the ability to help open up the integral relationship between our readers and our brand.

While the industry gathered at Minotti London for Meet Up London last night, I realised that our relationship opened up even wider when we welcomed a large handful of our industry’s rising stars. With the aim to bridge the age gap in international hotel design, we announced our 30 Under 30, which is made up of incredible talent. From those quickly climbing the ranks within leading design and architecture firms to others who are bravely going it alone to set up their own studios, all finalists in our 30 Under 30 have proven themselves to be creative geniuses.

Although by the contents of our newly unveiled 30 Under 30 the future is looking bright, it was put upon James Soane from the London School of Architecture to address the elephant in the room when looking into the future of hotel design as he took the stage as our headline speaker at the event. “The hotel industry has a great opportunity to demonstrate alternative sustainable ways of designing, living and adapting,” he said during the engaging presentation. Soane’s passion balanced with knowledge took what could have been seen as a dry lecture and turned it around to be an alluring and healthy debate with great relevance.

“Welcome to the new Hotel Designs.”

While we are on the topic of talking about great opportunities, welcome to the new Hotel Designs. On a fresh website, all of our conversations, opinions, news and features are open for all to enjoy. This new platform is the result of the largest rebrand the title has ever seen. Our new slogan, “defining the point on international hotel design,” shows that we are prepared more now than ever before to cut through the noise in order to give our readers quality, relevant and engaging content.

To mark the new era of Hotel Designs, we’ve dedicated the first sentence of our new chapter to a true design icon. Isle Crawford, the founding Editor-In-Chief of Elle Decoration turned award-winning interior designer, said in a recent Netflix documentary Abstract: The Art of Design: “Design thrives on restrictions.” Crawford has metaphorically cut the silk ribbon by being the subject of the first article to be published on the new website.

And now it’s time to put all of our visions and ideas into practice. Subscribe and join us on our journey, complete with regular check ins, as we take international hotel design up a notch or two.

Editor, Hotel Designs

Hotel Designs launches into a stylish new era at Meet Up London 2019

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Hotel Designs launches into a stylish new era at Meet Up London 2019

The hotel design industry’s finest gathered at Minotti London last night for Meet Up London, Hotel Designs’ first networking event of 2019, which unveiled many causes for celebrations…

London was at the centre of the design world once more last night, as hundreds of designers, architects, hoteliers and key-industry suppliers descended on city’s Fitzrovia district for Meet Up London.

Providing the perfect stage for Hotel Designs’ first networking event of the year, Minotti London opened its showroom doors to the sea of leaders and visionaries who attended the event.

Among the guests were young designers, directors and principals from studios such as Richmond International, Conran & Partners, WATG, Jestico + Whiles, ARA Design, Scott Brownrigg, Gensler and many more.

Unique to this year’s format, Meet Up London hosted the final of Hotel Designs’ 30 Under 30 initiative. All 40 shortlisted finalists were invited, courtesy of Hotel Designs, following the title’s aim to help bridge the age gap in international hotel design. “Tonight’s concept, and its very important theme, has evolved in order to make our networking events more relevant to our audience,” said editor Hamish Kilburn who made the sofas of Minotti his stage for the evening. “Since the success of The Brit List 2018 Awards last year, we have decided to lightly theme each of our networking events. Tonight, it is about celebrating and profiling young designers and architects who are proving themselves to be true leaders in the making, if not so already.”

Following the unveiling of the final 30 Under 30, the evening’s programme gave guests a sneak peek of Hotel Designs’ new branding and website ahead of its highly anticipated launch that was announced today. “I am delighted that we are turning this page so publically here this evening in order to start our new chapter.” explained Kilburn. “Our new slogan is: ‘Defining the point on international hotel design,’ and we believe that events like these that are attended by so many of you, our readers, do just that.”

Meet Up London continued with an engaging talk from the London School of Architecture’s Director of Critical Projects, James Soane. Aptly entitled Repairing The Future, Soane’s presentation captured the audience’s attention and imagination into understanding how we can, as a collective creative industry, design and build better cities and hotels. “Are you doing what you believe in and are you practicing what you preach” Soane asked the audience. “Or are you just preaching what you would like to practice? Design can make the world a better place. It has a lot to do with equality and the future.”

