5 minutes with: Vidar Thomassen on tech’s role in a sustainable hotel
Editor Hamish Kilburn speaks to Vidar Thomassen, Director, Zennio, to discuss how technological solutions are supporting the hospitality industry to become more environmentally aware…
In the last few years, hotels have had to work harder to practice what they preach when it comes to sustainability. While designers are putting their focus on sourcing ethical materials, beds, fabrics and lighting, hoteliers are doing what they can to ensure that thew hotel functions and operates smoothly. To do this effectively, hotel brands are calling on companies like Zennio to offer seamless automation systems.
Hamish Kilburn: Let’s cut to the chase. How do your products reflect modern traveller demands?
Vidar Thomassen: Today’s traveller is getting increasingly environmentally conscious whilst still valuing service, comfort, and end user friendliness. Zennio’ guestroom management solutions (GRMS) are to a large extent automated, requiring minimal guest input, thus fulfilling the comfort and end user friendliness aspect whilst reducing energy consumption and CO2 footprint.
Image credit: Zennio
HK: How can technology help hotels become more sustainable?
VT: Starting with the rooms, sharing information between the hotel PMS (such as if the room is booked for that day or if the guest has already checked-in) and the HVAC control system plus the addition of advanced room occupancy control will help reduce energy waste to a minimum. This can be applied to all room controls (lighting, blinds, sockets etc.) but also to common areas, and bearing in mind energy accounts for a significant portion of hotels running costs, eliminating energy waste can really make a difference.
HK: How can your products help enhance guests’ experience?
VT: Zennio’ Hotel Solution combines the outstanding control properties of KNX with the scalability of IP networks and the opportunities of API integration. A great example is Six Senses Ibiza where control of all our systems is embedded into their proprietary guest app ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience.
HK: What designs should designers/hotels avoid when specifying control panels?
VT: Any control panel where the guest needs to spend time figuring out how they are working or worse having to read a manual is a huge ‘no’ from me. Zennio control panels can be customised with icons, text or combination thereof making them intuitive and user-friendly. Furthermore, Zennio touch panels are multilingual hence their labelling and iconography can change automatically based upon guest information received via the PMS.
Image credit: Zennio/IHG
HK: Can you talk to us about some of the hotels you have worked with, and how you have helped to enhance the experience using smart tech?
VT: We have or are currently working with major chains such as Meliá, Hyatt, Hilton and IHG, plus a great number of individual hotels. We have been working with Meliá for many years and where our predominantly automated solutions continue to ensure guest comfort whilst reducing energy consumption. Some significant individual projects I can mention are Meliá White House, London and Six Senses, Ibiza. The Zennio solutions are implemented in individual projects from 20 to over 1200 rooms.
HK: What’s next for Zennio?
VT: The Zennio solutions are currently implemented in more than 90,000 hotel rooms worldwide, a number that continues to grow rapidly. We are committed to provide technologically advanced products and solutions to support the hospitality industry, closely working with our customers all over the world.
Meet the speakers for Interior Design & Architecture Summit 2023
Interior Design & Architecture Summit, which takes place on June 26 at Hilton London Canary Wharf, has just announced its speaker line-up – and it’s full of leading interior designers and architects…
Designed to dynamically bridge the gap between senior designers, architects and key-industry suppliers, Interior Design & Architecture Summit (IDAS) will return this year on June 26 at Hilton London Canary Wharf.
In addition to sheltering pre-arranged, face-to-face meetings with delegates (qualified interior designers and architects) and suppliers, the event also boasts a captivating speaker line-up, which will take place in a seminar room dressed by Blackpop.
This year, the three panel discussions will be divided up into three topics: conscious design, sensory hospitality and unconventional narratives. “We wanted to challenge existing ideas and opinions around these topics, said Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs who curated the line-up. “I think it’s also important to mention that this year’s speakers are no strangers to Hotel Designs. The designers and architects have either joined previous panel discussions, appeared on DESIGN POD as special guests and/or participated in a number of our roundtables. Welcoming familiar protagonists from the industry onto this year’s sofa will allow us, I hope, to stretch and remould these themes further. In short, IDAS will create conversations unlike any other.”
The sessions and confirmed speakers are:
08:45 – 09:20: The green agenda in interior design and architecture
Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs
Rachel Hoolahan, Associate, Orms
Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality, Perksin&Will
Maria Cheung, Director of Interiors, Squire & Partners
The opening panel discussion will be moderated by Kilburn and include Rachel Hoolahan (Orms), Neil Andrew (Perkins&Will) and Maria Cheung (Squire & Partners).
With noise around sustainability getting louder while definitions evolve, the speakers will cast ahead to the next few years with the aim to predict how the green agenda in commercial interior design and architecture will develop. The panellists will discuss innovative ways to ensure interior design and architecture is kept conscious and identify materials and elements that are helping to ensure design is meaningful.
09:30 – 10:05: A deeper sense of meaning in interior design & architecture
Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs
Wren Loucks, Founder and CEO, Be-Kin
James Dilley, Director, Jestico + Whiles
With new technologyemerging daily, how can interior designers and architects add value into commercial spaces using sound, smell and touch? In this panel discussion, led by Kilburn, wellness designer Wren Loucks (Be-Kin) and designer/architect James Dilley (Jestico + Whiles) will explore, beyond the gimmicks, how sensory design is being implemented to add meaning and sense of place in commercial settings.
14:00 – 14:35: Weaving unconventional narratives through design
With more choice and variety on the market than ever before, the products that are launching are allowing designers to create multi-layered interior design schemes that amplify personality, character and soul. This panel, moderated by Kilburn with Kerry Acheson (Ica) and Natalia Miyar (Natalia Miyar Atelier) joining as speakers, will explore how interior designs and architects are challenging conventional approaches to add longevity as well as meaning in commercial projects.
How to attend IDAS:
If you are a supplier and would like to attend IDAS, to take part in the pre-arranged, face-to-face meetings with designers, please email Olivia Jackson, or call 01992 374064. If you are a senior designer and/or an architect and would like to enquire about a complimentary delegates ticket to attend the event, please email Daniella Batchelor or call 01992 374086, or email.
With the guestroom taking centre stage in hotel design, Sofa.com considers design elements that can elevate the experience…
Considering the design of the guestroom and ensuring that everything works effortlessly to create a space that promotes rest and enjoyment is key to any hotel or hospitality project. Working closely with a global clientele, Sofa.com has seen a noticeable shift in how designers are approaching each project, with a strong focus on creating a space of sanctuary.
Each stage of the design process is an opportunity to create an environment that evokes a sense of calm via colours, materials, furniture and accessory choice, all resulting in the perfect room layout. As the centrepiece to all bedroom and guestroom specifications, bed choice is key and comfort is king. Designers need to consider both bed frame and mattress choice, as a deep slumber will be pivotal to guests not only feeling refreshed, but recommending their experience to friends and colleagues.
Image credit: Sofa.com
While interior designers are certainly becoming more experimental with colour, a calming selection of beige, earth tones and off-whites remain top choices across the upholstered bed range, as longevity of design is as important as making a bold statement. Texture can be used as an alternative way to add interest without opting for colour, with tactile fabrics such as sumptuously soft velvets or comforting boucle offering the perfect starting point to create a neutral décor scheme that does not lack in design detail or impact.
Collaborating and working with clients and designers over the years, sofa.com has taken onboard feedback on the importance of all the small details. Its flexibility to fulfil bespoke requests means each element is considered, from bed height to access to switches, sockets and lighting.
Image credit: Sofa.com
Additional furniture in the guestroom should complement the overarching goal to create a calm environment. Whilst acting as a decorative item and adding visual interest to a room, a well-chosen occasional chair at the right time of day potentially needs to be both a relaxing additional space to unwind and somewhere to sit and work. Luxury hotel rooms will often incorporate seating at the foot of the bed, whether in the form of a chaise longue or decorative bench, again combining practicality that is tailored to the desired aesthetic. Bedside tables too, should balance form and function, acting as a space to store personal items during a guest’s stay, while supporting stylistic factors within the room.
As trends in residential design start filtering through to hotel design, incorporating elements of biophilia through the use of natural materials and colours inspired by the outside environment has a multitude of benefits in guestroom specifications. First popularised in the 50s to boost productivity in office design, this is a concept that has crept into hotel planning to promote a peaceful atmosphere. Whether a holiday getaway, busy city break, or a business trip, the benefits of a relaxing environment can encourage separation from day-to-day life. Elevating the experience of the additional amenities, the guestroom, with the bed as the hero, is without doubt the ultimate destination within the hotel.
Sofa.com is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: Maria Cheung, Director of Interiors at Squire & Partners
Following the numerous exclusive Hotel Designs panel discussions and roundtables that the designer has been part of recently – and before we take over the studio’s HQ for MEET UP London on April 24 and she joins us for Interior Design & Architecture Summit on June 26 – we thought it was about time we really got to know Maria Cheung, Director of Interiors at Squire & Partners. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
The hotel design and hospitality industry has a situation on its hands. Since studios started to put more emphasis on collaboration – in-house as well as with external brands – and the focus was centred around talent and skill over whom ever could shout the loudest, there has been a shortage of divas. Gaining from the depletion of design dictators (I mean directors) who sit on thrones and a complete change in mindset to see and feel the value of true teamwork, the hotel design industry has ushered in a new, fresh era that is being fuelled by people who much prefer to lead from within the pack of a team.
One of those individuals who finds strength as an interior designer in research, development, data and communication is Maria Cheung who heads-up the interior design team at Squire & Partners. I decided to meet the designer following the studio’s presence at Surface Design Show where the team showcased an impactful installation with Stone Tapestry that focused on exploring locally sourced natural stone. “In line with the show’s theme of ‘shaping communities’, we focused the installation on exploring some of the natural stones that have helped shape and create towns and cities across the UK and Europe, particularly within the British Isles,” she said. “We discovered the wide variety of different stones within the British Isles, with varying colours and characteristics, and how they change when different textures are applied.”
Image credit: Stone Federation/Surface Design Show/Squire & Partners
Our conversation takes place at an apt time, while the studio peels back the layers of its most recent research project and gears up to take part in one of Hotel Designs’ next roundtables, which has largely been inspired by the studio’s openness when it comes to new materials. That roundtable, which will take places hours before MEET UP London, will be sheltered, by no coincidence, inside the same venue as the party itself. Upstairs at The Department Store – a quirky private members’ club attached to the studio’s HQ in the heart of Brixton, was designed by Cheung and her team. “The Department Store is incredibly special to us; it was a dilapidated, former department store built in 1906 which we sought to reimagine as our offices back in 2017,” the designer said. “Our focus was on revealing the beauty and history of the building through craft and collaboration, and with sensitive, contemporary interventions.
Image caption: Upstairs at The Department Stone, the venue for MEET UP London. | Image credit: James Jones
“The Department Store is a great collaboration story between designers, artists, craftspeople and contractors to expose and celebrate the layers of history that were embedded in its fabric. Weaving in a new narrative, the change of use from its original intention as a department store to our HQ comprises the different design departments of Squire & Partners, as well as opening it up for public use through a series of events spaces. These include the new rooftop bar/restaurant and terrace known as Upstairs – where MEET UP London will be hosted!”
And in terms of the conversation that we will be unapologetically putting under the spotlight during that roundtable? Cheung is clued-up on the variety and value of stone in hotel design – more so, perhaps, than any other designer I know. “There has been a development in our understanding that there is a wide variety of stones available, and that applying different finishes can transform the look and feel of the material,” she explained. “For instance, a busy vein-filled stone may be calmed and made more uniform by applying a honed texture. This allows different stones to be used in many more applications, therefore reducing potential waste.”
Image caption: Design studios designed right, inside Squire & Partners’ HQ at The Department Stone in Brixton. | Image credit: James Jones.
What is and what isn’t environmentally friendly is a subjective matter at the best of times in commercial interior design. And with a lot of talk on design studios achieving carbon-neutral (embodied carbon) status in projects, I am keen to understand the role of stone moving forward. “There is a lack of transparency within the stone industry on the carbon footprint of the extraction process,” adds Cheung. “Until this information is provided by quarries, real analysis between different materials cannot be made. However, The Ethical Stone Register has made improvements by providing a tool that offers a single source point for ethically and responsibly sourced natural stone, with requirements that member suppliers must comply with.
“Understanding how selected stones are extracted, the impact on the local environment, as well as the welfare of the workers in the quarries, needs to be part of the selection process. We can rely on bodies such as The Ethical Stone Register and be inspired by projects such as Honister Slate Mine and Tout Quarry, which show that former quarries can be converted into wonderful nature reserves and outdoor adventure destinations, offering employment in the local area and new landscapes for visitors to enjoy.”
Outside of research and development, the projects that are benefiting from this human-centric approach to design and materials are no shrinking violets. Ruby Hotels, which first launched in the UK in 2018, is about to add to its London portfolio of hotels with the arrival of the 173-key Ruby Zoe, which will be located in Notting Hill Gate West. “The six-storey building will provide 173 rooms, along with retail that wraps around the ground floor to activate the streetscape at both the front and rear of Notting Hill Gate.
Image credit: Ruby Hotels / Squire & Partners
“A reception/bar will welcome guests, flanked either side by two large, lively lounge/café/dining areas. The spaces will be focused on lifestyle and music: it is intended that live music will be performed regularly. Drawing upon the Notting Hill neighbourhood – in particular the carnival and its Caribbean roots – we were inspired by the decayed decadence of Cuban interiors. Working closely with Ruby Hotels’ in-house design team, we took some of those textures and patinas into the interiors. Fun installations with musical instruments and speakers, feature pendant lights made from plastic bottles and a patterned floor will all add to the dynamic experience.”
And finally, having teased us for far too long, the studio is edging closer to the completion of art’otel London Hoxton. “Our design of art’otel London Hoxton responds to the cultural identity of the nearby Silicon Roundabout – a hub for many technology companies – with a concept that makes a subtle nod to the development of the computer: without which Silicon Roundabout would not have its name,” added Cheung. “The architectural form and cladding of the building is inspired by the mechanical components of early analogue computers, with a cylindrical shape that rises to 26 storeys – maximising city views in all directions. Alongside 340 guestrooms, the hotel will provide a gym, spa and pool, art gallery, cinema, restaurant, bar and lounge.
New hotel on the block. Art’otel London Hoxton will be sheltered inside a cylindrical building. | Image credit: Squire & Partners
“Also incorporated into the design are two Banksy artworks which were part of the original site, conserved and displayed either side of the base of the tower. We’re really excited to see how our ideas for this prominent site develop into an important part of Shoreditch’s urban fabric.”
With 2023 set to become a milestone year for London’s hotel design and hospitality community, it’s clear that Squire & Partners, quite rightly, is going to have its chapter and moment in the history book. And that chapter will be written by interior designers like Cheung who, time and time again, put the project and people first.
How to attend Interior Design & Architecture Summit (IDAS)
If you are a supplier and would like to attend IDAS, to take part in the pre-arranged, face-to-face meetings with designers, please email Olivia Jackson, or call 01992 374064. If you are a senior designer and/or an architect and would like to enquire about a complimentary delegates ticket to attend the event, to hear Cheug speak on the ‘Green Agenda’, please email Daniella Batchelor or call 01992 374086, or email.
Squire & Partners are Exclusive Style Partners for MEET UP London, which takes place on April 24. The event is sold out, but tickets have gone on sale for MEET UP North, which takes place on July 6 at Yotel Manchester.
GROHE celebrates ‘health through water’ at Milan Design Week
During Milan Design Week, bathroom brand GROHE is showcasing its revitalised premium sub-brand GROHE SPA, which invites users to indulge in holistic water rituals…
Attracting an international audience of interior designers and architects, Milan Design Week is one of the largest and, arguably, the most important annual events for creative minds. The design elite, and young up-and-coming talents, as well as global brands, showcase their work through a series of exhibitions, presentations and events spread around the city.
In this vibrant setting, GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, is presenting its revitalised GROHE SPA sub-brand at the prestigious art museum Pinacoteca di Brera. The broad portfolio ranges from elaborate tap collections, customisable ceiling showers and intricate ceramics to complementary accessories. In addition to showcasing these exclusive products that create uniquely luxurious wellbeing areas, the brand expresses the GROHE SPA ‘Health Through Water’ concept through a water-inspired installation reflecting the stunning architecture of the art museum.
Image credit: GROHE
Entering the courtyard of the Pinacoteca, visitors can immerse themselves in a holistic experience with water at its core. Designed by the in-house design and brand identity team LIXIL Global Design, the immersive installation reflects the art museum, including the statue of Napoleon at the centre by one of the most important sculptors of his day, Antonio Canova. The stillness of the water expands the space and creates a kind of illusion, while representing cleanliness and wellbeing. Four cubes are placed in each of the courtyard’s corners to provide interior spaces where GROHE SPA’s four tiers are showcased. A mirror surface is used on all these cubes to contribute to the infinite look of the installation.
“Our immersive installation celebrates the GROHE SPA concept of ‘Health through Water’, while paying tribute to the artistic legacy of Pinacoteca,” said Patrick Speck, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, EMENA. “We believe that water is the source of vital energy. By appealing to different senses with our installation, we want to create a special experience for our guests – just like our GROHE SPA products do. Transforming the bathroom into a home spa is not about using individual products, but about creating holistic experiences that embrace the positive effects of water on the body and mind.”
Health and wellbeing presented in four tiers
Each of the four physical cubes nestled into the space is dedicated to one of four tiers that bring GROHE SPA to life. First, the GROHE SPA Icon 3D collection: The 3D metal-printed products redefine what is possible, while taking sustainable product design with ultimate customisation options to a new level. In addition to seeing the exclusive products, visitors can hear the sound of the 3D printing, see the process on an LED screen and feel a change in temperature, it gets warmer as soon as the printing simulation starts.
Image credit: GROHE
The second tier is comprised of the bespoke Atrio and Allure Brilliant Private Collections which allow customers to choose from a carefully curated range of colours, materials, finishes and handle designs. In order to enable end-consumers to enjoy an authentic marble style with a high-quality finish, GROHE is partnering with Caesarstone, the global pioneer of premium countertop surfaces, to craft tap handles from the brand’s durable surfaces in timeless designs. The installation demonstrates this partnership perfectly . As the key element, the black and white marble divides the space into two halves, demonstrating the many combinations that the collections make possible.
Image credit: GROHE
The GROHE Colours Collection is in the focus of the third tier. With trend-leading colours for products such as GROHE Allure and Aqua Ceiling Modules, the collection makes it easy to create personalised bathrooms. Cool Sunrise is the main colour used in this cube, and the displayed collections bathe the room in a golden light, while visitors can hear the sound of water and feel its humidity thanks to the elevated temperature. Completing the exhibition, the fourth tier revolves around modular shower solutions. GROHE has created a multi-sensory experience with mist, light and sound modules, as well as an LED screen showing images inspired by nature.
Product watch: Qatego from Duravit by Studio F. A. Porsche
Studio F. A. Porsche has designed a distinctive bathroom range for Duravit that exudes a sense of naturalness with its simple and minimalist design language…
The bathroom is increasingly becoming a place of wellbeing, regeneration and relaxation – an alternative realm to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, a private and essential space. A decelerated lifestyle needs a design language that is minimalist and durable while at the same time relying on natural materials with tactile surfaces. The new Qatego bathroom series, designed for Duravit by Studio F. A. Porsche, brings wood, ceramic and natural stone together to create a harmonious bathroom design. The designers see the washbasins and furniture as a single unit of design and functionality.
“With Qatego we took our lead from people’s requirements in the familiar and intimate surroundings of the bathroom,” said Henning Rieseler, Design Director at Studio F. A. Porsche. “That’s why it was important for us to lend the objects a strong emotional quality that goes beyond mere functionality.”
Image credit: Duravit
The furniture of the collection features a linear design language and comes in a range of variants: a console vanity unit with a drawer and an above-counter basin resting upon it, or alternatively a unit that merges seamlessly with a built-in washbasin. Delicately worked and featuring a shadow gap, the panel of the console vanity unit appears to be floating. In functional terms, the storage space of the furniture is managed using an interesting interplay of open and closed surfaces. This runs like a golden thread through all design elements, including the tall cabinets with hinged doors, mirrors and mirrored cabinets with a storage shelf. The open shelves with optional lighting break up the strict, geometric form of the furniture and introduce a homely atmosphere and transparency into the bathroom. They are ideal for the effective presentation of curated items such as perfume bottles, bowls and vases.
Image credit: Duravit
The furniture of the Qatego bathroom range, made from sustainable PEFC-certified wood, is available in eight colours ranging from High Gloss White, natural and reserved nuances such as Taupe Matt and Basalt Matt, as well as strong shades such as Graphite Matt. Additionally, wood tones such as Marbled Oak, Black Oak, Terra Oak and Natural Oak round off Qatego’s colour spectrum inspired by nature. They can also be combined with solid colours and the bi-colour variant represents a special design feature.
The natural stone, deployed by Duravit for the first time, is similarly unique and the design from Studio F. A. Porsche combines the ceramic above-counter basins with stone panels made from Carrara marble, Travertine and Pietra Lavica – a further reference to nature. Here too, a range of customisation options can be selected and the solid stone panel in widths of 1,000 mm or 1,400 mm can be fixed directly to the wall, with the above-counter basin placed directly on it.
The console supports made from anthracite-coloured metal simultaneously act as towel holders. Alternatively, the 1,000 mm wide stone panel can be placed on a wooden console, creating a harmonious symbiosis of two materials and textures. A further design highlight consists of the rounded edges and recesses in the high quality stone panels to the left or right of the above-counter basin, offering space for accessories such as a brush or soap dispenser. Each of the natural stone panels used is a unique piece, which is expressed through the varied shimmering colours and veining. The protective impregnation on the stone surface makes for easy cleaning.
Image credit: Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
The design language of the sanitary objects combines clear geometries with a soft transition to the upper edge, which has been delicately and precisely worked. Water-worn pebbles with a pleasant feel were the inspiration for the design. “At this point we took a path that is more unusual for Studio F. A. Porsche, as the idea was to create something natural, almost soft and consequently also to reinterpret the functional aspect of the design,” explained Rieseler.
Image credit: Duravit
The rectangular washbasins are available in four variants, as a wall-mounted model as well as an above-counter basin with a tap platform that offers adequate storage space. These are joined by a semi-recessed basin and a built-in basin with characteristically arched sides that is available with a matching, seamlessly integrated console vanity unit. The design highlight of the series is the above-counter basin measuring 600 x 400 mm which, in addition to the standard version, is also available in a variant with strongly arched sides. The freestanding bathtub is consistent with this above-counter basin in formal terms and is the undoubted eye-catcher in the space. It is made from DuroCast Plus mineral cast with moulded-in colour and a fine velvety surface. As with the acrylic built-in bathtub, an ergonomically shaped lumbar support supports the lower back area and guarantees pleasant sitting comfort.
A wall-mounted and free-standing toilet and bidet that blend seamlessly into the overall concept round off the sanitary objects. Pre-fitted hinges enable the toilet seat to be quickly and easily installed. All ceramic elements are optionally available with the antibacterial ceramic glaze HygieneGlaze, which achieves a previously unheard-of hygiene standard. After just six hours, approximately 90 per cent of bacteria are eliminated, with approximately 99.9 per cent eliminated after 24 hours. The Wave faucet series designed by Duravit is the ideal companion to sanitary objects and completes the sophisticated design concept with five different finishes.
Duravit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Showcasing the Dedar outdoor collection of fabrics
The outdoor fabric collection from Dedar offers the best of both worlds, with both a radiant spirit and extreme durability…
High performance, easy to use fabrics for outdoors, the Enjoyable Outdoors collection from Dedar finds a common ground in its complete ease of use. Through its design and craftsmanship, the fabrics can absorb any type of strain or impact without being damaged. From bad weather to heavy usage, the basis of use is for fun and relaxation, with the freedom to seize every opportunity without having to worry about maintenance or other practical constraints.
Enjoyable Outdoors celebrates garden parties and relaxed, optimistic sociality. It looks to the Mediterranean and the southern European lifestyle, while also being inspired by other corners of the world that are just as inviting — from the beaches of Brazil to cosy mountain chalets surrounded by snow. The fabrics adapt with ease to a wide range of environments and uses, whether by the pool or on a boat, on the veranda or in the garden, or even in the mountains.
Image credit: Dedar
Image credit: Dedar
Campus is an outdoor jacquard fabric with a geometric motif animating this high-performing polypropylene fabric for outdoor use. It is resistant to UV rays and fading, harsh weather conditions, saltwater and chlorine, as well as being washable and easy to remove stains from.
Basquette is another geometric outdoor jacquard in the collection, with a lozenge motif in solution-dyed polypropylene. Strong, durable and non-allergenic, it guarantees maximum resistance to light, extreme weather conditions, mildew and bacteria, abrasion and chlorinated water and is a fabric for outdoor seating of medium-intensive use.
Image credit: Dedar
Image credit: Dedar
Adding texture to the collection, Libera is an outdoor bouclé. This textured and high-performing fabric has been realised with a special polypropylene yarn which reproduces the irregular aspect of natural yarns, giving a slight motion to the surface. Resistant to light and molds, washable and cleanable with bleach, it is suitable for intensive use seating.
Completing the collection is Strange Loves, a striped outdoor fabric. The traditional two-colour stripes on acrylic fabric with an excellent colour stability is achieved by mass dyeing. Again, this fabric is resistant to molds and weather conditions, washable and water-repellent. The choice of the design and colours will carry you to a fun summer world where you can move freely.
Dedar is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Hilton has announced it will be launching its world‑class luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria, in Jaipur, India’s pink city, by 2027. Here’s what we know…
Hilton and Dangayach Group have announced the signing of a branding and management agreement for the launch of Waldorf Astoria Jaipur, marking the debut of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts in India. Globally renowned for defining the art of hospitality, the luxury brand continues to strategically expand its presence in landmark locations worldwide. Steeped in history and culture, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a truly unique destination in India’s famed Golden Triangle, making it an ideal location to launch the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in India.
“Having recently announced the entry of Waldorf Astoria to Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, we are delighted to partner with Dangayach Group for the landmark debut of Waldorf Astoria in India,” said Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to working with esteemed local partners to expand our luxury portfolio in prime destinations in the region. India holds a strategic significance for Hilton and we are eager to establish a new standard for luxury in the country. Jaipur, with its cultural richness and remarkable architectural marvels, provides a captivating backdrop for our first Waldorf Astoria in India and we are excited to create unforgettable experiences within this extraordinary setting.”
Image caption: Waldorf Astoria Malaysia | Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
“We are delighted to partner with a trusted global hospitality company like Hilton to bring Waldorf Astoria to India,” said Atul Dangayach, Managing Director, Dangayach Group. “Jaipur combines the allure of its ancient history with all the advantages of a metropolis and we are confident that with its distinct brand proposition, this new luxury hotel will provide an unrivalled experience for leisure and business travellers alike.”
Spanning 22 acres overlooking the magnificent Aravalli Hills, Waldorf Astoria Jaipur will be the epitome of luxury in Jaipur. Sheltering 51 expansive pool villas and 174 elegant guestrooms, the hotel will exude a sense of space and grandeur. It will also feature a luxurious spa, an outdoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and five distinctive dining experiences, including the world-famous Peacock Alley, the iconic lounge and bar synonymous with the Waldorf Astoria brand.
Offering 2,400 square metres of meeting space and 3,000 square metres of open lawns, courtyards and gardens, Waldorf Astoria Jaipur will serve as an unparalleled venue for celebrations, lavish weddings and world-class events. The picturesque property will be ideally located off the Delhi – Jaipur Road and within easy access to historical attractions such as Amer Palace, Nahargarh Fort and Hawa Mahal.
Waldorf Astoria Jaipur will join Hilton’s existing portfolio of 24 operating and 13 pipeline hotels and resorts across India.
Product watch: introducing Earth Collection from Red Dog Glass Design
Red Dog Glass Design – a luxury design house specialising in bespoke glass panels featuring original abstract art – has looked to the natural world for inspiration for its new Earth Collection…
The new range of contemporary art panels features original abstract artwork by Red Dog Glass Design founder, artist Sally Coulden, in three nature-inspired colourways: Atlantic Ocean, Deep Forest and Raw Earth. Featuring earthy tones and patterns that are inspired by nature, the Earth Collection offers a visually exciting way to bring the outdoors inside. With its vibrant hues and intricate designs, these glass panels and splashbacks harness the soothing power of nature, while adding a touch of luxury to your space.
Image credit: Red dog Glass Design
“Coastlines and waterways have long inspired my artwork, but the Earth Collection goes deeper and pays homage to our natural world in all its wild, unbound glory,” said Sally Coulden, Founder of Red Dog Glass Design. “From the depths of the ocean to the warmth of sun-baked clay, via the luscious greens of the forest, the Earth Collection will inject a slice of nature into the heart of any hospitality space.”
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
The Earth Collection is made to order and Coulden’s original artwork is digitally deconstructed and expertly printed in high-resolution onto 10mm, 6mm or 4mm toughened-glass panels. Premium quality, ultra-hygienic and very easy to care for, each unique piece can be installed as bespoke glass panelling, bathroom splashbacks and tiles or wall art.
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
Image credit: Red Dog Glass Design
With three main colourways, the collection explores the tones and texures of the elements. The Atlantic Ocean Collection takes you on a deep dive into colours inspired by clear blue summer seas and wild Atlantic vistas. Deep Forest transports any interior into a world of towering trees, lush green foliage and an ever-changing palette of colours and textures. The third colourway, Raw Earth, is characterised by the terracotta pigments, warm reds and earthy browns, which subconsciously ground us in our space, helping us feel connected when we’re craving stability.
Red Dog Glass Design is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: a new LVT flooring collection from Hyperion Tiles
Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles has diversified its flooring portfolio with a luxurious new vinyl tile (LVT) and plank (LVP) collection…
LVT is a printed vinyl flooring material that looks just like real wood or stone. It’s a highly durable flooring option that is one of the fastest-growing products on the market. Upscale in appearance, LVT tiles are made from a series of layers which, despite their durability, are flexible and thin enough to cut with a knife. The new collection in the Hyperion Tiles portfolio enables designers to achieve a variety of ultra-durable flooring solutions. From the authentic grooves of real wood to the timeless elegance of natural stone, each style has been meticulously designed in luxury vinyl tile or plank form. Designed and produced by innovative Belgian brand Floorify, the range is comprehensive and perfect for hoteliers with longevity in mind.
“Each tile and plank combine stylish good looks with incredible durability and this luxury vinyl is far more cost-effective than the real thing too, which makes this a perfect choice in the current economic climate,” explained Richard Skeoch, Director, Hyperion Tiles. “Ideal for every room in a hotel, including the bathroom, as this luxury vinyl is waterproof – take your pick from stone, concrete, terrazzo and Ceppo-effect tiles and wood-effect planks.”
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
“We can also offer you the chance to choose extra-long planks (2000mm x 240mm),” continued Skeoch, ” this size is a first for the UK and means that installation will be more economical in larger spaces, as less product will be used in the installation process. If you require something smaller, we can accommodate this with two additional sizes (1524mm x 225mm and 1219mm x 178mm).”
The benefit of a luxury vinyl tile includes the ability to combine design and style with durability. The LVT flooring collection from Hyperion Tiles realistically replicates the look of natural stone and real wood, but is also much easier to maintain. Compared with wood and natural stone, it’s also a far more cost-effective option. In addition to being smart, stylish and virtually indistinguishable from real wooden and stone floors, LVT flooring is waterproof, scuff, scratch and stain-resistant, with plenty of strength and stability. But durability doesn’t mean discomfort. The synthetic layers of LVT flooring mean it is more comfortable underfoot than other natural materials and surface sound is minimised.
Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: Georgina Wood, Founder of Studio Clementine
Studio Clementine might be a relatively new kid on the designer block, but its founder Georgina Woods brings a wealth of experience to the table. Writer Pauline Brettell caught up with the designer to find out a bit more about the studio and her strong personal style…
After graduating Georgina Woods started her career with an F&B interior design firm, which essentially set the course for her future career. Over the next eight years she rose to become Head of Interior Design for a luxury real estate developer, followed by positions with several other leading name practices, including David Collins Studio. With each position came new resources and skills that she has been able to consolidate and use to forge her own path culminating in Studio Clementine.
Image credit: Studio Clementine
Pauline Brettell: What made you feel that it was the right time for Studio Clementine?
Georgina Woods: The trouble is that more senior you become as an employee the less hands-on you are. I found myself sitting in business development sessions, finance meetings, HR meetings and PR discussions, steadily becoming more and more frustrated with how much time these could take up. At the end of the day, I am a creative. So, at the beginning of 2020, I decided it was a new decade and time to do my own thing. Crazy timing as it turned out with a pandemic around the corner, but I succeeded in winning and managing work via Zoom and was soon hiring a small team.
PB: You have developed a strong personal style – can you tell us a bit more about the points and persons of inspiration that have helped you on this path?
GW: My style is simple, it is about harmonious colour, attention to detail and a love of design, history and people. I adapt to each project; no one style or brief fits all, otherwise the interior is textbook and too commercially contrived. Each project, client and location needs to be studied before a DNA for the interior can be created.
My path or skill was influenced by my father who was a carpenter. I often helped (or maybe hindered) his team in the workshop during school holidays. I also love needlework, crocheting and sewing and have had an aptitude for these for as long as I can remember. When I darned my point shoes, they were so perfect I was often asked by school friends to do theirs! My mother owned a haberdashery shop when I was very young, and I would sit and crochet or knit with the old ladies.
Image credit: Astrid Templier
Image credit: Astrid Templier
PB: Detail and embellishment play a key role in your designs – can you talk to us a bit about that and the blurring of design boundaries between theatre, fashion and interiors?
GW: I think the ground was laid for this convergence in my approach when I was quite young. As a teenager, I went to a performing arts school in London. The school was great, but steadily I found myself more interested in the life drawing and the art classes rather than dancing. What really inspired me at the time was the idea of becoming a set designer for film and theatre. Actually, someone said to me recently that my interiors are like stage sets for my clients and their guests to act out their dreams, so it seems that my early ambitions have been translated into the work I do now!
Over the years, I also developed a deep admiration for the values of couture fashion – its apparently effortless style and timelessness as well as the precision and detail with which it is made. These are all characteristics that I hold dear in my work.
Image credit: Studio Clementine
PB: You have dabbled in bespoke furniture design – is there a Clementine range on the horizon?
GW: Maybe [on] the far horizon but, for now, I prefer to design unique furniture for my projects – pieces that reflect the personality of the client. I also like to repurpose vintage items. I love the whispers of bygone times that you feel when you bring old things into a contemporary setting and it’s usually kinder on the environment than creating anew.
PB: What has been your most inspiring project pre-Studio Clementine, and most inspiring project as Studio Clementine?
GW: Pre-Studio Clementine, it was the redesign of the Churchill Bar & Terrace at the Hyatt Regency in London. Firstly, our muse was Winston Churchill and to a lesser extent, his wife Clementine and we drew on the 1930s art deco era for our inspiration – a period of design that I love. More than that, though, we worked very closely with such passionate owners and directors, which made the entire project great fun. Bringing Churchill to life through meaningful, yet subtle, references and celebrating art deco with the use of materials such as ceramic, stainless steel, gold and stone together with lavish ornamentation and geometric patterns was an experience I will always treasure.
At Studio Clementine, I think it was a project for CIT that we completed at the end of last year. This was the first time I had been invited to design a marketing suite to help a developer sell luxury residences off-plan, so the one hand I had a lot to learn, which is always exciting. But on the other, what I was creating was essentially a hospitality experience but with marketing purpose at its heart. Throughout, every element was custom-designed or specifically purchased by Studio Clementine. These included rugs in a design inspired by a Hermes vintage silk scarf to custom designed coffee tables.
The client mentioned he loved the work of fashion designer Tom Ford. So, I found inspiration in Tom Ford’s shop interiors, specifically his flagship store on Maddison Avenue. Studio Clementine’s metal tables embody the richness and darkness of the store, and of course I christened them ‘Tom’! Other highlights included a full-height presentation cabinet in hand cut starburst rosewood, which we designed as a contemporary take on pigeonhole cabinets, a specially designed plinth combining antique mirror, dark stained oak and embossed leather to showcase the model of the development, and accessories sourced from the world-famous Alfies Antique Market.
Image credit: Studio Clementine
Image credit: Studio Clementine
PB: It didn’t take long before you started garnering awards! Talk us through your award winning design for Bonadea and what it is, in your eyes, that sets it apart…
GW: I think of my design for Bonadea, a luxury tableware store in London SW1, as bringing to life the narrative of Bona Dea. She was a Roman goddess known as the protector of women as they go through changes in their lives and I felt a very strong connection to her at this time when I was launching Studio Clementine. Furthermore, Bona Dea would host rituals for women that involved drinking wine and decorating their houses with flowers, so what was not to like! Every detail – and there were many – was designed to connect with the goddess after whom the boutique was named.
Image credit: Astrid Templier
We totally stripped out the existing interiors and created a collection of distinct, yet connected, spaces. New colonnades and bespoke marble floors in the main room gave a sense of walking into an Italian palazzo with a modern-day sensibility where the colour palette was inspired by Italian fashion and photography. A custom-built marble and limestone fireplace provided a relaxed ‘at home’ area for the tableware displays and silk-lined cabinets showcased the hand-crafted object d’art and rare glassware. A striking Cartier chandelier by Mathieu Lustrerie graced a ceiling intricately carved with butterflies and bees. We created a winter garden room, imagined as a place for entertaining, with a hand-painted wallpaper by Fromental and a powder room complete with hand cut pale pink onyx, a crystal vanity and hand-embroidered linen sheers by Pierre Frey. Again, we were essentially creating a hospitality experience, this time with retail at its heart.
Image credit: Astrid Templier
PB: Do you have a standout hotel design that ticks all the boxes for you?
GW: Sorry, I can’t pick just one! I love The Berkeley Hotel in London, designed by Remi Tessier. Whichever room you enter, soft timbers are a perfect complement to dreamy pastel colours. I adore Claridge’s for its magnificent art deco detailing and the grandeur of its arrival lobby, while there is still something so welcoming when you enter. And then there’s Public Hotel NYC – an old new hotel that it works so well. I love the simplicity and unique style of the rooms, and the main entrance up those escalators – wow!
PB: And finally, can you share any exciting projects you have in the Studio Clementine pipeline?
GW: We are currently working on several very exciting projects, including Cambridge House Hotel on London’s Piccadilly. This is the long-awaited redevelopment of the old In and Out Club which is being transformed by Reuben Brothers into an exceptional boutique hotel with residencies. The Grade l listed building is being restored and extended to create a 102-guestroom hotel with fine dining, bars and lounges and spa and function rooms, together with five beautiful apartments and two penthouses that Studio Clementine is designing.
I am also acting as design consultant on a project to create an extraordinary spa at another of London’s luxury hotels, but this remains highly confidential, for now at least!
MKV Design, the interior design studio that was a tasked to bring to life the first W Hotel in Greece, was inspired by natural materials when creating W Costa Navarino…
Located in the beautiful resort of Costa Navarino and on the beach of the historic Navarino Bay overlooking the Ionian Sea, W Costa Navarino is surrounded on land by olive and cypress groves. It is this intoxicating inheritance of nature’s wonders and ancient stories, together with centuries-old artisanal traditions that has been translated by the designers into a contemporary experience where luxury and informality meet. The resulting aesthetic feels pure and genuine; it also reflects the ‘free spirited’ ethos of the W culture.
John Athimaritis / Giorgos Sfakianakis
The concept of the hotel, imaged by MKV Design, is an alliance of indoors and out in which the buildings are constructed from stone hewn from the site and, inside, all stone, timber and metals are from the region. Reception flows seamlessly from olive groves to a panorama of the sea with the continuum of cobbles underfoot and woven rope panels above, through which plants tumble. The colour palette emerges from the gentle green of the olive trees combined with bursts of bright colour in accessories and soft furnishings.
To one side of reception, the bar anchors library and lounge to form a contemporary and flexible space; the bar opens onto the sea vista while the library closes-down into a cosy, fire-lit space on chillier days. Furniture is modern and organic in style. Contoured forms reappear in the spa, combined with pure geometric lines. Openings in the walls provide sea views and allow sunlight to bathe the space; a custom-crafted artwork of twisted towels set in plaster makes an intriguing statement piece in the spa’s reception. Even the conference spaces enjoy connection with nature with views of the groves and indoor plantings to revive flagging spirits.
