Breaking ground on Populus: America’s first carbon positive hotel
A collaboration between real estate developer Urban Villages, and architecture and urban design practice Studio Gang has started construction on Populus, a hotel in Denver Colorado that plans to be both an architectural landmark and a milestone for sustainable travel…
Real estate developer Urban Villages is at the forefront of sustainable hospitality at a time when consumers around the world are recognising and standing up to environmental challenges that impact our lives and economy, and travellers are increasingly wanting to positive difference to the places they visit. To design Populus, Urban Villages partnered with architecture firm Studio Gang, due to their shared commitment to sustainability and inspiring approach to creating spaces that connect between people with each other and their environments.
Slated to open in late 2023, the 265 key hotel will include a rooftop restaurant and bar offering spectacular views of the mountains and city skyline, distinct retail destinations and event spaces, and an iconic Aspen tree-inspired design by Studio Gang. Urban Villages is developing Populus to be carbon positive thanks both to its sustainable design and construction features as well as a substantial ecological effort offsite, including an initial commitment to planting trees that represent over 5,000 acres of forest – offsetting an embodied carbon footprint and removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Image credit: Studio Gang
“To truly impact our earth, carbon neutral developments are no longer enough. Populus will be entirely carbon positive starting with its construction and continuing through to its ongoing operations while acting as a vibrant social centre for locals and visitors,” said Grant McCargo, Urban Villages’ Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Environmental Officer, and Partner. “Not only will Populus be the country’s first carbon positive hotel, but it will be a stunning architectural landmark by Studio Gang that will forever alter Denver’s skyline and contribute to the architectural legacy of the entire Mountain West.”
With real estate’s impact on the environment intensifying, and buildings in the United States currently accounting for 45 per cent of greenhouse emissions in the country, which includes the development of new hotels, Urban Villages is responding to this immediate crisis, in part, with Populus, which will surpass its carbon footprint by implementing green practices derived from extensive research and scientific studies. Urban Villages has calculated the carbon footprint of Populus and made a long-term commitment to be carbon positive. Instead of purchasing untraceable carbon credits as many others do, Urban Villages is accomplishing Populus’ carbon positive status by proactively planting and growing trees to make a tangible impact.
Populus will also minimize its carbon footprint in the development stage using low-carbon concrete mixes, high-recycled content materials, maximising structural efficiency, using fewer finish materials, minimising waste, and more. This considers every stage of the building process, beginning with the origin of materials, as well as the carbon footprint of creating and transporting them. Populus’ ongoing operations will also be carbon positive, so that the hotel’s overall use (operational carbon) along with every guest stay will be offset in addition to the building’s embodied carbon.
Image credit: Studio Gang
Inspired by nature, Studio Gang’s design for Populus was informed by studying the characteristic patterns found on Colorado’s native Aspen tree – Populus Tremuloides – an instantly recognisable symbol of the state. The building’s distinctive windows echo the ‘Aspen eyes’ while also designed to perform efficiently in Denver’s varied climate. The texture and rhythm of the façade is optimised to the program inside, with ‘lids’ over each window extending slightly outward to shade the interior of the building and improve energy performance. These ‘lids’ also neatly channel rainwater to keep the façade of Populus looking continually clean and bright.
Image credit: Studio Gang
“Improving the resiliency of our cities has never been more urgent—and it includes reducing carbon emissions as well as strengthening community bonds,” said Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang. “We’ve designed Populus to be a new destination in downtown Denver that combines these environmental and social ambitions. With its distinctive aspen eye windows, the building cultivates a lively pedestrian scene in its neighbourhood, while simultaneously connecting you with views of the natural wonders beyond the city limits. The windows and façade are also tuned for high environmental performance—self-shading, insulating, and channeling rainwater—as part of the architecture’s larger green vision.”
On the interior, the windows changes in size to reflect the public or private nature of various spaces, with windows up to 30 feet high at the building’s base that frame entrances and views into the lobby and amenity spaces. Inside the guestrooms, hotel guests have immersive mountain and city views through windows, which also become occupiable, transforming into seats or desks that further connect occupants with the outdoors. The result is a stunningly beautiful, sustainable design that is deeply connected to nature and its surrounding neighbourhood.
AXOR Futures: a discussion on design & conscious luxury
The second AXOR Futures has gone live, drawing on the experience of creators, designers and philosophers. The conversation between Philippe Starck, Anne Lise Kjaer, Chung-Yi Yang and Rebecca Weigold dug deep into the concept of conscious luxury, sustainability, and its implications for the design process…
Hansgrohe Group’s design brand AXOR recently launched its digital platform AXOR Futures with the aim of promoting discussion and offering insight into new ways into new ways of thinking about societal influences on interior design.
The most recent of these was the second event in the series and addressed long-lasting design and conscious consumption with guests speakers Philippe Starck (Architect, Creator and AXOR Design Partner), Anne Lise Kjaer (Futurist and Founder Kjaer Global), Chung-Yi Yang (Partner ACPV Citterio Viel),) and Rebecca Weigold (Team Leader Green Company Initiative, Hansgrohe Group). The discussion was introduced and moderated by Anke Sohn Head of Global Brand Marketing AXOR.
“Resources here on earth are finite, unlike the multitude of our ideas, desires and aspirations,” said Sohn. ” This also means that our attitude towards design is changing. We want it to be meaningful and long-lasting. Our primary goal is to combine our outstanding designs with excellence in manufacturing and innovative technology to create products that last a lifetime. Promoting conscious consumption and long-lasting design is our contribution to a more sustainable world. And in this spirit, we have always designed beyond time and are entering into a new dialogue with creative minds from around the world.”
Image credit: AXOR
The contributions from everyone on the panel took us through several of the key issues being grappled with in the design world across the board. Introducing the concept, Kjaer, a renowned futurist and author who has lectured at Cambridge university and MIT, and speaks regularly at events such as TEDx, touched on questions of changing values and lifestyle, and how a more considered approach to design can harness these changes into a more long term – and a more sustainable – outcome. “The true value of things will be extremely important” said Kjaer. ” We need better products, not more products”
Taking the conversation more directly into the built environment, partner at the architecture studio, Partner ACPV Citterio Viel, Chung-Yi Yang discussed the need to improve the quality and use of interior and exterior spaces. Looking at sustainability from an architect’s perspective Yang emphasised the importance of water conservation in projects, as well as the regenerative aspects of her discipline. “Building can make the world a better place” stated Yang. ” Architecture and interior design have an enormous amount of regenerative potential, and a resource like water is too valuable not to be used in the best possible way.”
Image credit: AXOR
Designer Philippe Starck has been collaborating with AXOR for more than 20 years, and the first range designed by the designer remains as relevant today as it did when it was launched. Thus the concept of design longevity became central to a discussion on sustainability. This was made clear by Starck who asserted that good design is in fact about creating nothing superfluous. It is about respecting and understanding the function of an object and working in collaboration with engineers and technicians to ensure that all of the functionality is part of the design. Starck went on to discuss his belief in the importance of uniting luxury and ecology with aesthetics—an ongoing process that not only includes his previous work with AXOR, but importantly will remain an important part of all upcoming projects.
Finally the conversation concluded with some input from Rebecca Weigold, an expert in environmental management who works at the Hansgrohe Group, where she advises departments and project teams on implementing social and environmental sustainability. During her conversation with AXOR’s Anke Sohn, Weigold spoke about the brand’s eco-design guidelines and ecological commitments moving forward. Weigold emphasised the need for a holistic business model when taking on sustainability. “Production must be as green as possible,” said Weigold. ” The social perspective of sustainability needs to be considered with social conditions in manufacturing being part of the solution.”
As moderator Sohn drew the conversation to a close, what is clear is that design needs to be both considered and long lasting for it to be sustainable. While these conversations are important, conversations need to inform action, not only of design, but on every level of the manufacturing, marketing and distribution process. Designers, architects, engineers, cannot look at their individual corners of the process in isolation, everything is interconnected, and now more than ever we need to address design holistically.
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.
Blurring the boundaries: tiling the great outdoors
Tiles can offer an inspired solution for transforming outside areas, with a range of applications from flooring to feature walls, and pools to bars. In this article Mark Hillier, specification manager at leading commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles, discusses the key considerations for using tiles to create a beautiful yet practical outdoor space…
The concept of extending inside living and public spaces to the outside is becoming an increasingly popular design trend, with more and more hotels opting to create a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors. Indoor-outdoor tiles offer the ideal solution for this design solution; whereas in the past separate tiles would be required for the different spaces, these tiles can be used in both environments. With a varied range of these indoor-outdoor tiles available, the Matter collection by Zyx in particular is proving popular thanks to its range of applications, colours and shapes.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
When designing for public spaces like hotels, safety plays a key role in choosing flooring. Selecting outdoor floor tiles is no exception to this, and it’s vital to select a product which offers a minimum anti-slip rating of PTV36 (Pendulum Test Value) to ensure minimal risk. There is now a huge variety of anti-slip outdoor floor tiles available on the market, suitable for any project, style and budget – meaning there’s no need to compromise on safety or aesthetics.
Choosing outdoor floor tiles with a high slip resistance is particularly important for areas likely to be regularly exposed to wet conditions, whether that’s an outdoor pool or simply an uncovered space likely to be affected by rain. Porcelain-based tiling tends to offer the highest PTV ratings, but it’s always best to discuss ratings for specific tiles with your representative. As well as providing maximum safety, porcelain tiles are not affected by the elements, making them the ideal material for those outdoor spaces and ensuring that they will be enjoyed by guests for many years to come.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Whether it’s for a luxury pool, bar area or feature wall, tiles are the perfect way for a hotel to make a real design statement. Outdoor swimming pools tend to be a natural focal point, but that doesn’t mean the space can’t be taken to the next level. Tiles can elevate a leisure pool when the designer opts for visually interesting tiles rather than the traditional plain blue, with collections such as Matter, Aqua and Nubia guaranteed to turn heads.
Bar areas and feature walls are another great way to incorporate tiles into an outdoor space designed to impress guests, with almost endless options when it comes to shapes, colours and patterns.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
With many guests likely to be escaping the stresses of everyday life during their stay, creating calm spaces within a hotel is becoming an increasingly important design choice. This principle can be applied to a hotel’s outdoor areas, and tiles can be a valuable tool in evoking a sense of calm. The soothing effect of being outdoors can be emphasised through choosing neutral floor tiles designed to look like concrete or cement, while calming shades of blue and green are a popular choice for outdoor feature walls.
Similarly, the use of wood-effect floor tiles is a great way to create a serene outdoor environment thanks to its links to nature. CTD Architectural Tiles recently started supplying the Cortina collection, which comprises wood-effect tiles inspired by the use of timber in the Alps and Dolomites – and what makes this collection stand out even further is that the tiles can be used both indoors and outdoors, creating that sense of calm that flows from the inside out.
CTD Architectural 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.
BREAKING: Six Senses to operate Svart hotel in Norway
The highly anticipated hospitality project at the foot of a glacier in Norway that will become the world’s first energy-positive hotel, known as Svart, will be operated by Six Senses. Having followed the project closely since early concept stages, here’s what Editor Hamish Kilburn knows…
Standing ‘weightlessly’ at the foot of a striking glacier – and with its aim to become the world’s first energy-positive hotel and in the process setting new standards in carbon-neutral transformative travel experiences – it’s unsurprising that much has already been written about the highly anticipated opening of Svart, which until now we were under the impression would be stand as an independent hotel. Well, dropping somewhat of a plot twist, Six Senses Hotels & Resorts has confirmed that it will be the official operator of the hotel – and rightly so, considering the brand’s unapologetic stance on sustainable tourism and conscious hospitality.
“Building a unique environment through cutting-edge design and superior craftsmanship comes with clear obligations,” Ivaylo Lefterov, Svart Development Director, told Hotel Designs. “Creating a sustainable destination through an optimised resort operation requires us to collaborate with the right partner. “Six Senses shares the same ethos and ambition, to redefine bespoke travel through technological innovation, carbon-neutral approach, ground-breaking design, and an exceptional guest journey.”
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Designed structurally by Snøhetta, the 94-key Six Senses Svart will combine a futuristic design, led by interior design studio, Space Copenhagen, and technological innovation with earthy, organic materials that will use the latest embedded energy.
The hotel, which will be poised on poles above the crystal-clear waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord, at the base of a glacier, aims to raise awareness of the possibilities of regenerative travel and the importance of the polar region, in partnership with the local community. Innate to this project, and an integral part of its DNA, is the commitment not to compromise the fragile and pristine glacial surroundings or the property’s beauty and quality. The major design pillars of Six Senses Svart are environment and nature, sustainability, technological innovation, wellness and mindfulness, which have been integrated in tandem because they all directly impact each other.
Taking its cue from the ‘fiskehjell’ (an A-shaped wooden structure for drying fish) and the ‘rorbue’ (a coastal fisherman’s cabin), Six Senses Svart will be constructed on poles, dissolving the boundary between land and fjord, ensuring minimal land impact and seabed disruption. The circular form is tactile, creating a feeling of openness and perpetual consciousness of nature as it gives the building a transparent appearance. The happy side effect is its ability to collect energy from the roof and offer panoramic views and privacy with the expanded distance between rooms.
Superior craftsmanship will bring nature inside to form the modern and sustainable Scandic interiors, with corridor space filled with fun and quirky artwork, artefacts, and landscape follies, charting local heritage and creativity to bring a smile to the face.
Pioneering wellness is central to the Six Senses DNA, and this is an opportunity to innovate further, with each guest room becoming a wellness concierge through the Svart Touch concept. Non-invasive, touchless technology will adapt the room to the guest’s state of mind and health, providing intuitive options to evoke a deeper sense of wellbeing.
The hotel is the first building to be designed and built after the highest energy efficiency standard in the northern hemisphere. It will harvest enough solar energy to go back into the system, covering the hotel, adjacent operations, boat shuttle, and the energy needed to construct the building – rendering it independent from the power grid. Such energy-positive buildings could deliver 89 per cent of the 45 per cent decrease in emissions required to reach the scenario where global warming is limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. As such, Six Senses Svart is the northernmost implementation of the Paris Agreement, demonstrating that carbon neutrality can be not only feasible in a sophisticated development at an eco-sensitive site, but can also be profitable.
It will also be self-sustaining, complete with its own waste and water management, recycling, and renewable infrastructure. The team will work with existing sustainable fishing and farming operations and engage local like-minded suppliers for the restaurants and bars.
“To enhance the vision of Svart, we have established a Net Zero Lab, a vehicle for developing and take to market the technology created by us in joint effort with Six Senses to reach the common goal for net-zero travel,” added Jan-Gunnar Mathisen, CEO of the project’s owner and developer. “This means the guest journey will have zero environmental impact from start to end. The mission is to achieve common ground for all stakeholders pushing the technology to the next level to benefit Svart and the industry at large.”
The concept of a ‘stay’ will be redefined from a passive or static experience to an immersive and purpose-driven journey. There is a two-way expectation as truly reciprocal wellness and sustainability cut both ways. Guests are welcomed into breathtaking nature to enjoy unplugged exploration and signature standards such as Eat With Six Senses, Sleep With Six Senses and Grow With Six Senses, the brand’s edutainment program for younger guests created around the six dimensions of wellness.
Image credit: Snøhetta Plompmozes Miris
Image caption: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts was confirmed to operate Svart in Norway, which opens in 2024. | Image credit: Snøhetta Plompmozes Miris
Guests can lounge in the Experience Center, where materials will be light and raw, with local fabrics to tie ”the space to the place”. The Alchemy Bar will highlight the rich history of regional healing techniques by turning local flora and fauna into pampering scents and scrubs. As a centre for engagement and innovation, the Earth Lab will serve as the sustainability outreach space, showcasing “lifecycle living” initiatives on and off the property. There will also be a Svart Design Lab, which will act as an incubator for innovation and education, for guests to understand how new technologies can bring the sector closer to carbon neutrality as part of a cradle-to-cradle hospitality offering.
The Marketplace will be the anchor, zero-waste dining venue, where the lines between food storage, prep, and dining are blurred to create an inviting and active environment. No one will bat an eye at anyone catching and cooking their own fish. Six Senses filters and bottles its own drinking water throughout its properties, and Six Senses Svart will offer water and more to the door to reach its plastic-free goals.
Wellness at Six Senses is not confined to the four walls of the spa or fitness centre. It is part of an integrated experience. It is something that is always present, and nothing that guests have to engage in, if they choose not to. Instead, experts will guide guests on the path to well-being, however far they want to go. From effective fixes from compression boots to vitamin IVs in the biohacking lounge to all-round fitness in the sensory treatment suites. Six Senses Svart will cover the full gambit of integrated wellness, with state-of-the-art equipment and wearable technology assimilation, integrating a specially developed “Svart Touch” concept that will further elevate the brand’s pioneering wellness approach.
On summarising the project’s mission, Ivaylo Lefterov said: “Six Senses Svart is redefining the travel experience through technological innovation, ground-breaking design, and exceptional guest wellness journey by creating a carbon-neutral visionary destination where we can showcase the core pillars of what modern hospitality design and operation can achieve.”
While we have to wait a little longer than expected for Svart to finally open its doors – having given the industry a lesson is teasers over the last few years – the power of collaboration and meaningful hospitality development – from operation to design and architecture – is what is fuelling this project to go down in the history books as a timeless example of exemplary hotel design, and we will continue to follow progress eagerly as Six Senses Svart emerges from its drawings and flourishes into a unique fixture on the international hotel design scene.
Main image credit: Svart Development/Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Product watch: 4 new collections from Christopher Hyde
With the aim to launch innovative products that sensitively reflect the brand’s DNA, Christopher Hyde has unveiled four new collections that will make a statement in any interior design scheme…
Having excelled at manufacturing luxury luminaires for an extensive range of interiors for more than 25 years, lighting brand Christopher Hyde has showcased some of the finest designs within the eclectic classic and contemporary collections, with a specific focus on the Middle Eastern market – think statement lighting. Not only has the brand unveiled new ranges, ideal for this market, it has also invested in a new sales manager in the region. Cue the arrival of Tiziana Greco, with 20 years’ experience in various high-level roles who has managed many projects in the Interior Design industry working with high-end, luxury lighting and furniture brands within the GCC and Far East markets.
Back to the products, though, the St James chandelier is a 20-light oval centre piece with a crystal cut vase in the centre. Finished in antique french gold with clear bohemian crystal drops. A luxury reception or living area would be the perfect space for a chandelier of such grandeur.
Image credit: Christopher Hyde
The Empire Collection, meanwhile, is ideal for the more classic and ornate design style. The collection includes a crystal wall sconce and flush ceiling fitting on superbly cast solid brass frames finished in french gold. The finely detailed arms and wreath are hand cast using a traditional ‘lost wax’ method.
The Lucerne is a contemporary statement luminaire suitable for any contemporary interior. This pendant is manufactured with adjustable satin brass arms and bubble glass. With the option to alter the pendant’s height prior to installation clients can customise this luminaire to suit any ceiling height.
Image credit: Christopher Hyde
And finally, the Kamakura is a beautiful, cultural wall light finished in polished brass and is perfect for all interiors. The unique design of this wall light lends itself to that of a piece of art.
Christopher Hyde Lighting 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.
Conrad arrives in Sardinia, marking brand’s debut in Italy
The highly anticipated Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia has opened, marking the luxury brand’s debut in Italy – combining a pristine natural location with high-end interiors by Studio Marco Piva to create an exclusive oasis on the picturesque Sardinian coastline…
Situated on a prime location along Sardinia’s coastline, Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia overlooks Chia Bay and is nestled between the golden sands of both Monte Cogoni Beach and Dune di Campana Beach. Sheltering 107 guestrooms, the resort offers a secluded retreat for travellers seeking total ease and relaxation along with exclusive guest amenities and privileged access to all that the larger Chia Laguna Resort has to offer. The hotel opening is significant. Not only does it mark the brand’s inaugural opening in Sardinia, but it also marks the brand’s first hotel in Italiy, and also represents Conrad’s expanding global portfolio of distinctive hotels and resorts.
Image credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
“We’re thrilled to introduce Conrad Hotels & Resorts in Italy as the latest marquee opening for the brand following notable openings in Shanghai and Tulum early this year,” said Dino Michael, Senior Vice President and Global Category Head, Hilton luxury brands.”Located in a destination famous for its turquoise coastline and picturesque mountainous views, Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia will provide our highly discerning guests with authentic, impactful experiences through Conrad’s renowned purposeful and passionate service.”
Perched on the southern-most tip of the Mediterranean island, the resort is surrounded by all the awe-inspiring natural beauty Sardinia has to offer. Sand dunes, coastal flora and fauna and pink flamingos give way to both Monte Cogoni and Dune di Campana, renowned as Italy’s most beautiful beaches and found on either side of the resort. These spectacular vistas with hues of natural green and blue are visible from every corner of the property, with guestrooms, suites, restaurants and pools all boasting panoramic views across the iconic bay and lagoon. Chia is a protected habitat to wildlife and is home to countless species as well as wild herbs such as mint, rosemary and thyme which often fill the coastal air with their aromatic scent.
Image credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
The surrounding natural beauty is reflected in the property’s interior thanks to a unique design concept by Studio Marco Piva – Milanese masters of hospitality design. Inspiration comes from the hotel’s elevated coastal location above the bay with natural materials and neutral tones featured throughout resulting in a harmonious blend of elegance and Mediterranean simplicity. The approach combines contemporary design with local materials such as Sardinian ‘Biancone di Orosei’ marble, a calcareous rock derived from ancient coral and fossils that has a subtle sandy hue. These locally sourced rocks were used to create terraces, seamlessly blending the resort into its surroundings. The hotel lobby features elements of the Sardinian culture, inviting guests to fully experience the location’s cultural background with details such as wall coverings of traditional Sardinian fabrics and furniture decorated with ropes, representing the destination’s nautical roots.
Image credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
The hotel is designed to offer something for families and couples alike, with the guestrooms divided into two areas to reflect this, with dedicated swimming pools, private gardens and pathways alongside two restaurants to suit every palette. La Terrazza serves a menu of Mediterranean and international cuisine in an interactive setting where guests can observe the cooking process alongside panoramic views from the al fresco terrace. Sa Mesa is set in an olive grove, and features local specialities with a contemporary twist, offering foodies an authentic experience under the twinkling Mediterranean night sky.
The hotel shelters an on-site Conrad Spa which serves as calm haven with an extensive treatment menu and a rooftop solarium with breath-taking views overlooking the entire resort and surrounding landscapes can be enjoyed from a series of pools.
Expanding the Conrad portfolio in America, The Conrad Los Angeles will be stamping its designer footprint within The Grand LA – located in the heart of Grand Ave. Arts, this multi-functional mixed use development is set to become a paradigm-shifting place to live, stay and visit. The Grand LA will include 176,000 square feet of retail and dining space, more than 400 residences and a large, vibrant public plaza with a series of landscaped, open terraces that will host free arts programming throughout the year, including live concerts. Additionally, within walking distance of Conrad Los Angeles are some of the city’s most prominent cultural venues, creating a natural synergy with the neighbourhood’s art destinations including The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Park, Colburn School and The Music Center.
Image credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
“The Grand LA is thrilled to host Hilton’s first Conrad property in California,” said Rick Vogel, Senior Vice President at Related Companies. “Conrad is one of Hilton’s high luxury brands for the Epicurean traveller in search of culture, arts and dining, which is aligned with The Grand LA’s landmark destination as the epicentre for arts and culture in LA. We look forward to welcoming Conrad Los Angeles’s first guests when The Grand LA opens in 2022.”
Image credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
“Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the ideal brand to complement the suite of offerings at the Grand LA with our promise of bold design and exceptional, passionate service, aimed at creating memorable experiences for our guests,” said Nils-Arne Schroeder, Global Brand Head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to elevating the level of luxury hospitality in the destination next year with the opening of our first Conrad hotel in California and seeing the immersive cultural experiences at Conrad Los Angeles come to life for travellers and the local community.”
Image credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts
The 28-story hotel will shelter 305 contemporary guestrooms with bold design, as well as a spa, elevated indoor/outdoor lobby with sweeping views of the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a 16,000 square foot rooftop terrace complete with a private pool deck overlooking downtown LA. Guests will enjoy locally inspired culinary experiences through dining outlets featuring expansive lounges and outdoor amenities that embrace California’s outdoor culture, all while staying true to Conrad’s commitment to wellness and sustainable travel. The luxury property will also offer 12,000 square feet of meeting and event facilities with integrated technology capabilities as well as a state-of-the-art fitness room for guests.
DesignLSM unveils renovation details from Heythrop Park
With Heythrop Park Hotel set to open in the summer, award-winning design agency DesignLSM is well underway with its latest project: renovating the front of house and F&B areas at the prestigious Grade II listed property…
Set within 440 acres of parkland, Heythrop Park, recently acquired by Warner Leisure Hotels, is set to open later this summer with a completely evolved aesthetic celebrating the historic architecture and founding owners of the estate. Appealing to the existing loyal Warner guest as well as attracting new visitors, DesignLSM has undertaken a strategic and creative position on the vast project, focusing on three key principles to enhance the overall guest experience – relaxation, exploration and entertainment.
Image credit: DesignLSM
Renowned for its beautiful architecture, stunning gardens and rolling rural estate, Heythrop Park, located on the edge of the Cotswolds, was originally built for the 1st Duke of Shrewsbury in 1706-1711 and was one of the first estates to marry the interior with the exterior, ensuring that it captures the remarkable vistas on offer. Paying homage to the baroque era, but keeping the modern traveller in mind, DesignLSM have created a distinctive design narrative for the property that runs across the sprawling estate, taking influence from the Duke’s Grand Tour in Italy and his close working relationship with his architect Thomas Archer; alongside design inspiration woven in from the subsequent owner – Thomas Brassey.
Image credit: DesignLSM
Having a wealth of experience, most recently designing Gaucho’s new Glasgow restaurant and The Al-chemist’s Spinningfields Bar , with Searcys’ St Pancras Champagne Bar refurbishment amongst many others currently in hand, the DesignLSM team have bridged the gap between the Grade II listed 18th century charming manor house and the contemporary extension – creating an engaging aesthetic that runs through the whole Estate; including The Orangery, six lounges, three restaurants, two bars, a ball-room and theatre. Each space has its own design identity that encourages a journey of discovery for guests.
Image credit: DesignLSM
The Market Kitchen restaurant with its soft colour palette, fresh biophilic patterned upholstery and wall paneling was inspired by the traditional kitchen garden, while the Brassey Bar, echoes Thomas Brassey’s love of engineering and background in the railways, housing traditional industrial patterns and materials – think dramatic beamed structures, metal detailing, rich leather banquettes, and intimate lighting.
“This has been a tremendous project for DesignLSM,” said Holly Hallam, Managing Director of DesignLSM. “We have worked closely with Warner Leisure Hotels from the very beginning – offering our strategic expertise to curate the proposition, creating and defining several new F&B concepts as well designing a new narrative and an immersive interior design across all of the front of house rooms in this grand Estate – influenced by, and respecting its historical roots, whilst bringing it forward into a new era of enjoyment and adventure.”
Each space, while having its own unique design DNA, compliments the architectural language of the property as a whole, delivering atmospheric and inviting spaces with a contemporary feel and elegant grandeur – encouraging a sense of welcome, comfort and continued exploration. Being the latest in a stunning series of design achievements, Heythrop Park looks set to be a forward thinking and vital edition to DesignLSM’s groundbreaking hospitality portfolio.
Kohler introduces AR experience in its latest launch
Moving beyond the boundaries of the showroom, Kohler has launched a limited edition creative AR experience, immersing architects and designers in its latest launch which celebrates the new Statement & Anthem showering collection...
Bathroom brand Kohler has launched a hybrid concept that, in true Kohler fashion, extends boundaries using meaningful design and technology. The concept will allow designers to experience the showroom virtually, by offering digital and physical touchpoints through a Statement & Anthem sculpture, which reflects the colours and finishes of the new collection. With an accompanying QR code, designers can be transported to a virtual world.
Sounds great, but how does it work? To facilitate this process, and putting the R(eality) into AR, gift boxes containing the sculpture, product codes and portal QR code have been sent to members of the architect and design community. Once the sculpture is configured and the QR code scanned, the user is transported to a virtual world where they can explore different spaces of wellbeing inspired by the stunning design cues of the new Statement Showering Collection and Anthem Digital & Mechanical Controls. The physical pieces create an immersive experience for architects and designers, and encourage Kohler’s creative audience to touch and feel the various materials, admire the unique shapes and forms, and build their own configurations.
Image credit: Kohler
Image credit: Kohler
Image credit: Kohler
The spatially-aware, mobile and webAR browser experience enables participants to step inside a 360° virtual space to explore three beautiful landscapes that showcase Kohler’s products. Within these landscapes, participants can find and interact with a life-sized, animated, abstract sculpture inspired by the physical sculpture, as well as rotate, pinch and zoom in to examine the details.
Architects are also able to leverage their own physical environments and transform them into interactive playspaces by virtually walking around, examining the product from all angles, and taking in their surroundings. Each sculpture is accompanied by high-quality product cards containing imagery and helpful specifying information.
“We understand our audience of global architects, designers, developers and hoteliers gains so much more from an experience that can be seen, felt, and appreciated in the context of a physical environment,” said Angela Zahn, Kohler Kitchen & Bath Group Director of Global Campaigns and Channel Marketing. “Therefore, the creative team landed on a concept that was both transportive and grounded, while embracing the constraints of a remote setting in a thoughtful, sophisticated, and innovative way.”
Through this immersive hybrid experience, architects and designers can discover the endless ways Kohler products can bring a sense of harmony and revitalization into their designs and create their own spaces of wellbeing.
Kohler 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: Vintage Camelia & Delta Geometric from Skopos
Skopos Fabrics has launched two new designs this month, as it continues its celebrations to mark its 50th Anniversary…
Skopos, the fabric brand that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has just dropped two new designs; Vintage Camelia and Delta Geometric.
Camomile Lawn, first launched in 2006, was the perfect blend of classic glamour and contemporary sophistication launched under the Jamasque Label. The label was inspired by historical themes, floral imagery, archive prints and weaves. Timeless designs, including florals, vines, a decorative paisley scroll and soft striped designs, partnered in the original pattern book, with sumptuous accents, portraying the romance of English country life. The collection comprised of 5 printed and 1 woven design, all linked together by colour. ‘Camelia’ was inspired by a surface printed floral wallpaper document dating back to the late 19th Century. The original design was larger in scale and was interpreted for flatbed screen printing using hand separation techniques.
Revisiting this design, Skopos has decreased the scale and looked at an interpretation which marries vintage colours and contemporary tones. Vintage Camelia has been developed for our Anniversary collection. The design is now digitally printed, therefore in alignment with the original surface print technique, allowing the graphic block-printed outlines to remain. Vintage Camelia has also been re-imagined in a modern colour palette, ideal for today’s trend for maximalist interiors.
Image credit: Skopos
Delta was an early Skopos geometric design, originally launched back in the mid 70s. Known as ‘Design Number 14’, it was part of a range of large-scale geometric designs, appearing in a brochure, aimed at the hotel and leisure market.
Originally screen printed by hand, in a single colour, the design has been reduced in size from the previous Delta design, translated into a soft tonal, two-colour design and digitally printed on our upholstery velvet, Varese, giving a luxurious twist to the original drape fabric.
Designs for April are available on any of the brand’s standard print base-cloths. Both designs are being offered in two colourways for immediate order.
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.
The Pinch, a new luxury boutique hotel in Charleston
Developed and designed by Philadelphia-based hospitality company, Method Co.,in partnership with New York-based Morris Adjmi Architects, The Pinch has opened its doors, continuing the brand’s mission of blending high-end, boutique hotel experiences with modern conveniences…
Located in the heart of downtown Charleston on the bustling intersection in the Ansonborough neighborhood, The Pinch is situated in a prime location just steps away from high-end retail shops, a vibrant dining scene, the College of Charleston and close to historical attractions. With a rich history, Charleston today is a beautifully preserved architectural and historical treasure, home to a thriving hospitality spirit that can be felt throughout its welcoming, romantic neighborhoods, preserved architecture, and the resurgence of a thriving cultural and art scene. Taking cues from the existing building’s architecture, which are part of the National Register of Historic Places, The Pinch draws inspiration from the building’s rich past and city’s preservation efforts over the years, establishing a place that elevates hospitality through soulful design, and cultivates a deep respect for heritage.
Image credit: MethodCo / Daniel Olosovsky
Image credit: MethodCo / Matthew Williams
Housed in two original Victorian-style structures dating back as early as 1843, alongside one newly constructed building, the new property has been thoughtfully transformed into a boutique hotel experience, featuring 22 luxury guestrooms and suites, and three residences that are available for stays of 30 days or longer. Each of The Pinch’s luxury accommodations are a mix of king and loft rooms, one- and two-bedroom suites, and residences. While there are subtle variations and unique configurations in each room, including private balconies and a landscaped terrace, all feature a full kitchen with marble or black walnut countertops, Italian marble farmhouse sinks and unlacquered brass taps by deVOL, BlueStar ranges, and custom cabinetry.
Image credit: MethodCo / Matthew Williams
The bathrooms all feature unlacquered brass Waterworks fixtures, hand-painted terracotta Moroccan floor tiles, luxurious walk-in showers with Clé Zellige tiles, and black walnut vanities with honed Arabescato Calacatta stone. All rooms, suites, and residences include washers and dryers and ample closets. The Lequeux-Williams House penthouse residence features an open concept, separate king bedroom, spacious living and dining area with a working fireplace, as well as a private veranda overlooking Ellis Alley.
Image credit: MethodCo / Matthew Williams
Image credit: MethodCo / Matthew Williams
Built to age gracefully, bespoke finishes layer the minimal, soulfully designed rooms, including lighting from Santa & Cole, Original BTC, Allied Maker, and handmade open-fired raku style ceramic glazed lamps by Aaron Poritz. Artwork throughout The Pinch includes etchings, graphite, and paintings by Lucas Reiner, lithographs by David Salle and Kelsey Brookes, paintings by Fausto Rossi, in addition to a collection of photography and artwork by various artists.
Image credit: MethodCo / Daniel Olosovsky
Image credit: MethodCo / Matthew Williams
Furnishings in the hotel are an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary, and include armchairs from Lawson-Fenning, lush velvet sofas by Interior Defined, and a collection of custom pieces by Aaron Poritz & Morris Adjmi through their FurnitureWorks studio. Wallcoverings throughout are by Lewis & Wood and Farrow & Ball, and vintage rugs were curated in collaboration with Old New House. Throughout The Pinch is an assortment of vintage found objects, living plants and books.
Image credit: MethodCo / Matthew Williams
The hotel will feature two restaurants coming later this summer: a cozy oyster & cocktail den, and a full-service destination restaurant with a vibrant outdoor cobblestone courtyard. Both restaurants will showcase beverage programs that feature quality-driven craft cocktails along with a curated list of local beer and an extensive wine selection with a focus on French and European producers.
The Pinch is the second hotel to open outside of Philadelphia for Method Co., the visionaries behind the hospitality concepts of Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, HIROKI, ROOST Apartment Hotels and Whyle. The Pinch will continue the brand’s mission of blending high design, boutique hotel experiences and the extended stay model, along with creating thoughtful and distinct culinary concepts, to bring a new level of service to Charleston’s hospitality scene.
Inspired by the city’s imperial history, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Rosewood Vienna. Slated for the summer, the opening marks the luxury brands fifth European property, and is a collaboration between A2K Architects, BEHF Architects and interior designer Alexander Waterworth…
Making its mark in the heart of one of Europe’s most historic cities, Rosewood Vienna is set to provide visitors with an authentic, original, and personalized travel experience inspired by the destination’s local culture and international spirit. The hotel is surrounded by Vienna’s best shopping, restaurants, and some of its most significant sites and attractions. In keeping with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ A Sense of Place philosophy, guests at Rosewood Vienna will be immersed in the timeless grace, elegance and imperial flair that has been the hallmark of Vienna for centuries.
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
“I am very excited to welcome Rosewood’s dedicated family of guests to Vienna and showcase all of the beauty and history that our city has to offer through the unique Rosewood point of view,” said Alexander Lahmer, Managing Director of Rosewood Vienna. “Rosewood Vienna is a tribute to the Viennese way of life and will be the focal point of the city’s vibrant and ever-evolving hospitality scene—where culture, cuisine and cosmopolitanism meet. As with all Rosewood hotels, we are committed to the philosophy of honoring the time-honored sensibilities of Vienna’s spirit while also incorporating a modern feel and best-in-class amenities.”
Situated in a historic 19th century building, Rosewood Vienna is a collaboration between A2K Architects, BEHF Architects and interior designer Alexander Waterworth. The end result is a hotel that marries historic charm and European Belle Époque architecture with modern interiors and timeless sophistication. The property’s 99 guestrooms and 27 suites have been designed with a thoughtful combination of lush textures, artistic touches, and the latest technological conveniences.