Attendees were then able to use the evening as a networking event to catch up with like-minded industry experts, while also learning about the latest products on the market from suppliers such as Hamilton Litestat (exclusive headline partner), Tarkett (event partner), Minotti London (style partner), Crosswater, Brintons, Laufen and many more.

Ensuring that no guest left empty handed, gifting partner Aslotel supplied all attendees with a generous goody bag that included a selection of its luxury amenity products.

The full gallery of the evening – and the details for Hotel Designs’ next networking event, Meet Up North – will be announced shortly.

BRITISH STYLE: Questioning design like Ilse Crawford

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BRITISH STYLE: Questioning design like Ilse Crawford

To launch the new chapter of Hotel Designs, Hamish Kilburn investigates how one woman, her editorship and her questions over convention helped to change modern international hotel design by challenging the very foundations it sits on…

Every now and then, the world is introduced to a design icon who, through making their visions into reality, helps to shift attitudes by challenging conventional forms.

For Ilse Crawford, the founding Editor-In-Chief of British Elle Decoration, the design world was somewhat lacking reference of everyday movement when she decided to step into the shoes of her designer readers.

In 1997, a decade on from founding British Elle Decoration, Crawford asked the world to “liberate your senses and change your life” when she published her first book, Sensual Home, which mapped out how the living environment can engage us sensually as well as visually from the perspective of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. And was, for Crawford, the start of a new journey.  “Writing the book was the ‘ah-hah’ moment, because it wasn’t the current understanding of design,” she explained in the Netflix documentary, Abstract: The Art of Design. “The days of being a two-dimensional person were over.”

The defiant leap from narrator to creator came one year later after she signed off as Editor-In-Chief. Having completed her mission to launch a contemporary magazine for a wide audience, Crawford worked for Donna Karan and getting her hands dirty, she became a maker. Crawford’s first hotel interior design brief was presented to her immediately after she left Elle Decoration when she was asked to convert a stately home for Nick Jones of Soho House into what we now know of as Babington House. “Nick originally wanted this place to look and feel like a stately home, but I was very clear that that’s the last thing it should be,” Crawford explained in Abstract: The Art of Design. “My proposal was that it should be a very informal place where you could just treat as if it was your own, like a family house of a friend where the parents had gone away and left the key the drinks cabinet.” Breaking the rules of the time, Crawford’s design stole the headlines and her journey as an interior design began.

“The project saw the transformation of a former industrial building in the Meatpacking district into a 27-key design hotel.”

From the rural British countryside to the bustling scene of Manhattan, Crawford’s skillful and sensitive approach was called upon to create the first outpost of Soho House outside the UK. The project saw the transformation of a former industrial building in the Meatpacking district into a 27-key design hotel, including bars, a restaurant, cinema and rooftop pool. Soho House New York opened to become the definitive third space for the transatlantic media crowd.

Her aim as an interior designer is to put human needs and desires at the centre of all that she does. Working in commercial and residential design, and blurring the lines between both, Crawford has changed many environments for the better of those who use them. Ett Hem Hotel was a conversion project of a former arts and crafts building. The 12-key guesthouse is described by Crawford as “a place to stay for the modern traveller, a home-from-home, where flexibility of space and function is central to the hotel’s operation,” she says. “There is no division between front and back of house – anything can happen anywhere at any time.”

Residential style in the hotel

Image caption/credit: Ett Hem Hotel. Interiors by Ilse Crawford

As someone who truly lives and breathes the industry in which she used to curate on the pages of Elle Decoration, Crawford wears many hats as a modern designer. In her own admission to Interior Design magazine, she confessed that “the line between my work and life is thin to non-existent.”  Working from her London studio, which is directly below her home, Crawford’s knowledge in interiors has allowed her to extend her portfolio to include product design. The Sinnerlig Collection for IKEA includes 30 pieces of of furniture, lighting and tabletop collection. “They explore natural materials and are simple,” Crawford explains on her website. “They are helpful, background pieces, not showstoppers.” Tactile materials such as cork, ceramic, glass, seagrass and bamboo appealed in the design concept because they felt as good as they looked.

“Maison&Objet awarded Crawford the prestigious title of Designer of the Year 2016.”