Image credits: John Athimaritis / Giorgos Sfakianakis
The conventional all-day dining restaurant has been fragmented into a collection of distinct F&B offerings. Each one is intentionally designed not to feel like a hotel restaurant but rather an easy-going venue in a Greek village square, each with its own aesthetic but all offering a seamless indoor/outdoor experience expressed through the continuity of materials, finishes and furniture.
The four venues – the Coffee Shop, the Bakery, the Deli and the Cookery – all showcase regional materials, authentic regional patterns and details of centuries-old craft traditions within a modern vernacular. Warm timber slats articulate the ceilings of the Coffee Shop and Deli, juxtaposed with the grey-green colour palette of the stone finishes and furniture. Artefacts are inspired by the ancient oil jars and pots of Greece, and, in the Deli, terracotta wall tiles draw on the typical designs of old tiles still to be found in local villages. Tables are hand-carved to show off the natural knots and joints of their timber. The design of Bakery also includes generous use of warm timber, here offsetting the mosaic of stone to the floor. Cookery features a huge theatre kitchen around which diners can sit to dine or enjoy lively cooking demonstrations. The craggy stone surround of the kitchen counter, washed with uplighting, glows invitingly as night falls outside.
Image credits: John Athimaritis / Giorgos Sfakianakis
However, singular as the interiors of the four destinations are, the exceptionalism of this unusual all-day dining option lies in the Platia where guests can sit wherever they wish, around tables, on sofas or in rocking chairs, and enjoy whatever cuisine they desire at that moment in time. In true Greek style, they can re-arrange the seating for friends who happen to pass by, they can shelter from the afternoon sun under modern pergolas and at night they can find quiet niches for candle-lit suppers. The square is designed as a room outside and, just as in the hotel’s interiors, the natural world beyond the resort is brought in with aromatic and trailing planting and fruit-bearing trees. The Platia is bordered by one of the resort’s pools and, beyond this, captivating views of beach and sea complete guests’ sense of place.
The 246 guestrooms are a journey from the olive and cypress groves to the vista of the sea. Approaching their door, guests experience a sensory awakening as cascading plants create a verdant and aromatic curtain that rustles in the breeze and casts ever-changing shadows on the corridor wall opposite. As the sun sets, this arrival experience takes on new magic.
Image credits: John Athimaritis / Giorgos Sfakianakis
Inside, the rooms flow seamlessly from the glazed bathroom to bedroom area and onto an indoor lounge before opening onto the terrace. The result is a sense of spaciousness, transparency and serenity – the guest’s own space between land and sea. The design is a testament to the skills of basket weaving, carpentry, rope-making, leatherworkers, and potters that still abound in the region today and includes subtle nods to the hotel’s coastal location.
Image credits: John Athimaritis / Giorgos Sfakianakis
Wooden headboards are intricately interwoven with white rope, sheer curtains sway in the sea breeze like sails on a boat and lamps are designed to resemble a fishing trap with a delicate rope weave that creates a play of light and shadow on the walls. The materiality of the room is simple and honest but elevated into something new and sometimes sculptural – blocks of wood, for example, are playfully translated into a console table and sisal cord becomes an organic surround to the vanity mirrors providing an eye-catching contrast to the rough-hewn stone walls of the bathrooms.
Further creative detail abounds. Room signage is crafted from pebble-shaped forms, linear B writing on pottery is a tribute to the ancient Greek civilisation that once flourished in the region and terracotta sculptures bring a touch of whimsy. The chestnut wood armchairs are a work of art in themselves, inviting guests to sink into their hand-stitched leather upholstery for an afternoon nap.
Image credits: John Athimaritis / Giorgos Sfakianakis
The ground level ‘Swim Up’ guestrooms open-up onto a terrace which steps down to the hotel’s main pool. Guestrooms above, on the first and second storeys of the hotel, offer large outdoor terraces with magnificent panoramic views, and two- and three-bedroom villas are located alongside the beach, each one with their own pool, garden and direct access to the beach.
Recognised for its pre-eminence in hotel interior design across Europe, and respected for its sensitive approach to hospitality interiors, MKV Design has injected character, peronality and timeless touches inside a hotel that will carry the W brand into a new design era.
Piero Lissoni unveils FUOROSCALA for Atlas Concorde at Milan Design Week 2023
FUORISCALA is a design collaboration between Piero Lissoni and Atlas Concorde, which has doubled its presence during Milan Design Week 2023, debuting at Salone del Mobile…
Designer Piero Lissoni and Atlas Concorde are revealing the result of a meaningful collaboration this week during Milan Design Week, which comes in the form of two structures that are being displayed at Salone del Mobile and the brand’s flagship store in Brera.
FUORISCALA, Expanding Design Compositions, is a project that stretches four metres tall. But don’t be put-off by its size. The purpose of the installations is to ‘reflect on the ability of large slabs’. “We’ve taken the concept of Atlas Concorde’s large formats to the extreme through two installations where unexpected elements play on the change of scale,” said Piero Lissoni. “It has been a conceptual exercise where architectural forms are reversed to become products and vice versa, tables with a multifaceted shape that practically break the rules for making a real table.”
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
Within the two spaces, Fuoriscala offers visitors two different perspectives that can play off of each other to spotlight the characteristics of porcelain tiles, allowing the large formats to express their full potential.
The large slabs recall the primary and archetypal forms of architecture that, like stage sets, enclose and give life to multiple settings where the earthy nature of the porcelain tiles is always the main focus: kitchens, living and dining areas, bathrooms, and leisure spaces.
In the Fuorisalone circuit, at Atlas Concorde Studio Milano, the company’s showroom in Via San Marco, Fuoriscala flips the usual concept of a ‘table’ by giving life to two elements with large dimensions of an abstract nature characterised by prismatic shapes. Slabs, natural elements, transparency, geometries, and reflections are the tools that project the installation into a future dimension.
The overall aim of the project – and indeed modern design – is to inspire creatives to redesign spaces and furnishing elements, to create atmospheres of emotions that convey wellbeing to those within.
Atlas Concorde is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Continuing to lead the pack by investing in new digital technology, commercial wallcovering manufacturer Newmor has a creative edge when it comes to inspired large-scale design that makes a statement…
Newmor is well-known for its expertise in design and manufacturing commercial vinyl wallcoverings and hold one of the largest ex-stock facilities in the UK. Commercial wallcoverings by their nature, are perfect for wayfinding and zoning different areas, whilst withstanding high traffic and daily cleaning and in turn, public and co-working spaces are ideally suited for distinctive large-scale designs to add drama and focal points.
“Wallcoverings can have a huge impact on the atmosphere of different spaces – from calming break-out spaces to inspiring meeting rooms with energising, colourful prints and beautiful welcoming reception areas,” said David Johnston, Managing Director, Newmor. “We’ve significantly advanced our capability using new digital technology and launched our Digital Design Studio catalogue to make specifying designs easier. Being responsive to our clients’ changing needs sits at the heart of our business. Together our stock facility and digital print capability makes us extremely agile.”
Image credit: Newmor
Estilo Interiors selected Newmor Geometrics Lines for its project at 4 Temple Row Birmingham. The design fulfilled both an aesthetic and a functional brief as it directed and defined spaces within the work environment.
In addition to its own iconic custom designs, which range from structured geometrics, textured surfaces, beautiful painterly effects and florals to large scale fresco’s, Newmor also works in collaboration with an array of UK based designers and artists. “We are continually developing new designs, both in our own studio and through our collaborations with designers and artists – this approach allows us to celebrate different design styles and engenders creative thinking in us all,” explained Rose Campbell, Head of Design and Marketing, Newmor. “As well as our rich design resource, our team also work on many bespoke projects to create unique designs to our clients brief.”
Image credit: Newmor
Image credit: Newmor
Newmor has launched a 104-page catalogue of designs to support its Digital Design Studio. “The Digital Design Studio catalogue is a compendium of new and existing collections,” said Campbell. “It’s been created to make specifying easier. All designs in our Digital Design Studio collection can be recoloured, rescaled and digitally printed onto a host of substrates including textures, metallics and window films. We can even create WallArt to complement our wallcoverings by framing designs or printing directly onto canvas.”
And if clients can’t find exactly what they are looking for, then the Newmor design team can create something completely unique for their project.
Newmor is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
James Latham adds new brand to Washroom Collection
Pfleiderer’s range of high-performance laminates joins the James Latham Washroom Collection….
James Latham, one of the UK’s leading independent distributors of architectural decors, adds Pfleiderer’s premium Compact Grade (CGL) and High Pressure Laminates (HPL) to its signature Washroom Collection.
Available through James Latham in the UK and Ireland and perfect for any commercial, hospitality, leisure or education washroom project, Pfleiderer laminates are available in 40 different colourways, patterns, and textures, offering specifiers an incredible choice of visually appealing decors.
Image credit: James Latham
This exceptional level of style is also complemented by impressive performance attributes. Robust and durable, all laminates in the collection are able to meet the demanding, high-impact setting of a busy washroom.
Safe and hygienic
Moisture, scratch, and stain resistant, Pfleiderer laminates achieve a very hygienic surface that is easy to clean. This results in lower maintenance and longer-lasting surfaces, futureproofing the washroom by slowing down the refurbishment cycle.
Going further, the range also includes Moisture Resistant Melamine Faced Chipboard (MR MFC) and the innovative Melamine Faced High Density Fibreboard (MFHDF) featuring a black core. This increased durability makes these two products particularly useful for high-footfall, frequently-used environments such as leisure centres and educational establishments.
And that’s not all. These surfaces’ inherent hygienic properties can be further enhanced with Pfleiderer’s proprietary MicroPLUS antimicrobial surfaces. Available across the brand’s entire laminate portfolio, this added protection means the range can be specified for specialist applications in sensitive environments including healthcare, pharmaceutical, and laboratory facilities.
Easy to work with
For fabricators, Pfleiderer laminates are also incredibly flexible. Its availability in four core substrates means they can be specified to the different performance requirements of myriad features across the washroom environment, from toilet cubicles and vanity units to IPS Systems and lockers; all within one product range.
Produced in many different dimensions, sheets can easily be cut to size or applied in their entirety, according to the specification requirement. This variety of formats, including half size sheets, means you can maximise yields and reduce waste and, in turn, the project’s carbon footprint.
Specifiers and fabricators are also making a sustainable material choice when they choose Pfleiderer laminates. Manufactured using recycled materials, all products have a circular lifecycle, delivering uncompromising results with minimum environmental impact.
James Latham is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Franklite continues with its 50th anniversary celebrations by introducing two new product ranges – Galaxy and Cosmic – available in a range of design combinations and finishes…
With bubble lighting on trend for 2023 the Galaxy and Cosmic ranges could not have been introduced into the Franklite portfolio at a more perfect time. Bubble lighting, made up from globe or sphere shaped lights, is a round compact design that will never go out of style.
Catalogue 26 and Supplement offers hundreds of ranges that cater for both contemporary and classic design styles. However launched earlier this year in sneak product preview, is the Galaxy, a comprehensive range of single and multiple suspensions in satin nickel with clear cable or aged brass with black cable. The range is available with a choice of clear, amber, smoked or matt opal glass spheres in various sizes.
Image credit: Franklite
The Cosmic range offers a choice of satin nickel or antique gold finish fittings. Available with a selection of matt opal, amber or smoked glass spheres. Featuring nine and 12 light pendants that convert to flush fittings for areas with lower ceilings or single and two light wall brackets that are ideal for hallways and bedside lighting, this range is perfect for hotel settings.
Having successfully supplied its exceptional luminaires for projects, which include the Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Mercure Hotels and the Gailes Hotel just to name a few, Franklite offers products that balance optimal performance with beautiful aesthetics.
Franklite is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Bagnodesign is bringing its luxury, Italian-led bathroom design to the heart of London, with inspiration, ideas and creative thinking for interior design throughout the two floors of its Clerkenwell studio. What’s more, it’s the venue – or stage – of our CDW Takeover party this year…
Born in Dubai, Bagnodesign is present in more than 40 countries and is chosen by some of the most acclaimed interior design houses and leading architects for commercial projects around the world. As a brand that offers the complete solution for creating luxury bathrooms, comfort, quality and innovation come as standard. This high-end brand is however anything but standard in terms of design-led thinking and trend-setting product design.
The showroom is an ideal base for designers to see first-hand the latest product launches and presents a ‘toolkit’ to gather inspiration and ideas for their next projects. The perfect space for customers to network, discuss ideas and plan for future projects, the Gallery includes a dedicated meeting room and entertainment area, with a built-in bar.
Image credit: Bagnodesign
Fresh launches on display for Clerkenwell Design Week include a new mixer range, Chiasso. Available in chrome, brushed nickel, soft bronze and PVD gold, the inserts on the handles are customisable and come in six Alpine finishes to suit the corresponding furniture by the same brand. Bespoke inserts can also be produced in the Sanipex Slab Fabrication Facility in Dubai, making Chiasso a fully customisable option.
Image credit: Bagnodesign
Another stand-out product in the Clerkenwell Architecture + Design Gallery is Orology. This brassware range uniquely draws inspiration from stylish watch bezels, with its versatile features offering a sense of understated luxury, allowing variations and combinations to maintain timeless contemporary elegance. With flexibility and functionality at its core, the Orology brassware collection comes in five stunning finishes to offer the ultimate luxury of choice in bathroom design. The versatile options include PVD Gold, Anthracite, Chrome, Brushed Nickel, and Soft Bronze, each adding individual perspective and depth to the finish.
Visitors to Clerkenwell Design Week in May can also catch sight of Alpine from Bagnodesign, a versatile furniture range, with a wide range of options to suit any space. Select from 18 slab options to a signature look, with freestanding and wall-hung options, double basins and extended countertop options available. The Alpine collection can be configured in numerous ways to create a distinctive, bespoke look that works across any aesthetic.
Sanipex Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Roca brought a taste of the Mediterranean to this year’s ISH bathroom trade fair in Frankfurt and on a stand designed to resemble a Spanish plaza, it showcased its latest collections, product innovations and cutting-edge technologies…
After a four-year hiatus, ISH proved it is still a must-attend event for the global bathroom industry and this year’s exhibition was busier than ever. Making a strong design statement, Roca showcased collections that were about both form and function.
The Tura collection made a strong statement, inspired by the architecture of Roca’s hometown of Barcelona and created by Catalan designer Andreu Carulla. Architecture is an essential part of Barcelona’s culture and indeed, the name Tura stems from the endings of two Spanish words, ‘arquitectura’ and ‘cultura’. Andreu’s inspiration for Tura was drawn from several architectural sources, including the graceful curves of Antonio Bonet’s La Ricarda, the geometric shapes of José Antonio Coderch’s Casa Ugalde and the rationalist approach of Josep Lluís Sert in designing the Joan Miró Foundation. The influence of these sources can be seen in the shape of the Tura washbasins, where square and rectilinear lines are met by soft edges and subtle curves.
Image credit: Roca
Image credit: Roca
Andreu was also inspired by the Mediterranean light and the way it interacts with the slats of shutters that cover windows in homes throughout Spain. As a tribute to the shutters that captured his imagination, Andreu incorporated slatted shelves into his Tura furniture. The collection also includes waterproof felt storage boxes (for putting on the shelves) and drawers and comes in a choice of Matt White, Light Noble Grey or Light Terracotta, which recall the soft tones typical of a Mediterranean colour palette.
Sustainability is at the heart of the Tura collection, with many aspects designed to minimise environmental impact. The furniture and bath tray are made with FSC-certified wood, while the sanitaryware is 100 per cent natural ceramic. The height-adjustable bath headrest is made from recycled outdoor fabric and the felt storage boxes feature recycled cork lids. Overall, Tura is a collection that is flexible enough to feel equally at home in the bathroom of a modernist apartment, a family home or a country house.
Image credit: Roca
Another nod to the Mediterranean was the launch of the exciting Nu collection, comprising taps in brilliant bright colours, also reminiscent of the 20th century architecture of Barcelona. Nu is the French word for ‘nude’, which inspired Inma Bermúdez and Moritz Krefter of Studio Inma Bermúdez to simplify the tap design by eliminating unnecessary elements, leaving only what they deemed essential. The result is a slender 35mm diameter body, Roca’s thinnest to date, which comes in Mint Green, Cobalt Blue, Honey Yellow, Titanium Black, Glossy White and Chrome.
Image credit: Roca
Image credit: Roca
The Nu collection includes three different handles – Pin, Dome and Stripes. Pin has a thin, elongated handle that gives it a slightly bird-like form, as though it is ready to take flight. Dome embraces a rounded, organic form, while Stripes is inspired by the grooved knobs on old stereos. Another playful detail of the design is the use of red and blue dots to indicate hot and cold water respectively, discreetly located under the handles. When the handle is tipped back to turn the tap on, the design creates a smiling face, bringing joy to the user’s everyday routine.
Image credit: Roca
Roca’s In-Wash Insignia shower toilet was another brand highlight at ISH 2023 and promises to be its smartest WC yet. Users can program daily functions and adjust operating modes via remote control or the In-Wash Insignia mobile app. These functions include a night light, the opening and closing of the toilet seat lid and adjustable washing features. Users will also receive notifications and alerts for optimum management of their WC. The In-Wash Insignia boasts several technologies to enhance its performance. These include the Roca Rimless Vortex Hygiene Flush, which maximises water flow and ensures effective flushing and cleanliness and a Supraglaze coating that allows microscopic residue to slide off, preventing dirt buildup.
A self-cleaning nozzle with UV-light eliminates 99.99 per cent of bacteria, while a carbon filter eliminates odours. The In-Wash Insignia also has a descaling function to prevent limescale build-up. Finally, a coanda-effect dryer ensures the perfect drying experience by propelling air at the right speed and pressure.
Finally, the In-Wash Insignia incorporates Roca’s exclusive In-Tank technology, in which the cistern is integrated into the bowl. This creates a design that is both more space efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
The Tura and Nu collections and the In-Wash Insignia shower toilet will all launch in the UK later this year.
Roca is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Set within a private bay in Fethiye, Turkey, Yazz Collective is a chic, new boutique resort inviting guests to disconnect from everyday life, reconnect with nature and create long-lasting memories in idyllic surroundings…
Designed by Istanbul-based architecture agency FAAR Concept, Yazz Collective is characterised by an innovative organic architecture philosophy, creating structures that appear to be an extension of the bay’s striking natural features. Architecturally integrated into the surrounding landscape, the resort is designed to sit in harmony with nature, seamlessly blending contemporary design and understated luxury with authentic local craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from its Mediterranean heritage and Balinese lifestyle, the resort is only accessible by sea, making it the perfect destination for guests seeking seclusion.
Image credit: Yazz Collective
The 16 spacious guest houses are decorated in serene earth tones, complete with light chestnut furnishings to contrast the resort’s lush greenery, while plush bedding, outdoor showers, colourful art pieces and floor-to-ceiling windows offering ample natural light create an overall feeling of serenity.
Image credit: Yazz Collective
Image credit: Yazz Collective
Clean lines and natural textures can be found throughout the resort, along with unique furniture that exudes a sense of stylish simplicity, crafted by Turkish artisans following traditional techniques and utilising local materials. An on-site art gallery, showcasing works of renowned Turkish painters and sculptors, compliments Yazz Collective’s unique spirit. Guests can also create their very own masterpieces in workshops led by resident artist. Boasting an unrivalled location on the Aegean coastline, the resort is also home to an all-day beach restaurant with menus featuring seasonal ingredients and local produce, a bustling bar and spa cabanas that offer traditional Balinese treatments.
Checking in to Meliá Frankfurt City – a hotel that means business
Editor Hamish Kilburn checks in to review Meliá Frankfurt City, a hotel that is wrapped in an eco-smart building that shelters a sleek hospitality experience…
Business hotels have been given somewhat of a bad reputation in the past. The image of a ‘business hotel’ that many would conger up would often be one that looks and feels clinical; a design scheme that perhaps suffocates the opportunity for colour, texture, art and spaces as a whole to play and perform. “But hey, there’s strong wifi!”
Just like business travellers themselves, hotels that cater for MICE travellers in modern times don’t want to be stereotyped – nor do they deserve to be. Preconceptions are indeed there to be challenged, which is exactly what Meliá Frankfurt City – a 431-key hotel that unapologetically really means business – did in 2021, when it arrived to join some of its relatives in Germany’s fifth largest city, with effortless style.
Image caption: Decorative lighting has been used to add a playful touch in the Level Lounge. | Image credit: Meliá Frankfurt City
Tasked to take design cues from the energy and culture of Frankfurt below – the economical heart of Germany, popular for its art, literary enthusiasts and cider, would you believe – Álvaro Sans of ASAH Studio, who has become the Meliá resident designer in recent years, and jonasplan collectively used the hotel’s statement architecture and its position in the city to evoke a paired-back, yet confident, design scheme that feels elevated in all the right areas. “It was and is one of the most challenging hotel projects in Frankfurt,” admitted Dirk Jonas, owner of jonasplan. “Meliá Hotel International’s vision to create a trendsetting business hotel combined with the building’s own architectural style was a satisfying hurdle to overcome as a designer.”
Image caption: The striking jenga-like building sits opposite the city’s financial district. | Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Going against the grain – challenging conventional approaches in hotel design – does not need to be dramatic. It just requires a meaningful hook. For Melià, sky-high thinking resulted in the group pitching up in a new city skyscraper that commands the skyline. I’m told that Cyrus Moser Architects created the building’s façade to be a representation of a rose – personally, I got jenga for giants. What we can agree on, though, is the building’s eco rating. The innovative hotel is exactly that; smart and savvy with sophisticated and hidden energy system and a cutting-edge, self-regulating temperature concept. When guests open a window or a balcony door, for example, the air conditioning unit automatically shuts off to conserve energy. The building is constantly working, behind the scenes, to circulate clean air into all spaces, and its digital lifts make travelling from one level to another hassle-free.
Image caption: A contemporary chandelier emphasises the ceiling height in the lobby. | Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Arriving at Meliá Frankfurt City felt like a welcome home. The brand’s signature scent, which I also experienced at Hotel Colón Gran Meliá in Saville, encourages those checking in to take a deep breath in. The lobby’s minimalist design, under a double-height ceiling – emphasised by a striking chandelier of melted bulbs – is commanded by panelled lighting that is seamlessly layered with artefacts, doorstop-like books and pops of art dotted around the space, as well as indoor plants that grounds the whole interior design scheme. “It is a down-to-earth and impressive hotel, with the luxury of having enough space in each direction,” added Jonas. “This is the first impression the guest should get upon entering the lobby and all other areas. It demonstrates the hotel’s luxury – AKA space where guests can both relax and explore.” The ground floor is deliberately paired-back, with low-level seating that makes the start of the hospitality experience feel warm and inviting.
Connected to the free-flowing lobby, with street-level access, a light and bright all-day restaurant and bar that is designed for both guests and locals alike fills the open-plan ground floor with a sprinkle of energy. To create a more intimate setting, the designers have played with materials and lighting on the ceiling to create the apt illusion of a more compressed – I’d go as far to say more inviting – atmosphere.
Image caption: For executive guests, the check-in experience takes place on the 15th floor, inside The Level Lounge. | Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Everything about the hotel – from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the balcony views that stretch across the city and as far as the Tannus Mountains – encourage guests to look outside. The unique vantage point over the city frames a magnificent panorama of Frankfurt – it captures the juxtaposition of new and old architecture that the city blends faultlessly. For executive guests – guests staying in suites or who have achieved a Meliá Premium status with the group’s rewards incentive, the check-in experience takes place on the 15th Floor, in The Level Lounge, an exclusive area of the hotel that features plush furniture, soft lines and a artistic lighting scheme.
Adjacent to the executive area is arguably the hotel’s strongest asset: Oben, a popular destination restaurant and bar that serves Mediterranean dishes with a German twist. Its size – smaller than you might anticipate given its hype on the city’s hospitality scene – evokes a snug, cosy and exclusive experience. Personality has been injected with sharp accents of colour on a gallery wall of contemporary art, which are abstract interpretations of popular culture, by Nathali Von Kretschmann, to dominate the space. At night, the bar and restaurant evolves into a spirited hospitality hub – on some nights complete with a resident DJ.
Image caption: Oben is the city’s new destination restaurant. | Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
The hotel shelters 431 rooms in total, which occupy the first 23 floors. Distinct to Meliá, the rooms are generous in size, and reflect an unfussy take on luxury design – think refined open space with a few hero moments, such as the textured headboard. The ensuite bathrooms, which include premium brands such as Villeroy & Boch, GROHE and Geberit, are connected to the bedrooms through sliding doors. “We wanted integrate the bathroom into the bedroom to avoid the impression of a limited space,” Jonas explains. “In turn, this also evokes a sense of value and quality.” These mini wellness spaces, some with deep, freestanding baths, feature high-pressured showers and customisable light schemes to work for any required ambiance. They feel more like sanctuaries than practical spaces.
Image caption: The large rooms feature hidden tech, with a deliberate lack of art, encouraging guests to look out of the floor-to-ceiling windows and balcony doors. | Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
Image caption: All 431 rooms and suites feature a contemporary, international design scheme and frame a striking perspective of Frankfurt. | Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
On the lower level, the hotel’s wellness and fitness area is complete with everything one might need on a business and/or leisure trip, including a fully equipped gym, a large glass-fronted sauna and outside break-out spaces that face the city. Here, lighting channels guests into a different space and mindset – and with it being located below the skyline, the lighting had to work even harder. “Everyone was clear that Germany and Frankfurt are not the typically ‘sunny’ locations – quite a lot of time in the year it is rainy, dark or cloudy,” the designer said. “This resulted in the lighting design taking a central role – the combination of interior and lighting design must distract and make guests forget. For example, at a sunny seaside location, you’d open the windows, the curtains and let sun and breeze in. That’s all you need. But in a large German city behind the windows you need this backdrop to compensate for the occasionally less sunny weather. That’s why interior design does not work without a qualified lighting concept.”
Image caption: The hotel has listened to modern traveller demands, with various break-out areas in-between the gym and the spa. | Image credit: Meliá Frankfurt City
For me, and Jonas it seems, the real impressions that the hotel leaves are the misconceptions it effortlessly challenges. “[While on site], we learned that Frankfurt is not like its reputation,” Jonas added. “Yes, it is big and awesome, but it is equally beautiful and charming. It’s a place to be and a real destination.”
Checking out of Meliá Frankfurt – having embraced juxtaposing architecture around the city, while also having understood how the destination has used design to reinvent itself over and over (look no further than the New Old Town, unveiled in 2018) – it feels like I have been given a crash-course in what a business hotel has become, since the pandemic, in a new era of hospitality and hotel design. Meliá describes itself as ‘leisure at heart, business in mind’. For Jonas it’s, and I quote, “exactly what we’ve designed here in Frankfurt”. Well, it’s not untrue.
Wellness has been high on the design agenda for some time with hotels and the hospitality arena more broadly, having identified it as both a key concern and an important differentiator. Editor Hamish Kilburn sat down with six designers in the Dornbracht Design Studio at C.P. Hart Waterloo to uncover the path wellness is taking moving forward…
Recent trends show wellness and wellbeing taking on a much broader meaning and there are no signs of this focus narrowing going forward. It has moved boldly beyond the confines of the spa into the very fabric of hotel design, through to the details of the guest experience. Terms like immersive and personalisation have become key and the challenge for designers, when working on projects that will often come into play several years in the future, is to understand the trajectory that the wellness experience is on.
Image credit: Dornbracht
Bathroom brand Dornbracht has spent time studying forms of water presentation and how it influences well-being while developing the technology around the wellness experience. It is fitting that this conversation takes place in the London showroom surrounded by the products that equally respond to and create wellness trends. From innovating a rain sky with natural drops beyond a horizontal shower to creating new experiences and installations, wellness and promoting health has constantly been a focus of Dornbracht designs.
On the panel:
Una Barac,Founder and Executive Director, Atellior
Wren Loucks, CEO & Creative Director, Be-kin
Jessica Morrison, Associate, G.A Group
John Paul Pederson, Senior Associate, Director of Design, Wimberly Interiors
Connie Chiu, Associate, Bergman Interiors
Lauren Hughes-Glass, Design Production Director at Nicola Harding & Co
Ufuk Pirnal, Specification Manager, International Business, Dornbracht
Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs
Hamish Kilburn: In terms of wellness trends, what would you say are the most interesting and ground breaking changes we have seen over the last two years in hospitality?
Una Barac:Looking at Siro, a new and very different offering from Kerzner International, it is not about over the top luxury but rather a shift to a more mindful approach, which in this case is all about reflecting the pillars of the brand – strength, inclusion, reflection. There is a clear purpose-driven vision in this offering and this is reflected in the design. Working out is taken seriously and is focussed on the individual, there is no gym, there is no spa, it is about fitness and recovery. The design is ultimately about 10,000 square metres of wellness and within that there is a holistic and a personal approach to wellness.
Image caption: SIRO Boka Place, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: SIRO
HK: There is a preconception that wellness trends are expanding primarily in the luxury sector, but as designers how are you seeing wellness being amplified across the lifestyle sector and impacting on wellness concepts more broadly?
Jessica Morrison: I think the definition is expanding all the time – wellness used to be a really niche luxury hotel experience, and now you have brands like 1 Hotels coming into the market being entirely wellness focussed. Lifestyle brands are using site specific elements and location to offer something different, like wild swimming or forest bathing and this opens up the wellness concept to a more experiential element and moving design beyond the confines of the traditional spa.
Image caption: Swissottel Bucharest designed by G A Group | Image credit: G A Group
HK: With lifestyle brands pushing these boundaries, how is the luxury sector responding?
John Paul Pederson: Luxury is becoming more about lifestyle and wellness, less about aesthetics and fittings and fixtures. There is a more holistic approach that is about bringing wellness into the guestroom rather than keeping it within the confines of the spa or gym. Designers need to offer personalised and flexible space as luxury operatives are working harder. We find that clients expect more, are increasingly focussed on personal wellness and expect the hotel to not only meet expectations but increase them.
Wren Loucks: We can also see how the definition of luxury fashion is changing in relation to concerns around a circular economy – this is being mirrored in the realm of luxury hospitality as brands identify that to have a competitive edge, they also need to be sustainable. The definition of wellness is broadening and overlapping with social concerns and is as much about the individual as it is about community.
Image caption: Fairmont Taghazout designed by Wimberly Interiors Image credit: Wimberly Interiors
HK: Would you say that sustainability is working in tandem with a more conscious design approach and is this part of the process of expanding the boundaries of wellness offerings in the hotel environment?
UB: There is definitely an awakening to the increased importance of sustainability credentials for hotels and as designers we are now expected to provide the sustainability credentials of materials we are specifying, so that move is clear and there is a serious level of accountability.
HK: Working on a heritage building, which can often be the casein the luxury sector, usually comes with restrictions. Do these restrictions push the design process to be more inventive, particularly in the wellness sector?
Connie Chiu: Bergman Design has been working on a Fairmont project in a listed building. There are definitely restrictions, which are challenging but the site is interesting and allows the design to open up and focus on the surrounding nature. Instead of having the wellness offering in closed chambers we have made sure it relates to the outside space as much as the interior to make it a truly unique experience. Increasingly, wellness is about utilising the entire location rather than pigeonholing it.
Image caption: Spa Pool design by Bergman Interiors | Image credit: Bergman Interiors
HK: With the demand for increased personalisation in luxury wellness offerings, is there more emphasis on focussed demographics in the design process?
UB: Big brands always understand demographics, but relating back to earlier questions around sustainability, demographics and our understanding of them need to change – millionaires are not grey haired men anymore, they come from a cross-section of ages, interests, genders. As a luxury hotel, if you are targeting this group, you have to understand the people you are targeting, their concerns and the questions they will ask – Gen Z will ask questions about the sustainability credentials of your property.
HK: As designers you develop an understanding of how a space is used, are you then able to challenge a client and push the boundaries in the design process?
JM: As a designer we are always trying to push the client a little bit out of their comfort zone, to see what is unique about the property or offer and develop that into the design. Equally building constraints can push designers out of our comfort zone. Working on the 1 Hotel, where a conscious decision on sustainability grounds was made to refurbish rather than rebuild, the parameters meant we had to work harder to deliver the design vision.
JPP: There is a lot more discussion in the design process on how the guest is going to use a space. As designers we are peeling it back, looking at how guests are going to use the space for mental health, for wellness, as opposed to simply designing because it looks good.
Image caption: Beaverbrook designed by Nicola Harding & Co | Image credit: Nicola Harding & Co
HK: Personalisation appears to be a major trend going forward as hotels and brands look at how to make a space deeply personal to respond to an individual’s needs. Is this counter-intuitive in the hospitality arena where things need to be standardised and does this inevitably lead into the use of technology ?
Lauren Hughes-Glass:We have found clients generally want a simpler and less technical focus in their personal space, although this clearly depends on the type of property. Generally, for our clients, luxury is about simplifying life and stepping away from executive demands. Stripping out anything that requires thought and making design more intuitive is key.
WL: From an inclusive design perspective – things that are intuitive, that can be anticipated – are soothing for people and that definitely relates back to, if not reducing, certainly simplifying technology in our personal space.
JPP: We have done full a circle when it comes to technology – we’ve had the crazy keypads and now we are seeing the simplification.
HK: Connection with nature seems to be one of the key ways in which wellness is being explored outside the bathroom?
JM: Being in nature is apparently the only time that your brain is really stimulated but at the same time calm. Nature provides us with a sense of intellectual stimulation that is inherently different to the visual stimulation we get from a screen for example.
HK: Looking at product development in the wellness arena, how does Dornbracht take all these design demands and package them into products?
Ufuk Pirnal: We are constantly working to understand the needs of clients to inform product development. Spa and spa elements being designed for the bathroom has been key, along with user friendly intuitive solutions as mentioned earlier. As these design demands gain momentum, there is an increase in demand and the products then become more affordable and less bespoke. The last few years, essentially post-Covid, has seen a much greater emphasis on the personal spa and as a result the products have kept up with the demand.
HK: Is there more emphasis on the bathroom in particular now in luxury design than there was pre-Covid? Has that been the defining moment, creating a design shift?
JM: The bathroom has always been an important element in a luxury offering, but it is becoming bigger and with an emphasis on products that deliver wellness experiences.
UB: Going back to sustainability, possibly one of the most fundamental changes facing us as designers is the question around sustainability and product sources. Within the next decade I think this will be the biggest shift and in ten years, this will be a very different conversation.
HK: ESG and specifications aside, taking a look at the range of finishes and materials available now, has this impacted on bathroom design?
JM: Three years ago, working on the bathroom design for 1 Hotel, we wanted a dark bronze finish which immediately limited options, three years on and the market is wide open. There is now a huge range of finishes and colours available and definitely the opportunity for designers to be more creative.
JPP: If anything, there are too many choices but what is becoming important now, the differentiators when making product choices, are the credentials and specifications, both on a design and a manufacturing level. The carbon footprint of a product might become the deciding factor when making product choices in such a competitive landscape.
Image caption: Club Q designed by be-kin| Image credit: be-kin
HK: A lot of the conversation has been about nature and injecting nature into a design through wellness – how does this impact on urban wellness and how can you inject nature when its not on your doorstep?
JM: Its about looking at wellness in a different way and understanding that there is more than one way to approach it. Sometimes, particularly in a more urban area, it is less about being zen and more about vibrant and energised. Offering a different way of looking at wellness and both have their place.
WL: Wellness is definitely not just about being zen and sensory seeking behaviour that is energising is also about wellness. There is more than one look to wellness and they all need to be explored and have a place.
CC: Working on wellness design on all levels from superyachts to a hotel bathroom, we always stress that it is not just about the space, its about the state of mind. This can be injected into the design on so many different levels. It is not simply about reflecting the natural world, but developing a design that can help shape a lifestyle.
Image caption: SWEAT by BXR designed by Bergman Interiors | Image credit: Bergman Interiors
HK: Finally, it would be useful to end on a note from Dornbracht to get an idea of what to expect in product design moving forward into the year.
UP: In terms of product development Dornbracht will be offering new additions to existing ranges. Some of the classic ranges are now twenty years old with designs that remain relevant and we are adding to these ranges to develop the story further. Importantly there will be new rain showers and new finishes across the ranges. Producing in-house is another key change which comes back to to the subject of sustainability that has run through todays discussion. As a brand, Dornbracht is aware that sustainability is key in the specification process, so we are putting energy into this and ensuring that the information is both available and accessible.
Dornbracht is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Design in the metaverse explored on latest podcast episode
DESIGN POD, the design podcast for all designers and architects, has just dropped it’s latest episode (and it’s a juicy one). Editor Hamish Kilburn and interior designer Pallavi Dean catch up to explore ‘design in the metaverse’…
Don’t switch off. Even if you are – no, especially if you are – a metaverse sceptic, I urge you to listen to episode 30 of DESIGN POD, which explores the boundless, creative and immersive design possibilities in the metaverse. It is not, by any means, suggesting that the virtual world will replace real-life interactions. If anything, this episode of the design podcast is suggesting that will enhance those real life experiences.
Before HIX 2022, when I chaired an honest, open and entertaining panel discussion on this very topic, the idea of the metaverse, like it does for many others, sent a shiver down my spine. I wasn’t sure how, as an industry, we were ethically allowing ourselves to explore the virtual universe when so much of the good that happens in hotel design comes from celebrating and researching the tactile, real-life nature of materials. And that’s where I was going wrong – changing my mindset to realise that real-life hospitality and virtual experiences can co-exist allowed this episode of DESIGN POD to happen.
Pallavi Dean, Founder of Dubai-based interior design studio Roar, explains on the design podcast episode that the metaverse will not replace physical hospitality. Instead, Dean, together with a cluster of forward-thinking designers around the world who have also purchased property in the metaverse, is encouraging us to think of this connected virtual universe as an extension of a brand. “The metaverse is something that is meant to be an immersive experience,” the designer explains. “What we have to remember, as empaths, is that we are still human. We might be interacting through web browsers or VR headsets, but we still want an experience, a journey, and something that is relatable.”
And it doesn’t end there. On the episode, before talking to Dean – someone who has, in her words, ‘skin in the game’ having purchased four plots in the metaverse – about what designers should consider start in purchasing and designing this virtual world, I wanted to further get to know her and the personality of her studio. In order to understand why Roar is considered, in real life and in the metaverse, one of the leading boutique design studios in the UAE, it was important to start the episode by exploring how Dean approaches design in real life, which, it turns out is no different to her work in virtual worlds. “Putting it in basic terms, the metaverse is 3D modelling, which is what we do every single day when we are pitching for projects,” the designer says.
This episode is about challenging misconceptions, which is something that interior designers and architects have long championed. The metaverse has conjured up so many opinions in recent years – and all of which are valid. This episode subtly asks whether it would be better to be part of the narrative; to shape the future of meta with layers of human-centric design, rather than being a powerless sceptic on the sidelines.
The full 40-minute podcast episode, which follows episode 29, is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms – just search ‘DESIGN POD’ wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode will drop on April 26 with hotelier Derek Joubert, Co-Founder of Great Plains Conservation, who will join Kilburn to discuss hotels in nature.
Just landed: Northern Lights brings texture & nature to SS23 Collection
EXCLUSIVE: Renowned for its in-house finishes, luxury materials and attention to detail and form, Northern Lights has released its anticipated Spring – Summer 2023 Collection of decorative lighting. Hotel Designs was invited to take an exclusive look at the array of new luxury lighting designs on offer, set to light up the industry…
The mix of luxury raw materials and the brand’s attention to detail and finish, brings tactility into focus with the Northern Lights SS23 collection. Design influences draw from nature, texture and art deco to offer an eclectic mix of aesthetics whilst retaining the Signature Collection’s timeless luxury principles.
Designed by Donna Gridley Head of Creative and crafted by their master artisans, the range includes table, wall, chandelier, pendant and rechargeable lights, carefully curated for hospitality, residential and marine markets. As pioneers of British design and engineering, each piece in their new collection is made and finished in-house under the registered Made in Britain mark, in response to the growing demand from interior designers for artisan British-made lighting that’s synonymous with quality.
Looking to the natural world, inspiration has been drawn from the shapes of seed pods through to sustainable material choice, to create a mix of lighting designs inspired by mother nature. Deep greens, wood stains and natural stone colour palettes are combined with organic shapes and textural designs to celebrate the beauty of our natural environment.
Inspired by the organic forms of seed pods, the fins of the Chaco ceramic table lamp have been delicately modelled by pinching out the clay to create softly formed ridges. Finished in a Matt Black Raku style glaze or a Stipple Matt reactive glaze which lend themselves sympathetically to this natural form.