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Considered the crown jewel of Rosewood Vienna, the property’s 1,800 square foot Presidential Suite offers the ultimate in luxury, featuring unparalleled dazzling city views, a master bedroom, a separate living room, kitchen, entertainment area, and eight-person dining room. Each room has its own individual character, yet they are all united by a harmonious, neutral colour palette accented by subtle colour contrasts, reflecting the property’s style of mixing the old and the new. Every detail has been meticulously selected to create an optimal experience for entertainment and relaxation. Using a skillful interplay of different materials such as marble, wood, brass fixtures and patterned fabrics, the design nods to the imperial glamour of Vienna’s past while speaking to the tastes of today’s affluent explorer.
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
The hotel will shelter a variety of dining options which will pay tribute to the culinary roots of the Austrian capital while incorporating Rosewood’s brand-standard levels of service and modern culinary interpretations. The property’s light-filled top floor offers fine dining menus showcasing both European and Austrian cuisine in a variety of spaces. Soon-to-be announced concepts include a casual atmosphere in the property’s ‘show kitchen’ and an upscale brasserie in the property’s main dining room, which includes an adjacent terrace and garden oasis. The property’s food and beverage offerings also include a private dining room, which can be booked for intimate gatherings or used as an event space for larger groups. Classic cocktails with an innovative twist will be served in the hotel’s intimate rooftop bar, designed by interior designer Kroenland.
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
An elegant event space inspired by a grand apartment once located in the heart of the city, Rosewood Vienna’s Pavilion is home to a spectacular space with versatile amenities and a capacity of up to 120 people for social events and business meetings. The Pavilion includes three lounges that feature state-of-the-art technology and flexible floor plans with natural light that showcases the building’s splendid architecture. Rosewood Vienna looks to establish itself as the leading setting for both private and professional occasions in the heart of the Austrian capital.
On the wellness front, Sense, A Rosewood Spa, that will present intuitive, locally inspired offerings that promote the well-being of both the body and mind. With an unparalleled view of Vienna, the spa offers five treatment rooms, a ‘social suite’ and a hydrotherapy relaxation room, as well as an extensive selection of treatments and therapies. The spa’s design features clean architectural lines, stone and carved wood elements, and a soothing color palette chosen to convey a tranquil experience.
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
The new Rosewood Vienna, situated on Petersplatz, one of the most famous squares in Vienna’s Old Town, will be the brands first flag in Vienna. It joins the portfolio that includes iconic properties such as Rosewood London, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, and Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel.
IHIF puts conscious hotel development on the agenda
With the biggest names in hotel ownership and investment set to descend on Berlin next month for the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) there is one area that will be high up on the list of discussion points – ‘conscious hospitality’…
The focus on environmental and socially-conscious business practices is growing, so it is hardly surprising that many hotel companies are keen to develop new and existing brands in a more conscious and intuitive way and are paying greater respect to the environment and communities they operate within. So while investment certainly remains at the event’s core, a number of sessions will further the conversation around ‘conscious hospitality’ at next month’s IHIF.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, which will be supporting the forum in a number of ways, says caring for its people, communities and planet has been ‘at the heart’ of what they do for many years. Last year it launched Journey to Tomorrow – a 10-year action plan of clear commitments to drive change – and has adopted many sustainable practices. Conscious development is certainly at the heart of its growing brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants which has implemented over 100 practices to make its hotels, restaurants, community and world a better, more sustainable place.
Image credit: IHG/Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
While Kimpton is expanding at pace, with 75 open hotels and a 35-strong pipeline, it treats every property it opens around the world as an individual brand. It taps into the elements of each property’s design and the brand’s design ethos to offer guests ‘a richer, more authentic and playful travel experience’ while drawing inspiration and respecting its location to ‘inspire a more meaningful, heartfelt stay.’ Kimpton Mallorca, due to open this summer, for example, has been built with materials sourced from the island, including the local Zarci stone, while the company has worked with local architects, suppliers and artists to bring its inspired design to life.
A similarly thoughtful approach has been adopted by Hyatt International, whose president and CEO Mark Hoplamazian is speaking at IHIF on Wednesday, May 4 in a session titled Reflections on Hospitality Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions. For Hyatt, it is about open conversations with all parties and ensuring everyone’s needs are met. This holistic approach extends to design also.
“We take a flexible and thoughtful approach to working with our owners and franchisees, forming meaningful relationships to, firstly, create hotels which modern travellers are looking for and, once open, to maximise the financial outcome at each hotel,” said Peter Norman, SVP Development EAME/SWA at Hyatt International EAME, LLC. “Our international teams of experts are there to support our owners and franchisees as they move into pioneering projects in the areas of sustainability or food and beverage, and our dedicated design unit helps them to implement intelligent design and technology whilst keeping the guest experience front and centre.”
This conscious approach is not only being led by hotel companies. As Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá Hotels International, which created a pioneering in-house carbon footprint measuring program in 2007 and is aiming to achieve the ‘A’ level in the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) Climate Change in 2024, says, guests will come to expect these conscious moves.
“Changes in society and in travellers’ habits and expectations will make it critical for companies to adapt to the new ecosystem: more sustainable companies and destinations and digital immersion, not only regarding digital distribution, sales and marketing, but creating a digital or hybrid guest experience at the hotels as well,” said Escarrer. “I also think that travellers will demand brands that have ‘soul’ and strong links with destinations, too.”
A number of sessions will further the conversation around conscious hospitality at IHIF, and linking sustainable practice with investment is the focus of the panel discussion on Wednesday 4 May; Deep Dive: KPIs for ESG in hospitality investment, where Catherine Dolton, chief sustainability officer and vice president, Global Corporate Responsibility, IHG and Xenia Zi Hohenlohe, chief executive, Considerate Group will be among those providing insight.
Debunking one of the most significant perceived obstacles for stakeholders, Maribel Esparcia Pérez, Founding Partner of the European Sustainable Hospitality Group will be leading a session on How to Operate Sustainably and Profitably. This session precedes another pivotal discussion on Wednesday 4 May on Green Finance, a concept that looks at the prospect of how cheaper debt financing for sustainable hotels could create value.
IHIF, an event that Hotel Designs is a proud media partner of, takes place in Berlin on May 3 – 5.
Updating brassware can have a huge impact on the design of a bathroom and adding colour takes this a step further. To respond to a growing demand for coloured bathroom brassware that will stand the test of time, Roca has expanded its range of finishes…
Ona is Roca’s latest launch, a complete bathroom collection inspired by the Mediterranean. One of Ona’s most striking elements is a tap with a distinguishing look, conceived by Benedito Design. It represents the perfect balance between design, technology, and sustainability. The brassware range includes deck-mounted and built-in basin mixers and coordinating wall mounted and built-in options for showers and baths.
Image credit: Roca
Image credit: Roca
The Ona brassware collection is available in chrome and two Everlux finishes – titanium black and rose gold. The sophisticated Everlux finish has excellent durability and is obtained by means of an innovative PVD process. This is where ionization of metals and noble gases are combined to create a fine metallic coating. This coating, based on extremely hard metals such as titanium or zirconium, is uniformly deposited over Roca’s high-quality galvanized chrome plating, resulting in a surface with extreme hardness and extraordinary resistance to scratches, impacts and cleaning agents. Moreover, as this is a purely physical technique, the Everlux finish is developed without using harmful chemicals during the production process thus protecting the environment.
Roca’s T-1000 Round thermostatic mixers are also available in chrome and PVD titanium black. Designed for maximum safety and comfort for everyday use, the collection features a minimalist and modern design to ensure it will blend harmoniously into any setting and pair seamlessly with other Roca PVD coloured ranges. Roca also has matching wastes and accessories to provide a fully coordinated look throughout the bathroom.
Ona brassware is a truly versatile range with its slim body and flat rectangular handle. Also available in a classic matt black finish, Ona provides a full complement of options to suit any bathroom décor. Carelia, also available in matt black and chrome is a smooth-body, contemporary design collection, which features a soft turn handle and pan handle lever in the elegant basin mixer model. Carelia offers a wide range of options, including basin mixers and deck-mounted bath mixers.
To complement the coloured sanitaryware and brassware, Roca also has coloured accessories so designers can achieve a fully coordinated look. The new Ona collection includes a pack with countertop elements (tray, container, soap dispenser and tumbler), available in three colours to perfectly match the furniture. Roca’s Tempo collection of contemporary bathroom accessories is also available in rose gold, titanium black, brushed titanium black and chrome to match the PVD finishes.
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.
Going public: 5 trends shaping the design of hotel public areas
With debate around public spaces in hotels ongoing, both on a design as well as a functional level, we take a look at some of the key areas and how they are changing the shape of the hotel experience from the minute we make a grand, or should that be an understated, entrance…
The public space in any hotel is where the designer makes the opening comment. It tells the story of what is to follow behind closed doors, and as such is key to the brand narrative. Theses spaces are influenced by social trends, and in some cases can even lead in breaking established patterns within the hospitality design industry. The key debates broadly within the sector are visibly put into practice in these spaces. We thought we would take a look at some of these conversations and identify how they are being translated into the design and function of the public spaces.
Image credit:
The Arrival experience is all about making a statement, setting the tone. There are increasingly high design expectations, and the public space in a hotel is at the forefront of this. It needs to make an impression the minute a guest steps through the doors, if not before. In some cases the space needs to translate to social media platforms, while in others it might be all about privacy and discretion. As hotels move away from the brand standard approach, fabulous and idiosyncratic design is no longer the realm of the small boutique hotel but is being integrated into designs across the board. The 25hours brand is one example that prides itself on its ‘if you know one you know none’ approach, making each hotel an independent and unique design statement. On the other hand you have luxury hotels EDITION keeping a certain amount of design coherence running through their locations but still providing unique immersive designs.
Image credit: 25hours Hotels
Technology in public spaces can cause division and debate; while for some the more connected and seamless the hotel experience the better, while others want a complete break from the day to day demands of technology that can be overwhelming. In the public hotel realm it is surely a question of balance. The balance between connectivity and connection is key as hotels face the apparent contradictions between technology, and that ever important human contact that can define a hotel experience. If properly harnessed these two views are not as contradictory as it would seem – while technology reduces the need for contact and can make things seamless and even faceless, the flipside of a curated use of technology is the potential for increased space for true public areas. Instead of a large amount of space being taken up by what is essentially admin, this space can be used to connect in real time with real people over a coffee or a cocktail, or, with any luck, both.
Credits: Bergman Design House / Falconer Chester Hall
Getting ready to launch its first hotel in London, The Other House, making bold claims about disrupting the hospitality sector, seems to encapsulate the new attitude towards technology in hospitality. Despite all the noise around the new era of luxury suggesting a paired back, even removed, stance on technology, it is central to The Other House as they will be offering guests a downloadable app that offers personalisation and control through on-demand access to hotel-style services. The software, which, if seamless, meaningful, discreet and easy to use, will become a revolutionary element of the hospitality experience at The Other House. Its all about that balance between connectivity and connection…
Image credit: room2
Sustainability of course needs to be considered on every level, but how does this translate directly into the public spaces of a hotel? As customers increasingly base decisions on shared values , these values need to be visible in, and part of the fabric of the public spaces. With room2 claiming to be the worlds first fully net zero hotel, it is clearly setting the benchmark , and we are sure it won’t be the last. This is a great example of how sustainability has been integrated into the building, the design, the use of space, the materials used to decorate that space, with the entire focus of the hotel being on providing guests with a local hospitality experience, with flexible public spaces, that connect people and invite them in on the basis of shared values and concerns.
Image credit: Yotel
Flexibility and the notion of the wfhotel is another industry buzzword that is making its mark on the public spaces in hotels. These spaces are increasingly becoming places to spend time in, to work, to relax, to socialise, to shop. Because of this, and contrary to what many people thought would emerge from the covid-19 pandemic, we are seeing an increase in the public spaces along with an increase in demand and flexibility.
Image credit: Edmund Dabney
Locke Hotels have built the brand around this notion of flexibility – describing the public spaces as ‘equal parts gallery, lounge, coffee shop, retail concept and living room, the space beckons to the street and is as welcoming as it is inscrutable’.
Looking at how Wellnesstranslates into the public spaces, again the demands of the guest as consumer are high. Not only are hotels expected to put wellness on the agenda and make it available for guests, it is increasingly expected to be embedded into the structure and function of the design with concepts like biophilic design becoming as mainstream as cocktails with a side of kombucha.
Image caption: Render of the rooftop that will open in SIRO Boka Place, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: SIRO
SIRO Boka Place is one of the newest and clearest examples of just how integral concepts of wellness have become, with the entire hotel experience and concept developed around immersive wellbeing. Starting with the name… S-strength I-inclusive R-reflection O-original. With this in mind, the public areas will be designed to emphasise the social aspects of wellbeing, while on a more literal level the design will feature elements like leather bleacher style seating in these public spaces which reference a sport stadium aesthetic. Wellness is considered on every front in this design, and it is not just about jumping onto a state-of-the-art Pelaton, but also about what materials are used, and how they are used.
Taking things onto a slightly more esoteric level, Six Senses Douro Valley explores colour and sensory design in relation to wellness and takes the conversation into relatively unchartered waters. Harnessing colour, gastronomy and technology opens the wellness playing field in the realm of hotel design right up!
Image credit: Lore Group
Now more than ever, the idea of shared values, of community, is being made tangible in the public spaces of hotel. One Hundred Shoreditch illustrates this, as local identity and an immersive experience are the order of the day and brand identity is now balanced on being able to provide locale. The public spaces provide that interface between hotel and community so the shift is no longer to create a barrier but to provide an interplay. Again referencing One Hundred Shoreditch, designer Jacu Strauss has made a point of opening up the public spaces, of blurring of line between in and out. It is important that the hotel is seen to be part of the community. To achieve this, on a literal level the coffee hatch punches a hole in the wall and breaks down the inside outside divide, while on a slightly more subtle note, the public spaces like the restaurant and bar reflect the surroundings and the divide between guest and community shifts
What is very clear is how interdependent all these concepts are, and it is in fact the interplay between them that defines the public spaces and sets hotels apart. Increasingly the demands being made on public spaces in hotel design have all of these within them but it is a matter of emphasis. It is not a question of if, but of how visible – how much technology, wellness, flexibility we see in the public spaces as these boundaries shift and reflect the accelerated changes that we are seeing impact on every aspect of hotel design.
Case study: Bette shower trays star in The Randolph Hotel
The recently launched, The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels in Oxford, has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment with Bette glazed titanium-steel shower trays featured in the hotel’s 151 guestrooms and suites…
Graduate Hotels is a hand-crafted collection of hotels based in dynamic university-anchored towns across the U.S. and U.K. Each hotel pays homage to the heritage of its unique town through cultural nods to the local community. An Oxford landmark in the heart of the city, the Randolph Hotel joins the Graduate Cambridge, to launch as the first UK hotels in the Graduate Hotels collection.
The design details for the Randolph Hotel include bold hues and architectural elements inspired by the hotel’s heritage, and locally inspired art which tells the stories of Oxford’s past. The extensive renovation included all of the common spaces, the lobby and guest rooms, including a spa with treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.
Image credit: Bette
The bathrooms feature the Bette Ultra shower trays from Bette. They are made from fully recyclable, durable and easy to clean glazed titanium-steel, and are available in a wide range of sizes. To complete the bathroom redesign they were selected in 14 different sizes to suit the individual bathrooms at the hotel.
“The refurbishment of the Grade II listed Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels in Oxford called for the guest bathrooms to be fully renovated,” said Karen Van Eeden,Interior designer and Director of Upperworth Studios. “All bathrooms were changed to have walk-in showers instead of shower over baths. The team decided to use Bette shower trays due to their durability and high quality, important for any hotel specification. Although standardisation of sizes was our preferred choice, it helped that Bette shower trays come in so many different sizes, to suit every room type.”
Bette is a specialist in bathroom products that are made of a special metal in a unique manufacturing process: titanium steel sheets are shaped under high pressure and then finished with a thin coating that is related to glass. This composite material is perfect for the bathroom as it is skin-friendly, hygienic, durable and robust.
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.
On fire: how Vakkaru Maldives rebuilt its restaurant in 10 days
Following a devastating fire that destroyed one of the restaurant and bars at Vakkaru Maldives, General Manager Iain McCormack made it his mission – against all odds on a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean and with limited resources – to rebuild the Lagoon Bar in just 10 days. He told Editor Hamish Kilburn how he managed it…
It was the perfect hospitality storm. On December 14, 2021 (nine days before Christmas), in the peak of high season, Iain McCormack, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives was awoken early in the morning, in London following his return from attending the ILTM travel show in Cannes by a phone call. The wake-up call he received was the news that the Lagoon Bar, which sat on stilts over the water at Vakkaru Maldives, had caught fire. “At first, I thought it was a prank,” he tells me. “That was until I watched the full force of the flames on FaceTime, which quickly caught my attention immediately and I leaped out of bed!”
Image credit: The fire that broke out at Vakkaru Maldives was captured on phones from the hotel’s employees. | Image caption: Vakkaru Maldives
Vakkaru Maldives lies within the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll. It’s a secluded reef island that boasts powder-soft white san, deep-blue holes and house reef with unique marine biology. Prior to the fire, the Lagoon Bar, just one of many F&B facilities on the island, was a vital organ for the hotel; a stylish overwater venue with an open-air lounge area. It featured a Teppanyaki table where the chef would prepare dishes from, as well as demonstrating an exciting experience of flying knives and flames. It also sheltered a sushi and sashimi bar, which offered an array of fresh fish – many from the Maldives waters. McCormack describes the atmosphere as “sophisticated yet laid back.”
Image caption: On December 14, 2021, a fire broke out at the Lagoon Bar at Vakkaru Maldives. | Image credit: Vakkaru Maldives
In short, the hotel is a paradise island; the perfect destination for travellers to escape to over the holidays, which only made the event that year more devastating for McCormack and his team, who were trained to handle such unfortunate events, but never thought they would have to action the protocol, as McCormack explains. “We have a fire team at the resort as well as our own Island fire truck at the station. We take fire safety very seriously with our team carrying out regular training sessions.
“This was the first time the team have had to control a fire of this magnitude. The head of Security and Management were called immediately and took action according to our procedures. The priority was to evacuate all guests and team members as the fire broke out during our lunch service. The fire team moved quickly and the hoses had started in no time.
“The resort released a statement to guests, partners and to the general public, assuring that there were no injuries and that the situation was under control.” – Iain McCormack, General Manager, Vakkaru Maldives.
“There was a good sense of team effort from the restaurant staff who tried to contain the fire using extinguishers, reducing the spread and damage. Many other team members rushed to assist with several climbing onto the walkway roof section to remove the dry thatch which was the main cause for the intensity of the fire.
“Their quick thinking and heroic actions helped save the Sushi and Teppanyaki sections of the Lagoon Bar. Thankfully, we had no injuries and everyone involved is safe and well.
“The MNDF (the Maldives National Defence Force) was notified of the fire and came straight away to carry out their investigation. The following day a representative arrived from the Insurance Company and conducted their own independent investigation and damage assessment. The resort released a statement to guests, partners and to the general public, assuring that there were no injuries and that the situation was under control.”
Once the fire had been extinguished, and the situation with guests managed as best as it could be, McCormack’s focus turned towards rising from the ashes with an ambitious plan to restore the restaurant as quickly (and safely) as he could. “First, I immediately arranged an emergency meeting with all head of departments via Zoom, as I was still at home in the UK, he says. “My priority was to have minimum disruption for our guests. The Lagoon Bar was our main focus as that was where guests meet and arrive for pre-dinner cocktails, sunset drinks and enjoy a night cap whilst listening to the sounds of our resident DJ, DJ Anna.”
Image caption: The new Lagoon Bar features unique lounge areas, and has a ‘laid-back luxury’ vibe. | Image credit: Vakkaru Maldives
McCormack instructed the team to set up Vakku Beach as the temporary sunset cocktail bar in order to minimise guest disappointment – and introduced a complimentary cocktail hour at 18:00 as a gesture of appreciation to guests for their understanding.
“The next thing was to book myself on the next flight back to the Maldives, having to arrange a fast-track rapid test – just to complicate the normally easy process,” he adds.
The next morning, McCormack arrived on the island and immediately went to inspect the Lagoon Bar. “The general consensus was that we wouldn’t be able to repair the damage during the high season and would likely have to keep the area closed until our low season in May,” McCormack shares. “However, I felt strongly that we’d be able to reconstruct the damaged buildings quickly and hopefully operate again as normal as soon as possible. We already had a construction team at the resort who were completing a roof extension on another restaurant. Along with their team leader, we assessed the situation and I asked if it was possible to clear the site of the debris and re-build within the next 10 days… You should have seen his face!”
All that was in front of the team was a completely burnt down restaurant. “The entire roof, structure and supporting pillars were all destroyed, McCormack adds. “The bathrooms were in ruins. The kitchen, gone. The bar, non-existent. The flooring tiles, destroyed. The front deck area, charred.
“Being optimistic, I said: ‘If they can build a hospital in China in 48 hours, we can rebuild a bar and restaurant in 10 days!’ The contractor said he would do his best – looking back, he had an amazing ‘can-do’ attitude! He split his force into two teams; team A working 08:00 – 20:00 and team B, who worked 20:00 – 08:00.”
Image caption: The fire destroyed the restaurant’s structure, including its thatched roof, floor and furniture inside. | Image credit: Vakkaru Maldives
McCormack arranged for a structural engineer to fly to the resort the following day to carry out an assessment for pressure testing, making sure the actual structure was in-tact and safe. Everything was given the green light and they were able to start the re-building immediately. “The first thing was to erect a screen so guests from the Amaany Restaurant and the beach could not see the fire damage and the re-building works,” McCormack explains.
Despite the optimism, McCormack was also realistic and knew that all the will in the world would not enable him to re-build the restatuant exactly as it was. “It would have been impossible to re-build a fully-equipped kitchen as this requires at least three to four months,” he says. “So the plan was to re-open the Sushi/Sashimi bar and the Teppanyaki table, offering a reduced but good selection from our normal menu.
“For the bar, we had recently built a ‘service bar’ at Vakku Beach so we simply moved this over in order to reduce the time of rebuilding a new bar. Instead of replacing the charred floor with new tiles, I opted to fill the area with sand to create a beach feel which worked really well.”
It was during this time, every hoteliers’ worst nightmare, that allowed McCormack to witness the power of collaboration, as he explains. “The engineering team were fantastic, working hand-in-hand with the contractors, helping to install new wiring for all the hotel electrics, building new panels and cabinets, installing lights and re-building the new service area, wash/store room and a new guest bathroom.
“The contractors did an impressive job building a new roof and bar area, connecting it to the existing restaurant area. The overall finish was exceptional, especially based on the timeframe. You would never have known that there was a fire here.”
Image caption: Vakkaru Maldives is a lush tropical habitat located within the crystal clear waters of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll. | Image credit: Vakkaru Maldives
One of the most testing elements of this process was the logistical pressure. The hotel’s attraction from travellers – it being a far-flung destination cut-off from the outside world – became its weakness. “We were fortunate to have a good number of materials on the island already as we were just about to build a new Yoga Pavilion on Vakku Beach,” McCormack explains. “I decided to postpone this project and shifted all the materials and the construction team to focus on the Lagoon Bar re-construction. Equipment that needed replacing such as glassware, cutlery, crockery, lights, speakers, amplifiers were all flown in from Dubai. Other equipment such as refrigeration units and electronics for our IT system were found in Male and all other construction materials were locally sourced. Being creative, I also collected some furniture from other outlets and areas around the island to set up the Lagoon Bar, until the new furniture arrives in May.”
In 10 days, following a huge commitment among engineers, contractors and staff of the hotel, the Lagoon Bar had been rescued and by December 27, the restaurant and bar was back in full action. “Agents and guests – especially those who were with us when the incident happened – were amazed at how quickly the Lagoon Bar was rebuilt and re-opened. In fact, I did very well out of this as I had bets with several guests that it would be re-opened and we’d be serving them cocktails on 27th!”
Image caption: The hotel has authentic interior design characteristics throughout the property, which combine local charm with contemporary touches | Image credit: Vakkaru Maldives
The reconstruction was intended to be a temporary fix in order to get the hotel through the high season, with the plan then to rebuild the bar with a refreshed style and design to improve it from what it was before. “The issue I have,” McCormack explains, “is that the so-called ‘temporary re-construction’ was built to such a high standard that it would be a shame to demolish it and re-build again. So now we are looking at ways to maintain what was built and create something even more special. We’d like to have an observatory deck with a high spec telescope for star gazing, add an infinity pool to create a cool beach club feel and hopefully add specially designed Sushi and cocktail bars too.”
What happened at Vakkaru Maldives was a traumatic event that, without the intervention, skills, training, protocols and passion behind its rescue, could have had far-reaching consequences. As McCormack puts its, “accidents are inevitable but it’s how we react, respond and recover that is crucial.” The team at the hotel had several meetings after the incident to air learnings from the fire. “This doesn’t stop with the fire team but for all team members working and living on a remote island,” McCormack concludes. “It’s not too dissimilar to being on a cruise ship – safety for our guests and team is paramount. We have elevated the fire awareness to all team members as well as fire training ensuring they too can respond and react with more confidence to avoid extensive damage and injuries wherever possible.”
Today, the hotel remains on travellers’ bucket list, flourishing as a lush, tropical destination where privacy and personalised service combine to create authentic and one-off travel moments, with a range of accommodation types to suit modern traveller demands.
> Since you’re here, why not catch up on the latest episode from DESIGN POD, the contemporary podcast for all design and architecture enthusiasts?
Product watch: a new seating collection by O’Donnell Design
Dedicated to true craftmanship, O’Donnell Design has recently launched a curated, bespoke seating collection, manufactured to the highest quality standards, incorporating great comfort with beautiful designs...
O’Donnell Design is a fourth-generation family business with over 120 years of experience, and their West Cork Irish roots date back to 1902 when John Reen, great grandfather of the current Managing Director, Aodh ODonnell, made a chair from a local ash tree. The designs adapted with the years, and in the 1970s the company manufactured a range of teak and oak furniture which was exported to the USA, Canada and the UK. During that period the Danish system of furniture making was perfected, which is still the company standard today. For the last 25 years, O’Donnell Design have focused on hotel bedroom furniture and have developed a reputable reputation within the hospitality design field.
Today, the company operates from a well laid out manufacturing facility in Skibbereen, West Cork which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology in machinery and is staffed by skilled craftsmen. Production processes are especially planned, tooled and integrated to answer the need to work with a wide range of materials from solid woods to veneers and inlays, laminates and foils. The factory is often asked to rise to unprecedented challenges by some of today’s foremost designers, seeking solutions to incorporate unusual design details using metal, glass, lighting, marble, granite in the manufacturing process, which is always a challenge the company are ready to rise to.
Image credit: O’Donnell Design
Image credit: O’Donnell Design
Developed using the finest manufacturing practices, authentic materials and a steadfast commitment to quality, the new range is handcrafted using kiln-dried hardwood timbers and the frames are guaranteed for 10 years of lasting assurance. Using old fashion techniques, including mortice and tenoning, rest assured the new seating collection will stand up to the stresses of any contract environment.
As a design inspired, client focused, Irish manufacturer, O’Donnell provides exceptional quality, combined with a value proposition in all their manufacturing projects, whatever the brief or size. It is a brand based on integrity rather than fashion in order to provide a contemporary and balanced approach whilst maintaining the original design request.
O’Donnell Design is a 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.
Goccia by Gessi makes a strong statement in the bathroom
Italian brand Gessi has collaborated with designer Prospero Rasulo to create the Goccia range – an elegant and innovative bathroom solution…
The relationship between brand and designer has given birth to a range that is not only undeniably stylish, but is also a pioneer of a sustainable message and of a new product concept by Gessi. The Goccia range is characterized by an innovative and sinuous shape that perfectly fits any environment. With its soft and elegant lines and its ecological awareness, it is a pioneer of a new and revolutionary concept of water and bathroom design, as the lines between bathroom and living spaces blur.
Image credit: Gessi
Integral to the Goccia range is an eco-friendly awareness that is expressed not only through its organic shape, but also in the technology incorporated into the design to reduce water consumption by around 50 per cent. The design is characterised by a charming aesthetic which draws on the natural beauty and flow of water that is made visible in its silhouette. Its elegant lines allows Goccia to naturally cross the borders of the bathroom area and seamlessly enter the bedroom and living room spaces by becoming as much a decorative accessory as a functional necessity. Water acquires a modern and relaxing allure, enhanced by the special drop shape that evokes charm and elegance without sacrificing efficiency.
Image credit: Gessi
Image credit: Gessi
All the products in the range are characterised by a natural elegance, which allows them to be stylishly integrated into both private and public spaces. The smooth, familiar shapes of the silhouette make your private wellness area cosy, modern and relaxing. The innovation of Gessi’s creations is not just in the shape, in the lines and in the sustainable message, but also in the finishing process.
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.
With the ever-increasing demand to transform workplaces into inviting and home-like environments, Moooi Carpets have introduced a carpet tile collection with the aim of bringing the beauty of Moooi Signature designs into the contract market…
Moooi Carpets constantly take on the challenge to explore and challenge the limits of products and materials in design. The new Tile Signature range has developed a range of designs with a unique colour penetration which stands up to wear in high traffic areas, and provides a new carpet solution for the high demands made by the contract market. With a wide range of products – area rugs, broadloom and tiles – available in various unique Signature Designs, clients can now use a versatile mix in design and material, to bridge between hard and resilient flooring. The Tile Signature collection offers even more possibilities than before, and will transform spaces with an incomparable look and feel to suit the required productivity, task, mood and energy of the space and its users.
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
The carpet tile solution allow the exclusive collection of Moooi Signature designs to be used in in high traffic areas , while at the same time, benefitting from the significant sustainable advantages and the versatility of carpet tiles. The result of this collection brings new design opportunities and creates unique Moooi patterns that transform any space into a beautiful, exciting and inspiring atmosphere. The Signature Tile collection contains an extensive assembly of 25 unique and breath-taking designs created by Moooi Carpets’ designers like Marcel Wanders, Edward van Vliet, Front, Kit Miles amongst others. All designs are carefully chosen by Moooi Art Director Marcel Wanders, and tested extensively on the two carpet tile shapes and all different tile materials.
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
The carpet tiles can be ordered in four carpet qualities; a low pile polyamide, a soft yarn polyamide, a structura and a flatweave. Some of these materials are already known and used extensively within the Moooi collections. The introduction of the structura and flatweave provide a new, durable loop pile product, suitable for high traffic areas in the contract market.
Carpet tiles offer a number of practical benefits compared to broadloom. The tiles are easier to install and transport, as the laser-cut tiles are supplied in compact boxes, with each box containing tiles for approximately five square metres of cover. The tiles are also easy to maintain and replace because of the compact tile size. With increased durability, there is also less waste than broadloom at time of installation. The end result is a practical and efficient surface that is permanently antistatic, while being excellent for noise reduction.
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
the carpet tiles can provide a more sustainable solution being durable and hardwearing, and therefore reducing the need for constant replacements. If neccesary, single tiles can be replaced in certain areas, making a more efficient solution which is better for the environment. The tiles are laser cut directly from broadloom carpet rolls minimizing waste and thus reducing the impact on the environment. All Moooi Carpets Tiles are made in Europe using 100 per cent CO2-neutral wind energy, and contain no bitumen, PVC, Latex or other environmentally hazardous substances. Where possible some of the designs are backed with a material made of 100 percent recycled PET material.
Moooi Carpets 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 St. Regis San Francisco unveils a vibrant redesign
The St. Regis San Francisco working with design firm Chapi Chapo has recently completed an elegant update of its guestrooms, meeting spaces, and lobby, along with a reimagined bar by Blacksheep as part of the multi-phase property redesign…
The St. Regis San Francisco, situated in a 40-storey architectural landmark designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, originally brought the St. Regis elegance of design to the city when it opened in 2005. The luxury hotel, sheltering 260 guestrooms has long been recognised for its ideal location, bespoke services, exquisite art collection, and timeless elegance.
Located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighbourhood and part of the Yerba Buena cultural corridor, The St. Regis San Francisco is the premier hotel for arts and culture enthusiasts. The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) is located within the property’s ground floor, and SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Union Square, Oracle Park, Chase Center, the Ferry Building Marketplace, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and Moscone Convention Center and more are located within blocks of the property.
“The St. Regis San Francisco prides itself on being ahead of the curve, and the reimagined interior spaces reaffirms its position as one of the most art and design-focused properties in the world,” said Roger Huldi, General Manager of the hotel. “We’re excited for guests to experience the fresh interiors, new ambiance, and beautiful art.”
Image credit: Marriott International / St Regis
In keeping with the hotel’s celebrated art collection, the design refresh integrates new pieces in the reception, bar, and dining spaces. The Blacksheep team graced the reception area with enlivening touches, such as a signature contemporary chandelier, metal detailing, and the curved framing of a decorative wall installation that mirrors the sweeping forms of the main bar. Intimate seating encourages conversation. In the dining area, a dreamy landscape titled ‘Mountain Mist’ by Janie Rochfort reflects a unique watercolour style, rich olive greens and lighter pinks, that captures the fluid colours of a sunset reflecting off San Francisco’s hills. Much like the artwork in reception, Rochfort’s painting illustrates a distinct sense of place, from the misty fog to the robust surrounding geography that contribute to San Francisco’s distinctive character.
Image credit: Marriott International / St Regis
The reimagined St. Regis Bar experience creates a welcoming atmosphere that epitomizes Northern California luxury, with rich textures and soft metallics that pay tribute the city’s unique vistas. The award-winning London-based design firm Blacksheep imbued the space with a colourful, lively, and stylish personality designed to captivate the imaginations of travellers and locals alike. The characteristics of the region, from the city’s rolling hills and cable car lines to the mountain ranges and serene landscapes of Napa Valley, informed Blacksheep’s design.The mood is light in the main bar, where a sweeping brass trellis inspired by the city’s iconic trolley lines rises overhead from the back bar before forming a series of beautifully illuminated display boxes and floating glass shelves. The bar’s illuminated backdrop, visible through the large windows, is artfully placed to capture the gaze of guests in the lounge and to beckon passersby. Dark green and dusty rose-pink upholstery is set off by sharply defined black furniture legs. Custom tables with sculptural stone bases and brass detailing add contemporary touches in counterpoint to the modern noir ambiance, with traces of the past suggested by the bar’s sophisticated shapes and millwork.
Image credit: Marriott International / St Regis
The newly refreshed ultra-luxe guestrooms and suites uphold the modern sophistication and rich heritage that are the hallmarks of every St. Regis address while capturing San Francisco’s unique innovative spirit, rich history, and natural beauty. Toronto-based Chapi Chapo Design, a prominent, multidisciplinary design firm whose principals were instrumental in the original design of the hotel, imbued the guestrooms and suites with new energy by leveraging new customised furniture, exclusive to the hotel, and thoughtful choices in colour palette and materials. Headboards, picoted with rich leather paneling suggestive of a luxury sports car interior, house outlets that power the sophisticated technological upgrades. San Francisco’s iconic hills and valleys are subtly referenced in the wall covering’s soft curves, while California’s glorious panoramas, as captured by landscape photographer Ansel Adams, are visible through layered smoked desk glass.
Image credit: Marriott International / St Regis
Honouring the California Gold Rush of 1849 that put San Francisco on the map, a colour palette of silver, copper and iron adds an alluring luster to the rooms’ ambience. These subtle references to San Francisco’s history are balanced by distinctive, custom 3D computer graphic applications created by Christo Saba. The artwork by Saba pays homage to the innovative spirit of San Francisco with subtle visualisations of past luminaries and today’s tech industry giants.
Image credit: Marriott International / St Regis
In addition to the guestrooms and suites, the redesign by Chapi Chapo also enhanced The St. Regis San Francisco’s 15,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces, creating sophisticated yet approachable areas designed to facilitate conversation and collaboration. Both the meeting and event spaces and new bar are designed to make guests feel a sense of belonging, whether visiting the city for the first time or longtime San Francisco residents.
Main image credit: Marriott International/St Regis
Changing spaces: the quiet design evolution of the workplace
With the lines between home, work and hospitality becoming increasingly blurred, we caught up with three companies supplying both the hospitality and workplace sectors to find out more about these changes and how they are affecting the products they offer…
Working in cafes with your morning cappucino has always been popular, but this trend has transcended into restaurants where people no longer just come to eat, but also work, meet and connect. Restaurants have responded by creating co-working opportunities during quieter times, for example between lunch and dinner. This evolution of workplaces has had a direct impact on products. Commercial furniture designers Table Place Chairs, report that banquette seating, originally made for the hospitality sector, is now designed with charging points as the cafe becomes the boardroom. Similarly, the Table Place Chairs WigWam table, originally a workspace product due to its collaborative nature and charging points, can now also be found in cafes and hotel lounges.
