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.
With a design guided by the island’s singular aura and extraordinary landscape, Luxury Collection hotel Mystique is perfectly placed to encapsulate all that is special about Santorini…
With warm April temperatures beckoning, this Aegean utopia is the ideal escape for an Easter getaway, and owners Kalia and Antonis Eliopoulos of Kanava Hotels & Resorts are excited to welcome guests back to for the 2022 season. Linked by a network of cobbled pathways, Mystique Santorini’s 41 Suites and Villas, two swimming pools, Lure Restaurant by Olivier Campanha, rejuvenating Elios Spa, and state-of-the-art gym, all feature panoramic sea views across to the active volcano vista.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Designed by architect Mary Kavagia, the hotel embraces the cycladic style of its location while preserving the nature that envelops. All suites and villas are facing the sea with generous terraces that embrace the landscape. The interiors were carefully redesigned to bring more light in and create curves that give a sculpted feel. French designer Frank Lefebvre created custom-made furniture with natural materials, inspired by nature, and harnessing the elegance of simplicity.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
The hotel has taken on board the changing needs of the modern traveller, and Mystique’s ultra-luxury Suites and Villas are all sensitively designed to delight guests with the natural beauty of the Caldera cliffs with generous indoor and outdoor living space, along with all the outstanding services and amenities of the hotel. In keeping with the serenity of the property, and with the guests Wellness experience always a priority, Mystique is excited to continue its partnership with OPO, an immersive meditation programme. Guests can access bespoke and customisable sessions whilst they relax in this Greek haven.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Offering ultimate seclusion, self-care is taken to another level where guests are able to book an intimate candlelit dinner in the privacy of their own outdoor terrace. Other round-the-clock services are also available in-room, including organic treatments from the hotel’s Elios Spa. The Spa is also a destination in itself, offering a sanctuary for renewal and rejuvenation with an array of wellbeing experiences leaving guests feeling radiant and refreshed, and all within the confines of a beautifully designed space that is rooted in its location.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Further bolstering the hotel as the ultimate Santorini experience, Mystique’s restaurant Lure, is helmed by renowned French Chef Olivier Campanha, who joined the team in 2021 with experience leading Michelin-starred restaurants. The property’s new culinary program is characterised by locally and sustainably sourced produce that highlights the best of the region’s rich gastronomy. Campanha has created dishes that harmonise exceptional food with a healthy lifestyle, highlighting the very best local and seasonal ingredients with a contemporary twist on traditional Greek and Mediterranean flavours.
Image credit: Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini
Meanwhile, in the Secret Wine Cave, guests can experience a unique wine tasting in Mystique’s 150-year-old wine cellar with the rarest indigenous wine selection in Oia. Other dining concepts include Charisma serving the freshest Greek-inspired cuisine in a truly memorable setting while Captain’s Lounge, which occupies the original site of a century-old mansion, caters for casual dining.
Eastwind Lake Placid set to open its scandi-inspired doors this spring
Eastwind Hotel & Bar are gearing up for the launch of its second property in Lake Placid, offering travellers a designer-curated outdoor escape with Scandinavian and postmodern inspired décor. We took a closer look…
Eastwind Lake Placid is a year-round, boutique retreat in the heart of the Adirondacks, ideal for elemental getaways and gatherings while still being only moments away from the bustling downtown. The design focusses on providing authentic connections to nature through 26 designer-curated accommodations including luxury cabins and one standalone two-bedroom residence with vintage Scandinavian design and postmodern inspiration.
Image credit: Eastwind / Lawrence Braun
“We wanted to create a cozy space where you can curl up after a day of hiking or skiing, and just relax.” — Bjorn Boyer, Eastwind Co-Founder
Previously a 1950s motor inn, the second Eastwind property from founders Bjorn Boyer, Julija Stoliarova, and Dan Cipriani, will offer easy access to one of the largest protected parklands in the United States. Occupying five buildings on land along the Chubb River, the hotel will feature an array of indoor and outdoor experiences geared at discerning design and outdoor enthusiasts. Amenities will include a pool, a vintage library, a spa, a communal fire pit, saunas, bike and skate rentals, along with weekly programming of live music, yoga and pilates classes.
Image credit: Eastwind / Lawrence Braun
Image credit: Eastwind / Lawrence Braun
Taking cues from its sister property in the Catskills, Eastwind Lake Placid will feature a refined food and beverage program which guests can enjoy across a variety of different formats from breakfast baskets to seasonal outdoor meals made on an open flame Argentinian grill. Scheduled to open later in the year, a former blacksmith shop turned bar and lounge will offer intimate eating and drinking experiences, which can be booked by individual guests or reserved exclusively for private dining.
Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden is perched by one of the oldest castles in Japan, and sits at the foot of rolling hills, with commanding views of the Kisco River…
For a brand like Hotel Indigo, which is used to arriving in new territories, location is everything. This is certainly the case with its latest property, Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, which has become the brand’s third hotel to open in Japan.
Located in the Urakuen Garden together with Inuyama’s National Treasure, the Jo-An tea house, and perched by the timeless Kiso River and Inuyama Castle, the unique surrounds lend itself to an abundance of neighbourhood stories and memorable guest experiences.
Inuyama is a timeless city full of lively festival culture and cuisine. The Inuyama Castle is one of Japan’s oldest castles and sits at the foot of rolling hills with commanding views of the Kiso River, offering spectacular scenes throughout the Sakura season.
“Hotel Indigo is a powerful storyteller and we are constantly thinking of new and exciting ways to contribute to the area of Inuyama and the stories that we share to guests in Japan and abroad,” Tsukasa Yanagishima, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden. “We are very proud to be able to open the Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, a place with such a wonderful history, culture, and human warmth. As part of the community, we will do our best to contribute to the development of Inuyama City and the neighbouring areas, and we thank the community for their support as we open this beautiful hotel.”
Image credit: IHG
The garden is the heart of the hotel, consisting of nine zones, including a mysterious walkway serving as a prologue to two National Treasures: the Jo-An tea house and Inuyama Castle. Its walkways evoke a sense of ‘time travel’, taking guests through contrasts of contemporary and vivid patterns, majestic landscapes and breathtaking views of Inuyama.
Just as no two neighbourhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are alike. Each is designed to uniquely reflect the local culture and history of the area. Inuyama bursts to life with 156 guestrooms inspired by the liveliness of the town, including large wall-art above the bedding with mountain motifs reminiscent of the sprawling hills, vistas and playful character of the region.
The neighbourhood motifs is continually referenced throughout the hotel, including in areas such as the restaurant and bars, which shelter a philosophy built on the richness of Inuyama flavours. Indigo Home Kitchen Yamateras reigns as the hotel’s signature restaurant and focuses on the traditional, nostalgic food culture of the region with seasonal produce and local specialties.
Stories of the neighbourhood are weaved through the dishes to the cocktails. For a whimsical escape into the town’s festival culture, the BAR Yoyama is a lively bar inspired by the 13 yama motifs (‘floats’) carrying karakuri mechanised dolls, a much-loved part of the Inuyama Festival. Calendrical screens also adorn the bar, a feature of the Jo-An tea house.
Hotel Indigo Urakuen Garden offers the ultimate in relaxation with the region’s only traditional onsen (hot spring): Inuyama Onsen Hakutei no Yu. The onsen is a stunning, both indoor and open-air natural hot spring, with clear alkaline properties to help purify the skin, and its tiles take inspiration from the Kiso River.
For inspired meetings and events, the Hibiki room is an energetic space where guests can experience the four seasons of Japan through floor to ceiling windows. Design cues have been captured to reflect the surrounds, with a combination of lanterns and wooden frames inspired by the Inuyama Festival on the ceiling, and patterns of the Kiso River’s ripples and glow through the carpet.
Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden is the third Hotel Indigo property to open in Japan, following from successful openings of Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora in January 2020, and Hotel Indigo Karuizawa in February 2022, and the first in the Tokai region.
Ideal Standard unveils Singular to streamline bathroom design
Ideal Standard has just launched Singular, a completely new approach to specification that aims to simplify the selection process while bringing together the company’s deep product knowledge, sector expertise and design services…
Ideal Standard Singular is a simple, flexible process which has been specifically developed to streamline bathroom design and simplify the selection process, while still inspiring creativity. It enables customers, architects, and designers to create tailored, holistic bathroom designs from a complete range of product categories, including brassware, ceramics, furniture, bathing, showering and accessories. This means customers only need a single supplier and one dedicated point of contact but will still have access to unlimited inspirational bathroom solutions from a complete range of product categories, including brassware, ceramics, furniture, bathing, showering and accessories.
“To me, Singular represents a toolkit, one which every designer can use to find components for the perfect bathroom,” said Roberto Palomba, chief design officer at Ideal Standard. “It allows you to combine products adapted across different models, finishes and sizes, to result in multiple solutions that all have their own identity. Singular is Ideal Standard’s definition of creativity, giving people choice in a way that simplifies the entire process.”
Image credit: Ideal Standard
Ideal Standard Singular is built on a thorough understanding of customer and sector needs, and showcases the company’s breadth of range, innovative product design and high-performance technologies, all of which combine to create solutions that make life easier for everyone. Whatever the bathroom type, design style or specific sector requirements, Singular offers everything to bring these concepts to life and to easily adjust them for a tailored result.
Whether customers are looking to create a shower room in the trend colour silk black, an elegant master bathroom using the timeless Linda-X collection, or a stand-out washroom centred around the iconic Tipo-Z washbasin, they can be confident that all products within the proposed solutions work together seamlessly, not just in terms of design but also performance.
Ideal Standard 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.
British contract furniture brand Morgan has introduced two new dining chairs, expanding on the relaxed luxury of its Kaya collection…
First launched as a trio of lounge chairs in 2019, Kaya embodies a beautiful contrast between the soft informality of simple, tailored upholstery and the clean geometry of a crafted timber frame. The dining chairs’ simplicity and smaller footprint offer interior designers further versatility in how they specify this timeless collection. Along with the small, large and high-back lounge chairs, the new additions mean there’s a chair suitable for every space and occasion.
Image credit: Morgan
“Kaya was so well received following its initial launch, we wanted to explore how we could imbue a dining chair with the same elements of strength and comfort,” said Erin Johnson, Morgan Design Manager. “We’re pleased with the result: a clean, classic profile with an inviting seat, perfect for a dining or meeting environment. Compared to the lounge chairs, these have minimal upholstery, making the timber the star of the show for an enduring, natural aesthetic.”
A range of options allows designers to tailor the dining chairs to realise their creative vision, starting with a choice of a slatted or cane backs. The frame can be specified in a variety of finishes, such as walnut, oak or ash, for a preferred aesthetic or to match other design elements. Finally, add a lively splash of colour, neutral sophistication or irresistible tactility through customised fitted upholstery.
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.
HRC is back and putting industry trends in the spotlight
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is set to return to ExCeL London on March 21-23 with a showcase of the most important hospitality trends and exciting new products to emerge over the past two years…
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) is the UK’s largest and most prestigious event for the hospitality and foodservice industry. The show welcomes a wide range of suppliers, from big brands to innovative start-ups, showcasing ground-breaking products in catering equipment, food, drink, technology, interior design and tabletop solutions. Making a grand return, this year, for the first time, HRC will take place alongside the International Food & Drink Event (IFE), IFE Manufacturing, London Produce Show and The Pub Show, bringing together a diverse audience of more than 35,000 food, drink & hospitality professionals along with over 2,000 suppliers.
“Since the last edition of HRC in March 2020 we’ve seen a huge amount of innovation and creativity in the world of hospitality and foodservice” said Event Manager Ronda Annesley. “This year’s event will be a not-to-be-missed reunion for the industry and a chance to discover all the trends, opportunities and products to grow your business in the years to come.”
Staffing challenges are top of the agenda in the world of hospitality and HRC 2022 is addressing the issue directly on the Vision Stage, designed by Harp Design and curated by EXP101. Alongside addressing a wide range of key industry issues, the event will also be showcasing high-end design solutions. Interior design has never been more important for welcoming customers back into hospitality, and HRC’s newly rebranded Design & Décor section reflects the importance of a strong brand and atmosphere in a hospitality or foodservice environment. The show’s Vision Stage will also welcome leading designers and architects such as Alon Baranowitz and Irene Kronenberg to discuss the very latest trends and challenges in this sector.
In HRC tradition the show will also be celebrating culinary excellence and will see the return of International Salon Culinaire for its 120th edition. This year’s competition has over 100 live and static challenges and displays, showcasing some of the UK’s best chefs. The first live edition of the competition since 2020 has introduced new categories including The Apprentice Challenge and Pub Chef of the Year.
The event will also welcome back The Staff Canteen Live, which will see 12 chefs, plus a chef they see as ‘one to watch’, recreate their favourite dishes and share their experience and insights with the live audience. HRC 2022 will take place alongside IFE, International Food & Drink Event, IFE Manufacturing and The London Produce Show, creating the UK’s biggest gathering of food, drink and hospitality professionals.
HRC takes place between March 21 – 23, 2022. Head over to the website to view the full seminar programme, and register to attend.
HOTEL de LEN: a hotel design story about sustainability
The newly renovated HOTEL de LEN has been designed as a tribute to both its location and to the natural element of wood. It is a story of well-being and sustainability that begins in the heart of the structure…
The new HOTEL de LEN has opened its doors after a major renovation of the historic Hotel Impero, located in the centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites. Spearheaded by architectural firm GRIS+DAINESE in Venice, the project put forward a proposal for a new structure in both form and concept, connected with the surrounding area and paying particular attention to the environment and wellbeing of people. The project is based on the principles of sustainability and pays homage to the Ampezzo heritage, offering a contemporary experience which is deeply rooted within the land and history of its location.
Image credit: HOTEL de LEN / Alessandro Amodio
The name, De LEN means ‘of wood’ in Latin, and underlines the attention throughout the design to the traditions of the territory while of course referring to the main element of the architectural structure. Inspired by nature and sourcing locally, wood is the hero of this design, both aesthetically and as a sustainable and renewable material which offers protection from unwanted noise, as well as atmospheric and electromagnetic pollution.
Image credit: HOTEL de LEN / Alessandro Amodio
Sheltering 22 guestrooms, the hotel is a combination of contemporary design and Alpine tradition.The simple lines and modern design are complemented by natural patina of the wood. Known for improving the quality of sleep, the bedrooms in particular are clad and decorated in the local pine, whose natural properties contribute to enhance the balance of body and mind. Another feature of the hotel is the spa on the top floor of the hotel, overlooking the mountains and valley,again heroing the local and sustainable materials in the design and construction.