The Sisley lampbase is available in Medium Oak and Wenge finishes. The hand-turned sustainable Alder wood creates an elegant yet striking silhouette that celebrates the simplicity and beauty of natural wood. The design story is completed with a finished with a brushed brass base and a linen shade.
Texture and form bring tactility to ceramic lamp designs, rendering them more than just light forms but exquisite sculptures and works of art. The Denali ceramic table lamp with its cylindrical shape uses fine textural lines carved into the wider decorative details, which soften the straight lines and lend an archaeological feel to the design. The lamp is available in two reactive Matt glazes – Bornite and Vulcanic – and finished with a Pearl or Oyster linen drum.
Another textured base, the ovoid Rondo design allows reactive glazes to collect in the patterned ring effect allowing a concentration of colour. The ivory matt crackle finish creates a subtle yet beautiful effect, off-set by a hand finished brass base and Soho Linen Drum.
Marble, granite, alabaster and glass are utilised to great effect across several new ranges. Referencing the style and lines of the 1920’s are the Deco-inspired Bayreuth chandeliers and wall lights. Inspired by Fritz Lang’s brutalist lines in Metropolis, they epitomise the styling of 1920’s Germany but are softened by the use of beautiful elliptical alabaster and glass shades.
Elsewhere, the off-set arms of the Veris chandelier cleverly creates an asymmetrical feature which elevates ceiling spaces where there is not much room. Although any height drop is available, this works well as a compact, almost flush fitting option and is finished in matt black and brushed brass with opal drum shades.
Additional ceiling options within the collection, Levit, Warner and Romney glass pendant ranges allow designers to mix and match different shapes and tones to create beautiful, custom lighting installations. Mouth-blown Borosilicate glass is available in frosted, opal, clear and reeded options, as well as smoke, green, amber and teal to add a pop of colour and to complement a multitude of interior palettes.
The full SS23 Collection with more than 90 brand new designs is showcased in the beautiful new Northern Lights Lookbook, and on the website.
Northern Lights is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Skopos launches new fabric collections for use within contract interiors each year and the textured multi-tonal chenille of Madurai is its latest offering…
Experts in flame retardant fabrics and soft furnishings, Skopos products are tested to ensure performance to the high standards set for commercial environments. With echoes of the Impressionist style of art, the new Skopos Madurai upholstery quality offers a broad palette of 23 colourways, from cosy neutrals to exotic multi-tonal brights.
Focussing in on the Berry colourway with pops of bright Magenta– Pantone colour of the year– and deeper berry tones, the fabric brings a lively focal point to a room. A soft, textured chunky chenille, with a subtle brick-like relief, the tones within the palette provide the opportunity for designers to link to numerous colour cues within interior schemes.
Image credit: Skopos
With Crib 5 backing as standard for full flame retardancy, Madurai performs to 40,000 Martindale rubs, perfect for hospitality and leisure interiors and meets the standard set for severe contract use for commercial furniture. Madurai also performs to the requirements for IMO, confirming suitability for Marine and Cruise interior environments. Available immediately, with short lead-times for larger order quantities, Skopos are pleased to add this collection into its Accents range.
Alongside Madurai, Skopos also offer curtain, bedding and a wide choice of upholstery qualities. In addition designers can take advantage of its Bespoke Solutions, where customers can brief the Skopos design team on specific requirements unique to their scheme or to provide an interior solution unique to their brand.
Skopos is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Meet Robert Godwin, Hotelier of the Year, The Brit List Awards 2022
In the third and final video in our series with GROHE X that celebrates the winners from The Brit List Awards 2022, editor Hamish Kilburn meets Robert Godwin, Managing Director of Lamington Group, the company that opened the world’s first net-zero hometel…
As we heard from Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality at Perkins&Will, going truly embodied carbon net-zero is no easy feat. Robert Godwin, Managing Director of Lamington Group and winner of Hotelier of Year at The Brit List Awards 2022, took net-zero beyond a blue-sky-thinking concept in hospitality when he and his team opened room2 Chiswick, the world’s first net-zero ‘hometel’.
The modest-sized boutique hotel in West London’s leafy neighbourhood of Chiswick fully accounts for its entire carbon footprint, using 89 per cent less energy compared to other hotels by rolling out various sustainable initiatives.
Aside from the brand’s eco ambitions – room2 is expected to open three new net-zero hotels between now and 2026 – its ‘hometel’ DNA centred around socially and environmentally driven design. “We looked at new and old definitions on ‘what is home’, from east to west, because home is never the same anywhere else,” the hotelier told me in an interview on GROHE X. “When we go to a new neighbourhood, we have to get the flavour of each space.” For Godwin and his team, it is about designing human-centric spaces emotionally, with feeling.
Godwin, who is only the start of his journey in hospitality, has built a strong foundation of a brand – its more than a concept, it’s a hospitality first – that will do as well as feel good each time a guests checks in. The judges of The Brit List Awards 2022 were impressed by the data that the brand had managed to calculate, as well as the hoteliers plans for the future. As part of Godwin’s commitment to being net zero, for example, the company will also be tracking and minimising scope three emissions both within their company as well as encouraging their suppliers, employees and guests to reduce their private emissions. The team at room2 Chiswick are also working with a nature based reforesting partner in Nicaragua to calculate their footprint and offset for the unavoidable emissions.
“The standard was internationally renowned, and I am super honoured, and touched, to have that recognition – it really is for the team to be proud of,” concluded Godwin. “These awards definitely help to nudge our industry to do better, and allow the sustainability movement to to continue.”
Applications / nominations for The Brit List Awards 2023 will open in the summer. The process to apply is free for all designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike. This is one of three videos that Hotel Designs has launch in association with GROHE, Broadcasting Partner of The Brit List Awards, to amplify a handful of the winners from last year’s campaign.
Case study: designing a new dining experience inside Harvey Nichols
Less than six months old, Lucarelli is a new restaurant that is sheltered inside Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, London. To add flavour to this month’s feature exploring public areas, we spoke to the designers at Flair Studio to learn more…
In August 2022, a unique opportunity presented itself for FlairStudio to create a traditional Italian restaurant for Lucarelli and chef Aldo Zilli at the top floor of Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge. The space, which was once occupied by Yo-Sushi, was closed a few years ago – by the time it entered the interior design studio’s radar, it was time for a new F&B concept to arrive.
The design team conducted a feasibility strategy together with Lucarelli and Harvey Nichols to redefine the whole F&B area, including a new kitchen, which the studio wanted to keep as open as possible. The aim for the new open kitchen was to add a sort of theatre and movement with a real-flame pizza oven and to celebrate the importance of the cuisine. “The result was a 10-metre opening, which we conceived like a bar but this time the pizza oven with the open flame sits at the centre, where the spirits would usually be,” Federico Schilling of FlairStudio told Hotel Designs. “In terms of materials, we opted for dark green Zellige tiles to the kitchen walls so the light blue of the chefs uniform could clearly stand out. The bar is made in Verdigris patina with brass accents, which again recalls the colour of the uniforms.”
Image credit: Marco Joe Fazio
Like all successful F&B concepts, the focus is to capture people via a strong first impression and for the experience of the design to be layered so that it maintains attention. “We tried to play with the atmosphere of the place to provide a sense of authenticity and familiarity that is enhanced by the open kitchen but then is also filtered down with the use of natural materials, colours and the textures enhanced the natural light coming through the roof lights,” Schilling added. “We tried to build a narrative along the customer route starting from the sense of arrival were you are greeted by the staff in front of the bespoke Italian mosaic, you then walk along the open kitchen and get the opportunity to chat with the chefs before seating down at your table. Screens we also designed so that each table feels protected but has a view into the kitchen.”
While the idea of adding soft barriers in an F&B concept seems simple enough, it did provide the design team with perhaps their largest challenge, as Schilling explained. “Instead of walls, we imagined these screens composed by a timber structure at low level that was carved out to make it appear less bulky, with a metal structure at high level made by a series of arches which have been covered in foliage and sometimes can be used as an opportunity for signage or for decorative lighting. Sometimes they can give a sense of protection, or allow you to watch inside.”
Image credit: Marco Joe Fazio
In addition to designing the space, the studio carefully studied all the operational aspects that included the sense of arrival and the route through the open kitchen as well as the seating area. “These routes are sequenced with a series of arches – sometimes hidden by the plants, sometimes enhanced by decorative lights and artworks, including a mosaic piece that we designed at the entrance that reflect the heritage of the traditional Italian cuisine,” Schilling added.
The main narrative was to create an open garden on the top floor. The idea was to curate the experience to ensure that every detail and operational element plays it part. This was, of course, reflected in the choice of materials, finishes and lights. “To enhance the sense of arrival, we collaborated with mosaicist Giulia Manzoni to design a mosaic piece, a tondo artistico that reflects the Italian heritage of the Lucarelli brand,” explained the designer. “We also designed low-level screens with a series of arches, sometimes hidden by the plants, sometimes enhanced by decorative lights and artworks, to create controlled visions through the main hall while offering privacy and separate areas.”
Image credit: Marco Joe Fazio
The result of FlairStudio’s work, to redesign the top-floor F&B space inside Harvey Nichols, is an immersive experience that has been designed to transport its customers somewhere new – perhaps unexpected – away from the noise of the rest of the iconic department store.
Fritz Hansen has described the new lounge chair as ‘modern lounging at the intersection of art and design’…
This spring, Fritz Hansen is presenting PK4, completing the Poul Kjærholm (1929 – 1980) range of easy chairs. Designed in 1952, the striking, streamlined silhouette was one of Kjærholm’s earliest designs after graduating from the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. Its visionary approach reveals an early example of Kjærholm’s continuous research of geometry.
Seven tubular steel pieces are welded into a single frame, the back and seat are of a single length of halyard—the result is a light and sculptural expression that is both ingenious and elegant. The design perfectly captures Kjærholm’s unique ability to distill technically complex ideas into visually arresting, functional objects that are as much standalone works of architecture as they are furnishings that stand at the intersection of art and design.
Image credit: Fritz Hansen
The new PK4 comes with an improved structural integrity and includes the addition of a new seat cushion designed to elevate the seating experience. “Halyard is a beautiful material, but we wanted to create the option for the seat to be slightly more comfortable,” noted Marie-Louise Høstbo, Creative Design Director, Fritz Hansen. “The slim-profile, circular pillow adds to the graphic appearance of the chair itself and the materials borrow from Kjærholm’s tradition of working with canvas and leather. When you add to a historic design it must be done respectfully, and with this loose pillow the chair’s profile remains perfectly defined.”
Image credit: Fritz Hansen
Available in satin-brushed stainless steel or black powder coated stainless steel, with halyard in either natural or black, the PK4 sits in close dialogue with other well-known Kjærholm designs. “I think it’s fair to consider this chair as a further exploration of his studies, the result of an experimental phase where he was full of curiosity, and it certainly has a relationship to the PK25, and later the PK22 chair,” said Thomas Kjærholm, the late designer’s son, who is intimately involved in managing the Kjærholm archive.
Kjærholm’s specific use of tubular steel also lends the PK4 context in the wider design scene that was playing out during the mid-century, nodding to the work of Mathieu Matégot, for example, and the International Modernism movement that was blooming across Central Europe.
Image credit: Fritz Hansen
On display in Fritz Hansen showrooms globally as of end March, the PK4 joins the wider family of Kjærholm designs that has been manufactured by Fritz Hansen, in close collaboration with the Kjærholm estate, since 1982.
“The more you research the work of Kjærholm the more you must acknowledge his immense impact on Danish design,” added Høstbo, “His respectful approach to tradition, his dedication, and his curiosity continue to impress—and we want to share this with a new generation of design enthusiasts by keeping the collection relevant.”
Fritz Hansen is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
TREND Etherium by E-stone adds a light touch to the dining experience…
TREND’s range of engineered stone overlay surfaces have always been a natural ‘go-to’ solution for restaurants and bars looking to upgrade their customer experience. With a wide range of colours and finishes, it adds an extra touch of luxury that’s not only quick and easy to install, but reassuringly affordable.
These low-maintenance, hard-wearing solid surfaces are not only built to keep their looks for years but also stand up to everyday wear and tear without a scratch, stain or heat-mark in sight. Completely non-porous and easy to clean, they also benefit from having MicrobanÒ anti-microbial protection built-in for life, making them ideal for commercial kitchens as well as customer serving areas.
When premier Asian restaurant ‘Ricebowl’ in Chico, California were looking to give their front-of-house a more contemporary feel, it was no surprise they decided to go with TREND for their feature dining bar. With its big sweeping curve, the bar creates a main focal point for the restaurant that draws attention and needs to stand up to close inspection.
Wanting to create a dynamic statement, the owners chose 453 Dark Blue etheriumÒ By E-Stone for the counter-top. With its deep colour and rich tones, it set the mood they wanted perfectly, but they decided to take it a step further and make a real statement by shaving the material underneath. This allowed the whole counter to be back-lit, creating a subtly illuminated feature that literally emits a welcoming glow.
Another benefit of the material is that it was able to be thermoformed to follow the curve of the bar without grooves or interruption.
To contrast, Liberty Ochre mosaic tiles were chosen for the enormous back wall and front of the dining bar. Reflecting the light with subtle tones of yellows, golds and browns, the tiles add an extra dimension to the whole dining experience.
TREND Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case Study: Modieus frames the floors in voco Melbourne
voco Melbourne Central is the first new build voco in the world and Modieus was tasked with designing bespoke flooring solutions to compliment and finish its statement look…
Located in the heart of Melbourne, this originally designed inner-city oasis gives a stunning first impression from the outside in. Part of the 380 Melbourne skyscraper and moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station and the Emporium, voco Melbourne Central has a modern charm with spectacular views of the city.
“The hotel’s colour palette features smokey blues, dove greys and voco’s signature colour of honey gold,” explained Debra Ryan, Design Manager, Modieus. “The finished look is refined with upscale and luxurious qualities. We designed a combination of Axminster and hand tufted carpets and rugs for different areas of the hotel.”
Modieus have injected a refinement not usually seen in standard Axminster carpets. The sophisticated 3D effect in the corridor and guestroom carpets in soft pastels, blue and greys makes a strong design statement and visually underpins the interior.
Image credit: voco Melbourne
The restaurant carpet has touches of voco yellow. For the rooftop Blacksmith Brasserie and Bar, Modieus designed a distressed, texture parquet effect with a neutral grey base and highlights of vibrant blue and orange. This contemporary approach to Axminster design creates the voco look, with all the comfort and ambience a carpet brings to a space.
“We continue to push the boundaries of what is achievable in carpets,” said Xander Okhuizen, Founder, Modieus. “Our meticulous attention to design, colouration and using different yarn types such as shiny nylon takes Axminster construction to different level.”
Image credit: voco Melbourne
Specialists in all types of carpet construction, Modieus created luxurious hand tufted carpets with a low/high pile juxtaposition for the public areas and the library on level six, where this hidden gem provides guests with some quiet time to take in the views of the Melbourne city scape.
The statement hand-cut low/high pile running through the interior, accentuates the subtle lines and curves in the design. The yarns used in the weaving change from blue greys to soft, cool shades to enhance the elegant public spaces. The refreshing hospitality, modern charm and those views to spark conversation, makes voco Melbourne the perfect destination to relax, socialise and enjoy the city. Whether guests want to spend some well-deserved down time in their rooms, get social on the rooftop, or have a get-together at Blacksmith Bar and Grill, voco Melbourne provides a space for every moment.
Modieus is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
How shower tech is driving new era in bathroom design
Paul Baily, Leader, Product Management at GROHE, discusses how tech advancements are paving the way when it comes to showers in terms of design, sustainability and accessibility…
The bathroom is no stranger to technological innovations and in recent years, such tech advancements have evolved, granting designers and specifiers great opportunities. With solutions now in place to improve personalisation, accessibility, and sustainability and overall user experience, there’s little room to not utilise such options.
The industry is more aware than ever of its impact on the planet and coupled with the global cost of living crisis and the rising costs of utilities, it’s not surprising that conscious consumption, resource saving benefits, and value for money are being prioritised when it comes to specification.
Many shower systems and showerheads now available are equipped with water-saving technology, such as the GROHE ‘EcoJoy’ technology which couples flow regulating mousseurs and a O2 infused spray with technology that allows equal flow of water from each nozzle in the shower head. As a result, water usage is reduced whilst still guaranteeing a high-performing shower experience. By pairing thermostatic mixers with water-saving showerheads, designers can deliver the best in sustainable showering.
Image credit: GROHE
With thermostatic technology, thermostatic bar mixers provide precise temperature control and corrects temperature fluctuations within a fraction of a second, meaning water wastage through running the shower while adjusting the temperature is a thing of the past.
Premium thermostats can go a step further to support with eco-friendly benefits. As technology has advanced, there’s now models available that come with an ‘EcoButton’ that allows users to efficiently switch between eco-flow and full-flow, depending on individual preference.
As trends have shifted, the bathroom is now not just considered as the functional room to keep clean but one that can promote personal health and wellness. While we can all recognise and appreciate the benefits of a high-quality shower, what is considered the perfect shower experience varies from one customer to the next and a focus on personalisation is therefore the most effective way to ensure consistent satisfaction.
Image credit: GROHE
As a digitally connected world, it’s only right that we see digital innovations move into the bathroom and shower market. Many manufacturers have introduced showers that benefit from enhanced personalisation and control thanks to the power of app connectivity and Bluetooth technology. GROHE offers its Rainshower SmartConnect 310 showerhead, a retrofit solution which is Bluetooth connected and comes with a wireless remote control, allowing the user to switch between two luxurious spray patterns. The innovative Bluetooth remote control has up to four years battery life, and being free from mains connection or additional wires, allows it to be placed in any position within the shower cubicle.
Futureproofing hotel designs is also a crucial need when it comes the need of our ageing population and the increase of mutli-generational living. Accessibility and inclusivity are factors that must be considered from the outset of all designs but are particularly of importance for the future of hotels, especially when it comes to the bathroom.
Manufacturers are continuing to focus on thermostats which can balance temperature fluctuations within fractions of a second, as well as providing integrated technology which ensures the outer surface of the mixer stays cool to the touch.
Elsewhere, manufacturers have developed to offer technology that allows users to set a fixed limit for the water temperature. This offers ultimate protection against scalding, giving customers of all generations peace of mind and the freedom to shower independently.
Wet rooms are also becoming an increasingly popular shower design choice, providing more scope for innovation. Alongside the use of large overhead shower heads and responsive wall-mounted body sprays that pop out when the waterflow is turned on, wet rooms have the potential to become a haven of technology with Bluetooth-operated sound, lighting, and steam features for the ultimate shower experience.
> Since you’re here, why not read about GROHE SPA?
GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
ME Lisbon will be a ‘destination in itself’, sheltering 213 rooms and a contemporary and clean design scheme that celebrates local art and craft…
Meliá Hotels International has announced that it will be making luxury-lifestyle debut in Lisbon next year with the hotly anticipated opening of ME Lisbon.
ME, which is safe to say the most fashion- and design-savvy within the Meliá portfolio, is a collection of design hotels. Each property within the cluster discovers contemporary culture through the lens of its bold, charismatic personality that continues to grow internationally in some of the global cultural epicentres in the world. Put simply, ME Lisbon will raise the bar for luxury lifestyle hotels in the city, following the success of the brand in other major cities such as London, Milan, Barcelona and Dubai.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
ME Lisbon will be located on the corner of the downtown avenues of Antonio Augusto de Aguiar and Fontes Pereira de Melo, alongside the Eduardo VII Park and Marquês de Pombal Square. Already under construction, the striking semi-transparent, glass-facade building that the 213-key hotel will reside in has been designed by local architect João Paciência.
The hotel design, sensitively conceived by Broadway Malyan, will also employ the most efficient and sustainable technology to minimise its environmental footprint. The heat generated by the cooling systems in the hotel, for example, will be used as a source of energy for the hot water boilers. The design studio is said to have been inspired by the ‘unexpected’ nature of Lisbon. The interiors will feature a fresh and disruptive style that is also influenced by some of the key attractions in the city itself, such as the arches or colour of the trees on the Avenida da Liberdade, helping create a greater bond between the hotel and its local environment and community.
Image credit: Meliá Hotels International
With 213 rooms, ME Lisbon will offer the perfect combination of design, service and comfort for modern travellers, perfectly complemented by a choice of innovative dining and wellness concepts. It will feature an à la carte restaurant and a choice of international cuisine available throughout the day, together with one of the most popular hallmarks of the brand, Radio Rooftop Bar; a new meeting point for locals and visitors with an elite rooftop ambience and panoramic views.
The luxury hotel will also offer a gym and fully equipped spa and health club, providing guests with everything they need to disconnect and enjoy a total-relaxation experience in the indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath or massage cabins. There will also be more than 600 square metres of space for meetings and events in 11 flexible and adaptable event rooms. The hotel will have all the facilities required to make it a perfect destination for both business and leisure travellers.
Chapi Chapo Design unveils latest design masterpiece, St Regis Kanai Resort
The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya is a mystical paradise honouring ancient Maya civilisation with a design by award-winning interior design firm Chapi Chapo Design, which takes its inspiration from the neighbouring nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site along Mexico’s glistening Yucatán Peninsula…
The inspired design of the luxury resort breathes life and magic into the Kanai region with its avant-garde architecture, inviting interiors and enchanted storytelling. Lead by Chapi Chapo Design’s Co-Founder and Partner, Tatiana Sheveleva, the design awakens the wonders of the region, from the luxuriant biodiversity of its natural parks and the mysticism of its cenotes, to the vivid blues of its ocean and the cultural richness of its archaeological sites.
“Chapi Chapo Design is honoured to continue working closely with Marriott International and the St. Regis brand by telling the story of the Mayan peoples and not only protect the land but preserve the rituals and traditions they once practiced through our design,” said Sheveleva, Chapi Chapo Design, Co-Founder and Partner. “The resort awakens a journey to enlightenment through ancient Mayan storytelling and offers an inspiring welcome to one of the world’s most dramatic secluded settings – a sanctuary where time does not exist.”
Image credit: The St. Regis Kanai Resort
The St Regis Kanai Resort shelters 124 lavishly appointed guestrooms including 19 suites with a 200 square metre Presidential Suite, each offering mesmerising ocean views and a private terrace or plunge pool. The spacious guestrooms feature design elements and rich materials evoking the surrounding elements from the mangrove trees and nearby cenotes to the stars above. Storytelling, folklore and superstitions are strongly embedded in Mexican culture and brought to life throughout the resort’s design. The Maya excelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making and mathematics and left behind an astonishing amount of impressive architecture and symbolic artwork.
Common threads woven within the resort’s design offer respect to the Maya peoples, renowned for their remarkably accurate system of timekeeping based largely on astronomical measurements that let them time agricultural events and religious observances. Considered one of the most accurate in the world, the Mayan calendar was intimately interwoven with their religion and cosmology, lending it an aura of mystical insight that resonates throughout the resort’s guest experience.
Image credit: The St. Regis Kanai Resort
Image credit: The St. Regis Kanai Resort
Chapi Chapo Design is responsible for all interior spaces including 124 guestrooms and suites, eight incredible culinary venues, The St. Regis Spa with eight treatment suites and a standalone salon, Children’s Club and indoor and outdoor event space spread across six distinguished meeting venues. The resort architecture by Mexican firm Edmonds International, is a design masterpiece, which features an exceptional circular exterior design inspired by the constellation Pleiades, resulting in unrivalled ocean views from nearly every vantage point. Designed with a minimal construction footprint aimed at protecting the natural reserve, The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya is suspended above a mangrove forest with the different elements of the hotel connected by elevated walkways. Enchanted by the spiritual power of nature, the Maya believed the sky was the entry to heaven.
Image credit: The St. Regis Kanai Resort
The resort’s unique landscape pays tribute to Maya astronomer-priests who looked to the heavens for guidance, building ceremonial temples and pyramids which precisely aligned with the movements of celestial bodies in order to protect the gods and help them guide the Sun and Moon across the sky through the night. Floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the mangroves give way to lush gardens and an expansive outdoor lawn with direct access to two miles of undisturbed white sand beach.
Image credit: The St. Regis Kanai Resort
The Maya were deeply religious, and worshiped various gods related to nature, including the gods of the sun, the moon, rain and corn. At the top of Maya society were the kings, or ‘kuhul ajaw’ (holy lords), who claimed to be related to gods and followed a hereditary succession. They were thought to serve as mediators between the gods and people on earth and performed the elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals so important to the Maya culture.
Throughout the guestroom, design elements draw inspiration from ceremonial garments made by the Maya women and are found on bedside ceramic light pendants and intricate walnut wood-carved headboards with bronze-finished mirrors. The details of the wood also resemble the Maya’s diamond textile patterns which is a key design element for all St. Regis hotels as diamonds were adored by Mrs. Caroline Astor – the matriarch of the St. Regis brand. Like the Astors, who created some of our most beloved signature rituals worldwide, the Maya society also enjoyed practicing rituals and ceremonies to honour the gods. The resort’s restaurant and bar seating and open layouts are meant to bring the outdoors in and be a welcome place for people to come together like the Mayans as well.
Image credit: The St. Regis Kanai Resort
The circular shapes and hanging mirrors and amenity shelves within the guestroom take inspiration from nearby cenotes – a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater which is naturally filtered. The regional term is specifically associated with the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, where cenotes were commonly used for water supplies by the ancient Maya and occasionally for sacrificial offerings. Rich materials imitating the ecosystem where the resort lays include serene marbles with hues of blue, grey and green that mimic the surrounding elements, travertine to resemble local limestone, while walnut wood brings rich warmth and grounding to each area of the resort where design imitates life. The layout of the resort and materials used invite nature in for the guest to metaphysically experience Riviera Maya, sparking curiosity and a desire to uncover Mexico’s rich history and discover the natural wonders of the land and its people.
Image credit: The St. Regis Kanai Resort
The resort invites guests and local luminaries to embark on unique gastronomic journeys with eight incredible culinary venues designed by Chapi Chapo Design. At The St. Regis Bar, the mural’s soothing abstract mosaic pays tribute to Maya astronomer-priests who looked to the heavens for guidance. They built ceremonial temples and pyramids which precisely aligned with the movements of celestial bodies to protect the gods and help them guide the sun and moon across the sky through the night which is depicted in the intricately handcrafted mural. The Maya believed that the heavenly bodies needed human help, which was provided through sacred rituals. To the Maya, offering this help was simply the price to be paid for the continued survival of the universe. The abstract motif cultivates a tranquil atmosphere by combining both the warm and cool colours of Kanai’s enchanting sunrise and sunset. Soothing cloud formations create a unified theme while incorporating complimentary tones which reflect the serene and mystical energy of Kanai – a place where resort guests experience heaven on earth.
Sircle Hotels – a new lifestyle hotel brand from Sircle Collection
Boutique hospitality group Sircle Collection has announced the launch of its newest lifestyle hotel brand, Sircle Hotels, joining the portfolio alongside Sir Hotels, Max Brown Hotels, Park Centraal Hotels, Àterre and private members’ club concept The Cover…
Sircle Collection is an innovative brand within the hospitality arena, creating one-of-a-kind hotels, restaurants, members club, concept stores and spas in some of Europe’s most inspiring neighbourhoods. The addition of Sircle to the portfolio will drive the group’s global expansion and included in its pipeline is the launch of a debut UK property, Sircle London, opening its doors in late Autumn and Sircle Milan, opening in Spring 2024.
Image credit: Sircle Collection
Sitting on the corner of London’s vibrant East End and The City, Sircle London will house a 81-guestroom hotel, The Cover members club, yoga studio and gym, outdoor botanical courtyard and Seven North restaurant by internationally renowned Israeli chef Eyal Shani. Inspired by local craft, Sircle London’s in-house design team will shine a spotlight on home-grown makers and creators, whilst combining custom furniture synonymous with Sircle Hotels’ aesthetic.
Sircle Collection will also see the exciting arrival of Sircle Milan, a restoration project in Milan’s iconic Torre Velasca housing 72 ultra luxury penthouses, Sircle Collection’s private members club The Cover and an impressive spa and gym, spanning over 11 floors of the building. Globally renowned architecture and interior design studio Dimorestudio, will be at the helm of the property’s interiors.
Image credit: Sircle Collection
“We are absolutely thrilled to be expanding further into Europe and at such a pivotal moment for Sircle Collection’s evolution,” said Liran Wizman, Founder, Sircle Collection.” It’s always been a dream of ours to open a property in London and offer something compelling and distinctive to the city, as well as introduce London to The Cover, our global member’s club. Likewise, the opening of Sircle Milan will add a new and exciting dynamic to the ever-evolving brand.”
The brand’s global expansion is set to continue through 2024 and beyond, with further hotel openings in some of the world’s most coveted destinations. In Vienna, located within the Max Brown 7th District, Sircle Collection’s private members club The Cover will open this summer. The clubs focus on the three key areas of wellbeing, work life and community. The restaurant will serve a dedicated club menu and contemporary drinks and a rich cultural programme will be available as well as diverse body and mind classes.
The Cover, Amsterdam is planned for Winter 2023. The Cover is a private members club for entrepreneurs, innovators and the culturally curious set within the centre of Amsterdam inside W Amsterdam. Members enjoy free access to private social spaces, the AWAY Spa & Gym and members-only workspace. Plus exclusive benefits at the Michelin-starred restaurant, The Duchess, hotel rooms in Sircle Collection’s portfolio, spa treatments and meeting spaces.
The first Max Brown property to appear in the Mediterranean area is slated for Winter 2023. This hotel will welcome 103 guestrooms, a rooftop and a variety of community spaces including several relaxed F&B areas, an indoor living room, dining area, open bar, outdoor terrace, and plunge pool. With a modern 70’s feel, Max Brown Athens will sit in the centre of Athens, within reach of major central squares such as Omonia Square.
Another winter opening, Max Brown Vienna is located in Vienna’s 5th District, Margareten and will be Max Brown’s second outlet in Vienna, designed by Sircle Collections in-house team. With neighbours like the historic Margaretenhof and the famous ‘Naschmarkt’, it will offer 117 guestrooms, meeting and event spaces, a local art collection, as well as an all-day F&B concept on the hotel’s ground floor.
Image credit: Sircle Collection
Moving into 2024, Àterre rotterdam is designed for extended leisure and business stays, relying on seamless technology and a space concept that is adapting home routines to guest stays. Àterre Rotterdam will bring the best of a new generation lifestyle hotel and service apartment under one roof. Located in one of the most vibrant culinary streets, Witte de With, Àterre Rotterdam will open with 56 guestrooms, each with a kitchenette, living room inspired public spaces and an open kitchen and a gym.
Completing the pipeline, located within a heritage building with high ceilings and a charming courtyard, Sir Prague will open in autumn 2024 as one of Prague’s newest lifestyle hotels. With 76 guestrooms, Sir Prague will sit in close proximity to the famous Dancing House alongside the Vltava River and will be home to a Seven North restaurant, an indoor courtyard, a speakeasy bar concept, as well as a gym and a library.
In the factory: behind the scenes with Northern Lights
Editor Hamish Kilburn had a ‘day in the life’ with the team at Northern Lights. While at the brand’s headquarters in Chesterfield, England, he was given a tour of the product development process – from laser cutting through to metalwork – and got hands-on in creating bespoke finishes…
It’s not true what they say. You don’t only notice lighting when it is done badly. The lighting schemes inside projects such as Venice Simplon Orient Express, Chateau Denmark, Mayfair Townhouse, Waldorf Astoria, Heythrop Park Hotel, Belmond British Pullman, and a range of superyachts – all featuring statement lighting pieces from Northern Lights – are proof that lighting is (and should) be part of any guest’s first impression.
Image caption: Statement lighting is designed to be noticed inside Galaxy Yacht, designed by Njord by Bergman. | Image credit: Jack Hardy
Exceptional lighting has come to define and, of course, transform interiors in hotels and beyond. But to really appreciate the art and craft of bespoke lighting, designers should take the time to understand the intricate design and manufacturing processes, which is exactly what I was able to do recently when I travelled up to Chesterfield to spend a day with the team at Northern Lights. “We are creators, visionaries and craftspeople,” said Donna Bruce, Managing Director of the company when she started to show me around the factory floor. “We all have a burning passion to transform the sublime into the iconic.” And with that mantra in mind, my journey around the factory floor – delving into the various manufacturing elements, from design to metalwork, polishing to assembly – began.
As we started walking around the site, I caught a glimpse of an enormous lighting chandelier that at the time was in the wiring stages of its manufacturing journey. Just days before I was with the interior designer who, by nothing other than coincidence, was explaining how impactful the lighting inside the project they were referring to was going to be. The designer’s eyes lit up when they mentioned a statement chandelier, the very piece that was being carefully created under the factory roof. Working with Northern Lights and various other specialists, they had designed a bespoke moment in a special area of the hotel – and here it was, resting on a table in a factory, exposed and ready to be assembled.
Projects like these start months before, with various meetings and consultations with the in-house design team, where everything from the form to the finish can be discussed. For Donna Gridley, Head of Creative at Northern Lights, creative problem solving and having an eye for detail allows her to work closely with the in-house manufacturing teams and the artisans. “One of the biggest pitfalls I see is when lighting is not considered at the very early stages,” she explained. “I love that my role allows me pin-point precision thanks to the design and manufacture all being under one roof. No two days are the same. I feel fortunate to work in an area I’m fiercely passionate about, and grateful to continue to collaborate alongside some of the industry’s elite interior designers. They trust us with making their creative visions a reality and I get great satisfaction in seeing the finished projects come to life.”
Image caption: The lighting scheme playing a major role inside Sopwell House, designed by Sparcstudio. | Image credit: Michael Franke
The bespoke lighting brand has had many milestones since it first launched in 1987 as a small family business designing and hand-making various products from stained glass. Within just a number of years, the company transformed into one of the key hospitality lighting manufacturers, creating bespoke lighting for luxury hotels, restaurants and retail. “We moved into larger premises and invested in new state-of-the-art machinery in the early 2000s,” Bruce added. “This increased capacity and capability was transformational for Northern Lights, springboarding us into opportunities to work with large global hospitality brands and providers such as ACCOR, Hilton, Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria and HYATT.”
Today, as well as offering the best quality manufacturing – and metalwork that is, put simply, exceptional, Northern Lights is also able shelter a dynamic design team who are regularly researching future trends while working collaboratively with master artisans and configuring complex manufacturing techniques to consistently deliver spectacular lighting designs. This is where an experienced operations director is needed in order to keep a seamless flow between all aspects of any given project. Cue the arrival of Natalie Shakesheff, who is regularly being welcomely challenged to ensure a bespoke design can be transformed into a physical project. By using her experience and know-how as a senior designer, Shakesheff is able to find solutions for factory processes. Facilitating the company’s myriad of complex projects – especially when many of them are completely new designs – is driven largely by a transparent relationship between manufacturer and designer. “In short, if it’s possible, we will do it,” she said.
Image credit: Northern Lights
The company’s reputation as being a leading and world-renowned lighting manufacturer has led to an impressive and loyal client list. While visiting the factory, I was inspired by the number of active projects I could see being worked – all perhaps at different stages. But in a world that ear-ringingly loud with greenwashing, the environmental and social breakthroughs that the company has achieved in recent years – attaining zero waste to landfill in 2017 being among them – it is refreshing to see that ethics have not been sacrificed as a result of the company’s mission to continue to scale up. On the contrary, the environmental and socially driven attitude of Northern Lights has allowed the designs to be more meaningful. “Over decades we have established close collaborative partnerships with our raw material suppliers,” added Bruce. “These suppliers have been carefully selected and measured against strict criteria, including alignment with our own code of ethics, commitment to workplace equality and green credentials.”
What’s more, I’m told that the team embark on regular supplier visits to ensure the criterion is adhered to and that the quality and, of course, values of the company’s partners continue to reflect what the Northern Lights brand stands for. “We also aim to source as many raw materials as possible within a 60-mile radius to reduce our carbon footprint, support local businesses and localise the supply chain wherever possible,” said Bruce.
Image credit: Oatlands Park Hotel / Northern Lights
It’s amazing to see how far the manufacturing industry has come. While technology has allowed the lighting industry to turn new chapters, so too have the people at the top who are authentically, by example, promoting equality and diversity. Although much more needs to be done to balance the scales, since we have just celebrated International Women’s Day, it is reassuring to see Bruce, a competitive yet compassionate leader in her own arena, surrounded by the respect of her peers. “I am proud to say we have built a strong female leadership team right the way throughout the business, spanning operations, creative, finance, HR and marketing,” she said. “Greater diversity in the workforce attracts and retains talent and broadens lateral and creative decision-making. Sadly, women are still under-represented in manufacturing and the number of women in leadership roles remains disproportionately low.
“As a business we’re committed to changing this and challenging the archaic gender stereotypes still present. We actively encourage women to join our manufacturing team where we ensure they get mentorship and support. It’s important that we continue to increase the visibility of our female leaders and staff, whilst offering real opportunities for career progression. Women can have a tough time climbing the career ladder in manufacturing – we’re here to change the script.”
If you have ever wondered the capabilities of a company like Northern Lights, then look no further. From signature to bespoke, the company rarely – if ever – turns down a project. “If it’s possible, we’ll do it,” is the general mindset from the design team. And with all challenging projects come the juicy stories, such as the Breuer chandelier, 2,200 mm high with five modular tiers with a largest diameter of 1,000 mm, that Gridley designed for the stand at HIX in 2022.
Image caption: Breuer Modular chandelier, part of Northern Lights’ signature collection, that was exhibited at HIX 2022. | Image credit: Michael Franke
“It was initially designed as an imposing, dramatic five-tier chandelier, weighing in at a hefty 250 kilograms,” the designer explained. “The original design was used to show the scaled-up capabilities we could offer. However, the true design approach allowed for modularity, scalability and flexibility across multiple spaces, budgets and visions for a truly versatile installation that also doubles up as a sculptural artistic piece.
“For my showcase piece at HIX 22, I felt that a modular brutalist-inspired design would work well with the rest of the collection I was designing and curating at the same time – I decided Verdigris as an acid finish was also long overdue a revival and my instincts were correct. The Verdigris worked perfectly as a foil to the strong linear form of the Breuer and was further softened by faux alabaster diffusers to the LED lights.”
Image caption: Editor Hamish Kilburn getting hands-on in the finishing department, experimenting with acid finishing. | Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image caption: Before and after acid finishing. | Image credit: Hotel Designs
The highlight of my time with the Northern Lights crew was getting a hands-on experience; learning how to acid finish with the creative chief herself, Gridley. The enthusiastic and immersive masterclass, experimenting and learning the delicate art and chemistry of the acid finishing process – where there are many elements at play – left me with a new-found respect for the team who are regularly asked to ‘match’ finishes. This aptly left me to draw the conclusion that this, what Northern Lights do, is not lighting, it is art, science and innovative design wrapped into one – long may purposeful, British lighting manufacturing thrive.
Northern Lights is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: Ian Burleigh on 20 years of Ica
Established in 2003, Ica has spent 20 years building both projects and its reputation and is regarded as one of the world’s leading hotel architecture and design practices. Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Ian Burleigh, Executive Chairman, Ica, to find out a little more about the story behind the studio…
Ica studio has a 50-strong team of both architects and interior designers based between Glasgow and London with a list of clients that span both the globe and the brands in the hospitality arena. Working from the starting point of designing hospitality businesses rather than merely the buildings has allowed the studio to develop unique offerings with some well-designed results.
Hamish Kilburn: Can you explain the ethos of Ica Studio – what’s its personality?
Ian Burleigh: We love hospitality and thread that through everything we do. It’s the ethos of our studio, the way we treat each other, the way we welcome, the way we serve our clients and relationships across the community. It helps us hold to norms less rigidly, it’s the fuel of creativity. It makes us easy to get along with, find solutions to resolve problems and give candid support to our clients.
HK: One of your team, Kerry, received Architect of the Year last year for her role on Virgin Edinburgh. Just how large a project was that for Ica?
IB: Well, this was certainly one of the longest projects we’ve done. 10 years from initial sketches to completion! Sites don’t get more sensitive, a World Heritage site, a rare gap site right in the heart of the Old Town of Edinburgh. Add to that the presence of three listed buildings and fragile gap sites to thread in new buildings, with a four-storey level difference from front to back and among the oldest archaeology ever found in Scotland. The planning process was incredibly intense and high profile, but we stuck to our guns and delivered a great development return for our client, as well as a building of real architectural merit.
HK: There seems to be a demand among brands to open inside heritage buildings. What would you say is driving this demand?