Hospitality public spaces have long been used by people to catch up on emails, but Table Place Chairs now believe they actively serving as co-working areas where, in some cases you can even find presentation zones to host a meeting. Hotel Brooklyn, Manchester with its clever use of screen and bleachers is a great example.
Image credit: Table Place Chairs
At the same time as hospitality spaces are adapting for work, we can see workplaces such as Co-Space, providing employees with places to relax and collaborate, as employees no longer look for lines of desks, but instead softer spaces like their own homes.
Wallcoverings are ideal for wayfinding and creating continuity between different areas of public spaces. Often these spaces also lend themselves to more dramatic designs and large-scale digitally printed designs to add drama and focal points. Newmor digital wallcoverings can be found in My Lounge, a laidback oasis located in London Gatwick Airport. The clever use of design scale, colours and effects, create a welcoming space contrasting with the sterile airport environment. Different designs and colour palettes separate formal and informal dining and seating options to ensure visitors feel at home. Zoned spaces allow travellers to relax or catch up with work.
Image credit: Newmor
With workplaces going through a huge transition with the growing focus on wellbeing, sanitation, and creating more of a home-from-home environment, Newmor have seen this mirrored in the design process. Wallcoverings can have a huge impact on the atmosphere of different spaces, creating calming break-out areas with biophilic surfaces, reception areas with feature designs and core branding, or inspiring meeting rooms with energising, colourful prints. All the time withstanding high traffic and the daily cleaning and maintenance expected in today’s climate. The social and study amenity space within The Toybox, a new-build, 15-storey student accommodation block in Birmingham is an ideal example of wallcoverings being used to differentiate spaces and zones within a multi-functional space.
Image credit: Newmor
Textile company ILIV has also felt the impact of the remote working model that has taken root, as people spend more time balancing their work and home life, only visiting their office spaces for group meetings, creative sessions and networking events. With this, there has been a shift in the dynamic from a focus on desk seating to the more informal break out and meeting areas. This in turn, has resulted in the interior design and architecture of these spaces adapting to modular seating solutions and brighter colour palettes to inspire and invite create conversations.
Image credit: ILIV
Interestingly this has impacted on fabric choices and trends and ILIV has seen a re-emergence of velvets in the workplace with designers often opting for a more plush and less overtly practical interior aesthetic. The Hampton Collection has recently been extended to a palette of fifty colours spanning architectural tones to brighter more saturated colour. The dual purpose velvet fabric has a brilliantly soft touch with a silken pile making it ideal for breakout areas and office seating in workplace environments.
Voiles are also seen to have more of a presence in workspaces as they have amazing acoustic qualities allowing sound to pass through them whilst being able to break up spaces without having the need to build walls. Sheers and voile weighted fabrics are also brilliant for softening interior concepts whilst allowing ample light into the space, promoting productivity.
As public spaces become increasingly multifunctional, with people choosing different places, from cafes to lobbies and libraries to restaurants, to click on their laptops and connect, design has had to follow suit. The freedom from stereotypical design formats is giving designers greater flexibility to experiment with different designs, patterns, colours and surfaces to create multi-functional spaces with interest and diversity.
Table Place Chairs and Newmor are 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.
Great Materials for Big Ideas – a Clerkenwell event
UNILIN Panels will launch its 2022-2026 decorative range supported by WGSN, the global authority on change forecasting, at an event at the Gallery Clerkenwell on Thursday April 28…
With more than 220 designs, including 67 brand-new looks, the UNILIN Panels 2022-2026 decorative range offers an extraordinary collection of surface finishes that can be used to bring big ideas to commercial interiors. Launching the collection to architects and designers at a special evening event on Thursday April 28, 2022 at the Gallery Clerkenwell, UNILIN Panels will reveal how its decorative surfaces are ready for today’s work and hospitality spaces in a specially curated WGSN presentation, 2023 Interiors Future Forecast.
Global authority on change forecasting, WGSN has more than 250 in-house trend experts and its forecasts power the most valuable global brands. For UNILIN Panels, WGSN has curated 2023 Interiors Future Forecast, which provides direction for the future of interiors bringing together analysis of consumer behaviour, materials finishes, patterns, colours and shapes across three key themes.
“New trends require new designs,” says product manager, Ann De Blanck. “The Great Materials for Big Ideas launch event at our London showroom will show just how our latest decorative range can let architects and designers respond to future trends, as WGSN reveal the three key themes predicted to influence interior designs in 2023 and beyond.”
Great Materials for Big Ideas will be a unique opportunity to understand how decorative surfaces, including the Master Oak, new melamine faced compact MDF and compact HPL, from UNILIN Panels can be used to bring the latest trends to commercial interiors, while providing a versatile finish that’s durable and easy to maintain.
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.
Case study: CTD Architectural Tiles goes INNSiDE Melia Hotel Newcastle
Located in the historic Quayside area of the city, the new Melia Hotel, designed by architects FaulknerBrowns to complement the industrial heritage of its surroundings, features tiles from CTD Architectural Tiles that combine natural aesthetics with enhanced durability…
Commercial tile supplier CTD Architectural Tiles has helped create a stunning first impression at the new INNSiDE by Melia Hotel, Newcastle’s latest hotel opening in the heart of the city. Tiles from the Realstone Rain range which has been inspired by the look and feel of English Limestone, were specified for use in the hotel’s main entrance area and staircase. To create a focal point, the floor design features the soft tones of the Almond coloured Realstone Rain tiles with the darker Greige tiles installed in strips across the width of the floor.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
The natural look of the interior design continues into the new Gino D’Acampo restaurant, where tiles from the wood-inspired Treverkever range have been used. Treverkever tiles are ideally suited for use in busy high traffic environments and on this project, have been specified in a stunning dark Musk colour option to provide an attractive contrast with the lighter coloured stone effect tiles of the main reception area. CTD Architectural Tiles also provided the high gloss Savoy Noir black tiles for the walls of the public washrooms and the durable, non-slip Kursaal Neutral tiles as a flooring solution.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
To complete the commercial tile package, CTD Architectural Tiles supplied white gloss Rectified Ceramic tiles to finish the walls of the en-suite bathrooms of each of the hotel’s 161 guestrooms. The tiling work was completed by Plunkett Tiling for main contractor Robertson Construction.
With far-reaching views of the River Tyne, the stylish new hotel has helped breathe new life into Newcastle’s Quayside and boasts a range of facilities including a fitness suite and conference rooms. As well as needing to complement the natural beauty of its surroundings, the specified tile package also had to meet the requirements of a busy city-centre hotel and so important considerations such as slip-resistance, durability and ease of maintenance were factored in at the outset with specialist advice provided by CTD Architectural Tiles’ specification team.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of our recommended suppliers and regularly feature 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: KEUCO’s bright idea in the bathroom
STAGELINE is the new furniture collection from KEUCO, which an elegant series of illuminated furniture, that incorporates a vanity unit and three elegant additional storage units…
There’s a Shakespeare quote from As You Like It: “All the worlds a stage and men and women are merely players,” and yet this could also be the perfect description of a family bathroom. Introducing STAGELINE, the new furniture collection from KEUCO that is the ideal supporting act for the dramas, soliloquies, romance, and beauty scenes that take place with the bathroom as its backdrop.
STAGELINE is an elegant series of furniture, that incorporates a vanity unit and three elegant additional storage units. The unique aspect of this series is the illuminated open storage compartment, the leading light and key feature in both the vanity and tall unit. The shelf or ‘stage’ is illuminated by a warm LED light with 3,000 Kelvin, allowing consumers to creatively display decorative personal items, toiletries, whatever they feel works in this space.
Image credit: KEUCO
Image credit: KEUCO
The look is tonal, the glass front and body of the furniture are a single colour, in natural shades gently restrained, creating a warm environment. Monochrome also has its place in fact there are four shades to choose from white or cashmere glossy as well as Inox or Vulkanit satin. The glass fronts of the furniture bring an additional textural feature offering a highly glossed or velvety matt finish.
The STAGELINE series incorporates practical elements including an integrated power socket along with a USB and USB-C charging point. The attention to detail is key such as the softly curved, gently protruding glass front at the top of the units, which is not only decorative but practical acting as a handle.
The curves echo other elements in KEUCO portfolio such as the rounded PLAN ceramic washbasins which sit elegantly on top of the STAGELINE vanity units. These are available in six different widths, ensuring the stage can be set whatever the size of the bathroom. The vanity units have an option to add drawer partitions – four versions, providing different size options for personal or family use. There is an elegant dark inlay mat with a non-slip to help keep bottles and jars in place.
Depending on the size of the bathroom there are three additional STAGELINE pieces to choose from; this furniture is ideal for larger storage space requirements; the tall unit, single-door unit or the two-door centre unit. The tall unit is elegant with an illuminated shelf in the middle and all cabinets feature soft-close hinges and high-quality, easy-care glass shelves inside.
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.
With each design inspired by the characteristics of an extinct animal, Moooi and Arte have launched the Memento Moooi wallcovering collection in a striking range of textures and imagery to stimulate the senses and the imagination…
Referencing five kind and loving extinct animals, the collection is made up of six different wallcoverings, all made from equally original and unexpected materials. Memento Moooi is the third wall covering collection by Moooi in collaboration with Arte, and is scheduled for spring 2022. The collection reminds us to cherish each moment, make amazing memories, and celebrate life for as long as it lasts.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The collection comes in a range of different colours and is made with a variety of unusual materials: wood veneer, sisal, gold foil, pleated paper, and textile. Some designs in the collection narrate a story, and others stimulate your senses with imagery and textures. The result? Striking tactile designs that make an impact and breathe life and kindness into your home. The Memento Moooi collection is inspired by the sharing Mimic Moth, loving Dandelion Cranes, social Golden Tiger, fearless Pogo Goats, and peaceful Queen Cobras. A medley of extinct animals that lived and loved like there would be no tomorrow.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The Mimic Moth Wallcovering is a 3D wallcovering with a soft suede look, inspired by the Mimic Moth’s shape and habitat. The wallcovering’s design comprises embossed Mimic Moths surrounded by its favourite flowers.
The Queen Cobra Wallcovering is made from hand-woven sisal fibres, inspired by the Queen Cobra’s rhythmic curves and grassy habitat. The design comprises round overlapping shapes in a pattern with a hypnotic feel to it.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The Dandelion Cranes Wallcovering is made from pleated textile, inspired by the Cranes’ unique colouring and fanlike wings. The tactile design comprises overlapping textile pleats placed in a pattern that resembles feathered fans.
The Golden Tiger Wallcovering is made from laser cut wood veneer with gold foil. Golden Tigers couldn’t bear to be parted from their loved ones, so the wallcovering depicts this friendly extinct animal surrounded by his animal friends.
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
Image credit: Moooi / Arte
The Pogo Goat Wallcovering is a 3D wallcovering with a soft chenille fabric, inspired by the goat’s yearly migration. The intricate pattern has us guessing how ambitious the choreography of the dancing Pogo Goats really was.
And finally, the Memento Moooi Medley Wallcovering is a gathering of extinct animals known for their unique kindness and love for life. Each animal knew how to cherish each moment of their lives and lived to make beautiful memories. Depicted amidst the softest of fluffy clouds, they continue their celebration of life. Or is it the afterlife? The Memento Moooi Medley is digitally printed on soft touch textile.
Moooi and Arte are 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.
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh reveals ambitious expansion
Doubling in size and with reimagined design, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is ready to unveil its much anticipated expansion and transformation…
Located on a one kilometre stretch of private coastline, the Resort’s palm-filled gardens, mosaic-covered fountains and Arabian architecture are the perfect draw for travellers looking for a combination of mountains, desert and sea. Combined with one of the best house reefs in the region, five swimming pools, a highly acclaimed Spa, and an expertly run dive centre, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt has long been a Red Sea favourite.
The Resort’s 89 brand-new spacious guestrooms and suites, (starting at 75 square metres) can be found perched in intimate hideaways facing the Red Sea. The expanded accommodation ranges from one and two bedrooms, with a private pool option and large balconies and terraces that provide space to unwind with scenic vistas whilst soaking up the year-round sun. The guestrooms and suites provide modern interpretations of authentic Arabian design elements and Arabesque details that enhance the spaces, including arched windows and shades inspired by mashrabiya screens and are complemented by a colour palette inspired by Sharm El Sheikh’s golden sands and blue waters.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
For those looking for a more palatial escape, The Palace is a regal three-bedroom standalone beachfront residence designed to host royalty, international figures, and high-profile guests. Spread over 565 square metres of opulent indoor space, it is the largest signature suite in the Resort. With a private fitness room, spa treatment room, dressing room, office space and complete residential facilities, this escape offers the ultimate in Four Seasons sophistication. Lush gardens, a large terrace for entertaining with a dining table that seats eight, and two swimming pools just steps from the private beach create opportunities for outdoor living in a space that elevates seaside living to new levels.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
“We’re introducing a new era of seaside luxury to what has been one of Egypt’s most loved resorts ever since it opened its doors 20 years ago,” said Sam Ioannidis, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. “By doubling the property in size, we’ve created new accommodations, recreation facilities and restaurants while the legendary and exceptional Four Seasons service remains the same.”
The expansion of the resort has created a new dining destination, led by Executive Chef Sebastiano Spriveri, a 27-year Four Seasons veteran. Bringing flavours from around the world to Egypt’s Red Sea shorelines, Spriveri and the team take guests on a journey from Japan to Latin America, via the Middle East. “Our restaurants introduce world-class cuisine to Sharm El Sheikh, with the addition of four new concepts that have never been experienced here before,” said Spriveri.
In addition, the resort shelters nine new indoor and garden venues offering a stage for unforgettable events in extraordinary settings. The new beachfront Royal Palm Garden, surrounded by 3,000 swaying Royal Palm trees, with vistas of sky and sea and twinkling stars is a statement backdrop guaranteed to inspire.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The Resort’s house reef, located directly offshore from the beach, is the perfect introduction to the underwater wonders of the Red Sea, with its year-round warm waters, crystal-clear visibility and varied biodiversity.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
CitizenM is first hospitality brand to buy property in the metaverse
A few months ago, we predicted that it would only be a matter of time before companies and brands start launching ‘meta’ experiences. Well, citizenM has won the race the become the first hospitality company to buy property in the metaverse…
citizenM was launched with a purpose – to disrupt the traditional hotel industry, and to create a hotel for modern travellers, giving them everything they need and nothing they don’t with the strap line of ‘affordable luxury for the people’ guiding the brand. This ethos remains behind the citizenM move into the metaverse, and having spent the pandemic period focusing on building customer loyalty with the trial launch of subscription products, the brand is now focusing on building loyalty in the online world.
The group has acquired LAND in The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming virtual world and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, to begin building a hotel in the Metaverse. This signifies a new movement in hospitality, as citizenM will be the first ever hotel group to purchase LAND in The Sandbox which is a metaverse where users can create and monetize their own distinct worlds and game experiences on LANDs, which are non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that represent virtual real estate in The Sandbox.
As with all of its hotels, citizenM will bring art to the forefront by showcasing and selling future NFT collections that will be commissioned with growing talent in the digital art space. Once the LAND is purchased, citizenM aims to finance the build of a hotel in the virtual world through the sale of an exclusive collection of NFTs with real-world rewards (utilities) attached. Each of the 2000 NFTs will be priced equally, however purchasers will at random be assigned one of three levels: 1500 ‘regular’ citizens, 450 ‘special’ citizens and 50 ‘legendary’ citizens. The utilities will take the form of discounts, free drinks and more with the specifics of the rewards being determined by the level of NFT assigned to the purchaser. Straddling the gap between virtual and reality, the rewards will be redeemable at any of citizenM’s growing portfolio of hotels in the real world.
“We are thrilled to be the first hospitality company to build in the Metaverse,” said Robin Chadha,CMO of citizenM. “As a brand that has always pushed the boundaries and challenged traditional models, this new venture in The Sandbox fits not only with our brand strategy but also the commitment we have to the creative community and to our guests both online and in the real world. We’re excited to further explore opportunities in the Metaverse in the years to come.”
Once the virtual hotel – a location for avatars visiting The Sandbox to Work, Sleep & Play – is built, citizenM will collaborate with an additional roster of digital artists to create and sell NFTs that can be purchased in the digital space. Eventually, the brand plans to use these profits, as well as the incorporation of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), to fully finance a physical, real-life property where token holders will vote on the location. In line with the brand’s ethos, citizenM will ultimately build a hotel for the people, by the people.
Unidrain adds contemporary touch to vintage bathroom
With the aim to sensitively marry a contemporary style into a heritage bathroom, designers specified Unidrain’s black framed GlassLine shower screen when creating a new wellness space in a residential block…
Injecting modern style in heritage buildings requires a delicate approach and quality elements. Unidrain products were therefore key in creating a totally new wellness concept in an out-dated bathroom; the only one in the apartment; 12-square-metre and used every day by a family of four – it was in dire need of an upgrade.
The flooring, walls, toilet, and shower had to be stripped out and replaced, it needed a complete transformation encompassing a new colour palette through to designer drains. The family wanted something that felt luxurious and spa-like but with longevity too. Because it was an older, more traditional-style flat, they originally considered a more classic and nostalgic look, but ultimately, decided on a contemporary solution, prioritising exclusive materials and products that are as appropriate for a luxury hotel as they are for a home.
The finished bathroom has high tech solutions such as a programable shower toilet and an anti-fog mirror, but, the undisputed star of the room is the elegant shower screen, GlassLine by Unidrain. Preserving the natural light from the window was a key part of the renovation so the GlassLine shower screen was ideal. It allowed the light to flow through the room helping to create an open, airy atmosphere.
The GlassLine shower screen with a black frame is 10mm of clear tempered glass, available in three sizes: 800mm – 1000mm and a height of 2104mm, the shower screen can be mounted to the left or right and fits tile thicknesses up to 15mm for wall tiles and 20mm for floor tiles. It is installed discreetly and securely without any visible display of fixings, screws, fittings, or joins.
The screen is lowered into a shower base located under the bathroom flooring, before being attached to the wall, creating a secure, stable, and watertight showering space. The black frame sits against the wall covering any edges generating a smooth finish, and the unseen groove-in-the-floor-flange meant that the installation of the colour co-ordinating black line drain was both fast and efficient.
Image credit: Unidrain
Image credit: Unidrain
Colour was important for the overall look and style of the bathroom; the base tone was comprised of dark shades to induce a more luxurious feeling and add to the atmosphere, which combined well with the black frame of the GlassLine screen, However, as shown above a transparent version is available as black does not suit all bathrooms.
Enclosed in black powder-coated metal, the interior panel of each quality glass screen is treated with Cleantech nano-treatment, increasing hygiene standards, and ensuring it is extremely easy to clean and maintain a clear finish.
This colour co-ordination continued with accessories from Undrains Reframe collection including a shower shelf with magnetic wiper, towel hooks, toilet brush and toilet roll holder in black, creating perfect continuity.
Unidrain 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 true Hard Rock style the hotel is located in the centre of the Hungarian capital, on Nagymező Street, with theatres, restaurants and upscale shopping on the doorstep, and mere moments away from major city hotspots like Buda Castle along the Danube river, the world-famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths and the Opera House.
“After a string of successful hotel openings in Europe, from Amsterdam to Dublin to Madrid, we are excited to unveil Hard Rock Hotel Budapest this spring,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer at Hard Rock International. “Our first hotel in the Central European region will introduce our signature entertainment-infused hospitality, set against a new and unexpected backdrop.”
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
The hotel, with architecture by Hungarian Stúdió 100 Építészeti Kft. shelters 136 guestrooms and suites and two eateries and bars. The property blends an old Budapest facade enhanced with a sleek, new design. The historic part of the hotel is seamlessly connected to the newly-built section via interior glass hallways.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Entering the lobby, guests will discover a social, welcoming space, filled with musical touches and bright pops of colour. A yellow grand piano contrasts against cerulean blue velvet sofas, all framed by an assortment of curated memorabilia. There are over 50 items of musical and entertainment history proudly showcased throughout the hotel including Hungarian legendary singer songwriter, Janos Brody’s leather jacket, a vibrant purple faux fur coat worn by Prince and black sequin dress worn by Beyoncé.
Designed to feel like a private residence, the interiors by Barcelona-based Lázaro Rosa-Violán Studio offer plush seating areas throughout the property complete with a warm fireplace in the lobby. The jewelled tones and tiles found throughout the hotel pay homage to the famous spas and thermal baths of Hungary, offering a local Budapest twist on the signature colourful experience at Hard Rock Hotels’ around the world.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
With music at the core of Hard Rock Hotels, guests will find melodic influences in every corner. Refined, warm woods, akin to those used to make guitars, can be found throughout, as well as metallic accents reflecting the chromatic shades of guitar strings. The Rock Star Suite is the crown jewel of the hotel, offering a private terrace complete with a Jacuzzi, space for private al fresco dining as well as a spacious indoor living area.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
The hotel is also home to the brand’s popular restaurant, Sessions, and lobby bar, Constant Grind. Sessions will serve a menu created by Chef Tamás Lipták with Hungarian specialties such as Goulash, along with dazzling cocktails by mixologist Zsolt Horváth, that use the finest Hungarian ingredients. Guests can also enjoy dining under the stars on Session’s open-air terrace with a background of live music. Constant Grind is open for all-day, casual dining, a pit-stop for a freshly brewed coffee and homemade pastry in the morning, or a colourful cocktail or craft beer at dusk. Hard Rock Hotel Budapest is also business-friendly, with a combination of stylish indoor and outdoor meeting areas. Roxy Budapest is a rooftop venue with indoor/outdoor spaces and can be booked for private events and celebrations with the city’s lights and iconic buildings as a backdrop.
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotels
Remaining true to brand, signature Hard Rock amenities will bring a range of entertainment and music-inspired experiences to the city. These include a Body Rock Fitness Centre, Rock Shop, Sound of Your Stay and Rock Om, allowing guests to finetune their next trip to Budapest with curated playlists, in-room yoga or an electric guitar to unleash your inner rock star in the privacy of your own room.
Artist Felipe Pantone makes a mark with Poltrona Frau
Poltrona Frau celebrates its 110th Anniversary with a special collaboration with mark-making artist Felipe Pantone for a truly unique armchair reinvention…
Celebrating in true design style, historic design brand Poltrona Frau has chosen to partner with a contemporary mark-making artist on an exclusive limited edition collaboration. Argentine-Spanish artist Felipe Pantone has completely reinvented the Archibald armchair, one of the brand’s most iconic models, in the style of his boundary-pushing art.
Image credit: Potrona Frau
“An important purpose of this anniversary collaboration is to shift Poltrona Frau’s perspective towards the future,” said Nicola Coropulis, CEO Poltrona Frau. “Not only in terms of our first collaboration with an international artist of this nature — but also on the theme of environmental protection. The armchair is made with the innovative Impact Less leather that we have developed to further reduce the toll on the environment. We have created a leather that, in addition to prioritizing sustainability, which has always distinguished Pelle Frau, is now even more respectful of the planet in a unique limited edition armchair.”
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
Felipe Pantone, known for his frescoes, murals, paintings, and sculptures that blend an ‘analog past and a digitized future’, is the rare artist that can unify these two seemingly opposing forces, a sensibility that he has applied to a totally reinvented Archibald. The Archibald’s enigmatic form, first designed in 2009 by Jean-Marie Massaud, and Pantone’s hyper-modern artistic style, meet to create a radically new design object that marks a new chapter for the heritage brand.
“I had the opportunity to visit the Poltrona Frau Headquarters to see the Museum, the entire collection, and learn about the Brand’s history which is extensive and very impressive,” said Pantone discussing the collaboration. “We ended up choosing Archibald as the base for my work because of its minimal frame, but also the unique characteristics like the arms of the chair and the details on the backrest. The idea was to use a very minimal and iconic design and to juxtapose it against my graphics, which are very loud and very dynamic.”
Image credit: Poltona Frau
Using Poltrona Frau’s ColorSphere as inspiration, Pantone created a mesmerizing pattern that vibrates across Archibald’s leather surface, a gradient grid of reds, oranges, yellows, whites and blues resembling the cool and warm temperatures of a heat map. The base and slender metal legs of the chair are finished with Multicolor Natural Chrome, leaving a purplish-blue iridescent finish that shimmers under the light. The gradient pattern is printed directly onto the leather using the same type of production usually reserved for small luxury leather goods. This pioneering printed leather technique was developed thanks to Poltrona Frau’s traditional in-depth artisan leather-working knowledge that has kept the brand an industry leader for over a century.
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
The project makes use of Poltrona Frau’s new Impact Less leather, a result of the brand’s ongoing commitment to maximizing sustainability. Impact Less leather is chrome-free, uses less and cleaner water and further reduces the consumption of chemical components of Poltrona Frau’s already sustainable leather, itself a product of the circular economy.
“As they say, opposites attract,” said Leonardo Allasia, Poltrona Frau Global Marketing & Communications Director. “Collaborating with Felipe, whose philosophy of expression through colour as the essence of light, with light being the essence of life, allowed us to explore a theme that strongly resonates with our brand narrative. This project allows us to push the boundaries of how we communicate to an audience that appreciates truly unique, durable pieces that can be cherished as both a masterpiece of artistic expression and Italian craftsmanship as well as a functional solution for comfortable living meant to last generations.”
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
As a nod to Poltrona Frau’s 110th anniversary this year, only 110 pieces of Archibald Limited Edition will be made and available for purchase through e-commerce channels, flagship stores and select dealers worldwide following its digital launch in April. Each armchair will come with a custom-made clutch made of Pelle Frau Impact Less leather, a signed certificate of authenticity as well as a dedicated Pelle Frau leather cleaning kit. In addition, a hand-made miniature scale model of the armchair in leather will be available for purchase to give fans and followers of both Felipe Pantone and Poltrona Frau an opportunity to own a product of this special collaboration.
The Limited Edition armchair and the project can be explored online in April and during Milan’s 2022 Salone del Mobile design week June 7th-12th at Poltrona Frau’s via Manzoni flagship showroom where there will be a physical installation to showcase the brand’s entire 2022 True Evolution Collection, and a dedicated digital installation that will feature the work of Felipe Pantone. The Poltrona Frau Museum in Tolentino will also feature a dedicated display of the armchair coupled with a ‘larger-than-life’ murals created by the artist in celebration of the anniversary.
Poltrona Frau 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.
Full of striking visuals and architectural details, Häfele has launched its brand new architectural ironmongery brochure…
The specification arm of furniture, fixtures and fittings manufacturer and distributor Häfele UK, has produced the most detailed brochure of the company’s Projects 360˚ team to date. It displays a vast assortment of ironmongery items that have been carefully selected in partnership with manufacturers, architects, designers, developers and subcontractors from across the globe, to provide the industry with a comprehensive guide to the division’s product portfolio.
Image credit: Häfele
Image credit: Häfele
“The finishing touches of a building scheme should be as much a priority as the bricks and mortar,” said Paul Smith, head of specification sales at Häfele UK. “While the space develops, moving from concept to reality, having the support of an architectural ironmongery team ensures the finished solution stands out in a crowded marketplace.”
Häfele’s Projects 360˚ team, made up of over 20 Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, can specify, source and supply any product to suit the functionality and design of a building. This assures customers of the highest standards of modern specification, with a ‘cradle-to-grave’ approach to ensure design consistency across an entire build. As such, the brochure also defines the broad range of services offered to aid the planning, design and functionality of projects from start to finish, connecting architects, designers and contractors with the solutions to meet client requirements.
“Our new architectural ironmongery brochure showcases the comprehensive range of hardware we can specify, source and supply for application in projects across all market sectors,” said Smith. ” Stakeholders can clearly see the vast choice on offer in one place, so they can begin to shortlist options. From there, our qualified consultants will collaborate with customers to determine the best product to suit the functionality and design of the building.”
The new full-colour brochure offers striking visuals and details of the entire architectural hardware range available for specification through Häfele Projects 360֯. Each product entry comes complete with key features, material options and guarantee information, enabling users to identify ironmongery to suit any style or scope of building project.
Häfele 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.
Is it bird’s nest or a hotel suite that BIG has just designed?
Already known for its imaginative accommodation in the Swedish forest, the Treehotel takes us on another flight of fantasy with its new Biosphere guestroom designed by Danish architecture studio BIG…
The Treehotel in Swedish Lapland, is known for its broad variety of innovative cabins, with each having a distinct identity that reacts differently with the forest, and each pushing design parameters in their own way. Working in close collaboration with Treehotel and Swedish ornithologist Ulf Öhman, the new BIG-designed hotel room Biosphere will bring 350 bird houses to the hotel. Suspended in the Harads pines, BIG’s experiential design is the eighth hotel room on the property, with the aim to enhance the surrounding biosphere through design.
Image credit: BIG
By designing a treetop guestroom with a façade of bird nests, the aim of Biosphere is to decrease the downward spiral of the bird population in the Swedish woods and instead strengthen the biosphere and natural habitat. It also takes discussion on immersive hotel experiences and sustainability to a whole new level.
Image credit: BIG
Image credit: BIG
Biosphere is accessed via a suspended bridge that slopes from the ground to the top of the trees. The interior of the 34 square metre guestroom incorporates rich dark interiors and organic materials inspired by the surrounding landscape, which further serve to reinforce the visitors’ gaze outwards and to focus on the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Image credit: BIG
The interior is simple and pragmatic, yet due to its alternating solid-open conceptual make-up, it allows for a range of experiences within a relatively small space. Visitors have access to a roof terrace – bringing guests even closer to the treetop canopies – that offers a 360-degree views of the forest. By varying the individual sizes of the bird nests and expanding them outwards, and based upon the bird type and frequency in the area, light is able to enter the interior space whilst maintaining the outwards views.
Image credit: BIG
Through wrapping the new hotel room so directly in an ecological habitat, guests are provided the opportunity to experience birdlife in close proximity and are invited into the epicentre of nature unfolding. Surrounded by subtle bird song, balanced by the exterior triple glazing façade, guests are provided with an intimate, immersive nature experience.
Crosswater has expanded its bestselling MPRO and Belgravia collections with a selection of sensor taps, a first for the British bathroom brand…
With touch-less operation becoming a key function in bathrooms and public spaces across the hospitality sector, it is key that designers have access to the technology along with design specifications. Crosswater’s new sensor taps combine expert functionality, award-winning design, and state-of-the-art infrared technology to create stylish taps that require no pushing, turning, or touching. With both MPRO and Belgravia Sensor taps, the infrared sensor is integrated within the spout. In addition to allowing a sleek and streamlined design, this position enable to sensor to detect hand movement swiftly, activating rapid functionality in less than a second.
Image credit: Crosswater
MPRO Sensor taps come in deck mounted or wall mounted designs and are available in four finishes – Brushes Stainless Steel, Brushed Brass, Chrome, and Matt Black. The Belgravia Sensor blends classic styling with cutting-edge technology to bring advanced touchless operation to traditional bathroom designs, and is available in three finishes; chrome, nickel, and unlacquered brass.
Image credit: Crosswater
Image credit: Crosswater
The touch-less operation significantly reduces the transmission of germs and bacteria, making the sensor tap a more hygienic alternative. The infrared sensing technology with customisable automatic shut-off time helps reduce water consumption in intensive use applications, an equally important consideration in all bathroom design. Along with the key benefits of hygiene and sustainability, the sensor taps are easy to maintain and reliable, both key elements to consider for bathrooms in the hospitality sector under so much pressure to perform.
Crosswater 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.
Drawing inspiration from the eloquence of Greek mythology’s muse Calliope, traditional architecture, and Mykonos’ vibrance, the Cali Mykonos vision is to create a sanctuary nurturing the connections among people, the surroundings, and the future…
Getting ready to make a substantial splash on arguably Greece’s most cosmopolitan island in the heart of the Cyclades, Othon Mourkakos and a talented team intimately connected to Greece, luxury hospitality, and sustainable design are debuting Cali Mykonos, a boutique luxury resort, in July.
“We wanted to create an escape where guests can experience life somewhere else, with the charm of culture and tradition, conscious of a sustainable future,” said Othon Mourkakos, Founder of Cali Mykonos. “Each decision, from materials to methods to team members, is made with this goal in mind. We look forward to welcoming guests into our home and sharing Cali’s Mykonian summer.”
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Each of the 40 suites and villas have a private pool and spacious terrace, descending from the mountain to the blue waters of Cali’s private beach. The resort’s expansive infinity pool, state-of-the-art gym, restaurant serving locally sourced food, pool bar, and bespoke experiences, such as yacht and luxury boat trips to nearby beaches or neighbouring islands, fashion a new way to experience Mykonos, with its charming marble streets, picturesque blue and white houses, iconic beaches and glamorous nightlife.
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Athens-based architectural firm, STFN Labs, has combined traditional Cycladic architecture with natural features of the landscape. Built using the stone from the initial excavation, each building is uniquely placed along the terrain, resulting in a symphony of structures frozen in dance. Calm, light, and neutral interiors create a continuation of nature, with sleek lines and an array of marbles, whilst flat rooftops are planted with local vegetation, flowers and herbs, insulating rooms and improving air quality. Luxury furnishings, handcrafted in Greece, are constructed from native woods and marbles, and mattresses are all-natural and sustainably made, Coco Mat.
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Cali Mykonos will shelter a variety of accommodations for all, from couples and friends to families and solo travellers. The premier two-level Villa Calliope, the closest villa to the sea, accommodates eight people with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, an expansive yard and terrace, and three private pools. The three-level Cali Villa, situated at the peak of the property, comprises five bedrooms and bathrooms, each with its own pool, a private elevator, and wrap-around terraces with panoramic 300 degree views.
Image credit: Cali Mykonos
Helmed by Chef Lefteris Lazarou, culinary offerings promise to be exceptional, with the signature Mediterranean restaurant offering traditional Greek cuisine using locally sourced seafood and ingredients. Additionally, private dining can be enjoyed on guests’ terraces for a unique and intimate experience. Lazarou is considered one of the most influential chefs in the country, having prepared meals for political leaders, the Royal Family, and visitors from around the world. Lazarou’s preference for local and sustainable ingredients will reflect in his menus at Cali Mykonos.
Cali Mykonos offers an exclusive range of experiences and amenities, from the intimate gallery with works from established and emerging local artists to in-room rejuvenating treatments. Premier fitness services include a Pilates studio, guided sunrise salutations by the pool, and private yoga. Guests can also enjoy the expansive seawater infinity pool overlooking the sea, while immersing themselves in secluded moments on the busy island.
With a distinctive design narrative reflecting the building’s history while dialling into the rebellious spirit of Soho, Chateau Denmark has opened its doors…
Inspired by Denmark Street’s iconic history, Chateau Denmark mixes creative expression with fine architectural detail. The new and independent brand is set across 16 buildings – with 55 Session Rooms and Apartments – each featuring distinct design narratives reflecting each building’s history. With interiors from the award-winning Taylor Howes – and a captivating art collection curated by ARTIQ – the overall narrative imagines a time where punk rock and vintage gothic meet modern psychedelia with a timeless grandeur.
Image credit: Mel Yates
Operated by Carrie Wicks’ CAW Ventures, Chateau Denmark is inspired by the street where things were never done by half measures. This sentiment is present throughout the design intent, guest experience and attitude. Fluid and spirited, the Chateau’s highly skilled team will effortlessly glide from hosting affairs to facilitating the good times.
Session Rooms in The Now Building, accessed through Denmark Place are tiered in Superior, Luxury or Deluxe categories. Expect gold-trimmed, graffitied signature beds to full-blown psychedelia with bold colours and tactile rounded furnishings. The Deluxe rooms will also feature a ‘kitchenette maxibar’ — inviting Denmark Street’s culture of playfulness and hedonism.
Image credit: Mel Yates
Apartments are located in a collection of Grade II listed townhouses, a mews house and mansion buildings along Denmark Street. Starting from 35 square metres, expect grandeur through illustrative and evocative wallpaper with original timber beams, dark panelling along with a sculpted fireplace opposite the roll-top red-lined bathtub on a marble plinth. With a full size maxi-bar and concealed doorways leading to powder rooms along with paisley patterned headboards, the space is an adventure, with narrow nooks and restricted door heights, retaining each buildings’ heritage status. The largest apartments in the category follow a psychedelia design intent with open-plan layouts, with opulent wallpaper against a rounded orange velvet headboard, a peacock blue sofa and a stand-alone bathtub. Meanwhile, other apartments capture punk accents with an unmistakable raucous energy. Industrial finishes mix with decadent antique furniture, featuring ‘God Save The Queen’ motifs, while the walls are lined with heady artwork.