Main image credit: HOTEL de LEN / Alessandro Amodio
Artist Daniel Arsham collaborates with Kohler 3D-printed sink
Kohler has collaborated with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham to create the Rock01, a 3D-printed sink inspired by technical innovation and craftsmanship…
The Kohler and Arsham Rock.01 is a limited edition 3D-printed sink, which debuted in a co-created space at Design Miami. As part of the debut in Kohler’s Design Miami space, New York based Arsham created a custom installation entitled ‘Stone Flow’, which featured a series of stone-like objects and forms to reflect the design process, inspired by organic forms found in nature.
Image credit: Kohler
Like much of Arsham’s work, Rock.01 is a homage to time. Comprised of 3D-printed vitreous china and hand-poured brass, the sink’s vessel blends modern-day technology with Kohler’s nearly 148-year manufacturing legacy into what can only be described as functional high art. The effects of time are reflected in the patina of the brass ‘rock’ and achieved through a forced coercion process.
Image credit: Kohler
The bathroom brand’s revolutionary method of 3D printing vitreous china is at the forefront of innovation in the industry, and the technology itself is what made it possible to produce the design which was too complex to make using traditional methods. Kohler’s exploration into 3D-printed vitreous china challenges the traditional conforms widely accepted within bathroom design, and welcomes the discussions of the future of the bathroom and its relationship with functional art.
Arsham’s collaboration with Kohler reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to the arts. Since 1873, Kohler’s mission has been to contribute to gracious living through the highest level of design, craftsmanship, and innovation.
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.
Villeroy & Boch on integrating form and function in the bathroom
Energising in the morning, relaxing in the evening, the washbasin plays a central role in our daily routine – Villeroy & Boch take us through some design considerations in the bathroom…
No other bathroom installation fulfils quite so many functions as the washbasin. This is where we carry out many of our daily hygiene routines, from brushing our teeth in the morning to getting ready for a party in the evening. But lighting, colour and organisation play a role here too. Cleverly organised furniture, smart illuminated mirrors and ceramics in individual shapes and colours can make the washbasin a favourite place, while still meeting all the functional requirements.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
When it comes to designing a washbasin area, we need to consider a few important questions: How many people will use it each day and what are their expectations? One collection that meets almost every requirement is Subway 3.0. This collection includes compact single sinks with sizes starting from 37cm, perfect for smaller single or guest bathrooms, while the large double washbasin, with its length of 1.3 metres, is spacious enough for two people to use and is a real multi-talent in a family bathroom. Deep basins and wide ledges ensure ease of use and make the range exceptionally functional. Coordinating vanity units in timeless single colours, soft natural shades, strong on-trend colours and warm wood looks create a homely feel and provide lots of storage space. With optional highlights such as lighting inside drawers that switches on automatically on opening, and LED floor lighting with an emotion feature for atmospheric light effects and orientation in the dark, the installation is as much about function as it is about making a design statement.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
For anyone on the hunt for an individual look in the bathroom, the washbasins from the Artis and the Loop & Friends collections are an ideal choice. Selected colours and shapes make the washbasin a favourite place that perfectly reflects the personality of its users. Whether with the new Artis shades of Indian Summer, Sage Green, Rust and Bordeaux or with cool matt colours from Loop & Friends: individual colours and shapes elevate the washbasin to a real style statement. Coordinating vanity units from the Legato collection with an optional LED light strip add yet another highlight. For those who like more daring looks, with its wide range of colours, Finion is the ideal sparring partner for Artis and creates surprising effects.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Having the right lighting for every occasion is key to a successful interior, and the bathroom is no exception. A coordinating mirror adds the finishing touch to the washbasin area. The challenge is to ensure it is just as multifunctional and ideal for both energising morning routines and relaxing moments in the evening. Smart LED illuminated mirrors which transition seamlessly between different brightness levels and colours meet every possible requirement. Functional and atmospheric light effects are controlled using an integrated touch sensor or optionally via the app or by voice command.
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.
The iconic St Regis brand is expected to open in London in 2023, bringing its glamourous spirit and timeless traditions to the heart of Mayfair…
Solidifying St. Regis’ position as a global leader in luxury, The St. Regis London is expected to welcome its first guests in 2023, bringing its trademark highly personalised guest experience to the corner of Bond Street and Conduit Street, and planning to blend the brand’s modern glamour with the best of British style and service. Marriott International announced it has signed a management agreement with Cola Holdings and The Westbury Hotel Limited to bring the storied St. Regis brand to the well-heeled area of Mayfair, London. This highly anticipated signing will bring the brand’s celebrated rituals and rich heritage to one of London’s most alluring neighbourhoods.
“This is a pivotal moment for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts as we bring this cherished brand to the United Kingdom. St. Regis offers an exquisite experience inspired by the exceptional private retreats of its founding family, the Astors, whose commitment to excellence, sophisticated style, and passion for innovation continue to define the guest experience today,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “We are delighted to bring the brand’s timeless legacy, cherished traditions and bespoke service to one of the finest addresses in London, and look forward to becoming the city’s most glamorous destination for locals and travellers alike.”
The St. Regis brand continues to expand its renowned global portfolio by adding this highly sought-after address in Mayfair. Plans call for an extensive £90 million redevelopment and transformation of the former Westbury Mayfair Hotel, with the addition of an eighth floor. The hotel, which is expected to open with 196 elegant guestrooms and suites, will be designed by Peter Newman-Earp of Morrison Design with interiors by Richmond International. Furthermore, the property is set to receive an extension to the rear of the hotel, creating enhanced public areas, along with renovations to the façade of the building and the drop-off area outside of the main entrance. Design plans include a signature restaurant, speakeasy jazz bar, fitness centre and spa.
The St. Regis London will honour the building’s heritage by retaining the iconic Polo Bar, originally designed for the Phipps family of America, avid polo players and creators of the Westbury Hotel in New York and London, and where guests will be able to enjoy a local twist on the Bloody Mary, St. Regis’ signature cocktail. The renovation will seamlessly blend high-design with the celebrated hallmarks of St. Regis Hotels, including exquisite experiences, avant-garde style, and anticipatory service.
“We are delighted to celebrate the signing of The St. Regis London with Cola Holdings and The Westbury Hotel Limited” said Paul Thomas, Vice President, International Hotel Development, Marriott International. “London is a highly sought-after market for luxury travellers and this landmark signing underscores our commitment to growing Marriott International’s dynamic portfolio in strategic destinations.”
Marriott International currently operates 16 properties under the St. Regis brand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The signing will further enhance the company’s luxury footprint across the region.
Designing contemporary luxury bathrooms inside Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen is sheltered inside an iconic architectural landmark in the Danish capital city. When designing a hotel that answered to the needs of modern travellers while also remaining sensitive to the building’s past, Universal Design Studio leaned towards the experts at AXOR when focusing on luxury bathrooms…
Housed in the former Danish Post and Telegraph office, which dates back to 1912, sits Villa Copenhagen, which Hotel Designsreviewed when it first opened in 2020. The 390-key hotel signals a ‘new social scene’ for the Danish capital, offering conscious, approachable luxury complemented by intuitive and personalised service. Incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into its overall strategy, the hotel takes full responsibility for its impact on the planet, which is why durable, water-conserving and beautiful AXOR products were chosen for the bathrooms.
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen was designed by London-based practice Universal Design Studio. The rooms are designed to offer a moment of escape and slowing down, a connection to the beauty of Copenhagen. Handcrafted Zellige tiles, an internal window of textured glass, and custom marble vanity units feature alongside AXOR fittings, finished in Chrome and Brushed Black Chrome, an exclusive AXOR FinishPlus surface: “We used the Montreux collection because we were looking for a product that had a heritage feeling, but was still contemporary, especially using the black chrome finish,” said Richard McConkey, Interior Architect, Universal Design Studio.
Image credit: Villa Copenhagen
The presence of bespoke AXOR Montreux basin and bath taps in the hotel’s eight Shamballa suites deserves special mention. The suites, designed by Danish luxury brand Shamballa Jewels, convey an atmosphere of luxurious warmth, laid-back tranquility, and exciting contrast. In the bathrooms, the Shamballa team worked closely with AXOR Signature, the customisation service of AXOR, to create bejeweled handles—cast as double thunderbolts, the symbol of Shamballa—for the taps. The handles are inlaid with ruby and sapphire to represent hot and cold water; they express perfectly the AXOR commitment to individualisation and personal luxury. “AXOR were really open to approaching this almost unachievable and bespoke vision with both care and attentiveness,” Olga Krukovskaya, Architect, Shamballa Jewels, recalled. “It was extremely helpful to have the team from Germany helping us with the technical aspects, producing prototypes, and always with quality from the start. We have built good memories and strong relationships through the whole process of working with AXOR.”
All AXOR fixtures at Villa Copenhagen help the hotel achieve its high sustainability goals. AXOR even developed a special shower system design featuring its water-conserving EcoSmart technology. “In Scandinavia, there are, and rightly so, very tight water flow rate specifications that we needed to adhere to for the project,” added McConkey. “AXOR have been excellent in helping us meet those criteria.” Rather than compromising the guest experience, such resource-saving measures enhance the experience instead.
Indeed, that’s what conscious luxury is all about. Joyful, inclusive as well as sustainable. And Villa Copenhagen is a perfect match for the city with which it shares a name.
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.
Salt Hotels to open property in iconic Hollywood address
Just 35 all-suite keys will sheltered inside The Asher, Salt Hotels’ latest property, which will open in June 2022…
Arriving in Hollywood this June, The Aster is conceived to elevate the next generation of private members’ clubs. In addition, though, it will embody the warmth, welcome and sophistication of the world’s best luxury boutique hotels.
The club and hotel will deliver a space designed to activate each member’s mind and body, where they can work, play, and stay, surrounded by robust programming in the heart of Hollywood.
“When we began developing the concept for The Aster, we sought to create a new type of membership club,” said David Bowd, Founder & Chief Executive, “by establishing a modern hospitality-led space for individuals in Los Angeles with a diverse range of backgrounds and interests, each with one commonality – the desire to connect.”
Image credit: Salt Hotels
Design-led with personalised service, The Aster will offer members with unique indoor and outdoor amenities including a swimming pool, lounges, workspaces, bars, restaurants, a recording studio, a screening room, a cabaret lounge and a variety of spaces dedicated to health and wellness.
Additionally, 35 luxurious all-suite hotel rooms – each over 700sq.ft in size, with workspaces and lounges – will be available for members and visitors alike.
“As a result of the pandemic, we’ve noticed how the lines of work and play have blurred and there is an increased desire to live with flexibility and freedom,” added Kevin O’Shea, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer. “In creating The Aster we look forward to providing locals and travellers alike with meaningful spaces to meet, connect, work, dine and unwind, regardless of whether someone is a member or hotel guests.”
The adults-only members’ club and hotel, named after the native Aster flower which blooms in Los Angeles, will welcome a dynamic group of trailblazers and multihyphenates, all while transcending the stereotypical membership club. The Aster’s hybrid club-cum-hotel approach supports a diverse, ever-changing array of guests and experiences, free from any strictures.
The project is curated and executed under the creative, and attentive care of award winning Salt Hotels. The forthcoming launch will follow the hospitality brand’s most recent openings in 2021, Hotel Greystone (Miami Beach) and Hutton Brickyards (Kingston, New York), which will bring the brand’s portfolio to five unique properties, with The Aster presenting the first members’ club offering.
The property is situated in an impressive six-storey 29,000 square-metre building on the iconic Vine Street between Yucca Street and famed Hollywood Boulevard intersection. The space has been strategically placed at the very heart of Hollywood making it just a stone’s throw away from landmarks such as the Capitol Records building, Gower Studios and Netflix.
The Aster will welcome a fellowship of innovators, artists, and dynamos, providing unique spaces to bring work and ideas to life. A club where creative connections come naturally, members are invited to plug in or unplug, utilising the variety of unique spaces.
9 women inspiring a new wave of hotel design & architecture
To mark International Women’s Day, and to celebrate the hotel design community being ahead of other industries when it comes to equality and diversity, we have identified nine women who are unapologetically challenging conventional approaches to design, architecture and hospitality…
International Women’s Day is a day of both celebration and of challenge. And the call to action for 2022 is indeed all about challenging – and breaking – stereotypes. Here at Hotel Designs, we’re steering the conversations towards a more inclusive path on every level, and it is interesting to note that inclusivity, diversity and difference is in many ways what is driving the hotel design industry forward as hospitality models change and shift.
Flying the flag for International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the contributions of some of the standout women in the hospitality industry who have made their mark from moodboards to boardrooms with work that continues to ensure that women are both an integral and an inspirational part of the industry.
In the words of the legendary designer Ilse Crawford, “we need to honour our heroines because unless they are visible, we will not encourage the next generation of female designers.”
So in the spirit of honouring our heroines, here is our list of movers and shakers in the industry, whose work we feel is contributing to the spirit of #BreakTheBias.
Tina Norden, Partner, Conran and Partner and current Interior Designer of the Year
Tina Norden is a rare breed when it comes to hotel and hospitality design. Throughout the pandemic, Norden was a consistent and key voice in the industry, speaking as a leading interior designer and architect at various online events on topics such as emerging interior design trends, the impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry, inclusive design, and quality craftsmanship. Throughout this year, the interior designer and architect continued to mentor more junior members of her team and generally kept the momentum going and the positive vibes electric all while working on and completing large-scale projects remotely. It was therefore only natural for the judges of The Brit List Awards 2021 to collectively award her the prestigious title of Interior Designer of the Year.
Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House
Image credit: Bergman Designs /Vigo Jansons
Anyone who works or has worked with Marie Soliman, will agree that the interior designer with 16 years’ experience under her belt is a creative breathe of fresh air. An avid visual artist as well as a designer, Soliman’s keen eye for the timeless and the well-crafted has guided her on journeys around the world to spearhead such globally recognized projects as BXR London, We11, The other House hotel in London, NOR hotel Norway, and Eagle Lodge in Botswana, among others. One of her latest project, Laowai, a concealed hospitality concept in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood, is her first North American venture, with another scheduled for completion later this year in New York City.
The designer’s vision stems from her belief in the vital spark of adventurous souls willing to take risks, and try and test new ideas in the service of creating fabulous and engaging experiences. Her goal is always to bring fresh ideas to the fore, while revelling in — not fearing — the chaos of creation.