IB: Hotels and heritage buildings are a great match. First of all is the opportunity. Former public buildings of architectural importance can sometimes struggle to find a contemporary function with a commercial return. Hotels can be more flexible than other building types which might struggle to occupy them with the same sensitivity in conversion and renovation. Heritage buildings also offer great design opportunities and character to a new hotel. The juxtaposition of contemporary interiors and more formal classical architecture creates energy and drama, a great platform for a hotel to develop personality and identity. Working so much in London and Edinburgh has helped us develop considerable expertise in the conversion of heritage buildings, which we are now using globally in locations such as Rome.
HK: Let’s talk about you. What’s your story and how was Ica born?
IB: Good question since this year is Ica’s 20th birthday! Ica was born when three friends with complementary skills got together, Ian, Chris and Alistair, now you know where the name ‘Ica’ came from. We wanted to create a studio specifically shaped around the demands of hotel design. We wanted our studio to define the activity of designing a business and not just designing a building. Blending the skills of design creativity and technical knowledge with commercial, operational, financial and hotel experience, allowed the three of us to design five major hotels in our first year from a small room.
After an initial focus on architecture, we quickly realised the relationship with interior design was key. We established a separate interior team, so they had the freedom to independently establish their style and vision. While we have maintained the two teams, we have grown to realise the strength of having them both in the same studio. Architects learn from interior designers how to think about buildings from the inside out, to better understand the customer journey. Interior designers learn from architects on seeing the bigger picture and how to communicate design information in a commercial environment.
Growth was consistent and steady for the first ten years when we introduced more sophisticated management and appointed, Susannah our MD and Amanda who heads our Interiors team. As hotel specialists, we have always covered all hotel sectors from lifestyle and budget to luxury, and also covered the whole of the UK. Our most recent growth has been in international projects which tend to focus more on upscale and luxury, currently, almost half of our work is overseas, across Europe and the Caribbean.
Image caption: The Gantry | Image credit: Ica
HK: What does luxury mean to you?
IB: I remember when I was a young architect hearing Gordon Campbell Gray (a fellow Glaswegian) speak about luxury hotels. I was very inspired and the takeaway for luxury was ‘Space, Service and Style’. Generosity of space is indeed a luxury today and more often than not compromised by economics. Service is very high on my list. I only really remember a luxury hotel when the service is personal, warm and thoughtful. Style is where we come in and is a real skill to achieve.
Style and design can work on so many levels, overt and subliminal, to create mood, ambiance, place and personality. We added a few benchmarks of our own and one is that a luxury hotel must be better than home, ‘I love the design but how can I watch Formula 1?’ Understanding the guest is key, old style grand hotels with expensive finishes just don’t make the cut anymore. Authenticity, experience, wellness and sustainability are now more relevant components for the discerning traveller, where a luxury hotel is probably the destination and not just part of the journey. Reflecting and curating the customer’s tribe, personality, culture and identity, has allowed new energy and variety in luxury hotels and an almost endless reason for them to exist in new places.
Image caption: Lost Property | Image credit: Lost Property
HK: Another one of your completed projects last year was Lost Property in St Pauls. Where were the design opportunities in this project?
IB:Lost Property is all about the location and the interior, very different to Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. This is a city island, with Ludgate Hill on one side and narrow lanes on the other sides, a new building hidden behind the original façades. Within this wrapper, the interior is accentuated with Art Deco and mid-century design with shots of bold colour, sculptural pieces and luxe materials, a stylish sanctuary in the heart of the city. A destination for those who love travel, art and culture.
Image caption: CitizenM | Image credit: Ica
HK: You work with a lot of brands – Virgin, Marriott, Hilton etc. How, from your perspective have you seen these brands develop in terms of how they use design to amplify their characters?
IB: All the brands offer something different and continue to evolve. Successful brands understand their customers and take care of them. This can be a valuable resource for independent or investor lead hotel developments. At the affordable end of the spectrum brands like CitizenM have a very loyal following and the customer knows exactly what they want and they feel at home.
We recently completed the CitizenM in London Victoria and design is a sophisticated and key element for this brand. Luxury and upscale brands tend to be much more discreet. Lost Property and The Gantry, for instance, are the key identities at their respective locations in St Paul’s and Stratford’s Olympic Park, with a Hilton customer base through its Curio Collection. Right now we are seeing much more fluidity with brands, less standardisation and less hierarchy.
We like a contextual approach, to design the right hotel for the location, market and client vision. For example, The Reach at Piccadilly, set to open later this year, a new upscale Tribute by Marriott Hotel, stands out for its incredible location in the heart of the bustling city of Manchester. More flexibility from brands can help creative opportunity. On some levels brands are best at maintaining standards of life safety, operations, customer touch points and marketing and a lighter hand in design standardisation is often a good thing.
Image caption: The Gantry | Image credit: The Gantry
HK: What is the biggest challenge facing the hotel design and development industry at the moment?
IB: Construction and finance costs have been the biggest challenge for a few years now. I’ve seen these cycles before and there are always compensatory factors such as higher valuations and increased revenue. These trends can drive the type of development such as the balance of conversion and refurbishment to new build. Ica have been pioneers in modular construction for many years and this for many, is part of the solution. Modular was associated with mid-scale for a long time, but we have been pioneering modular in luxury and the cost savings for luxury hotels are higher as well as opening up more remote parts of the world to development.
There has been real growth in RevPAR, allowing recovery to pre-pandemic levels in most markets. With the return of business travel, group travel and China opening up, we anticipate strong demand for hotel development in the medium and long term.
HK: What have we got to look forward to from Ica this year?
IB: Current projects include The Reach in Manchester, luxury hotels in Liverpool and Rome, three hotels in Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean– two of them are luxury, three new prototype – a spa resort in Lancashire, and I know this isn’t a hotel but we are very excited to be designing housing using our modular experience for Ukraine at the end of the war.
Omni Tucson National Resort unveils its reimagined Southwestern look
Long revered as a prime destination for golf, Omni Tucson National Resort has harnessed the breathtaking beauty of the resort’s natural surroundings as the inspiration behind its inspired multi-million dollar renovation…
Omni Tucson National Resort has completed its highly anticipated transformation and has been upgraded with a suite of luxury accommodations, vibrant lobby transformation, indulgent spa experiences, a dynamic mix of elevated dining offerings and refreshed modern meeting spaces to match. Each of the property’s generously sized Deluxe and Premier guestrooms have been reborn with a bright and modern Southwestern residential feel. For a more private experience, 51 Casitas and Hacienda Suites lining the greens have been masterfully redesigned, offering secluded patios with serene views of the surrounding courses and lush landscape to create the ultimate golf-lover’s retreat.
Image credit: Omni Hotels & Resorts
“This long-anticipated renovation marks a whole new era for Omni Tucson National Resort,” said general manager Michael Maruca. “The entire property has been transformed, inside and out. Guests will be blown away by our Casitas and Hacienda Suites and we cannot wait to welcome visitors and locals alike to experience our new Mokara Spa and differentiated dining outlets.”
Beyond the refreshed accommodations, a relaxed Southwestern ambiance permeates the entire resort. From the moment guests arrive they are welcomed by the colours of the surrounding desert landscape with a palette that reflects the day-to-night transformation of the magnificent scenery. Inside the resort, no expense was spared to redefine the Omni Tucson National experience.
Image credit: Omni Hotels & Resorts
The calming effect of the desert continues with the addition of Mokara Spa, Omni Hotels & Resorts’ signature wellness offering. Designed with organic and earthy touches, the state-of-the-art facility features 12 treatment rooms and a wide variety of services for individuals, couples and groups, including a sauna and Vichy shower room. A full menu of salon services, expanded manicure and pedicure stations, relaxation areas and an all-new fitness centre complete the destination spa and wellness retreat.
Image credit: Omni Hotels & Resorts
A fully reimagined dining experience comprises three new restaurant and lounge concepts, several refreshed spaces and local favourites like Bob’s Steak & Chop House – the Arizona outpost of the Texas staple synonymous with fine steaks for nearly 20 years. Additional new venues include The Peak, a dazzling new lounge inviting guests to relax over cocktails. The racetrack-style bar is the centrepiece of the venue, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Sweet Water pool and mountain views – an alluring spot to gather after a day of meetings, golf, sightseeing or relaxation.
Image credit: Omni Hotels & Resorts
“The reimagination of Omni Tucson National Resort has put food at the forefront so that more memories around the table will be made,” said Executive Chef Jonathan Stutzman. “The additions of Desert Farmer, The Peak, & Terra Cotta Café to our existing Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Legends, & Sweet Water Terrace give us the opportunity to offer a quintessential experience of the Sonoran Southwest from a true Culinary perspective all over the property.”
Completing the project, more than 2,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor meeting space has been remodelled to present a fresh, modern look. Boasting beautiful natural light, extraordinary banquet capabilities and new linen-less meeting tables and banquet chairs, the resort offers customisable solutions for any event, large or small. Thirteen unique meeting offerings include the 266 square metre Papago Ballroom and the Norville Lawn, the resort’s largest outdoor space with an area of 550 square metres.
RAK Ceramics upgrades sustainably sanitaryware manufacturing model
Ahead of putting on a performance in its London showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week, RAK Ceramics is heavily investing in new technology to upgrade its manufacturing process…
RAK Ceramics, one of the leading ceramics brands in the world, has announced a USD 14 million investment in its sanitaryware production line in the UAE, upgrading the facility with the latest cutting-edge technology kilns and elevating sustainably the company’s sanitaryware operating model.
RAK Ceramics aims to begin installation of the new machinery in 2023, with the aim of going online in the first half of 2024. The investment will allow the sanitaryware line to incorporate latest technology into the heat exchanger system of kilns, with the capability for future conversion to hydrogen fuel and waste heat recycling given advanced features. Once operational, the Company will be able to maximize and optimize efficiency during production, enabling the realization of significant savings in both energy consumption and carbon emissions. Additionally, the process allows for an enhanced yield during production, reducing as such waste and increasing capacity utilization.
Commenting on the investment, Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics said: “As a responsible manufacturer and as the fourth largest ceramics player in the world, we have an important role to play on the global stage to make the industry more sustainable. This investment and the launch of this project in our sanitaryware business truly anchors our commitment to sustainability and our drive to long-term value for our stakeholders.
“For this year, we aim to stimulate sustainability further through our functions and businesses, as we established a clear commitment to prioritise and support sustainable investments, and we are currently working alongside experts in the field to help us in our sustainability journey.”
Over the years, RAK Ceramics’ emphasis on sustainable production has expanded as the demand for distinctive and sustainable ceramic items develops and as the Company continues to reap the benefits of sustainable long-term investments on the environmental front, especially in terms of energy conservation and waste management.
The Company has outlined in its 2023 Priorities that it is working on defining and implementing a sustainability strategy for the short-to-medium term, incorporating further ESG practices and initiatives and adopting it across all its operations.
RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: Harlequin Colour 4 was ‘designed to dream’
Seeing the natural world through renewed eyes, Harlequin Colour 4 is the latest installation in the British interior brand’s successful Colour series…
Featuring original artwork in a range of styles, Harlequin Colour 4 is inspired by nature’s abundant beauty and all-encompassing colour. From atmospheric skies to forested landscapes, the world’s gentle flow is the rhythm that surrounds us. A quartet of essential elements, earth, water, air and fire sustain our everyday existence. Perfectly balanced, yet complex and varied, discover a carefully designed ecosystem that allows all to flourish.
“We wanted to create a collection that had a more mindful approach to design, translating nature in its purest form onto paper, with every piece of artwork hand painted in the studio,” said Flora Daly, Harlequin Studio. “As Cezanne once said, ‘Art is a harmony parallel with nature’. I hope Colour 4 resonates with our customers and they’re able to transform their interiors into immersive, soothing and perfectly balanced spaces.”
Image caption: Retreat | Image credit: Harlequin
A continuation of Harlequin’s signature looks, the collection delves deeper into the concepts Renew, Rewild, Retreat and Reflect, as each look aligns with a classical element in an exciting, conceptual way. Comprising 27 wallpapers and 37 fabrics, this collection is designed for dreaming and creating relaxed, immersive interiors for every style of home while encouraging customers to #OWNTHEROOM in a way that makes them feel uplifted.
Most fabrics in the collection have been produced using the new digital pigment inks, which are considered one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly ink options available. Additionally, BCI cotton has been used throughout and the materials are all responsibly sourced and ethically produced, with all wallpaper printed in the UK on FSC certified substrates from sustainable, traceable sources.
Image caption: Rewild. | Image credit: Harlequin
Image caption: Retreat | Image credit: Harlequin
The Retreat design takes its lead from water. Water hydrates the earth, creating beautiful flora and fauna, which is the inspiration for this adaptive look. A tranquil palette of naturally elegant colour, Retreat shares a nostalgic intensity, accented by chalky textures.
Rewild is all about the earth – earth is the perfect biosphere, allowing all life to exist and evolve. Filling our homes with layered bursts of rich pigment, Rewild celebrates the beauty of nature, with joyous uninhibited pattern that refreshes our minds and our interiors.
Image caption: Reflect | Image credit: Harlequin
Cocooning the earth with its airy glow, Renew is celestial, uplifting and regenerative design. Small movements of colour adorn tinted hues, adding perspective to this environmentally inspired look. Elegant and ethereal, soft reflective colours highlight the intricacies of subtly detailed design.
Completing the collection, and inspired by the primal element of fire, Reflect’s simple, strong designs align with obscured organic patterns and architectural influences that harmoniously blend edgy angularity with powerful, traditional design.
Sanderson Design Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Nammos Hotels & Resorts is born, a new hotel brand born out of 20-plus years on the hospitality scene, will open its first cluster of properties in Mykonos, the Maldives and Abu Dhabi…
Following in the footsteps of other signature restaurants entering the hotel market – but, by the looks of things, poised to add its own flair to the booming hotel scene – Nammos Hotels & Resorts is the new sibling in the Nammos World family, which, until now, has offered an iconic portfolio of beachside restaurants.
The new brand, which is the result of ADMO – a joint venture between Alpha DhabiandMonterock International – will encapsulate the effortless exclusivity and service Nammos built up over the past 20 years. The hotels and resorts around the world will provide a ‘holistic hospitality experience’ befitting of the international jet-set.
Opening its doors on the golden sands of Psarou beach this summer, Nammos Hotel Mykonos will mark the brand’s first property, with resorts in the Maldives and Abu Dhabi on the horizon.
Image credit: Nammos Hotels & Resorts
“Over the last decade we’ve mastered the art of creating a daytime experience like no other, and are delighted that Monterock International and Alpha Dhabi have set a vision to further fortify the Nammos World brand with the launch of Nammos Hotels & Resorts,” said Zannis Fratzeskos, Founding Partner of Nammos World. “The properties are set to embody the lifestyle we’ve created within an unrivalled hospitality experience, and we’re excited for Nammos’ global customers to experience the brand within a hotel setting.”
Catering to the most sophisticated of travellers and stylish sybarites, the brand will provide an unrivalled and genuine hospitality experience that mirrors elements of the existing Nammos offerings, whilst evoking a true sense of laid-back luxury. An establishment that never ceases to evolve, Nammos began as a traditional tavern the beach of Psarou in Mykonos 20 years ago and has since transformed into a world class destination that redefines beach life. The pivot into hotels and resorts marks an ambitious and scalable plan from Alpha Dhabi and Monterock International to extend Nammos World’s reach and global footprint, whilst diversifying its offering, further establishing its reputation as a luxury hospitality brand that provides an unrivalled culinary experience.
“All of us at Monterock International are thrilled to be partnering with Alpha Dhabi via our recent joint venture ADMO and honoured to be building upon Nammos World’s existing lifestyle offerings,” added Alfredo Longo, CEO of Monterock International. “We hope to capture the exclusive ambience Nammos World has created over the last 20 years within a hotel setting and are excited for guests to experience this first hand.”
Nammos Hotels & Resorts is expected to offer an exceptional guest experience, world-class entertainment, signature gastronomy and unfaltering attention to detail. Providing a chic and sophisticated haven, international travellers are invited to escape fast paced city life by reconnecting with the ones who mean the most and forming new connections with an eclectic and hedonistic set. Each property will be designed to the very highest standard, provide the finest service and offer otherworldly experiences that reflect the destination they’re set within. Consider the gap in the market significantly more closed.
JW Marriott’s entry into Spain with JW Marriott Hotel Madrid, offers a serene destination in a storied location, right in the heart of the city…
JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, has unveiled its first property in Spain with the opening of JW Marriott Hotel Madrid. Located in the cultural charm of the Canalejas zone, next to the dynamic and bustling Puerta del Sol, the luxurious new hotel sits in the heart of the city, moments away from prestigious art institutions and theatres.
“With each new opening, JW Marriott brings a legacy of luxury hospitality combined with the brand’s foundation of holistic well-being,” said Candice D Cruz, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “JW Marriott Hotel Madrid captures the essence of the city and encourages guests to disconnect from stress and distractions so that they can focus on reconnecting with what matters most to them.”
Image credit: JW Marriott
The hotel is designed to offer a new standard of luxury, one that inspires guests to achieve balance and become present in body, mind and spirit. Every detail is curated to encourage guests to reflect and recharge. Whether it’s soaking in the striking views of the city from the privacy of the guestroom terrace, enjoying the botanical oasis of El Patio JW Garden where ingredients used by the restaurant and cocktail bar are grown, or indulging in the city’s gardens with a picnic of local produce arranged by the hotel, mindful moments can be found and created anywhere. Ingrained in the brand’s belief that true luxury is having the time and space to focus on what matters most – oneself – the new 139-guestroom hotel offers guests an inspiring urban retreat in the centre of the Spanish capital.
Image credit: JW Marriott
In addition to the large and fully equipped Fitness Room and Wellness Area, the property has designed special in-room experiences allowing guests to enjoy a personalised wellness journey during their stay. Yoga mats are available in all rooms and complimentary access through QR codes to video workouts and meditation practices allow guests to nurture their physical well-being. The bath menu, with special playlists and customisable light settings for sensory pampering of all five senses, turns each bathroom into a private spa experience.
Previously one of the oldest perfumeries in Madrid, the building itself has a unique legacy and captures the very essence of the city. The hotel’s architecture and design was entrusted to Rockwell Group, who created an elegant concept using natural materials and a neutral colour palette to ensure a relaxing environment. Touches of the building’s historic past remain visible through the preservation of certain elements, such as the wrought iron columns from the 19th century which can be found throughout the property.
Madrid’s essence is tied closely to its history and the evocative aromas of violets, tuberoses, carnations and roses that fill the city. JW Marriott Hotel Madrid has collaborated with the Spanish Academy of Perfume, paying homage to the building’s unique heritage and the city’s sensuous past, to create a fully holistic wellness experience that stimulates the senses.
To start, each guest is welcomed with a traditional violet or rosemary-scented tea in an artisanal ceramic cup upon check-in. Guests then choose from one of five ‘Madrid scents’ which will then be placed in their wardrobe. Stories about Madrid and its aromas are found on the bedside table, designed to relax the mind before sleep. In the Lobby, there is an exhibition featuring antique perfume bottles, books and essences, which guests can explore at their leisure. For those keen to continue their scent journey, there are olfactory ‘scent training’ workshops in partnership with the Academy which offer exclusive opportunities for guests to learn more about the city and their scent preferences.
Partnering with renowned Michelin-star chef Mario Sandoval, the property has crafted a dining and cocktail concept that elevates and subtly reinvents local flavour. Using ingredients grown in the JW Garden and sourced from local providers, ‘QU’ offers the ultimate expression in refined Spanish flavour. Served on dishes inspired by the beauty of perfume containers, each meal nourishes more than just the body, engaging all five senses to create an unforgettable dining experience that captures the essence of Madrid. Visitors can also sip and savour the city’s spirit through an inventive cocktail menu that highlights local ingredients and iconic aromas such as chocolate, rosemary, and lemon.
Dual-personality design: Moxy & AC arrive in Downtown Los Angeles
Two very different hotels, designed at the same time by leading interior design studio Yabu Pushelberg, are about to open in Los Angeles. Editor Hamish Kilburn, who explored the personalities of each hotel on the Marriott Bonvoy Travel By Design podcast, writes…
Soaring 37 storeys above Downtown Los Angeles, 727 guestrooms and suites, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, are divided up into two hotels. Like twins, one, AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, is a refined, paired-back and tailored design experience, while the other, Moxy Downtown Los Angeles, is the playful, loose and rule-breaking sibling.
On Travel By Design, a podcast by Marriott Bonvoy, I was lucky enough to experience both hotels through the eyes of their designers, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg (listen bel0w).
“One will never sit down to eat at the proper time, and will throw his [or her] dinner across the room,” joked Yabu. “While the other wants to have a great time but will listen to mummy and daddy.” Pushelberg added: “One responds to the introvert, while the other responds to the extravert.”
Designed to draw in travellers and locals alike, the dual-branded hotel is positioned on the corner of South Figueroa and Pico streets. Connecting two powerful and distinct brands under one roof broadens the property’s appeal to a much wider audience of visitors, including business travellers in town for a conference and young nomads eager to explore an up-and-coming part of the city. Making the destination even more captivating is Level 8, the multi-dimensional concept by Los Angeles’ Houston Hospitality, opening later this spring.
Lightstone, developer of six acclaimed Moxy hotels in New York City and South Beach, was tasked to bring the first Moxy Hotels property to Los Angeles. Moxy’s vibrant energy is perfectly complemented by the elevated, residential aesthetic of the AC Hotels by Marriott brand, which was founded in Madrid.
Both hotels are designed to appeal to independent explorers who are conscious of value, travel on their own terms, and prioritise thoughtful and intriguing design. The 380-key Moxy is for those who want a spirited stay with a broad range of options for socialising and dining, and a cosy but smartly designed room. AC Hotel’s 347 guest rooms caters to a modern, design-conscious traveller who wants the essential elements of an elevated hotel experience at an accessible rate, with its signature AC lounge and AC kitchen and other upscale dining and drinking options at their fingertips, including the sophisticated tapas bar La Lo La Rooftop that is situated on the 34th floor with views stretching across the Hollywood Hills.
Image credit: Marriott International
The two hotels will share Level 8, the brainchild of hospitality veterans Mark and Jonnie Houston, known for their immersive and wildly successful restaurants and bars across Los Angeles. Comprising eight distinct dining, drinking, and entertainment venues filling the property’s eighth floor and with its own dedicated entrance, Level 8 channels Downtown Los Angeles’ creative energy, paying homage to its diverse cuisines and cultures while providing a stage for some of Los Angeles’ top culinary talent — and dishing it all up with Houston Hospitality’s signature spectacle.
“For today’s traveller, memorable hospitality means great design combined with the ability to choose from an abundance of experiences,” says Mitchell Hochberg, president of real estate developer Lightstone. “By integrating the two hotels, plus Level 8, into a single building, we’re creating a myriad of experiences never before offered in Los Angeles — and keeping it all affordable. It’s a multilayered, endlessly fascinating destination for both locals and visitors.”
In contrast to its retro and lively lobby space, Moxy Downtown LA’s 380 cosy bedrooms are designed to be sanctuaries, welcoming modern nomads with a thoughtful balance of utility and panache. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the SoCal sunshine to pour in. Distressed leather headboards evoke a well-worn motorcycle jacket, and cryptic markings on the wall reference the ‘hobo hieroglyphics’ used by history’s vagabonds. Adaptable, space-saving furniture and storage solutions allow guests to stake their own claim to the space. Industrial-chic bathrooms, lined in iridescent copper tile, feature a rain shower and an elongated sink carved from lava stone. Hanging on one wall is a sculpture that consists of chrome motorcycle handlebars mounted on a taxidermy-style plaque — a clever amalgamation of the twin desert themes of bikers and wildlife.
Image credit: Marriott International
AC Hotel’s 347 guestrooms, meanwhile, serve as residence-like respites from the energy of the city, with an open-plan design providing a seamless flow. Platform beds are dressed in crisp linens with a rich leather headboard. An integrated bench, closet, and oversize desk along one wall encourages productivity, while a tufted, geometric rug ensures plushness underfoot. Artwork above each bed depicts swimming pools and iconic Los Angeles buildings radically edited to present a new perspective with a splash of colour. Dividing the living area from the bathroom is a full-height mirror and integrated stone sink and vanity that seems to float over the shelves below.
Image credit: Marriott International
“Bringing together Moxy and AC Hotels allows guests to make the most of their stay while experiencing two very distinct personalities,” said Matthew Boettcher, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of Distinctive Select Brands at Marriott International. “Guests can take advantage of extra amenities, such as the AC Lounge for co-working during the day, while having more whimsical social options with Moxy in the evening.”
With two unique hotels under one roof, guests at Moxy Downtown LA and AC Hotel Downtown LA have access to an astounding 12 dining and drinking options, each celebrating the city’s creative energy and culinary heritage.
Independently, the hotels – like brother and sister – travel in their own lanes. Working together, and sharing the same design approach – or DNA, if you like – they confidently answer to the demands of tomorrow’s modern travellers.
As a flooring that’s natural and renewable, cork is a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice. Yet, there is a lot more to cork than its green properties…
For years, we have raved about Granorte and its innovative manufacturing process, producing cork floors and other products in Portugal, where it has been finding new ways to use the waste cork from wine stopper production since 1972. The cork used in Granorte’s flooring ranges is originally harvested from the bark of trees within Portugal’s protected forests.
Portugal produces around 50 per cent of the world’s cork supply and its forests are strictly protected by the government. In fact, the first regulations protecting the country’s cork forests date back to the 13th century. This strict protection, which includes government approval for the removal of trees, ensures that Granorte cork floors come from a sustainable natural resource. These forests also lock in carbon, with a recent study showing that Portuguese cork forests absorbs 4.8 million tonnes of carbon each year.
Image credit: Granorte
Unlike wood, cork is harvested from the bark of the tree and is renewed after nine years for the life cycle of the tree, which can be more than 200 years. This makes cork a rapidly renewable natural resource*, yet by the time it reaches Granorte, it is also a post-industrial recycled material, coming as the waste of the wine stopper industry. The cork industry is highly efficient in its raw material use with every gram used. Even cork dust is harnessed as a green energy source.
Granorte takes this natural material and manufactures a range of highly sustainable flooring options. In its purest form – the glue-down tiles of Tradition – this makes a Granorte floor made from 90 per cent recycled and rapidly renewable natural resources. There are few other floors that are suitable for commercial use that have this status. Even with its engineered floating floors using Uniclic, Granorte achieves up to 80 per cent renewable natural materials status.
Granorte’s range of cork flooring provides commercial interiors with a wide range of sustainable choices, backed by high levels of UK stock.
Granorte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Inside The Dorian – a dandy hotel arrival in Calgary
Vancouver-based interior design studio CHIL was inspired by both Oscar Wilde and the eclecticism of 19th century interiors when designing The Dorian, which mark’s Marriott Autograph Collections’ arrival in Calgary, Alberta…
Texture, colour and geometric forms firm the first impressions for guests checking in at The Dorian, Calgary’s latest design-led hotel. But beyond various design cues effortlessly merging together there is a deeper narrative in Marriott Autograph Collections’ first hotel in the city.
A women-led team of designers and developers came together to forge a new destination out of the new hotel. Developed and owned by PBA Group and designed by interior design studio CHIL, the 136-key hotel carries the wit and style of author Oscar Wilde and the boldness of 19th-century interiors. “What we’ve created is full of surprise, humour, and endless attention to detail,” said Adèle Rankin, Principal and Global Design Lead at CHIL. “From start to finish, we aimed to produce an experience at The Dorian that propels downtown Calgary’s hospitality scene forward.”
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
As the name suggests – taken from Wilde’s iconic 1891 novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray –art and visual identity is at the heart of the design project. But, as we have learned on the editorial design, art comes in more forms than one. Throughout the hotel, eclectic material and colour choices evoke the interiors and fashions of Wilde’s era, along with his hallmark eccentricity and biting humour.
Contrasting materials, bold colours and the reinterpretation of traditional patterns such as tartans, houndstooths and tweeds make for an experience that is richly layered, defined by contrasts and underlined by a recurring sense of surprise.
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
A significant investment in downtown Calgary’s role as a hospitality destination, The Dorian aims to capture the city’s unique spirit. Instead of relying on cliches, The Dorian channels downtown Calgary’s independence of thought through its bold, directional, and unapologetic design.
“With The Dorian, we explored how bringing opposites together can create beauty,” added Rankin. “What made The Dorian such an engaging and exciting project is how unapologetically bold it is from start to finish.”
The Dorian’s lobby represents CHIL’s ability to creatively interpret the hotel’s connection to Wilde. This is most evident via the lobby’s shattered mirror, which references a pivotal moment in The Picture of Dorian Gray. The theme of shattering is carried forward across the lobby’s tiled floor and its check-in desk: an angular block of faceted brass.
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
A recurring material throughout The Dorian, brass exudes a sense of historic character and serves to reference the era of the novel itself. Similarly, the Victorian period’s appreciation for saturated colours and bold patterning is further evoked with contrasting surface materials, like marble, dark wood, and floor-to-ceiling floral wallpaper.
In the guestrooms, custom wallcoverings are designed to match upholstered chairs and sofas, reflecting flair and whimsy, which is contrasted by understated brass accenting and leather headboards.
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
Suites contain expansive, independent lounges that feature hardwood floors, custom-upholstered sofas and unique artwork. The use of smart technology, such as sensor lights on nightstands and bathroom counters, conveys The Dorian’s elevated level of experience and considered attention to detail.
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
Defined by its design, hospitality and quirky personality, the hotel’s F&B experience is the heart and soul of The Dorian, which starts immediately as guests arrive in a café that is aptly called The Prologue. A café by day and an atmospheric lobby bar by night, The Prologue features a wraparound bar, large communal tables, semi-private banquettes, and round café tables.
“The Prologue embodies our ambitions for a hotel that is not only a place to be enjoyed by visitors, but as a destination for Calgarians too,” said Patricia Phillips, CEO of PBA Group. “The Dorian is an important addition to our city’s hospitality scene.”
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
The Prologue is carefully designed to evoke a distinct sense of place and time. Brass is found across light fixtures, seating, and tables. Tartan wallpaper, along with hunter green barstools, nods to the history of British interiors and fashions, while mosaic floor tiles reference both 19th-century English apothecaries and classic Parisian bars.
The F&B experience continues – and is elevated – on the 27th floor, which is home to the The Wilde, an upscale restaurant under the direction of Chef Joshua Dyer. Upon exiting the elevator, guests enter a moody lounge housing low acrylic tables, a cluster of overhead puck- shaped lights, and bold carpeting. Another reference to The Picture of Dorian Gray, a series of digital screens display the movement of a peacock.
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
In the dining space, dark wood floor, tiled pillars, custom lighting, and bespoke art exude a rich sense of atmosphere and depth. Maroon chairs and green benches nod to The Dorian’s historic inspirations, while brass accenting creates a thread of continuity with the lobby and other spaces.
Elsewhere, and truly answering to the modern demands of business travellers, the hotel shelters more than 310 square metres of events space, which has been designed coherently in the same style as the rest of the hotel – think loud carpets and brass detailing in corridor ceiling coves.
Image credit: Marriott International / Eymeric Widling
Fully understanding the assignment of what it takes to make a statement, and an arrival, in a new territory, CHIL have created a home-from-home hospitality hotspot that will be read by both travellers and locals alike from, we hope, years to come. It may be a Marriott hotel, but it certainly stands alone to reflect its own identify on the Canadian hotel landscape.
Travelling the globe to discover colour and texture, Almeria and Tribeca are two new collections from Sekers that will help designers add layers to a project…
Known for its trademark combinations of safety and style, Sekers specialises in the design and supply of furnishing fabrics and wallcoverings to the international hospitality market and is kicking off the season with the launch of two new collections.
Almeria is a FibreGuard collection that includes Granada, a range of luxurious plain velvets and Valencia, a bold jacquard that uses multi-coloured yarn to create a unique textured horizontal design. The extensive 30 colour palette collection includes daring orange and reds to ocean blues and jungle greens. As you would expect, Almeria passes BS 7176 medium hazard along with all relevant UK, American and IMO standards for upholstery. Almeria is a bold addition to any interior and is a collection for the marine, hospitality and leisure markets who love to add colour to their projects.
Image caption: Almeria | Image credit: Sekers
Image caption: Tribeca | Image credit: Sekers
Tribeca is an antique faux leather consisting of two designs – Stanford, a vintage, grainy textured design and Presley, which is a smoother flat grain plain. Both are FR inherent for contract upholstery. Each design is available in 11 colours, from rustic red to traditional tan, as well as a variety of sophisticated browns and naturals. Tribeca meets all relevant UK, USA and IMO standards for upholstery.
Sekers is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The motto under which Hansgrohe Group exhibited at this year’s ISH in Frankfurt was Celebrate Change – and this is most evident with the premium brand, hansgrohe’s, expanded product portfolio in the areas of furniture, ceramics and mirrors…
With its new products, hansgrohe has returned from ISH and is responding to a change in consumer behaviour. Consumers no longer want to pick and choose individual sanitary products from different manufacturers, but instead want to design holistic bathroom experiences. Later this year, basins, toilets, bathroom furniture and mirrors will therefore be sold under the premium brand hansgrohe, in addition to basin mixers, shower systems, drains and accessories.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
Timeless product solutions for a holistic bathroom Look
All hansgrohe innovations feature timeless aesthetics, a multitude of clever functions and high-quality materials. This creates well thought-out bathroom concepts for every everyday life and every family situation with hansgrohe’s well-known product quality. The premium brand presents two different bathroom furniture series (Xelu and Xevolos) in several variations for maximum freedom in planning and combining. In addition to vanity units (also with console) available in various sizes and looks, large and small cabinets are also available in both furniture series.
The hansgrohe furniture series merges into a single unit with the matching Xelu and Xevolos wash basins. In addition, hansgrohe’s Xuniva washbasins offer a wide range of other combination options, with different shapes and installation variations. The new wash basin ranges (with and without tap hole) guarantee the smooth installation of all hansgrohe mixer tap lines.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
The Xarita mirror range, available in a square or round design, also create a harmonious lighting concept. Xarita mirrors feature dimming, memory and automatic switch-off functions, as well as mirror heating. Equipped with energy-saving LED technology, the mirrors are available in two technical variations with touch icons or infra-red sensor operation. The atmospheric light scenarios of the Xarita mirrors with touch icons adapt to the personal mood and time of day.
EluPura is the name of the new toilet range from hansgrohe. Here, thanks to two design variations, round or SoftCube, the innovation blends harmoniously into a wide variety of bathroom ambiences. The optimised interior geometry of the toilet also scores points, using just 4.5 litres per flush it can achieve outstanding flushing results (suitable flush tank required) which are good for the environment and the wallet. In addition, the hansgrohe HygieneEffect glaze prevents bacteria from multiplying on the product and the rimless design also makes cleaning easier.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
In harmony with nature
In order to protect the environment careful use of valuable resources is also a focus for all new hansgrohe products, and they are largely made of natural and recyclable materials. The wooden components used in the furniture are from sustainable forestry. Thanks to the plastic-free packaging for wash basins, toilets and furniture, unnecessary plastic waste is also avoided after transport.
For unprecedented design freedom
The bathroom is more than the sum of its parts. Diverse combinations and product variations fitting together perfectly, both technically and visually, create a harmonious ambience from a single mould.
Thanks to the hansgrohe Inspirator tool, bathroom planners can find inspiration and maintain an overview of the wide range of design options available to them. By using the swipe function, the tool enables playful, simple, user-friendly selection and configuration of hansgrohe’s new products, as well as existing product lines in different interior design styles. By using a high-end 3D product visualisation, customers get an exact idea of what their dream bathroom will look like.
The ability to make these design changes in real time allows designers and consumers to experiment with different configurations until they find the perfect look for their bathroom. In the future, this tool will facilitate planning at the point of sale as well, to gradually turn the individual dream bathroom into reality. Driven by the power of innovation and the ambition to put people at the centre of all product developments, hansgrohe enables bathroom designers to design and experience their bathroom in a holistic way, also through trust in branded products.
Hansgrohe is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Minimalism done right: Domes opens in Halkidiki, Greece
The Mediterranean’s fastest growing lifestyle hospitality brand, Domes Resorts, opens its latest luxury hotel in Halkidiki, Greece, this month…
When it opens this month, Domes Noruz Kassandra will represent Domes Resorts’ first outpost in Halkidiki in northern Greece, a region known for its peninsulas and sheltered bays. The Greek luxury lifestyle hospitality brand launches this property as the latest addition to its growing portfolio, with properties now in Corfu, Crete, Zakynthos, Milos and further afield in the Algarve, Portugal.
Image credit: Domes Resorts
The new luxury hotel is located on the Kassandra peninsula, surrounded by crystal turquoise waters and lush greenery. Deemed a ‘beach club with rooms’, the hotel will have 182 rooms and suites and a sprawling swimming pool just steps away from the golden beach, where you will find the beach club and bar. This will function as the heart of the hotel, featuring a menu of neo-Greek seafood, designed by Executive Chef Dionysios Pliatsikas. The drinks menu comprises the best the area has to offer, with a lengthy wine list from local Halkidiki vineyards and a selection of expertly crafted cocktails to enjoy while watching the sunset over the Aegean Sea.
Inside, contemporary design scheme plays with nature – it seamlessly fuses the indoor/outdoor spaces with the surrounding landscape. The various room categories are all carefully considered with a harmonious blend of white hues and neutral nuances, plus sophisticated raffia textures and handcrafted local artwork.
Image credit: Domes Resorts
Domes Noruz Kassandra also encompasses Domes’ signature Haute Living Selection, which creates heightened luxury in opulent suites that include a personal mobile phone with a direct line of contact to guest’s dedicated manager, ultra-private check-in, and much more.
Other F&B offerings include Domes’ signature Gustatio restaurant, which presents a decadent menu to tantalise the senses with its artful blend of bold flavours as an all-day creative buffet. Elsewhere, Raw Bar is an elegant cocktail and champagne bar. On the beach is Pita Canteen, where skilled ‘Psistes’, or grill masters, delicately prepare traditional Greek favourites such as gyros and souvlaki, perfect for a leisurely meal on the beach.
Image credit: Domes Resorts
For a holistic approach, wellness is a central element of the hotel and its OpenAir Gym offers guests an invigorating fitness experience where the body, mind and spirit are connected and rejuvenated. Two spacious Spa Suites are set up to host treatments from Domes’ award-winning, signature SOMA Spa, delivering a high-calibre tranquillity through signature treatments that combine ancient Greek rituals and contemporary healing.
“Domes Noruz Kassandra represents the expansion of our Domes Noruz brand, following in the successful footsteps of Domes Noruz Chaniain Crete,” said Dr. George P. Spanos, CEO of Domes. “Noruz is our most vibrant and cosmopolitan offering; an adults-only, design-led brand catering to international trendsetters who seek a balance between relaxed events by day and a chic party scene by night – a truly 360-degree offering.”
Each Noruz location is elegant with immaculately designed interiors and uncompromised comfort and style, with a focus on creating a party vibe. Joyful sounds play all day to complement the magnificent views, but in as sunset arrives, the real magic occurs. With a lively schedule of well-known DJs playing in intimate settings in each hotel, the beach club atmosphere spills well into the evening. Domes Noruz hotels create an electric atmosphere that brings in a sophisticated, cosmopolitan crowd that are seeking an unrivalled and distinctive luxury lifestyle experience with dynamic entertainment.
Image credit: Domes Resorts
The announcement of Domes Noruz Kassandra follows Domes’ news of expansion into the Greek islands of Milos with new property Domes White Coast Milos, alongside completed renovations of flagship hotel Domes Miramarein Corfu, and Domes Lake Algarvein Portugal. Further new openings will be soon announced in popular Greek destinations including Mykonos, Santorini and the Athenian Riviera, whilst the brand also plans to expand even further across Europe.
The Antigua collection from Arte draws its inspiration from traditional crafts that are still valued in our modern society, giving each element its own inherent texture and adding depth and layers to the design…
Traditional crafts and the art of making are, now more than ever, regaining their role in the design process. Classic handicrafts such as sewing, painting and drawing all require professional knowledge that we still greatly appreciate today. Each design in the Antigua Collection from Arte draws on these traditions and offers a warm textile look and feel, with some portraying the pure appearance of linen, while others have the tactile nature of bouclé. The collection has been given an authentic patina, an extra layer, which emphasises the beauty of these timeless pieces.