Image credit: Mel Yates
A number of the Chateau Denmark apartments are housed in some of the buildings that helped change the course of the British music scene multiple times over. Here the Stones recorded their first album, Bowie hung out with Vince Taylor along with Lou Reed plus Chrissie Hynde and Vivienne Westwood passed through. In addition, album sleeve artwork designers Hipgnosis were also located here and worked on Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Pink Floyd albums while one of the buildings was also home to musician hotspot La Giaconda.
Image credit: Mel Yates
The Signature Apartments are located across a number of the buildings, with the unique 51 square metres of ‘I Am Anarchy’, a duplex mews house situated behind No. 6 Denmark Street. In true punk spirit the apartment has been turned upside down with the living space upstairs, featuring Johnny Rotten’s storied caricatures of his fellow bandmates, the Sex Pistols – the mews house’s one time residents. Meanwhile, the Murphy bed and the dj ports make it ideal for forgetting all about sleep. Serving as the epitome of punk prowess and versatility, this apartment features gloss black furniture, tartan blinds and statement graffitied chairs. Set adjacent to Denmark Street, Flitcroft Street, features the Flitcroft Apartments, finished in a vintage gothic aesthetic for those looking for an experience larger than life and featuring a hand carved four poster bed, stand alone bathtub, grand stone fireplace and a balcony. These 93 square metre apartments overlook the St Giles-in-the-Fields Church and are a nod to the location’s poetic beauty.
Image credit: Mel Yates
A reimagined perspective on the traditional butler, or BTLR, means a team of proudly impassioned individuals ready to meet any rhythm. Insiders in every sense of the term their unique character sets them apart, allowing them to measure the mood and match it to the moment. With the intention of never replacing the guest experience, technology at Chateau Denmark brings frictionless service delivery along with unrivalled access. Chateau will also have the capabilities to host press interviews and junkets, for industry talent and producers, welcoming the next generation of the neighbourhood’s artistic industries.
Image credit: Mel Yates
The hotels’s art collection will platform the very best of London’s creative talent, opening guests’ imaginations to the multidimensional history and expressionism of the city’s art scene. Exhibiting a range of artists and creators, including Magnus Gjoen and Radek Husak, the contemporary collection will feature various mediums from paintings and photography to sculpture and illustrations — a trove of handpicked pieces.
The Now Building is the largest of Outernet London’s immersive spaces. Its north-facing public atrium features a 360-degree creative canvas, courtesy of immersive media screens — the largest LED screens anywhere in the world. In addition, The Now Building’s top floor will be home to independent restaurant group Tattu’s first London site. Inspired by traditional Chinese flavours and ingredients, Tattu will offer guests a sensory experience through a fusion of cooking, culinary display and luxury interiors. Additionally, throughout 2022, Denmark Street will see the arrival of Chateau Denmark’s lounge bar and basement club, along with a fitness and wellness space, shops, a recording studio and new venues where guests will have privileged access to view, party, or perform at one the three live spaces, ranging from 360–2,000 capacity.
From the Superior Session Rooms’ bold energy to the gothic drama of the Flitcroft Apartments, Chateau Denmark captures an old-world aesthetic that is undeniably bound with modern times and promises to deliver unprecedented connectivity, whether you’re staying for the night or for the year.
“A statement of style” – checking in to One Hundred Shoreditch
Editor Hamish Kilburn brought with him a video crew to review Shoreditch’s latest hotel arrival. Now open, One Hundred Shoreditch, designed by Jacu Strauss, Creative Director of Lore Group, aptly reflects a matured neighbourhood, with various nods to its unforgettable past (scroll down for full video review)…
Following much anticipation, One Hundred Shoreditch has opened its doors to rave reviews all-round. Lore Group’s second hotel in London, designed by its Creative Director, Jacu Strauss, is a coming-of-age story, to reflect how a culture and neighbourhood has grown-up in the last decade.
One Hundred Shoreditch takes over from what was the Ace Hotel London Shoreditch, which, when it opened in 2013, was among the cluster of hotels that became a new generation of luxury-lifestyle hospitality in East London.
Seven year’s later, though, when Ace Hotels bid farewell to London in 2020, Strauss, began planning his latest masterpiece. His concept for the new 258-key hotel was not to do a sharp 180-degrees turn on its existing style, but instead to use local craftsmen, women and the creative people within his own team to delicately give the building a new lease of life and meaning. “The true spirit of Shoreditch historically has been about welcoming new visitors and celebrating what they bring and leave behind,” Strauss told Hotel Designs. “I feel One Hundred Shoreditch is a hotel that welcomes a diverse crowd, and that to me is the essence of Shoreditch.”
To understand more about the hotel’s unique design narrative, I brought with me a video crew from CUBE to review the hotel, and while there be given a guided tour by Strauss.
As you can see, the new hotel, which has in just a few weeks become a cornerstone in the area, is all about contrasts. The lobby and lounge, which shelter a vibrant arrival experience, capture the energy of Shoreditch, but in a muted and sophisticated manner.
Image credit: Lore Group
The F&B areas, including Goddard and Gibbs, the new restaurant that has been ingeniously reinvented to put the dining experience at the heart of the hotel, have been opened up to street level.
Image credit: Lore Group
Meanwhile, the guestrooms and suites have been tweaked and designed to become tranquil spaces. “I opted for neutral base palettes and textures: white upholstery, natural tones, soft berber carpets, which is something you would expect in a great apartment, not a hotel and generous oversized bedding,” explained Strauss. To create texture and added layers, the rooms feature accents of colour and quirky furniture to cut through the neutrals, and a compelling art collection. “We have used custom tapestries with geometric patterns, and large hand painted artworks by myself and huge oversized white pottery vases, which I also designed.”
Image credit: Lore Group
In fact, all the artwork around the hotel was created in-house. The team are personally invested in each property they curate and there is an artisanal and sculptured touch in several pieces including the totems you have already seen; the tapestries; beaded blankets and tiles found in seed library. “Throughout the property we have used craft ware lamps and vases,” added Strauss. “Everything is very tactile, and we want you touch it and connect with it.” He even hand-painted the side plates and egg cups in Goddard and Gibbs.
Image credit: Lore Group
As I check out of One Hundred Shoreditch, I am impressed with how a hotel can, as well as sensitively reflect a destination’s tone, also subtly help to usher territories into new chapters. With statement hotels emerging in all pockets of London, it will be interesting to see if this approach to hotel design becomes one that is adopted further afield, and explored in new ways. One thing is certain: Strauss is a visionary, and I cannot wait to see what’s next from him and the team at Lore Group.
Located near Vilamoura in southern Portugal, Domes Lake Algarve is getting ready to open its doors. The launch marks Domes Resorts’ international expansion outside of Greece for the first time, as well as the group’s first year-round hotel…
Domes Resorts, part of the Ledra Hotels and Villas group, is amongst the fastest growing luxury hospitality groups in Greece, with a number of new projects in its pipeline. Partnering with HIP on Domes Lake Algarve in Portugal, the group aims to strengthen its presence in Europe, with the repositioning and rebranding of the hotel.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
Comprising 192 guestrooms and suites, the hotel’s interiors are inspired by the surrounding eco-protected landscape. The fresh colours throughout the design, reflect the property’s gardens, pools and lake, which many of the rooms overlook. The hotel also features the hyper-luxury Haute Living Selection, providing a ‘hotel-within-a-hotel’ experience for travellers looking for space, privacy, and a deeper connection with calming nature and local activities.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
With its own private saltwater lake and private access to Praia de Falesia beach, four sparkling swimming pools, all connected with a deck stretching across the gardens towards restaurants and observation pergolas, Domes Lake Algarve is a soothing setting for unwinding in the tranquil environment, as well as trying activities which make the most of its location such as clam and oyster picking, birdwatching, sailing, and wine tasting. For those also looking to soak up the local culture of Vilamoura, the hotel is a short distance on foot to the famous marina, the wetlands, Ria Formosa Natural Park, restaurants, beach clubs, and golf courses.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
For the adults seeking some downtime, the award-winning Soma Spa combines ancient Greek methods and contemporary healing techniques, with results-orientated products from Elemis, as well as Godage Paris which utilises active natural ingredients for more tailored treatments.
Image credit: Domes Lake Algarve
the resort will be home to a selection of unique culinary options which uniquely fuse the Greek heritage of Domes Resorts with iconic Portuguese flavours true to the region’s traditional cuisine. Whether enjoying a cocktail on the lake, award-winning Neo-Greek seafood at Topos, or a 12-course tasting menu with fresh and seasonal produce at Makris On The Lake, with regional wine pairings, there are dishes to please every appetite.
CTD Architectural Tiles unveils its new tile collection
CTD Architectural Tiles has unveiled its new tile collection which has been carefully curated to include the latest on-trend designs and high-performance solutions from some of the world’s most innovative and established manufacturers…
From designer walls to feature flooring and beautiful exterior tiles, the 2022 collection from CTD features tiles from leading manufacturers such as Zyx, Harmony, Cevica and Marazzi. The latest collection encompasses brand new commercial tile solutions as well as updates to established ranges with an extended selection of colours, sizes and finishes.
Image credit: CTD Architecture Tiles
The new collection comprises a multitude of different commercial tile solutions such as Levels, a striking brick-format tile which has been inspired by the artisanal ceramics of the Mediterranean. These wall tiles each emulate six smaller mosaic tiles, with a matt background combined with a transparent glossy finish which can be used either horizontally or vertically to create dramatic feature walls.
Also included in the new collection is Sol, which combines a quality feel and stunning appearance with a vast array of patterns and styles. Evocative of a hand-painted tile and inspired by the natural world, the modern production methods that support this vintage style tile makes it a versatile solution for a variety of design schemes.
Image credit: CTD Architecture Tiles
Another striking new addition is Affrescati. The surface detailing is reminiscent of aged plaster and the appearance of traditional Italian tiles, so much so that one of the most eye-catching designs in the range features a sensual blue and gold star design which pays homage to the famous Scrovegni Chapel in Italy.
Image credit: CTD Architecture Tiles
Popular and established tile ranges have also been enhanced to offer new design options in terms of colour, style and size. The thick glazed, ultra-glossy brick size tiles within the Lume range are the perfect example, with six new colour options now available. This popular porcelain tile can be used inside, outside and even in pool tanks, with the striking variations in colour and patterns creating interesting light effects to add vibrancy to commercial design schemes.
CTD Architectural Tiles has responded directly to the needs of its customers working on variety of commercial projects by enhancing its current offering of wood-effect, porcelain and stone tiles, as well as sourcing the latest innovations for creating bespoke colour schemes, decorative surface designs and interiors which experiment with different lighting effects.
CTD Architectural 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.
Impressing the jury with the high design quality synonymous with the brand, two complete Duravit bathroom series, D-Neo and White Tulip, have been awarded this year’s Red Dot Award for Product Design…
The Red Dot Award for Product Design, which can trace its origins back to 1955, identifies each year’s best products. True to the motto ‘in search of good design and innovation’, a jury evaluated the products individually, and as originals. The expert committee only awards the internationally renowned quality seal to products with an impressively high design quality which satisfy stringent evaluation criteria. These include degree of innovation, functionality, formal quality, ergonomics, and durability. The Red Dot Award 2022 for Product Design has been awarded to the two complete bathroom series by Duravit, D-Neo and White Tulip and the accompanying faucets.
“All the products we entered in the competition won an award,” said Stephan Tahy, CEO Duravit AG, “which is testament to the outstanding design work of our teams.”
Image credit: Duravit
D-Neo, a complete bathroom range by Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly was first unveiled in March 2021. The range stands out as a result of its clear formal language, straight-lined and geometric forms. With an attractive entry-level price, new target groups can enjoy Duravit products. The design series as a whole and the faucets in particular have already won the German Design Award.
Image credit: Duravit
In fitting with the D-Neo design, the D-Neo faucet has a straight-lined and geometric design. The characteristically narrow, vertically positioned handle is standard throughout the entire range. Sustainability is key in this range, and on the D-Neo washbasin mixers with FreshStart, only cold-water flows in the central position to start with. Hot water is only added when the one deliberately moves the handle to the left. The energy-intensive production of hot water is limited to situations where it is actually needed.
Image credit : Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
With White Tulip, the French designer Philippe Starck has created a holistic bathroom collection. From bathtubs, washbasins and furniture, toilets and bidets, to matching mirrors and a complete collection of faucets, the exceptional form of all the components within the series echoes the organic silhouette of a tulip in bloom. The monolithic, free-standing ceramic washbasin is particularly eye-catching.The consistent design element on the faucets is again the tulip-shaped handle with a finely polished surface that reflects the form of the washbasins and bathtubs.
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.
Yoko Village – a remote work and residential community in Costa Rica
Slated to open early 2023, Yoko Village, aptly meaning ‘Sunshine Child’ is a remote work and residential community located in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, offering a balanced life between work, wellness and living…
Founder of the Yoko Village project, Liran Rosenfeld, is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record, who in 2018, after 3 years of scaling his company PassRight, began to experience extreme burnout. To reset, he travelled to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Once there, he noticed the difference in his health. He saw how eating well, sun, learning to surf, practicing yoga and meditation and slower pace in life made him more productive in his personal and professional life. Rosenfeld’s new found appreciation for the ‘Pura Vida’ life led him to create Yoko Village, an eco-community for like-minded individuals looking to nurture their lives as much as their life’s work.
“Yoko Village is centered around the well-being of its residents, while focusing on building a creative and productive coworking community,” said Rosenfeld. “We understand the business needs of remote workers, providing a perfectly balanced work and home environment.”
Image credit: Yoko Village
Putting down designer roots on 40 hectares in the hills of the Costa Rican jungle, minutes from sought after surf breaks and idyllic beaches, Yoko Village plans to gather an array of well-travelled community members who have traded city streets for breathtaking ocean views, spectacular sunsets, natural resources, and serenity. The diverse environment sets the stage for digital nomads, families and entrepreneurs to plant roots in paradise where they can prioritize wellness, have access to the outdoors, and celebrate culture, all while enjoying high standards of living and meeting the professional needs of remote work.
Image credit: Yoko Village
Designed by architect, Serrana Robledo, the plans place a high priority on thoughtful architecture taking care to work with, and support the natural environment. The founding team advocates for the environment and local preservation by spearheading a reforestation campaign and incorporating sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, the construction of minimally impactful structures and a zero-plastic policy.
Image credit: Yoko Village
Yoko Village plans include the construction of 40 two, three, and four bedroom villas with ensuite bathrooms, private decks, and access to on-site communal amenities such as a tech-enabled community coworking center, private office spaces, creative playgrounds, yoga deck, gym, pool, restaurant, edible walking trails, communal gardens and spiritual centre.
Image credit: Yoko Village
Yoko Village ownership offers the opportunity to purchase villas inspired by the nature and wildlife which surrounds it, in a secure international community. All common areas, co-working spaces, facilities, roads, and communal gardens, are maintained year-round by management. Residents also have the option of short-term rental management for their properties, allowing owners to subsidize their investment and support a remote live/work lifestyle.
Gold Bar at EDITION launches at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon
The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon, launches Gold Bar at EDITION, an intimate cocktail destination to stimulate the senses, inspired by the golden age of classic cocktails in pre-Prohibition America…
‘The Golden Age of Cocktails’ brought about some of mixology’s best inventions: The Martini, Daiquiri, and Manhattan were all created in this time, spanning from the 1860s through the Prohibition Era. The 87-seat Gold Bar at EDITION, inspired by the era and all that glitters, features a creative cocktail menu reimagining these timeless concoctions with modern techniques, incorporating Japanese spirits and select local ingredients.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
All black with deft flourishes of white and gold, inspired by the design of rare pieces of fine jewellery, Gold Bar at EDITION will feature blackened wood finishes inspired by Japanese yakisugi, a traditional method of charring cedar to preserve the wood. The venue will also feature gold accents, a black marble bar, and white barrel-vaulted five metre high ceilings. The intimate bar is finished with a focal fireplace made of Nero Marquina, which hangs a gold-leaf artwork by Guerin Swing. Gold Bar at EDITION will play a mix of low-tempo classic, jazz, soul, and R&B midweek selected by Gray V, with named DJs playing on Friday and Saturday nights.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
Curated by Director of Bars Hideyuki Saito, the menu focuses on classic cocktail categories, such as Punch, Sour, and Fizz, with a focus on local spirits and ingredients. The food menu will be created each season by a locally renowned chef, Chef Narukiyo, again highlighting the finest Japanese ingredients. Known for his celebrated downtown namesake, izakaya Narukiyo, serving homemade southern Japanese seasonal food, will be the first to curate the menu.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon represents a very delicate balancing act between the refined, elegant, simple and pure approach of Japan’s culture, style, and traditions and EDITION’s passion, emotion, sophistication, perpetual subversion of the status quo, and desire to break the rules to create something entirely new, something that has never been seen before. With the subversion of styles, this synergy of elegance and simplicity is present throughout the restaurant and bars at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon, and none more so than in Gold Bar at EDITION.
Having recently transported the tastes from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the urban setting of Park Lane London, we caught up with COMO London hotel’s General Manager, Javier Beneyto Benavides to find out a little more about the pop-up concept…
COMO Metropolitan London, with the winning combination of contemporary design and a vibrant Park Lane location was the perfect setting for a collaboration with the award winning team at COMO’s first Italian retreat, COMO Castello Del Nero. For a limited eight nights only, Executive Chef Giovanni Luca Di Pirro from the historic Tuscan estate, created an exclusive menu highlighting signature dishes from the restaurant, La Taverna. London diners were able to experience Chef Giovanni’s masterful techniques that pay homage to the culinary roots of Tuscany, without having to leave the comfort of the capital.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Hotel Designs: Tell us more about the menu takeover?
Javier Beneyto Benavides: We were very lucky to have Giovanni Luca Di Pirro, Executive Chef at our sister property, COMO Castello Del Nero, join us at COMO Metropolitan London to share the incredible flavours of Tuscany with our guests here in the city. The pop-up menu featured many Italian favourites, including ‘Tagliere del Castello’, a selection of Tuscan cold cuts, fine cheeses, honey and coccoli, homemade Pici (a hand-rolled and thicker version of spaghetti) with beef ragù, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and Pecorino cheese, Carnaroli risotto with pumpkin and truffle, and a selection of mouth-watering pizzas all crafted with the freshest seasonal ingredients which stay true to COMO’s farm-to-table philosophy. Dishes were accompanied by a hand-picked selection of Tuscan wines such as Tignanello Antinori, Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino or Italian cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Rossini, and Garibaldi for what was a truly immersive and complete experience.
We also hosted a pair of hands-on cooking classes, so that guests could experience and learn to master the art of making pasta with Chef Giovanni himself. Guests were able to savour a selection of Tuscan antipasti and a glass of wine, before the event finished off with Tiramisu and coffee.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
HD: Why Tuscany?
JBB: Tuscany is full of such incredible produce and we’re lucky to have a presence in the region through our sister property COMO Castello Del Nero, located just in the heart of the Chianti. COMO Castello del Nero have recently reopened, and with this takeover we wanted to give Londoners the chance to experience the menu and build an appetite ahead of the reopening. Italian food is familiar and incredibly popular in the UK – by having showcased the flavours and ingredients specific to Tuscany with a successful collaboration, it is something we now plan to replicate in the future with other partner chefs.
HD: What elements do both hotels share in common?
JBB: Both hotels have been individually curated to reflect their location through design, experiences and of course food and drink. When guests visit either property, the experience is entirely specific to the locale, so it’s fun to play with that concept by bringing a flavour of COMO Castello Del Nero to London.
Of course, all properties within the COMO Hotels and Resorts collection share a passion for wellbeing, whether that be through the COMO Shambhala wellness concept or the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients across F&B operations. Although none of the hotels are the same, their emphasis on responsible living and the memorable power of experiences remains consistent.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
HD: If the menu was reversed, what British dishes would be served up in Tuscany?
JBB: We would serve iconic British dishes such as the traditional Sunday Roast with the very best cuts of meat from the British Isles. We would also serve our own take on the classic Fish and Chips alongside any of the fresh fish, oysters, and scallops from the British coast. For dessert, my personal favourite the Sticky Toffee Pudding is a must.
HD: How did the campaign to transform the feel of COMO Metropolitan London?
JBB: The entire campaign was focused on bringing the warmth of the Tuscan countryside to cold London in the winter. We wanted to bring the flavours, atmosphere and hospitality of Tuscany to town, and I think we achieved that!
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
HD: What was your favourite dish on the pop-up menu?
JBB: My favourite dish on the menu was definitely the Spigola, a Mediterranean-style seabass with tomato emulsion and ricotta with cottage cheese. I am a big fan of seafood and this dish was so fresh and full of flavour while respecting the seabass.
This collaborative cross-over project between COMO’s personalised and immersive resorts adds an interesting new chapter to the brands F&B offerings. With COMO London already firmly placed on the London dining scene, sheltering one of the most innovative kitchens in the capital, it is exciting to see how boundaries can shift to create new and transitory experiences.
Case study: LEDS C4 creates a connected lighting scheme in LOOM
LEDS C4 has designed and developed an innovative and intuitive lighting installation for LOOM, a flexible work space in the heart of a creative district of Barcelona…
LOOM Barcelona is a flexible work space solution, based in the prestigious Torre Glòries, and located in the technological and creative district of Barcelona. The project covers a total of 2,500 square meteres, over three floors, and required project-specific lighting to differentiate the spaces. The LEDS C4 Smart Light for Office control, connectivity and digital services solutions has been applied to optimise maintenance, energy saving and efficient management of all the spaces.
Image credit: LEDS-C4
LOOM is about creating a workspace focused on people, optimising their performance and boosting their creativity. LED C4 was required to carry out the lighting project with this in mind, in addition to the supervision and monitoring of the work from start to finish.The project had a range of requirements, with the primary focus being able to adjust the artificial lighting depending on natural light conditions, and so avoid major contrasts with the 360-degree natural light entering the building in order to avoid fatigue and headaches, and reduce energy consumption.
Image credit: LEDS C4
It was necessary for the project to comply with the Workplace Standard EN12464 on lighting comfort and glare for the worker. In addition, the client needed to be able to control the activation of the lighting of the common areas or meeting rooms depending on occupancy, while being able to control and analyse the degree of occupancy of rental rooms to respond to customer demands.
In response to all of the requirements of the project, the LEDS C4 lighting project and consultancy unit designed a lighting staging focused on the building’s architecture and its people, using connected lighting systems that generate differentiated spaces, offering a high degree of comfort and design.
At the product level, a combination of linear and cylindrical architectural lighting was used, with decorative lighting options that add character and adapt to the needs of each space. Lighting products were differentiated according to the space and function, from formal directional lighting in meeting rooms, to more diffuse lighting in less formal settings.
Image credit: LEDS C4
Image credit: LEDS C4
Given the architecture of the Torre Glòries building, consisting of a double-glazed structure that ensures natural light all day, a sophisticated system was installed to control the use of sunlight and to adjust usage depending on occupancy, based on 150 Wireless D4i smart sensors, distributed over three floors and perfectly integrated into the lighting. As a result, the lighting is completely autonomous and is self-regulating depending on natural light and occupancy, with up to 85 per cent energy saving. In turn, the lighting can be customised with remote controls located in every room, with four default setups and fine-tuning buttons for every two work stations. Thanks to this flexibility, adaptation to each user is guaranteed and it brings a high added value to the installation, ensuring maximum productivity.
Connected lighting with LEDS C4 Smart Light for Office enables the project to be managed remotely, making it possible to monitor the installation, change the regulation profiles and visualise the lighting data through the DALI D4i platform. The installation’s key data points are the energy saving due to natural light and occupancy, the temperature of the spaces, as well as real-time reports of the state of the lighting and their flow maintenance, all through graphic panels and data records. The data is available locally and in the cloud, and can be used by third-party applications or APPs via API, or through a BMS system, to provide a number of functions such as customising the temperature and lighting of the rooms, or reserving the spaces online.
LEDS C4 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.
Live roundtable: discussing the new era of luxury in hotel design
In an exclusive roundtable with Hotel Designs, in association with Gabriel Scott, leading interior designers and architects gathered to discuss materials, lighting and sustainability when exploring luxury hotel design in 2022 and beyond (scroll down for video)…
Like all things in hotel design and hospitality, luxury and what is considered high-end is a subjective matter. Arguably, making the topic and discussion around it more compelling, the boundaries between luxury and lifestyle have no-doubt been blurred in recent years, as hotels adapt to new demands from modern travellers.
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
Image credit: Gabriel Scott
With the aim to explore luxury deeper than surface level, Hotel Designs and Gabriel Scott joined forces recently to bring together leading designers and architects inside the luxury brand’s showroom in Mayfair to explore luxe design and hospitality in 2022 and beyond.
The exclusive discussion, which marked the brand’s 10th anniversary, started with the question (05:50 in the video above): what materials, colours and trends are dominating interior design at the moment? The response from James Dilley, Director, Jestico + While, set the scene. “There are two things focusing us at the moment,” he said. “One is the natural quality of materials, and the other being craftsmanship.”
Image credit/caption: Zuri Zanzibar, designed by Jestico + Whiles
With more hotels opening to shelter a more in-depth sense of craft, Sam Hall, Head of Global FF&E, believes that mass production in luxury could be a thing of the past, as clients want items that are personal to their brand. “Everything has become so much more readily available,” she said. “It’s about the craftsmanship that makes the quality of the natural materials appear.”
This led the conversation into an interesting talking point, and the topic of biophilic design was introduced. Interior designer Martin Hulburt, who recently completed, for the second time in his career, a renovation inside The Grove in Hertfordshire, believed that nature can be used as a powerful tool when creating luxury spaces in the future. “The first time we renovated the hotel, we threw out the concept of luxury because we wanted to create something different,” he said. “Recently, we just went into the project with an open mind. I have always preferred using unpolished wood over veneered-looking wood, or sackcloth over silk. In this case, we have mixed them all up together.”
Image credit: The Gove, Hertfordshire
Addressing the architects in the room, when the conversation went down the route of materials, the point was made for the need of a stronger relationship with interior designers and other contributors. At this point, Margarita Boulaki, Associate, Squire & Partners, brought up the need for collaborative approaches. “Materials and sustainability are combined in the design process,” she said. “We see natural materials in the architecture structure and it’s not uncommon these days for these elements to be exposed for interior designers to start their concepts from there. It’s a highly integrated process, from inside out.”
It would be remiss to have a discussion regarding luxury without bringing up lifestyle, which was the perfect cue for Rachel Hoolahan, Sustainability Co-Ordinator at Orms, which in 2019 completed its work on The Standard London. “When you come into a building like The Standard London, you have to be inspired by what you are inheriting,” she said. “For us, that was the facade. Our plan was to retain the original structure, which was at the time considered a negative contributor. After understanding why this was, we then decided to add a contemporary extension to the building. 1960s brutalist original concrete is not what people would consider luxury. The interior designers, though, were really inspired by this retro aesthetic, and worked with the building to pair soft furnishings, which created a warm and welcoming experience.”
Image credit: The Standard London
Naturally, the talk strayed into the territory of residential, and Rose Murray, Director, These White Walls, explained how more reference points from her residential clients are steering towards hotels. “You want a sense of escapism into your home,” she said. “And people tend to go to hotels when they want to get away and take inspiration from there. There is therefore a sense of bringing in rustic luxe and paired-back luxury in residential design, which becomes interesting because it is about slowing everything down. Design then easily becomes more about feeling over look.”
Moving into the process of design and specification, the panel started to explain how much more involved clients are in 2022 when it comes to design decisions, as Constantina Tsoutsikou, Founder, Studio LOST, explained: “When I designed The Royal Senses Resort, I found myself using honest materials and detailing them with a luxury mindset,” she said. “A lot of the time, clients can’t describe what they want with words, as it’s more of a feeling and ambiance they want to create. I think that’s what luxury means today, a comfortable home-from-home feeling that’s elevated. As an interior designer, the more trust I have, [from my clients] the more creative I can be.”
Image credit: The Royal Senses Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
Image credit: The Royal Senses Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
The debate around luxury continues, but as we leave the conversation to filter the talking points into further debates and discussions between other industry experts outside the Gabriel Scott showroom, it’s clear that among the designers, architects and clients, there is more empathy and open-minded attitudes towards challenging conventional approaches to the luxury hotel design and hospitality. The parameters, as far as I can see, are working within the boundaries of the hotel’s DNA to ensure that each decision made on the project has a meaning, which will ultimately add a new, innovative layer to the overall design and hospitality scheme.
Linda Boronkay designs Osborn House – a whimsical country retreat in Australia
Building on the rich legacy of the property, London based designer Linda Boronkay has teamed up with Mac Design Studio in Sydney to design a new luxury hotel in the NSW Southern Highlands…
Former Soho House Design Director, Linda Boronkay has collaborated with interior architect Alan McMahon to transform the original 1892 guesthouse, Osborn House, to suit a clientele accustomed to the comforts, conviviality and nuances of world-class boutique accommodation. With a design approach which balances emotional impact and aesthetics, the focus is on guests’ optimal comfort and stylish interiors.
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
Situated two hours from both Sydney and Canberra, the property has hosted holidaymakers since the 1890s, welcoming guests off the steam train when the picturesque railway village of Bundanoon first became a popular holiday destination. The boutique hotel which opened in February, features 15 super luxury suites and seven newly constructed free-standing luxury cabins, each with a fireplace and balcony bathtub. The property sits within established gardens above the village, with spectacular views to neighbouring Morton National Park.
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
By no means did the design duo want to create a replica, but rather an important nod to the past, with the interiors being an eccentric interpretation of this. They sought to curate a space that would offer guests a long-lasting experience.
“Just like a certain song or fragrance can have an incredible emotional impact on us, we believe design has the same power to evoke positive memories and feelings,” said Boronkay. “The combination of reclaimed materials paired with rich and tactile fabrics, curated objects from around Europe and personal touches in the different spaces will make you feel like you are being embraced by an interesting individual.”
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
One of the greatest attributes of Osborn House is the sheer diversity of the suites and accommodation. You could return to the hotel on multiple occasions and enjoy an entirely different experience by staying in a different suite. Both designers wanted to stay true to the original architecture of Osborn House, to reinstate something that was authentic.
“There was a fine balance of what to keep and what to add,” said Boronkay. “Ensuring we were stripping back the original building only to where it was absolutely necessary.”
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
The wellness facilities on offer acknowledge the property’s former life as health retreat with a 25 metre lap pool, a state-of-the-art spa with four treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, cool plunge and gym. Osborn House aims to build on the rich legacy of leisure, tapping into its affluent and quirky history and the privacy of its hilltop location to create instant escapism for guests.
Image credit: Osborn House / Alan Jenson
All suites enjoy glorious garden and forest outlooks. There are multiple premium dining and drinking experiences, including an outdoor terrace restaurant, a formal dining room, Dinah’s, and a bar lounge, George’s. A soon-to-open cooking school and market garden will be located in the grounds.
Introducing the Cortina collection from Samuel & Sons
The patterns in the latest collection from Samuel & Sons have been inspired by luxury resorts in Northern Italy…
The Cortina collection from Samuel & Sons, is a sumptuous collection of opulent faux fur embroidered, applique borders and brush fringe. Inspired by some of the most sought-after resorts in the northern Italian town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the curated collection features three border patterns and a coordinating, dense pile brush fringe.
The Cortina Faux Fur Applique Border, available in colour Sable, is contemporary in its aesthetic and in its composition. The three-inch border’s pattern is created through a series of multi directional, concentric pyramids. The pattern’s line work is rendered with faux leather applique, which sits above a dimensional faux fur ground. The juxtaposition of the faux fur and textured leather used in this construction yields something very sculptural and tactile.
With the Cortina Faux Fur Geometric Border, the design studio also used a textured faux leather and fur applique construction to illustrate a minimalist pattern of inverted half rectangles.
Cortina Faux Fur Embroidered Border employs a lofty faux fur ground on which a contemporary Greek key pattern is rendered using solid sections of embroidery. The dimensional sections of fur are accentuated by their contrast with the embroidered sections of the ground. It’s offered in three shades from pure Winter White to a warm Camel and deeply saturated Obsidian.
Cortina Faux Fur Fringe is a plush 1.5-inch faux fur brush fringe which blooms to 180 degrees and will infuse any interior with unparalleled luxury. It’s offered in four sumptuous shades including a pure Winter White to a warm Camel, rich Sable and deeply saturated Obsidian.
The Cortina Collection of borders and fringe is aesthetically sophisticated in its interpretation of the patterns, rich hues and the luxurious dimension that results from its nuanced constructions.
Samuel & Sons 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.
Colour-healing menu: checking in to Six Senses Douro Valley
We are only just scratching the surface of understanding sensory design’s role in fuelling the next chapter in hotel design and hospitality, as Editor Hamish Kilburn learns following a transformative nature- and colour-inspired visit to Six Senses Douro Valley…
For years, designers, architects and hospitality businesses have seen (and used) colour to create profound design schemes that challenge conventional approaches, inject purposeful sense of place and improve – even influence – the overall wellness experience in hotels around the globe.
In 2022, with design trends emerging left, right and centre, the impact contrasting tones can have on consumers is undisputed, but the science behind how and why different colours make us feel is a whole new conversation – one that, to even start to understand, required a collaborative effort. My journey to explore sensory design in hospitality took me to the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the oldest wine-producing region in the world.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Six Senses Douro Valley, set across 22 acres and surrounded by five hectares of forest, is a hotel that embodies its location, through aesthetic and service. Designed by New York-based Clodagh Design, with an intuitive design scheme that was both a nod to the past and a glance towards the future, the hotel first opened in 2015, and it has been reinventing itself ever since while helping to lead the luxury and wellbeing hospitality forward.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The property shelters award-winning spa and wellness facilities, complete with 10 treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool with water jets – and has become renowned for its locally inspired therapies. For many reasons, including its stunning location, effortless style – not to mention its immeasurable dedication to sustainability with features such as an in-house Earth Lab and its own Alchemy Bar – it is the perfect setting to lead new, research-based holistic healing initiatives that connect the guests back to nature.
Its recent wellness and chromotherapy offering, though, takes even this forward-thinking hotel into unchartered waters. Having recently partnered with wellness and colour consultancy mycoocoon, as well as several sensory design, sound and meditation experts, Six Senses Douro Valley has experimented in using colour as a tool to help guests lower their heartbeat and ultimately recharge. As well as colour-healing technologies being used in and around the 2,200-square-metre spa, the hotel has also utilised the science of chromotherapy throughout the property, and has even created a new F&B concept in the process, which stimulates all senses.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
To understand the significance of this collaboration, one must first understand the hotel’s timeless design. The arrival experience sets a tranquil tone. After following a cobbled road down into the valley, the understated hotel emerges in between vineyards and perched on a hilltop overlooking the magnificent Douro River. The entrance is strong and majestic – think more ancient temple than luxury hotel.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The lobby inside, which unconventionally sits on the top floor, shelters a minimalist look and feel and is paired with a design scheme that deliberately connects guests with nature with details, such as a large check-in desk with a wooden base and a balcony, framed by a glass door, that encourages guests to look over the forest and river.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
As you journey around – from public areas to guestrooms – the feeling of decompression is inescapable, as the glass lift submerges guests from vistas of the river to what feels like going underground. The wide corridors, with green-toned carpets and carved out feature walls, have subtle references to nature. At each end, design elements, such as hanging armchairs and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the river from a different perspective provide a welcome break-out space.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Meanwhile, the guestrooms and suites, large and blended into the original architecture of the property, feature pure lines and delicate lighting, and have been designed to evoke a sense of calm and stillness.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
A soft, earthy design scheme that includes a cohesive language between bedroom and bathroom, contributes to a serene atmosphere, complimented postcard-perfectly with unmatched views over vineyards and the River Douro from the terraces or from the numerous panoramic windows.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
Shortly after checking in, it felt like an appropriate time to partake in my first colour wellness experience. I was invited to a private 20-minute-long meditation session, which was referred to as a ‘colour bath’, a light and sound video projection installation that creates a meditative space for the viewer.
The session started with a ‘colour test’, an interactive evaluation process that identified which colour the guest was feeling (ultramarine blue was my mood). “Colour is deeply personal and perceptual,” said Ari Peralta, the sensory designer for MyCoocoon. “Due to jet lag from travel and/or over/underexposure to any given colour can lead guests to experience sensory overload. That’s why we developed a simple test designed to discover users’ subconscious need of light.” Sure enough, in just a few taps on a tablet device, users can identify their colour mood and embrace a moment of stillness.
“Colour is this computation that our brains make that enables us to extract meaning from the world.” – Ari Peralta, Sensory Designer, Mycoocoon.
Once the immersive experience began, for the first time that day I was able to stop, fully disconnect, and release unwelcome tension to allow light and sound to guide me inwards. After just a few minutes, I felt my shoulders slacken as my body and mind embarked on the wellbeing journey. “Colour is this computation that our brains make that enables us to extract meaning from the world,” Peralta explained. “The fact that colour judgments are constrained because most humans have similar visual systems is what makes it possible for colour to be a useful metric in science.”