Rachel Hoolahan, Architect, Orms
Image credit: Orms
Hoolahan is an architect at the London practice Orms, where, by taking on the role as Sustainability Co-ordinator, she has become a driving force in the process of change within the architectural industry and her work and research is impacting directly on design practice as we know it. Orms have always championed concepts of sustainability in the design process made visible in projects like The Standard in London. Working within this framework Hoolahan has been able to push the boundaries when it comes to sustainable development, looking at how to integrate it into the design process rather than being seen as an add-on. Key to her research is the importance of both access and collaboration, as sustainability in our built environment is not practice specific but needs to be taken on by the industry as a whole if there is to be a meaningful impact. In 2021 she was awarded the AJ100 Sustainability Champion Award for her work in not only putting the issue the design and architectural agenda, but, together with colleagues at Orms, finding ways of integrating it into design practice.
Image credit: BARANOWITZ + KRONENBERG / W Amsterdam
Irene Kronenburg is one half of the energy that makes up the iconic Baranowitz and Kronenberg team. As a designer she has always championed individuality and storytelling though her designs. Long before the hospitality and hotel design industry were talking about the ‘local narrative’ of a location, Kronenberg was using that as cornerstone to her creativity. She has never had a formulaic approach, and each project is unique and looked at with a fresh eye, bringing something new to the design table. A clear example of this approach is illustrated with the concepts the designer delivered for W Hotels both in Amsterdam and Ibiza – one brand, two very different voices. Her eclectic approach has led her to break design rules while creating new stories, with the one constant being the underlying design ethos that, “there is no formula…everything we do is made-to-measure and hand-stitched.”
Geraldine Dohogne, Founder, Beyond Design
Image credit: Beyond Design
Having been highly commended in the Interior Designer of the Year category for a second consecutive year, Dohogne’s design approach is clearly resonating. Having started her career in operations at Zannier Hotels, and despite not having any formal design training, it wasn’t long before her innate talent came to the fore and expressed itself in a range of projects. Her work shows a depth of design, an understanding of the importance of locale, and above all, a sensitivity to the environment in which a project is placed. She has more recently set up her own studio, Beyond Design, where she continues to be true to her design vision that is all about authenticity as she champions a thoughtful and carefully crafted approach to hospitality design.
Kalia Konstantinidou
Kanava Hotels & Resorts
With a background in PR, Konstantinidou has forged a strong brand identity for Kanava Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel and hospitality brand with its roots embedded in the Greek island of Santorini. With a strong sense of location and place Kanava continue to make inroads into the Greek luxury market, but importantly, in a way that takes a very considered approach to location and with an understanding and sensitivity to the local fabric. A champion of slow and mindful travel, she has encapsulated the cycladic way of life into the designs while taking on board the need to connect, to engage with communities, and to travel for a purpose. In her own words: “we create projects with the essence of being sustainable, sincere, and purposeful places for us and global travellers to live in, and we insist on creating awareness for a better kind of travel.”
Naomi Heaton, Founder, The Other House
Image credit: The Other House
As CEO of The Other House, Heaton has a background in private rentals which has clearly informed the concept that is being driven by the brand as it sets out to be both disruptive and innovative in the hospitality sector. The ethos behind The Other House started a groundbreaking shift in the model of hospitality that is slowly becoming more mainstream. Heaton looked critically at the whole concept of flexibility of space and duration of stay, and what followed was the blurring of boundaries between home, hotel, and membership club. The brand has also taken on the challenge of the technology/personal touch balance with a clear vision of how to integrate both into a very modern lifestyle experience. With the first hotel getting ready to open its London doors, we look forward to seeing Heaton continue to challenge hospitality conventions.
Interior Designer, Mary Katrantzou
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Greek fashion and textile designer Katrantzou has recently collaborated with Villeroy & Boch on the exciting VICTORIAN tile design project – showcasing the shifting sands in the design world where boundaries are there to be broken. Having been given the title ‘Queen of Print’ in the fashion industry, it was only a matter of time before she put paint to paper and took her design narrative onto an entirely different surface. On her website she describes her world as feminine, innovative, bold and artistic, all of which can be seen in the tile collection which combines strong graphic qualities with elements of nostalgia. As an image led designer her work highlights the potential of increasingly symbiotic relationships across the disciplines.
Sonia Cheng, CEO, Rosewood Hotels
Image credit: Rosewood Hotels and Resorts
Sonia Cheng is noteworthy for several reasons, not only is she CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, which in itself has earned a reputation for its ‘A Sense of Place’ based narrative approach to hotel offering and design, but she did so just over ten years ago at the age of 30. Her vision has been central to the growth of the family brand, based on a clear understanding of what a millennial traveller is looking for in the realm of luxury experience, while making sure that the local history and culture of the location is central to every Rosewood property narrative. With an impressive catalogue of both reimagining legendary hotels and creating new ones, the company under her leadership has an ambitious pipeline taking it forward over the next decade which reads like a list of future travel hotspots.
While it is clear that the glass ceiling, albeit a well-designed one, is still in place in the hospitality industry, it is important to recognise the significant steps forward made by these women, along with so many others, towards a truly democratic and equal hospitality scene that is without bias.
Stephan Tahy has been CEO at Duravit for a little more than 18 months; he spoke to us about his expectations going in and his objectives going forward…
As a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms active in more than 130 countries worldwide, stepping into the CEO spotlight at Duravit is not a job for the fainthearted. After 18 months at the helm Stephen Tahy shares his insights and ideas, along with plans which include expansion and transformation as the company moves forward tackling the challenges of the day head on.
Hotel Designs: Since you’ve been CEO at Duravit, which of your expectations have been confirmed so far and which have turned out to be completely wrong?
Stephan Tahy: I’ve been positively surprised about how dynamic this company is. Even though, or as I now know, precisely because, our roots are in tradition and craftsmanship, we have great potential for the future. The employees are full of ideas and are very open-minded. To name just one example: alongside her regular work for Duravit, Franziska Wülker, Head of Research and Development, developed a space toilet and was awarded a prize by the US space agency NASA as the only individual among various American teams. The Lunar Loo functions both in a weightless environment and on the moon.
At first glance, our products are pure utility items. But anyone taking a closer look will discover how much more development this brand and this company engages in – in terms of its products, materials, and its people. As a company, Duravit represents design, craftsmanship, durability, and excellence.
Image credit: Duravit
HD: What are your objectives with Duravit and how do you want to achieve this?
ST: My objective is to lead Duravit into the future and to ensure its sustained success. To achieve that, we need to further expand into and conquer for example existing sales markets such as Europe, China, and the USA with their huge potential for growth. In that respect, I see this company as still being a strong brand with traditional products in ten years, products that continue to meet the highest standards in terms of quality and design and are installed by experts. For the future I can certainly also imagine add-ons such as smart services in sectors including health.
With the acquisition of the Bernstein brand and the ‘Bernstein bathroom shop’, we have satisfied the considerably higher demand for online shopping driven by the pandemic. Nonetheless, our anchor point within the two-brand strategy remains focused on classic sales via the Duravit brand with the unique expert advice from wholesalers and specialist retailers. After all, leading the company into the future means choosing bold yet sometimes also unconventional approaches, while at the same time preserving tried-and-tested models.
HD: What role does the workforce play in your ambitious plans?
ST: For me the employees are a clear focus. And they are undergoing huge transformations, especially in terms of hybrid working. My job is to enable them to realise their full potential, to show them a vision, and to accompany them on the journey into the future. The boundaries between work and leisure are blurring. Although this creates more flexibility for our employees, at the same time they are required to exercise individual responsibility to maintain a healthy balance. Conversely, our role as employers is to be more attentive and to offer employees greater support and encouragement.
Close communication with the employees in the production department is especially important to me. After all, this is where our products originate – the core of our brand. Whether I look at our traditional company HQ in Hornberg or our fully automated plant in China, it’s the people who make the difference with their expertise handed down over the decades and their passion.
To listen even more closely, we devised the ‘Have a word with…’ format in Germany and asked the employees to contact me directly with their questions and requests. I want to know where the pressure points are, and I want direct communication with our people.
Image credit: Duravit
HD: You want to be climate-neutral by 2045. Can you explain a bit more about this process?
ST: Sustainability is incredibly important to me. First because I believe our society needs to bear responsibility in this respect. And I don’t exclude our company from that. And second because sustainability – for young customers – is an elementary aspect of the purchasing decision. Thus, we’re working constantly to keep resource and raw-material consumption and emissions to a minimum, while remaining mindful of our social responsibility both globally and regionally: our production facility in Hornberg exclusively uses renewable energy. Today we already treat and reuse water from our production processes. Additionally, we advocate ‘local for locals production’ to minimise transport miles.
But that’s not enough for me! That’s why we’ve asked Porsche Consulting to help us out. We’re working together on a concrete sustainability strategy that will enable us to be a climate-neutral business by 2045. It’s a long road ahead because the production of our basic material – ceramic – is energy-intensive. This involves large-scale technological transitions. Further, we won’t rely solely on offsetting CO2 emissions. The challenges that we face in terms of sustainable production are therefore huge. But we want to achieve it anyway, not only for us, but above all for the next generations.
HD: As an experienced CEO what can you learn from young businesses and startups?
ST: We can take a lot of inspiration from startups, in particular in terms of new working models. At the same time, agility is becoming increasingly important, not only in IT companies. What matters for us is not to plan too far ahead, but rather just get on with it and then tweak things as need be. Cross-functional working has a lot of potential for us at Duravit, which is why we are already encouraging it through tailored measures and projects such as our sustainability strategy. In future we want to be less inhibited and bolder about blazing new trails more frequently, to be open to new ideas, to learn from one another, and work better together in teams. Of course, not everything about the startup mentality can be transposed wholesale on to a company like Duravit.
But it’s nonetheless always really inspiring. That’s why I’m also a member of the advisory committee of FrontNow, a startup that seeks trading partners for food-startups. This is an absolute win-win situation where the newcomers benefit from the experience of a range of industry leaders. Conversely, we get acquainted with state-of-the-art digital ways of working and above all meet a range of really interesting young entrepreneurs. In terms of what we talk about, it’s a bit of everything from general chat about subjects such as new working models through to concrete collaborations and the adoption of interesting technologies and products.
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.
Richard Ticehurst, brand expert at Crosswater, takes a look at emerging bathroom trends that are all about a stripped-back simplicity along with some spa-inspired indulgence…
Identifying the key trends shaping our bathrooms, from extreme minimalism, through to Japandi and spathrooms, the thread running through these hybrid terms seems to be about simplicity. Richard Ticehurst, a brand expert at Crosswater, walks us through the influences and inspirations, while looking at what each actually mean for hotel bathroom design and product innovation.
Extreme minimalism
Minimalist bathrooms have risen in popularity over recent years, however, now is the time to strip back to the very basics. Sleek and uncluttered, an extreme minimalist bathroom goes a step further than its predecessor; paring back contemporary bathroom ideas to their bare essentials. Placing emphasis on brassware, authentic finishes are essential with this trend, with colours such as chrome, brass, brushed nickel and carbon black creating a feature piece.
Image credit: Crosswater
Japandi
Move over Scandi, here comes Japandi! Renowned for its sophistication, clean lines and warmth, Scandinavian inspired design has been in vogue for the last few years. To evolve the trend, interiors have taken the very best of Scandi and integrated it with Japanese design. The result is Japandi – a contemporary bathroom idea that embraces richer colour palettes, sleek styling, and incredible functionality for newfound comfort and a sense of hygge in the home.
Image credit: Crosswater
Botanically green
Refreshing and revitalising, green botanicals are becoming a large feature of contemporary bathrooms. With more time spent outdoors, we’ve realised what we’ve been missing indoors, which is an abundance of nature – think potted plants, natural materials, and flamboyant botanical wallpapers.
Image credit: Crosswater
Spathroom
With more time being spent at home than ever before, the spa-inspired bathroom trend is growing rapidly. The key to creating an indulgent spa-inspired bathroom is minimalist design, low lighting, luxurious baths, and high-performance showers. As the home spa trend focuses heavily on mood, neutral colours, clean lines, and natural materials are also essential.
Image credit: Crosswater
Textures
One of the most significant new trends in bathroom design is texture. From impressive feature walls to intricate bathroom taps, texture can add depth to any bathroom design with tactile, three-dimensional detail. As we continue to bring the outside in, naturally occurring textures are on the top of everyone’s bathroom wish list, with stone, concrete, wood, and marble creating a unique focal point.
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.
In conversation with: Damla Turgut on nature-inspired surfaces
With so much noise being generated around sustainability and nature-inspired surfaces, we couldn’t help but notice Otto Tiles & Design’s latest collection, which is inspired by geometry. To find out more, we spoke to the brand’s Founder and Creative Director…
Otto Tiles & Design has just unveiled its encaustic cement tile collection for spring 2022. To understand more about what makes this range of products unique and meaningful – but also to find out how the last two years have inspired a new era in surface design – we caught up with Damla Turgut who is the Founder of and Creative Director at Otto Tiles & Design.
Hotel Designs: What can you tell us about the new collection that’s inspired by geometry and earth?
Dalma Turgut: As you know, the earth colours and tones have a calming nature, and since you may have noticed, we are addicted to stripes and geometry, and it was inevitable to affect our new collection. In fact, the theme and inspiration of the current and our previous collection was the serene beaches and crystal-clear waters that we missed and couldn’t go to due to the COVID situation. The last collection was dedicated to spring and summer. And our recent one to autumn and winter. All the vibrant colours of summer gave way to pastel and calming tones. We also tried something bolder in terms of colours and shapes in our new collection, and it seems this style will continue to influence our upcoming collections.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: What are the hottest tile trends at the moment?
DT: It is challenging to purify yourself from your personal preferences and answer this question. In design-wise, the boldness, different colours and geometry on the ascent. Also, personalisation is substantial and encaustic cement tiles give you a great playground when it comes to a bespoke design. The terrazzo tiles are spreading quite fast for hospitality design and large-scale residential and commercial projects. The new terrazzo trends are big chips, pretentious and distinctive bespoke designs.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: Tell us more about Otto Tiles, and how the company evolved into what it is today?