Image credit: Arte
Stagionato, Italian for ‘weathered look’, takes its inspiration from classical floral drawings. The attractive linen texture comes to life when appreciated close up, whilst from a little further away, it is the distressed faded floral design that stands out. The design is available in three colourways.
Tropicali is based on a tropical scene drawn in the Old English style and is a bold design of exotic plants and birds, on a base with a bouclé textile look. The illusion of fine tears in the drawing accentuates the craftsmanship of this design, which is available in four colourways.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Tintura is a semi-plain product with the appearance of pure woven linen. The pieces of fabric are arranged casually next to each other and sewn into place with a coarse, clearly visible stitch. The result is a balanced yet lively wallcovering with a textile look and feel, which is available in 14 colourways.
With the soft, tactile appeal of luxurious bouclé, the Pentgono textile was designed with a graphic pattern of pentagons. This sleek geometric design creates an interesting contrast with the typically casual look of bouclé. Pentgono is available in 10 colourways.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
The final thread in the collection, Ritorto is another semi-plain wallpaper with the tactile look and feel of bouclé. The use of uneven yarns, characteristic of this textile, gives it a tactile, soft and casual appearance while still allowing the material to exude pure luxury. Ritorto is available in 10 colourways.
Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in April 2023
The hotel development scene is sizzling – upcoming hotels opening include jewels from Burgundy, Japan, Brussels, Rome and Singapore, among others. Editor Hamish Kilburn identifies the hottest hotel openings that are expected in April 2023…
In April, as we creep into the high season for summer destinations, there is always a flurry of hotels that open with the purpose to offer something new, exciting and different. More often than not, these narratives are driven by design. So, as we continue to cut through the noise on the hotel development scene on a global scale, here is our editor’s guide of the hottest design-led hotels that are opening in April 2023.
The Manchester, Lexington Kentucky
Image credit: The Manchester, Lexington Kentucky
Located in the heart of the historic Distillery District in Lexington, Kentucky, The Manchester is the first high-end hotel to open in the horse and bourbon capital of the world. Hoteliers Nik Feldman and Hank Morris, who have worked with numerous celebrated brands across hospitality and real estate, developed The Manchester on the former campus grounds of Central Kentucky’s first registered bourbon distillery. The hotel’s soulful interiors are rooted in Lexington’s historic rickhouses and the rich, earthy tones of the surrounding Bluegrass region’s landscape and rolling hills. The “Rickhouse Revival” facade features dramatic arches that run throughout the property.
The 125-key hotel, which is slightly delayed and will now open in June, boasts two unique dining experiences, sits at the nexus of Manchester Street’s Distillery District, a historic urban neighborhood and developing hub dotted with bourbon distilleries, breweries, bars, restaurants, and event spaces. Paying homage to the rich cultural history of Lexington, while forging its own unique identity, The Manchester seeks to take its place alongside the continually evolving hub of the historic Distillery District.
The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
Image credit: Ritz-Carlton
Preparing to open its doors, the 257-key Ritz-Carlton Melbourne has already made a lasting impression on the city skyline, soaring 80 storeys high. With its statement architectural design by Cottee Parker Architects, it is opening as one of the tallest hotels in Australia and certainly the tallest in Melbourne. Designed with materials inspired by the unique stories of the city, the hotel presents luxury accommodation, signature dining experiences across both restaurant and bar, holistic wellness spaces and an iconic infinity pool, as well as world-class meeting and event facilities and services.
Arranged across four heritage buildings, 31 rooms and suites will be converted into chic sanctuaries starting with Villa Christine. The phased opening of the hotel will also see a COMO Shambhala Retreat, the first of its kind in France.
Bulgari Tokyo, Japan
Image credit: Bulgari Hotels
Image credit: Bulgari Hotels
Sheltered on the 40th to 45th floors inside Tokyo Midtown Yaesu ultra-skyscraper, Bulgari Tokyo has been designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel of ACPV ARCHITECTS. The 98-key hotel will be decorated with Italian luxury touches, such as furniture from the likes of Maxalto, Flexform and B&B Italia. In addition, the hotel will also feature the ‘jewel in the crown’ Bulgari Suite and a 1,000 square-metre spa, complete with a 25-metre indoor pool.
Nobu Seville
This spring (which we consider to mean ‘April’), Nobu Hotels will make its arrival in Seville, Spain. Situated in front of the City Hall at the vibrant Plaza San Francisco in the heart of the Andalusian capital, Nobu Hotel Sevilla features stylish guestrooms and suites over four floors. It will also feature a Nobu restaurant with views of the Roman wall complete with terrace seating, fitness centre and a rooftop with swimming pool and dining area that boasts spectacular views of the Cathedral and the Golden Tower.
Hoxton Brussels
Image credit: Ennismore
Hoxton, the lifestyle-luxury brand brought to you by Ennismore, is about to land in Brussels, which we have been updated will open on May 22. The new hotel will sit inside a brutalist-style tower building and the former European headquarters of IBM – ‘subtle’ is not in the brand’s vocabulary. Despite its bold entrance, the interior design scheme inside the 198-hotel is – in true Hoxton style – a home-from-home, complete with polished plaster walls, vintage and locally sourced furniture scattered around and bold geometric forms.
Not only does Hoxton Brussels feature all the cosy nods that have become signature from the brand, it will also be the home of Hoxton’s third co-working concept, Working From, which will occupy four floors of the building.
Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Image credit: Ennismore
From one Ennismore gem to another, Mondrian Singapore Duxton has just arrived on the South Asian hospitality scene. Developed by Craig Road Property Holdings, with interiors by Studio Carter, the 302-room hotel that Hotel Designs first bookmarked back in 2021 takes its inspiration from traditional Singaporean architecture, elevated with a contemporary twist.
The debut of the Mondrian brand in Singapore reflects the strategic expansion of the brand’s international footprint, which will include soon-to-be announced Mondrian properties in the Dominican Republic, Germany, the Maldives, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
Image credit: Omni Hotels & Resorts
Located in the heart of downtown Tempe, the newest addition to the Omni Hotels & Resorts portfolio will feature 330 guestrooms, including 11 suites, four dining outlets, a spacious pool deck, retail, and around 3,300 square metres of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting spaces with expansive views of the ASU campus and the Arizona cityscape.
The hotel is a $125 million investment and part of a public-private partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and the City of Tempe. Downtown Tempe is thriving with attractions, businesses, residents, and visitors, and Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU will be the incredible completion of an important downtown intersection.
Six Senses Rome, Italy
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
And finally… no VIP arrivals story would be complete without a mention of what is becoming the most reputable wellness brand globally. Six Senses, which seems to be on an aggressive yet thoughtful expansion campaign, has just arrived in Rome, which is a significant moment for the brand that has made no vague nods to dipping its toe into urban hotspots.
Six Senses Rome translates its vision around wellness and local connections to offer both an escape and a sensory-rich journey. Layered on to this are little rituals contrasting with the grandiose beauty of the Eternal City. From BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar, the spot where all our paths cross, to a unique Rome-at-your-feet feeling on NOTOS Rooftop, and its take on the ancient art of bathing – the hotel has levelled up to offer both a buzzing hub in the heart of the city and a tranquil escape.
A fireplace might not be the first thing that springs to mind when talking about the great outdoors, however FOCUS has prepared six of its iconic indoor models to make the move…
An evening spent outside around a beautiful fire remains a convivial and memorable moment and FOCUS designs gives extra soul to an unforgettable experience with its range of outdoor fireplaces.
The most recent addition to the FOCUS outdoor range, Bubble, is a wood-burning brazier that immediately won over both the public and the design world by winning the coveted Gold prize at the German Design Award 2022. Its organic spherical shape invites people to gather around, while its compact size and manoeuvrability make it the undisputed model for terraces and gardens, whatever the surface. With a sleek and appealing finish, it is a perfect all-year-round brazier for alfresco entertaining. Bubble is made in France in the FOCUS factory, where it is handcrafted by artisans who have exceptional metalworking skills. It benefits from the same manufacturing criteria and the same high-quality standards as the entire range.
While the Bubble is designed with the outdoors in mind, other iconic fireplaces, originally designed for interior application, have now been adapted to outdoor installation. The six designs which have been developed by the design studio for outdoor use include Gyrofocus, Ergofocus, Domofocus, Bathyscafocus, Emifocus and Paxfocus.
Image credit: FOCUS
Most of the FOCUS outdoor models are in fact multiple award-winning designs in their own right, with some having earned the status of works of art while being exhibited in international design museums. The most instantly recognisable of these, the Gyrofocus, is a true statement of mid-century design. It features in the design curriculum in schools of architecture, was elected among 100 participants as the most beautiful object in the world at the international Pulchra competition in 2009 and was exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 1998.
Image credit: FOCUS
Another design, the Ergofocus, with a sleek aesthetic, earned its place as part of an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm. These credentials should satisfy the most design-conscious heat-seekers who focus on both form and function – now they can add an outdoor version to elevate their exterior spaces.
The outdoor models are available in either a black anti- corrosion or rust finish. Rust is a living material that evolves over time to resemble aged leather or patinated bronze for a natural look.
For more than 50 years, FOCUS has been shaking up design codes with its innovations. It was the first to move the fireplace from the wall to the centre of the room, making it the focal point of the interior and has now moved its statement fireplaces outdoors to continue the story.
FOCUS is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
As guests increasingly look for sustainable and eco-friendly options in the hotel experience, Geberit explores ways of integrating nature into hotel bathroom design. From living green walls to natural materials, these elements not only appeal to the environmentally conscious guest, but also create a more serene and calming atmosphere…
One of the clearest benefits of integrating nature into hotel bathroom design is the positive impact it can have on the mental and emotional wellbeing of guests. Studies have shown that exposure to natural elements such as plants, natural light and water can reduce stress levels, improve mood and increase productivity. This is particularly important in the context of a hotel stay, where guests may be away from their familiar surroundings and routines or simply seeking escape. At the same time, incorporating nature into hotel bathroom design can also have significant sustainability benefits. Natural materials, such as wood or stone, are often more environmentally friendly than their synthetic counterparts. The use of plants can improve indoor air quality by filtering out harmful pollutants.
Image credit: Geberit
Image credit: Geberit
Geberit is no stranger to the importance of incorporating nature into design and have created a stone range which includes stone finishes that can be used for flush plates and other bathroom accessories, providing both a luxurious and a natural feel to the bathroom. These finishes are available in a variety of colours and textures, making it easy to find the perfect match for any hotel design project.
Interior designer and specialist in Biophilic Design, Oliver Heath, highlighted the significance behind using natural colours, imagery and materials to help ground hotel guests in Geberit’s first Hotel Guest Experience Report in 2020. “Focusing on nature and using elements of Biophilic Design can enhance a multi-sensory design strategy at the same time as bringing in local character,” explained Heath. “Carefully considering lighting, acoustics, textures and biophilia in hospitality environments to create positive sensory environments can improve both physical and mental health and wellbeing.”
Image credit: Geberit
Wren Loucks, Director and CEO of Be-kin, also talks about wellbeing and sensory rich experiences in hotel design in this year’s Hotel Guest Experience Report. She highlights that one in five adults in the UK has a disability and the importance of hotels catering for sensorial, cognitive and physical abilities. “Designing for the mind and neurodiversity is very important,” said Loucks. “The use of biophilic patterns, utilising natural light and circadian lighting wherever possible – and avoiding strong synthetic smells often found in toiletries or cleaning products – are just some ways to design for the mind. Furthermore, a hotel that takes time to build out an inclusive design strategy should publish these design features on their website, providing guests with specific travel requirements clarity and peace of mind.”
There is a real opportunity for hotels to disrupt the market by creating designs that truly stimulate wellbeing through social sustainability and inclusive, sensorial, natural design.
Image credit: Geberit
Nature-inspired bathrooms in hotels can offer guests a unique and memorable experience. By immersing guests in a natural environment, hotels can create a sense of connection and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world. This can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling travel experience, which is increasingly important for modern travellers seeking to connect with the world around them.
The use of nature in hotel bathroom design is a trend that is here to stay. As hotels look to create more sustainable and immersive experiences, incorporating natural elements in their design can provide a range of benefits for guests and the environment. From creating a sense of harmony with the surrounding environment to improving guest wellbeing and inclusivity, nature-inspired hotel bathrooms offer a unique and unforgettable experience for hotel guests seeking a deeper connection with the natural world.
Geberit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
With sweeping views over the Tagus River, Hyatt has debuted in Portugal with the opening of its first Hyatt branded Hotel, Hyatt Regency Lisbon…
The opening of the 204-key Hyatt Regency Lisbon meets a much-desired demand for luxury accommodation in the capital city of Portugal and marks a significant milestone for Hyatt in Europe, as it continues to prioritise its growth plans in places of interest to its guests. The hotel’s spacious guestrooms and suites all feature modern interiors and high-end finishes, with some including stunning balcony views over the river. Guests have access to a world-class wellbeing concept through its on-site spa, managed by Portugal’s top wellness brand Serenity and for those looking to enjoy Lisbon’s thriving food and drink culture, guests can uncover a new flair of Portugal’s unique gastronomic tradition in one of the hotel’s four restaurants and bars.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
All 204 spacious, well-appointed, and beautifully furnished guestrooms, including 105 suites, offer guests an upscale and modern experience of Portuguese architecture. Inspired by the famous Portuguese Discoveries and the contemporary influences of Lisbon, rooms feature calming blues and blends of oak wood. With river fall showers in each room and balcony views of the Tagus River in a selection of the hotel’s suites, all guests can feel connected to their natural surroundings through the sophisticated details in the space. Ranging from queen bedrooms, all the way up to the Regency 3 Bedroom Suite with its own large private balcony and separate living room with dining area, each room provides guests with a seamless experience and connectivity through the latest technology, in-room amenities and high-speed internet access.
“We’re excited to open Hyatt Regency Lisbon and bring a new charm to our historic capital,” said Hélder Martins, General Manager at Hyatt Regency Lisbon. “We are in a prime riverfront location, ideally situated to help our guests and World of Hyatt members explore the rich history and culture of Lisbon by day and night, safe in the knowledge that they will be greeted with Hyatt’s world-class, intuitive service from our team during their stay, in one of Europe’s most sought-after locations.”
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
For all-day-dining, the grand-café style VISEVERSA restaurant and bar offers fresh, local produce and an abundance of dining options and drinks amongst an elegant, spacious setting. Facing the garden and enjoying natural sun light is ZEST, a bright, relaxing place for delicious healthy meals made with fresh local ingredients. The location makes it an idyllic place to gather for a casual lunch or snack. The hotel will also welcome a fine restaurant, with direct access to the public and a rooftop with a backdrop of panoramic views of the River Tagus. Currently, the lounge space is only available for meetings and events, with the rooftop and bar space set to open to the public in the coming months.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
The hotel’s six meeting areas have up to 420 square meters of function space, which can be easily converted to suit a range of set-ups. The 220 square metre main meeting room can also be divided into four large boardrooms which offer 42 square meters of space each, providing a modern, flexible layout that can be adapted to meet the needs of any event. The property makes the most of its natural surroundings and offers extensive indoor and outdoor spaces. For an event space with a twist, choose the multifunctional and light filled VISTA, a mezzanine with direct access to the garden. The Rooftop Lounge offers picturesque views across the River Tagus and The Garden Courtyard, connected to the main meeting room on the ground floor is the perfect place for mingling and networking into the night.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
‘Serenity – The Art of Well Being’, Portugal’s leading luxury spa and wellness brand, introduces guests to a new concept of wellness through the on-site spa. Guests will have access to a wide range of wellness activities and spa treatments, which have been tailored to their individual needs, creating a memorable and restorative escape. Guests can also choose to benefit from ACTIVE by Serenity facilities and services. A gym and two fitness studios for classes, are fully fitted with the latest Technogym equipment to support those who wish to keep up with their routines whilst away from home.
Why you should listen to Wren Loucks on this design podcast
Editor Hamish Kilburn welcomed sensory and wellness designer Wren Loucks onto the latest episode of DESIGN POD, the design podcast for all design and architecture enthusiasts. Kilburn writes…
When DESIGN POD, the design podcast for all design and architecture enthusiasts, dropped it’s latest series, sponsored by Geberit, our mission was to ‘cut through the noise’ in order to serve our listeners with thought-provoking topics and conversations that really mean something. By doing so, we met Wren Loucks, CEO and Creative Director of Be-Kin, an interior design studio that looks at the process of design holistically, using sensory design and adding elements that stimulate wellness to transform spaces with deeper design narratives.
The mark the launch of episode 29 of DESIGN POD, here are four reasons why you should give is a listen – perhaps even while reading this article (episode embedded below):
1) The power of design – it’s real!
In the episode, Loucks shares her own mental health journey. She honestly recalls the time when she was in hospitality as a child remembers her experience feeling clinical and cold. It was this moment when she started to question conventional approaches to interior design and wondered how, by using design as a tool, she could make spaces feel less clinical and more human-centric.
2) Wellness redefined in DESIGN POD and beyond!
Loucks, who was named last year as one of the top 25 influential interior designers, joined the podcast following her involvement in Geberit’s Hotel Guest Experience Report, in which the designer examines ritual, sensory-rich experiences and social sustainability in hotel design. The award-winning designer looks at how the differences in sensorial, cognitive, and physical abilities can be catered to by designing facilities to suit a range of needs, such as wheelchair accessibility, neurodiversity and an ageing population.
3) A new wellness-focused interior design studio is born!
Since launching Be-kin in November 2020, Loucks has completed six projects, ranging from Grade II listed buildings to a private gym in Fitzrovia. In addition to design, Loucks aims to educate her clients on how they are affected by spaces across their senses and create spaces that stimulate their wellbeing. For the studio’s commercial clients, the designer creates spaces that support social sustainability – designing for a range of cognitive, physical, and sensorial differences. She is, put simply, challenging conventional approaches to interior design, architecture and hospitality with an approach to interior design that puts humans first and gives the entire arena a deeper purpose.
4) Exhale – listen – think – do
Episode 29 of DESIGN POD will, if nothing else, inspire all designers of all abilities to open their mindset to new ideas and concepts. The industry, as a whole, is more open than ever before when it comes to collaboration, and sharing knowledge. Loucks is among a new breed of designers who are proving that science has its place in interior design – we can, as a whole, do better to create spaces that stimulate wellness.
The full 50-minute podcast episode, which follows episode 28, is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms – just search ‘DESIGN POD’ wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode will drop on April 12 with interior designer Pallavi Dean, Founder of Roar, who will join Kilburn to discuss design in the metaverse.
New collection from Perrin & Rowe defines industrial-luxe in the bathroom
The new Armstrong bathroom collection from British manufacturer Perrin & Rowe combines an industrial aesthetic with a designer’s eye for balance and proportion…
The Armstrong bathroom collection offers a luxurious take on a pared-back design trend and is one of the most comprehensive ranges Perrin & Rowe, part of the House of Rohl portfolio, has ever launched. Every piece can be specified in chrome, nickel or pewter along with 24-carat gold, polished brass or satin brass for a golden glow. Perrin & Rowe’s two brass finishes are unlacquered, so will develop a unique patina over time, enhancing the beauty of the alloy. For a true industrial look, English Bronze offers a darker metallic finish that brings out the detail of the knurling.
Image credit: Perrin & Rowe
Each tap is made with the highest quality brass, poured by hand at 1700° fahrenheit into moulds. After machining, specialist polishers develop the deep, lustrous finish. It’s a time-consuming and painstaking task. The freestanding bath-shower mixer, for example, can take over four hours to perfect. Choose a single lever basin mixer or a three-hole tap, either wall-mounted or deck-mounted. An iconic freestanding bath-shower mixer is available, as is a complete Shower Set with hand-shower and overhead rose. Accessories include robe hooks, a paper holder, a towel bar or towel ring, and a matching built-in soap dispenser.
Image credit: Perrin & Rowe
Image credit: Perrin & Rowe
There are 15 new pieces to choose from available in a choice of six finishes, from hand-polished Chrome (electroplated to a thickness beyond industry standards) through to 24-carat plated Gold. The launch follows the recent success of Perrin & Rowe’s award-winning Armstrong kitchen collection, which has rapidly become one of Perrin & Rowe’s most popular ranges. Now, homeowners and designers can choose industrial styled brassware across both the kitchen and bathroom.
House of Rohl is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Chelsom has just dropped the exciting news that it will be dropping its latest collection, Edition 28, during Clerkenwell Design Week. Here’s what we know…
Following the lighting company’s 75th anniversary last year, Chelsom is preparing to blind the industry during Clerkenwell Design Week with its hotly anticipated new collection. Edition 28 is about to drop some serious lighting innovation.
The product launched, designed and curated by Robert and Will Chelsom, will incorporate a ‘complete makeover’ of its existing lighting collection as well as a brand new website, new sub-brands and an accompanying new catalogue. The new collections are made up of an array of different decorative lighting styles, designed specifically with global hospitality, marine and residential interiors projects in mind.
Image credit: Chelsom
This is not the first time that Chelsom has dared to launch new aesthetics and tech-savvy products into the hospitality lighting industry. In 2022, the company reacted to global demands and introduced touchless light switching, which was seen as a gamechanger in lighting technology. Two years prior, in the height of the pandemic, the team at Chelsom were undeterred – limited by social distancing restrictions – when they unapologetically launched Edition 27, which introduced new protagonists such as Hybrid, the award-winning LED Eye and Phono.
With very little to go off for now – the collection is being held under lock and key with only a selection of close-ups that have been released – the interior design community is waiting to see which innovations in the new collection will land the hardest as Chelsom continues to be a major player on the hotel design and hospitality scene. One thing we do know – the collection as a whole, as always, is going to be crowd-pleaser.
Chelsom is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Adding luxury & wellness into the bathrooms at Bluewaters Island
As Dubai’s exclusive Bluewaters Island evolves into a a vibrant and scenic experience in an exotic location, Sanipex Group was able to meet cost, quality and time constraints across the development without compromising on design…
Encompassing hospitality, residential, retail and entertainment options, the luxury BAGNODESIGN brand, part of Sanipex Group, features throughout the Bluewaters Island project. Developers were initially attracted to the brand’s coloured brassware selection, selecting it for the high-end Caesars Resort & Serviced Apartments.
In line with the hotel’s signature elements of fun fused with out-and-out luxury, Sanipex Group supplied the near 300 accommodations for the luxury hotel with Brushed Copper brassware to offer a warming contrast against modern Statuario marble tiles. Thanks to readily available stock and its close relationships with factories to accommodate exacting demands on stringent time constraints, Sanipex Group helped ensure Caesars Palace was one of the first properties to open on the island.
Image credit: Sanipex Group
The Residences at Ceasars Palace took an alternate styling to the resort while delivering equal impact in the form of a modern monochrome design with BAGNODESIGN Matt Black brassware. The design-led specification for 100 five-star serviced apartments steps away from ubiquitous bathroom décor of dark neutrals in place of a timeless solution, evoking a fresh sense of luxury living with a distinct and dramatic design.
To achieve a contemporary full bathroom solution for 698 apartments, four penthouses, and 17 townhouses that make up the Bluewaters Residences, Sanipex Group worked directly with the designers during the selection process.
Image credit: Sanipex Group
The final specification remained within budget thanks to BAGNODESIGN’s value and style ranges. Savoia mixers are complimented by Smooth accessories, whilst a rain shower and thermostatic shower mixer add a sense of indulgence. The full sanitaryware specification includes wall hung WC’s with either freestanding Bagnotec basin or contemporary countertop basin.
As a luxurious step up for the Penthouses, angular brassware in Brushed Nickel compliments the wooden accents for an organic biophilic feel. The stand-out feature of these award-winning residences is the Bagnotec bathtubs placed in the floor to ceiling windows, for virtuously viewing vistas of the island.
Sanipex Group also supplied the resorts bars, restaurants and public areas with high-grade products including sanitaryware, brassware and tiles, to complete the luxe living vibe throughout the island.
Sanipex Bagnodesign is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Locke is preparing to add lucky number 13 to its portfolio in June, with its third German property. Introducing Locke at East Side Gallery…
With breathtaking views overlooking the River Spree and city skyline, Locke at East Side Gallery is situated amongst Berlin’s trendiest inner-city districts Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Mitte. The new opening will comprise 176 sleek studio apartments, which come equipped with kitchenettes and living areas, many of which having access to a private balcony with river or skyline views. The property will also shelter a complimentary co-working area for guests and locals to enjoy, third-wave coffee shop and deli and audiophile bar and restaurant ANIMA, which will introduce new immersive ways of experiencing music in the German capital.
Image credit: Nicholas Worley
The aparthotel will also feature a flexible meeting and events space that includes a rooftop terrace, as well as a 24-hour gym on the eighth floor with floor-to-ceiling windows and views overlooking Berlin’s Mediaspree. Designed by Matthew Grzywinski of Grzywinski+Pons, Locke at East Side Gallery takes its design cues from its surroundings – most notably the former Berlin Wall, River Spree, and neighbouring parks. Each apartment combines sophisticated neutral tones, natural textures, and raw concrete with pops of playful colour. Within the rooms themselves, walls are composed of timber panelling, with kiln-formed glass inspired by the surface of the Spree River acting as a partition to the bathroom.
Image credit: Nicholas Worley
Image credit: Nicholas Worley
The furniture in the rooms exude warmth and texture with turmeric chairs, pastel mirrors and heavily braided grass rugs juxtaposed with suede and rattan floor screens and bedheads. The bathrooms feature back-painted black glass, walls and ceilings feature exposed structural concrete, softened with a powdery finish. Hand-scraped wood floors complement the aforementioned wall-as-threshold assembly of timber and textured glass.
“Locke at East Side Gallery is a very special project for us,” said Eric Jafari, Chief Development Officer and Creative Director at edyn. “Berlin is a city filled with history, creativity and innovation and we are excited to be bringing Locke to this incredible location. With a partnership already established with concept bar and restaurant ANIMA, we look forward to partnering with more local businesses and creating a space in which guests can fully immerse themselves in the culture of the city. The property itself has spectacular views across the city and over the River Spree, and with East Side Gallery and the neighbourhoods of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg on your doorstep, there really is no better location in which to explore Berlin.”
Image credit: Nicholas Worley
On the ground floor, social spaces comprising of the cafe, bar and restaurant, reception lounge and co-working spaces are connected with the use of non-continuous walls which in a nod to the vestiges of the Berliner Mauer are used as compositional elements, creating implicit ‘neighbourhoods’ in the space. Built-in seating and planters are fabricated from locally sourced bricks comprised of recycled sand and lime while furnishings follow a cohesive palette of timber, cane, fabric and cord, surrounded by verdant vegetation spilling out of planters and cascading from the ceiling.
Image credit: Nicholas Worley
On the ground floor, ANIMA, an audiophile bar and restaurant, combines gastronomy with music. Intended as a dedicated space for music lovers and inspired by Japan’s ‘Kissaten’, hi-fi cafes predating affordable home stereos, ANIMA is born from the desire to share, exchange and come together. This concept will be reflected in the food and drink offering, designed for sharing and featuring fresh, local and seasonal products with a selection of natural wines, spirits, cocktails and craft beers.
Ocean Drive Ibiza, the island’s original boutique hotel, is celebrating 25 years with a brand-new look that captures its renowned Art Deco style and glamourous spirit…
Located on the front line of Marina Botafoch overlooking Ibiza’s old town, Ocean Drive Ibiza has long been a favourite of DJs visiting the island because of its proximity to the best restaurants, clubs, and experiences that Ibiza has to offer. The property was the first hotel opened by OD Hotels founder, Marc Rahola and is now part of the OD portfolio that comprises of five boutique, design-led hotels in Ibiza, Madrid and Barcelona.
Taking on the reimagining of this 40-key hotel, the in-house interior design team has drawn inspiration from the building’s Art Deco aesthetic and the hotel’s love of music, art, and hedonism. These elements are combined with flexible spaces that transform from bright and welcoming during the day, to warm and intimate at night. The Sky Bar, with its unique Old Town and sunset views, now has retractable roof panels and doors to create indoor and outdoor areas that can be enjoyed year-round. The palette combines monochrome tones with rich, deep blue and gold touches and the Art Deco influence is seen in the space’s lines, furniture and lighting.
Image credit: Ocean Drive Ibiza
Guests are welcomed into a light, airy lobby with elegant marble and that Art Deco inspiration again running throughout. Making life easy after a less than 15-minute journey from the airport or just steps from the port, the knowledgeable team is on hand to ensure a memorable stay for guests with their insider access to the best that Ibiza has to offer. There’s a lounge, bar and restaurant that flow into each other and can be used at all times of day, from breakfast through to a nightcap after a full Ibiza day.
The guestrooms and suites have also had a refresh with new soft furnishings, decorative objects such as design-led lamps, bathrooms updates and new artworks by Stella Rahola. Rooms are well-equipped offering the best in comfort and style, with Mediterranean influences to give a sense of place. Many share the same marina and old town views, with the four suites occupying the two upper floors of the hotel for unmatched views.
Image credit: Ocean Drive Ibiza
Hotel guests, locals and visitors can meet for relaxed food and drinks, or one of the OD Sky Bar’s many specially curated events, which include a weekly showcasing of different flavourful cuisines with drinks to match, as well as music-focused events from media and music collectives. The events programme will continue downstairs, where the ground floor has been completely opened up to create a more sociable space. OD Live On Tour is a monthly live music event and for analogue music lovers, there will be a monthly event, which will see live music from a vinyl music collection. This space will also host monthly art exhibitions from artists including those who are part of the IbizArt Guide, an annual guide that brings together the best national and international artists who live in Ibiza or who have a direct relationship with the island.
Barceló Funchal Oldtown – a new hotel rooted in history
A stylish city hotel rooted in its sense of place, Barceló Hotel Group has announced the opening of Barceló Funchal Oldtown – a brand-new hotel on the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira…
The newest addition to the Barceló portfolio takes its inspiration from the natural wonders of UNESCO World Heritage site, Laurisilva Forest and from Madeiran architecture and craftsmanship. Comprising a cluster of 17th century buildings that have been sensitively transformed, Barceló Funchal Oldtown has absorbed its rich cultural history into its DNA. The result is a playful balance of modern design and authenticity, a sleek and comfortable base from which to explore the island’s greatest treasures.
Image credit: Barceló Hotel Group
Each building that makes up the hotel has its own story, one being the former family abode of the Blandys, founders of the Madeiran wine trade and another an embroidery factory that supplied the nearby shops. Now under one roof, the hotel remains faithful to the original architecture and the façade has been meticulously restored in homage to the rich cultural heritage of Funchal.
Excavation uncovered vestiges from the past ranging from pottery and coins to remnants of a roadway, which have all been incorporated into the hotel’s décor. The original floors have been brought back to life and natural stone and wood has been restored by artisans, celebrating local craftsmanship from centuries past and present. Interiors follow suit and the building’s 111 guestrooms feature embroidery and wicker basketry furnishings.
Image credit: Barceló Hotel Group
To champion the island’s abundant nature and UNESCO World Heritage site, Laurisilva Forest, a flora-filled courtyard sits pride of place in the hotel, providing a peaceful spot to relax. Floor to ceiling windows and hanging gardens bring the outside in and natural colours and textures have been woven into the design to nod to the luscious landscape.
Image credit: Barceló Hotel Group
Barceló Funchal Oldtown offers two distinct restaurant concepts giving guests a flavour of Funchal. A Bordadeira restaurant – whose name and interiors are inspired by the Madeiran tradition of embroidery – serves an a la carte menu with international influence. Dine alfresco at Noz Café, which transports guests to Laurisilva Forest, to indulge in local-inspired dishes whilst shaded by canopies of trees and Funchal flora and fauna. The all-day dining concept will feel bright and airy by day and transform into a sophisticated gastronomic destination by night. Championing the region’s history of winemaking, Barceló Funchal Oldtown will serve an impressive selection of local Madeiran wines.
Image credit: Barceló Hotel Group
The rooftop of Barceló Funchal Oldtown is the pièce de résistance, boasting panoramic sea views over the marina. The terrace, complete with a plunge pool and bar, is a glamorous spot for sundowners or to marvel at the comings and goings of Funchal’s farmers’ market. If guests manage to tear themselves away from the roof terrace, they can explore the charming market, selling fresh regional produce and radiating the warm spirit of locals. Those seeking a dose of culture can discover the ancient architecture and intricately carved ceiling of Funchal Cathedral.
Ellenborough Park Hotel completes major renovation
Ellenborough Park Hotel, Gloucestershire’s only five-star country house hotel, has unveiled a major renovation. The new, quintessentially English interior design scheme has been created by designer Ilze Reinke…
Sheltered inside a magnificent 15th century English country house, surrounded by 90 acres of parkland in the Cotswolds, Ellenborough Park Hotel has just unveiled its ‘next chapter’ following an extensive renovation.
Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel
The new interiors, which includes a refreshed brasserie and bedrooms, have been imagined by South African-born Ilze Reinke. It has been, as the designer described, “a dream job that has required much careful thought and consideration to capture the history and elegance of the building, ensuring that it reflects the same grandeur in these modern times.”
All 61 bedrooms are undergoing an affectionate refurbishment with lavish fabrics, elegant wall coverings, plush carpets, and country chic furnishings. Brimming with personality – Reinke’s designs are masterful and beautifully capture a graceful homeliness.
Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel
Reinke’s starting point for each room was something existing – a chair, a piece of wallpaper, or a colour. One of her biggest challenges in working with the existing rooms is the deep research necessary to match or find complementary colours for heritage schemes – allowing the designer to keep as much as possible and avoiding throwing out the existing elements for the sake of novelty.
Image credit: Ellenborough Park Hotel
At the heart of the hotel guests will find the Horse Box, a stylish brasserie that has undergone a complete transformation that now features soft leather brocades, low lighting, tartan flooring and countryside tweed fabrics.
Every room tells a different story with a chic country comfort, and reflects leading suppliers, such as Colefax & Fowler,Nina Campbell. Skopos, Panasse; Brintons, Warwick Fabrics, Lighting from Coach House. Adding apt personality, the rooms have been given their own identities with Cotswold appropriate colour-scheme names that include Blossom, Wildflower, Countryside, Tudor, Chrysanthemum, Gingham and Rustic.
The surface panel made with 90% post-consumer wood
Hive from UNILIN Panels is the striking 3D decorative surface panel made with 90 per cent post-consumer wood…
For ‘instagrammable’ hospitality backdrops to smart workspace finishes in offices and merchandising areas in retail, Hive’s 3D geometric structure captures the light to create a subtle hexagonal pattern. Now available from UNILIN Panels, the decorative panel brings a cost-effective, durable and easy to maintain finish suitable for commercial interiors.
Hive panels are available in a range of solid colours and decorative effects. Everest White and Elegant Black are classics, with Dusty Coral, Oatmeal Beige and Sage Green providing a palette of uplifting natural tones. Brushed Steel Blue combines Hive’s hexagon relief with a smart brushed metal for a futuristic edge. Each colour can be used to add a unique and individual look to areas.
Whatever the look, Hive is made with UNILIN Evola-Belspan 100 per cent recovered chipboard. This is made entirely from recycled wood, with 92 per cent coming from locally sourced post-consumer materials including old furniture. The remaining eight per cent is wood waste produced by activities like roadside maintenance, sawmills and forest management that’s considered no longer usable by other industries. UNILIN has found a way to give a new life to this wood and making chipboard this way saves more than 900,00 tonnes of wood from incineration every year.
The processes developed by UNILIN to recover wood from a variety of sources, also means that once Hive panels have reached the end of their life, they can be recycled back into new panels to complete the loop. This is made possible by an ultra-modern machine that sorts the wood, using a mix of processes including magnets, wind sifters and centrifuges to remove impurities. UNILIN has invested 30million Euros over the past six years to develop the technology.
Hive Evola-Belspan is made in Belgium by UNILIN and is available to order in 15 working days. It can be used for non-structural purposes such as a decorative wall finish or in furniture construction, cabinets and kitchens. As one of more than 200 options from the UNILIN Evola decorative range, Hive has excellent durability and ease of maintenance, making it a practical choice across a broad range of projects.
UNILIN Panels is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Looking ahead: GROHE to launch water-recycling shower in 2024
Always, it seems, one step ahead in the sustainable wellness arena, GROHE aims to have all concealed showers water-recycling by 2030. And it all starts with GROHE Everstream…
Hot off the heals of launching its first online summit, GROHE has revealed the market launch of its water-recycling shower GROHE Everstream, expanding the brand’s range of bathroom and kitchen products that promote efficient water use and make sustainable choices easier.
The shower will be available to customers from spring 2024. The shower system is currently being field – tested and a training programme for installers is expected to start in the second half of 2023. In addition, GROHE is also aiming to have all GROHE concealed showers water-recycling-ready by 2030.
GROHE Everstream has been designed to create the showering experience users expect but consuming as little fresh water as possible – and using far less energy. The Everstream system uses as little as a quarter of the water and a third of the energy typically required by traditional showers, translating into a cost-saving of up to 65 per cent a year for a four-person household and up to 70 per cent fewer CO2 emissions, depending on individual shower habits.
“Last summer in Europe was one of the driest on record,” said Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA. Water scarcity is affecting us all and it is our responsibility as a water-technology provider to offer solutions that allow consumers to make a difference. Implementing water-recirculating technology in our GROHE portfolio elevates our offering to a new sustainable benchmark and is a milestone for our entire organisation.”
How it works
GROHE Everstream demonstrates how the home can actively and positively shape our personal impact on the planet and its resources. It divides the shower process into three parts allowing users to enjoy the experience, safe in the knowledge they are minimising waste.
First, users start the shower with fresh water, as with any regular shower.
Once finished using the shampoo or soap, the user can switch mode: The water collected in the drain after switching is pumped into a circuit, maintaining the desired temperature, and hygienically treating the water.
After use, cleaning takes place to prepare the shower for the next user.
“It is our mission to provide state-of-the-art technologies for using water resources sustainably while also creating additional environmental value for water,” added David Mainka, Leader Electronics and Innovation R&D Fittings, LIXIL International. As we strive towards a circular economy, circularity can also play a much bigger role within our products themselves. GROHE Everstream takes our technology to the next level. We are looking forward to the results of our field-testing of the product to fine-tune it for market launch in 2024.”
As part of LIXIL’s strong brand portfolio, GROHE’s sustainability activities as well as its product developments are embedded in LIXIL’s Environmental Vision which calls for Zero Carbon and Circular Living. Water sustainability is one of the focus areas here. The goal is to help people enjoy water while ensuring sustainable water use on a global scale in order to have a positive impact on the planet.
GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
CDW 2023 preview: what to expect from RAK Ceramics
RAK Ceramics is getting ready to welcome the design community inside the Design Hub, the brand’s Clerkenwell address. Here’s our sneak preview on what to expect…
RAK Ceramics, which has just supplied 1,000 pallets of tiles and sanitaryware to help re-build the regions of Turkey and Syria recently hit by devastating earthquakes, is preparing itself for what might just be its biggest Clerkenwell Design Week performance.
Moving on from last year’s ambition to turn its flowing water in the showroom ‘CDW pink’, the team are putting their focus in the latest bathroom and surface design products.
One of the striking bathroom displays at the Design Hub during the fair will showcase the RAK Ceramics Designer Collection by Patrick Norguet, RAK-Valet. The range comprises of functional elements – available in matt and glossy finishes – that serve as veritable valets and hand us the objects of our daily wellbeing via functional surfaces and stylistic solutions of great visual impact: decorative forms with slender profiles for the washbasins, top-notch stylistic research for the bathtubs, elongated lines for the toilet bowls.
Image credit: RAK Ceramics
In terms of surfaces, visitors to the Design Hub will be able to also view the stunning Metamorfosi collection, a decorative porcelain surface that will make an eye-catching impression for any interior. Metamorfosi is a large-format surface, available in two sizes – 120 x 260cm and 120 x 120cm. Inspired by the colours and shapes found in nature and responding to this important interior design trend, Metamorfosi is highly durable and splash resistant, just as porcelain should be, yet visually striking in its appeal, with several design options to choose from.
An important destination on the Clerkenwell Design Week tour, the RAK Ceramics Design Hub at 100 St John Street, Clerkenwell is one of the largest in the area, with more than 2,000 square metres over two floors. The space gives visitors to the area the opportunity to explore the possibilities of choosing RAK Ceramics for their projects.
Designed to be an interactive and immersive environment to inspire creativity, the Design Hub includes a working kitchen display, working tap display, Virtual Worlds 4D Theatre and a Grab and Go sample area. New product launches are given their debut at the Design Hub, the company’s Mega Slab Maximus surfaces are highlighted, along with inspiring bathroom displays. The Design Hub also hosts seminars and events throughout the year and offers meeting spaces for designers and architects.