Did you know that…
Colours directly target the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) that functions and operates under involuntarily and subconscious control?
Colour can elicit memories and influence other senses, that go on to activate our emotional responses?
According to research, we are often deprived or overexposed to certain wavelengths (Colours)?
Specific Colour Combinations can induce specific psychological responses?
In addition to the meditation session, mycoocoon also installed a dome-like structure on the terrace, which became a popular ‘colour cloud’. Guests were able to, at their own leisure and after taking colour tests to make the experience that bit more personal, sit and unwind inside the cloud-like bubble with music curated by sound expert, Riccardo Tuis.
Image caption: The colour cloud was a space where guests could go to recharge and relax. | Image credit: mycoocoon
In the spa, meanwhile, the team adopted the technology, which was overall curated by Peralta, Valerie Corcias and Dominique Kelly, to offer personal treatments, with the aim to enhance the hotel’s already award-winning, innovative therapies. “We use specific combinations of colours to elicit different types of behavioural responses such as sleep, focus and creativity,” Peralta added. “Our software makes it easy for guests to meditate, and our algorithm learns guest preferences over time, creating a sensory profile that can personalise future wellness communications, room settings and suggested programmes.”
Image credit: mycoocoon
Image credit: mycoocoon
Although the overall experience was powerful, there was nothing quite like the ‘chromo experience menu’; a five-course meal that was designed to take guests on a sensory experience over dinner, with each course celebrating a different colour and energy.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The brand, Six Senses Hotels & Resorts, is known for redefining luxury through its creative and sustainable approach to F&B. The non-pretentious, organic and locally sourced attitude that is sheltered in each of its hotels encourages guests to gather around an open kitchen and celebrate the flavours of local ingredients, paired with the world’s finest wines. Its reputation for impeccable hospitality is incontestable. So when mycoocoon suggested to add a new layer to this already perfectly balanced F&B concept, the team had to tread sensitively.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
The wellness experts worked painstakingly with chefs Marc Lores and Nuno Matos to develop a sensory dining concept that unconventionally emphasised the colours around the stunning Douro Valley property.
Image credit: mycoocoon
The team selected orange (representing creativity, joy and enthusiasm), green (translating to freedom, balance and nature), cyan (evoking communication, sharing and breathing), purple (reflecting spirituality) and yellow (radiating brightness and consciousness). Together, the courses was presented as a tasting menu, with corresponding wine pairings that enabled guests to enjoy the unique flavours, textures and sounds that cleverly enhanced the overall dining experience.
All around me, guests were interacting over colour and food; convoluting and sharing, together, and not just with each other. Conversations with the staff to understand the ingredients filled the room. “Our deep associations with each colour influence our taste, often creating a sense of synesthesia, which happens when our senses are literally mixed or confused,” explained Peralta. “Unlike other sensory experiences that are felt, Six Senses and mycoocoon’s colour menu presents a future of experiences led by transformative sensory design.”
What made the dining experience one that was uniquely special was not the fact that the meal was delicious and tantalised all senses, but more that the concept – born from enhancing wellness and wellbeing in hospitality – challenged the chefs and sommeliers to create a menu, paired with wine, that authentically represented the colour and its meaning, which unlocked the potential for the operational team to think outwardly when creating unparalleled moments for their guests.
Image credit: Six Senses Hotels & Resorts
As my experience at Six Senses Douro Valley comes to an end, I feel as if I have only just started to digest the potential that the science-led technology that mycoocoon has amplified can have to enrich wellness experiences in the hospitality arena. Technology, to this extent, may not be appropriate for all hotels to harness. However, with the majority of lifestyle and luxury properties trying to enhance deeper and more intuitive connections with wellness, concepts such as chromotherapy could very well help to unlock a new chapter – one that is moving on from experience to now focus on transformation – in hotel design. Although the details may not yet be clear as to what that will look and ‘feel’ like, that era will be written with human behaviour – and guests’ innate wellbeing needs to connect with nature – in mind.
mycoocoon is a technology and wellness collective that leverages sensory science to support behavioural health. The team, which includes Valerie Corcias, Wellness Colour Expert; Mandy Jhamat, Meditation Coach; Riccardo Tuis, Music Composer; Daniel Kersh, Interactive Artist and Ari Peralta, Neuroscience & Sensory Designer have led more than 10,000 micro-interventions using colour memory to reduce negative inner chatter and reset users’ mood.
The Dylan Amsterdam joins The Leading Hotels of the World
The Dylan has joined The Leading Hotels of the World, a curated portfolio of luxury hotels united not by what makes them the same, but the details that make them different…
Located in the heart of the ‘nine-streets’ shopping area on the prestigious Keizersgracht canal, The Dylan is perfectly located in Amsterdam for exploring the city’s cultural and historic sites, as well as its vibrant gastronomic scene. The entrance to the hotel is discreet, through a stone arch, across a pretty courtyard with potted flowers and plants.
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
“We are delighted to welcome The Dylan to The Leading Hotels of the World,” said Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President of Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World. “Located within the chic 9 Streets, this hotel will offer Leading’s curious travelers a new take on the ever-popular Dutch capital. The hotel’s historic roots, outstanding culinary scene, refined atmosphere, and personalized service make it a perfect addition to our exclusive collection of independent, luxury hotels – in a city our travelers adore.”
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
The decor inside is contemporary and chic with features such as wood paneling and floors, leather furniture, velvet soft furnishings and wood beams throughout. There are only 40 bedrooms, each one with its own unique style, split into four main interior categories. There’s the ‘Loxura’ set, modelled on the copper colored Loxura butterfly, the ‘Loft’ bedrooms featuring the building’s original wooden beams, the ‘Amber’ rooms inspired by the precious stone, and finally, the ‘Serendipity’ rooms, decorated in warm shades of brown and grey with lashings of luxurious fabric. The entire design encapsulates the hotel’s style and spirit, marrying old-world charm with contemporary style.
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
Image credit: The Dylan Amsterdam
The food offering at The Dylan is exceptional too, with the Brasserie OCCO delivering locally inspired, seasonal dishes in a chic and casual setting, whilst Michelin-starred Vinkeles, set in a former 18th Century bakery, caters to discerning gourmands with a delectable fusion of traditional and modern French cuisine. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy the hotel’s beautiful ‘Secluded Garden’ terrace, enjoying meals or drinks from Brasserie OCCO throughout the day. Wine enthusiasts will also delight in The Dylan’s High Wine experience – a playful spin on traditional High Tea.
Image credit: The Dylan, Amsterdam
In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW, and the collection now has more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries. The Dylan Amsterdam, with its own distinctive and rich history, joins the carefully curated hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps that range from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt.
Case study: Bette provides bath goals inside The Londoner
Billed as the world’s first super boutique hotel, The Londoner in Leicester Square features baths and shower trays from glazed titanium-steel specialist, Bette…
The much-anticipated debut of The Londoner, from one of the UK’s largest family-owned hotel groups, Edwardian Hotels London, marked the beginning of a rebirth for Leicester Square. The hotel has 350 rooms and suites, 16 storeys, six concept eateries, a unique members club-style private area, a wealth of meeting and event space, a cinema and an entire floor dedicated to wellness.
Designed in collaboration with world-renowned architectural designers, Yabu Pushelberg, The Londoner may be super in scale, but its boutique approach and commitment to hospitality offers an experience designed to make guests feel at home. Loft-inspired and open plan, the bedrooms have a calming colour palette and contemporary art on the walls.
Image credit: Bette
Bette has supplied The Londoner with three styles of stylish, durable and easy to clean glazed titanium-steel baths.
The majority of the bathrooms feature one of the brands most popular built-in shower baths, the BetteForm. It has a comfortable back rest at one end, for relaxing bathing, and steep sides at the other end, to provide maximum standing room when showering. The Londoner team chose BetteForm baths with one of the company’s most useful and unique optional features: BetteUpstand, a glazed titanium-steel upstand around the edge of the bath that can be created exactly where the customer requires it. Simply tiled over, it eliminates the need for silicone where the bath meets the wall, makes it easier to clean and ensures against leaks. The BetteForm baths were also supplied with a bespoke coloured grip, to match the brassware, and anti-slip to increase guest safety.
Image credit: Bette
Other bathrooms feature luxurious, freestanding BetteLux Oval Silhouette baths. Again made of glazed titanium-steel and featuring Bette’s anti-slip finish, these spacious two-seater baths have soft, flowing lines and a delicate edge. The third Bette bath at The Londoner is the BetteStarlet Flair Oval, a fitted, oval two-seater bath with a central outlet making it perfect for bathing for two. It has been under-mounted beneath natural stone and features an anti-slip finish. Bette also provided The Londoner with its BetteFloor glazed titanium-steel shower floors with almost invisible BetteAnti-Slip Pro finish.
As a brand-new build in the heart of London, The Londoner is employing pioneering methods of sustainable luxury and exceeds the BREEAM Excellent category in building environmental and sustainable performance. Fitting with the hotel’s sustainability focus, all Bette products are made from only natural materials and are fully recyclable.
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.
Inside André Fu Studio’s new sky-high cellar at Andaz Singapore
Taking on the design proposition of transporting a cellar 38 floors up into the sky, designer André Fu has created an elevated dining experience…
665°F has been one of the marquee restaurants in Andaz Singapore since the hotel opened in 2017. Designed by the Hong Kong-based André Fu Studio, the space features a lofty timber-lined ceiling anchored by a dramatic chandelier of globed lamps with flawless views of Singapore’s skyscrapers and the sea beyond.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
The restaurant, which seats just 30, is invariably filled to capacity; a happy problem now resolved by the addition of The Cellar, which is also designed by André Fu Studio. The narrow 1,300-square-foot space was, until recently, the engineering plant-room that adjoined 665°F’s principal dining room. Under the creative eye of André Fu, its potential has been fully unfolded in a remarkable modern take on the classic cellar that holds not just 400 bottles of premium Old and New World labels, but also seats 20 diners in the main dining hall and another eight in an adjoining private room.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
“Once all the machinery had been cleared out, our first impression was that its rectangular shape was reminiscent of a cellar,” recalls the studio’s founder and creative director, Fu. “But cellars are typically located below ground. So, the design proposition became this idea of bringing the cellar up 38 floors into the sky. What kind of cellar would this look and feel like?”
The answer is a dramatic sequence of spaces that begins unfurling from the first step into the mood-lit entrance. Burgundy-hued and timber-lined, The Cellar’s bijou foyer is anchored by a vaulted ceiling over a smoky mirrored corridor, a round reception table, cast-white metal pendant lamp, and a tufted Persian-inspired rug that’s a whimsical homage to the carpet shops of the hotel’s Kampong Glam neighbourhood.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
A triple-layered archway made of distressed brick is framed by black ironmongery, reassuringly solid timber doors, and teal blue velvet curtains that pull back to reveal The Cellar’s intimate but perfectly proportioned dining room speckled with low-slung kidney-bean-shaped sofas and ribbed-back chairs. Underfoot are rugged cuts of dark Italian Cadia Grigio marble and light castle-grey sandstone. Bookending the space are timber display cabinets sheathed with wire-meshed doors.
Image credit: André Fu Studio
The eye is drawn gently down the length of the room by an arched ceiling in rich hues of deep turquoise embedded with an elegant stretch of oak and copper ribs whose silhouette reminds you, appropriately at this height, of a bird’s outstretched wing. Copper shelves are framed by industrial rivets and the soft halo of light reflected through display wine bottles. Copper straps, timber mouldings, and a mirrored clerestory work together to create the concept of a cellar. The design is all about subtlety and detail at work with imagination.
“We were careful to not be thematic,” said Fu. “But rather to capture the spirit of the cellar, and which is why the ceilings, for example, are not literal interpretations of a vaulted ceiling. Instead, we have the gentle curvilinear arch of the oak and copper ribs in the main dining room.”
Image credit: André Fu Studio
At the far end of the room is the small private dining room with one wall lined by an abstract collage of semi-circled timber insets and mirrors, and the other opening dramatically outwards to an aerial view of IM Pei’s Gateway Towers.
For Fu, The Cellar is an unusual project born out of the need to create more space for an existing restaurant whilst infusing it with a distinct personality that, from a design perspective, also reads holistically.
Panel discussion: telling biophilic design narratives through textiles
London Design Week 2022 saw the launch of new brands and collections by Zimmer + Rohde. To celebrate the event, and new patterns, Editor Hamish Kilburn hosted an exclusive panel discussion with leading interior designers in the showroom for a hands-on conversation on all things textile…
Fabrics and textiles showcase trends in a very direct and tactile way. With this in mind, Hotel Designs in association with Zimmer + Rohde, used the opportunity of London Design Week’s live action to take a closer look at the weft, weaves, colours and patterns on show, and to discuss, with a panel of leading interior designers, how fabrics can be used to introduce notes of nature and biophilic design into our interior spaces.
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
On the panel, in front of an exclusive audience at the Zimmer + Rohde showroom in Design Centre Chelsea Harbour were: Marie Soliman, Co-founder, Bergman Design House; Fiona Thompson, Principal, Richmond International; Jeremy Grove, Founder, Sibley Grove; Alan McVitty, Founder, M Studio London; Stefan Gabel, Creative Director, Zimmer + Rohde.
Stefan Gabel, Creative Director at Zimmer + Rohde, started the conversation, chaired by Editor Hamish Kilburn, by introducing the SS22 collections and brands that became the catalyst of the discussion, debate and deep exploration of biophilic design in fabric.
Questions of sustainability and connection to nature were clear throughout, from inspiration right through to the detailed design process. Focussing on the new Sketchbook Collection from Zimmer + Rohde, Coup de Soleil by Etamine and Garden Club by Travers, Gabel identified the touchpoints of each brand.“Talking about the influence of nature today, these new fabrics all explore nature in unique ways,” he said. “The Coup de Soleil collection by Etamine focusses on natural materials, such as linen and recycled wool addressing questions of sustainability throughout. The signature flower prints and designs are a part of this and reflect nature more directly, while for the plains it is about sourcing organic and locally produced fabrics.
“Garden Club by Travers connects us to a more cultivated nature, with its combination of warm colours and handcrafted production.” The presentation ended with the Sketchbook collection, which as described by Gabel, is all about “crafted design, intuitive working and the imperfection of the sketch, the handmade.”
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Kilburn continued the discussion by explaining how fabrics can be a vehicle – a design tool – to take biophilic design beyond surface decoration and to dig deeper into the textures and colours of nature. “It can also be an opportunity to look more closely into questions around sustainability,” he said. “Discussing biophilic design should be about connecting all these points, while understanding that there is more than one method to make a connection or reference with nature and the natural world.”
With this in mind, the panel of designers were asked how fabrics can be used to deepen a design narrative and make that connection to the outdoors and nature. Responding to this question and kicking off the debate, Alan Mcvitty, Founder, M Studio London, discussed the role of fabrics and nature in the design process. “Fabrics form a large part of what we do in any interior, and it’s not uncommon for a scheme to be inspired by a particular fabric design,” he explained. “Within our designs, nature is usually a great source of inspiration.”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Interior designers have a range of design tools that they access – whether it be colour, pattern, lighting or materials. Some may emphasise texture over colour, while for others, colour saturation is the signature. The process is, to an extent subjective. But what is clear is that through using fabric meaningfully, designers can authentically compliment, and add layers, to the overall design scheme. This gives emphasis to the feeling that they are trying to evoke. “Ultimately design is about what makes people feel good in a space and there is a whole range of tools designers use to do that,” said Fiona Thompson, Principal, Richmond International. “But fabric, texture and textiles are definitely key to creating an authentic biophilic design narrative.”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Biophilic design is not something new – it has always been around in some shape or form and is something that has been an innate part of the design process long before it was a box to tick. However, it is undisputedly a design concept that is coming back into design briefs. The connection between nature and wellness is more widely understood as an essential component to how we respond to our environment. It is a concept that is most visible in textiles.
When looking at how to introduce biophilic notes and layers to interiors, the question was raised: is biophilic design about the end effect. Or do we need to look at how something is made to answer the question of whether the materials contribute to the biophilic concept? “We work on a concept of ‘holistic beauty’ in design,” explained Jeremy Grove, Founder, Sibley Grove. “Which means that a fabric is only beautiful if all aspects – from inspiration through to production through to final product – are ‘beautiful’ with the planet’s best interests at heart.”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
These questions bring to the surface the issue of sustainability. What was clear from the discussion around the new collections, was a common thread that addressed concerns around conscious design. “Nature is not the only inspiration driving these innovations,” added Gabel. “Materials are just as important in this discussion, as is the production process,”
In the SS22 collections from the brands that are under Zimmer + Rohde, production and provenance is made clear. From the use of organic linen to distances covered by the different elements of production; everything has been considered. These conversations are happening more between supplier and designer, which in turn sparks the discussions between designer and client. “There is a mindshift across the board when it comes to questions of sustainability,” added McVitty. “As designers, it is important that we play our part in terms of the materials we specify and in the conversations we have with suppliers when looking for products that will benefit the planet as a whole”
Image credit: Zimmer+Rohde
Longevity is another aspect of sustainable design. In this continuous loop of new designs and trends, re-imagining and refurbishment are an important part of interior design for the Hospitality sector. Using fabrics to refresh an interior space, can be the most cost-effective and least damaging way of creating a whole new look while maintaining the existing elements of the design. While the fabric may have a shorter design life, they can enable a designer to extend the relevance of a design. Longevity, circularity, these are all elements of the same sustainable conversation. “Looking at sustainability in the context of longevity can be difficult when it comes to fabrics” said Grove.” Replacing the fabrics is often an intrinsic part of how we work, as it can significantly increase the longevity of a project.”
Picking up on design trends and the idea of fabric as art outside the frame, like art, fabric design is subjective. While some designers have a signature palette, others might be more comfortable with pattern and texture. What seems to be key when looking at new fabric collections and trends is that there is in fact no hard and fast rule. Colour and pattern in hotel design is possibly a bit stronger now than it was a few years ago. Design in the hospitality arena has moved away from brand identity to individuality and personality. It is now about immersion and telling a story, and fabric has a vital role to play in that process and is one of the most visual contributions to that narrative. “People respond to how a design makes them feel not about what they see,” confirmed Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House. “Fabric is not always just part of the design, sometimes it can be the design, full stop.”
How you then use fabric to introduce nature in a design scheme will depend on where you are and what that nature is. From a desert to rainforest, there are many different nuances and textures that make introducing nature and biophilic design an open-ended palette. Nature can be invigorating, or it can be all about a spa-like serenity. It can be harsh; it can be comforting. All these different elements reference nature in opposing ways, and fabric is consistently an integral tool in any designer’s repertoire to strengthen these references. “Clients are looking for a design that is representative of where a project is based, its location, its climate,” said Thompson. “Whether colourful or neutral, fabrics contribute to that story.”
“A new collection needs to be able to surprise with new looks and new materials, even when inspiration has been taken from the past.” – Stefan Gabel, Creative Director, Zimmer + Rohde.
Ending the discussion on a forward-looking note, Kilburn asked Gabel to give us his insight on upcoming trends and inspirations in the textile world. “Right now, there is a lot of focus on rustic materials and textures, weaves and artisanal crafts,” he said. “Moving forward, it feels like there might be a shift back to shinier, perhaps more glamourous, surfaces such as taffeta, for example. But within that, a new collection needs to be able to surprise with new looks and new materials, even when inspiration has been taken from the past.”
While we immerse ourselves in the textures and colours available to us today, there is a wonderful sense of anticipation waiting to see what tomorrow’s points of inspiration are going to be – and indeed where they will emerge from. With conversations around sustainability and biophilic design getting louder, it will be interesting to see how these feed into new fabric collections and then design more broadly.
Zimmer + Rohde 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.
noa* – network of architecture – has transformed an ancient barrell-vaulted workshop in Bolzano, Italy, into a bistro named Bogen, which is poised between historical heritage and contemporary finesse…
Bolzano’s mercantile past echoes through the arcades of Via Portici,the city’s main axis, which has been a trading hub for Italian and German speaking merchants since the 13th century. Located in this ancient neighbourhood, with a winding external staircase and round-arched portals is the house that is the backdrop for noa*’s latest interior design project, Bogen.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
“The house has a fascinating past that goes back centuries and overflows with life and variety,” said Stefan Rier, noa* Founder and Lead Architect of the project. “With our intervention, we wanted Bolzano’s mercantile history to emerge clearly from these walls.”
The strong relationship with history was crucial in the definition of the project, both because the house is under monumental protection and because the design team wanted to emphasise to the fullest the original architecture of the arches to which the bistro itself pays homage, with the name ‘Bogen’ being German for arch.
On the exterior façade, the intervention consisted of a careful re-plastering in smoky white and an enlargement of the entrance arch. Here, a new tripartite black metal window follows the segmental arch and allows good natural lighting while providing an essential and timeless design.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
For the interior, the underlying idea was to emphasise the four arches, which on both sides rhythmically mark the almost 19-metre depth of the room. To do so the designers worked on both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. In the first case, the existing internal height difference was resolved with an oak platform at the entrance, while a grey-beige polished screed was chosen for the floor. In this way, there is no strong colour contrast with the walls, and the harmony of the shades enhances the whole space. On the other hand, the team has designed the lighting so that the spotlights gently emphasise the curves of the arches. Except for the two tables at the end of the room, there are no pendant lights, and any additional lighting is provided by floor lamps.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
The design brief from the client was to create a romantic bohemian atmosphere which included some personal touches from the owner in the form of signature floral compositions and installations. noa * took up these ideas and structured the design around a pivotal element; a welcoming seven-metre-long counter placed under a ceiling of flower baskets.
“The flower vault immediately became the highlight of the interior design,” explained Silvia Marzani, an interior designer at noa*. “The upturned baskets filled with dried flowers are a suggestive image that symbolises the transience but at the same time the beauty of life.”
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
The long table as a convivial and informal solution is a recurrent motif for noa*, and in this design, the counter is also a worktop on the right side, without any stools and housing technical and functional elements required in the space. Another interesting detail making this piece of furniture unique, is that each of the six legs are different, suggesting an improvised table that a family might have made for itself. A mirror covers the central base, making it disappear into the room. The top is a slab of Nacarado stone, chosen for its distinct veining and warm colour. Above the table, the owners personal creation of the large floral statement composition seems to quite literally pour from the ceiling.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
The shared space of the large counter contrasts with the intimacy of the small tables on the left side of the bistro, sheltered by the arches and overlooking the alley. The feeling of privacy is further accentuated in the first pair of arches, with seating built into the recesses and walls covered in fabric with an elegant floral print. The niche closing off the room is also designed in the same way. In a constant dialogue between past and present, noa* chose to alternate new seats in wood and fabric with newly lacquered vintage chairs.
Image credit: noa* / Alex Filz
“We took care of every detail in this project and managed to create a consistent design with a strong contemporary character within a centuries-old structure,” added Marzani. “A step into Bolzano’s present and past at the same time.”
On a practical level, there are two service areas: the kitchen, which has been completely renovated and is located at the end of the room, and the toilets. These have been accommodated in a box, clad with perforated metal panels, on which the same floral motif of the arches has been printed. In this way the design combines the technical requirements of acoustics with the overall aesthetics.
Arte drops collection that will fire the imagination
This spring Arte is expanding its wallcovering collection Décors & Panoramiques with a collection of designs that will immerse the viewer in a series of enticing stories and intriguing fairy-tales…
The new designs in the Arte Décors & Panoramiques collection will transport you both geographically and imaginatively. With wallcoverings referencing locations from Tibet to Italy to the fiery lines of a Brazilian dance you can travel the world in seven designs. Alternatively, you can go on a journey of the imagination as mysterious fairy-like figures invite you into the panorama. The strength of these designs is not only in the surface patterns, but also in the materials that have been used, which include velvety soft silks, textured boucle fabrics and sophisticated linen effects.
Image credit: Arte
The hand-painted scenes of the ‘Panoramiques’ portfolio are all works-of-art made up of several panels that together form one panoramic whole. The designs in the ‘Décors’ part of the collection are lavish images that make a statement on the wall. All of these eye-catching designs are available by the linear metre, making it easy to apply and use in any room.
Image credit: Arte
Secret Silhouettes sets a dreamy scene, printed on a soft chenille. The effect is more like a painting than a wallcovering and the landscape appeals to the imagination. Mysterious feminine silhouettes turn around to look at the viewer while at the same time invite the viewer into the landscape.
Valle de Vińales is a colonially inspired landscape, based on an etching. The two-tone pattern uses thick jute and a fil-fil technique in which the fibres used are clearly visible. The vertical lines create a lifting effect on the wall. In a more colourful offering, Toile de Tibet features a colourful agricultural scene from the hillsides of Tibet, in which strength and craftsmanship combine to create purity and authenticity. This hand-painted decor is printed on horizontally woven paper look strips, creating a weathered effect.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Based on a colourful, tropical drawing with a vertical fil-a-fil technique, Flor Imaginaria is inspired by the Chinese lantern plant (Physalis). The pattern and use of colour are influenced by the technique and design of African wax fabrics and prints.
Mont Royal is a décor panel that conjures up an abstract forest on the wall. The tree trunks form straight vertical lines that contrast beautifully with the rounded shapes of the crowns. This tactile fairytale scene with a playful touch is made of soft velour.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Meanwhile, Terra Tropicana is an exuberant wallcovering which will immerse you in the rhythm of a fiery Brazilian dance. Demonstrating versatility, movement and a bond with nature, the soft sheen enhances the rhythmic feeling. The tropical decor has a visible paper structure which gives it a vintage touch.
Continuing the journey, Città di Castello is a light-hearted composition of a view of the Italian city of Città di Castello.The striking interplay of lines and colour palette create a three-dimensional effect. This design is finished in a soft textile fabric with a chenille look.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
The Décors & Panoramiques collection created by the Arte in-house designers continues the bold statement design tradition that has become the brand trademark. While championing innovative design, the company is also ensuring that it is on track with environmental concerns and is a certified CO2-neutral company.
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 2022
From transformed ranches in Napa Valley to cliff-hanging hotels on the Amalfi Coast, and properties setting new standards in hotel and hospitality, the hotels opening in April are to be ignored at your peril. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Welcome to spring, a time for rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth – and we are all about fresh starts given the current state of affairs. With each hotel opening, there is the opportunity for travel trends to emerge. From the research we have undertaken here on the editorial desk, despite the rise of technology, all trends are leading towards human-centric design and hospitality.
According to Forbes, there will be 77 hotels opening this season. In April alone, which feels like a turning point for the travel industry on a global scale, we have identified just a handful of the hotels that we believe will be making the most noise on the travel and hotel scene.
Umiltà 36 – Rome, Italy
Image credit: Umiltà 36
Set in the heart of Rome, the Umiltà 36 features just 29 guestrooms and suites and 18 apartments, which are all inspired by luxurious residences of the ’50s with an accent on architecture and design. Monumental marble staircase and opulent wide wooden doors compass the modern motives rooms and public spaces. Architecture and design curated by Caberlon Caroppi stands out for the atmosphere, enhanced with elegant tones of blue and graceful high ceilings. In addition to the hotel sheltering a contemporary retrò design, inspired by the Golden Age, it is equally rooted in the principles of edited simplicity, freshness and cultured refinement, creating a tailored and understated timelessness.
Stanly Ranch – Napa California, USA
Image credit: Auberge Resorts
Setting the scene in the Southern Napa Valley region, in an original working ranch, Stanly Ranch is set in more than 700 acres of vineyards and farmland. The hotel is driven by active and bold experiences while also making nods to the property’s past.
Designed to bring the outside in and to celebrate agrarian home life, the resort has been created with the comfort of home in mind. The resort features lounge seating areas, fire pits and outdoor showers, which make the 78 standalone cottages and suites feel intimate and personal.
The Standard Ibiza, Spain
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
Fronting the island’s main plaza, Vara de Rey, and only a stone’s throw away from the marina, The Standard Ibiza will be a year-round adult playground. Embracing what The Standard loves about the island’s bohemian history, the hotel is set in a stark-white building that forms the backdrop for a bright, eclectic décor and lush landscaping throughout the property. The hotel was originally conceived by acclaimed Spanish creator Lázaro Rosa-Violán, with interiors designed by The Standard’s in-house design team with participation from Oskar Kohnen. The design celebrates the resurgence of the energy that originally attracted so many to Ibiza and the rejuvenation of Flower Power with a chic new 60’s vibe that only The Standard can create, but all can enjoy, simple, yet immersive.
Borgo Santandrea, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Image credit: Borgo Santandrea
Image credit: Borgo Santandrea
Dangled on a cliff edge (90 metres above the sea), Borgo Santandrea is the first major hotel opening in the Amalfi Coast since 2005, if our numbers are correct. And it doesn’t disappoint, with a uniquely personal, chic and inviting design scheme that feels distinctly residential. Overlooking historic fishing village of Conca dei Marini, the boutique hotel, which actually completed last year but due to the pandemic has waited until now for its anticipated grand opening, is the ‘passion project’ of two Italian families, drawing on several generations of hospitality experience.
The design has been curated to celebrate local artistry and craftsmanship of Italy’s Campania region. White Italian marble was selected from Puglia, Veneto and Tuscany for the interiors, along with artisanal details such as hand-blown Venetian glass lamps. No less than six Italian furniture manufacturers were specified throughout the hotel. A blue and white colour scheme is evident throughout the property, alongside 31 different types of geometric handmade and hand-painted tiles, which are inspired by regional traditions.
The Georgian, Coppa Club, England
Image credit: The Georgian, Coppa Club
Stirring up the Surrey hospitality scene in England, The Georgian, Coppa Club has been designed to cleverly reflect the building’s history and architectural element, whilst setting news trends in the leafy streets of Haslemere, near the idyllic Surrey Hills.
Interior design is the heart of the 13-key boutique property. Expect Georgian-inspired patterned floor and strong deep green of the Georgian panelling in the Entrance Bar, ‘Bonbon’ lanterns in the restaurant that create an atmospheric glow, a snug with terracotta floor tiles and panelling to match and an encaustic tiled fireplace in the cosy Bar Lounge.
YOTEL London Shoreditch, England
Image credit: YOTEL
Putting a clean emphasis on British development, YOTEL is opening its fifth hotel in the UK this April. The 161-key hotel, conveniently located in the heart of vibrant East London, on Cambridge Heath Road, already incorporates some of YOTEL’s minimalistic design features and facilities. As part of the conversion, the property will receive a light refurbishment to incorporate YOTEL’s signature design and technology features. Guests will be able to check-in in under a minute on self-service stations at Mission Control and will be able to use their mobile devices as SmartKeys.
Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain, Paris, France
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Set across three traditional buildings, and brought to life by interior designer Didier Benderli, Pavillon Faubourg Sain-Germain is the latest opening from boutique group, Chevalier Paris, featuring just 47 individually appointed guestrooms and suites.
Interior designer Didier Benderli has reimagined the hotel with a contemporary flare that remains true to the quirks of the historic buildings. Each room features a unique design that complements the contemporary and sophisticated style of the spa, restaurant and public spaces. Solid oak herringbone parquet flooring creates a timeless aesthetic, while discretion and efficiency are prioritised with details such as in-room televisions concealed by decorative mirrors.
Mpala Jena Camp, Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe
Image credit: Great Plains
Mpala Jena Camp, Great Plains’ latest property that sits within the Zambezi National Park near Victoria Falls, is an intimate safari camp positioned along the beautiful tree-lined banks of the mighty Zambezi River. A haven that epitomises barefoot luxury in its most refined form, the architecture team of Craig Hayman and Hannah Charlton, with the assistance of interior designer Tracy Kelly combined the elements of the pristine location by using thatched roofs in the main areas and flowing canvas luxury tents for the bedrooms.
The camp is, by design, sensitive to the environment of the Zambezi National Park. This is achieved by using canvas and local thatch in its construction and ensuring all the camp’s electricity needs come from its solar farm.
Hotel La Tour, Milton Keynes, England
Image credit: Hotel La Tour
Hotel La Tour is finally gearing up to opening its doors. Conveniently located in the heart of Milton Keynes Central, the impressive mirror steel clad property, designed by PHP Architects, will feature 261 guestrooms, more than 1,000 square metres of flexible events space, a gym and a 14th floor restaurant and sky bar offering the highest viewpoint in the county. Hotel La Tour Milton Keynes will also boast a glass lift providing a unique visual experience of Campbell Park and beyond, as guests travel to the top floor. A 30m high, LED-lit stainless steel sun design circle, created to align with the sun on the longest day of the year, will dominate the east-facing façade whilst a large sculpture, entitled Cycloidal Form by the artist Keith McCarter, will be placed adjacent to the canopy entrance.
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LXR Hotels & Resorts, a collection of independent luxury properties by Hilton, has announced the signing for a breathtaking new resort which includes a signature island golf course on the private Al Nawras Island in Abu Dhabi…
LXR Hotels & Resorts is a collection of independent luxury properties within the Hilton portfolio, with each representing a unique location and offering a singular travel experience native to its place, history and tradition. Slated to open in 2023, Al Nawras Island will mark the brand’s entry into the UAE capital. Perfectly situated in one of Abu Dhabi’s most recreational yet tranquil areas and designed with elements inspired by the destination, the resort will offer an exclusive escape on a private, secluded island, while still providing seamless access for those who wish to explore the vibrant city and its cultural experiences.
The resort will shelter 80 elegantly designed beach and water villas as well as a 450 square-meter, two-bedroom Royal Villa, all surrounded by a state-of-the-art golf course. The property will also feature an array of exciting culinary offerings. From two signature restaurants embracing the stunning environment with al fresco dining areas, to two additional bars and a wellness-inspired café.
“We’re delighted to be bringing LXR Hotels & Resorts to Abu Dhabi with Al Nawras Island,” said Carlos Khneisser, vice president, development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “The UAE’s burgeoning capital has established itself as a global hub in recent years and has seen incredible development in terms of hospitality, sports and tourism. I believe Al Nawras Island will complement Abu Dhabi’s luxury hotel landscape perfectly and we look forward to guests experiencing this unique property.”
Al Nawras Island will place a strong emphasis on exploration, expression, and wellbeing. Among the property’s leisure and recreational facilities are an upscale gym, fitness studio, and three stunning swimming pools — one indoor and two outdoor, as well as tennis and paddle courts, a private marina, exclusive beach club, and elaborate spa. Additionally, children will have access to an engaging playground, dedicated swimming pool, splash pad and kid’s club.
“Abu Dhabi is a renowned luxury destination where visitors and local residents alike seek out exceptional moments and personalised service,” said Feisal Jaffer, global head, LXR Hotels & Resorts. “That’s precisely what our guests will experience at Al Nawras Island — a truly bespoke and exemplary resort, and one that we are proud to add to the growing global LXR collection.”
Al Nawras Island joins three LXR Hotels & Resorts properties already operating in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, as well as the recently announced Wadi Hanifah, LXR Hotels & Resorts at Diriyah Gate, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With interiors designed by Sundukovy Sisters S+S, Accor is transforming a well-known city landmark into The Emporium Plovdiv MGallery – a boutique hotel, which embraces the history of the building while inviting guests to be part of a more contemporary story…
The MGallery Hotel Collection by Accor selects and curates unique properties around the world to form a collection of boutique hotels, each with its own story and immersing guests in the history and culture of the location. The Emporium Plovdiv – MGallery is located in the centre of the city, within walking distance of the sights and sounds which made Plovdiv Europe’s cultural capital of 2019. With interiors designed by Sundukovy Sisters S+S, one of the fastest growing and creative architectural studios in the hospitality industry and winners of Designers of the year 2018 title awarded by The Gold Key Awards, New York. The main goal was to preserve the building of the former department store – Evmolpia – a well-known landmark in Plovdiv city, by reviving the original features of the building and incorporating them into the hotel design and celebrating the local heritage.
Image credit: Accor
The hotel shelters 61 contemporary guestrooms including 12 suites, all of which offer the trademark variety of facilities and amenities to create a truly luxurious experience which is part of the MGallery brand. Celebrating the history of the location hasn’t stopped the brand from introducing innovative technologies to enhance the hotel experience for guests with its Smart Rooms concept. The Emporium’s smart rooms have a number of luxurious features that allow guests to manage individual scenarios according to their mood, by adjusting the light to set the ambience, open and close the curtains and control the audio-visual functions.
Image credit: Accor
Image credit: Accor
On the F&B front, both international travellers and local guests are invited to enjoy the only Moët & Chandon Champagne & Cocktail Bar in the country. There will also be a gourmet restaurant, Torro Premio where the focus is on blending the best local products and craft to deliver unparalleled interpretation of modern Bulgarian cuisine. Torro Grande, the trendiest restaurant and sushi bar in the city, will delight the senses of those who seek a vibrant setting for socializing.