DT: Otto Tiles was founded in 2015 with almost zero capital but a colossal enthusiasm and heart. Since the beginning of Otto, we have always aimed to bring a contemporary touch to artisan and authentic tiles. It has been taken roughly four years to open our first showroom, and a few months later, the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have arrived. But our exponential growth continued. We had a great two years. Currently, we are one of the largest independent tile companies in the UK, with a global customer base and suppliers around the world. Next year, we plan to open new branches in North America and the EU.
“We announced 2022 as ‘The year of Terrazzo’, and we are empowering our terrazzo range with bespoke and premium collections.” – Damla Turgut, Founder & Creative Director, Otto Tiles & Design.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: What tips do you have for designers who are thinking about specifying tiles to inject personality into a space?
DT: Simply be bold and get out of your comfort zone. It sounds quite an ordinary and cheap answer, but it’s true. There are dozens of different tiles on the market, but ultimately just a few of them makes a real difference. Encaustic cement tiles will be a perfect choice if you need a bespoke tile from scratch. You can easily create your design with various shapes and colour combinations. If hundreds of square meters are in question without compromising personal touch, terrazzo and marble mosaic tiles are unbeatable.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: What’s next for Otto Tiles – can you tell us about some of the new collections that will be launching this year?
DT: We are focusing on terrazzo and more Otto Signature tiles. We announced 2022 as ‘The year of Terrazzo’, and we are empowering our terrazzo range with bespoke and premium collections. We’ll announce new ranges with our exclusive Italian artisan producers. On the other hand, we will continue introducing our new encaustic cement tile collection, presenting Otto’s creative powerhouse and vision for design. The first upcoming collection will be the Spanish collection, primarily of floral design tiles with contemporary colours.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
HD: One theme we love at Hotel Designs is art outside the frame. What creative ways can designers use tiles to create statement art pieces?
DT: Honestly, there are different ways to use almost all tiles in our range to serve this ultimate goal. The most common way is creating asymmetrical and unique patterns by combining other patterned tiles. You can use both walls and floors. However, you can even push limits and create some objects and furniture with them, such as tile tables.
Image credit: Otto Tiles & Design
Otto Tiles & Design is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Black Friday package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
With hotel bathroom design steering away from convention and moving towards more personal spaces, Plumb It believes wellness spaces should move towards embracing nature…
When you think of a calming environment in the bathroom, you may automatically jump to images of spa-like rooms, flooded in ambient light, pale colours and a touch of greenery. While the average person spends more than 90 per cent of their time indoors, healthcare professionals, scientific researchers and architects alike have realised that there is an innate benefit in fostering a connection to nature for humans, even if it means creating this within your built environment.
Incorporating indoor plants is just one factor of this wide-ranging theory of design, which should also include light, the types and colours of materials used and even the shape of the products. Studies have found a stronger connection to nature can provide the human body a source of stress relief, boost in creativity and enhanced ability to focus, turning biophilic design into a sought-after trend. It’s a well-known fact that incorporating elements from nature into the built environment reduces stress, blood pressure levels and heart rate. However, this also increases productivity, creativity, and wellbeing. Where better to bring this idea to life than in the bathroom? After all, this is the room that we most often associate with relaxation, self-care, calm, and escape.
Here are five ways designers could considering bringing the outdoors in.
Amplify natural light
Whether it’s enlarging windows or adding skylights, more access to natural light is a proven method for improving your mood and boosting an overall sense of wellbeing. Natural light also has the power to completely transform rooms from a design perspective – enhancing the way we perceive colour and texture. Natural light is also dynamic, changing the tone of the room throughout the day and by season, creating a more connected, fluid experience from inside the home.
If natural light simply is not an option, then perhaps consider adding natural-light mimicking lightbulbs, which offer softer, colour spectrum-balanced light that has shown many of the same benefits for boosting mood and relieving depression. Using mirrors also a beautiful and natural way to reflect light.
Image credit: Unsplash / Jared Rice
Bring on the botanicals
Plants are nature’s healer and incorporating plenty of them into your bathroom may have far-reaching positive effects. Researchers in the mental health field are studying the positive affects natural environments have on psychological well-being. Greenery, whether wild or cultivated gardens, may offer relief from stress, depression, ADHD and may even increase intellectual performance, from creativity to productivity. If your hotel environment has proximity to natural landscapes, you may emphasise the view from your bathroom. If you have access to natural light, consider bringing the greenery indoors by adding houseplants.
Steam baths
From pouring water over heated rocks to produce steam in sweat lodges to taking advantage of the steam from volcanic hot springs, nearly every civilisation has a steam tradition. And it’s no wonder: the soothing and wellness-bolstering capabilities of this natural wonder from soothing irritated airways to skin care.
Image credit: Ashton and Bently
Incorporating this natural element into your bathroom routine is not only luxurious, but good for the environment, too. While it takes 100 gallons of water to fill a large jet-spa tub and 17 gallons just to take an eight-minute shower, 20-minutes of immersion in an aromatically infused steam bath requires only about 1.5 gallons of water. A good way to perform this bath time ritual is through the Ashton and Bentley Biome Range (BioLux 100 per cent recycled natural stone alternative).
Making scents in bathroom design
Another way to bring nature in is aromatherapy. Extracted from sources such as flowers, fruits or leaves, essential oils are thought to tap into the human nervous system through smell. Research is limited, but major medical institutions are investigating the power of plants and smell for reducing pain, relieving indigestion, and promoting better sleep. From electronic diffusers to roll-on oils, there are many ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your routine.
Let there be colour!
Bathroom brands such as Bette, Hansgrohe, +39 natural tiles and Bathroom Living have realised the value of colour in the bathroom. While sandy beige and sage greens are great biophilic colours, consider tapping into favourite landscapes, such as deep blue skies or the blush pink of a summer sunset, for your colour story.
To create your own colour palette, start with a landscape reference photo you love and collect other interior design images, materials and colour swatches that channel the same essence of your chosen photo. The resulting mood board, whether you make it physically or digitally, will make choosing décor easier and make the connection to nature both intentional and memorable. Do this through Accessories or natural products.
Bringing the natural world into the bathroom helps create a relaxing, healing space for respite from a busy life.
Plumb It 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.
Located quite literally in the heart of the Spanish capital, only a few steps from Kilometre Zero, which marks the geographical centre of the country, The Madrid EDITION is opening as a new destination at the epicentre of one of the world’s hottest cities…
Following the launch of The Barcelona EDITION in 2018, The Madrid EDITION, opening in preview phase in March 2022, is the city’s first luxury lifestyle urban resort. The hotel’s design – under the ever-watchful eye of Ian Schrager Company – is an unlikely combination of the refined elegance, purity and simplicity of British architect John Pawson and the artistry, spirit and originality of Paris-based François Champsaur. These two completely different and opposite approaches and attitudes juxtapose against each other yet successfully co-exist side by side making The Madrid EDITION a complete surprise and a totally unexpected result that is entirely unique.
“It’s about creating an original and new kind of gathering place for both locals and visitors alike.” – Ian Schrager, EDITION Hotels.
True to brand, the design embraces Schrager’s vision and ethos for an understated elegance while showcasing the innovative and elevated experience, ethos and exceptional luxury service that EDITION is known for with two restaurants, each helmed by a world-class, award-winning chef, three unique bar concepts, exciting nightlife and entertainment, a magnificent outdoor pool located on the rooftop with jawdropping views of Madrid’s cityscape, a wellness and spa facility, and a series of spectacular meeting and event spaces drenched in natural light.
“Madrid, for us, is a truly world-class capital,” said Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique and lifestyle hotel concept, EDITION hotels, and PUBLIC hotels. “It’s just a beautiful city that marches to its own beat and goes its own way.”
The hotel will shelter 200 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, including multiple connecting units for groups of friends and families, as well as an exclusive selection of rooms with private terraces. This innovation and creativity, long associated with Ian Schrager, together with Marriott International’s reputation and operational expertise results in a distinct, original and unique offering that captures the essence of Madrid’s spirit, traditions and energy.
“This is not just a hotel. It’s much more than merely a place to sleep. It is a true hub of popular culture, entertainment and social interaction that is a microcosm of the best of Madrid and that perfectly captures the city’s spirit and essence,” said Schrager. “It’s about creating an original and new kind of gathering place for both locals and visitors alike.”
True to form, Schrager has worked his magic and pulled out all the stops with a meticulously crafted concept that brings a true sense of individuality to the hotel. It features recognised culinary concepts by chef partners Enrique Olvera, whose restaurant Pujol is one of the top ten World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Diego Muñoz, who led acclaimed restaurant Astrid Y Gaston in Lima to victory as the best Latin American restaurant in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Two world class great chefs like that in the same hotel is absolutely unprecedented. There is also a unique specialty cocktail bar, Lobby Bar, and a concept on the rooftop terrace that remains unrivalled in Spain.
The building itself, which sits on Plaza de la Descalzas with evocative views of a 16th-century royal monastery, is clean-lined and modern, embellished only by a decorative 18th-century baroque portal, designed by Spanish architect Pedro de Ribera, and which was salvaged from an adjacent building. From here, you can access the hotel’s signature restaurant, while its main entrance, around the corner, features an explosion of greenery and a seductive copper canopy that leads to a dark fired oak-lined space anchored by a spectacular sculptural spiral staircase that ribbons fluidly to the lobby on the upper ground floor above.
Image caption: The signature Shrager spiral staircase, seen here in the entrance to EDITION Dubai, will again be a feature in The Madrid EDITION. | Image credit: Marriott International / Natelee Cocks
As with all EDITION hotels, the lobby is the beating heart of the hotel while the great personalised service is its soul. Here, under an undulating ceiling, the Lobby Bar is a dynamic and sociable space offering a new kind of gathering place for the city’s most discerning residents and visitors, dressed in a mix of custom-made bespoke furnishings and pieces by well-known designers arranged in intimate seating groups. This includes Jean-Michel Frank sofas and armchairs, recycled bronze stools from Maison Intègre, rope-covered chairs by Christian Astuguevieille, and a shapely pool table which designer Emmanuel Levet Stenne sculpted from a single slab of white Bianco Neve matt marble. Behind the hand-crafted scalloped copper bar is a backlit caged bottle display and, as ever, there is a strong emphasis on warm, indirect lighting, which has been thoughtfully considered to give the room a warmth, softness and approachability while illuminating key pieces under direct spotlight.
Image caption: Warm backlit lighting as seen in the bar of EDITION New York will feature in the public spaces in EDITION Madrid. | Image credit: EDITION / Marriott International
On the lower ground floor, the entertainment venue is a cool after-dark spot which, when it opens later this year, will rival Madrid’s legendary nightlife in a glamorous setting defined by a gold polished plaster wall and a back-lit onyx bar with a leather base. The full-length red velvet curtain behind the stage has been embroidered with copper thread in a traditional Spanish pattern, while the black-fringed velvet chairs have been inspired by toreador’s hats. Also, on this floor is the fully-equipped gym and wellness facility, a cosy and intimate space clad in dark timber and embellished with antique baroque candelabras. There are five treatment rooms, one with a private steam suite, alongside a menu of treatments, including the signature mud bath, that use products from Spanish brand Natura Bissé.
Moving up to the fourth floor, the roof is the hotel’s sanctuary overlooking the hustle and bustle of the city. Here you will find Oroya, the restaurant helmed by Peruvian Chef Diego Muñoz. In a relaxed, convivial greenhouse-like setting framed by a blackened steel cage clad with climbing plants and coloured glass panels that cast bright patterns across the room, the restaurant serves a relaxed tapas menu with family-style sharing plates that tell the story of Peru’s cultural history with influences from Spain, Africa, Italy, China and Japan. These can be washed down with Pisco-led cocktails like the famous Pisco Sour and Capitan, or a glass of wine from a menu curated by sommelier Julio Barluenga.
Outside, against exhilarating city vistas, Oroya’s terrace is a seductive garden in the sky featuring a fireplace and a vine-covered pergola beneath which sits a bleached teak bar and rattan bar stools, alongside a long oak table, perfect for lazy lunches with friends and family. Also on the roof is Madrid’s biggest rooftop pool. A place to see and be seen, this is the spot to sip cocktails and snack on small bites from one of the 60 sunbeds while admiring quintessential views of Madrid’s red rooftops against the backdrop of the setting sun.
Also on the fourth floor, in a prime spot with west-facing sunset views, are two of the largest Penthouses in the capital. Both are arranged as duplexes with glorious views of architectural landmarks from the bedrooms on the upper floor, while the lower floor comprises the living area as well as a butler’s kitchen. The Madrid Penthouse, is a sprawling private sanctuary perched above the city’s rooftops with an unrivalled panoramic terrace and a private infinity outdoor pool surrounded by lush greenery.
Completing the hotel’s offering, is a series of flexible meeting and events spaces, all with natural light, latest technology, including a large light-filled two-storey ballroom, three studios with dividing walls for bespoke setups, a conference room and a breakout area designed to feel like a living room. Together with the brand’s legendary service, The Madrid EDITION is a dynamic extension to an ever-evolving city with a true zest for life already coursing through its picturesque streets.
Main image credit: EDITION Hotels / Marriott International
Editor Hamish Kilburn here to compile all of this week’s hottest hotel stories in one, easy-to-consume article – prepare for architecture goals, hotel openings and unconventional bathroom…
I heard recently from an economics strategist that the hospitality sector has been placed amongst the industries that will see the largest bounce-back from the Covid-19 pandemic. Well, following this week’s headlines that are full of hotel openings and new developments, I can see that statement coming true. In this week’s round-up of stories, we take a look inside Marriott’s 8,000th hotel, sneak a peek at Accor’s 2022 development pipeline and share with you a handful of interviews with true visionaries leading the hotel design scene forward.
So, let’s take a look at the top stories from the last few days.
Marriott International has reached a major global milestone with the opening of its 8,000th property – Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, a 12-storey, stylish retreat adjacent to Marriott International’s soon-to-open new global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
Still focussing on Q1 openings for 2022, writer Pauline Brettell takes a look at the hotels getting ready to throw down the welcome mat in March, and shares her standout choices from a Jedi-style Star Wars experience through to extreme sustainability in a project by the Sextantio group, with a few slightly more subtle stops inbetween.
Jonny Sin’s determination and undeniable eye for architecture and design led him to become a Director at ReardonSmith Architects. Following his name being printed, yet again, in The Brit List 2021 – and after winning a landmark project – Hotel Designs caught up with him to discuss projects, people and new opportunities.
