Top five stories of the week: Brit List success, artistic talents and a hotel unlike any other

374 374 Hamish Kilburn
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Following last night’s The Brit List, here are the top five stories of the week, as selected by editor Hamish Kilburn… 

In my editor’s letter in The Brit List 2018, which can be read here, I ask why it is that a tiny spec of land in the Northern Hemisphere could have such a large impact on the rest of the world. Well, my question was answered last night in a private members club as the industry’s leaders gathered for the unveiling of The List as well as our newly launched awards. It was a truly spectacular evening, full of engaging talks, insights, lighting demonstrations and plenty of tension as the winners were revealed. One thing is for certain, Britain is – and will continue to be – a major design hub of the world. Congratulations to the full 75 individuals who made it on to this year’s The Brit List, who have each proven that they are leading the way in international hotel design from the shores of Britain.

Here are the top five stories of the week:

1) Winners of The Brit List crowned

Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, Gleneagles’ Conor O’Leary and Bespoke Hotels among those who swooped trophies at The Brit List 2018.

Britain’s top interior designers, hoteliers, architects and key-industry suppliers gathered last night for The Brit List 2018 at BEAT London, where the profiles of the top 75 influencers in British hotel design, as well as crowning the winners of the six newly launched awards.

2) IN CONVERSATION WITH: Patrick McCrae, Co-founder and CEO of art consultancy ARTIQ

Earlier this month, ARTIQ inspired me – as a young design enthusiast – to think outside the box when critiquing art in hotels around the world. The term ‘talent searching’ has never been so clear as it was at the final of the Graduate Art Prize. The room was full of ideas, some yet to be sketched. ARTIQ, which launched the awards in 2012, is led by the dynamic and charismatic Patrick McCrae. Considering his team’s work that hangs on the stunning walls of prestigious hotels such as Gleneagles and Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, I had the pleasure of catching up with McCrae to find out more.

3) B3 Designers breathes new American life into Marriott Hotel’s champions bar in Frankfurt

B3 Designers, which has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2002, has unveiled its latest project, which captures a little bit of America into the F&B areas of Frankfurt’s Marriott hotel…

Restaurant and hotel interior design specialist, B3 Designers has recently unveiled its latest interior design and branding project. Champions Bar & Restaurant, located within Frankfurt’s Marriott hotel, is a European sports bar and restaurant serving classic bar dishes and drinks in the German city’s central district of Innenstadt.

4) Inside The Brit List 2018 

The Brit List 2018 took place last night at BEAT London, welcoming the top interior designers, hoteliers, architects and key-industry suppliers to network and mingle to celebrate Britain’s position in international hotel design. Here are the official images of the evening.

Hotel Designs‘ nationwide search to find Britain’s top interior designers, hoteliers and architects came to a close last night as the leaders of our industry gathered for the awards ceremony. The winners of The Brit List 2018 awards were crowned and the top 75 influencers in British hotel design were announced.

5) InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland has opened as the brand’s 200th hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), as one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has opened InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, which has been under construction for the past 10 year. Developed by Shimao Group and managed by IHG, InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland has been masterfully built into the side wall of a formerly abandoned quarry in Southwestern Shanghai. Stretching 88 metres underground, the hotel was nominated as one of the architectural wonders of the world by the National Geographic Channel’s MegaStructures series due to its pioneering architectural design.

Hamish Kilburn / 23.11.2018

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

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

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

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

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
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Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

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

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