The Together Table was another design that challenged existing products on the market. Confronting the design of conventional four-cornered tables, Crawford simply rounded the edges of the table, which as a result naturally invited people to move around it more freely.  The Ilse Sofa was the result of a collaboration with British furniture brand George Smith. The height and depth of the product’s arms and back were calculated and tested to ensure that the sofa supports as many sedentary habits of modern life. “We like to think of it as a room within a room,” Crawford explains when describing the tactile experience.

Beige modern, long, thin table

Image caption/credit: The Together Table by Ilse Crawford

Two years after she was awarded an MBE in recognition for her work in design, Maison&Objet awarded Crawford the prestigious title of Designer of the Year 2016. Since then, the modest designer has continued to evolve the hospitality landscape with completing projects such as The Lounge Plaza 66, Cathy Pacific’s iconic airport lounge in Hong Kong and the warm and inviting home-from-home that is Bukowskis.

Crawford’s philosophical visions to challenge the norm leaves a clear path for young designers who aspire, like her, to make a difference through design. As the founder of the department of Man and Wellbeing at the Design Academy Eindhoven, Crawford’s mission as a visionary is explained on her website as “nurturing a new generation of students to always question why and how their work improves the reality of life.” Her philosophy to improve the future through considered design is what makes her the leader she undoubtably is today. Her work – and her working style – is a simple, effortless reflection of the questions she asks of the designs of today and the possibilities that are garnered by second guessing what the future should look and feel like.

Crawford, an ever-evolving icon of British and international design, has metaphorically cut the ribbon to launch Hotel Designs’ new website by being the subject of the first editorial feature of the title’s new era. The newly launched slogan “defining the point of international design” is a pledge from the editorial team to its readers to cut through the noise to publish conversation starters that will filter into many debates on the hotel design scene that we all know and love. That conversation starts here, with a question that Crawford asks herself when confronted with a new project: “How can design strategically make things better?”

Main image credit: Ilse Crawford/StudioIlse

Kimpton brand arrives in Asia

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Kimpton brand arrives in Asia

Kimpton Da An Hotel has opened its doors in Taipei, marking its entrance into Asia…

Kimpton Da An Hotel brings a new luxury hotel offering to modern Taipei (Taiwan). With its unique location in the heart of the Da’an District and an elevated, sophisticated design, the hotel opens as an urban sanctuary for the laid-back luxury traveller.

Kimpton Da An is ideally located in the heart of Taipei city, allowing guests easy

access to local cafes, boutiques and galleries, while providing a welcoming environment decorated with artwork from local artisans. The hotel features 129 rooms and has been designed by Neri & Hu, the winner of MASION&OBJET Asia in 2015, a prestigious design accolade. Once guests enter the hotel, the lush greenery and sophisticated water installation, coupled with custom lighting, immediately offers guests a sense of calm.

Kimpton Da An will enjoy Kimpton’s signature perks such as in-room yoga mats and a Morning Kick-Starter, as well as tea and coffee served in the lobby living room to energize guests. Guests can also take part in wellness morning yoga on the rooftop, free fitness and wellness classes or explore the city with complimentary bicycles.

Home to The Tavernist restaurant, its culinary experience provides diners with contemporary dishes coupled with local touches and innovative cooking methods. The Tavernist embraces Taiwan’s organic movement and works closely with local farmers and food producers. The restaurant is led by Chef James Sharman, who has travelled to countless countries with his team and has sought inspiration from local cuisine around the world. To him, The Tavernist offers a place where guests can discover something new while feeling at home.

“As the world’s largest operator of lifestyle hotels, the luxury lifestyle hotel segment is a key IHG focus,” said Jolyon Bulley, CEO of IHG Greater China. “We’re delighted to bring the Kimpton brand to Taiwan, one of the most renowned destinations in Asia. Today’s opening marks another milestone for the brand, as it pushes the boundaries to bring design-led hotels and heartfelt, human service to more guests around the world.”

IHG currently has 6 hotels operating under four brands in the Taiwan market including, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Holiday Inn Express, with another 6 hotels in the pipeline. In the next few years, Kimpton is slated to open new hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, Sanya, Tokyo and Bali.

The brand, which currently operates more than 60 hotels and 80 restaurants and bars across the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean is also due to open a further five properties in Shanghai, Beijing, Sanya, Tokyo and Bali. Last November, the Kimpton Fitzroy became the first UK opening in London, with more in the pipeline.

Main image credit: IHG/Kimpton Hotels