The Outdoor collection from Gessi helps designers create a private wellness is dipped in nature, in the open air, without compromising on design and technology. The range, which celebrates quality outdoor bathrooms, amplifies special moments of wellbeing in close contact with the outdoor environment, to fully experience the sensations that only an outdoor space can provide.
With an impressive pipeline that covers more than 300 new destinations worldwide, Accor continues to take us on a journey of discovery with some of the most anticipated openings across the continents.
Robin Hutson, known as an innovative and passionate hotelier with more than 45 years’ experience in some of the world’s most famous hotels, was crowned Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2021. Hotel Designs travelled to the New Forest in the UK, where it all started for The PIG Hotels, to interview the hotelier.
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The newly opened Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, which shelters a locally infused design scheme, becomes the hotel group’s 8,000 hotel…
Marriott International has reached a major global milestone with the opening of its 8,000th property – Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, a 12-storey, stylish retreat adjacent to Marriott International’s soon-to-open new global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
The hotel opening signifies both a growth milestone for the company, as well as a remarkable chapter in the Marriott story, as the company celebrates its 95th year. Marriott’s first lodging property opened in 1957. It was a four-storey hotel, the Twin Bridges Marriott, in Arlington, Virginia.
Image credit: Marriott International
“From the nine-seat root beer stand that my grandparents started nearly 95 years ago in downtown Washington, to the milestone opening of our 8,000th property, we have been fortunate to call this area our home,” said David Marriott, Director and incoming Chairman, Marriott International Board of Directors. “Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ reflects the continued transformation of the Marriott Hotels brand, and we are thrilled to embark on a new era of inspired travel and design with the opening of this hotel.”
Marriott Bethesda Downtown, part of the Marriott Hotels brand – the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 extraordinary brands – brings enriching, locally-influenced experiences to the global hospitality company’s home state. The hotel, owned by The Bernstein Companies and managed by Marriott International, is a gateway to the greater Washington, D.C. area and a destination in and of itself, featuring three innovative culinary concepts, including Bethesda’s first high-rise rooftop bar.
Exemplifying the group’s continued brand evolution, Marriott Bethesda Downtown sparks inspiration at every corner, with a modern, residential design and tailored solutions with locally-inspired accents. The hotel’s contemporary interiors illustrate a curated palette of materials inspired by the region’s natural attributes. Stone and tiles reminiscent of local Bethesda bluestone quarries greet guests at the hotel entrance leading to a grand staircase – the centerpiece of the glass-enclosed lobby brimming with natural light.
Image credit: Marriott International
Faceted mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows ripple throughout the hotel, infusing an abundance of natural light while also resembling reflections of the Potomac River.
Image credit: Marriott International
Image credit: Marriott International
Reimagined guest rooms and suites – with tailored, modern touches that inspire and nurture the needs of today’s traveler – feature multi-functional furniture, technology-enabled work surfaces with built-in universal adapters and UCS cords, and rose gold tinted mirrors. Hotel features include a spacious fitness centre with Peloton bikes, a second-floor library highlighting local authors, and a curated art collection from the region’s emerging talent that is showcased throughout guest rooms and public spaces. A large-scale mural by multi-media artist Liz Collins, known globally for her abstract patterns, is an exclusively commissioned highlight.
Constructed to be LEED Gold certified with custom and sustainable design, the hotel features five expansive rooftop green spaces growing select ingredients for hotel menus and is designed to reduce pollution, save energy, and manage storm water.
With almost 750-square-metre pre-function and event space, including a private outdoor terrace overlooking downtown Bethesda, the hotel fosters connection for meetings, corporate retreats and social events. Floor-to-ceiling windows infuse an abundance of natural light while abstract design details such as cherry blossom light fixtures and water-colour carpet illustrate the region’s most prominent characteristics. Meeting rooms – innovatively designed to adapt to a variety of formats, group sizes and social events – are named after destinations significant to the company’s history, such as ‘Twin Bridges’, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. Customisable catering options feature locally inspired food and beverage breakouts and seasonal banquet items.
Image credit: Marriott International/Melboure Marriott Hotel Docklands
All 8,000 hotels under the Marriott International umbrella can be found in under 30 leading brands, which span across 139 countries and territories.
In conversation with: Jonny Sin, Director, ReardonSmith Architects
Jonny Sin’s determination and undeniable eye for architecture and design led him to become a Director at ReardonSmith Architects. Following his name being printed, yet again, in The Brit List 2021 – and after winning a landmark project – Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with him to discuss projects, people and new opportunities…
Since joining the firm in 2011, JonnySin has led ReardonSmith Architects‘ hospitality team comfortably into a modern era. He was a key figure who transformed a Grade II listed art-deco style building into the luxury boutique hotel that we know of as The Beaumont Hotel.
Other projects include a 173-key hotel in Battersea, London; Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, the design of a 69-key urban lifestyle hotel in London’s Soho and The Chancery Rosewood project, which, when open, will be a new landmark to the Mayfair neighbourhood and the square will emerge as a vibrant hospitality and retail destination.
Image caption: A render of the entrance to what will be The Chancery Rosewood. | Image credit: David Chipperfield Architects
Most recently, it was unveiled that ReardonSmith Architects was to oversee the large-scale renovation of The Dorchester, which feels like an apt place to start…
Hamish Kilburn: Congratulations on landing the contract to work on The Dorchester. Can you give our readers any details on what we can expect?
Jonny Sin: Thank you, Hamish. As you know, The Dorchester has such a rich and illustrious history; it is world-renowned and is one of London’s greatest hotel gems, so there was never any intention to fundamentally change the experience it offers. Far from it, but what you can expect to see are refined and elegant interventions in some of the existing public spaces, a refreshed colour palette and sumptuous and glamorous new features. Words such as ‘Crystal Bar’ may give you an idea of our intentions. We are also enhancing the hotel’s street presence and, behind the scenes, there will be a significant upgrade of the services infrastructure.
Image caption: The elegant living room that captures a unique London skyline vista inside The Dorchester’s Terrace Penthouse. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
HK: From an architect’s perspective, what are the major challenges on the hotel design scene at the moment, and where are the opportunities?
JS: One of the major challenges we are facing within the industry is to do with lead-times. Product availability, and increased costs for materials which, consequently, is resulting in inflated prices. On a positive note, however, a hospitality survey that was undertaken in Q4 last year revealed that investors considered architecture and design to be a priority service over the next 12 months. This is very promising and certainly at ReardonSmith Architects, we have seen an increase in enquiries recently.
HK: How are current and predicted hospitality trends impacting the way you design public areas?
JS: Hotels are no longer seen as places that solely offer accommodation. Their public areas are fast becoming some of the most sought-after destinations for dining, drinking, and socialising. This trend has been ongoing for quite some time, and I am sure it will continue to grow well into the future. What we aim to do when designing public spaces is create areas that surprise and provide guests with unique experiences. Engagement with the local community is also key. Presently, with the uncertainty surrounding international and business travel, to have public areas that attract local people is essential, as they create a stable form of revenue when occupancy levels are depressed.
“When you play with the best, your game improves dramatically.” – Jonny Sin, Director, ReardonSmith Architects.
Image caption: A render of Broadwick Soho for which ReardonSmith gained planning consent. | Image credit: HayesDavidson
HK: Tell us a bit more about you. When did you decide you wanted to become an architect, and what were the major milestones along the journey to where you are now?
JS: My father was a massive influence on my career choice. Looking back, he was rather biased about the profession being an architect himself, and I looked up to him. He also managed to convince my brother to study architecture so you can only imagine what it was like around the dinner table! Meanwhile, at high school I excelled in art and graphics, so there was no doubt in my mind the direction I was going to head in.
Major milestones in my career include running my first project in Auckland. Having ownership of something is so important – your mindset changes as it requires you to step back and consider how to deliver the project in its entirety. The completion of the Beaumont Hotel in London in 2014 was also a major milestone; working closely with artist Sir Antony Gormley was truly a unique and fulfilling experience.
Other great milestones would have to include my Directorship at ReardonSmith – the added responsibility and the opportunity to take on a leadership role has been incredible – and my current project as The Dorchester. On reflection, there have been so many great moments, but what is most memorable are the talented people I have met and worked alongside – they have all contributed in some way to my professional development.
HK: Once again, you were profiled in The Brit List 2022 as one of the UK’s leading and influential architects. Why is Britain a melting pot of talent in design and architecture?
JS: Well to put it crudely, it’s much like sport. When you play with the best, your game improves dramatically. When the bar is set high, you aspire to go higher. There is a lot of healthy competition within the industry, and I believe this is a key factor in making Britain a world leader in architecture and design.
HK: What advice would you give to young architects and designers in 2022?
JS: Request to do a project from start to finish, and soak everything in. Also, offer to do the difficult tasks – in that way, you never stop learning whatever level you are. Another important piece of advice is to build relationships with people you come into contact with. A huge part of our job is talking and meeting with people. You need to find ways to work collaboratively with a wide range of people and together find solutions to challenging problems as they arise.
Image cation: The Savoy Hotel was refurbishment by ReardonSmith Architects in 2010. | Image credit: Fairmont Hotels
QUICK-FIRE ROUND:
HK: What’s the last item to show up in your transactions? JS: My morning oat flat white. Yes, I’m one of those annoying people that drink oat milk!
HK: What’s your go-to magazine for inspiration? JS: Dezeen is great as it captures a wide range of design-based content but, to be honest, a lot of inspiration comes from visiting hotels (locally and abroad) when travelling. Instagram is also such a great tool to find creative content.
HK: Where in the world would you love to design a hotel? JS: I would love to design a luxury hotel in my native New Zealand. Somewhere in the South Island, a building integrated seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and with 360-degree views.
HK: What defines the term luxury to you? JS: Luxury is attention to detail and creating the best possible guest experience. In a deluxe hotel, that means a combination of service, facilities, cuisine, and quality design in both back and front-of-house areas.
HK: Name a piece of hotel tech that is overrated… JS: Self-check in.
HK: Alive or dead, which architect/designer would instantly say yes to collaborating with? JS: I.M. Pei. I’ve seen him interviewed several times, and he comes across as someone you could spend hours and hours talking with. How he uses geometry and light to influence his works is so inspiring.
HK: What has been your most challenge project to date?
JS: Each project has its varying challenges, especially when dealing with an existing building, but I would say technically, the most challenging was Gormley’s ROOM, the 10-metre high, 30 tonne sculpture perched on The Beaumont Hotel at second floor level. The construction methods were unique, and the precision was to the millimetre. The sculpture was prefabricated off-site and made into 12 different segments due to its size and weight. The steel shell was made in Nottingham and the fit-out was done in Leicester. We also had to find solutions that sat outside of the building regulations for the stairs Antony wanted; to do this, a partial life-size mock-up was constructed. Our access consultant had to demonstrate compliance by negotiating the handrail and steps in front of the Approved Inspector. It was great fun!
Image caption: Jonny Sin’s most challenging project, ROOM inside The Beaumont Hotel in London. | Image credit: Anthony Weller – Archimage
HK: What is the best way for an architect to encourage their client to think more consciously around ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) when working on a project?
JS: Clients have to look at their return on investment. This means that architects wishing to successfully implement sustainable principles, need to present the facts together with an assessment of both the short and long-term benefits. In most circumstances, the long-term benefits will outweigh the short. Sadly, however, all decisions have a commercial impact especially with existing buildings where the infrastructure is already in place, so it may not always be the result you desire. On the other hand, you don’t need permission to source materials and products that are locally accessible, naturally sourced, and less energy-intensive to produce!
HK: How is ReardonSmith Architects remaining sensitive to its heritage while designing spaces that are suitable for tomorrow’s modern travellers?
JS: The studio’s heritage is that we have always designed from the inside out, with guest expectations and operational requirements thoroughly considered. As trends change, our principles ultimately remain the same. Tomorrow’s modern traveller will be about convenience, flexible working, wellness, and inclusive high-quality experiences. Providing new types of spaces that cater to these expectations and not only accommodate the more traditional guest is how we appeal to the modern traveller. An example of this is a rooftop bar, a simple yet effective addition that creates a vibrant and attractive atmosphere. Also, with wellbeing so highly sought after, it is becoming much more commonplace for our clients to ask us to explore the expansion and enhancement of their existing spa facilities and consider in-room offerings such as steam rooms within bathrooms for their guests. The delivery of high-quality design is essential, but it is equally important for the hotel to sell a lifestyle that their target demographic desires and is intrigued by.
A tribute to Aspen: Stonehill Taylor designs Limelight’s flagship hotel
Stonehill Taylor sensitively renovated Limelight Aspen to be fresh, light and welcoming environment that pays homage Aspen’s unique location’s dynamic past and vibrant present…
Limelight Hotels tasked Stonehill Taylor to renovate its flagship property in the heart of downtown Aspen. The approximately 30,000 square-metre project encompassed all public spaces, including the lobby, lounge, meeting rooms, pool and fitness areas, and the restaurant and bar, in addition to the 120 guestrooms and six suites.
Image credit: Limelight Hotels
The design is a tribute to Aspen’s legacy as a place of innovation with reference to the discovery of silver and the subsequent use of ski lifts that made silver mining the city’s main industry, putting Aspen on the map. The design also nods to the area’s natural surroundings, notably the ‘Silver Queen’, the appearance of a reclining woman’s profile on the ridge of Aspen Mountain. The ‘Silver Queen’ remains an important part of local mythology.
Image credit: Limelight Hotels
The inspiration of the ‘Silver Queen’ manifests itself in graceful, layered textures and organic forms. The interiors have an industrial and modern yet playful spirit, reminiscent of an upscale chalet. The artful treatment of natural materials coupled with metallics and pops of bright colour firmly grounds the resort in a contemporary aesthetic. The palette is a neutral mix of earthy wood tones and lively accents that reflect the dynamism of the mountain lifestyle.
With a refined arrival experience, guests enter the property through a combined reception and retail space showcasing apparel and branded items. Amber-tinted glass, brushed bronze, and whitewashed oak create an atmosphere reminiscent of the golden glow of the sun setting over the mountain.
A wooden beamed ceiling and a pair of walnut reception pods are juxtaposed with grey silver-toned tiled flooring. In the back of the room, behind the reception pods, custom digital artwork will be displayed on an oversized TV screen. Collectively, these design elements convey a refined aesthetic.
To the left of the lobby is the living room space with dining and lounge furniture. Bright pops of colour are found in the upholstery and lamps. Blackened steel frames the fireplace. Overhead are custom chandeliers hanging from a walnut wood ceiling.