Inside Hôtel Beauregard in Paris – a boutique, vintage find
Hôtel Beauregard, which is housed within an elegant six-storey Haussman building in Paris, opens as hotel group Touriste’s fifth Parisian property. We took a peek inside…
Answering to the success of its sister properties – Hotel Les Deux Gares, Hotel Bienvenue and Hotel Panache – Hôtel Beauregard has opened, sheltering its own style throughout 38 rooms.
Poised in the very authentic and Parisian 15th arrondissement, Hôtel Beauregard sits in an elegant six-storey Haussman building on the crossroads of rue de Vaugirard and rue Cambronne, and frames views out across the Eiffel Tower from the majority of its rooms.
Opening as the latest boutique hotel from Touriste, Hôtel Beauregard has been designed by Chloé Nègre, who describes it as “a hotel I would dream of if I were a tourist travelling to Paris.”
Image credit: Romain Courtemanche
Image credit: Romain Courtemanche
For her second collaboration with Touriste, Nègre has married classic and contemporary influences in Touriste’s signature tongue-in-cheek style – invoking Parisian clichés and nods to the Seventies across the six floors. Elegance and intuition are the hallmarks of the French designer who is known for her intuitive approach to design and decoration. She follows on from Luke Edward Hall’s Les Deux Gares and Dorothée Meilichzon’s Hôtel Panache – both of whom also brought their unique style and spirit to the Touriste properties.
Image credit: Romain Courtemanche
The journey begins in the lobby where, on the ceiling, a fresco by the artist Pauline Leyravaud depicts a trompe-l’oeil sky. The airy bistro-style breakfast room, seating up to 30 guests, can be used throughout the day for enjoying tea and cakes, a glass of wine or as a quiet spot to work. Each of the six floors has its own colour palette, featuring characterful touches such as: tapestries designed by the Pinton factory and grid carpets inspired by French garden trellises. Custom-made floral wall lamps and heart-shaped chairs features in the bedrooms, along with ‘I Love Paris’ crests embroidered onto the headboards. The bathrooms pop with striped walls inspired by artist Daniel Buren’s Minimalist works.
Image credit: Romain Courtemanche
Vintage finds from France make up much of the furnishings, such as a rare chair by architect Mario Botta and an undulating bench inspired by Pierre Paulin in the breakfast room. Textiles are made from recycled or recyclable fibres, bathrooms feature reclaimed taps, and all furnishings have been manufactured in France and Europe. “Taking an environmentally friendly approach has always played an important part of all of Touriste’s projects, but we have made a particular focus for Hôtel Beauregard,” said the designer.
Image credit: Romain Courtemanche
Image credit: Romain Courtemanche
“Our ambition with Touriste has always been to welcome travellers in the greatest possible setting, with hotels designed by the best interior designers at the fairest prices,” added Adrien Gloaguen, Founder of Touriste. “We have been lucky to work with some incredibly talented creatives and we love to see how different designers approach the hotels. They all put their own personal stamp on them, making every project completely unique.”
2023 will also see Touriste add two further properties to their collection – Hôtel de la Boetie designed by Beata Heuman and Hôtel Château d’Eau designed by Necchi Architecture.
> Since you’re here, why not read our recent chalet review, which comes from the French Alps?
Sneak peek: Cayo Levantado Resort – a sustainable island oasis
Cayo Levantado Resort plans to open its doors and bring its own rhythm to the Dominican Republic island with a guest experience based on three pillars – local culture, sustainability, and wellness…
Located on the island of Cayo Levantado, just a few miles away from Samaná Bay, Cayo Levantado Resort brings together elements of sustainability and innovation to create an ecological and cultural impact. The luxury resort is an exclusive development from Grupo Piñero, a Spanish multinational family-owned company, founded in 1977. In addition to its Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts portfolio, the company is launching Cayo Levantado Resort as a unique and differentiated brand, entering a new market – the luxury segment.
Cayo Levantado Resort has brought in a group of Dominican designers, interior designers and architects who will contribute to reflecting the Dominican culture through its different areas. The entire concept of the local culture underlying the project is headed by architect Ramón Emilio Jiménez and his studio Arquimilio. The culinary and cocktail development is being led by Dominican chefs Pedro Mota and Carlos Romero.
Image credit: Cayo Levantado Resort
The resort is focussing its expertise on ecological impact and sustainability, protecting the delicate ecosystem of its location and preserving its spectacular fauna and flora. Waste management is a very important component of Cayo Levantado given that islands require rubbish to be removed. Through a biodigester, the island’s waste is transported and used for energy purposes. Naturally, there will be many elements at a sustainability level that are both visible and invisible – at infrastructure-levels, there are elements that customers typically directly perceive and experience first-hand, but elements like waste management are intangible to visitors and help to convey the ‘hidden reality’ of the project.
Image credit: Cayo Levantado Resort
“With a profound respect for the environment, we focus our expertise on protecting the delicate ecosystem and preserving its spectacular flora and fauna,” said Pablo del Toro, Technical Environmental Advisor, Grupo Piñero. “In order to operate and power the hotel efficiently, gardening, waste management and renewable energy is required. Among the renewable energy sources, you’ll find thermal energy, heat recovery and solar panels.”
Image credit: Cayo Levantado Resort
The resort offers 219 spacious and stylish guestrooms. Ranging from Junior Suites to the more spacious Signature Villa. Each room is expertly styled and purposefully appointed, taking its cues from the tropical beauty of its location with its vibrant colours, breathtaking scenery and exceptional wildlife. The overarching design encourages personal wellness, with four paths that create an atmosphere perfectly suited to refresh vigour, revitalise, relieve stress and restore balance. Taking a holistic approach, the expertly trained staff combines exercise, meditation, activities and nutrition, all designed to guide guests on their journey toward a vital rhythm that is in sync with the vibrant pulse and pace of the natural surroundings. To experience Cayo Levantado Resort is to discover your own, inner rhythm.
Image credit: Cayo Levantado Resort
As part of the all-inclusive offering, guests may choose from three à la carte restaurants, one buffet restaurant and four bars and a coffee shop that feature gourmet cuisine and trendy mixology, with attention to the utmost in quality and creativity and incorporating both local and international elements. Two additional speciality restaurants give visitors exciting dining options to the exceptional all-inclusive offerings. Created by expert bartenders at the resort’s mixology laboratory, all the signature cocktails utilise the latest trends and highest quality, natural ingredients, many of which come from the resort’s own botanical garden.
Image credit: Cayo Levantado Resort
Cayo Levantado Resort also boasts a truly unique wellness immersion, an environment and a balanced state of mind, body and soul. The area includes one of the resort’s two pools, a SPA, outdoor CrossFit and personal training studio, a beauty salon and botanic garden. Offered as an exciting addition to the all-inclusive, YUBARTA is an elevated experience for personal growth and discovery, featuring a cenote, directed activity and meditation rooms and a garden landscape circuit where the island’s flora and fauna are to be discovered. Finally, steps from the beach, the resort’s beach club and its pool draw guests in to enjoy their refreshing waters, plus the relaxed comfort of its patios and surrounding pathways.
3D-printed hotel to emerge in Marfa desert in Texas
BIG and ICON will redesign El Cosmico in Texas, giving the campsite hotel a new meaning using 3D-printing technology in architecture and design.
3D printing has gone through many developments over the years since the technology was first created back in the late ’80s. From making simple objects out of on-screen renders to the idea of manufacturing cars – 3D printing has opened up opportunities in research and product development so that that industries that are fuelled by tech can continue to break boundaries.
Among those sectors to utilise new technology to create extraordinary experiences is hotel design. The most recent – and perhaps most dramatic – examples of how 3D printing could shape a new era in hospitality comes from Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the architecture firm that designed the birds-nest suite for Treehotel, which has teamed up with ICON to create a new luxury camping site in the Texas desert. El Cosmico, which currently consists of a site where guests sleep in either trailers, tents of teepees, is about to get a 3D makeover, which will include almost tripling the size of its current site.
Image credit: BIG
The project, which is said to be a ‘dream hospitality venture’ for hotelier Liz Lambert, will break ground in 2024. It will comprise of around 100 3D-printed structures scattered across the campground. The concept was inspired by the dialogue between the high desert geography and cosmic entities. The structures are expected to reflect domes, architects, vaults and parabolic forms – forming together design, hospitality, culture and nature.
Image credit: BIG
In addition to the two-, three- and four accommodation styles will frame views of the Davis Mountains, the new site will also feature a pool, spa and other public areas to socially connect guests.
Neil Andrew on Perkins&Will winning The Eco Award & design being like jazz
In the second video in our series with GROHE X that celebrates the winners from The Brit List Awards 2022, editor Hamish Kilburn meets Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality at Perkins&Will, the studio that won The Eco Award. In the exclusive interview, the pair discuss how the studio is pivoting to be carbon-zero in all its projects by 2030…
Since 2018, The Eco Award category in The Brit List Awards campaign has become one of the most congested. With almost every supplier now claiming to be sustainable – and with hospitality projects emerging on a daily basis to really push the social agenda forward – the winner of such an award needs to enrapture the judges with meaningful, conscious solutions that the whole industry can benefit from. Cue the arrival of Perkins&Will, which in 2021 published Net-Zero Now: Hospitality, a report tailored specifically to the hospitality industry that sets out a series of targets to be net-zero embodied carbon, as demonstrated through a Whole Life Carbon, by 2030.
In order to understand what, in practical terms, that means, I met with Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality at the studio. Not only did I want to understand more about the research and developments that were happening behind the scenes, but I was intrigued to also learn more about Andrew’s approach to hotel design, which it turns out, is inspired and fuelled by a good rhythm.
“Think of it [the project] as a jazz band – that’s often how I see design,” he said when asked to explain how he designs spaces. “If you are creating a public area, for example, you give one big feature the spotlight and allow everything else to sit back and compliment that piece. That approach is a great way to strip out excess bits and bobs you don’t need.” What strikes me about Andrew is his passion for creativity. His ability to design spaces that are fun, playful and heavily embedded into their location marry nicely with the company’s aims to set new standards in sustainable design.
“As a company we have been at the forefront of sustainable design for more than 25 years,” Andrew explained. “It [incorporating net-zero into design] is not something you can switch on overnight – it is a process. The good thing about the term ‘net-zero’ is that people can understand and get hold of from outside the industry.”
In addition to laying down clean and firm pledges around become a leading, socially aware studio, Perkins&Will has a focus on making concept a reality. In 2020, while the industry was in its forced hibernation from the pandemic, Perkins&Will took the opportunity to present a futuristic net-zero hotel concept for the Sleep&Eat conference. The experimental, digital installation has now been commissioned to be designed as a prototype by a leading hotel brand that is expected to be unveiled in spring 2023. What’s better than one concept becoming a reality? Last year, we were told that a second client has appointed the team to create a net-zero aparthotel prototype, which is currently on the drawing board and will also be opened in 2023.
Outside the studio, Andrew’s passion lies in music – he was seen commanding the audience from behind the DJ booth at HIX last year. At a young age, as well as developing a zest for fine art, he was also learning to DJ and make music. When encouraged by his mother to consider his career choices carefully, Andrew decided to become an interior designer, and used his flair for art and music to carve out his own personality on the interior design scene. Much more than a side hustle, his itch for creative stimulation has led him to question conventional approaches to hospitality design and, more importantly, lead from within a team.
With everything going on behind the studio doors at Perkins&Will, transparency is being recognised as the answer to overall progression. What makes the studio a worthy winner of such an award such as The Eco Award is that it is preparing to share its research and impart knowledge with the rest of the interior design community – whoever will listen. And that, the willingness to collaborate and grow stronger together, is what a modern leader looks like in 2023.
Applications / nominations for The Brit List Awards 2023 will open in the summer. The process to apply is free for all designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers alike. This is one of three videos that Hotel Designs will launch in association with GROHE, Broadcasting Partner of The Brit List Awards, to amplify a handful of the winners from last year’s campaign.
Naturalmat becomes first bed company to be awarded B Corp status
Naturalmat, the Devon-based natural bed and mattress company, which is regularly specified in hotels for leading brands such as YOTEL, Hoxton and Six Senses (among others), has achieved B Corp status due to its social and environmentally friendly approach to manufacturing…
Sustainability is part of Naturalmat’s DNA. Founded more than 20 years ago on the banks of the River Exe in Devon, the bed and mattress company was the first to pioneer the production of completely natural, organic and sustainable beds thus setting a new precedent for the UK bed industry. Its long-standing commitment to only the most sustainable production methods has earned it global recognition and now at last, B Corp status, considered to be sustainability’s ‘gold standard’.
The ‘B’ in B Corp stands for Benefit for all. Its aim is to recognise purpose-driven businesses committed to being a holistic force for good for all people, communities and the planet. Achieving this accreditation has taken Naturalmat close to two years of rigorous assessment and the evaluation of every aspect of the business: from staff welfare, packaging and energy supply to their wider role within the community and commitment to their suppliers. It is this level of scrutiny that makes B Corp certification so important.
Image credit: Naturalmat
“From day one over 20 years ago, we’ve been at the forefront of making planet-friendly mattresses with organic, sustainable and renewable materials,” explained Mark Tremlett, Founder of Naturalmat. “So needless to say, it feels truly rewarding to be recognised as the ethical business we’ve always strived to be and join this powerful global community of organisations working together for a better tomorrow. We started off making mattresses for boats with natural and breathable materials, eventually expanding into organic, chemical-free mattresses for babies and adults, championing safe and healthy sleep for everyone. Over the next few years we made every effort to grow as a force for good. We pioneered sourcing organic wool directly from local farmers, installed solar panels on the roof of our workshop and moved to 100% renewable energy, and developed innovative plastic-free packaging.”
In order to achieve B-Corp certification, a company must:
Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above
Make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and achieve benefit corporation status if available in their jurisdiction.
Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website
Naturalmat B Corp Assessment Score:
Overall B Impact Score – 96.3
Score required for B Corp Qualification – 80
Median Score for Ordinary Business – 50.9
Image credit: Naturalmat
Every key material that goes into a Naturalmat product has been carefully selected from natural, regenerative and sustainable sources to minimise its impact on the planet. From certified organic wool and coir to locally crafted buttons, Naturalmat is rigorous in handpicking only the most sustainable materials from suppliers it trusts.
Naturalmat is committed to practising regenerative farming principles, using more recycled materials across its range and continuing to uphold only the highest uphold human rights and animal welfare across its supply chain. By forming impactful charity partnerships to tackle bed poverty and sharing healthy sleep advice with the world, Naturalmat continues to work towards its goal of making healthy sleep available to all.
Image credit: The Hoxton / Ennismore
Naturalmat is committed to playing its part in tackling the current escalating ecological emergency by cutting emissions and ensuring every stage of production supports the protection and regeneration of the planet’s precious ecosystem. As part of this, Naturalmat’s Devon showroom has been powered by 100 per cent renewable energy since 2012, with 75 per cent provided by solar panels on the workshop roof.
From the outset, Naturalmat has recruited members of its team from within its local Devon community, resulting in 37 or its 45 members being based in and around the company’s workshop headquarters in Topsham. The team consists of a wide range of highly skilled individuals from traditional mattress makers and upholsterers to office based roles all contributing to a supportive and positive work environment.
Further highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices, Naturalmat released its first Impact Report in 2022. This comprehensive document charts the company’s journey to date and sets out Naturalmat’s current sustainability strategies based around five key pillars each with ambitious targets it aims to meet by 2025.
Naturalmat is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Injecting ‘Californian vibes’ inside Kimpton Alma San Diego
Hospitality design studio Indidesign was tasked to transform the former Kimpton Palomar into vibey boutique bombshell – cue the arrival of Kimpton Alma San Diego…
Poised in the heart and soul of Downtown San Diego, the Kimpton Alma is an eclectic boutique lifestyle hotel with a laid-back feel. Formerly known as the Kimpton Palomar, the hotel underwent a transformation that reflects the sense of humour and edginess of the city that is rarely showcased. The lobby welcomes guests to Alma with access to a bar, lower-level cafe, and outdoor patio for an inviting, hospitable experience.
Image credit: Will Pryce
The hotel’s premier restaurant, The Desmond, boasts three dining areas totalling 112 covers – it’s a timeless destination restaurant, designed with a mix of historical and contemporary elements. The interior scheme weaves deep blue and greens as well as brighter tones to open up the space for an approachable setting that is also intimate in nature.
Kimpton Alma San Diego shelters 176 rooms and 35 suites – five of which are penthouse suites with two levels. The pool deck and ‘Leave of Absence’ lounge provide a 1,893 square-metre expanse where guests can swim, grab a quick bite, or simply take in some fresh coastal air.
Designed by award-winning hospitality design studio Indidesign, Alma expresses the uniqueness of the Southern Californian lifestyle. Instead of theming the hotel with a beachy and surfer aesthetic, Indidesign veered away from the stereotypical vision of San Diego and drew inspiration from the border city’s connection to Mexican heritage, street culture, and obsession with comic books to create a brand new identity for Alma, deeply rooted in its surroundings. Indidesign wanted guests to feel privileged, relaxed, surprised, and appreciated all while embracing Alma’s familiar spirit to feel right at home.
Image credit: Will Pryce
Alma’s design is simple yet complex with high attention to detail. The rooms are designed to look and feel residential with bright open spaces. All rooms feature small cacti that reference the local species of San Diego, along with meditation pillows and eco-friendly cork yoga mats for wellness.
Image credit: Will Pryce
One of the strongest design features is the window seating in the standard rooms that allow guests to immerse themselves in the city. In-room dining and work surfaces by the window were a key move to reinvent how the space functions. In the details, the accommodations are adorned with textiles and decor that pay homage to Mexican culture and the spa bathrooms in the guestrooms offer standalone tubs that further emphasise the feeling of wellness.
Image credit: Will Pryce
Indidesign created a large array of bespoke designs for Alma, including textiles, furniture, wall panelings, and wall coverings. Textile patterns were inspired by traditional Mexican motifs, with an Indidesign spin, along with handmade tapestries and convex mirrors set in handwoven baskets that cement the luxury lifestyle experience. The walls at Alma are a focal point, intended to draw the eye with a variety of artistic wall pieces—lacquered wall panelings with geometric motifs being one of them. In the guestrooms, unique wall organisers stand out as functional statement pieces. Wall coverings with a nod to graffiti and tattoo art fill the walls in some of the guest bathrooms. In the public areas, large murals from local artists and one-of-a-kind artworks illustrate the fun and laid-back attitude of San Diego.
An exclusive look at the new Bello Collection from Modieus
Hotel Designs was given exclusive access to the Modieus design duo Leah Manwaring and Debra Ryan on the launch of its hottest new collection, BELLO. Italian for good-looking, lovely and handsome, this fine-looking collection is beautifully designed with an unapologetic masculine nuance…
There are three distinct chapters to this Italian inspired design collection from Modieus and each chapter has an original colour palette, developed by the team as part of its 2023 colour trends forecast. Colours within BELLO range from soft pastels like lilac and celestial blue, to gold dusted highlights, watermelon magenta and both dark and light teal.
“The opulence and energy of this collection feels the right response for interiors in which they are intended,” discussed Leah Manwaring, Designer, Modieus. “People are going out and enjoying hospitality spaces. It’s like ‘revenge opulence’, a celebration of hospitality to make up for lost time over the past few years. 2023 will be all about layering. We see our patterns forming a backdrop for a variety of bold shapes, angular furniture and textured walls. Interior spaces are becoming bolder and multi-dimensional, so our patterns cultivate a mish-mash of floral, chequered or striped geometrics and plenty of textures.”
Image credit: Modieus
“We have loved seeing the trend of mixing old vintage pieces, alongside new contemporary elements gain in confidence,” added Debra Ryan, Designer, Modieus. “Opposites attract and our new designs are ‘pretty’ but incorporate a ‘masculine’ quality. The patterns within each chapter celebrate a mix of eras, textures, and colours. As designers, it’s been incredibly exciting creating a collection that reflects our colour and design trends for the year ahead. We encourage you to be playful and find your own Bello.”
Image credit: Modieus
Image credit: Modieus
The three distinct chapters within this Italian inspired design collection are a shout out to bling and over-the-top opulence – starting with PALAZZO. In Palazzo we discover an abundance of Art Deco line and geometric patterns alongside decadent, clashing content. Modieus take us on a journey from Greek mythology to modern Versace and from ornate baroque architecture to intricate Victorian tiles and elaborate damasks.
Image credit: Modieus
You cannot help but fall in love with the designs in the AMORE chapter. The beautifully drawn floral patterns in this collection work in harmony with the Art Deco inspired line designs. This decadent, clashing content layers elaborate Victorian ornamental scrolls with modern graphic shapes and textures.
Image credit: Modieus
FIORE, meaning flower in Italian, dazzles with its over-the-top opulence. The exuberance of the Modieus design team can be seen in the extravagant design scale and clashing content. Floral patterns and Art Nouveau designs share this pretty colour palette with hints of metallic highlights. dig deeper into the pattern and you might even find an Art Deco flying goose or two – this is joyous, fun, and exciting design at its best.
Image credit: Modieus
Image credit: Modieus
The Modieus Bello Collection was designed as part of its 2023 trends forecast. Each year the Modieus design team undertake a global study of colour, fashion and lifestyle influences to determine how these will affect commercial interior design. This year you will glimpse elements of the pastel hues of the WGSN-SS-23 colour palette and the vibrancy of Pantone’s colour of the year Viva Magenta – but in Bello it is perfectly paired with Pantone piccolo, an Italian expresso coffee. Bello is design celebration created for the hospitality sector. Each design can be recoloured or rescaled to create beautiful carpets, rugs or tiles.
Modieus is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Morgan collections are named after the places that inspired them and Design Director Erin Johnson explores the way geography can inspire design, taking us on a journey around the world in six Morgan collections...
From the feelings evoked by urban or rural landscapes to the captivating beauty of manmade and natural structures alike, the world is overflowing with inspiration. Unlike popular design trends, nature and longstanding architecture offer access to a more timeless aesthetic, which continues to resonate year after year. “At Morgan, we like to name our furniture collections after geographical places,” explained Erin Johnson, Design Director, Morgan. “While their names highlight where we’ve drawn our inspiration from, it’s not always in the way you might expect – sometimes it’s from a building, a series of bridges, a lake or even a feeling.”
Image credit: Morgan
Starting the journey in the Ticino canton of Switzerland, the southernmost canton of the country, Ticino stands out for its warm climate and is the point of inspiration for the Lugano Collection. The glacial Lake Lugano sits nestled in the western Alps – reminiscent of the way Lake Lugano is cradled amongst the mountains, Morgan’s Lugano collection features an upholstered seat and body which float within a strong timber frame. Comprising a lounge chair, small lounge chair and dining chair, the collection offers options to introduce embracing comfort into both formal and informal settings. Designed not only to reflect nature, but to respect it as well, Lugano avoids the need for full product replacement through its composition of three distinct elements, which can be individually updated or replaced.
Image credit: Morgan
Image credit: Morgan
Next, we head south to balmy northern Spain to be surrounded by verdant mountains in Bilbao. Sitting on the banks of the Nervion Estuary, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is internationally renowned not for both its exhibitions and its architecture. Its large undulating surfaces, defined by clean sharp lines, breathe life into the stationary structure. The Bilbao collection pays homage to this Franky Gehry-designed masterpiece, similarly combining crisp defined edges with gentle, organic surfaces. Like a much-needed retreat to Spain, Bilbao offers a relaxing, luxurious experience through its soft forms and sensuous upholstery.
Image credit: Morgan
Our travels take us to Africa next, to a 200 km stretch of the Kenyan coast, which is punctuated by dozens of kayas, or sacred forests. In these environments, trees are deeply respected by the locals who protect them. And so Kaya, a collection of three lounge chairs and two dining chairs, finds it roots in the openness, honesty and purity of trees. Through its cane detailing and individual, lightweight timber supports, Kaya evokes an atmosphere of ‘komorebi’, the Japanese word for sunshine filtering through leaves.
Image credit: Morgan
Heading further east and crossing several time zones, we find ourselves surrounded by the temples and shrines of Kyoto. When visiting any of Kyoto’s gardens, you are likely to come across yatsuhashi – a bridge consisting of eight overlapping planks of stone or wood, often in a zig-zag pattern. The Kyoto benches, like the iconic bridges, intersect to create informal seating, perfect for spacious venues. Elegant and minimalist, this dual-height seating encourages you to take a less direct route and to pause, sit and appreciate your surroundings from a new perspective.
Image credit: Morgan
Our penultimate stop is New Zealand on Rakino Island, to the northeast of Auckland. One of a cluster of small islands in the Hauraki Gulf, Rakino offers a welcome escape from the busy city, only a short boat ride away. It is perhaps no surprise that Rakino, designed by New Zealander Tim Rundle, should seek to evoke the feelings of calm and isolation that come with a break from urban life – even when specified in a bustling environment. A comfortable and inviting lounge chair, Rakino juxtaposes soft sculptured upholstery with a strong, low line frame.
Image credit: Morgan
Finally, we return to home to England where Goodwood House embodies 17th century stateliness a stone’s throw from the Morgan factory in West Sussex. While there are no limits to where the designers draw inspiration from, Morgan is proud to be ‘Made in Britain’. The Goodwood collection of armchairs and complementary coffee tables reflect the quality, authenticity and timelessness of the nearby estate after which it is named. The design simultaneously nods to tradition and challenges convention, with beautifully chamfered timber arms that stand out as sculptural elements against a simple upholstered backdrop.
Morgan is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Launched in 2022 during the Ligne Roset exhibition held at Palais de Tokyo, Paris, Marechiaro is a new shelving system designed by Philippe Nigro…
French product and furniture designer Philippe Nigro recently unveiled Marechirao, a new contemporary shelving unit for Ligne Roset that, by design, questions the traditional use of the bookshelf and its presence in space.
In addition to being a storage solution, the curvaceous unit also incorporates a screen, which is made up of a palisade – the architecture of this feature creates a subtle and soft boundary between areas.
Image credit: Ligne Roset Contract
The system is a screen-cabinet that on one side is aimed at storing books and objects – injecting personality into interior design schemes – and on the other side is a screen made up of wooden slats assembled in openwork to maintain a certain transparency. The duel-use – the dual identity, if you like – allows free and flexible use.
The system creates a ‘space within space’: thanks to these three modules (straight, concave and convex), the compositions offer infinite freedom in the creation of alcoves and perforated walls while adapting to the requirements of the architecture of the place.
Image credit: Ligne Roset Contract
In two-tone, the wooden slats add movement and surprise. They also allow Marechiaro to be apprehended differently depending on the angle of observation. On one side is a screen made up of triangular wooden slats assembled in an openwork to maintain a certain transparency. Magic comes with the treatment of the three sides of the triangular strut: two sides stained black with the third painted a hedonistic gold. This creates a visual trick of the eye as you move around it.
Image credit: Ligne Roset Contract
The shelving unit entirely made of machined solid wood comes in a choice of two finishes, NATURAL ASH – natural ash shelves / natural and black-stained slats and BLACK-STAINED ASH – black-stained ash shelves / ‘patine bronze’ (bronze patina) and black-stained slats.
Linge Roset Contact is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Introducing the first mass-produced 95% recycled content tile
The Sequel Principle collection, from Parkside and Alusid, represents a huge step forward for the ceramic tile industry as the world’s first mass produced 95 per cent recycled content tile.
With a tile body made entirely from by-products (post-consumer recycled glass and ceramic) of other manufacturing processes, Sequel Principle is based on technology that has taken a bold leap from a small batch production to a fully scalable process. Made by adapting the tile body to work in standard ceramic production facilities, Sequel Principle achieves a similar like-to-like cost as some other twice-fired tiles.
The original Sequel Vibe requires making each tile by hand from low value glass and ceramic waste with capacity of approximately 50 square metres per week. The new technique developed for Sequel Principle uses the same low value materials, but sources them after a further production process for finer granules that can enter the machine-operated ceramic tile production cycle. In turn, Sequel Principle enters the world of scalable production with current output of 1,000 square metres per day.
“The original process for Sequel Vibe demonstrated that it was possible to create a wall tile using a high content of recycled materials,” said Dan Little, Managing Director, Parkside. “However, as is often the case with developmental technology, it had manufacturing limitations. With the introduction of Sequel Principle, we’ve worked with Alusid, makers of Seque Vibe, to develop a production process that achieves mass-production that also uses less energy. It’s a big step forward for the industry.”
Sequel Principle also addresses the energy used during production by eliminating the spray drying of almost all ceramic tiles in mass production today. An energy and resource intensive process, this means that Sequel Principle uses approximately 35 per cent less energy and approximately 75 per cent less water than a similarly produced ceramic tile.
Founded in 2015, Alusid is the result of a research project at the University of Central Lancashire. Setting out to explore ways in which waste and low-value materials destined for landfill could be re-purposed into versatile surface materials, Professor David Binns and Dr Alasdair Bremner developed an innovative and aesthetically versatile surface material made from glass, ceramics and mineral waste.
As such, it becomes the world’s first mass produced 95 per cent recycled content tile. In fact, the body of Sequel Principle is entirely made from recycled materials. Alusid is looking at reducing the impact of the glaze to provide further environmental gain for the product in future iterations.
Sequel Principle echoes a similar hand-made aesthetic to Vibe, with a colour and depth in each of the four tones inspired by the Victorian period. With classic style that remains timeless and elegant, the tiles look impressive in any setting. Measuring 29.5 x 7.3 x 0.8 cm, Sequel Principle is available in colours of green, amber, blue and white.
Parkside is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: introducing Orology from BAGNODESIGN
Orology from BAGNODESIGN is a contemporary, cosmopolitan collection of high-end bathroom mixers that have been ‘crafted to perfection’…
BAGNODESIGN, the trend-leading luxury bathroom brand from Sanipex Group, introduces Orology, a collection of high-class bathroom mixers that are sleek and contemporary.
Combining trend with tactility, Orology uniquely draws inspiration from stylish watch bezels, with its versatile features offering a sense of understated luxury, allowing variations and combinations to maintain timeless contemporary elegance.
Image credit: Sanipex Group
With flexibility and functionality at its core, the Orology brassware collection comes in five stunning finishes to offer the ultimate luxury of choice in bathroom design. The versatile options include PVD Gold, Anthracite, Chrome, Brushed Nickel, and Soft Bronze, each adding individual perspective and depth to the finish.
The PVD Gold sets an example for achieved luxury aesthetics, blended with glamour and style, while the Anthracite hits notes of dark, moody, sporty, and functional. Chrome and Brushed Nickel combine contemporary luxury with understated elegance, while the Soft Bronze finish offers an industrial chic look, all of which are unmatched in quality and finesse.
Image credit: Sanipex Group
Offering much more than mixers for your bathroom, BAGNODESIGN also presents a diverse selection of furniture options to match each finish, including stylish terrazzo, matt black, alpine and marble integrated basins, stylewood grain furniture, and statuario tops. The Orology range comes with complete solutions for vanity units showcasing the fluted design, additional bathroom accessories, bathtubs, and sleek shower heads that spoil you for choice.
Sanipex Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
First look: Zaha Hadid Design collections launching at Milan Design Week 2023
Here’s our editor’s pick – highlighting four looks and collections that Zaha Hadid Design is launching during Milan Design Week 2023, which takes place April 18 – 23…
Since 2006, when Zaha Hadid Design (ZHD) was established by celebrated architect Zaha Hadid, challenging form, structure and conventional approaches to design has been in the DNA of the studio.
From lighting to furniture, artefacts to garments, each item created by the team at the studio, led by Maha Kutay and Woody Yao, is a statement that confronts contemporary design with unapologetic style. The team are constantly pushing boundaries by implementing the latest technology and material advancements with a thorough methodological approach, often in collaboration with other brands.
With Milan Design Week approaching, the interior design and architecture industry is questioning what is next for brands like ZHD that are fuelled by innovation. Well, we have been teased with a sneak preview on what the studio will be launching and, in true ZHD style, it’s all about form, structure and materials.
Seyun – a collaboration between Zaha Hadid Design and Karimoku
Image credit: Masaki Ogawa
Seyun is a collection of wooden furniture – comprising of a chair, an armchair and a table – that explores the juxtaposition between the hardness of the material wood and the sense of lightness achieved through the design.
The furniture pieces, designed by ZHD and crafted in wood by Karimoku Furniture, are composed as a series of conjoined asymmetrical surfaces that reference Zaha Hadid‘s univocal sense of aesthetic whilst conveying a sense of elegance and standing.
Image credit: Masaki Ogawa
Blending traditional Japanese woodworking techniques with contemporary design, the items from the Seyun collection are distinguished by the natural aesthetic of the material wood and the distinctive design idiom of Zaha Hadid. The collection will be available in a select number of finishes that support both the dynamic flow of the design and the natural grain of the wood.
“Karimoku Furniture proves to be an ideal partner for Zaha Hadid Design,” commented Kutay. “Their accuracy and excellent quality of execution exquisitely match our distinctive design language and uncompromising attention to detail.”
The collection will make its international debut this year in a striking exhibition at the historic MUSEO Bagatti Valsecchi, in Milan’s city centre.
Aria Infinita – a collaboration between Zaha Hadid Design and Slamp
Image credit: Zaha Hadid Design
The collaboration between ZHD and Slamp gave rise in 2013 to Aria and Avia, a project that expressed Slamp’s approach to lighting innovation. Aria Infinita is a mutated representation of Aria; it combines dynamism and sculptural features, conveying ZHD’s distinctive approach: sinuous lines and bold geometries inform this design, delivering a powerful and scenographic experience.
The result is surprising and goes beyond the traditional concept of lighting: Aria Infinita is a modular system that, starting from a minimum extension of 4.7 metres, can be ideally replicated to fit any dimension, suiting private as well as public environments.
The Aria and Avia light sculptures, which were created ten years ago, are precisely the starting point for the creation of Aria Infinita: the sheets that follow one other in the structure are in fact the same ones that now harmoniously assume imposing formats, open and develop linearly in space, creating a large sinusoidal wave, available in white and gold colours.
“We couldn’t be happier to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our collaboration with Slamp,” said Yao on the relationship. “We do not see them simply as clients, yet as part of our family, Slamp shares our ethos, we approach our contemporaneity with the same curiosity and optimism, and I think this is evident in the work we develop together.”
Plush – a collaboration between Zaha Hadid Design and Sawaya & Moroni
Image credit: Sawaya Moroni
First designed by Zaha Hadid in 2007, Plush wasn’t prototyped until 2016, just prior the architect’s passing, before it was remodelled and finalised in 2022 by the studio.
Combining ergonomics with a voluptuous, sculptural design, Plush for Sawaya Moroni redefines the sofa typology by magnifying the relation between object and space. The curvilinear design transmits the natural beauty and tranquility of pebbles and rock formations eroded by natural elements, allowing the piece to be perceived and appreciated from any perspective and point of view – aptly fitting in any environment as a true centrepiece, subtly combining the solidity of the structural components with the softness of the upholstery and the cushioning, while the lacquered finish enhances the overall composition.
Filari – a collaboration between Zaha Hadid Design and Citco
Image credit: Zaha Hadid Design
Citco and ZHD’s long-standing relationship, which includes the innovation of sculptural vases and tables made from marble, continues this year with a new chapter for both brands. Cue the launch of Filari, a new range of dynamically designed wall features and standalone floor sculptures that reflect the studio’s signature fluid architectural form – as seen, for example, in the ME Dubai, which was the first hotel to open, sheltering work from both ZHD and Zaha Hadid Architects.
Sustainable hotel brand Beyond Green grows its global portfolio
Beyond Green, a global portfolio of the planet’s most sustainable hotels, recently welcomed five new member properties in locations ranging from Miami Beach, Florida, Lake Tahoe, Nevada and Maine, through to Italy…
As the portfolio consciously grows, Beyond Green strives to represent a diversity of hotels that demonstrate impact in action across a wide variety of environments, whether they be urban or rural and across land or sea. The new offerings come on the tail of a year of growth for Beyond Green, which saw new properties in Canada, Spain, and the Caribbean in 2022.
Since its launch in 2021 by Preferred Travel Group, Beyond Green continues to thoughtfully expand its footprint in destinations around the globe and is proud to welcome the following properties to its global portfolio, which now consists of 31 hotels, resorts and lodges across 18 countries.
Edgewood Tahoe Resort, set along the shores of South Lake Tahoe and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, is a multi-award-winning, LEED Silver Certified property, which blends outdoor brilliance with upscale accommodations reminiscent of historic Alpine lodges of the American West. With a renowned golf course, expansive spa, three dining outlets, upscale recreation facilities and outdoor adventures just moments away, this 154-guestroom destination beckons selective travellers from all over the world. The resort’s commitment to a legacy of land stewardship and environmental development runs through all levels of development and Edgewood Tahoe continues to deepen its sustainability promise since opening its doors in 2017, with electric car charging stations, recycling and community clean-up programmes, a reduction of water and chemical usage, increasing wildlife habitat at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
Image caption: Inn by the Sea | Image credit: Preferred Hotels
Located on a mile of unspoiled sandy beach on the coast of Maine, minutes from the trendy town of Portland, Inn by the Sea offers 62 modern guestrooms and one- or two-bedroom suites with private exterior entrances, serving as a year-round coastal sanctuary to explore the rugged New England coast. The seaside property has been a hospitality destination dating back to 1950, growing throughout the years while honouring its quintessential New England charm in a cosy, contemporary way. Guests can relax and rejuvenate at the resort’s intimate spa with sea inspired services or indulge in local and sustainable cuisine in the ocean view dining room, Sea Glass. Inspired by its natural coastal surroundings, The Inn blends luxury and service with environmental preservation through eco-friendly initiatives and an appreciation of all things local. The landscape is designed to be attractive to butterflies and guests, with indigenous nectar gardens and milkweed planted for endangered butterflies, while also continually working to restore habitat for endangered New England Cottontail Rabbits. Guests enjoy natural room amenities and reusable glass water bottles while activities include beach ecology walks with a naturalist, or morning yoga in the LEED certified spa.
Image caption: The Palms Hotel & Spa | Image credit: Preferred Hotels
A tranquil tropical Art Deco oasis in the heart of vibrant Miami Beach, the 251-guestroom The Palms Hotel & Spa offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and direct access to the iconic beach. Inspired by nature, the oceanfront resort places a unique emphasis on health and total wellness, with green practices and environmental awareness at the centre of every experience. From holistic Ayurvedic spa treatments at The Palms AVEDA Spa, to mindfully sourced cuisine with seasonally rotating specials highlighting locally grown produce and farmers, The Palms Hotel & Spa is committed to being in harmony with the surrounding nature through local environmental and community partnerships and initiatives. Sharing its delicate oceanfront home with sea turtles and other wildlife, the hotel is operating with close to zero disposable plastics throughout the property while having implemented a fully automated in-room energy management system to control lighting and air conditioning, as well as comprehensive recycling and beach clean-up programmes to help conserve its environment.
Image caption:Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda | Image credit: Preferred Hotels
Nestled high atop a hill hugging the western shores of Italy’s Lake Garda, Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda stuns travellers with panoramic views of the Riviera dei Limoni and its famed citrus groves, olive trees and one-of-a-kind lakeside landscape. Guests are greeted by a pair of elegant gates which swing open to reveal a park-like estate dotted with shady woodlands and sweeping lawns leading up to one of northern Italy’s most beautiful wellness retreats.
Opening its doors in 2008, the five star resort offers 96 suites, more than 400 square metres of dedicated spa space and two restaurants and bars with a focus on healthy, seasonal Mediterranean dishes. Designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings with minimal environmental impact, the property maintains that the well-being of every person is connected to environmental well-being. Lefay Resorts is the first Italian company in the tourism sector to sign an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment for projects aimed at neutralising CO2 emissions. Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda has been completely offsetting its carbon emissions since 2013, making it the first tourism facility in southern Europe to obtain the prestigious Green Globe certification.
Set in Italy’s iconic Dolomites is the fifth and final addition to the portfolio – Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti is one of the most scenic places to stay within Italy’s Dolomite region. The second jewel in the Lefay Resorts Collection balances beautiful and integrative architecture with an atmosphere dedicated to both energising physical activity and the ultimate in rest and relaxation.