Image credit: Accor
The spirit of luxury and indulgence is extended into the wellness offerings of this brand new MGallery hotel with both relaxationand fitness zones in place, helping guests keep the body and soul in balance. Extending the brand ethos to create captivating stories and make memorable moments last, The Emporium Plovdiv has trusted the exclusive French Shams Conseils Paris company to develop a tailor-made signature scent inspired by the destination. The hotel will also be the first property in the chain offering the luxury cosmetic amenities of the iconic French line Fragonard, a brand founded in 1926.
Image credit: Accor
With more than 100 properties now under the MGallery umbrella, each tells a unique story inspired by its own remarkable past or the destination it calls home. From bespoke design and sensorial mixology to well-being dedicated to everyday self-care, MGallery hotels focus on the travel experience.
Opening this week: a new boutique hotel by Chevalier Paris
Inspired by notable guests from the past and the vibrant Left Bank culture of the present, interior designer Didier Benderli offers a contemporary take on the quintessential Parisian experience at the new Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain…
Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain is situated in the central neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in the seventh arrondissement of the city’s vibrant and creative Left Bank. Primely positioned, the picturesque café-lined streets that surround the hotel were once the meeting places and inspiration for some of the world’s most cherished artistic and literary greats, including Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus and even Pablo Picasso.
Set across three traditional buildings and brought to life by interior designer Didier Benderli, the hotel is the latest opening from boutique group, Chevalier Paris, and features 47 individually appointed guestrooms and suites, a tranquil spa, a bar and new restaurant, Les Parisiens, by award-winning chef Thibault Sombardier.
Interior designer Didier Benderli has reimagined the hotel with a contemporary flare that remains true to the quirks of the historic buildings. Each room features a unique design that complements the contemporary and sophisticated style of the spa, restaurant and public spaces. Solid oak herringbone parquet flooring creates a timeless aesthetic, while discretion and efficiency are prioritised with details such as in-room televisions concealed by decorative mirrors. Guests will find their gaze directed toward the traditional style windows, which provide views over the Parisian rooftops for a real sense of immersion in the vibrant locale. En-suite bathrooms are tucked behind sliding wooden doors, with terrazzo flooring and marble wall panels decorated with geometric art-deco detailing to compliment the wood and brass fittings.
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
At the new restaurant, curved finishes combine with wooden accents to provide a warm and intimate feel, with leather and velvet benches, quartzite tables and expansive mirrors that reflect the liquid gold of the lacquered canvases adorning the walls. At The Bar, luxury and comfort are combined with plush sofas and armchairs in midnight blue and powder pink velvet, which contrast a bold bronze carpet. At the hotel’s centre, The Library acts as a passage to the various communal areas, with cosy nooks offering a secluded space for reading, relaxation and quiet contemplation. The walls and ceilings are wood panelled, thick rugs muffle footsteps and shelves are lined with immaculate copies of Gallimard foreign literature.
Set to make waves on Paris’ diverse culinary scene, the hotel’s signature restaurant, Les Parisiens, serves refined and original cuisine created by Chef Thibault Sombardier, inspired by the flavours of his childhood spent growing up between Burgundy and Beaujolais. Widely considered one of the city’s most exciting and diverse chefs, the restaurant marks a new chapter for Sombardier, who previously worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Antoine and won second place competing against the country’s finest culinary talent in the 2014 series of Top Chef. Menus expertly combine haute cuisine with a less inhibited style of cooking, showcasing a passion for locally sourced seasonal produce.
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Amongst the neighbourhood’s esteemed visitors, Irish novelist James Joyce finished his seminal novel, Ulysses, while staying on the site of the new hotel over a century ago. Adjacent to the restaurant, the James Joyce Bar honours the iconic writer with a collection of signature cocktails inspired by his works and the heritage of the area. ‘Bloom Like a Geisha’ – a concoction of Sakura passionflower-infused rum, yuzu and vanilla – is named after Ulysses’ protagonist, Leopold Bloom, while ‘Suspended Garden’ is a nod to the Pont des Arts, which was originally conceived as a hanging garden, composed of gin, lemon yellow arugula shrub salt and grelot onion. In keeping with the lively neighbourhood scene, the bar is open throughout the day and into the night, spilling out onto the street-side terrace with a menu of fine wines, draft beer and small bites.
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
Image credit: Pavilon Faubourg Saint-Germain
A wellness offering within the hotel comes in the form of the tranquil Spa des Prés, a zen and uncluttered space designed by Benderli to aid relaxation and the restoration of mind, body and soul. The spa features a meditation room, hammam, plunge pool with water jets, fitness room and two massage cabins, where an enticing menu of treatments includes the Couture Facial, a bespoke treatment for the face and décolleté which responds to the unique needs of the skin and ends with a calming scalp massage, and the Shopping Break treatment, combining a stimulating massage with foot reflexology to eliminate fatigue. The menu has been developed in partnership with CODAGE Paris and utilises the cosmetology brand’s diverse product range to ensure that treatments are fully tailored to match the unique needs of different skin types.
Dating back to 1642, the buildings which house Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain were originally built for Sieur Jean Tambonneau, the President of the Chambre des Comptes, and have since hosted a number of notable guests – in addition to James Joyce, who’s influence is clear throughout the hotel from the bar to the spacious James Joyce suite, the writer T.S Eliot also resided on the site in 1910. Following a complete refurbishment, the hotel remains true to its past and pays homage to the stories that have unfolded within its walls.
Main image credit: Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain
5 minutes with: Bertrand Lejoly, designer of Duravit D-Neo range
With two accolades from the prestigious German Design Award under his designer belt, we asked Bertrand Lejoly a few questions about the design process, D-Neo, and Duravit…
Having been Head of Product Design with the Belgian architecture studio Vincent Van Duysen, Bertrand Lejoly then started his own design studio in Antwerp in 2018.
Since then, he has been working with major brands on furniture, lighting, sanitary and tableware products. His collaboration with Duravit resulted in the D-Neo, designed as a complete bathroom range. Its excellent quality and intelligent design combined with an attractive entry-level price, has ensured both design recognition and commercial success. D-Neo has been created to outlast short-lived trends and was designed as the perfect companion for every day, every lifestyle, and every facet of life.
Image credit: Duravit
Hotel Designs: Starting with the awards, as the the holder of two certificates from the German Design Award 2022 for outstanding design – with an award as ‘winner’ for the D-Neo faucets along with a ‘special mention’ for the series as a whole, how does that feel?
BL: The awards are, of course, a huge honour for me. The German Design Award is one of our industry’s most important accolades. It’s not just recognition of the work we’ve already done, but even more so it’s an enormous motivation for me for the future.
HD: Design prizes are one thing, economic success and sales figures are something else. D-Neo has become an international bestseller within the Duravit range. Did you expect that a year ago?
BL: I have in fact received an overwhelming response to the collection from all sides. That makes me very proud. It’s really important to me to express a huge thank you and pass on my compliments to the Duravit team. Their great passion and drive have enabled the original idea to be realised as a successful series. This experience has really impressed me.
Image credit: Duravit
HD: What does this success mean for you personally and for your young design studio, for instance in terms of your profile?
BL: We are currently working on exciting new orders in the fields of furniture, outdoor, lighting, and tableware. The launch and success with the wide-ranging publicity around D-Neo have really helped draw attention to our design studio. That spurs us on and gives us an even greater impetus for the future.
HD: How can we envisage the design process in general terms? What are the key stages from the briefing through to finished series?
BL: What’s important for me is that both sides understand each other from the outset. That the client clearly identifies and communicates what they need and that the designer understands this briefing accordingly so they can interpret it for optimum results. Such collaborations usually last several years with many stages and key decisions, so the chemistry simply must be right.
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.
With the architectural restoration led by architects WOA, Gatsby Athens recently opened its well-designed doors in downtown Athens, bringing with it an elegant balance between old and new with a few surprises thrown into the mix…
Designed to convey a sense of timelessness rather than a decade-defining aesthetic, the hotel evokes the glamour of mid-1930 Athens, creating a fine balance between old and new. The architectural design by WOA is simple, elegant and eco-friendly, rooted in the emotional connection between people and buildings with a fundamental urge to create something truly unique.
Image Credit: Gatsby Athens
With the interiors designed by Michaelis Boyd, the hotel’s public spaces feature unique entertaining and social spaces to suit every mood, and offer an array of dining possibilities. Setting its sights on being Athens’s premium gathering place, the all-day restaurant is the main social hub of the hotel, while the rooftop garden offers a casual-cool vibe, welcoming hotel residents and guests to dine with stunning panoramic views and a glimpse of the Acropolis. Here, every aspect of an urban hotel has been re-imagined for the needs and desires of a new generation, and every thought given to enhancing a guest’s stay, for the best possible Athenian experience.
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
Celebrating culinary innovation and creative design, Gatsby Restaurant serves an all-day sharing style brunch menu and afternoon tea, urging guests to relax throughout the day. The Gatsby Bar, reminiscent of the Jazz Age which runs through the design, serves welcome caffeine and superfood-filled juices for those self-medicating sore heads. Cloud 9 on the roof has been created as the perfect place to enjoy the hotel’s signature Artemis Negroni. All F&B spaces make use of the freshest local produce that Greece has to offer.
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
In addition to the vibrant social and dining areas, the purity and simplicity of the guest rooms at Gatsby feel especially suited to Athens. All 33 guestrooms and suites have an art deco design, with signature pastel pink headboards, diamond tiled showers, golden wardrobes, velvet corner sofas, balconies and even a ‘surprise’ button for those who dare to press…
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
Image credit: Gatsby Athens
By understanding that a hotel is more than just a place to sleep, that it is a social hub, a meeting place, a site for relaxation, reflection, and hard-earned leisure time, Gatsby Athens has incorporated all of this into the design. All rooms provide state of the art technology, smart TVs or tablets, Alexa devices, king size beds, walk-in showers, in-room bathtubs, luxury natural linen along with artworks by both local and international artists. The Gatsby Party Suite is there for the more socially inclined who like late night revelry, while for those needing to recover, there is a 24-hour detox GYM with the latest fitness equipment.
Leaflike takes the lead with biophilic design initiatives
Not content with simply supplying the greenery to enhance biophilic inspired interiors, Leaflike has been digging deeper into sustainability and biophilic design on every level of their business to make sure that going green goes beyond the leaves and the mosses, but is integral to the makeup of the company from production to the pots to the final products…
At Leaflike it is all about keeping the balance between design and sustainability while taking the client on a journey from concept to reality, ensuring that every element of the brief is matched perfectly by design. Materials, colour, senses and wellness all play their part in bringing the project to life. The interior landscape experience with Leaflike starts with a site visit and samples and moves through to a final design concept illustrating the process and products which will enhance the space. Each plant and concept element are carefully selected to ensure the final creativity and design fit the brief.
“We believe you can have both creative design and sustainability, that complements the interior of your venue,” said Brandon Abernethie, Head of Design, Leaflike. “A key area of biophilic design includes planters and this is why we want to showcase the options available to customers, helping them get what they need from the concept, ultimately making biophilic design sustainable.”
Image credit: Leaflike
While the plants might be the heroes, the pots have been getting some Leaflike attention as well. Made from recycled plastics, repurposed goods and natural waste, the Leaflike range of sustainable planters are available to suit all spaces. Whether they are biodegradable, created with green energy or support the circular economy, there is a positive option for every space and design. Some of the planters have been made from products that have already served their purpose in life, such as old car bumpers, phones, keyboards, computers and vacuum cleaners, while others are made from natural waste like coconuts or dried banana leaves. Other interesting and innovative materials such as eco-friendly forest residue which includes dry leave, twigs and bark, and are biodegradable and recyclable, are also part of this range.
As part of the brands commitment to sustainable design, customers are encouraged to purchase sustainable products first. Building on this initiative, whether its live planting, preserved moss or a herb garden, Leaflike are committed to plant a tree for every sustainable element in your order. Several initiatives have been integrated at all levels to ensure that decisive steps are being made in the direction of becoming a carbon neutral company. One of these is the partnership with a project which plants mangroves, an effective and economic method of offsetting carbon emissions. Each mangrove tree removes approximately 0.3 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere over its growth life of approximately 25 years. To facilitate this process, Leaflike has partnered with ECOVADIS and have signed up to World Land Trust scheme, as all aspects of the business are factored in, from miles travelled to deliver services, to the production process of the plants and pots.
“We are excited and optimistic about what this means for our customers in terms of their sustainable journeys. We hope to be able to help them wherever we can and this is just the start,” said Steve Abernethie, Managing Director, Leaflike. “Our goal is to remain the hospitality specialist for biophilic design. It’s our commitment and responsibility to provide the best advice for the products. We are pleased to share our progress towards becoming a carbon neutral company.”
It is exciting to see a company and brand like Leaflike stepping up to the issue of sustainability and then integrating it into the structure of the company, the design process and final product. The impact on the environment is considered at every step, with the end result being a green and biophilic display that is giving back on every level from the delivery, to the pot, to the moss on the wall.
Since you’re here, why not listen to our latest podcast on sustainability in design, with Rachel Hoolahan, Sustainability Co-ordinator, Orms? See below:
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.
Case study: a nod to art deco inside The Shanghai EDITION bathrooms
Sleek lines, minimalist monochrome and a distinct nod to art deco elegance are sheltered inside the bathrooms of the Shanghai EDITION…
Bathroom brand Kohler was specified for the minimalist, monochrome bathrooms inside the stunning Shanghai EDITION hotel, which offers boutique sophistication at the intersection of Shanghai’s historic past and its energetic future.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
A new era of laidback luxury adorns each of the 145 guestrooms and this is punctuated in the warm and elegant bathrooms. Featuring floor to ceiling windows with views across Shanghai and the Bund from Kohler’s Evok bathtub, these bathrooms are exceptional masterclasses in understated elegance.
The freestanding Evok bath has been ergonomically designed to support the natural curves and angles of the body to make bathing comfortable and luxurious. The geometric lines and pared back design of Evok create a pared back look with these ergonomic elements masked by clever crafting to create clean, simple lines.
The design and engineering of the Evok bath makes it perfect for hotel use. Made from pure acrylic and aluminium hydroxide which prevents yellowing, it’s not just the style of this tub that will last the test of time.
In addition, the Veil wall hung toilet was chosen for its striking yet sleek seamlessness. Its rimless design means it’s even easier to clean and more hygienic than other products. In classic white, crafted from vitreous china, it’s a durable yet stylish item.
Image credit: Kohler
The luxurious, carrara marble tiling, matte black shower screen edging and smooth lines of the taps and shower fittings, nod to one half of the hotel’s art deco history, completing the overall look.
Kohler was specified by Ian Schrager/ Neri& Hu on behalf of Marriott International. The hotel is one of 11 EDITION properties by Ian Schrager worldwide, this is a brand to watch as it continues to arrive in new territories.
Kohler 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.
Early bird tickets for MEET UP North now available
Catch them while you can… Early bird tickets for MEET UP North, Hotel Designs’ premium networking event which will take place in Manchester on May 19, are now on sale. But hurry as they are only available until April 10…
Development in the north will be the theme for Hotel Designs’ upcoming networking event, MEET UP North, which will take shelter inside Whitworth Locke on May 19.
When: May 19, 2022 Where: Whitworth Locke, Manchester Theme: ‘Development in the North’
Early bird tickets offer all who wish to attend the evening’s event significant discounts, with those who qualify as designers, architects, hoteliers and developers able to secure tickets for just £10 + VAT per person (rate after early bird promotion is £20 + VAT), and suppliers able to purchase tickets for just £99 + VAT per person (rate after early bird promotion is £150 + VAT).
MEET UP North is Hotel Designs’ premium networking event outside of London
MEET UP North will welcome designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers to Manchester on May 19
Ahead of the evening’s party ,which will start at 18:00 (BST), Hotel Designs will film a conversation between leading designers on ‘Design development in the north’, which will ultimately start a discussion about creativity, taking risks and understanding target audience when consciously developing brands and design schemes outside capital cities.
On the panel:
The video of the panel discussion will be published on Hotel Designs after the event so that the content is accessible to all. “Content is something that we pride ourselves on, and our decision to film this panel discussion ahead of the party is so that all of our readers can enjoy the meaningful conversation wherever they are in the world,” said Editor Hamish Kilburn. “It also means that the focus for the evening’s event can be to bridge the gap between designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers through conscious and authentic networking.”
Please note, there are limited tickets available for MEET UP North. Due to the demand for this event – and the venue’s capacity – we anticipate that tickets will sell out. To purchase tickets, click on either the supplier booking form tab or the Buyer booking form tab.*
*If you are a designer, architect, hotelier or developer, you qualify as a ‘buyer’. Anyone else wishing to attend the event will be required to purchase a ‘supplier’ ticket.
Marriott to open its first African safari lodge in 2023
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Baraka Lodges ltd. to enter the safari segment in Africa. JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge is slated to open in 2023…
JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will open as Marriott International’s first safari lodge, which will be located within the Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife conservation and wilderness regions.
Overlooking the famed banks of the River Talek and on the edge of the reserve, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge’s prime location will offer a distinctively elevated camp from which to discover the Masai Mara National Reserve, its stunning vistas, abundant wildlife, and endless plains.
Image credit: Marriott International
Plans for the new-build lodge feature 20 private tents, including one presidential canvas-topped pavilion and two interconnecting canopied suites, ideal for families, each with a private terrace overlooking the river. Shared spaces will include a restaurant, lounge bar, spa, and a large outdoor terrace with fire pits that will play host to traditional Masai dance performances in the evening.The untamed landscape will offer guests the opportunity to observethe ‘Big Five’ that Masai Mara is home to: lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros and elephants. Between June and September, the reserve is also host to the annual great wildebeest migration, when more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.
“As a brand rooted in mindfulness, we cannot think of a more perfect retreat for the mind, body, and soul than the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya,” said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Brand Leader, JW Marriott, Marriott International. “JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will offer guests a luxurious backdrop to make once-in-a-lifetime memories as they connect with nature and wildlife as never before. We are thrilled that the JW Marriott brand will be welcoming adventure travellers, including families, to this breath-taking part of the world.”
“We’re delighted to collaborate with Marriott International to debut this stunning luxury lodge and their first Safari offering in the Masai Mara,” added Mr. Shivan Patel of Baraka Lodges LTD.
Conservation of the land and its inhabitants will be at the heart of JW Marriott Masai Mara. The safari lodge aims to employ up to 50 locals from the Masai community, and will offer robust learning opportunities for guests looking to immersive themselves in the destination.
“The signing of JW Masai Mara Lodge is a milestone in Marriott International’s growth in Africa as the company enters the luxury safari segment,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “This landmark project is in response to travellers’ growing desire for experiential offerings that enable them to build a deeper connection with their chosen destination. JW Marriott encourages guests to be mindful and present, which perfectly lends itself to meaningful safari holidays.”
A nod to the captivating surroundings, guests can expect an authentic sense of place through artful design and architecture. Sophisticated, interiors will be led by Kristina Zanic. The location and surrounding landscape will be reflected at every turn, creating harmony with the natural world and drawing inspiration from the elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Warm touches of neutrals and natural materials, will lend to a warm ambience, while an earthy tone colour palette promises to sit in harmony with the landscape, inviting guests to connect with nature and focus on their wellbeing.
Marriott International currently operates more than 120 properties in Africa across its portfolio. JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will join Marriott Bonvoy’s growing portfolio of 8,000 hotels globally.
Schlüter-Systems takes a look at the trend for matte black accessories in the bathroom; perfect for creating a modern aesthetic and feeling of luxury, and ideal for the hospitality industry and hotel guests…
Matte black accessories within a bathroom design create a striking finish. Whether the colour is paired with clean whites for a timeless look or combined with opulent marble, Schlüter-Systems have a selection of products that come in matte black for a coordinated design, including protective tile trims, storage shelves and shower drain grates. Whether you are planning a fully monochrome look, want to use black elements for a bold contrast or are choosing accents sparingly, below are some suggestions on how to use it within your bathroom design.
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
You can’t go wrong when seeking out a neutral tone to pair black with. Whether using a base of warm neutral such as tan or beige, or cooler ones with hints of blue and green, this colour scheme can be switched up and different materials incorporated to make it truly unique. Black finishes sit nicely with wood effect tiles or beige colours that are popular in contemporary bathrooms. Alongside a neutral palette, black can also be used to create a minimalist look, one of the more desired trends in recent times.
Schlüter-Systems
The rich colour works well alongside bold patterns and bright, vibrant tones due to its muted nature. Whilst bright or textured areas of a bathroom can really make a statement, scaling it back with darker accessories can keep it from becoming too loud or overbearing – try adding matte black fixtures and finishes such as shelving, tile trims or even taps.
On the other end of the spectrum, and possibly one of the most popular choices for guest bathrooms in recent years is grey – it’s effortless and easy to implement into any design. A great way to elevate a grey bathroom is to add black finishes with the overall effect being smart and minimalist.
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
Brass finishes have been around for what feels like forever, and it’s no surprise the trend has stood the test of time – it’s extremely versatile. More recently, brass comes with an ‘aged’ look, for the appearance of an antique addition to your bathroom. Brass lends itself to the vintage modern look which is sought after in many bathroom designs. Matte black works well alongside other brass finishes, both adding a sense of luxury and a timeless look.
Schlüter-Systems have a wide range of tile trims which can be used to complement the tile for a flowing finish or contrast it to create a striking and eye-catching look.
Schlüter-Systems 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.
More than 300 hotel design professionals attended MEET UP London on March 24, 2022. With the theme aimed to ‘inspire creativity’, the event sheltered soundscapes and colour experiences to explore sensory design’s role in hotel design. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
On March 24, more than 300 interior designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers attended MEET UP London, which took place inside the Minotti London showroom in Fitzrovia, London.
The networking event sheltered installations and concepts from wellness expert Ari Peralta and sound architect Tom Middleton, and took guests on a sensory journey immediately upon entry and well into the evening with soundscapes and immersive colour experiences.
Here are the official images from the night:
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: MEET UP London / Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: MEET UP London / Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: MEET UP London 2022
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Image credit: Hotel Designs
Sponsors and Partners:
Showcase Partner: Hamilton Litestat
Event Partner: Crosswater
Event Partner: Hypnos
Event Partner: Geberit
Event partner: Kit Miles
Exclusive Style Partner: Minotti London
Event Partner: Others
Official Videographer: CUBE
The next MEET UP networking event takes place in Manchester of May 19, and the theme will be ‘development in the North’.
With the maxim ‘In Touch with our Planet’, Hansgrohe is passionately committed to its social responsibility, so with this in mind, marked World Water Day by publishing an Interim Review of the brands forward looking Sustainability Strategy…
With transparency being as important as sustainability, the shower and tap manufacturer based in Germany’s Black Forest region, has already achieved some of its milestones in 2021, and as a result, all German sites are now climate-neutral in terms of direct emissions and energy consumption. At the beginning of the year, the international sites also switched to green electricity, making an annual savings of over 26,000 t CO2.
At the German plants, in Wasselonne, France, and in Shanghai, China, supplementary energy efficiency analyses have identified potential further savings of electricity, utilising block-type thermal power plants and photovoltaics, peak load and solar irradiation planning. In Shanghai, the heating system for the electroplating baths is already based on heat pump technology. All international production plants have also set their own sustainability targets for water, waste, and energy.
The net result is that by the end of 2022, all international sites will have switched to green power and achieve climate neutrality in terms of direct emissions and energy consumption. All site emissions are measured and made transparent for the entire Hansgrohe Group as part of the Corporate Carbon Footprint project. An Operational Sustainability Board headed by the Chief Operations Officer, Frank Semling, has also been installed across all international sites to identify and monitor sustainability potential.
Image credit: Hansgrohe
In addition, Hansgrohe expects all A-suppliers to sign a Green Company Agreement in the future – a commitment to comply with environmental management requirements. Research into alternative, more environmentally friendly materials for products is also in full swing. To this end, Hansgrohe is working intensively with its partner Materialscout.
Hansgrohe supports the 1.5-degree target of the Paris climate agreement, and feels strongly about following the formula of reduction before compensation.
Image caption: Steffen Erath, Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe | Image credit: Hansgrohe
“Our plan is to successively decarbonise the company,” said Steffen Erath, Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe. He is at the helm of a strategic initiative founded in 2020 that drives Hansgrohe’s green transformation a little further every day with innovative approaches and practical recommendations. “This process is costly and requires a lot of effort, but compensating for climate damage would probably cost us more.”
Another focus of Hansgrohe is on water. “Water is life and our passion,” said Hans Juergen Kalmbach, Hansgrohe CEO. “That is why we protect this valuable resource and consistently implement all measures necessary to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals.”
Today, Hansgrohe already has showerheads in its portfolio that use up to 60 per cent less water than conventional products – without compromising the showering experience. The entire product portfolio will be converted to water- and energy-saving products. In production, too, water is protected through closed water cycles in the individual manufacturing plants. In addition, research is being conducted into a vision of a completely climate-neutral bathroom.
A future orientation towards the principle of the circular economy also plays a major role in the company’s sustainability strategy. The idea behind this is to conserve natural resources by reprocessing resources that have been used once, and making them available again as production materials. The manufacturing plants are already melting down production rejects in order to use them again as raw materials.
Keeping to the essence of the logo ‘In Touch with our Planet’, Hansgrohe is passionately committed to its social responsibility, now and in the future: for water, for the climate, for the cycle. From now on, this attitude will be conveyed by a signet that Hansgrohe will use in its sustainability communications: a drop of water stylised as a fingerprint.
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.
Inside Minos Beach Art Hotel: Crete’s original design hotel
Sitting on the edge of Mirabello Bay in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Minos Beach Art Hotel is the island’s original luxury design hotel since its inception in the ’60s. Today it’s a chic, minimalist retreat celebrating Cretan art and design in relaxed surroundings…
The property, one of a trio in the bluegr Hotels & Resorts portfolio, has been designed to connect with nature within the spectacular natural setting of the bay. Accommodation is spread across 112 contemporary whitewashed bungalows and suites, and 14 spacious villas with private pools, all scattered within the aromatic gardens of this seafront property which stretches over two kilometres of the beautiful Cretan coastline.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
The low-rise architecture creates a sense of privacy and serenity and echoes the architectural style of eastern Crete’s fishing villages. The hotel has become a cultural beacon for the local community with its valuable collection of contemporary art, containing seminal works by Greek and international artists on display throughout the hotel and its Sculpture Garden, an installation akin to an open-air art museum, with over 40 individual pieces of art in the grounds.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
Three restaurants sheltered within the hotel offer Greek and Cretan cuisine, overseen by award-winning chef Giannis Baxevanis. ‘La Bouillabaisse’ serves creative Mediterranean dishes in a refined mezze format, and is the place for more formal fine dining. ‘Bacchus’ is the buffet restaurant with live cooking stations, and ‘Terpsis’ offers a wonderful Cretan menu in a laid-back al fresco setting. With a focus on farm to table cooking and in line with the hotel’s sustainable hospitality practices, much of the produce is sourced from trusted local suppliers in and around Agios Nicolaos, including the majority of the wines that come from excellent local vineyards and wineries.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
A plethora of bars provide the perfect spot for every mood and occasion. ‘La Cave de la Bouillabaisse’ is the contemporary seafront wine bar serving Cretan, Greek and international wines alongside expertly paired nibbles, while ‘Pure Lounge Bar’ is the place for beachfront coffee, cocktails, soft drinks and chilled music. ‘Dionyssos Bar’ is the elegant, cocktail lounge bar with sandy lounge and bonfire, and the ‘Ibiscus Poolside Bar’ offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. ‘Adeste’ is the traditional Cretan kafeneio, serving local mezze, raki, ouzo, and strong Greek coffee.
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
Image credit: bluegr Hotels & Resorts
Guests can enjoy two private blue flag-awarded beaches, as well as a seafront palm-tree-fringed freshwater swimming pool. Other facilities include the Ananea wellness centre offering fully equipped gym, yoga classes, and the Aegeo Spa where treatments have been inspired by a voyage through Greece past and present. The hotel will also be host to a series of wellness retreats during the course of the year, inviting guests to re-energise, realign, or simply relax.
In preparation for the season ahead, the hotel has added to its offering with the addition of a modern and minimalist designed two-bedroom maisonette with private pool. The spacious, calming interiors, private pool and dazzling views of Mirabello Bay make this a wonderful retreat for families or friends, and includes two king bedrooms, lounge, two bathrooms and the spacious private outdoor area.
In conversation with: Jason Kenworthy, CEO at ILIV
With London Design Week behind us and summer optimistically in front of us we thought it was the perfect time to find out a little more about the fabric inspirations ILIV has in store for the seasons ahead…
ILIV is a family owned business based, appropriately, in Lancashire, a region known for its weaving and printing all things fabric. Over the past year the company has invested heavily in research to identify new markets and trends, and as a result have launched a number of new collections across all sectors. We caught up with CEO Jason Kenworthy with a few questions in hand covering subjects from sustainability to serenity.
HD: Can you tell us about your new collections for 2022 – the trends and inspiration behind them?
JK: Over the next couple of months, we will be introducing two brand new drapes into our plain drapes selection, one a herringbone weave and the second a simple two tone weave. We have some exciting launching on the horizon over the course of the year including an oriental- inspired print collection, boucle upholsteries and reworked colours of some of our favourite designs.
In our residential sector, we have four fantastic collections on the way, from an all-stripes collection to a Bauhaus inspired geometrics collection. Portland has a mix of timeless and signature stripes of varying scales, skilfully constructed using 100 per cent cotton. Woven in a range of heritage colours, the collection spans anchoring neutral shades to bolder accents.
Enchanted Garden celebrates the brilliance in botanical gardens from birds of paradise prints to architectural Yucca and palm fan leaves and co-ordinating, small-scale geometrics. The collection was inspired by a maximalist movement, depicting vintage archive style florals influenced by tropical flora and fauna.
Water Meadow on the other hand, takes a calmer approach to interiors with delicate hand-painted watercolour florals and landscape scenes portrayed through an array of soft boucle and digitally printed textures inspired by the beautiful British countryside.
Inspired by the world of art and the Bauhaus movement, Geometrica is an energetic and unique collection inspired by geometry, pattern and asymmetric design with an exciting and vibrant colour palette and more luxurious bases including embroideries and velvets.
Image credit: ILIV
HD: What are the top textile trends coming through that we can see both in interiors, and in your collections?
JK: With an emphasis on sustainability and protecting our planet, we are starting to see a lot of trends on the catwalk and in soft furnishings circling around nature from organic, dry textures to bodacious and bright florals, trees and plant designs. We’re also seeing a lot of richer colour palettes and art deco inspired designs with geometric and architectural shapes and curves which playfully reinvent trends we found in the sixties and seventies.
HD: Tell us a little more about ILIV. Where it all started and plans moving forward?
JK: We were originally founded in 1987 in Lancashire, England and we remain immensely proud of our Northern Textile Heritage. Today, SMD is a truly global business designing in Britain, manufacturing in Europe and the Far East and selling to over 50 countries worldwide. We travel extensively to find the very best ethically compliant mills. With offices in the UK and Far East we pursue a tireless drive to develop fabrics that are highly innovative, creative, technical, of the highest quality and most importantly great value.
Launched in 2013 the ILIV brand was created quite literally from the brands values to Inspire our customers, Lead the market, Involve our customers and bring great Value.
Through photography, creative sampling, co-ordination, an inspirational web site, our trend videos, versatile fabrics, and service with personality, our aim is always to present our products in a way that inspires creativity and confidence.
Our plan going forward is simple, it’s to continue to offer the world beautiful ILIV fabric collections for both our Contract and Residential partners, with the plan to offer them even more operational excellence, from growing our customer service team to launching our new online ordering platform for fabrics and made to measure curtains.
Image credit: ILIV
Image credit: ILIV
HD: There are a lot of conversations around sustainability at the moment – with the tone being around celebrating reuse over recycling. ILIV has a Sustainable Plains collection, but how else are you confronting concerns around sustainability?
JK: Sustainability is something that we have been building into our business strategically over the last 3 years, and we are still on our own journey to becoming a more sustainable business. An obvious first step was to be able to offer our customers a wider variety of sustainably lead fabrics, which we are now building into our day-to-day design process. We are also working closely with our suppliers to ensure that their manufacturing processes are having a reduced impact on the environment, an example of this is the introduction of waste water management systems and investment in renewable energy. ILIV are also in the process of going through our own carbon footprint audit, implementing new policies, measures and procedures to reduce our impact as a business on the environment.
HD: Another buzzword is biophilic design – do you have any designs and collections that are responding to the biophilic brief?
JK: Within the ILIV contract collections, we’ve recently launches two collections inspired by biophilic design which have taken varying approaches, from hand painted watercolour wild grasses to architectural geometrics and show-stopping tropical florals.
Inspired by serenity, the Serene collection has been designed to bring calmness and tranquility to interior design, a strong trend which has swept the nation during the global pandemic. Serene has a well-balanced mix of beautiful hand-painted watercolour florals and more commercial geometric patterns, designed with upholstery projects in mind.
Influenced by warmer climates, the Exotic Garden collection comprises six coordinating design from tropical origins. The collection ties in elements of the outdoors from leaf details to intricate exotic plants helping create a beautifully balanced space. This collection was launched shortly after the first UK lockdown and hit the ground running. I think we were all dreaming of those sunny getaways that we were deprived of!
HD: Other than durability, are there any other considerations and differences between a contract and a residential fabric – or is there more of a crossover developing between these design requirements?
JK: Depending on the space, there are many more technical variables to contend with in contract environments starting with flame retardancy but spanning durability, water-resistance, acoustic, antibacterial and even light-reflective values and colour fastness to light. Commercial environments are far more challenging with more stringent guidelines making It a more thought-through process for our designers. Many of our fabrics from our residential collections can be FR coated, giving more flexibility for designs to tie in more diversity into their schemes.
HD: With all the colours and textures on display across the ILIV collections, do you have a personal favourite?
JK: A hard question to answer as there’s so many amazing textures, colours and designs across the ILIV ranges and with every season launch, I find myself loving more! But one of my most recent favourites is the Kelso and Harlow collection which is made from 50 per cent British wool and is manufactured in the Yorkshire Dales. The fabrics have a soft melange effect and look fantastic in the bolder colours!
SMD Group is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Black Friday package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Product watch: UNILIN Panels launches a comprehensive new range
UNILIN Panels has launched its 2022-2026 decorative range, giving architects, designers and interior fabricators a choice of more than 200 decorative finishes available across a range of high-quality panels…
With 222 designs, including 67 brand-new looks, the latest UNILIN Panels decorative range offers an extraordinary collection of surface finishes that can be used to bring big ideas to commercial interiors. No matter whether the originality and authenticity of Master Oak or metallic, marble, stone, concrete, textile and solid colour effects; the 2022-2026 decorative range delivers a flawless finish that’s durable and easy to maintain.
“New trends require new designs,” said Ann De Blanck, Product Manager. “We’ve kept 128 designs from our previous collection and have added 94 new ones, including 27 refreshes of existing designs. With their new structure, the refreshed effects are now fully in-line with the trend for matt finishes. There are 67 brand new designs in the 2022-2026 collection, including Master Oak, a truly revolutionary oak effect. We also have a range of new textiles looks, focusing on fresh and soft colours.”
Not only have the designs been given an update, UNILIN has also developed new panels, making the range even more adaptable than before. For example, Fibralux core-coloured decorative MDF panels in various lacquer finishes bring a genuine and original interpretation of this often disguised material. The company has also engineered new melamine faced compact MDF for an easily workable alternative to compact HPL.
At the same time, a whole series of existing products have remained in the range: melamine faced panels, HPL, Clicwall, furniture panels and matching edge bands ensure the latest UNILIN Panels decorative range provides a solution to any interior surface application. Designs can now also be selected on special substrates including moisture-retardant, fire-retardant and antibacterial panels.
Combining the latest designs with enhanced function, the decorative range is not only evolving in terms of aesthetics, but also in terms of performance.
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.
Modieus: taking biophilic inspiration and making sustainable choices
Over the years, the team at Modieus has shared some amazing biophilic inspired designs, but this year they are also backing a world in which all people recognise the value of trees…
Hotel Designs first featured the Australian based carpet and rug company Modieus in 2021, when we reviewed their Embracing Nature trends forecast. The aim then was to inspire a deeper connection with nature, and consisted of four key themes: grounded, green utopia, textured layers and crafted. Since then, we’ve seen them build on the greenery trend with their new take on the Urban Street as part of their 2022 trend forecast.
“Our collective love for lush indoor environments will continue to bloom,” explained Leah Manwaring, Modieus design team. “Our innate connection to nature has seen the incorporation of biophilic elements within interior spaces, while outdoor spaces such as courtyards and balconies have become secondary living and working spaces.”