The bar, which features metallic herringbone tiles, overflows into the restaurant and lounge area. With a copper-hued metal storage display unit and copper pendant lighting, the bar is awash in warm tones. The array of metallic finishes, which also include splashes of silver, tie back to the history of Aspen and the discovery of silver.
The feel of a modernised ski lodge continues into the typical guestroom. The bed, draped with a plaid blanket, is backed with a fully upholstered headboard and offset by nightstands and pendant lighting. White oak and walnut furnishings create an elegant effect, and each room has a collection of curated artwork.
Image credit: Limelight Hotels
Tucked in a corner of the room is a table flanked by banquette seating and a lounge chair for working or dining. Layered lines lend the carpet a three-dimensional quality, evocative of a snow flurry. A built-in kitchenette features a black Smeg refrigerator and a porcelain-tile backsplash and countertop.
Image credit: Limelight Hotels
A sliding barn door opens to the bathroom. Large-format porcelain tiles and brushed champagne-hued hardware are used throughout the space to keep the design clean, simple and elegant. A floating cantilevered shelf in whitewashed oak sits under the sink.
Image credit: Limelight Hotels
In addition to the guestrooms, there are four different suite types: a penthouse suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fireplace, and a terrace; a casita suite; two Aspen suites; and two cathedral suites. Furnishings and finishes pull from the guest room selections but add an extra layer of luxury and sophistication with fabrics such as bouclé and plush faux fur. All suites boast a full customised kitchen, in addition to a separate living room space.
Stonehill Taylor previously renovated the Limelight Hotel in Snowmass Village, Colorado, using a similarly branded design language that the company plans to integrate into other locations in California and around the country.
Outdoor bathrooms: design allure from Gessi shines brightly
Gessi, through a luxurious proposal that reveals hi-tech aspects waiting to be discovered, becomes once again a trendsetter, bringing decorations and aesthetics to outdoor bathrooms that are integrated with nature…
The Outdoor collection from Gessi helps designers create a private wellness is dipped in nature, in the open air, without compromising on design and technology. The range, which celebrates quality outdoor bathrooms, amplifies special moments of wellbeing in close contact with the outdoor environment, to fully experience the sensations that only an outdoor space can provide.
Image credit: Gessi
The shower columns of the Gessi Outdoor Wellness System have been specifically designed for outdoor spaces. They offer innovative combinations of materials, finishes and processes, with the aim of recreating the stylistic and functional pleasantness of the Gessi Private Wellness System in the open air.
The refined and delicate lines of the collection are naturally integrated into the landscape, creating a continuum and a harmonious fusion between the indoor and the outdoor environment.
Image credit: Gessi
The range aspires to be a project able to transmit Gessi’s idea of design, the aesthetic research of a product and the care for details, to the open air.
A product that stands out for its captivating and strong personality, for its iconic and at the same time discreet shapes. Qualities that make Gessi Outdoor Wellness designs cross-cutting, able to adapt perfectly and naturally to the surrounding environment. The collection also stands out for its two different aesthetics, G01 and G02, and the choice of 6 finishes and textures.
With an elegant, modern and sophisticated appearance, Gessi G01 and Gessi G02 give rooms a refined and contemporary style. G01 conquers thanks to its slender, tubular and essential design, giving a special atmosphere to terraces, gardens and swimming pools.
Image credit: Gessi
Gessi Outdoor G02 presents itself with an outstanding line and a minimal and essential look, sometimes almost schematic. The geometric structure characterised by a rectangular-section steel tube features an adjustable shower head equipped with special augers for a rich rain jet.
The shower head of both lines is available with a smooth surface treatment or in four different textured patterns (Trame, Intreccio, Cesello, Meccanica), while the vertical tubular body is equipped with elegant ton-sur-ton ring controls or in a contrasting finish, available smooth or knurled.
Image credit: Gessi
The Outdoor collection adapts perfectly to different environments and styles: from tropical swimming pools to Japanese onsen and modern city penthouses. A design product that combines contrasting and at the same time complementary philosophies of life, where the unique objective is to give emotions by emphasising the person and, consequently, the time they dedicate to themselves, so that every moment is a precious and exclusive moment.
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.
In (video) conversation with: Hotelier of the Year, Robin Hutson
Robin Hutson, known as an innovative and passionate hotelier with more than 45 years’ experience in some of the world’s most famous hotels, was crowned Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2021. Editor Hamish Kilburn travelled to the New Forest in the UK, where it all started for The PIG Hotels, to interview the hotelier…
As hoteliers go, there was arguably nobody more qualified to comment on hospitality’s struggle during the pandemic than Robin Hutson. He trained with The Savoy Group, London, starting as an 18-year-old commis waiter at Claridge’s in 1975, then Stones Chop House, Hotel de Crillon, Paris and became Front Office Manager at The Berkeley.
Next came two years as Operations Manager at Elbow Beach Hotel in Bermuda. Tempted back to the UK in 1986, he was offered his first General Management role at the young age of 29 at Chewton Glen Hotel. Over an eight-year stint, Hutson eventually becoming Managing Director.
> Click here to watch the full seven-minute interview between Robin Hutson and Hotel Designs’ Hamish Kilburn on the GROHE X platform.
In 1994, the hotelier with an eye for detail co-founded Hotel du Vin with the late Gerard Basset. Hotel du Vin is recognised as having been at the vanguard of the UK boutique hotel scene. Hutson built the brand into a cluster of seven hotels, which he successfully sold in 2004.
Between 1995 and 2008, Hutson was additionally a Director and eventually Chairman of Soho House Group assisting Nick Jones shape the ambitious expansion into Europe and the US. During this period, he was also a Non-Executive director of Hotel Crillon le Brave in Provence, France.
Channeling his unmatched experience, Huton launched Lime Wood Group, and is today the Chairman and CEO of another groundbreaking one of Britain’s best loved collection of country hotels, The PIG Hotels. Since it opened to now, the group has helped to put quaint English destinations outside the city of London on the hospitality map. I have firsthand the opportunities that The PIG Hotels brand has given to local communities, with each hotel consciously amplifying the true spirit of its sacred countryside location.
Hutson, together with his wife Judy still to this day, project manage, design, commission and source every last piece of furniture and fitting for their hotels.
Most recently, Hutson was crowned Hotelier of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2021. “No one has done as much as Robin in highlighting the plight of the hospitality industry in the UK during Covid-19, through his Seat at the Table campaign,” said one of the judges. “He has tirelessly championed for more help for hoteliers, railed against government ineptitude, and brought together those in the hospitality industry to try and create a voice for a formally unrepresented industry – which delivers so much to the coffers of the Treasury, and so many jobs to the people of the UK. While doing that, he kept on all of his 1,000 or so staff – without making anyone redundant – and then opened a new hotel in Cornwall in summer 2020, and another in summer 2021. He is an example of a hotelier who delivers for his industry, his brand, his staff – and the hundreds of regulars who are fans of THE PIG.”
And with that, Hotel Designs’ campaign to interview a handful of our winners from The Brit List Awards 2021 comes to a close. We have met inspiring designers who are taking over a legacy, architects entering new territories and visionaries who even at the start of their journeys are leading with unconventional yet human-centric approaches to design and hotel development. Aptly, our final interview in the series, with our very deserving Hotelier of the Year, teaches me that our industry is in good hands, developing with meaning, to ensure that Britain will always be a thriving hotel design and hospitality scene.
Applications and nominations for The Brit List Awards 2022 (free to apply) will open in the summer.
Office lighting lit right: LEDS C4 complete new lighting project
Designer Isern Serra has created a comfortable space that encourages creativity, learning and continuous change. The office lighting project, led by LEDS C4, focused on providing warmth in a different way to each workspace, following a minimalist design to complement the vastness of the space…
Now more than ever office lighting matters. Fuego Camina Conmigo is a strategic and creative agency that has just opened its new headquarters in Barcelona, a space in which to materialise the company’s values. The interior design project involved a complete revamp of the premises, led by Catalan designer Isern Serra. The rectangular space was filled with details and original architectural elements and windows on three façades. Meanwhile, the lighting project focused on providing warmth in a different way to each workspace, following a minimalist design to complement the vastness of the space.
Serra chose LEDS C4 products for the office lighting of this project; specifically, several lines from the Architectural Collection and Decorative Collection catalogues. The suspended Tubs Modular illuminates the worktables, providing homogeneity and warmth and giving workers the option to rotate and direct the light source as needed.
Image credit: LEDS C4
Image credit: LEDS C4
Next to the tables are small ‘break islands’ for having more relaxed conversations, with floor lamps from the Cocktail and Tubs collections standing amongst furniture made by Spanish designer Sancal.
Further along, in the corridors and in front of the meeting rooms, Atom Track 52 projectors are used to light the steps and doorways, blending in with the beams and original architecture. The meeting rooms are equipped with combinations of Play High Visual Comfort Adjustable downlights for smaller spaces, while Ilargi lamps illuminate the largest conference room. The WCs are also bathed in warm lighting, provided by lights from the Toilet Slim line and LED On strips.
The LEDS C4 light fixtures in turn complement the furniture picked out by the designer; high-end pieces by prestigious brands such as Sancal, favoured by other renowned designers and studios such as Sylvain Willenz, Mut Design, Estudihac, Sebastian Herkner and Ionna Vautrin.
The office is organised into an area for meeting rooms and services — such as a kitchen, bathrooms and storage —, a multi-purpose ‘agora’ — to be used as a space to hold informal meetings and calls or for occasional presentations or exhibitions — and a permanent work zone that can accommodate 44 people.
The goal for the design was to create an open and comfortable space that would encourage creativity, learning and continuous change. To achieve this, Isern Serra chose to maintain the original structure while opening the workspaces and creating small meeting islands, steering away from the typical glass enclosures found in the office design world. Hence, the closed spaces were conceived in the form of micro architectures that interact with one another and create an interior sculptural passage of cubicles with circular openings, creating doors and windows that allow the light to circulate and evoking a world of art and creation. All this stylishly brought together with white shades, smooth lines and warm lighting.
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.
Case study: Hamilton blends modern style into Thornbury Castle Hotel
Tasked with ensuring that 21st century technology blended seamlessly within the 16th century luxurious surroundings of the castle, Hamilton Litestat’s custom-made plates became part of the solution…
Populated throughout history with both regal and wealthy guests, Thornbury Castle, a Grade I-listed building, became a luxury hotel in 1966, and remains the only Tudor Castle in the UK operating as a hotel and restaurant.
The hotel has 27 bedchambers, fifteen of them featuring sumptuous four-poster beds, decorated using traditional materials and artisan design to create a unique regal experience. The castle hotel also shelters six deluxe suites, including the recently restored Henry VIII Suite – the actual room where the King and his Queen, Anne Boleyn stayed during their 10-day royal tour. Along with the newly named ‘Catherine of Aragon Tower Suite,’ extravagant Tudor Hall and dining room, Thornbury Castle Hotel encourages guests to immerse themselves in the Tudor high-life.
Under new ownership, the hotel embarked on a multimillion-pound refurbishment program to channel Tudor grandeur with contemporary hospitality. Due to its historic significance, all works commenced under the stewardship of Historic England. To meet the upgrade conditions to the electrical and lighting system, project architects, Childs Sulzmann needed to deliver a solution that used much of the building’s existing infrastructure. This included using existing wire ways, fitting new wiring accessories within existing recesses in the wooden skirting where possible, using existing wire chases and leaving the original 1,500s stonework untouched.
Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
With a sumptuous bed as the centrepiece of each room, it was decided that guests should be able to control the room lighting from the bed at the simple flick of a switch. The design and finish of all wiring accessories needed to complement the rich Tudor décor, and USB charge points, and other a modern-day necessities needed to be incorporated into the final design.
With 24-carat gilding used throughout the castle hotel together with gold finished tapestries, carpets, and Tudor-styled soft furnishings in many rooms and hallways, the decision to complement these with Antique Brass finished wiring accessories was not a difficult one. Electrical contractor, Electrio Limited, undertook all of the installation work and invited Hamilton to the project. Hamilton’s popular Hartland collection, with its slim, sleek profile was the ideal box-fix design to harmonise with the ornate brass bedside lamps and dark wood panelling.
“I’ve worked with Hamilton numerous times and have always been impressed with the quality of work they bring to a project,” said Tony Long, Project Manager, Electrio Limited. “Knowing Hamilton’s ability, and I must say willingness to take on a brief for short run custom-made plates, sets them apart from other companies. A British manufacturer working on a very British project, it couldn’t have been a better fit – the dependable and trusted partner you need when working to such exacting standards.”
Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
The desired bedside lighting control was achieved with custom-made plates from drawings supplied by the project architects, Childs Sulzmann. The plate functionality included control of the room chandelier, table lamps and beside lamps within each room, plus a single power socket with a USB port for charging a smart device. Sheer CFX was selected as the ideal design; a very flat plate with concealed fixings that sits almost flush to the wall, and again finished in Antique Brass with Black inserts. All three light sources are controlled with 3-Gang Toggle Switches – a retractive toggle for each light source – the perfect choice in a Tudor castle because they discreetly accentuate the period feel. To ensure ease of use by the guest, the function of each switch was clearly etched on the plate.
In some of the bedchambers, such as The Prince Arthur, the lavish dark wood bedhead is positioned up against the original stone wall. To meet conservation regulations, the custom-made plates were fixed to stained oak panels that were then affixed direct to the bedhead. When installing new accessories to original skirting board, the old recess was used wherever possible.
The desking area in each bedchamber required a second multi-functional bespoke plate. Sheer CFX was again used for continuity, and the plate provided everything one would need for using a laptop and to recharge other smart devices.
Atmospheric lighting control was achieved through the inclusion of Casambi Wireless Control modules fitted within the custom-made back box of each wiring accessory. This enabled the gradual dimming of the lights where scene setting was required. Sustainability is a pre-requisite, even in a Tudor castle, and the Casambi modules provided a master control switch ensuring all room lights are automatically switched off as guests leave.
An occasional table with a decorative table lamp was positioned in the centre of the larger bedchambers and deluxe suites. Again, a mixture of conservation and health & safety meant positioning a power socket within the original stone wall and to run a cable across the floor was not an option. Sheer floor power sockets positioned under the table, with a protective cover plate finished in Antique Brass, were used to deliver power to each lamp.