Welcoming guests since 2019, the resort’s 88 spacious suites and 21 residences are set amid the mountain scenery of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests can enjoy their choice of two gourmet restaurants and bars, one of the largest spas in the Alps at 5,000 square metres and all-season access to mountain sports and activities like skiing, trekking, cycling and more. The ClimaHotel-certified CO2 free resort is dedicated to containing its energy consumption through a high level of insulation and an investment in state-of-the-art technologies that create renewable energy sources with high production systems such as its biomass furnace and a co-generation plant.
Bette, the specialist for bathroom products made from titanium steel, dropped two major gamechangers for hotel designers at ISH: a simplified shower tray installation solution and new, sleek washbasins…
Last week, ISH 2023 in Frankfurt showcased a plethora of innovative products to enter the contract bathroom market. Among them were new designs from Bette.
The bathroom brand known for its unique manufacturing process launched two new collections, BetteBalance and Bettelevel – here’s everything you need to know about them.
BetteBalance – washbasins with defined edges and almost weightless lightness in design
As a material for washbasins, glazed titanium steel offers significant advantages in terms of resilience and ease of cleaning. It also allows the creation of extremely slender, but durable products, with defined edges and almost weightless lightness in design. With BetteBalance, Bette is introducing four new bowl washbasins made of this material, which is as robust as it is elegant. With them, different areas of use and styles can be realised in one design language.
Image credit: Bette
Developed for Bette by Tesseraux & Partner, there are four built-in and surface-mounted variants of BetteBalance. All have an ergonomically optimised, circular inner body with a diameter of 395mm, with the interior optimised both in terms of visual appeal and to minimise the splashing of water.
The undermounted and built-in washbasins are the classics for installation in bathroom furniture, with the slender rim created in only the thickness of the material itself. A cylindrical countertop washbasin and a washbasin bowl complete the range. This system of creating four variants from one bowl shape reduces manufacturing costs – and means the washbasins can be priced competitively compared to other materials.
The BetteBalance bowl basins are available in four styles and in numerous colours, including matt colours and sparkling effect colours.
The central waste outlet with enamelled cover, echoes the large waste outlet of the successful BetteAir shower tray. To create a flawless, easy-care surface, the basins do not have an overflow hole, with the waste remaining open, although covered, at all times.
BetteLevel – shower tray installation done smart
Developed in conjunction with installers, BetteLevel is a new approach to shower tray installation, which makes it significantly easier and faster, and works with shower trays of all sizes. The new system revolutionises the process of mounting, levelling, and adjusting the shower tray to the desired height. Until now, this has usually been done using a frame, however, as frames have to be assembled and adjusted in height using screws, it can be a time-consuming process.
Image credit: Bette
Image credit: Bette
The new self-locking foot system makes the process much simpler and faster, with no extra tools required. The unique, patented self-locking, telescopic feet are simply glued to the shower tray. The shower tray is then raised to the desired height and the feet lock in place automatically. If any adjustment is required, the lock can be released by lifting the shower tray, and the process repeated to lock the feet at the correct height. Once level and at the correct height, the waste can be installed, and the tiling can be done.
Bette is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Naomi Heaton, CEO and Founder of The Other House, joined the Hotel Hypnos podcast to discuss what it takes to become a ‘real disrupter’ on the hotel hospitality scene…
When The Other House South Kensington opened in 2022, designed by Bergman Design House with architecture by Falcon Chester Hall, the hospitality industry applauded Naomi Heaton’s vision to combine the service of hotels, the experience of private members’ clubs and the feeling of home under one roof. Not only did Heaton and her entourage cause welcomed disruption to the already thriving London hotel scene, The Other House arrived with unapologetic style – think clashing, maximalist patterns throughout paired with calming rooms, or Club Flats as the brand calls them.
“We are called a Residents’ Club, because we want to combine the best of hotels with the best of residential living and the best of a club environment,” Heaton said on the Hotel Hypnos podcast recently. “People want experiences, they want to feel relaxed, they want to get the most out of where they’re staying and we see that as the future of travel.”
The unique experience offered to residents by a ‘real disruptor’ in the hospitality marketplace forms the focus of the latest in a series of highly informative interviews with hospitality experts, brought to life by bed and mattress leaders, Hypnos Contract Beds, which the design team specified in the brand’s first property to maximise guest comfort and sleep performance. Heaton added: “Working together with Hypnos has helped us achieve that feeling of comfort at home, they are a key partner for us and have provided 295 beautiful Lansdowne Cashmere beds for our Club Flats.”
Image credit: The Other House
In addition to the hotel sheltering some serious style, it is also consciously, environmentally and socially aware. “Sustainability is a key motivator in everything we do,” Heaton explained on the podcast. “We are committed to making a positive environmental impact, which includes vetting our suppliers practices, carrying out lifecycle assessments to inform selection and actively minimising our carbon footprint and emissions. Thanks to Hypnos’ sustainability and ethical ethos, working with them has helped us to realise our goal of being a more socially responsible business.”
Hypnos Contract Beds offers true comfort with integrity, providing versatile and sustainable solutions for hospitality properties to help maximise occupancy and profits, while offering a hassle-free service solution, including in-room installation and old bed disposal and recycling.
Hypnos Contract Beds is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Introducing La Valise Tulum – luxury hospitality in the jungle
The Mexican collection of boutique hotels, Namron Hospitality, opened its fifth luxury hotel in Tulum – La Valise Jungle – comprising 11 brand new suites on the jungle side of Tulum Beach…
After successfully opening La Valise Mexico City, Tulum captured the heart of hotelier Yves Naman. In all his travels, he had never encountered a place as wild, raw and magically inspiring as Tulum. Naman was so enamoured with the location that he decided to create the ultimate boutique hotel experience there. He purchased a small beach house and transformed it into an 11-key boutique hotel, giving birth to La Valise Tulum.
In 2022, the hotel expanded with 11 additional jungle suites and a luxurious SPA sanctuary located on a separate property across the street from the beach. La Valise is now a two-wing property, spanning its original beachfront and new jungle accommodations.
Image credit: Sofia Hernadez
La Valise SPA is located on the jungle side and caters to both hotel guests and external visitors. Upon arrival at La Valise Tulum, guests will be struck by the meticulous attention to detail, which begins at check-in and extends throughout their stay. Amidst Tulum’s lush jungle, guests will hear the gentle sound of the Caribbean Sea as they make their way along winding white-sand paths to their oceanside or jungle-view suites. Each suite is adorned with palatial palapa roofs and decadent locally crafted décor, creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere.
Image credit: Sofia Hernadez
Image credit: Sofia Hernadez
As guests enter the jungle, they are immediately transported into a world of tranquillity, surrounded by the sounds of nature. At the heart of the jungle lies a cenote that defines the true luxury of leisure. For those seeking even more seclusion, there are five additional La Valise signature rolling bed suites where guests can indulge in a dreamy escape.
Image credit: Sofia Hernadez
The décor at La Valise captures the natural mysticism of Tulum while perpetuating the eccentricity of the La Valise name. The combination makes guests feel like they are hanging out in the beachfront living room of their most cultured, gypset and affluent best friend. Respect is paid to the quality and beauty of local materials such as chukum, a stucco made from Mayan rubber trees and re-imagined palapa thatched roofs. Woven reed lamps and tropical wood wall adornments look more like sculptures than accents. Every inch of La Valise elevates local craftsmanship with its seasoned eye, giving it that je ne sais quoi of enchantment.
Image credit: Sofia Hernadez
Image credit: Sofia Hernadez
Sheltering a variety of beachside, garden and jungle-side guestrooms, all are generous and impeccably designed. Guestrooms all focus on and have access to the surrounding nature, with high palapa roofs handwoven by Mayan artisans and handcrafted art and objects from the region. Each room features a spacious bathroom, shower, bathtub, king-size bed, air conditioning and refreshing ceiling fans.
Image credit: Sofia Hernadez
The impressive jungle setting also houses the restaurant NÜ, where chef Luis Aguilar sources the freshest ingredients, preserving sustainable methods of cooking and continuously innovating flavour creations. Alchemising diverse and rare ingredients from the Caribbean sea and Mayan jungle, NÜ Tulum has created a vibrant local cuisine, earning it recognition as one of the five best restaurants in Yucatan. The lush gardens also accommodate an impressive curation of live music, art and cultural gatherings, where guests can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails while dancing under the stars.
With the demand for biophilic design growing, Leaflike brings a complete end-to-end solution to the table for incorporating nature into hotel design…
Hoteliers and designers are increasingly seeing the benefits of bringing nature to the forefront of hotel and hospitality design. But, as Leaflike asserts, biophilic design is about more than just adding a few plants to a space, it is also about creating a connection between people and nature by incorporating natural elements into the design of a space.
Leaflike is skilled, not only in planting design for luxury hotels and hospitality spaces, but also in understanding that the job doesn’t end with the design. The biophilic brand works closely with clients to understand their needs and create custom designs that meet the specific and ongoing requirements.
“We find time and time again that clients come to us because they have experienced disappointment in the post-installation phase, where they have less support and understanding of how to look after the plants to maximise their lifespan, or that the maintenance programme they are given isn’t up to scratch,” explained Liam Abernethie, Head of Client Relations, Leaflike. ” With poor follow-up, some areas can look tired fairly quickly – something that will certainly be noticed by discerning guests.”
Image credit: Leaflike
As any successful hotelier knows, providing an excellent experience for guests requires attention to detail in every aspect of a property. From the design and décor, to the customer service and maintenance, every element must be perfect to create a memorable stay. Leaflike has set itself apart with design-driven planting for luxury hotels and hospitality spaces – so what does it take to make that difference and reassure hoteliers that the designs will look good long after installation?
Key to this process is understanding that hotels have unique needs and challenges, such as maintaining the plants in high-traffic areas, or ensuring that the design complements the overall aesthetic of the property. Leaflike is dedicated to finding solutions to these challenges and ensuring that the final product meets all expectations. Importantly, the support continues post-installation as the team regularly monitors the plants and makes adjustments as needed, to ensure that the space remains beautiful and healthy.
Image credit: Leaflike
Leaflike is committed to giving hotels the best in design, customer service, installation and maintenance. The combination of these elements is brought together in the ‘Leaflike Promise’. This is a set of service commitments, which ensures that hotels have the very best experience, a Leaflike experience, from initial inquiry to a fully-fledged maintenance service. Clients remain informed, relaxed and safe in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of from a design perspective, along with the longer term practicalities of effective maintenance and great communication for hotel teams.
Leaflike also understands the importance of sustainability, which is a core value of the business. Having recently received the EcoVadis Gold Award in Sustainability, it is committed to both sustainability and making ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact. This is done by advocating eco-friendly materials whenever possible and working with clients to develop sustainable solutions that meet everyone’s needs in the process of transforming hotels into unforgettable oases of nature.
Leaflike is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Marriott signs agreement to open 8 hotels in Saudi Arabia
Marriott International inks a landmark agreement with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to open eight hotels in Saudi Arabia, which will contribute to approximately 4,400 rooms across various brands…
The anticipated openings will feature approximately 4,400 rooms across eight of the company’s brands – The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft Hotels, and Courtyard by Marriott.
“There is a strong demand for high-quality hotel accommodation in Madinah and we are delighted to work with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to support the enhancement and diversification of the city’s hospitality landscape,” said Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “This multi-deal agreement also strengthens our footprint in Saudi Arabia where we continue to see strong growth momentum in line with the Kingdom’s vision for its tourism sector.”
The eight planned properties include The Ritz-Carlton, Rua Al Madinah which is slated to offer 151 luxurious rooms and suites including a signature Ritz-Carlton suite, multiple dining concepts, a 500-square-metre ballroom, an expansive fitness centre and Ritz Kids space. JW Marriott Rua Al Madinah is anticipated to feature 252 well-appointed guestrooms and suites along with multiple dining concepts, a fitness centre and meeting room facilities.
“The agreement with one of the world’s leading hospitality operators brings the Rua Al Madinah project a step closer to realising its ambitions to further enrich Madinah city’s Hajj and Umrah services,” commented Eng. Ahmed Al Juhani, CEO of Rua Al Madinah Holding Company. “This collaboration will culminate in the launch of eight new hotels and nearly 4.400 rooms that will serve both residents as well as visitors from around the world looking to visit Madinah.”
Plans for Madinah Marriott Hotel Rua Al Madinah include 450 spacious guest rooms and suites in addition to dining, recreation, and meeting facilities. Le Méridien Rua Al Madinah is expected to feature 533 modern guest rooms and suites, and three dining concepts alongside recreation and meeting facilities. The Westin Rua Al Madinah is anticipated to comprise 361 spacious rooms and suites, three dining outlets, a fitness centre, a kids club, and meeting facilities.
Four Points by Sheraton Rua Al Madinah anticipates 777 modern rooms and apartments, two all-day dining concepts, spacious meeting facilities, and a fitness centre. Aloft Rua Al Madinah and Courtyard by Marriott Rua Al Madinah are expected to offer a combined 1,810 rooms and suites, 1,100 sqm of meeting space facilities, and multiple dining and recreation offerings.
The expected openings in Madinah are part of Marriott International’s commitment to the growth of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia where the company’s current portfolio encompasses 36 properties and more than 10,000 rooms across 11 of its brands.
Rua Al Madinah Holding Company is responsible for the development masterplan for the Rua Al Madinah project and some other real estate projects in the Holy City of Madinah as one of the key initiatives of the Public Investment Fund to achieve Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The development of the Rua Al Madinah Project is expected to cover 1.5 million square meters, including 47,000 new rooms by 2030. Approximately 63 per cent of the project’s master plan will consist of open spaces. Integrated transportation solutions such as bus stops, and underground parking are anticipated to facilitate easy access to the Prophets’ Mosque and support residential and commercial activity within the master development.
voco hotels celebrates 100 properties signed and opened
voco, the emerging IHG Hotels & Resorts’ brand, has reached a significant milestone in just five years of its first-ever hotel opening…
Launched in 2018, voco hotels has quickly become the fastest-growing brand within IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Premium collection with properties in 18 countries and new-to-market hotels opening in Japan, Kenya, Spain and India. With 46 open hotels and 55 hotels in the pipeline, voco continues to be a key driver of IHG’s overall growth in the conversion space.
The rapid expansion of the upscale conversion brand reflects the strength of IHG’s enterprise platform through which hotel owners can grow their business by being part of the brand distribution channels, relaunched app and transformed loyalty programme. With a design and operational framework conducive to conversion, the brand empowers owners to carry through their own unique vision for each property, ensuring its legacy and historical connections to the surrounding community remain strong.
Image caption: voco Auckland City Centre | Image credit: voco
“The voco brand has grown at a phenomenal pace over the last five years and is an integral part of IHG’s growing family of 18 brands comprising over 6,000 global hotels, and supported by the industry-leading IHG One Rewards loyalty programme,” said Julie Cheesman, Head of voco Hotels global at IHG Hotels & Resorts. “voco is popular with hotel owners around the world as they can get fast access to our enterprise platform and benefit from the brand’s high levels of guest satisfaction globally. As the global expansion of voco continues, we are excited to remain on track to grow to 200 voco hotels around the world within 10 years since launch.”
Image caption: voco Dubai the Palm | Image credit: voco
The brand’s three hallmarks – ‘come on in’, ‘me time’ and ‘voco life’ – are woven into the hotels’ DNA. From a swift check-in and a locally inspired welcome treat upon arrival, to big, comfy beds and vibrant bar and restaurants spaces, voco brings a distinctive charm to every stay. In addition to its charming feel, the brand was built on sustainability and aims to look after the planet with the same care as it looks after guests. The hotels have 100 per cent recycled pillow and duvet fillings and refillable, plant-based bathroom amenities. They also support local sustainability initiatives at individual hotels such as estate-grown vegetables at Australia’s voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley or the Hotels for Trees programme at voco The Hague, where a tree is planted for every night a guest chooses not to have their room cleaned.
Image credit: voco
Last year voco expanded into new markets, including Southeast Asia with voco Orchard Singapore, Africa with voco Johannesburg Rosebank and Latin America with voco Guadalajara Neruda in Mexico. The brand was also recognised as the World’s Leading Premium Hotel Brand due to its top guest satisfaction scores at the World Travel Awards and shows no signs of slowing down. Since then, the brand has continued to grow in key markets, with its eighth hotel in Greater China with voco Hefei Binhu, sixth hotel in the US with voco Chicago Downtown, its fourth in Australasia with voco Brisbane City Centre and its third in Dubai with voco Dubai The Palm.
Notable voco openings in 2023 cross the globe include properties from Paris to New York, with more than a few inbetween. In New York, voco Fiorello – La Guardia East is set to open in Flushing, NY this summer. The hotel is due to have 116 guestrooms and is the third voco signing by the same owner. Located in northern Paris, voco Paris Porte De Clichy is due to open this summer after its conversion from a Holiday Inn property. The hotel will be one of voco’s flagship properties, with particular attention being paid to the use of sustainable materials. The hotel is just four stops on the Paris Metro from the Musée Du Louvre and will feature several upscale food and beverage outlets.
Set on the borders of Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex in the UK, Lythe Hill Hotel in Surrey, will complete its rebrand to voco Lythe Hill Hotel in 2023. The elegant Tudor property will feature 99 stylish guestrooms plus an oak-beamed restaurant, gym and spa. The Surrey market town of Haslemere is nearby with direct trains to London, and the National Trust area Blackdown and the South Downs National Park are both on the doorstep.
Image caption: voco Osaka | Image credit: voco
Opening in early summer, voco Osaka Central will be the first voco property to open in Japan. Conveniently situated in central Osaka, the hotel will provide warmly hosted service, inspired design, superb dining and sustainable touches like aerated shower heads, indulgent eco bedding and filtered water. The hotel lobby and restaurant décor will be modern and contemporary, whilst including historical elements from the original Kyomachi building and some of the guestrooms will have Tatami mats.
The first voco in Vietnam will open later this year with voco Ma Belle Danang. The hotel is located close to My Khe Beach and just 20 minutes’ drive from Danang International Airport. Guestrooms will have spectacular views of the coastline or cityscape, there will be a luxurious spa with a rooftop infinity pool and a choice of bars and restaurants including the rooftop Lobby Lounge, ideal for a sunset sundowner.
Beyond the covers of the Hotel Guest Experience Report from Geberit
Created in collaboration with some of the UK’s top industry experts, Geberit has released its Hotel Guest Experience Report for 2023. We paged through to have a look at what has become a valuable design resource…
Now in its third year, the Hotel Guest Experience Report delves into the current challenges and opportunities facing the hotel industry and serves as a resource for those designing hotels of the future. The report starts with a foreword from Ruth Slavid, a writer and editor specialising in architecture, landscape, lighting and construction. Slavid summarises the focus areas in the report including automation and hotels in the digital age, the importance of good storytelling and tackling skills shortages.
“We’re excited to collaborate with industry experts to discuss the current and future market trends that will impact the hospitality industry this year,” said Sophie Weston, Marketing Manager at Geberit UK. “As the hotel industry continues to evolve, we aim to provide valuable insights that will lead to exceptional guest experiences. In turn, this will generate repeat bookings and recommendations, creating long-term benefits for hoteliers.”
Image credit: Geberit
The must-read report includes contribution from Jane Pendlebury, CEO at The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA), who explores technology in the sector and examines the potential for the industry to become fully automated. Also included is Wren Loucks, CEO & Creative Director at Be-kin, an award-winning interior design studio, who examines ritual, sensory rich experiences and social sustainability in hotel design. Loucks looks at how the differences in sensorial, cognitive, and physical abilities can be catered to by designing facilities to suit a range of needs, such as wheelchair accessibility, neurodiversity and an ageing population.
Image credit: Geberit
A main challenge the sector continues to face is staffing, which John Mullen, Senior Territory Sales Manager UK & Ireland at Revinate, discusses in the report. The Covid-19 pandemic meant that 121 million of the 330 million jobs in tourism around the world were lost in 2020, leading to nearly one in three jobs needing to be rehired when travel returned. Mullen emphasises the challenge of filling essential jobs in hospitality and tourism to make sure high-quality service is sustained and whether technology can play a part in maximising the guest experience.
Finally, Alon Baranowitz of Baranowitz + Kronenberg Architecture talks through the relevance of storytelling in the age of information and the art of inspiring guests with powerful stories.
Image credit: Geberit
By encouraging debate within this report and sponsoring initiatives such as Hotel Designs’ DESIGN POD, Geberit continually drives the hospitality industry forward to discuss and develop new and improved customer experiences.
Geberit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Sneak peek: inside Australia’s soon-to-be tallest hotel
Soaring 80 storeys above the city’s central business district, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will redefine luxury in the city with its extraordinary design, exceptional experiences and breathtaking views…
Preparing to open its doors, the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne has already made a lasting impression on the city skyline. With its statement architectural design by Cottee Parker Architects, it is opening as one of the tallest hotels in Australia and certainly the tallest in Melbourne. Designed with materials inspired by the unique stories of the city, the hotel presents luxury accommodation, signature dining experiences across both restaurant and bar, holistic wellness spaces and an iconic infinity pool, as well as world-class meeting and event facilities and services.
Image credit: The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne
“We are thrilled to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Melbourne,” said Antony Page, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne. “With design that blends the best of the brand and the destination, combined with the finest amenities, culinary offerings, and highly personalised service, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne will deliver an experience tailored to today’s luxury guest and deeply connected to this vibrant city.”
With its lobby located on level 80 above 257 stylish hotel guestrooms and suites, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne is anchored by a profound sense of place. Blending the brands refined luxury with an authentic Australian experience, the property celebrates the country’s ancient stories and vibrant cultures, filtered through a distinctly Melbourne lens. From the works by local artists to hyper-local culinary adventures, from unique Melbournian décor to regionally inspired spa journeys, guests will be encouraged to connect with the pulse and creativity of the city and to engage with the exciting diversity of its surrounds.
Hilton’s signature luxury hotel brand is set to open the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island – signalling the debut of the brand in the Seychelles. Here’s what we know…
Creating a new benchmark for luxury in the Indian Ocean, the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island resort lies just over 130 kilometres south of Mahé, in a pristine atoll fringed by palm forests, with migratory seabirds and turtles, protected by its own lagoon and coral reef. The resort will be home to a collection of 50 seafront villas, featuring up to five-bedroom villas for unique vacation experiences, each equipped with its own private pool and personal concierge. Home to native Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, manta rays and whale sharks, much of Platte Island’s surrounding scenery remains beautifully untouched, promising a plethora of firsts and an unrivalled sense of magic for guests.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
“In the two decades I have called remote tropical islands a home, I have never witnessed an island as pristine as Platte Island, nor one so teaming with wildlife, where it is possible to glimpse endangered turtles laying eggs, eagle rays and reef sharks ribboning along the lagoon,” said Elias Pertoft, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. “This combined with the elegant Waldorf Astoria service and personalised guest experiences is a winning combination that will redefine luxury in the Seychelles. I look forward to welcoming guests to this landmark destination.”
Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
The resort will feature six restaurants and bars, offering a collection of culinary experiences that celebrate the bounty of fruit and vegetables grown on Platte Island. The Waldorf Spa will offer a serene destination for holistic wellbeing, featuring six treatment rooms, a beauty salon, hammam, spa suite and serene outdoor spaces that blend harmoniously to offer guests an unparalleled spa experience.
Image credit: Hilton Hotels and Resorts
As part of the resort’s Travel with Purpose commitment, the Platte Island property will use a solar field to create renewable energy across most of its operations. The island’s garden will provide a large portion of its fruits and vegetables, which will deliver a sustainable farm-to-table culinary experience for guests.
The highly anticipated opening of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island will take Hilton’s Seychelles portfolio to five hotels as it further expands its footprint in the destination, joining Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa and DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles -Allamanda Resort and Spa. Hilton also expects to open Canopy by Hilton Mahé this year.
Miniview: Casa Hoyos – bringing Mexican modernism into the mix
Located within a carefully restored villa, Casa Hoyos combines its colonial heritage with a chic eclecticism that incorporates avant-garde elements developed through regional artisanal techniques…
Located in downtown San Miguel de Allende, the property that has been transformed by A–G Interior Studio has belonged to the Hoyos family for four generations. Today, reimagined as Casa Hoyos, it still boasts its distinctive signature colonial features, while incorporating elements of Mexican modernism, such as pure concrete, textured glass, tiling, steel framing and black contours. The design showcases a transition that goes from historic and traditional to emotional and vibrant.
Image credit: Casa Hoyos
The history of the colonial building that houses Casa Hoyos is the crucial pillar that has driven the design identity of this boutique hotel. The property was originally acquired by Julián Hoyos at the beginning of the 20th century and was the first currency exchange bureau in town. Later, Julián and his family decided to start a grain and seed store that would later be known colloquially as ‘El Banco del Frijol’ or ‘Bean Bank’ due to the singular mix of commercial activities. The sequence of the different generations of the family allowed this project to be converted into a hotel rich in details. Today, the iconic building belongs to the fourth generation, who, together with A–G Studio, pay tribute to the family legacy through the reimagination of this unique accommodation.
Image credit: Diego Padilla
Image credit: Diego Padilla
The starting point of the design was the style of an old Spanish manor where tradition and different metaphors speak to one another through colour and pattern. In each of its 16 guestrooms, Mexican design is introduced through unique artisanal pieces such as lamps, calaca armchairs, mirrored plant pots, and woven tapestries, which together highlight a custom-designed environment for the newest chapter in the history of this space. Yellow predominates in the palette and is a vibrant statement carried by the glazed clay tiles that, placed in a certain way, symbolise a corn cob. A range of ochre and red tones is present on different floors as well as in some wool textiles, which were handmade in the state of Guanajuato.
Image credit: Casa Hoyos
Following the guidelines of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to conserve the nation’s heritage, the challenge was to restore the main courtyard and build from scratch, on the back of the property, a contemporary space that would strengthen and preserve the original identity of the building, giving it the genuine bohemian style that characterises the essence of San Miguel de Allende. The source of inspiration for the architectural project came from the intersection of the three key moments in the history of the property: the arrival of Julián Hoyos from Spain and his family life, the opening of the first currency exchange office and its conversion into a store of grains and seeds. Each of these moments influenced the selection of materials and decorative elements that converge and give life to the hotel.
Image credit: Diego Padilla
Image credit: Diego Padilla
The interior layout is concentric and the spaces of the hotel, located on the ground floor and first level, are distributed around an open central patio bordered by Andalusian-style balconies, reminiscent of a typical house in southern Spain. At the back part of the first level, the mural of a Sorrowful Virgin of Loreto – made and hand-painted in glazed Talavera from the city of Dolores Hidalgo – crowns an altar that reflects one of the most deeply-rooted religious traditions of the Iberian Peninsula, from which the Hoyos family originated. Just below the virgin is the antique piece of furniture that served as the original counter of the bank. Like this restored piece, various objects that were found in the house for years were recovered to give them a new life within the project, remaining as vestiges and witnesses of the past.
Image credit: Los Hoyos
Moving onto the rooftop, the unique location of Casa Hoyos allows visitors to enjoy the most beautiful sunsets from its terrace. There, BEKEB will delight them through an original artisanal mixology menu based on several Mexican agaves, plants, flowers and roots, all paired with tapas inspired in Mexican culinary tradition. The menu at BEKEB is crafted by creative mixologist Fabiola Padilla, who is returning to Mexico after collaborating with Enrique Olvera at Cosme, New York. The rooftop bar specialises in contemporary cocktails and its name, which refers to the Tzotzil term ‘bek’,which means seed, invites guests to reconnect with the essence of the landscape around them. Set among cactus plants, artisan furnishing, and other creative elements the atmosphere at BEKEB rediscovers the slow pleasures of life.
GROHE SPA invites users to enjoy holistic water rituals, taking advantage of the positive effects of water on body, mind and soul, while enabling designers to develop exclusive bathroom concepts…
Guided by the underlying belief that water is the source of vital energy, GROHE has revitalised its GROHE SPA portfolio. The word spa, originating from the first letters of ‘Salus Per Aquam’, Latin for ‘Health Through Water’, is the founding concept behind the collection. Transforming the bathroom into a private spa is not just about using individual products, but about creating holistic experiences that embrace the positive effects of water on the body and mind.
The broad GROHE SPA portfolio ranges from elaborate tap collections, customisable ceiling showers and intricate ceramics, to complementary accessories as it redefines what is possible in terms of design, technology, and precision. Clients and designers who wish to bring a new, bespoke kind of luxury to the private spa, will feel GROHE’s passion for water in every detail.
Image credit: GROHE
Image credit: GROHE
With this collection, architects, designers and planners now have the freedom to select from a carefully curated bathroom portfolio which offers customisable options to match a clients needs and their individuality. The brand-new Atrio and Allure Brilliant Private Collections allow a choice of different colour, material, finish, and handle options to help design one-of-a-kind bathroom pieces.
“The products sit at the intersection of premium quality, cutting-edge technology, unrivalled precision, and progressive design,” explained Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design, EMENA. “We are driven by a spirit of redefining what is possible, leveraging industry-leading production techniques like 3D metal-printing, to create exclusive designs. Addressing the rising macro trend for Health & Wellbeing, GROHE SPA is designed to enable architects, designers, and planners to create the ultimate water experience for their bathrooms and spas.”
Image credit: GROHE
In order to enable end-consumers to enjoy an authentic marble style with a high-quality finish, GROHE is partnering with Caesarstone, the global pioneer of premium countertop surfaces, to craft tap handles in the brand’s timeless and durable quartz designs. Caesarstone has a long-standing reputation for designing and producing high-end engineered surfaces, used in some of the most exclusive residential and commercial buildings around the world and theses surfaces can now be combined with GROHE SPA Private Collections for a truly bespoke design.
Image credit: GROHE
Thanks to the GROHE SPA Aqua Rainshower ceiling shower modules, the shower experience can also be tailored to the user’s personal preferences. In this way, unique spaces are created that stand out and bear the signature of the designer.
Architects and designers can experience GROHE SPA first-hand at Milan Design Week, taking place from 18th – 23rd April 2023. Located in the Brera district, where the collection will be showcased by way of a water surface installation – designed by the in-house design & brand identity team LIXIL Global Design – which will reflect the stunning architecture of one of the world’s most prestigious art museums, the Pinacoteca di Brera, while expressing the overall GROHE SPA Health Through Water concept.
GROHE is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
DESIGN POD explores circadian lighting in latest podcast episode
The podcast for all design and architect enthusiasts, DESIGN POD explores the topic of circadian lighting in its latest episode. Editor Hamish Kilburn, the host of the show, explains why you should listen to hear his interview with Michael Curry and Mark Tweedale from DPA Lighting on lighting’s new role in wellness design (listen below)…
Episode 28 of DESIGN POD, sponsored by Geberit, shines the spotlight on circadian lighting, a topic that has been heavily debated on Hotel Designs for years. With lighting and sensory design continuing play majors role in hotel design, in sync with the ever-growing demand among modern travellers for wellness to be injected into all hospitality touchpoints and for experiences to feel more meaningful, could the answer designers are looking for be in sophisticated circadian lighting?
For this episode, in order to cut through the noise, I decided to focus on two designers from one lighting design studio who are turning the page to a new chapter in experiential lighting design. Mark Tweedale and Michael Curry from DPA Lighting are bringing interiors to life through innovative lighting solutions.
In addition to understanding the challenges that the design and architecture industry face injecting this level of technology into spaces, Kilburn, Tweedale and Curry find common ground when discussing one particular project, Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol, a hotel designed by HBA, with architecture by Mecanoo, that I first reviewed in 2015 – before it had even opened to the public. The hotel, which is wrapped in a distinct cubic structure, features a 42-metre high glazed roof, which, by night becomes a display of lights.
Almost a decade since that project opened, lighting in design continues to be at the forefront of conversations among designers, architects and clients. So, will circadian lighting in design change the game in wellness and hospitality, or will it break the bank and become another gimmick that will continue to be stripped out at value engineering stages of projects?
Listen to the full episode to explore lighting’s role in design, architecture and wellness.
The full 40-minute podcast episode, which follows episode 27, is available to listen to on all major podcast platforms – just search ‘DESIGN POD’ wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode will drop on March 29 with interior designer Wren Loucks, CEO and Founder of Be-kin joining as the special guest to discuss ‘stimulating wellness’.
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is returning to ExCeL London to bring together the hospitality and foodservice sector for three days of networking, learning and new product discovery…
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is the UK’s largest and most prestigious event for the hospitality and foodservice industry. The show welcomes a wide range of suppliers, from big brands to innovative start-ups, showcasing ground-breaking products. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the very latest products across design & décor, foodservice, professional kitchen equipment, hospitality tech and pub & bar and meet the right suppliers to grow their business and elevate their offering.
“I’m eagerly looking forward to attending HRC again this year,” commented Malcolm Godfrey, General Manager, Stephens House & Gardens. “Having successfully found new suppliers and inspiration for furthering our business last year I cannot wait to see what this year has in store.”
HRC’s Vision Stage, designed by Harp Design, will open with an industry update from Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO of UKHospitality, discussing the association’s latest talks with government and what 2023 might hold for the hospitality sector, followed by a global view of the industry from IGD, the Institute of Grocery Distribution.
Hospitality professionals will also have the opportunity to catch sessions from Hospitality Jobs UK, as the organisation reveals the results if the UK’s largest hospitality salary survey, Cornwall Insight, the energy market intelligence consultancy, will be providing advice on how the hospitality industry can tackle soaring energy costs and the Sustainable Restaurant Association will be discussing how to set the standards for the food of the future with CH&CO, The Pig Hotels and Hawksmoor.
Also on the Vision Stage, NED and board advisor Ann Elliot will be joined by Claire Smith of ABDA Design, Sam Edwards of Fifty Five Hospitality and Karen Fewell of Digital Blonde to discuss the part that psychology plays in hospitality design.
On the Tech X stage, Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality, will host a session on building a sustainable future for hospitality, joined by panellists Andrew Coney of The Hari Hotel Belgravia, Erin Ling, Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work at University of Surrey, Daniel Pedreschi of PPHE Hotel Group and Tej Wallia of Foxhills Club & Resort.
Hoteliers and hospitality professionals visiting HRC 2023 can also check out a must-attend session on how tech can transform accessibility in hotels, hosted by Ross Calladine of VisitEngland and featuring Paul Bayliss MBE of Hotel Brooklyn, Motionspot’s Ed Warner, Fiona Jarvis of Blue Badge Style and TranslateLive’s Peter Hayes.
In the show’s Networking Hub, in partnership with VisitEngland and AA Media, there will be guided discussion on ‘the quality of experience’ with Simon Numphud of AA Media, Janet Uttley of VisitEngland and Tej Wallia of Foxhills Club & Resort.
Elsewhere, Claire Smith of ABDA Design, Charlotte Raffo of The Monkey Puzzle Tree and Zaynib Khan of Benoy will be taking part in the session, ‘What is the ‘new’ luxury in hospitality experiences? – supported by Hotel Designs’.
A new addition to HRC for 2023 is Chef HQ, curated by Chef Publishing, a networking area, demo kitchen and stage where leading chefs from the UK and Europe will be discussing the trends and products that they’re passionate about, while whipping up some delicious dishes for the audience. Among the sessions taking place in Chef HQ are a demo from National Chef of the Year Ben Murphy, a presentation from Nathan Davies of SY23, fresh from wowing the judges on Great British Menu and securing his first Michelin star, and an interview with the chefs of The Future Plate, a collection of leading black chefs of African and Caribbean heritage sharing their culture through tasting menus.
Chef HQ will also feature A. Wong Chef Patron Andrew Wong discussing the art of dim sum, a behind the scenes look at the Bocuse d’Or with team UK coach Tom Philips and Chair of the competition Andreas Antona, and a ‘getting to know you’ chat with Kim Rathoroen, who will discuss her journey from a stage at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay to taking up the role of Head Chef at the chain’s London Chelsea premises.
For hospitality business owners looking to revitalise their drinks selection, new show section Drinks @ HRC & IFE combines the drinks offerings of HRC and sister event IFE, International Food & Drink Event, to create a single, centralised location to source a wide range of innovative drinks products.
For the very latest hospitality tech products and services, The Launchpad, located within the show’s Hospitality Tech section, is an exciting showcase of innovative tech providers that have been trading for less than 12 months.
HRC takes place between March 20 – 22, 2023. Head over to the website to view the full seminar programme and register to attend.
Roundtable: reimagining luxury hotel design in 2023
With the aim to rediscover meaning in hotel design and hospitality, Editor Hamish Kilburn welcomed six leading interior designers to Gabriel Scott’s London showroom in Mayfair, to peel back the design layers that surround luxury hotels in 2023 and beyond…
What is luxury, and how do we measure it? These questions have challenged interior designers, architects, hoteliers and brands since the first ‘luxury hotel’ emerged at the end of the 18th century. So, given the progress the hospitality scene has made from the beginning to now, why don’t we have the answer yet?
Today, luxury in hotel design is defined by textures, finishes, furniture, lighting and, above all, experiences. While designers are tasked to create spaces that feel meaningful – perhaps more paired back than in previous years – more manufacturers are designing one-off, statement pieces among their portfolio, to feed the demand for creating lasting impressions.
Contemporary lighting and furniture brand Gabriel Scott believes that answering this dynamic call from designers for ‘something new and exciting’ requires a smarter approach than simply unveiling another collection. Introducing Welles Reimagined. Launched at Milan Design Week 2022, the lighting collection was born from authentic collaboration between brand and designer, a relationship that, in modern times, adds unmatched layers. The company worked with six renowned designers from around the world, allowing them to reinterpret its iconic lighting piece, the Welles.
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
The results from that purposeful project can be found hanging in the brand’s London showroom in Mayfair, which was the venue of Hotel Designs’ latest roundtable discussion. Together with Gabriel Scott, we welcomed leading interior designers to sit around the chandelier – an interpretation, if you like, of a crystal ball – to cast their opinions on how luxury in hotel design is being reimagined in 2023 and beyond.
On the panel:
Fiona Thompson, Principal, Richmond International
Scott Richler, Creative Director, Gabriel Scott
Hen’a Yadav, Creative Director, HBA
Charlie North, Vice President of Interior Design, Ennismore
Kate Jarrett, Senior Designer, David Collins Studio
Simon Kincaid, Partner, Conran & Partners
Tom Blackshaw, Director, Goddard Littlefair
Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs
Hamish Kilburn: In terms of texture, furniture and lighting, how would you interpret luxury in 2023?
Tom Blackshaw: Firstly, from when the pen hits the paper in drawing stages to the completion of the project, we are normally working on projects over years. Therefore, I think ‘trends’ are largely obsolete in hotel design, and designers are responsible for ensuring the design has longevity. I think luxury in 2023 is generally more paired back, and I am definitely noticing sample boards getting smaller, which feels more considered.
Image credit: Josh Caius Photography
Charlie North: Interpretations of luxury are also changing quickly. Take Annabel’s, for example, in Mayfair, London. Five or six years ago, Martin Brudnizki amplified luxury in a very maximalist way. There is a trend moving towards confident, simple and paired-back design schemes now where the juxtaposition and layering is, for example, between neutral tones in soft furnishings and bold carpets. I have seen this in some of our brands more than others.
Fiona Thompson: Luxury isn’t theatre. It’s not window dressing or creating a backdrop. Instead, it has longevity, and as interior designers we are building something that is purposeful and has a relationship with the architecture. We need to consider elements and materials with synergy and focus on things that last. We are currently working on and revisiting projects that we first designed 20 years ago, and we are hardly changing the bathrooms – or the fabric of the building for that matter. Interiors have never been fashion-driven. That’s not to say you can’t have pop-up elements in hotels, but the main project – the overall design scheme – has more of a purpose.
Image credit: The Cosmopolitan, designed by Richmond International
Simon Kincaid: The point on reduction is important when discussing luxury in 2023 – reducing the quantum of materials. Now, elements are not fighting against each other, and designers and clients are able to invest parts of the budget into features, which makes more sense considering how people experience hotels these days. I have found that guests leave hotels and spaces with three memories. Essentially, instead of being worried about 20 different features in one room, designers can create more impact by making three impactful statements well.
FT: This also just gives interiors space to breathe.
Image credit: Conran & Partners
Hena Yadev: Design is simply becoming more human-centric, and we are certainly feeling this in the luxury projects we are working on, including the Mandarin Oriental Maldives. The fact that you want to come into a space and make memories suggests that there needs to be an emotional connection in the first place. So, using materials that have a pedigree, that don’t offend or hurt anyone, gives you an emotional satisfaction. It’s not just about things being recyclable or having a long lifespan. It is also about the beginning and end. From what we are seeing, guests experience spaces they want to feel part of.