Image credit: Modieus
“As a world we have become aware of the vulnerability of our natural environment, said Xander Okhuizen, Founder of Modieus. “Like the rest of the world, in Australia we have seen the devastating impact of bush fires and floods on our natural environment. Throughout my career I have promoted quality products as a sustainable choice. Many of the carpets and rugs we supply are made from sustainable materials such as wool. But is that enough my kids ask?”
With this in mind Modieus is not only embracing biophilic design and all things green through design and production, but is also giving back by directly supporting the organisation Trillion Trees Australia through sales.
“I want Modieus to be a business that cares about future generations and the world we are leaving behind. So, I am delighted that Modieus has chosen to support the work of Trillion Trees Australia, by planting one tree for every 10m2 sold from March 2022.”
Image credit: Modieus
Trillion Trees is a Not-for-Profit tree planting organisation based in Western Australia. They have planted over 15 million trees, and Modieus are thrilled to support their mission to reach a trillion.
“And my kids,” Xander adds? “Well, they are delighted to see my generation echoing their concerns and doing something that is simple to understand and will have a positive impact on their world.”
With this commitment to the environment, it is reassuring to know that beautiful design and interiors goes a lot deeper than surface design, and can make a real difference.
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.
MEET UP London, Hotel Designs’ Q2 networking event for designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers, takes place tomorrow at Minotti London. Today is the last day to purchase your tickets…
For the first time since 2019, MEET UP London is back tomorrow night, taking shelter inside Minotti London, to meaningfully bridge the gap between designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers. Much more than just another networking event, the theme for the event is ‘inspiring creativity’; to encourage and stimulate the industry to look beyond the conventional when influencing tomorrow’s hotel design and hospitality landscape.
Today is your last chance to purchase tickets for MEET UP London, which takes place tomorrow night at Minotti London’s Fitzrovia showroom.
More than 300 industry professionals will be taken on a sensory journey that will start immediately upon arrival. With the aim to demonstrate the power of sound, colour and smell, the event will feature two installations from sound architect Tom Middleton and wellness expert Ari Peralta.
How to attend:
Designers, architects, hoteliers and developers, click here to attend (tickets cost £20 + VAT). Meanwhile suppliers can click here to attend (tickets cost £150 + VAT) and the form takes less than two minutes to complete).
Editor Hamish Kilburn will return to host MEET UP London 2022
Image caption: MEET UP London 2019 was themed 30 Under 30
If you are attending MEET UP London tomorrow evening, doors open at 18:00 (BST). The dress code is spring semi-formal (with room for creativity). We strongly encourage all guests to take a rapid lateral flow Covid-19 test prior to arrival. If you have any queries ahead of the event, please email Hamish Kilburn or Katy Phillips.
Leaflike takes a look at where a moss wall fits into the conversation on sustainable design and natural materials…
With the current emphasis on incorporating plants and greenery into design, there are a lot of unanswered questions around what is both sustainable and effective. Have you ever wondered if a moss wall is living, or how it is maintained? Do you love a bit of moss but are concerned about cost? Leaflike has identified some of the commonly asked questions and concerns about a moss wall in the process of uncovering the misconceptions and sharing the benefits.
One of the most common questions is ‘are moss walls real’? The simple answer is yes, they are 100 per cent natural but no longer living.
“Moss walls are in essence an artistic design piece crafted using natural preserved moss applied to a panel or backing board used for decorative pieces in commercial and residential spaces,” explained Liam Abernethie, Client Relations, Leaflike. “What most people misunderstand about moss walls is that they are not living. They are in fact a real natural product but no longer in its living state because it has gone through a preservation process.”
Image credit: Leaflike
The moss walls created by Leaflike in the Oxfordshire design studio, are made entirely from natural moss. The moss comes from sustainable sources, farmed rather than simply harvested in the wild, and goes through a natural preservation process using specialist salts. This simple process of preserving the moss ensures that its natural state, texture and feel remain the same as if the moss were living out in the woodlands. But instead, this natural product remains in a preserved state and is no longer alive. Because of this process that preserved moss goes through using natural salts, it cannot be used in exterior spaces where it is exposed to the elements. However, the applications for using moss in interior spaces is endless, from walls, to ceilings, to roofs and even decorative table centres.
When it comes to questions around light and sunlight required by a moss wall, the moss doesn’t require sunlight, it should in fact be avoided. Direct sunlight in certain circumstances can change the colour of the moss over time. This makes moss an ideal product for darker spaces where living walls may not survive.
Furthermore, moss walls are a great way to create a low maintenance and hassle-free green environment using natural elements. They do not require any water from a plumbing or irrigation system to keep them looking fresh.
Another frequent question asked about a moss wall is in relation to cost. Here the answer is a little less straightforward, as cost can vary as much as the product itself. Moss walls can be created in so many ways and installed in so many spaces. All our moss walls are constructed using three types of moss: woodland moss (or flat moss), reindeer moss and bun moss. Due to their differences in application, these three types of moss do vary in price but there are some general guidelines. Woodland moss tends to be the most cost effective because it is applied in larger quantities and therefore requires less labour to carefully place and handcraft. Reindeer moss tends to be more expensive as it is applied in small clumps and requires more labour at installation. Bun moss, tends to be the most expensive moss of all because of its natural shape and the process it goes through to be preserved.
Typically, two or three of these mosses are combined to create the perfect designer feature wall. In addition, there are three main factors which need to be considered and that will affect the price of your moss wall; size, design and installation. Clearly, the larger the moss wall, the higher your price tag will be. Design is another element that needs to be factored into the cost as the Leaflike team puts their energy into creating the perfect design and working closely with your vision to bring it to life. Some designs are more complex than others, they are handcrafted and will involve increased expertise from the in-house moss wall creators. If you already have a team working on a design installation, you could choose to go for a supply only approach.
Having worked through some of the concerns, let’s turn to the benefits of installing a moss wall. Moss walls are versatile and can make a strong statement when used to incorporate biophilic elements into a design. Besides an aesthetic appeal, moss walls have several other benefits. They are low maintenance and are an excellent way to bring nature indoors without the hassle of ongoing maintenance. Because the moss used to construct this decorative piece is preserved and therefore does not grow, there is virtually no maintenance required to keep it looking fresh and healthy.
With concerns around the environment and sustainability, how do moss walls measure up? Constructed using 100 per cent natural product, together with low maintenance and longevity of life (moss walls will last as long as eight to ten years if it is installed in an area where it can’t be tampered with), these green statements provide the creativity of nature, and at the same time, combine the convenience of artificial plants with the benefits of live plants.
Aside from design and aesthetics, a moss wall can also be an effective acoustic solution, and as a green wall solution, can have an impact on cognition and productivity. The University of The Basque Country tested the acoustic properties of modular green walls. To do this, they used two different reverberation chambers, and found that, when compared to untreated walls, the green walls resulted in a ‘weighted sound reduction index’ of 15db and a weighted sound absorption coefficient of 0.40’. This study demonstrated that these walls show a similar or better acoustic absorption coefficient than other common building materials. Similarly, a study from the University of Twente, in collaboration with CBRE, discovered that plants have a quantifiable positive impact on cognition and productivity. During the study, participants were taken to a healthier work environment equipped with large plants. The outcome of the study proved to be remarkable; performance by the employees increased by up to 10 per cent simply through connecting them to nature using biophilia.
In a world where we need to learn to do more with less, moss walls shine their colours. They are an excellent addition to spaces where biophilic design is required but there is limited floor space for other elements. They are so versatile that they can be created to literally any shape or size and work wonders in small spaces or high-traffic areas that are prone to be damaged.
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.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale arrives in Florida
Inspired by the city’s yachting heritage and beachfront location, architect Kobi Karp has brought clean contemporary lines and a curved silhouette to the all new Four Seasons on the Atlantic coast of South Florida…
Fort Lauderdale, also known as ‘the Venice of America’ with its network of beaches and boat canals, is a modern and tropical city that provides the perfect backdrop and inspiration for Four Seasons Hotels and Residences Fort Lauderdale, a modern reflection of the classic yacht club and coastal lifestyle. In the two-storey lobby, an eclectic mix of international travellers checking in, long-time locals stopping by for a drink, and families toting a picnic basket on their way to the beach intersect in a series of spaces created by Tara Bernerd & Partners. Here, the Riviera lifestyle marries with the freshness and elegance of mid-century modernist design – an atmosphere that resembles an era when frolicking in the sun first put Florida on the holiday map.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
The hotel shelters 189 guestrooms and suites. With marine-inspired details throughout, from recessed ceilings and wraparound shelving to brass lamps and polished wood finishes, there’s a mid-century aesthetic that pairs classic pieces. The result is modern and airy, with a fresh take on classic themes that makes one immediately comfortable in every room, and every space.
The jewel in the crown is the Birch Oceanfront Terrace Suite, named for local legend Hugh Taylor Birch, who gifted miles of Fort Lauderdale beachfront for the enjoyment of all. With generous indoor and outdoor space which includes a fully furnished terrace with direct ocean views, it’s a great choice for friends travelling together, families on holiday or even couples who just want a bit more space to themselves.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
“Like a picture-perfect postcard, the newest Four Seasons in our growing global portfolio will create an unmatched luxury lifestyle experience – from design to service, and everything in between,” said Christian Clerc, Four Seasons President – Hotels and Resorts. “We are setting the stage to experience one of America’s most beloved seaside communities in an entirely new way. Working closely with Nadim Ashi of Fort Hospitality, our visionary owner partner of three additional Four Seasons hotels and residences, we are continuing to raise the bar for luxury hospitality along the South Florida coast.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Like the gleaming deck of a super yacht, the Ocean Sun Deck is home to two horizon-edge pools and the hotel’s signature dining experience, Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale, all fashioned by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. There’s a serene pool, and one more playful, fringed by lounge chairs and daybeds with sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean. Outdoor spaces are brought to life with tropical palms and greenery by Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design, framing the hotel’s ocean vistas while also creating a sense of privacy.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
With an oceanfront destination that sets the scene for memorable dining, Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale is where eastern Mediterranean meets coastal cuisine in an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and fun. Here, Restaurant Chef Brandon Salomon, a Long Island native most recently from the kitchen at Florie’s by Mauro Colagreco, presents flavour-rich small and large plates designed to create connections through food exploration by sharing spreads and mezzes, coastal seafood selections, wood-smoked meats and fish around the table.
Flowing down to the first level, Honey Fitz – the name bestowed to the presidential yacht by John F. Kennedy – continues seamlessly from the lobby as an inviting and relaxing space for gourmet coffee creations and colourful handcrafted pastries by Pastry Chef Christina Kaelberer by day. As the sun sets, natural wines, grower champagne and cocktails that renew American classics, along with accompaniments both savoury and sweet, are a prelude to the evening ahead. Hotel guests can also enjoy drinks and food poolside, or choose in-room dining. An additional restaurant concept overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard is anticipated to debut in autumn 2022.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Putting wellness and relaxation on the agenda, the Spa at Four Seasons is a sanctuary where holistic remedies meet modern innovations. Taking the inspiration of Fort Lauderdale’s ubiquitous waterways to new depths, the Spa Dream aqua bed by Lemi offers the opportunity to float on a warm water mattress enveloped in a glow of chromotherapy while enjoying one of the body treatments from “The Waves” menu, including scrubs, wraps and options that combine body and facial treatments. A full menu of facials incorporates results-forward techniques, technologies and products by Pietro Simone, QMS Medicosmetics, Tammy Fender, Sodashi, and JetPeel. A complete spa journey, guests can sample industry-leading skincare partners in the experiential boutique before relaxing in soothing lounges with salt-wall saunas, aroma steam rooms and ice fountains. A beautifully appointed full service salon is also available, along with the 24-hour, fully-equipped fitness centre with motivating ocean views.
Alongside the design led accommodation and F&B offerings, the new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale brings expertise, exceptional cuisine, and charismatic personality to all events. Meeting planners can also consider the benefits of sun-lit spaces offering inspiring ocean views along with an outdoor beachfront terrace, and plenty of ways for attendees to spend down time, just moments away from the city’s best shops, restaurants, marinas and entertainment.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Product watch: Skopos looks back on the iconic Ocean Collection
Celebrating 50 years of design and manufacture in contract textiles, Skopos looks back to 2001 and the eclectic stripes and ikat patterns of the Ocean Collection which are still making waves today…
Skopos continues to be inspired by past designs as it celebrates the 50 year milestone, and it was the Ocean Collection which brought the Ikat technique back to the forefront of fashion at the turn of the century, celebrating an age-old technique of patterning cloth, using techniques of tying or binding threads, which are subsequently dyed, prior to weaving. The practice required skill and precision, yet the result offered delicately organic and blurred patterning, beautiful in its imperfection. Patterning often seen in fashion and interiors, Ikat designs provided a watery, floaty feel.
Image credit: Skopos
A three-colour design, Pacific was produced using meticulous hand and digital separation techniques, to keep the feathered edges and retain a woven appearance. The design was originally printed onto cotton/ linen fabric using the flatbed printing machines in our factory in the early part of the millennium. As part of the anniversary celebration, Ocean Ikat is a modern evolution of the Pacific design. Using inspiration from the original artwork, the modern version takes the traditional Ikat motifs and amplifies the artisanal feel.
Atlantic Stripe has been inspired by the original design, Atlantic, from Ocean. An Ikat striped design, Atlantic was originally produced using flatbed production techniques and pigment inks. Emanating a traditional woven crafted stripe, the original artwork has been separated digitally to reveal the subtleties and fine details of the Ikat process. The modern digital printing process allows for more of the integrity of the artisan Ikat technique to remain, celebrating the original, hand-made process.
Ocean Ikat and Atlantic Stripe have been added to the 50th anniversary collection and are being sampled on the exquisite velvet Trevira base-cloth, Beau and Turin, linen-look, but will be available across the full base-cloth offered by Skopos. Both designs are being offered in two colourways for immediate order. For alternative colourways, in-line with minimum order requirements, the Skopos design team will be able to help.
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.
Product watch: Aplomb by Atlas Concorde balances texture and colour
Aplomb, a new collection by Atlas Concorde, comes in a perfect balance of soft, neutral colours combining the decorative versatility of wallpaper with the performance of porcelain tiles…
Thanks to its extensive understanding of production and design, Atlas Concorde has developed a collection that combines a contemporary style with a strong designer look that can add layers of elegant texture, pattern and depth to a space. At the core of the Aplomb collection are two textures; Minidots and Stripes. These textures use the apparent contrast of two key stylistic elements: the brilliant three-dimensionality of the material and the absolute simplicity of the graphic design consisting of microdots, which reveal unexpected variations only when seen close up, of subtle lines with delicate chiaroscuro shading.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
The final effect generates an element of surprise that adds an energy to the look of the product without undermining its formal perfection. Up close you can see the slight three-dimensionality of the graphics, delicately perceptible to the touch, and the variation of their visual effects as the light shifts. The base, opaque and impalpable, is the canvas behind the flowing textures and shifting light, delicately matte when viewed from the front, or gently shiny when struck by light at an angle.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
Aplomb’s tailored nature is fully expressed through the mixing and matching of the collection’s five colours. These colours range from the neutral, timeless shades of White and Cream, a perfect backdrop for the patterns and mosaics, to the calm contemporaneity of Canvas and the strength of the blue Denim, ideal for refined combinations with textile elements. Finally in a nod to biophilic trends, Lichen is a light green that blends seamlessly with wood colours to create an ambiance that evokes wellbeing and nature.
The range includes both floral and abstract motifs that you can mix with colours and textures for an effect that is always modern and personal. The inclusion of a selection of mosaics, transforms Aplomb into a truly creative atelier of options for contemporary interior designers.
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.
The Standard Ibiza to throw open its doors in April
The Standard Ibiza, situated in the heart of Ibiza’s Old Town, is one of the White Isle’s most anticipated openings and the newest addition to The Standard’s growing portfolio…
Fronting the island’s main plaza, Vara de Rey, and only a stone’s throw away from the marina, The Standard Ibiza will be a year-round adult playground. Embracing what The Standard loves about the island’s bohemian history, the hotel is set in a stark-white building that forms the backdrop for a bright, eclectic décor and lush landscaping throughout the property. The hotel was originally conceived by acclaimed Spanish creator Lázaro Rosa-Violán, with interiors designed by The Standard’s in-house design team with participation from Oskar Kohnen. The design celebrates the resurgence of the energy that originally attracted so many to Ibiza and the rejuvenation of Flower Power with a chic new 60’s vibe that only The Standard can create, but all can enjoy, simple, yet immersive.
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
“The Standard has always felt a strong connection to Ibiza, a shared appreciation for unabashed fun, the freedom to be who you are and the expectation of the unexpected,” said Amber Asher, newly appointed CEO of Standard International. “So this is an exciting day for us, marking one step closer to welcoming the first guests through our doors!”
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
The hotel’s 67 guestrooms and suites, as well as its restaurants will be open year-round. The street-level restaurant which spills out on to Vara de Ray serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It embraces local ingredients throughout its menu and will transform after hours to an intimate nightlife experience – an alternative to the busy club scene that Ibiza has become known for. The hotel will also have a separate building, Casa Privada, that will be available for groups friends. Equipped with its own private pool, bar, gym, lounge and 14 guestrooms, Casa Privada is a one-of-a-kind hideaway.
Image credit: The Standard Hotels
The hotel’s rooftop bar will feature a 15-meter swimming pool and panoramic views of the island. Nothing short of the celebrated rooftop destinations The Standard has made famous in LA, New York and London. After all, it is The Standard…in Ibiza, and things won’t close early. The restaurant and rooftop will stay open until the wee hours and dancing on tables is a definite possibility.
Combining the comfort benefits of natural cork with the classic looks of wood and stone, Vita Classic by Granorte has been updated to include new looks…
Combining the comfort benefits of natural cork with the classic looks of wood and stone, Vita Classic by Granorte has been updated to include new looks. Capturing the unique textures of natural wood and stone, Vita Classic uses state-of-the-art digital technology to print directly onto a layer of high-density cork, bringing the look of more conventional natural finishes but with the comfort, sustainability and performance of cork.
Granorte has updated Vita Classic with five new wood looks and a brand-new concrete design in five colours, bringing the collection up to an impressive 46 unique designs. In Sparkle, Silk, Essential, Crispy and Chill, Granorte introduces an elegant wood décor in five warming natural shades. Concrete Warm, Concrete Light, Concrete Grey, Concrete Dark and Concrete Cream bring the modern look of concrete. All designs come with an embossed finish and matt surface.
Each design is protected with Granorte’s WEARPLUS coating for scratch-resistance and protection from stains. Achieving Class 23 and Class 32 in accordance with EN ISO 1874, the floor can be used in both residential and commercial projects.
The multi-layer Vita Classic features a HDF core and cork underlay with integrated Microban protection that helps to improve sound performance and walking comfort. Available in Uniclic floating or glue-down specifications, Vita Classic by Granorte is a great way to introduce the benefits of cork into projects looking for a natural wood or stone floor finish.
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.
Duravit aspires to be a climate-neutral business by 2045
Bathroom brand Duravit is “in the process of questioning old certainties and investing in finding and implementing new ways of achieving a sustainable future…”
The ceramic manufacturer and bathroom brand Duravit has embarked on an ambitious and far-reaching climate mission. The goal: to be an exclusively climate-neutral business around the world by 2045.
As a company Duravit has deep regional roots but is also a global player and feels a special sense of obligation to the concept of sustainability: “I believe that society as a whole shares responsibility when it comes to sustainability, for me that explicitly includes companies such as Duravit,” said Duravit CEO Stephan Tahy. The family- run company from the Black Forest, operates in more than 130 countries, aspires to use CO2 offsetting as little as possible.
Image credit: Duravit
The company is constantly seeking ways to reduce both its consumption of resources, raw materials, and its emissions as far as possible. As part of the comprehensive package of measures, the manufacturing facility in Hornberg already uses electricity generated exclusively from renewable energies. Solutions, some of which were developed in-house, continue to reduce energy and resource requirements in the production process, waste heat is reused consistently, and water is treated. PEFC-certified furniture production that adheres to principles of sustainable forestry as well as ‘local for locals’ production methods that ensure shorter transport routes are further key aspects of the portfolio of measures.
Because Duravit, a company with a rich history, wants to go even further, the management board has joined forces with a leading business consultancy in the sustainability arena to develop the capabilities to achieve climate neutrality. After all, there is much to commend ceramic from a sustainability perspective: the material is made from natural raw materials, is renowned for its particular robustness, and has been used for millennia.
Image credit: Duravit
Yet the challenges that the company faces are significant. Tahy is all too aware of this: “The heart of our operations – ceramic production – is a very energy-intensive business. And even though we have a long road ahead of us, we want to achieve our climate mission – not only for ourselves, but above all for future generations.” A disruptive transformation in ceramic production is needed if Duravit is to realise its ambitious climate objectives.
A key milestone for the company is to reduce CO2 by 20 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Duravit is determined to accomplish its mission. “We are in the process of questioning old certainties and investing in finding and implementing new ways of achieving a sustainable future,” underlined Tahy.
Image credit: Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
Potential measures are currently being reviewed and evaluated – including sourcing electricity from renewable energies around the world, combining oxygen and green hydrogen to reduce emissions, as well as powering electric kilns with green electricity. As Tahy explained: “At the present time, the move away from fossil fuels isn’t just an ecological concern, but also a conscious political decision. To quote the German Finance Minister: ‘Renewable energies free us from dependencies. Renewable energies are thus energies of freedom’”. Additionally, Duravit is assessing how it can increase its use of recycled materials and is commissioning studies on binding CO2 emissions locally – just a small part of the sustainability package that Duravit is constantly reviewing and expanding.
The climate mission is a component of Duravit’s overarching sustainability strategy, which is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside the measures relevant to climate change, the core of the strategy is made up of the action areas ‘water’, ‘resources’, and ‘people’. Duravit reviews the effectiveness of the measures initiated and adapts, expands, and enhances them wherever expedient. “It’s important that we exemplify a culture of learning in which mistakes can be made. And we are learning how to improve so we can achieve our goals. Teamwork is the key factor here,” said Tahy. The Duravit CEO has no doubts that ceramic – a sustainable material that has proved its worth over millennia – has a place in a climate-neutral future, too.
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.
Apartment Hotel ROOST puts down roots in Cleveland
The opening of ROOST Cleveland, a concept known for bridging boutique hotel with apartment style living, marks the first location outside of Philadelphia for the ROOST brand and the first high-design extended-stay hotel concept for the city of Cleveland…
ROOST Apartment Hotel, the high design extended stay concept from Method Co., the Philadelphia-based hospitality company, has officially opened the new ROOST Cleveland at the May Company building on historic Euclid Avenue in downtown. The newest ROOST shelters 62 beautifully designed loft-like apartments, unique public spaces, and custom guest amenities for travellers looking for both short and long-term accommodations in Cleveland. In partnership with Bedrock, a Cleveland and Detroit real estate developer, this will be the fourth ROOST to open from Method Co., who is doubling their portfolio with additional forthcoming ROOST locations opening in Tampa and Detroit later this year. The newest location introduces the brand’s signature studio, one and two-bedroom apartments to three floors within the May Company building, an adaptive restoration of the iconic department store built by world-renowned architect Daniel Burnham.
Image credit: ROOST / Matthew Williams
“We are thrilled to open ROOST Cleveland in the May Company building in the heart of downtown Cleveland,” said Randall Cook, CEO and Co-Founder of Method Co. “The ROOST units are stunning with the largest floor plans in our portfolio, oversized windows that flood the units with natural light and access to The May’s incredible amenities. There are very few downtown cities that have access to so many major cultural touchpoints in such close proximity, so we are incredibly excited for ROOST to be in the middle of it all.”
Image credit: ROOST / Matthew Williams
Designed and curated by Morris Adjmi Architects & Method Studios, Method Co.’s in-house design firm, all the ROOST Cleveland apartments are strikingly appointed with contemporary furnishings such as vintage Oushak rugs, functional custom workspaces, unique artwork from Lumas, coffee tables by Danish design house Gubi, and modern light fixtures by Original BTC, among other high-end design sources. ROOST Cleveland guests have access to the brand’s custom amenities, including an in-room artisanal coffee program with La Colombe, a high-end cocktail kit, and signature bike share program, in addition to The May’s amenities, including a three-story open-air atrium, panoramic rooftop terrace with gas grills and city views, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, private yoga studio, and a makerspace.
Image credit: ROOST / Matthew Williams
Acquired by Bedrock in 2017, the May Company building has anchored Cleveland’s Public Square for more than 100 years, when the department store opened in its namesake building in 1915 and where it operated until 1993. It remained primarily vacant until Bedrock commenced an extensive transformation of the property, seeking to restore its most definitive features such as the iconic pediment clock and terracotta façade. The May welcomed its first residents in August 2020.
“Partnering with ROOST to bring this highly-anticipated extended stay hotel concept to Cleveland has been an exciting opportunity to continue the momentum at The May,” said Andrew Leber, VP of Hospitality at Bedrock. “We look forward to welcoming guests for their short- or long-term stays, where they can experience the attention to detail, proximity to downtown Cleveland’s culture, arts and entertainment scene, and access to the many amenities at The May.”
Considered a leader in the high-design extended stay hotel movement, the ROOST brand currently operates three locations in Philadelphia, in addition to the new ROOST Cleveland. The brand’s significant expansion plans across the United States include a ROOST outpost at the Water Street development in Tampa this spring, while another 118 beautifully furnished apartments are coming later this year within Bedrock’s Book Tower, as part of the rehabilitation of one of Detroit’s most beloved architectural landmarks.
Hotel group Motel One has announced its expansion in the UK with the opening of a third ‘affordable luxury’ hotel in Manchester St Peters Square, bringing its UK portfolio up to eight…
After first opening its doors in Edinburgh in 2013, the hotel group Motel One, headquartered in Munich Germany, now have a total of 2,194 rooms accommodating guests looking for affordable luxury in the heart of some of the UK’s biggest cities. Each hotel is inspired by its local area, and the design of the new 228 guestroom Motel One Manchester-St. Peter’s Square is no different, with its expertly crafted literary theme. Taking its cue from the Manchester Central Library right on the doorstep, visitors carry on the literary journey as they step into the hotel with its portrait gallery of English authors, antique books integrated into the surface of the wall, the theme is finished off with book-shaped inspired furnishings including lamps and wallpaper.
Image credit: Motel One
The bar and lounge, with their large arches, abstract bookshelves, and room dividers with inset panes of stained glass, are inspired by the large windows of the Rylands Library. With muted colours and contrasting floral and leather elements, the design helps create both a relaxing and workable space for travellers. A focal point of the space is an In-es.artdesign lamp, which is lined with tea bags as a playful nod to the many cups of tea that will be enjoyed in the lounge.
Image credit: Motel One
“After a challenging two years for the industry it’s great to see many visitors at Motel One and we’re proud to be in a position to be opening another new hotel in the UK,” said Stefan Lenze, Co-CEO at Motel One. “Each of our hotels is inspired by the local area, and Motel One Manchester-St. Peter’s Square is no different. Our bar and lounge area is inspired by the 19th-century John Rylands Library. We look forward to inviting literary and design lovers to sit back and relax with a good book or enjoy a local gin tonic from our exclusive gin menu. We’ve worked with local designers where possible and would like to thank Property Alliance Group for their help to bring this exciting new hotel to life.”
Image credit: Motel One
Each Motel One hotel in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and London has a unique interior style, as the brand works with local designers, artists and furniture makers to bring bespoke and local creativity to each of its lounge areas. Motel One lounges are designed to create inspiring and functional spaces for leisure, relaxation and work, making them ideal spaces for travellers and those working on the go in need of some co-working space. Alongside the two other Manchester city centre hotels (Piccadilly and Royal Exchange), Motel One Manchester-St. Peter’s Square is the perfect base for exploring the city and its attractions, including the neo-Gothic Town Hall, Manchester Cathedral, and Chetham’s Library. After a busy day in the city, the new hotel welcomes you into the cosy, Manchester-inspired lounge for a cup of tea or locally-crafted spirit of your choice. The same attention to design and detail has been given to the 228 guestrooms, and each is equipped with a high-quality box-spring bed, rain dance shower and reclining leather armchair.
Image credit: Motel One
Unique yet recognisable décor can be found throughout each of the hotels so that each hotel visit is different, but with the same distinguishable quality. Not just for travellers, locals can enjoy Motel One’s stylish bars, where they can choose from an extensive range of spirits, specially selected wine and beer and, for gin-lovers, an exclusive menu of hand-picked gins focused on regional distilleries.
Samuel & Sons Custom Program encourages creativity
The Samuel & Sons’ Custom Program is an invaluable resource providing designers with creative options from a simple colour change through to an entirely new and unique design…
Since 1945, Samuel & Sons has focused solely on trimming as their area of expertise. Known globally for an extensive inventory, they have long been a coveted source for the finest quality trimmings such as tassels, borders, braids, fringes, tiebacks, piping and more. Offering diverse collections, with more than 15,000 trimmings, designs feature both traditional and innovative materials and construction, their designs are eagerly sought after by interior designers and architects alike.
Having forged close relationships with the finest mills throughout the world over the past several decades, Samuel & Sons are able to offer an incredibly versatile and flexible custom service. They have a vast breadth of experience working with designers on everything from a simple colour change, or modification of an existing trimming, to recreating historic or antique trims for restoration projects, through to collaborating with designers to create entirely new unique designs. The service has been developed with the designer at the forefront, with the aim of making the whole process simple and seamless.
Image credit: Samuel & Sons
“The beauty of this service is that it allows us to respond to the creative needs of our clients, with unique inspired designs, durable construction, low minimums, competitive pricing and fast lead times, really proving that specifying custom trim can be a joy,” said Michael Cohen MD of Samuel & Sons. “ It’s incredibly inspiring for us to work on the highly creative projects that come through our Hospitality Division and even more exciting to see our custom passementerie in situ within projects around the world.”
The Samuel & Sons’ Custom Program has been an invaluable resource for designers’ work with residential, hospitality and historical installations. Their extensive portfolio includes pieces for theatre and museum restorations, as well as new items for national institutions such as the White House, the Blair House and the Clinton Presidential Library, and some of the world’s most acclaimed hotels and casinos, including Four Seasons, St. Regis, Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas and Macau, and MGM.
Continuing with the theme ‘inspiring creativity’ the Hotel Designs MEET UP London at the Minotti London showroom will be taking place on March 24. More information about this event can be found here.
FOCUS launches eco-performance glazed collections of fireplaces
With the launch of the new glazed versions of the Domofocus and the Ergofocus – two symbols of the brand – FOCUS is expanding its range of eco-efficient fireplaces…
A recent recipient of two prestigious Archiproducts Design Awards, the new Glazed Gyrofocus has been recognised in both the Finishes and Special Mention for Sustainability categories. FOCUS has for many years been dedicated to the transformation of its wood-burning fireplaces, with a triple objective of energy performance, eco-responsibility and all this without altering the original design. Now, Domofocus and Ergofocus join the glazed fire family.
The fireplace brand now presents three glazed Ecodesign models. The original designs of both Ergofocus and Domofocus also remain intact. The pure and ergonomic shape of the former and the development of the curves of the latter have been perfectly preserved as well as their 360-degree swivel action. As with the Gyrofocus, an ingenious sliding glass window offers a perfect view of the flames without risk of sparks flying.
Image credit: FOCUS
FOCUS is the only company in the sector to constrain the combustion chamber of its fireplaces to its design. This already difficult challenge has become much more complex with the ambition to close its fireplaces and provide them with real energy performance, making them eco-efficient. The organic shape of these iconic models were not initially suited to this dual technological problem.
FOCUS began a dedicated transformation of its industrial process 1o years ago, by creating an R&D department and investing more than six million euros into it. In order to further speed up and streamline the certification process, Focus has also equipped itself with a test bench identical to that used by the European laboratories that award Ecodesign approval.
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.
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa opens
The island getaway on the Arabian Peninsula marks the first property for luxury brand IHG Hotels & Resorts in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Here’s what we know…
Located on the sparkling shoreline of Hayat Island, the new five-star resort and spa by IHG Hotels & Resorts plans to bring the InterContinental life to the Arabian Peninsula by combining idyllic island style living with the warm hospitality of authentic Arabia. The resort’s design is inspired by the three original tribes of the emirate, the Desert, Mountains and Sea, and shelters 351 sea facing guestrooms, suites, and private pool villas, along with six dining outlets.
“InterContinental Hotels & Resorts have been pioneering luxury travel in new destinations for over 75 years and the undiscovered destination of Ras Al Khaimah couldn’t be more perfect for a new, best-in-class InterContinental resort,” said Haitham Mattar, Managing Director India, Middle East and Africa. “Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation has grown internationally and has put the Emirate on the world travel map. Its focus on heritage, cultural and adventure activities has a strong appeal to domestic and also international visitors. We look forward to welcoming guests to this exquisite property and offer a level of bespoke hospitality that is befitting of the region.”
Image credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts
From Classic Seaview Rooms to Family Villas, all the guestrooms face the sea, complete with discreet private balconies and terrace areas, offering breezy panoramas of blue hues. The private Pool Villas are a luxurious sanctuary, each equipped with their very own private pool, while the larger 150square metre villas offer a luxurious sleeping, living, dining and pool experience in an environment where the décor, furniture, and the latest technology create a relaxing environment for travellers and a home-away-from-home experience. The Presidential Suite is the largest of all accommodations, providing immediate access to the lapping waters just outside the door in a 200 square metre suite which perfectly captures the island aesthetic of the wider resort.
A dining destination in itself, the resort is also home to six all-new culinary outlets, offering an assortment of venues each with their own unique story. From Levant & Nar which delivers Levant influenced delicacies with a modern twist, through to NoHo, a trendy hangout inspired by the artistic streets of New York, there is something for everyone and every mood.
Image credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts
Whether you choose to while away the hours on the white sandy beach which overlooks the royal blue of the Arabian Gulf, or spend the warm, sunny days by the infinity pool, a variety of water sports are on offer as well as a curated activity programme that includes the Planet Trekkers and Teens Club facilities. Planet Trekkers provides a curated program to actively engage children and enhance their view on the world.
Complete with state-of-the-art equipment, the resort’s light flooded health club is the perfect place to get a workout in, complete with a separate fitness studio, outdoor tennis court, as well as saunas to relax in after a workout. The Spa InterContinental, scheduled to open in April, will provide an extensive range of anti-ageing and wellness treatments, along with modern remedies to melt away stress and enliven the senses, including a traditional Turkish Hammam.
From the dazzling coastal sands to the far-reaching desert-cloaked topography, the resort’s Concierge Programme – a dedicated hallmark of the InterContinental brand – is on hand with a wealth of knowledge about Ras Al Khaimah’s unique treasures and how to best explore them, curating individual experiences for every guest.
Poltrona Frau celebrates 100(+10) years of design evolution
This year, Italian leather atelier Poltrona Frau celebrates 110 years of craftsmanship, design, evolution and timeless style…
To commemorate the landmark event of turning 110, Poltrona Frau embarks on a series of ventures that touch upon some of the themes most important to the brand, showcasing its longstanding commitment to the harmonious balance between heritage and innovation.
Image credit: Poltrona Frau
One of the projects commissioned by Poltrona Frau to honour its 110th anniversary is an installation curated by Michele de Lucchi, which is to be unveiled in the Poltrona Frau Museum in Tolentino.
The brand will also introduce an extraordinary Limited Edition of the iconic Archibald armchair, reinterpreted by international artist Felipe Pantone, resulting in a product that typifies the very midpoint of history and transformation that has characterised Poltrona Frau for 110 years. Furthermore, the year 2022 will see the introduction of Poltrona Frau’s Pelle Frau Impact Less Leather, which is tanned with natural ingredients and without the use of chromium, for a reduced environmental impact, a symbol of Poltrona Frau’s strategic journey towards sustainability. Poltrona Frau is in fact committed to replacing the Pelle Frau® ColorSphere (CS) collection with this innovative leather by the end of 2022, with the aim of reducing Co2 emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.
Poltrona Frau’s 110th anniversary exemplifies the solidity of the Tolentino-based company, which was recognised by the Italian government as a Historic Brand of National Interest in 2021. A leader in high-end furniture and an ambassador of Italian excellence to the world, a culture of beauty and craftsmanship is at the very core of Poltrona Frau’s manifesto. “100+10 Years of True Evolution”, marks the slogan that celebrates this anniversary; highlighting a consistent and honest evolution rooted in heritage, design and sustainability as strategic development levers. Particularly over the last ten years, Poltrona-Frau has demonstrated its innovative vision through the completion of a wide range of activations, projects and collaborations; from the launch of its e-commerce platform, to the furnishing of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, in which it designed a total of 177 custom pieces for the cultural institution.