Each suite has a palatial bathroom, with either an ornate slipper bath, a walk-through wet room styled shower, or both. A Hartland shaver socket finished in bright chrome with black inserts was installed to complement the bathroom’s polished chrome tapware, delivering a feel of luxury-meets-stately-opulence.
Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
The meticulous attention-to-detail delivered throughout this project by all concerned has contributed towards creating a totally unique guest experience of authentic Tudor hospitality, and while candle holders would have replaced the decorative wiring accessories back in the day, nothing looks out of place. Hamilton’s expertise at delivering bespoke solutions that integrate both seamlessly and sympathetically within a heritage project was key to the success of the project.
Hamilton Litestat 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.
Geberit launches new report on hotel trends to watch in 2022
The new report from Geberit, which includes input from two experts who are designing experience installations at MEET UP London, focuses in on the hotel trends designers, architects and hoteliers should expect to emerge and evolve in 2022…
Bathroom manufacturer Geberit has launched its latest Hotel Guest Experience Report for 2022, working in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading architects and design pioneers. The publication, now in its second year, explores the challenges and opportunities facing hotels today and is a must read for anyone designing hotels for the future.
Image credit: Geberit
In the first chapter, Sensory designer and Founder of Arigami,Ari Peralta, who will be unveiling an installation at MEET UP London around colour, explores the importance of human wellness in hospitality design, looking at the role of smart technology in amplifying positive guest experiences.
The report also features insight from architect Cecilia Vodret, Head of Interior for Speri design’s London office who examines how hotels can make the best possible use of every space available to boost both revenue and guest wellbeing.
Balkaran Bassan, Senior Designer at Areen Design, who worked with Hotel Designs last year on the WFHotel installation at HIX, predicts in the report that we will increasingly be combining the individual user experience with an emphasis on wellbeing. Balkaran details how hotel guests will expect thoughtful experiences and solutions that allow them to detach from the stress of travel and find their home away from home.
Finally, Sound Architect Tom Middleton, who will be creating a soundscape at MEET UP London, looks at the growing importance of the bathroom and why it can no longer remain just a transactional and transitory space for guests. Tom discusses how hoteliers now have a social responsibility to design a ‘temple of tranquility’ with empathy and how the sector can support the real human challenges of our life navigating a new normal.
Image credit: Geberit
“We are delighted to have teamed up with some of the industry’s leading names to share the issues and market trends that will help shape the hospitality world across 2022 and beyond,” said Sophie Weston, Channel Marketing Manager at Geberit UK. “At a time when the hotel industry has faced multiple challenges, we hope that this insight will drive new and rewarding customer experiences for hoteliers.”
Geberit is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Accor adds spectacular new properties to its 2022 pipeline
With an impressive pipeline that covers more than 300 new destinations worldwide, Accor continues to take us on a journey of discovery with some of the most anticipated openings across the continents…
Having previously taken a close look at the Accor pipeline for northern Europe in 2022, it has now revealed some of its newest properties and upcoming destinations that guests and world travellers can look forward to visiting . Many of the world’s most exciting destinations will welcome multiple new Accor hotels this year, while several Accor brands have sought out exotic, unexpected or new horizons to explore, such as Pangkalan Bun in Indonesia; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Casco Viejo in Panama City.
Image credit: Accor
One of the most anticipated openings of the year is Raffles London at The OWO. This architectural masterpiece, structurally conceived and designed by EPR Architects, located at the historic Old War Office – the iconic Whitehall building inhabited by Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming – is in the final touches of a monumental transformation to create 120 guestrooms and suites, 85 unique branded residences and 11 destination restaurants and bars.
Meanwhile, in northwest England, Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village will open as a beacon of hospitality in Liverpool. With more than 220 guestrooms among 16 stories, the new flagship hotel will stand out as the tallest and one of the most attractive gathering spots for tourists and locals in this vibrant city of music, culture and outstanding pubs.
“Accor is a strong believer in the power of diversity – in our workforce, our client base and our brands,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor. “We continuously introduce fresh concepts and exciting new places to discover. With more than 300 new hotels and resorts opening their doors in 2022, we are certain that each member of our vast community of loyal guests around the world will find somewhere unique to inspire their next journey.”
Image credit: Accor
The strength of Accor’s network across Europe continues to be bolstered with recent and upcoming openings, such as Sofitel Barcelona Skipper, Mercure Amsterdam North, ibis Styles St. Margrethen Switzerland, Mercure Hotel President in Lecce, Italy and MGallery Cagliari Palazzo Tirso, Italy, just to name a few. Paris continues to be a market near and dear to Accor’s heart, not only as the company’s headquarters and for its sponsorship of the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, but also through its support of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2022, Accor will welcome new additions to the city including MGallery Issy-les-Moulineaux Domaine de la Reine Margot and greet Paris Vincennes.
Across the pond, North America eagerly awaits the continent’s first Raffles later this year. Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences, located in the city’s prestigious Back Bay neighbourhood, designed by Stonehill Taylor, is a 35-storey building featuring 146 residences, 147 guestrooms, and six food and beverage venues, including a sky bar and speakeasy. The striking three-story sky lobby is set to be the first of its kind in Boston.
Image credit: Accor
The Middle East is another exciting stronghold for Accor, particularly with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Accor has been selected as the official provider of accommodation for visitors of the event, providing team members to manage and operate more than 60,000 rooms in apartments and villas across the Gulf Arab state. The Group will also broaden its Rixos portfolio in Qatar and in the region overall with the upcoming Rixos Doha Qetaifan, Rixos Obhur Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Rixos Jewel of the Creek in Dubai, UAE. Accor will also introduce many stunning new properties throughout the region including the new Raffles Doha and sister hotel Fairmont Doha, Banyan Tree AlUla in the Asher Valley of Saudi Arabia, and Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé.
Further, Accor is excited to open its first property in Denmark – ibis Styles Orestad Denmark, on the edge of Copenhagen; the hotel marks the first step for Accor in this beautiful Scandinavian country.
Finally, with lifestyle representing one of the fastest growing segments of the global hospitality industry, Accor, through its joint venture with Ennismore, will continue to grow leading lifestyle brands including Mondrian, SLS, The Hoxton, Morgans Originals and Mama Shelter. Standout openings across this category include the first Mondrian in China, Hong Kong Kowloon, a 324 guestroom property with uninterrupted harbour views; the inaugural Maison Delano Paris in the ultra-chic 8th Arrondissement just steps away from the fabled Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré; TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square which will bring bold design to Cambodia’s hotel scene, and Mama Shelter Dubai a larger-than-life Mama that embodies the idea of a resort in the heart of the city with apartments, pools and an outdoor cinema.
Product Watch: Stylish bathroom solutions from RAK Ceramics
With design expectations on the rise in the bathroom, sanitaryware and furniture needs to perform practically and visually. RAK-Des from RAK Ceramics delivers on all fronts…
The RAK-Des range from RAK ceramics features minimal lines for a sleek and streamlined finish that emulates the hotel feel, all working towards creating a relaxing ambience that transforms the bathroom into a calming oasis and a fitting extension of our living spaces.
Image credit: RAK Ceramics
The range has a versatile selection of bowls and freestanding washbasins, ensuring a solution for every bathroom. These products, in combination with RAK-Precious countertops that emulate the natural properties of materials such as stone, marble and cement, all work together to create spa-like harmony in either the home or the hotel bathroom.
Designed in combination with RAK-Joy base units for a modern, flexible storage solution, all eventualities can be catered for ensuring that guests enjoy their stay in an organised way. As an equally stylish alternative, RAK-Plano countertop surfaces can also be incorporated. Made from the innovative RAKSOLID material, RAK-Plano is a one-piece vanity top, without joints for a seam-free finish, combining with a RAK-Joy Uno vanity unit beneath for a versatile piece of bathroom furniture that is big on hygiene and ease of cleaning too.
Image credit: RAK Ceramics
With hidden fixations, the RAK-Des WC matches these furniture options style-wise and can be wall-hung or installed back-to-wall, complete with the latest flushing technology for the ultimate in bathroom hygiene. All these solutions, both practical and aesthetic, work together to create functional bathrooms that are both practical and pampering.
RAK Ceramics is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
VIP arrivals: hottest hotel openings in March 2022
Still focussing on Q1 openings for 2022, writer Pauline Brettell takes a look at the hotels getting ready to throw down the welcome mat in March, and shares her standout choices from a Jedi-style Star Wars experience through to extreme sustainability in a project by the Sextantio group, with a few slightly more subtle stops inbetween…
Pipelines and projects for hotels in 2022 have been coming through thick and fast, and March is looking like no exception. From the international groups expanding their collective footprints, to boutique ventures embedding themselves into the community, there is something going on for everyone this month as the hotel and hospitality industry continues to take back travel. Starting off aiming for the stars…
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
Image credit: Walt Disney Resorts
Opening with a bang and a lightsabre, voyages on the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser are preparing for take-off as of March 1. Love it or hate it, it is making a statement and taking the idea of an immersive experience to the edge of the galaxy and beyond – it will no doubt take you to the edge of something.
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Listed in our hottest hotel openings for 2022, The Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo takes a slightly more tropical approach to the concept of immersive experience. Situated on a private peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the resort has been designed to blend seamlessly into its environment on this natural reserve. The project supports the local environment through rewilding as it aims to create a perfect balance between the comforts of the indoors with the exceptional outdoor opportunities.
25hours Hotel Indre By
Image credit: 25hours / Stephan Lemke
Heading north to Scandinavia, 25hours Hotel Indre By is slated to open by the middle of the month. Situated right in the middle of Copenhagen in a building that dates back to the 19th century, this is a debut hotel into Scandinavia by 25hours, and is full of its trademark interiors focussing on individuality and personality as the designers explore the buildings previous purpose as a university and a place of learning in all the details.
The La Salle Chicago
Image credit: The LaSalle Chicago
Bringing a little 1920’s glamour and drama onto the scene is The La Salle Chicago. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago’s Financial District, the hotel is a modern club-like escape that sits on the top five floors of a historically iconic landmark from architect Daniel Burnham. Rich in symbolism encapsulating the essence of its time, the hotel pays tribute to The Hour Glass Lounge from the old La Salle Hotel.
ROOST Tampa
Image credit: CG Rendering
ROOST Tampa is expected to ‘transform downtown Tampa’ into a walkable urban experience. In addition to offering a collection of rental residences, SPP has partnered with Method Co. to bring Tampa the first Florida location of its high-design extended-stay concept. Designed inside and out by architecture firm Morris Adjmi Architects, the building offers a nod to Tampa’s industrial history with oversized windows that maximise natural light. With luxury rental residences on the top 15 floors of the building, ROOST Tampa will occupy the first six residential floors.
Cashel Palace Hotel
Image credit: Cashel Palace Hotel
Moving from urban experience to country manor, Cashel Palace Hotel is a Palladian manor in the heart of Ireland. After a couple of pandemic-related delays, this destination hotel is slated to open later this month. In a previous life it was home to the Archbishops of Cashel before transitioning to a hotel in the 1960’s. Now, upgraded and redesigned, and with original interior details meticulously restored, it is ready to reopen its renovated doors.
The Retreat Elcot Park
Image credit: The Signet Collection
Combining the classic with the contemporary – The Retreat Elcot Park is the second offering of The Signet Collection. The Retreat will continue the brand’s celebrated design aesthetic, blending the old with the new and quirky British sensibility. Earlier this year, we took a closer look at all the design details being put in place by the London-based luxury interior design practice Taylor and Turner , the creative lead behind the design transformation.
Gleneagles Townhouse
Image credit: Gleneagles
The first outpost of one of Scotland’s most iconic hotels, the Gleneagles Townhouse aims to bring the glamour and classic style of the Perthshire original to one of Edinburgh’s most impressive former banking halls. An urban option for Gleneagles fans, this hotel/members club set in an Edinburgh townhouse is all about Scottish heritage with a contemporary touch, and, as its strapline says, it is a place to ‘gather and be glorious’!
Sextantio Rwanda, The Capanne Project
Image credit: Sextantio Rwanda
The Capanne Project by Sextantio is the final offering on this list of March openings, and it is all about authenticity and giving back while enjoying an immersive experience that is a little more earthbound in so many ways! Hotelier Daniele Kihlgren is the creative energy behind the Sextantio projects which have previously taken abandoned and run-down Italian villages and sparked new life into entire communities. With a brand ethos that is all about making a profit from the conservation of the landscape rather than from its destruction, the result is truly authentic stays that immerse guests in the setting’s rhythms and routines. In this latest project Kihlgren is overseeing the first Sextantio opening outside of Italy, on the shores of Rwanda’s Lake Kivu. Huts will be available to stay in on a donation basis, with profits being funnelled back into the local community. Slated to open on March 21, if the only luxury you require is time and tranquillity this could tick all the boxes.
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The first porcelain sink collection from Atlas Concorde
Changing perspectives, Atlas Concorde has unveiled the trendy Dialogo collection, the surface brand’s first porcelain sink collection, developed in partnership with designer and architect Mario Ferrarini…
Atlas Concorde has pumped more than 50 years’ experience supplying the hotel design industry with innovative surface solutions to launch its first collection of porcelain sinks.
The Dialogo Collection has been developed in partnership with the designer Mario Ferrarini, who has extensive experience in the bathroom furnishing sector. For this project, Ferrarini worked on parallel lines with an extremely calibrated design that carefully assesses thicknesses and cross-sections to create sinks of dimensions that meet the needs of interior design.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The new range embraces the strengths of porcelain to ensure high performance and to meet the growing demands of the medium-high market, both in retail and contract sectors.
With its robust qualities, Atlas Concorde products have been designed for hotels, hospitality businesses, retail, and large residential complexes. In research stages during this project, Atlas Concorde combined a refined aesthetic with the functional aspects of porcelain, ideal for bathroom surfaces: healthy, easily disinfected, and easy to clean thanks to its compact, waterproof structure, which makes it resistant to stains, abrasions, and wear over time.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The name itself, Dialogo, reflects the project’s genesis: a dialog between materials, both in harmony and in contrast; between different surfaces; between an industrial reality like Atlas Concorde and the world of design.
The collection marks a return to elementary geometries, to that romantic minimalism that distinguishes Ferrarini, creating a virtuous relationship between vitality and the perfect balance of shapes.