Image credit: Josh Caius Photography
SK: Most of us will have seen things sourced more locally in recent years, which is positive across all price points, and it adds variety and sense of place into a project.
Kate Jarrett: We really try to work and collaborate with craftspeople early on in the design process. When creating a custom piece, it’s so important to understand the artist’s creative process, to allow their design to form part of the wider narrative.
Image caption: Velvet, designed by David Collins Studio, inside Corinthia London. | Image credit: Alex Upton
SK: The other thing is that sustainability as a term is so loaded and has almost become throw-away. The supply chain, knowing about brand’s embodied carbon and their ethical sourcing, for example, is now much clearer – that was, probably, not the case just a few years ago. The whole industry is now on board, which helps.
Image caption: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Jack Hardy
TB: The technology around recycled materials has come a long way. Five years ago, it would come out as four or five different ‘shades of oatmeal’, but today’s technology has moved on so that now we can inject these compelling stories into our designs without there being an impact on the aesthetics or performance.
Scott Richler: To echo Fiona’s point, we are consistently seeing a demand for lighting and furniture pieces that are made to last. Both from a design and material perspective, we’ve found in the last couple of years in particular that people are much more interested in the process of making and the quality of craft behind the items they invest in.
Image credit: Josh Caius Photography
HK: Honestly, cutting through the noise for us, how ‘on board’ are luxury clients to ensure materials and products are sourced responsibly?
FT: It’s tough. We have specified carpet that have been made from recycled plastic from the ocean. That’s a lovely feel-good story, right? But when you really dig into it, the methodology of making that carpet is actually quite damaging. We are starting to ask for brand’s EPD, so that we can establish the carbon rating. To source ethically, responsibly and correctly, it is a laborious process. Things that appear to be sustainable, and look beautiful, are not necessarily so.
The other challenge is that luxury takes time to design. It’s thoughtful and requires research. At the moment, clients are notoriously bad for not giving designers enough time.
Image caption: Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, designed by David Collins Studio. | Image credit: Ben Broomfield
SR: That is interesting, because as a manufacturer, we are finding that our clients – the interior designers predominantly – are giving us more time because, as you have referenced, they want to understand the whole process and be hands-on when it comes to customisation.
TB: Everyone is risk-adverse these days. The FF&E side of things never used to be on the critical path, which gave you time to develop furniture and lighting. But now, because they want the cost before the development stages, it means that the whole process feels perhaps more rushed. The flip side to that is that it helps you keep a lid on what you are designing. I think this is a catalyst on why things feel more paired back.
Image credit: F&B areas inside Villa Copenhagen, designed by Goddard Littlefair
HK: How have luxury hotels reacted to the lifestyle sector offering more of a laidback – let’s call it residential – experience?
KJ: Hotel spaces are certainly becoming less formal. We are noticing that clients want people to spend time in all areas of the hotel. There are less boundaries in hotel public areas, which make luxury hotel experiences more accessible for everyone, not just guests.
SR: From a materials perspective, we have certainly seen an increased demand for uniqueness. In the digital age, luxury is no longer dependent on availability – it has become increasingly defined by skill and uniqueness. We often hear from our designer clients that they’re looking to purchase something that can’t be easily replicated. What this means for lighting within luxury hotels is designing unique, sculptural pieces with fluid forms that complement the overall design aesthetic.
HK: How can design make these spaces feel accessible without losing their elevated aesthetic?
CN: Gleneagles is a great example of that, which was a slightly stuffy luxury hotel before Ennismore led the acquisition of it in 2015. We sensitively reimagined it into more of a luxury, lifestyle hotel, and a destination beyond the golf course. When I first visited, before we started working on the hotel, I was in the bar on my laptop and received some odd looks from both guests and staff.
Image credit: Gleneagles / Ennismore
A few years on, with the rise of bleisure trends and luxury hotels being required to have a lifestyle approach to hospitality, the demands have changed. Places like Gleneagles have been redesigned to reflect a softer image. Gleneagles Townhouse, sheltered in a 17th century building in Edinburgh, was a fantastic opportunity for the brand to amplify itself in a city centre. When we worked on the design scheme, we didn’t want it to feel like a museum. So, we decided to feature modern artwork in the public areas create a juxtaposition between the design and the architecture, which resulted in an atmosphere where guests felt comfortable and relaxed in.
Image caption: Kelly Chandelier by Gabriel Scott. Spaces designed by Alida Coury Interiors,. | Image credit: Aimee Mazzenga
Having said that, there will always be those hotels, especially in London, that don’t have to evolve into feeling more lifestyle, because they are already so iconic. Classic luxury, therefore, still has its place in my opinion.
SK: Lifestyle is more casual and approachable. A lot of luxury brands are taking that on board and eroding the formality. Gleneagles is a great example of how that is being done beyond design – the staff uniform is more casual, and the tone of voice is more relaxed, for example. I see this shift also happening on cruise ships. I see that luxury hotels and brands are tapping into making the private areas more informal but ensuring other areas of the hotel or venue feel more exclusive.
Image credit: Gleneagles Townhouse / Ennismore
FT: We have done a lot of work with Langham Hotels – this brand would not consider itself to be lifestyle. Langham is unusual because it owns and operates, so there is more of an emotional investment in the projects. Langham is old-school luxury – think good service in beautiful spaces. It is not looking to be trendy or cool. In terms of design, though, it is not necessarily traditional. It has been able to keep that traditional luxury feeling while also layering the spaces with contemporary and clean design.
The other thing to consider is that the demographic of the luxury audience is a lot more widespread today than it was say 10 or 20 years ago. The whole approach, therefore, needs to evolve and change.
Image credit: Josh Caius Photography
HK: What are some of the pitfalls designers and brands fall into when trying to merge luxury and lifestyle?
TB: I think hotels need to be comfortable in their own skin. Any change to the design and hospitality experience needs to be driven by the hotel’s DNA.
I think hotels need to ensure that design and hospitality are always working. When larger hotel groups evolve into more of a lifestyle feel, it’s so important to think about all touchpoints and activations, such as the F&B offering. If the design scheme is local, then so too should the F&B elements – I’m not just talking about the food, but also the concepts.
Image credit: Josh Caius Photography
FT: It’s a luxury for us, as designers, to work on projects that are surrounded by interesting cultures and neighbourhoods. For designers working on large-scale developments – look at what is happening in Saudi Arabia, for example – the challenge will be how to inject character, charm and individual personality into each property in an area that is literally being built in just a few years. The other thing, of course, is that luxury in one region means something different in another.
Image credit: Conran & Partners
HY: What is positive to see is the desire to merge cultures in luxury design within those large projects. It’s not a coincidence that a lot of the developments that are happening in Saudi Arabia are being designed by Western interior design professionals. I believe this is because the clients want these projects to feel accessible.
Gabriel Scott is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
In conversation with: Henning Rieseler at Porsche Design Studio
Editor Hamish Kilburn speaks to Michael Huber, Head of Studio (Berlin) at Studio F. A. Porsche, to understand how the studio, together with KEUCO, has redesigned the grab rail…
When all attempts by designers are being made in 2023 to ensure the whole hotel experience – and its meaningful design narrative – is seamless and cohesive, there is therefore nothing more frustrating than entering a new hotel to find that its ‘accessible rooms’ have not been given the attention to detail than the rest of the property.
What is encouraging to see, though, is manufacturers making efforts in order to challenge conventional approaches to DDA accommodation. KEUCO is one of those brands, which has just unveiled that its latest collection, KEUCO AXESS, of stylish rails, grab rails, drop bars and shower seating have been designed in collaboration with Studio F. A. Porsche.
To understand more about what made this project special, I caught up with Henning Rieseler, Head of Studio (Berlin) at Studio F. A. Porsche, who describes the new collection as “puristic, high-end and fascinating.” I was keen to learn why.
“After a lot of prototypes and also some resets in the project, we finally all agreed on the perfect mechanism.” – Michael Huber, Head of Global Business Development, Studio F. A. Porsche.
Hamish Kilburn: What might our audience not know about Studio F. A. Porsche?
Henning Rieseler: Next to the designs for our own brands, Porsche Design and Porsche Lifestyle, the studio has been working for more than 50 years in a very wide range of industries and companies. Whether it be industrial machines, medical equipment, furniture, trains, ships and even products such as beer crates:
Whenever we show our entire product portfolio, most of the people are really surprised that our design principles are applied to so many products.
Image credit: KEUCO
HK: Why did your studio decide to partner with KEUCO to design this collection?
HR: There was an immediate strong interest from our side when KEUCO approached us. On the one hand, the mindset of both companies matched: the highest demand for quality and innovative solutions. On the other hand however, we were fascinated by designing a product for elder generations or disabled people with the approach of finding the best possible integration into premium bathroom interiors.
HK: What was your approach to ensure the KEUCO AXESS range was both functional and aesthetically striking?
HR: When we started the design process for the supporting handle, we realised immediately that a pure redesign with only improving the materials and shape, would not lead to a new product with a breakthrough in new aesthetics’ within the world of care products. Therefore, we stopped thinking of the aesthetics and just concentrated in the first phase on finding a solution on how to hide the bulky appearance of the product when not in use. A lot of ideas were developed with sliding and rotating mechanisms. These ideas were shared with the KEUCO team and then developed into different directions to ensure the best user experience, always with a strong focus on safety and easy usability.
After a lot of prototypes and also some resets in the project, we finally all agreed on the perfect mechanism. The clean aesthetics of the final product were then just the consequence of the innovative functionality.
Image credit: KEUCO
HK: What makes this range intelligently designed?
HR: While the supporting handle is obviously the innovative driver of the product range, other items such as the rail system and the chair also included innovations like the shape of the rails, which not only looked good but also improved ergonomics and safety. Overall, the entire series follows the aim to appear as premium products, which naturally fit into high-end and very aesthetically modern private bathrooms.
HK: You mention that the aim was to develop the products from a new perspective. What characteristics of Porsche can be found in the design?
HR: Based on the principles of our founder Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, we design products which pair functionality with aesthetics. Typical keywords which transform these ideas into all Porsche products are Focus and Purpose. Whether it is a car, a lifestyle product or a care product for bathroom interiors, a purposeful design with a clear focus on its user scenario is the Porsche way to design a product.
HK: How do you hope this collection changes the perception of accessible design?
HR: We are, of course, pleased that the topic of accessible design is promoted and brought to a wider audience by the products which we designed for KEUCO. In the long run however, we hope that these products will no longer be described as items for the elderly or disabled people, but are realised as just very good products which can be used by anyone.
KEUCO is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
The new restaurant, designed by David Collins Studio, officially opened recently inside Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha. We took a peek inside…
Complete with bold flavours and a soulful design scheme, Scarpetta at the newly opened luxurious resort, Waldorf Astoria in Lusail, Doha, adds a layer of personality inside the hotel.
The new restaurant has been painstakingly designed by David Collins Studio, which put its heart into reinterpreting traditional Italianate architectural details with a mid-century twist.
Image credit: Ben Broomfield
The design features a contemporary interpretation of Italian architecture, through use of Palladiana flooring, coloured marbles, and travertine columns influenced by the brand’s Italian cuisine. The venue boasts an effortlessly chic dinner setting that brings LDV’s mission of La Dolce Vita to life with its indoor and al fresco dining venues, an extensive cigar lounge, private dining and a walk-in humidor.
Image credit: Bed Broomfield
The philosophy of Scarpetta’s kitchen, born in New York City in 2008, is to create bold flavours by amplifying the essence of seasonal ingredients. Their signature dishes, primarily their delectable pastas are prepared in-house daily using only the best, locally sourced ingredients. Scarpetta’s most popular Spaghetti Tomato & Basil is nothing short of classic simplicity in both taste and preparation. The Italian hotspot also offers a variety of mouthwatering starters and signature mocktails which are not to miss.
Scarpetta has grown to receive prominence for its delicious food and drinks, stylish décor, and affluent clientele that attracts the interest of leading media outlets throughout the world.
Image credit: Ben Broomfield
With its New York sensibility and modern Italian charm, Scarpetta has opened its doors in some of the most sought-after locations in the world, such as New York, London, Tokyo and Miami; and is continuing to expand its footprint with its most recent opening in Lusail, Doha; providing its culinary integrity and excellent service to discerning customers globally.
The latest Réserve-Collection safari camp to join the Great Plains portfolio – a cluster of luxury water-based accommodations in the heart of Botswana – is due to open in July 2023. Before then, we have managed to get a sneak peek inside…
Great Plains is an authentic and unique tourism conservation organisation, founded by and positioned around Dereck and Beverly Joubert since 2006. The company consists of a portfolio of fourteen prestigious owned and partner safari properties in Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Slated to open on 15th July, the two-bedroom Sitatunga Private Island Suite will open within the new Sitatunga Private Island Camp, part of Botswana’s latest Okavango Delta water-based Réserve-Collection Safari Camp.
Sitatunga Private Island Camp will provide guests with both an authentic safari experience and a refuge for the soul in the Okavango Delta. The owners have been pivotal in the interior design process, imbibing a sense of place and authenticity into the camp, with the giant bamboo fisherman basket structures of the suites paying homage to the Bayei people who historically occupied the area.
Image credit: Great Plains Conservation
“Sitatunga Private Island Camp is an extraordinary place,” elaborated Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains Conservation “It is a private island and is one of the few locations where one can still see sitatunga, the rare aquatic antelope, from camp and by boat, which is the main activity here in addition to walking. It is deep Okavango Delta and, as such, is rich in birding. Head out on a boat to view elephants, crocodiles, and hippos all day, every day. I know you will enjoy every moment of it, as I do.”
A true labour of love, all materials within the camp have been personally sourced over the years and will be re-used to create Sitatunga Private Island Suite, breathing new life into old treasures. The suites, which will be able to house eight people in total, wull blend seamlessly into the natural landscape of the Okavango Delta, conjuring a strong imagining of its ancestral origins.
“Sitatunga Private Island Camp is very ‘Robinson Crusoe’, desert island-ish,” continued Joubert. “It is designed with a ‘salvage’ inspired reference, complete with giant basket shapes as a nod to the Bayei and other local Okavango fishing ancestries. Thick shaggy thatch cover canvas roofs and walls. There is thick pole woodwork, feeling like masts salvaged from a shipwreck, but the very spacious inner floorspace is actually some of the largest we have ever built. Each suite is set up very high in the ebony trees, a traditional way to seek and find safety, take advantage of the views, and rest in the cool shade. And to spot sitatunga.”
Image credit: Great Plains Conservation
The camp will become a new destination of barefoot luxury for slow safari guests, with the opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta’s permanent channels by mekoro (canoe), stretch their legs on guided morning walks, take part in fishing or photographic safaris. For those guests keen to unwind within their new home-away-from-home in Botswana, Sitatunga Private Island Suite offers yoga mats and light weights with in-room massages available upon request. A wine cellar and boutique are also available to guests within the camp. All suites offer complimentary use of a professional camera and lens set.
In conversation with: George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg
Hot off appearing as guests on the Travel By Design podcast from Marriott, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg meet with Editor and host of that podcast episode, Hamish Kilburn, to discuss urban jungles, boundaries in luxury and creating protagonists to keep the design and hospitality scene on its toes…
“I think it was a dry cleaners,” replied Glenn Pushelberg after I asked himself and George Yabu, both Founders of Yabu Pushelberg, to identify their first project that they worked on together. For many world-leading design studios, it would be a memory easily accessed. “I don’t even remember,” laughed Yabu. And perhaps that is what makes this design duo dynamic and always on the pulse and unlike any designers I have met before – it’s less about looking backwards and more about moving ahead; thinking big and challenging existing interpretations of hotel design.
In an episode of Travel By Design, a podcast hosted by myself and brought to you by Marriott Bonvoy Traveller, I welcomed the pair as my special guests. The episode was designed to allow listeners to understand the design narrative of two hotels in particular that Yabu and Pushelberg were working on at the time, Moxy Downtown and Downtown Los Angeles AC. What made this project exceptional was the fact that both hotels – two brands with, at times, contrasting personalities – were being designed at the same time, and under the same roof.
“Moxy Hotels have a loose and playful energy while Downtown Los Angeles AC is tailored and refined,” explained Pushelberg. “They have their own unique personalities yet are tethered together – one responds to the extravert and the other responds to the introvert. Depending on where my emotions are at, I can choose which journey I want to take. If I am traveling for work, I will choose the AC so I can come back to an environment that is grounded, centred, and more aligned with the pace I need to recharge. If I am in Los Angeles for exploration, I would choose Downtown Los Angeles Moxy because of its free-spirited nature will bring out other dimensions of my personality.”
Following this meaningful podcast interview with the designers that peeled away the layers of each hotel, I caught up with both Yabu and Pushelberg to understand more beyond their latest masterpieces.
Image caption: Render of lobby area inside Moxy Downtown LA, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Marriott International
Hamish Kilburn: How do you see boundaries being blurred in hotel design between lifestyle and luxury?
George Yabu: This is a big question and it all comes down to how people want to feel in spaces and define their time. People want to feel a rainbow of feelings, while remaining confident that the experience can understand and rotate with their mood, needs and desires. Obviously, the guilded lily associated with traditional luxury has fallen to the wayside, and people are more intrigued with authentic storytelling. Aman Tokyo Residences is a great example of that, and a project we are proud to be sharing with the world soon.
HK: If you can’t remember the first project, can you at least let us know how it all started for you?
Glenn Pushelberg: Well, we met at university, but it wasn’t until after we graduated and ran into one another on the street that we connected. We were both looking for studio space and did the logical thing of renting a place together. One day we were helping one another complete a drawing for a project and when we met in the middle, it looked like it was completed by one person. That was a defining, albeit cliché moment for us as partners both in work and in life.
“The hotel is an homage to performance, with each public space imbued with the character of someone essential for bringing a production to life.” – George Yabu, Co-Founder, Yabu Pushelberg.
Image caption: Salvatori showroom, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Matteo Imbriani
HK: I love how the spaces and atmospheres you create are formed around a make-belief protagonist that you create to centre the design narrative. In your careers, what have been the wildest protagonists you have created when imagining a punchy design scheme?
GP: I am not sure if I can pinpoint one of our wildest characters, but a project storyline that stands out to me is The Londoner. The hotel is an homage to performance, with each public space imbued with the character of someone essential for bringing a production to life. For example, Whitcomb’s All Day Dining is an ode to the screenwriter. Its poetically layered design gives the space character and a unique storyline, with specific decorative details such as the abundant harvest table introducing elements of whimsy and fantasy.
Image credit: The character-full lobby inside The Londoner, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Henry Bourne
GY: The Londoner was designed to play into the roots of Leicester Square as London’s historic theatre district. We created layers of programming up into the sky and deep into the earth that emphasise this extraverted, alluring, playful voice.
Why this project stands out to us is it wasn’t about one character, it was about a collaboration of perspectives and styles into one cohesive experience. There was a delicate balance of giving space to each character/environment to stand on its own while contributing to an overarching story.
“After a while, we found an interior scope limiting and we want to set out to create a complete experience.” – Glenn Pushelberg, Co-Founder, Yabu Pushelberg.
HK: From inside your studio, how has design helped brands amplify other sides of their personalities?
GP: Design is a way to tell stories and the brands who get that are the ones that stick around. We are fortunate to be trusted by an array of brands who come to us for guidance on how to express luxury, or an attitude, or develop a style. Our job is to understand who they are and how to tell a story that is authentic to them, while guiding them and their clientele forward.
Image caption: The public areas inside Park Lane New York City, designed by Yabu Pushelberg | Image credit: Alice Geo
HK: In your projects, it is clear that design and architecture are interlinked – one doesn’t work without the other. What examples of your work best reflect this, and can you explain what the approach was to create them?
I think this question explains how the studio has naturally evolved over time. We started out 43 years ago as an interior design studio beginning our journey in retail design, which naturally progressed into hospitality projects. With time, we had the opportunity to collaborate with partners who trusted our vision. In return, we got to build stories for these partners and brands who long term helped shape how we chose to express ourselves. After a while, we found an interior scope limiting and we want to set out to create a complete experience. To us that meant designing the furniture and products that set the scene, developing the aura of a space through light, activating the character of a space through styling, and selecting the artworks that brings everything together. Each piece of an environment contributes to the story and it was a goal of ours to be the bridge to the elements so we could create spaces poised with purpose, soul, and joy.
Image caption: La Samaritaine, designed by Yabu Pushelberg | Image credit: Jerome Galland
HK: If when designing spaces, you are designing around a protagonist – or a lifestyle you are trying to create, can you explain the design approach when creating products?
GP: The bedrock of it all is purpose and transformation. There is so much stuff in the world and if we are contributing to creating more, it better be able to stand the test of time, be functional, and ooze purpose.
GY: We design things to spark joy, which comes in a variety of forms for us. With product, we are resolving a problem, likely one we have come across in an interior project. Through interiors, we can pinpoint what is lacking, what could be refined so we can make it better, and what has yet to exist. All our work sits at the same table and creates this ecosystem of thinking that you can see across our work. They all feed into making the other better.
Image caption: Bathrooms inside Pan Pacific London, designed by Yabu Pushelberg. | Image credit: Jack Hardy
HK: Talking to you both, it’s clear you love to travel, which I know where a lot of inspiration comes from. Where in the world would you like to design next if you had the choice, and why?
GP: Brazil, Italy, and Japan. We are fortunate to have projects in each country right now.
GY: Korea is somewhere I would love to travel to.
Image credit: Shayan Asgharnia
HK: What does it take to be part of your team?
GP: To be a good team player you need to create an environment where people feel comfortable to express their ideas, good or bad. With time I have learned the importance of creating space to listen to others and learn from them.
Studio Porsche & KEUCO redefine accessible bathrooms
When Studio Porsche designed a range of accessible bathroom products for KEUCO, the result was something unique. With German engineering connecting with premium interior design, accessibility in the bathroom has never been so beautiful…
Operating from the maxim that good design has to be honest, what is striking about the entire KEUCO AXESS barrier-free range by Studio Porsche, is the clean, design-driven lines of all the products – commencing with the folding support rail positioned over the rail system for the shower, the grab rails, through to the freestanding stool. The design focuses on the essentials, combining aesthetics and barrier-free functionality in a stylish and innovative way, without making the special functions visually obvious. It is this aspect that will pleasantly surprise design lovers who want to see accessibility integrated into the bathroom and products with a minimalist appearance with design that inspires.
“It was our wish to meet the highest aesthetic demands and yet incorporate the specific needs of a barrier-free bathroom system,” said Christian Schwamkrug, Design Director Studio F. A. Porsche. “Our aim was to develop accessible bathroom products from a completely new perspective. Timeless, very clear, aesthetic forms, permanently perceived as beautiful, even after many years. Independent of the spirit of time and trends and at the same time, beyond anything known so far. Out ambition was to create something special, right down to the smallest detail, and making it technically possible. A combination of German engineering and top-quality implementation in every respect. ”
Image credit: KEUCO
black and chrome minimal design of KEUCO AXCESS
KEUCO AXESS is designed for barrier-free bathrooms across all sectors. It is a sustainable and cross-generational concept made from high-quality materials in a beautiful and timeless design. The design ensures the comfortable and safe use of all areas of the bathroom – not only for the elderly, those currently in need of care or for people with a physical disability, but for all generations. The intelligent design details support independence and autonomy in the bathroom, allowing people of all ages and abilities to benefit from its comfort-enhancing functions. What may be a useful aid for one person can simply provide additional comfort for another, such as taking a shower whilst sitting down.
A bathroom without barriers can add to the quality of life, while still being comfortable, future-oriented and, thanks to the unique design of this collection, can also be extremely attractive and visually appealing. KEUCO AXESS transforms barrier-free bathrooms into bathrooms for people of all ages and for all life situations. Increasingly, building owners in the project sector, architects and planners along with private individuals, when deciding to renovate or refurbish, opt for a barrier-free solution as it increases the level of comfort and safety in the bathroom and adds to the value of a property.
The AXESS folding support rail looks nothing like folding support rails of the past, as it stands uniquely flat against the wall when folded up. When unfolded and exposed in the downward position, the support rail is a beautiful and elegant solution. It is available in three finishes: chrome, matt black or aluminium-chrome and depending on the surface, a grip-friendly plastic inlay in black or white is seamlessly integrated. The plastic is significant as it makes it easy to grip and prevents slipping when supporting or holding on. There is an optional and retrofittable toilet paper holder which has a black or white roller stopper enabling it to colour match the design. Two different projections in 700 and 850 mm offer perfect safety and support. The larger projection folding support rail is also suitable for larger, wheelchair-accessible WCs. The optional and retrofittable radio WC flush actuator integrates aesthetically into the handle and is compatible with radio flush cisterns from common manufacturers via Bluetooth. Despite the reduced design, stability is guaranteed with a 115 kilogram load capacity. KEUCO AXESS folding support handles are TÜV tested and certified according to DIN standard.
Image credit: KEUCO
The rail system and grab rails of the AXESS range are again characterised by their elegant yet starkly simplistic design. The versatile range provides support and safety in the shower and bath, at the washbasin and WC. Despite high stability when holding and supporting, this ergonomic design appears light, stylish, and un-cumbersome. The grip surface at the front forms a smooth rectangular band. with flat surfaces and precise edges. At the back, the rail grip system and handles are ergonomically shaped in a semicircle for an optimised grip. This oval rounded back perfectly fits in the hand when grasping, making it unnecessary to exert a great deal of force when holding on and ensuring a secure grip and a reliable hold. The unobtrusive wall fixings of the rail system and grab rails emphasise the clear, minimalistic design, whilst ensuring sufficient stability for a barrier-free solution. The KEUCO AXESS grab rail ranges in length from 400 to 1000 mm. In the shower, the rail system can be flexibly adapted to suit on-site conditions. The shower rail also serves as a stable grab rail, always giving a feeling of safety. The shower slider can be unlocked and moved up or down simply by pressing on the back and this can be done with one hand. The shower head can be turned in various positions, to the left and right and can be tilted up and down from any angle, without any problems.
Image credit: KEUCO
Image credit: KEUCO
A stable seat is a plus for comfort in the bathroom and KEUCO has supplemented its range of seats with the mobile KEUCO AXESS stool. The design is crafted to the highest standard and is, as one would expect from this collaboration, as minimalistic, safe and comfortable as possible. In an archetypical, timeless design, the stylish stool takes up little space in the bathroom and fits in any corner. With a load capacity of 150 kilograms, it can be used in both private and public areas. The stool is particularly stable and resilient, as the discretely outward-facing legs with anti-slip ensure a secure standing position, whilst being easy to reposition using one hand. The softly roughened, non-slip surface of the seat has a pleasant feel and is easy to clean. The seat is slightly curved inwards and features a small hole in the middle which allows water to drain off directly in the shower. The mobile stool with a white or black seat can be harmoniously integrated into the bathroom or shower area. With a white seat, you can choose between chrome or aluminium legs, while with a black seat, the legs are also in black. All versions are robust, durable and easy to clean.
Image credit: KEUCO
For people in need of care, access to the bathroom areas can be difficult or even impossible, making them dependent on assistance. Nevertheless, for all people and age groups, the desire for independence and autonomy in the bathroom plays a very decisive role in maintaining quality of life. With these designs, assistance from care staff can be supplemented in the bathroom as the flexible and adaptable barrier-free bathroom range enables a high degree of independence for users and facilitates the daily work of care staff. Ideally, a barrier-free bathroom equipped with KEUCO AXESS is designed in such a way that people can find their way around without help, if possible – whether they are motor-impaired, people with little strength or users with cognitive impairments and coordination problems.
Image credit: KEUCO
KEUCO AXESS products are perfectly matched to KEUCO IXMO fittings. The cover plate can be combined in either round or square and in the shower, head and hand showers can be individually combined. The IXMO range of fittings from enjoys great popularity among design lovers and sanitary professionals thanks to the bundling of functions with a minimalist appearance. IXMO stands for ‘x possibilities’ and promises design variety and planning freedom, aesthetics and an easy care, quick and an affordable installation.
The AXESS barrier-free range can also be combined with various accessory collections, such as the PLAN or REVA range. Various different KEUCO shower shelves make handling easier and, together with a comfortable seat, bring real pleasure to the shower. KEUCO AXESS series, in combination with IXMO fittings and other brand accessories, can be used to transform any bathroom into a design-strong, barrier-free place of well-being. KEUCO AXESS combines a high degree of aesthetics along with its functionality, as the shapes and materials meet the highest standards of hygiene and ease of care, even in the optional service area.
KEUCO is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
By exploring new colour profiles, the Origini Collection from GESSI brings nature right into the bathroom…
The Private Wellness offering by GESSI has been enriched with a new freedom of expression that marks a return to colour. Origini was born from the harmonious union of archetypal forms found in the bathroom, with new hues and harmonies created by mixing and matching colours, materials and finishes. This is a collection that offers designers and clients the freedom to design the most intimate place of living according to the personality of those who live it.
Image credit: GESSI
Image credit: Gessi
The collection creates a bathroom design based on five iconic shades to reflect five chromatic portraits, which can be combined according to personal taste. These include monochromatic tactile powder pink, neutral achromatic greige clay, non-conformist metachromatic ochre, traditional polymateric coral brick and natural metamateric agave green. The geometric shape of circle has been repeated with modularity and makes a comeback in the interchangeable inserts, in a play of graphics and shiny/matt effects.
Image credit: GESSI
For biomaniacs and nature lovers from all over the world, GESSI has created the Nature palette – a harmonious union between metals, the Black Metal Brushed PVD and Chrome finishes and Agave, the green colour in its most natural tone. These textures, surfaces and colours combine with the design and the depth of range in the Origini collection to create a finish that references the natural world. The agave green represents not only the colour, but also the philosophy for those who cherish nature and wish to live sustainably. It brings nature into the home and matches all essences and plants. The metamateric profile is the chromatic portrait of those who regenerate themselves from the contact with nature, who appreciate the silence and the beneficial effects of water.
GESSI is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Transforming the bathrooms inside Velvet Hotel in Manchester
Sanipex Group’s luxury bathroom brand BAGNODESIGN was chosen to offer guests spa-like levels of comfort during their stay at the refurbished Velvet Hotel in Manchester, an iconic hospitality hub in the heart of the city…
Opposite the much-loved Canal Street in Manchester – and a short walk from Piccadilly Station – the grand boutique jewel, Velvet Hotel, boasts individually styled bedrooms with contemporary décor. From a room with an exposed brick wall and elaborately carved bed, to one with a gothic mural and dramatic chandelier, the hotel displays an unparalleled attention to detail. BAGNODESIGN products were specified when the hotel made the decision to renovate the new bathrooms, meeting the demand for a high-end, modern and clean look and feel.
The newly designed bathrooms offer a luxurious atmosphere, with BAGNODESIGN providing bath and shower solutions ranging from freestanding bathtubs including the beautiful Koy tub crafted from BagnoQuartz, along with rainfall shower heads from the same collection. Complemented these are elegant Teatro hand showers and bespoke shower enclosures manufactured in the UK by Roman.
Image credit: Sanipex Group
The true spa-like bathroom experience means functionality and relaxation without complex designs. The monochrome colour scheme exudes simplicity and exclusivity simultaneously through the mixture of white Teatro countertop basins and Koy rimless WCs with Matt Black Revolution Basin Mixers, AQUAECO Dual Flush Plates and matching bathroom accessories.
Image credit: Sanipex Group
Guaranteeing the highest degree of comfort and convenience, the Velvet Hotel’s prestigious facilities, complete with BAGNODESIGN bathrooms, ensure a pleasant stay for travellers who wish to take in the sights and sounds of lively Manchester.
Sanipex Group is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Laufen just revealed ‘a new era of connectivity’ at ISH
Laufen is inviting visitors to explore its products and concepts at ISH, as it presents the bathroom as a space for both interaction and connectivity…
Laufen is participating in ISH 2023 with a presentation entitled ‘A new era of connectivity’, where it has presented the bathroom as a space that interacts and is connected with people, architecture and the environment in a variety of ways and enriches life through emotionally intelligent, humane design. The brand is inviting guests to explore these concepts along with new products and collections.
Image credit: Laufen
Designer Peter Wirz has incorporated the virtues of Swiss design – simplicity, functionality, and attention to detail – in creating his new MEDA collection for Laufen. This complete bathroom solution includes a wide selection of washbasins, toilets, bidets, and bathtubs, as well as a full range of brassware and is suitable for almost any bathroom space. Furthermore, its elegantly simple design allows it to blend seamlessly into almost any interior style.
Image credit: Laufen
It has been 20 years since Stefano Giovannoni launched his ILBAGNOALESSI collection for Laufen, which introduced a new, softer aesthetic that now defines modern bathrooms. Continuing to push the boundaries of sanitaryware design, Giovannoni has updated the cult collection for ISH 2023 . Using Laufen’s revolutionary ceramic material, Saphirkeramik, Giovannoni has created new ceramic pieces, which retain the soft, flowing shapes that defined his original collection, but now boast a slimmer profile. Making its debut is the new freestanding Sentec bathtub, with an optional black exterior, along with new matt finishes and colours that give the series a more contemporary spin.
Image credit: Laufen
LUA, designed as a complete bathroom with a perfect balance of aesthetics and function, was launched in the UK at the end of last year. Designed by French designer Toan Nguyen, it features a comprehensive range of sanitaryware and brassware with a pared-back aesthetic. The collection is the result of painstaking research on form and function, based on our everyday relationship with the bathroom environment.
LANI furniture complements the new LUA collection and can also be combined with various other collections. It allows users to create a well-organised bathroom, which Laufen considers to be a prerequisite for day-to-day wellbeing. The furniture is available in a standard palette of Matt White, Gloss White, Traffic Grey and Wild Oak. Additionally, it comes in three metallic finishes – Gold, Copper, and Titanium – as well as 37 matt colours ranging from Sage Green and Smokey Blue to Antique Pink and Ochre Brown.
Maintaining good bathroom hygiene is crucial for health and wellbeing. On its stand at ISH 2023, Laufen has highlighted its Laufen Clean Coat Active (LCC Active), a hygiene innovation that eliminates 99.9 per cent of bacteria and viruses within 24 hours. The technology is baked onto the ceramic, resulting in a surface roughness of about 0.01µm, which is almost twice as smooth as conventional coatings. This bonded material seals even the tiniest pores of the ceramic glaze, making it easy to clean with conventional bathroom cleaning products, while also reducing dirt marks, streaks and limescale deposits.
Laufen is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Solaz Los Cabos has reopened, revealing enhanced suite offerings and a fresh dining concept in one of The Luxury Collection’s most exceptional resorts in the Caribbean and Latin America…
Solaz, a Luxury Collection Hotel and part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, sits in the middle of the two Cabo towns, with an extraordinarily rare private beach and a natural bay nestled between two rock beds. Guests can indulge in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortés while enjoying a variety of high-end water activities, as well as a world of adventure and signature pursuits just minutes away in the mountain and desert. The recent enhancements to the property include the addition of 21 new luxury suites, including the impressive Villa Solaz Suite.
The new Villa Solaz Suite defines roominess and with its 1,000 square metres and four private bedrooms, it offers an elevated gathering experience. Inside, guests will have access to a private chef, private mixologist and exclusive Artisan Butler service. The resort will also debut two Wellness Suites, focusing on relaxation and whole-body therapy. The relaxation Wellness Suite boasts a double-bed massage table and steam room, while the whole-body therapy Wellness Suite offers heated loungers combined with meditation visors and halotherapy that balance the alkalisation of the body through an immersive experience. The new suites increase the resort’s total room count to 145 guestrooms and suites.
Another new addition to the property is Mako Beach, poised to become Los Cabos’ latest hotspot. Overlooking the glittering sea, Mako Beach features an exclusively designed Airstream serving delicious Baja-style cuisine. Guests can enjoy both local and international flavours, along with live entertainment and DJ sessions on the beach. With the liveliest atmosphere in Baja, Mako Beach will breathe new life into the spirit of ‘Yesteryear Baja’ while serving as one of Los Cabos’ new ‘it’ places to be. Other culinary offerings at the resort include seven unique restaurants, lounges and cellars all led by Executive Chef Elihu Sepúlveda and his team.
“We are excited to reopen and showcase the exciting new upgrades that elevate the experience of visiting Solaz and Los Cabos,” said Giuliana Torres, General Manager of Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos. “We look forward to welcoming new visitors and seeing our returning guests continue to create unforgettable memories at the resort.”
With wellness at the core of the Solaz experience, the resort features elevated offerings for those seeking health, wellness and a re-charge. Its fitness centre has state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and Cryotherapy. Additionally, Ojo de Liebre offers a one-of-a-kind, resort spa experience. With 12 private treatment rooms, including four VIP double private treatment rooms, Ojo de Liebre’s spa menu includes an enchanting assortment of services to revitalise mind, body and soul.
Signature experiences at Ojo de Liebre include the Sea Essence, Cryotherapy Treatment and the Baja Experience Connection. Even visiting pets can even take advantage of Ojo de Liebre with treatments specially designed for dogs and cats.
Celebrating art and design at every turn, the resort showcases works by top Mexican artisans, including architecture by renowned firm Sordo Madaleno and more than 450 pieces of sculpture and art by renowned artist César López-Negrete. Landscape architecture by the award-winning Jeronimo Gabayet blends seamlessly into the architectural design of the resort and highlights the over 120 endemic species living on the property. The resort also features El Gabinete ‘Del Barco’, an indigenous gallery and museum featuring regional artefacts and open spaces to walk through while enjoying breathtaking natural scenery.
Solaz’s green design has helped the property lower its carbon footprint and support its relationship with the nature that surrounds it. The resort features 53,000 square metres of green areas, greatly reducing its carbon footprint by returning oxygen to the environment, while 36 per cent of its rooms contain green roofs, more than any other hotel in Cabo, which allows for lower energy consumption. Smart rooms are controlled with Crestron technology, from check-in to check-out, to maintain temperature levels, lighting, and even to close the curtains when the guest is not in the room. Additionally, 80 per cent of the hotel’s lights are LED, which decreases its energy consumption.
House of Rohl launches new products for ISH and LDW
House of Rohl is preparing for its debut appearance at ISH where it will be showcasing some high-profile product launches…
While Victoria + Albert Baths has presented at ISH for many years, this is the first time for the House of Rohl family, which alongside Victoria + Albert includes English brassware and sanitaryware manufacturer Perrin & Rowe, artisan fireclay sink maker Shaws and Canadian brassware designers, Riobel.
Kicking off its show debut in style, the product launches include Perrin & Rowe’s new Armstrong bathroom collection. A comprehensive range of brassware that brings an industrial edge to the Perrin & Rowe luxury aesthetic. While its design hints at the utilitarian origins of modern brassware, the detail and craftsmanship are of the highest quality. In its striking 24-carot Gold finish, Armstrong may come to define industrial luxe.
Image credit: House of Rohl
Victoria + Albert will also be showing new products, including an undermount basin to match its iconic Barcelona freestanding bath. This makes the Barcelona one of the most comprehensive bath ranges available, with four formats of bath, three countertop basins and now an undermount in two sizes, making it suitable for almost any conceivable space. Bespoke vanity units are increasingly popular and the Barcelona undermount offers a more contemporary shape for modern bathrooms.
“We are very excited to be exhibiting at ISH 2023,” said James Smith, House of Rohl, Director, Marketing & Innovation EMEAA. “The event has been badly missed, and we are looking forward to greeting clients and meeting potential new customers in person. This year we are launching some important new products, and we can’t wait to share them with the design industry. The House of Rohl represents all that is best in luxury bathrooms and the best way to appreciate the craftsmanship of our products is to see them for yourself.”
Image credit: House of Rohl
The biggest launch for Victoria + Albert this year takes place at London Design Week in March. The new Lussari is a collection of baths, sharing the same interior shape but in different forms and sizes. It includes a corner bath, a back-to-wall bath and a freestanding bath. There is also a matching Lussari 55 basin. The collection brings a designer sensibility to the corner bath, revealing its natural shape and exposing more floor, making the bathroom feel larger. A smooth, flat ledge meets the upward curve of the bath with a sharp edge. This crisp line can be accentuated by choosing an exterior colour from Victoria + Albert’s RAL colour range, offering over 200 hues. It is available in both left hand and right hand models. The back-to-wall bath combines a stylish profile with a modern, space-saving form. The wide ledge is ideal for a deck-mounted bath filler or simply a selection of bathroom luxuries. Two sizes are available, 1700mm and 1600mm.
The Lussari freestanding bath is another statement Victoria + Albert bath, with a sleek, double-ended design and available in 1800mm, 1700mm or a compact 1500mm form.
House of Rohl is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
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