With this anniversary, Poltrona Frau lays the foundations for a future that looks towards experimentation with new aesthetic languages and sustainable production, but which all the while retains the culture of excellence that has made the brand what it is for 110 years.
Love them or hate them, these bathroom trends, identified by Villeroy & Boch, are ensuring that bathrooms are anything but conventional…
As we all know, for better or worse, trends often repeat themselves. From fashion to music, beauty to interior design, you can often spot the nods of appreciation toward times gone by.
However, there are few more striking examples of this, than with the evolution of bathroom design. From the reintroduction of complementary coloured suites, to contrasting flashes of colour, it’s easy to appreciate the stylish examples of history repeating itself in the very best ways.
Making a reappearance are many of the designs and colours which we associate with the 1970s. Villeroy & Boch has taken a stroll down memory lane, to look through their photo archives taken from catalogues from the 1970s to see which bathroom trends are making a comeback…
Below are three key bathroom trends that are making a comeback in 2022:
Avocado is back, or is it?
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
A slightly less garish take on the ‘avocado green’ bathrooms of the 1970s, softer accents of sage and olive are set to be huge in 2022. Balancing out the tone of the green with a more neutral colour palette helps to create a soothing place to relax and unwind. Villeroy & Boch’s Finion vanity unit in olive matt lacquer, paired with the Villeroy & Boch Artis washbasin in sage green is the perfect confirmation. The natural shades create an atmosphere of assurance and vitality in your bathroom, perfect for a moment’s peace.
Hello, yellow!
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
A bright yellow bathroom suite was all the rage in the 1970s. While a yellow toilet might be off the cards, if you are looking to add a touch of sunshine to your bathroom, a yellow feature wall paired with the perfectly formed Villeroy & Boch Artis washbasin in Indian summer gives a tasteful pop of colour. The bright shades of yellow will give your bathroom the positive vibes of a warm summer holiday all year around!
Primary with personality
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
A triadic colour scheme is making a comeback. This trend refers to rooms featuring three different shades from different sectors of the colour wheel. Historically, this may include bold shades such as cadmium yellow, post box red, and celeste blue. Today, we are more likely to see a muted scheme, with darker accents, a splash of vibrant colour and a more calming pastel shade to bring harmony to the space.
Villeroy & Boch 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.
Strength & beauty: Boost Collection by Atlas Concorde
The Boost Stone collection from Atlas Concorde features the strength of natural stone meets the concrete effect for a look with timeless appeal…
There’s an ancient natural limestone at the heart of Boost Stone, the new Atlas Concorde collection that interprets the material strength of that rock in an extremely contemporary key. The graphics of Argent Roc limestone are the common thread of an aesthetic study inspired by a rigorous, balanced style, which finds an echo of great charisma in the visual diversity of natural stone.
The new surface range interprets the beauty of stone: with its simple yet welcoming allure, it perfectly matches with the concrete look of the Boost and Boost Pro collections to decorate both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
Designed to adorn indoor and outdoor spaces with a contemporary appeal, Boost Stone allows for a great amount of stylistic and design versatility while conveying an extreme level of realism through the rendering of the stone’s natural details.
The vivid look of the stone is combined with a selection of colours, finishes, and decors designed to be matched with the concrete effect of Atlas Concorde’s Boost world, creating a new aesthetic code. Argent Roc natural limestone has a texture with a variety of details, with delicate granular inclusions embedded in the compact base marked by microgranules and thin veins.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The variety of the colour range is a strong point of the collection: 10 highly contemporary colours explore neutral shades – from cool to warm. The varying shades reflect the natural tones of the Argent Roc stone: from the dark grey of the French Pyrenees to the warm inflections of Catalonia. The final harmony of each individual colour is the result of a careful balance of contrasts, a uniform sum of multicolour details.
To respond effectively to the most sought-after design needs, Boost Stone includes a wide range of formats for indoor and outdoor use. With its 10 colours, the collection represents the largest palette in Atlas Concorde’s XL 120×278 format. The latest development is the extra soft Matte finish, which offers an extremely pleasant touch while maintaining a high non-slip coefficient. It’s available in all the formats and is able to fully leverage the aesthetics of natural stone, bringing out its earthy character.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The selection of decors is divided into four ranges for floors and walls, which interpret the key geometries of a look characterised by formal rigour and simplicity.
Hex Mosaic
Included in the Boost and Boost Pro collections, the Hex Mosaic introduces an avant-garde element to the aesthetic continuum of natural stone. The composition consists of hexagonal tiles and is available in all the colours of the range.
Mosaico Cube
Stone-effect and concrete-effect tiles are harmonious components of this decor. The 30×30 cm base module builds geometric progressions where variable colours and textures rhythmically coexist. Thanks to the particular look of this decor, you can choose between random laying or the construction of precise geometric patterns to create final results that are sure to make an impact.
Mosaico Brick 30×60
Available in all the colours of the range, the Brick Mosaic is offered in an original linear, geometric module capable of adding a new contemporary twist to the timeless strength of natural stone.
Mosaico 30×30
Ideal for use on floors and walls, the Mosaico 30×30 inspired by natural stone and composed of square tiles measuring 4.8×4.8 cm is a simple yet striking decor.
Available in all the colours of the range, the Brick Mosaic is offered in an original linear, geometric module capable of adding a new contemporary twist to the timeless strength of natural stone.
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.
Ingranaggio by Gessi takes mechanical precision into the bathroom
The new Ingranaggio collection by Gessi is about purity of design with strong linear shapes creating a series of elegant and refined products which are at the same time functional and versatile…
Seeing the bathroom as a space in which to re-energise, as well as place that needs to be functional and streamlined, the Ingranaggio Collection by Gessi is characterized by a slender body and a tubular lever that seems to lean as if suspended in a delicate balance. The design is based on mechanics, inspired by the function and proportions of balanced cogs in a watch, or a gear system that is both discreet and dynamic. A harmonious combination of rigorous attitude and Italian craftsmanship tradition, conceived for a new market increasingly looking for dynamism and versatility.
Image credit: Gessi
The collection, with its slim lines and delicate linear decoration, includes a variety of mixers, counters, wall fittings and accessories. The mixer is made of brass with treated surfaces, finishes and patterns that enhance the design creating an interesting alternative to the metal surfaces that we are used to seeing in the field of taps. Ingranaggio offers the possibility to create innovative looks by incorporating numerous modular and coordinated variables. The Ingranaggio shape is characterized by the thin tubular lines of the spout that bends at the end and intersects with the body, which is in turn interrupted by the cut of a low and integrated handle. The tubular lever is divided into two parts and embellished with a delicate linear decoration. The concept of linearity is emphasized by the extra-slim proportions of all the elements.
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.
Morgan’s top nature-inspired furniture collections
Erin Johnson, Design Manager at Morgan, shares which furniture collections best exemplify a biophilic approach…
Biophilic design, which seeks to connect building occupants with the natural environment, is here to stay, with an emphasis is on sustainability and well-being. What better way to cultivate both than by connecting people to nature, no matter the space?
For Morgan, it starts with trees. The natural world drives so much of what we do, from our sustainability initiatives to many of its seating and table designs.
Below, Erin Johnson, Design Manager at Morgan, shares some of our top collections which draw inspiration from the great outdoors and can help bring some of that natural vitality inside.
Lugano
This collection reflects its namesake, Lake Lugano in Switzerland, in the way the chair’s seat and body float within the frame which cradles them. Designed to embody the idea of nurture and being nurtured, Lugano balances a crafted timber frame with soft, enveloping upholstered elements.
Image credit: Morgan
The collection features a signature lounge chair, small lounge chair and dining chair, offering options to introduce embracing comfort into both dining and more relaxed environments.
Designer Rock Galpin designed Lugano with reducing environmental impact in mind. The chairs are comprised of three separate elements, which can be individually replaced or updated, avoiding the need for a complete product replacement.]
Kaya
Moving south from the landlocked glacial lake, Kaya was inspired by the similarly named sacred forests along a vast stretch of the Kenyan Coast, reflecting the openness, honesty and purity of trees.
Image credit: Morgan
Image credit: Morgan
Comprising three lounge chairs and two dining chairs, the collection evokes an atmosphere of ‘komorebi’, the Japanese word for sunshine filtering through leaves, through an emphasis on space and light. Crafted timber frames create an airy aesthetic, complemented by a geometric back of small individual sections.
Sculpted, soft upholstery brings enveloping comfort to the strong timber frame for a feeling of relaxed luxury.
Comprising three lounge chairs and two dining chairs, Kaya delivers natural elegance for any project, from cosy reception or dining areas to spacious breakout areas and gallery spaces.
Rio
For those looking to incorporate modern and visually striking organic elements in their designs, Rio is a perfect fit. This collection of side and coffee tables and dining/meeting chairs stands out as Morgan’s first to include 3D printed components.
Image credit: Morgan
Designed in collaboration with studio Integrate, Rio features chair backs and table baskets constructed using a mathematical algorithm and printed in polyamide. The result is a sculptural, organic ‘lacework’.
A second generation of tables, launched in 2018, saw the addition of a more geometric and regular aesthetic with sharper angles, reminiscent of the way branches grow on trees.
Kyoto
Ideal for spacious environments, Kyoto is a system of intersecting benches inspired by Japanese gardens and bridges. The collection is available in 10 asymmetric, dual height configurations. Elegant, lengthy and minimalist, the seating brings to mind the towering bamboo of Arashiyama’s famous grove.
Image credit: Morgan
Table tops available in timber, glass or Carrara marble make this a functional and attractive solution for receptions, presentation areas and ad hoc meetings.
Last year saw the addition of seat pads to the collection, offering designers more versatility to incorporate the linear aesthetic by turning window sills, steps and other surface into seating areas.
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.
Sneak peek: Little Beach House Brighton – Soho House by the seaside
Located on Madeira Drive with views out to sea, Little Beach House Brighton, opening later this month, will be Soho House’s third UK House…
Almost exactly one year ago we ran through the Soho House pipeline that included openings across continents from Rome to Texas. But this one, a little closer to home, somehow managed to slip under the Hotel Designs radar. Taking up a seaside residence in Brighton, the Little Beach House will embrace the sea views of its location with a design to reflect the vibrant Art Deco architecture of the neighbourhood.
Image credit: Soho House
“So many of our existing members live in Brighton, so it seemed like a natural step to open a local House in the city,” said Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Soho House.“It is a brilliant place, full of progressive spirit that our members love.”
The glass-fronted House will feature a terrace with a pool and will be connected to the Soho Works building which will be launched later in the year. Little Beach House Brighton will include an events space on the ground floor, a Club space with a bar and House kitchen, a members only restaurant, and the Soho Works Loft which is an apartment style space with meeting and lounge areas.
With the brands ‘home away from home’ ethos having launched in London in 1995, Little Beach House Brighton will be the third UK based House outside of London, and the first coastal property. We can’t wait to see how the creative spirit of Brighton influences the shape of things to come in this seaside House.
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Goddard Littlefair unveils spa design for Raffles London
As the monumental transformation of the landmark OWO building continues, Raffles London at The OWO has announced the launch of a new destination spa and health club. Here’s what we know…
Slated to open next winter, the spa and health club, in partnership with world-leading beauty and wellness brand Guerlain alongside movement and nutrition experts PILLAR, will be the first exclusive Guerlain branded spa in the capital. With plans to offer a holistic well-being experience, with a focus on restorative wellness and active training, the Spa will be situated at the heart of the landmark Grade II listed former Old War Office on Whitehall. Designed by interior design studio Goddard Littlefair, the expansive wellness space spans four levels and will offer a personalised well-being experience. Exclusive to Raffles London there will be a signature treatment and wellness menu alongside a bespoke training, nutrition and recovery programme.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
“Guerlain is one of the most iconic high perfumery and high cosmetic houses in the world and we are excited to be partnering with Raffles London at The OWO to create our new flagship in the capital which is set to be a world-class spa,” said Véronique Courtois, CEO of Guerlain. “To introduce Guerlain to London for the first time will be a very special moment for us, especially in a space with such incredible heritage, countless stories and such a meaningful history.”
Open to guests at Raffles London, residents of The OWO Residences by Raffles, as well as spa members and day guests, the Guerlain Spa will form one of the key areas of this monumental building which comprises 120 guestrooms and suites, 85 unique branded residences and 11 destination restaurants and bars. The Spa will feature nine treatment rooms including a barber and salon, beauty treatment spaces, Guerlain boutique including High Perfumery collection as well as a separate VIP area and two couple suites. The active wellness spaces, driven by PILLAR, comprise an extensive gym and yoga studio, juice bar, striking 20 metre swimming pool complete with a vitality pool and steam and sauna rooms.
Image credit: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Movement specialists PILLAR will launch a members’ health club and oversee the training and health programming at Raffles London. Founded by elite performance coach Harry Jameson, PILLAR is one of the UK’s most recognised names in modern health, renowned for its unique approach to preventative health and personal optimisation. The expert team will offer a truly unique service that places equal emphasis on movement, recovery and nutrition. Dedicated programmes for members, delivered by expert trainers, will focus on strength and stress relief. In addition, therapists will offer a comprehensive range of recovery experiences with a tailored nutritional offering created by chef Joey O’Hare, available from the ground floor PILLAR Kitchen.
For those looking for complete seclusion, the Spa will feature two dedicated Wellness Suites. These elegantly designed rooms feature an open space for yoga as well as light training equipment. Guests will additionally be offered a comprehensive menu of treatments, which are offered in the comfort of these rooms, as well as private training and nutritional menus, allowing for a comfortable and intimate wellness experience.
“Serenity, harmony, relaxation, recovery and pleasure are the pursuits of well-being that fuel and rejuvenate luxury travellers globally,” said Emlyn Brown, Global Vice President – Well-Being at Accor. “They are the touchstones for wellness at Raffles Hotels & Resorts and immersed in every inch of the Guerlain Spa at Raffles London. With societal habits shifting and wellness taking on new and further-reaching meaning in a post-pandemic world, the desire and need for overall well-being and its positive effects cannot be understated. True luxury is not about what you do, but how you feel.”
The Guerlain Spa at Raffles London will answer the growing desire for wellness-led experiences and maintain Raffles Hotels & Resorts as one of the world’s leading brands in the well-being space.
Martin Goddard, Co-Founder or Goddard Littefair and Geoff Hull, Director at EPR Architects, are joining us on the speaker programme for Interior Design & Architecture Summit, which takes place on June 30. If you are designer or architect and want to attend FOC, please contact Alex King.
Naturalmat: combining sustainability with a good night’s sleep
Sustainability is not a new concept at Naturalmat, it is in fact in the bedrock of the business, but the brand continues to explore new strategies to reduce and recycle…
When Naturalmat first decided to make mattresses back in 1999, they couldn’t understand why the majority of mattresses were made using man-made synthetic materials that were neither biodegradable nor from a sustainable source. Starting from the premise that natural fibres were best, the company set out to make a mattress that contained just that – without any chemical additives whatsoever. Not only is the provenance of the product important, but packaging is also kept environmentally friendly as the brand continues to develop the range and improve the products, while remaining true to the guiding principles that started this sustainable journey.
Image credit: Naturalmat
All the ingredients that go into a Naturalmat product are 100 per cent natural and from a sustainable resource that is harvested according to Fair Trade principles. Where possible, local sources are used in an effort to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible. At the end of their life, all the materials are 100 per cent biodegradable or recyclable, so will return to nature as nature intended.
Having just published the first impact report, created to share the brand plans as it works towards new sustainability goals. We spoke to Naturalmat about the sustainability strategy moving forward.
“For us, sustainability isn’t just a fashionable bandwagon to jump on, it’s been at the heart of Naturalmat since the very beginning. But with ever more-urgent warnings coming from scientists about the state of our planet and the impacts of climate change and ecological decline, time is now running out. We must keep doing more to raise the bar in our industry.”
For Naturalmat this means being bolder than ever before. In 2021 the company worked with sustainability experts to establish what the biggest challenges and opportunities were, and asked stakeholders which sustainability issues were most important to them. The B Corp. application was submitted, and this process has already brought about significant changes.
With clear targets moving forward, there are five pillars to this sustainability strategy, and these are clearly and succinctly communicated in this infographic listing the aims, ideals and targets.
Image credit: Naturalmat
It is exciting seeing a brand like Naturalmat, which already ticks so many of the right boxes, not only dig deeper into sustainability but do so in a transparent document which not only creates some accountability, but hopefully will also encourage others to look at both process and production, and rise to the challenge of cleaner and more sustainable business practice.
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.
It’s ‘firsts’ all round on this project. W Hotels takes its distinctive energy to Portugal for the first time, while it marks the completion of design studio AB Concept‘s first full hotel and residences project in Europe. We took a closer look inside…
Located on the sun-drenched shores of the Algarve, where jagged cliffs merge with crystal clear waters, the new W Algarve shelters 134 guestrooms and 83 residences. With every inch of the property designed by AB Concept, the intriguing design scheme entwines the location’s striking natural scenery and rich Portuguese history with a sprinkle of the W brand’s signature style.
The destination’s mesmerising curved Benagil caves inspired the flowing design of the hotel’s interior spaces, while the colour palette of blues, aquamarines and turquoise nod to the azure sky and surrounding Atlantic Ocean. From fabrics and surfaces to tempting textures, each detail of the hotel is intentional. Guests will discover expertly curated art and spectacular lighting all telling the story of local traditions and heritage – from ceramics, mosaic and crochet to Moorish costume, fishing livelihoods and the destination’s surf culture.
“We love to create expressive designs for both experience and memory, creating both impactful first encounters and lasting impressions,” said Ed Ng of AB Concept. “We are delighted to be working with W Hotels Worldwide to bring our joint vision of W Algarve to life, combining the cultural nuances and local traditions of this beautiful region of Portugal with W Hotels’ inimitable flair for thoughtful, intriguing and imaginative design across its hotel and residences.”
Image credit: W Hotels
Guests arrive through an entryway inspired by an old local folklore tale featuring a fluid, curved feature wall adorned with infinity mirrors and Portuguese handmade ceramic plates made by Vista Alegre, a Portuguese porcelain craft company that has been in existence for almost 200 years. Designed in ethereal greens and blues and arranged in an abstract form, a mystical underwater feel is created the moment guests step through the doors.
The theme continues into the energetic W Lounge which features a mesmerising wave centrepiece installation made from glass panels, taking inspiration from Moorish jewellery and oceanic bubbles. With one side of the W Lounge opening out onto the terrace, the space is flooded with bright, natural light, creating an indoor-outdoor feel. The glamorous bar, decorated with custom-made Moorish-inspired tiles, features dramatic handblown glass lighting pendants all underscored by a 20 metre long onyx counter that extends from the interior bar to the exterior terrace.
Image credit: W Hotels
The guestrooms all embrace a clean maximalism. Opposites attract as natural hues and materials marry colour. Custom-made furnishings and intricate local touches are peppered throughout including filigree bedside lanterns, dramatic backlit headboards designed in a nod to nearby churches, mosaics made from authentic Algarve ceramic tiles, and a crochet pattern that adorns the glass panel separating the bathroom from the bedroom, reflecting onto the bedroom floor as the light shines through. All rooms offer balconies with stunning views across the gardens and the Atlantic coast.
The 10 WOW suites feature rooftop terraces with endless coastal views. The Extreme WOW suite takes inspiration from Moura Encantadas, the supernatural beings from Portuguese and Galician folklore. In true W style embracing individuality and authenticity, guests are immersed the moment they walk through the mirrored foyer. Outdoors, travellers can luxuriate on their private deck, complete with a dining table, lap pool and unparalleled sea views.
The WET Deck is the W brand’s signature take on the poolside scene, and offers guests a stylish space to soak up the sun. Laid back cabanas surround the curved edges of the cascading pools that mimic the coastline. In addition, the Market Kitchen restaurant has been created with a neighbourhood ambience, taking inspiration from local markets using traditional Calçada Portuguesa patterned pavements, Azulejos tiles and typical style windows. It will offer a relaxed, rustic feel through the timber flooring, floor-to-ceiling tiling detail and louvred, window doors which open out onto the bright fountain garden, flooding the space with light. A tiled communal table in the centre of the restaurant and counter seating will complete the convivial atmosphere created by this space.
Image credit: W Hotels
Sitting atop the hotel with panoramic views as far as the eye can see, Paper Moon, sister to the renowned Milanese restaurant, showcases a chic white interior and exterior, created with white timber and monochrome floors. Stylish and energetic, this is another seamless indoor-outdoor space; interiors are airy and light with windowed doors that open out onto an expansive terrace where guests can enjoy the peninsula’s breathtaking sights.
Moving from dining into wellness, the spacious AWAY Spa features six treatment rooms and a design scheme inspired by local fishing decks. The spa also incorporates a wet area with sauna, steam and jacuzzi and a covered outdoor relaxation area. The Beauty Bar – a relaxed, social space – is designed in pastel hues and incorporates the patterns of traditional Portuguese tiles, created in mosaic across the ceiling.
With the pressure on to create bathroom interiors that restore and inspire, the tiles of M+ provide an array of options that introduce natural tones, texture and pattern to any space and surface…
Taking tiles beyond being a simply practical surface in the bathroom, the collections and designs from M+ introduce different elements that take a much more tactile approach to the traditional tile. Tiles that will suit a range of projects and installations, styles and budgets. Tiles that will pull their weight when it comes to creating a design that transports the bathroom from the everyday to a multi-sensorial space.
Image credit: M+
The Loom collection adds a complex combination of patterns and textures which can work either on the wall or on the floor. The cotton-coloured tile tones in with the basin, keeping everything calm, clean and bright. This tile is through body porcelain and made up of modules of 14x70cm featuring numerous fake cuts to create the strong herringbone pattern, while being laden with texture influenced from embroideries and traditional lace making. There are two left hand patterns and two right hand patterns. For an optimum pattern, a staggered end to end fixing is recommended. The range, with an R-10 rating, comes in five earthy inspired tones; Hemp, Dust, Carbon, Cotton and Madder. It has an R-10 rating. The inherent pattern in this collection can be highlighted by the choice of grout.
Image credit: M+
The Quilt range invites designers to put their stamp on it, as the individual pieces can be used to create different patterns from the seemingly random to the more ordered approach. It is through body porcelain and available in three neutral base colours, Chalk, Mud and Clay and with a Smooth or Raw surface finish, rating is R-11. The pieces are singles, 9,4cm x 9,4cm with a contrasting-coloured segment or plain versions with a fake joint that can join the pieces together such as stitching, as the range was patchwork inspired.
Image credit: M+
Diamond, the sister range to Jointed is a meshed and geometrical design with repeated modules slotting together, resulting in something different and creative to be used in regular areas on the wall or as a panel to stand out as a piece of art. Jointed is a thin glass based tile, again on mesh and available in five different layouts created by scoring patterns into the chips and available in seven different colour choices.
Image credit: M+
And finally, in an atmospheric and dramatic design statement that will transport any bathroom design into an immersive spa experience, Sticks is a collection of through-body porcelain stoneware modules suitable for indoor and outdoor floor, wall coverings and pavings and immersion (swimming pools). This collection is made from slabs of pressed material cut into the various collection sizes, with different surface finishes, and is available in the moody hues of Plaster, Clay, Smoke and Coal.
M+ 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.
5 minutes with: artist Frances Bildner on inspiration & expression
We caught up with artist Frances Bildner, whose vital and colourful abstract works can be found in collections throughout Europe and America, and asked her what inspires her and her thoughts on the role art can play in hotel design…
Frances Bildner, the founder of Frances Bildner Expressive Arts, creates fine art for both public and private spaces, believing that art has transformative powers which not only enhances an environment but can also add a strong identity to any business. Her bespoke and vibrant artwork can create company ambience while drawing people into a space in an uplifting and positive manner.
Hotel Designs: A lot of your work is inspired by places. What places have inspired you recently?
Frances Bildner: Cuba has inspired me recently with its dusty beautiful buildings. It is a country full of colour. Truly inspirational. The Cuban people seem to place a great deal of emphasis on art and colour. Their Buildings are beautiful, old and slightly frayed which all adds to the atmosphere. The cars are old classics in pastel colours. Everywhere you look, from hotels to bars and architecture, it is immersed in colour and style. It is a place that really places emphasis on style and aesthetics. It is a real inspiration for any artist. Just to be a part of this kind of environment encourages creativity. In the words of author Rachel Weiss in her book To and from Utopia in New Cuban Art, “every Cuban is an artist and every home is an art gallery.”
Image credit: Frances Bildner
Image credit: Frances Bildner
HD: What makes your artwork so appealing for hotel designers?
FB: My paintings are bold, colourful and vital. They add a certain statement to the hotel walls and make people feel comfortable in the hotels. People don’t seem to want art that melts and disappears into walls anymore. Indifferent, wallpaper-like images that don’t say anything. My art does make a statement and compliments the lobbies and guestrooms in hotels. It adds warmth and life, and helps make the atmosphere congenial. It also helps unify the space to complete the atmosphere in the hotel. I believe that colourful vital art also promotes good business as hotel guests are affected by the environment and will tend to stay in a hotel with a warm colourful atmosphere more than in dull cold hotels where there is little emphasis on the interior.
HD: In your experience, what are the major pitfalls facing designers when specifying art?
FB: Sometimes designers are not open enough to artwork and are constrained by fashion and trends, especially when it comes to colour. They are also sometimes a little cautious, avoiding artwork that is bold and colourful. They don’t always like to take risks, and so avoid originality. They not only miss out on something unique and beautiful, but also seem to go back a few steps to safer images that are watered down and melt into the background.
HD: In a recent article, you mentioned art’s power over the January blues. Why is there such a emphasis on bold colours at the moment?
FB: Bold colours make one stop and look, and can banish the cold indifference brought on by January! January and February are months when people in cold climates tend to become more listless and at the same time we naturally try to get away to warmer climates where colour is abundant and the sun shines. By adding more colour in the shape of bold art to the hotel rooms and lobbies, design can help people forget, albeit it temporarily, those winter blues.
Image credit: Frances Bildner
HD: What’s your favourite period of art history?
FB: The German Expressionists with their emphasis on freedom and emotion with a move away from realism. This was in great contrast to movements that came before which focused on more accurate depictions of reality and nature. They used brilliant colour and painted according to inner feeling. They were reacting against the bourgeois culture of Germany at the time, and it was a very fertile and exciting time for the arts. I would have loved to have been part of this movement. Also the Abstract Expressionists and their action painting, so spontaneous and free. Primarily based in New York City, their art placed great emphasis on the expressive and emotional content.
For me these two movements represent the most exciting period in art history as both marked a freeing of restrictions that were around for artists before modern art.
HD: We’ve noticed a rise in art residencies in hotels recently, do you feel this is a good or bad thing for the art industry?
FB: I think it’s a good thing, as more people are taking notice of what artists can contribute. It enables the artist to become a part of the bigger picture, and inclusion and integration of this sort is, I believe, a good thing for the art industry. Artists in residence are becoming a growing trend amongst the most innovative hotels, the Ace Hotel New York is a good example where they host writers, photographers and painters. In The UK we have art hotels in Bristol and the London Edition for example has pieces by Jenny Holzer and Tracy Emin.
HD: We recently wrote about digital art, and its wellness benefits. Will traditional art ever be replaced by digital experiences?
FB: I hope not! Why does digital art have wellness benefits? Certainly, I don’t understand why digital art would ever provide more wellness benefits than traditional art. In my opinion, digital art or NFT’s can never be a substitute for an original painting or a good print from that original. How can owning a piece of something digitally replace owning an original which one can see and touch every day? I recently read an article about a man who had NFT’s and finally bought an original. He was so excited about owning an original painting! I hope traditional art is never replaced by digital art. We have been through many periods of ‘painting being dead’, but it has always bounced back. I believe it is here to stay – from the cave paintings in Lascaux to our modern art, painting is alive and well.
Frances Bildner Expressive Arts is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Frances Bildner Expressive Arts
Latest bathroom products from GROHE have a natural rhythm
GROHE encourages the use of the bathroom as an oasis of calm by introducing elements of biophilic design through its premium product portfolio…
The benefits of biophilic design are boundless, and it is clear that inviting the outside in can have a resoundingly positive impact on our wellness, from improving air quality through to helping to reduce stress. As many of us have spent more time than ever indoors over the last few years and the importance of prioritising our wellbeing for both physical and mental health reasons is ever prominent, it’s understandable that creating biophilic spaces has become a growing trend. Focussing in on the bathroom, there are several ways of incorporating nature into the overall look and feel of the space. Introducing low maintenance greenery is an easy first step, be it devil’s ivy or a potted fern, for bringing an element of the outside into one of our most sacred of spaces.
Image credit: GROHE
Taking biophilic design beyond the greenery, GROHE has a range of products within its portfolio that contribute to design through innovation, such as the updated GROHE Allure range and the GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body spray. The GROHE Allure tap line offers minimalist design with its slim profile which partners with the brand’s state-of-the-art water technology to offer a unique, tactile experience. Through the floor-mounted taps and waterfall spouts for the bathtub and the GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body sprays offering Rain or Active Jet sprays, guests can immerse themselves in a bathing experience designed to feel just how nature intended.
Image credit: GROHE
With sustainability at the heart of every GROHE innovation, it’s no surprise that the new sprays enable eco-conscious water usage thanks to water and energy saving GROHE EcoJoy technology, allowing guests to enjoy a premium shower experience responsibly.
“At GROHE, we’re passionate about driving transformation when it comes to protecting our planet,” said Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA. “Elements which allow bathrooms to become even more harmonious through the use of biophilic design work hand in hand with our products which have been designed to encapsulate modern needs of a relaxing space while living more consciously. From massaging Rain sprays in our overhead showers to water free flowing, without even touching a button, through our infra-red taps, we’re here to celebrate all of the joys of water through our innovations.”
GROHE is no stranger to environmental considerations through its product portfolio, and how sustainability and design can work together based on the principles of biophilic design. Through further technology such as its ES (energy saving) innovations, taps can help prevent the needless use of hot water helping buildings to reduce their carbon footprint. ES taps offer only cold water in the mid-lever and cold mode position, eliminating the need to heat water unnecessarily, while precise hot water is accessible by moving the lever to the left.
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.
With so much being written about the positive effect of biophilic interiors, we caught up with three brands to see how they have incorporated biophilic design into their products…
The term biophilia was first coined by German-born American psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in the early 70s, to describe ‘the passionate love of life and of all that is alive’. Moving on to the early 80s, American biologist Edward O Wilson suggested that human relationship with nature and other life-forms was in part genetic. Whilst science has yet to identify a biophilic gene, we all appreciate our innate desire to connect with nature and the feeling of wellness that brings, which is why biophilia as a design tool is resonating so strongly across the board.
There are many ways beyond a pot plant to approach introducing biophilia into a design, from pattern to colour, materials to texture. It is a broad palette which presents designers with a range of options to introduce these notes of wellbeing into a product or design process. We spoke to three designers from different disciplines to explore a little beyond the surface of biophilic design.
Table Place Chairs is a true advocate of how furniture can provide a fantastic way to incorporate nature into your space. Wood is renowned for its acoustic properties, and it’s good to know that all the oak and beech products supplied by Table Place Chairs is FSC certified. Available in different natural stains without losing the detail of the natural grain, their ability to customise allows products to fit into all styles of biophilic design, everything from a light natural space to a darker toned interior.
Studies have shown that visual connections to nature in the workspace can improve employee’s cognitive functions. Table Place Chairs have many clever solutions to enhance this visual connection through furniture. Whether it is using natural wood finishes or grain enhancement on an oak framed chair or customising their Clover seating collection by adding elements such as rattan. As well as promoting FSC, Table Place Chairs use recycled timber as a sustainable alternative for table-tops.
Good biophilic design should encapsulate all elements of nature to create enduring, liveable spaces. So it’s refreshing to see architecture and interior design moving away from concrete jungles and heavy steel structures to incorporating more natural elements, from vibrant oasis walls to freshwater aquariums and air filtration systems. Textiles and soft furnishings play an important role in tying biophilic design schemes together through the use of natural colours, organic, dry textures and designs inspired by flora, fauna, and botanicals.
Image credit: ILIV
ILIV have recently launches two collections inspired by biophilic design which have taken varying approaches, from hand painted watercolour wild grasses to architectural geometrics and show-stopping tropical florals. Influenced by warmer climates, the Exotic Garden collection comprises six coordinating design from tropical origins. The collection ties in elements of the outdoors from leaf details to intricate exotic plants helping create a beautifully balanced space.
Image credit: ILIV
Inspired by serenity, the Serene collection has been designed to bring calmness and tranquillity to interior design, a strong trend which has swept the nation during the global pandemic. Feeling relaxed and at ease in our homes is something that many of us have strived for over the past few months and bringing that same tranquillity into the contract environment is key.
A recent study by Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health Sir Cary Cooper entitled ‘Biophilic Design in the Workplace’ surveyed 3,600 office workers across Europe and the Middle-East. The results showed how internal green space, natural light and foliage boost the mood, productivity and job satisfaction of employees while also reducing stress.
Image credit: Newmor
Wallcoverings are great way to combine colour and print to mimic the natural world – from the organic colours and textures of stone, wood, and botanicals, to print and patterns inspired by landscapes, fauna and flora. Using biophilic inspired designs for the spaces we live, work, and relax in can increase feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and serenity. It has also been shown to improve concentration, creativity, and productivity, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Image credit: Newmor
Newmor Wallcoverings provide interior designers with an ultimate choice of biophilic inspired patterns. From Leaves, a large scale skeletal leaf design to their wonderfully witty Banshee cacti pattern by The Patternistas, and the pure drama of Blooming Marvellous, a collection of large scale palms and florals. All designs can be printed onto vinyl wallcovering or window film, creating even more opportunities to incorporate biophilia in interiors today.
Table Place Chairs, ILIV, and Newmor Wallcoverings are all 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 & architecture podcast: series 2 of DESIGN POD now live
Series two of Hotel Designs’ official design podcast, DESIGN POD, was sponsored by Minotti London. For the next eight weeks, we will be dropping new episodes that explore sustainability, luxury design, hotel development and furniture design…
In the first episode of the series, available to listen to on all major podcast platforms, Kilburn and Forde welcome Rachel Hoolahan, an architect and the sustainability co-ordinator at architecture firm Orms.
A pioneering example of someone who is putting forward innovative and honest initiatives that will encourage the industry – and the wider world – to work towards a circular economy, Hoolahan recently become the studio’s sustainability coordinator. She joins the podcast while the studio’s latest project to breath new life into the former Central St Martins Building in London – and has a few clever ways to convince clients to think more consciously.
Upcoming episodes, which will drop weekly over the next eight weeks, will include Tim Griffin (on design in hotel development), Hen’a Yadev (on unconventional materials in design), Guy Oliver (on modern design in heritage buildings), Jo Littlefair (on a new era of luxury design), Ed Murray (on sculptural and fluid architecture), Simon Kincaid (on flexibility in design and architecture) and GamFratesi (on the art of luxury furniture design.
Series two of DESIGN POD is sponsored by Minotti London. If you would like to sponsor future episodes, please email Katy Phillips.
Donut Fear – a new carpet collection from Moooi Carpets
Moooi Carpets’ colourful collaboration with artist Jae Yong Kim is sure to deliver a smile and a sugar-rush…
For Moooi, transforming a small ceramic design into a large 2D carpet is an interesting creative process. The interpretation of the design changes, so working with Jae Yong Kim to find the right designs was a fun challenge, with a very exciting outcome.
Jae Yong Kim loves donuts. Being an artist was his dream, and instead of eating them, he decided to use them as a canvas. In 2012, Kim put his first solo show of donuts on display. The exhibition ‘Lust for Donuts’ was a concept he was working on since 2010. Most of his work used to contain little colours due to colour-blindness. He used these donuts as a basis for making colour tests and ended up feeling comfortable with the results. The overwhelming response helped him to overcome his fear of using colours and revolutionised his donuts.
Image credit: Moooi / Jae Yong Kim
Kim made his Heart Donut thinking of ‘Color of my heart’ in year 2020. It is a heart shaped chrome donut with a multicoloured surface. Through this work, he attempted to express his wish to possess a heart filled with all different colours and happy inspirations. It felt like if he could have a colourful heart, he could then catch, absorb, and appreciate beautiful colors around his life.
The Spring Donut design is equally optimistic.”When Spring is just around the corner, I get so excited to see beautiful flowers blooming everywhere,” explains Kim.”Spring is precious for the natural colors and the quiet beauty. This marvelous season satisfies all senses in me. I tried to capture the flower, a symbol of Spring, on the donut, joyfully thinking how bright and sparkly the coming spring will be.”
Kim sees his work as a visual language that delivers smiles in a time where life isn’t always easy. The more challenges he faces, the brighter and shinier his work tends to be. It gives him strength and joy while creating it.
Seeing these bright and shiny designs transferred to the pile beneath our feet will definitely be bringing a smile to our faces.
Moooi Carpets 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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