The sinks are available in different models – recessed single, recessed double, shelf, top and countertop basin – in a colour palette and with finishes chosen from the Atlas Concorde collections.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The main characteristics of the sink include the presence of a monobloc steel bowl that allows for the perfect insulation of the plumbing and long durability over time. The bowl itself features optimised inclination that facilitates water flow while significantly reducing splashes during use. What’s more, the sinks are packed with reinforcement specially designed to increase impact resistance and to eliminate the risk of pieces falling in the event of breakage.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde S.p.A
The various possible customisations of the Contract range were developed to respond to the various needs of the designer, such as the centered or offset positioning of the bowl for the single and double sink, the length of the sink, and the presence and position of the hole.
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.
Marriott’s Luxury Collection welcomes The Ocean Club Costa Norte on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast to its unique ensemble of experiential hotels…
The Luxury Collection falls under the umbrella of Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 curated hotel and hospitality brands, and the addition of The Ocean Club to the collection marks its debut into the Dominican Republic. The resort is located deep within the expansive beachfront landscape of the island, providing a stunning natural backdrop to the property, and making it a picture-perfect addition to the Luxury Collection portfolio. Throughout the property a contemporary and sophisticated design by Chapi Chapo Design is portrayed using materiality to make a connection to the location, resulting in an intimate retreat suffused with the natural beauty of its surroundings.
“Costa Norte is an ideal fit for our expanding footprint as we continue to offer our global explorers captivating home bases from which to explore all corners of the world,” said Philipp Weghmann, VP and Global Brand Leader for The Luxury Collection. “The Ocean Club will draw on the area’s natural wonders, and we’re delighted to offer our guests unique design and exceptional service as they discover this magical destination.”
The Ocean Club offers 64 spacious suites by French interior designer Nathalie Pain, ranging from one to three guestrooms as well as five multitiered four guestroom penthouses. All combine beachfront elegance with modern craftsmanship and design. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interior with natural daylight and ocean views, while a light colour palette with thoughtfully curated artwork and furnishings brings a sophisticated eclecticism and residential feel to the suites. Making a definite design statement is the resort’s Presidential Penthouse suite, the largest in the Caribbean with a total of 9,732 square feet of space. The suite boasts five guestrooms, a fitness centre, jacuzzi and multiple terraces offering unlimited views of the surrounding tropical landscape.
The resort shelters three distinct restaurant offerings, all celebrating the best of the Dominican Republic’s produce and cuisine. The Cellar, is in the style of a Caribbean speakeasy. Baia, the hotel’s signature restaurant will offer both familiar and new dishes inspired by the region’s produce. Aguazul features Asian-Peruvian fusion cuisine, a menu where the elegant and delicate cuisine of Japan meets the freshness and spicy punch of Peru. Rock Bar & Grill, a casual outdoor restaurant, offers meals at the foot of the ocean where the sunset is the backdrop to Mediterranean style meals and signature cocktails. The Cellar showcases an intimate room to enjoy a world-class vintage spirits collection and limited-edition cigars.
The property features three pools along with beachfront whirlpools and firepits, perfect for those who want to unwind after a day of exploring. Guests who prefer their toes in the sand can enjoy the secluded beach, with private wooden cabanas and bespoke beach service.
Inspired by the Mediterranean art-de-vivre, the L’OCCITANE Spa is seen as the pinnacle of the entire resort experience. Guests can enjoy a range of holistic and wellness therapies in a contemporary setting, inspired by local rituals. With four treatment rooms, the spa boasts open-air relaxation areas as well as two sauna rooms.
The beautiful grounds, curated experiences and attention to design details ensure that the Ocean Club is a seamless fit into Marriott’s Luxury Collection portfolio.
Celebrating 50 years since its foundation by the Rocha family, Granorte has moved from cork stopper production to being a leader in decorative surface design…
In 1955, Francisco Rocha started a cork stopper production company and by the 1970s the business had grown into one of Portugal’s major cork stopper producers with five factories. However, this drew the family’s attention to the growing amount of cork waste from production and one of Francisco’s sons, Jose decided that something must be done to create value from it. With this in mind, Granorte was established with the aim of finding ways to recycle and repurpose waste cork from wine stoppers into new products.
Since the beginning, the company has focused on research and development and in the last 50 years the family-run business has established itself as one of the most innovative cork companies in the world. Counting award-winning furniture, floors, walls and insulation among its product portfolio, Granorte now exports 90 per cent of its products to more than 50 countries.
“We’re hugely proud of our history and our 50th anniversary is testament to the extraordinary efforts of all our colleagues over the last five decades,” said Paulo Rocha, Granorte. “Since our foundation, we’ve invested heavily in technology, focused on innovation and new ways of harnessing cork’s properties, and have worked with leading producers that share our philosophy to enhance the performance of our products. The result is a collection of floors, walls, furniture, sanitary ware and other decorative objects that honour cork as a natural material with a unique aesthetic.”
Processing 6,600 tonnes per year of cork waste – impressive quantities given the material’s light weight nature – at three production sites totalling 48,000m2 and with a turnover in excess of €22m, the company is a leading recycler of cork, finding new life for this natural, renewable and sustainably managed raw material.
“Cork has come a long way since our foundation in 1972,” said Rocha.”We are confident that the next 50 years will also hold developments that lead to new applications for the material. With cork’s relevance in a market where the sustainability of products is of growing importance, we are excited about the future and introducing the benefits of this wonder of nature to new generations.”
Today, Granorte’s range is focused on flooring with a wide range of constructions designed for residential and commercial use. From mono-material cork tiles to hybrid products that combine the acoustic, thermal and comfort benefits of cork with innovations such as click-fitting; the collection is one of the biggest currently available and includes many first to market products.
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.
First look at the cafe-inspired Vision Stage for HRC 2022
Harp Design has unveiled its ‘immersive cafe’ design for the Vision Stage for Hotel, Restaurant & Catering 2022, which will host a number of panel discussions between March 21 – 23 at ExCel London…
Ahead of Hotel, Catering and Restaurant 2022 (HRC), Harp Design has unveiled this year’s Vision Stage, which takes the audience into an intimate cafe setting, inspired by what the industry learned during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Comparable to everything being burnt to the ground and rising from the ashes, the team at Harp Design have drained the stage of colour. The bright greens and yellows of the plants then represent new growth and the changes we are all embracing in our new day to day life It’s a fresh start, it’s something different and it’s time for new ideas to be heard. “Our worlds have been flipped upside down from the pandemic and from this we have all had to rethink everything we thought we knew,” said Hayley Roy, Founder, Harp Design. “We’re letting new ideas, new ways of working and new experiences shine, and take centre stage.”
Image credit: Harp Design
The studio has made the stage an immersive experience, showing the change from 2D cartoon to real life interactive 3D life, and allowing it to all blend together seamlessly. The stage is made of a mixture of real-life objects like the chairs and tables along with faux flowers and printed backgrounds. The goal was to show that we can expand the limitations of 2D drawings.
The Vision Stage, which showcases the studio’s innovative approach beyond conventional interior design, pushes boundaries and will no-doubt be a talking point of this year’s edition of HRC, as audiences will interpret the stage in their own way.
“I’m so excited to be invited back for a second time to design one of the main stages,” Roy added. “As events have been on hold for such a long time, we’re super excited to be back! 2022 is the year for change and growth and hopefully you see that from our design of the Vision Stage.”
In conversation with: Jacu Strauss on designing One Hundred Shoreditch
Hamish Kilburn, Editor of Hotel Designs, caught up with Jacu Strauss, Creative Director of Lore Group, to understand the design narrative inside One Hundred Shoreditch…
Lore Group’s second hotel in London, One Hundred Shoreditch, will open its doors this month. In our ‘sneak peek’ inside the new hotel, we explored how all areas inside would reflect how the area has evolved during the last decade, with interiors that mirror the neighbourhood’s new, grown-up feel while retaining the buzz and vibrancy synonymous with the area in the hotel’s public spaces.
Image credit: Lore Group
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, designer Jacu Strauss, Lore Group’s Creative Director, began planning his latest masterpiece.
Before the hotel officially opens in just a few weeks from now, I went to meet Struass on site to understand the pressures he faced and the opportunities he found when designing the 258-key hotel.
Hamish Kilburn: Jacu! I love what you’ve done with the place… So tell me, when did you first learn that Lore Group would be taking over this hotel?
Jacu Strauss: We started looking into it around April 2020. The hotel was closed due to the pandemic so we thought it was a good time to evaluate the next chapter for the building, which our group had owned for several years. We decided it was a good time to rebrand and redesign to reflect how Shoreditch had matured in previous years.
“We wanted to maintain that energy but at the same time redesign the spaces to feel more inviting and more connected to the street scape.” – Jacu Strauss, Creative Director, Lore Group.
Image credit: Lore Group
HK: How have you captured the essence of Shoreditch in this hotel?
JS: The true spirit of Shoreditch historically has been about welcoming new visitors and celebrating what they bring and leave behind. I feel One Hundred Shoreditch is a hotel that welcomes a diverse crowd, and that to me is the essence of Shoreditch. Our rooftop space, for example, is open to all, unlike most in the neighbourhood that operate in a more exclusive manner.
HK: We first met back in 2014 when you unveiled your design scheme inside The Pulizter Amsterdam. What is it with you and breathing new life into iconic buildings?
JS: I have always been interested in the repurposing of buildings rather than demolition and reconstruction. It is a long-term sustainability point of view and I believe the more we start thinking about buildings in this way, the more beautiful they will become. I love bringing the beauty back in buildings, although it involves a lot of research and experimentation to get it right in each different property.
Image credit: Lore Group
HK: What was the design concept here, and what were the major challenges along the way?
JS: We wanted to create a hotel that reflects a more grown-up Shoreditch, compared to what the area was like a decade or so ago. We chose to keep what we thought was beautiful in the building and add to it in order to elevate the overall experience to one that was more comfortable and peaceful in parts, while maintaining the degrees of buzz and energy in the public areas. The new facade was the largest transformation, all in aid of humanising the building and creating a more alluring first impression.
We wanted to create a hotel that was more democratic to its visitors and guests, with genuine personal touches throughout in the design, F&B and overall service. There are several restaurants and bars, and we wanted them each to have their own identity while at the same time collectively form part of one hotel.
HK: The guestrooms and suites feel calm and considered – a juxtaposition from the neighbourhood outside. How did you create this?
JS: Good hotels are cornerstones in a community and neighbourhood. Most visitors will more often experience the public areas such as restaurants, bars and meeting spaces so these need to have a more upbeat energy that truly echoes the energy within the local area. The rooms and suites are designed to be more of a sanctuary away from it all, with emphasis on comfort. I opted for neutral base palettes and textures: white upholstery (removable covers!), natural tones, soft berber carpets (something you would expect in a great apartment, not a hotel) and generous oversized bedding. I also wanted some pop accents to cut through all the neutrals, and we did this by having custom tapestries with geometric patterns, large hand painted artworks by me and huge oversized white pottery vases, which I also designed.
“London adopted me in a way that made me always think of it as home. What I love most about the city is that one can choose peace or something more energetic, all in the same day.” – Jacu Strauss, Creative Director, Lore Group.
Image credit: Lore Group
HK: How have you evolved since working as a senior designer at Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio?
JS: I trained as an architect, but hospitality design is something I learned throughout the years, first working on Sea Containers London when I was with Tom Dixon Design Research Studio. I have been lucky to have worked on some very diverse hotel projects in many countries, so I am constantly learning. The fundamentals I learned from Tom have been incredibly important; namely concepting, storytelling, doing what is right and being brave. Along with this, I have been able to apply my own style and passions for design in different ways on each project.
HK: As a man who travels a lot for work, what is it about London that keeps bringing you back?
JS: I moved here from South Africa when I was 18 years old and never went back. London adopted me in a way that made me always think of it as home. What I love most about the city is that one can choose peace or something more energetic, all in the same day. The parks are amazing, and there is a real sense of civility and good manners.
Image credit: Lore Group
HK: When it first opened in its previous guise, this hotel was defined by its public areas. What’s changed from then to now?
JS: The previous hotel captured Shoreditch’s energy in its public areas with people meeting here to party, eat and socialise. We wanted to maintain that energy but at the same time redesign the spaces to feel more inviting and more connected to the street scape. The restaurant, for example, used to be a hidden from the world, and we changed that by introducing a wine bar with lots of glass that connects it more to Shoreditch High Street. Likewise, the lobby feel a lot lighter and softer than it did previously.
QUICK-FIRE ROUND
HK: If you were to describe One Hundred Shoreditch in an emoji, what would it be? JS: Well, in the bedrooms definitely the snoozing face as any room I design is about great sleep – while in the public areas I’d say the cocktail emoji!
HK: What was your first ever job? JS: I worked in international remittances at the Royal Bank of Scotland when I was 18, I ended up being a temp for two years!
HK: What’s your go-to cocktail on the menu here? JS: A Martini, always.
HK: Where in the hotel do you feel most at peace? JS: Sitting in one of the oriel windows watching the London sunset in the evening.
Image credit: Lore Group
HK: You’re not one for following the traffic. Tell us about the quirky details that show that this is a Jacu Straus design?
JS: I think there are personal touches throughout. My team and I are very hands-on. For example, almost all of the art throughout the hotel is created by myself and my team. We physically made it ourselves. Some of the sculptural pieces are collaborations with great manufacturers, such as Jan Hendzel who made the wooden sculptures at the entrance and reception (all made from local wood).
I think something constant in my work is that I never get too serious, while I also avoid trends because I like to do what is right for the property. I also like mix and match contrasting elements. For example, in the lobby I’ve placed one of my favourite Vernen Panton Heart chairs in red next to all white and wooden furniture pieces.
HK: How have the collaborations you have been involved in – including working with Mio Gallery to create new design dimensions using floristry for Riggs Washington D.C.’s in-house eatery – helped you evolve as a modern designer?
JS: Great collaborations are key, and it is also part of my duty to give opportunity to designers and artists who really understand what I am trying to achieve. It is a healthy way for someone like me to learn and often be challenged. I often see collaborations fail in other projects when there is a lack of a brief, and also a lack of understanding how other people work.
Image credit: Lore Group
HK: One of your previous projects included Super Lyan, which is a modern bar set in a 17th century townhouse in the heart of Amsterdam. What is the secret behind a good destination bar?
JS: It really is very simple: do what is right and it becomes truthful and authentic. It is easy to spot someone trying too hard to impress or spot flaws in their concept. The secret to a good destination bar is to make a visitor feel special and to give them some breathing room to create their own experience. In all the bars I designed we do not dictate the guest experience.
I am aware that design alone does not make a good bar, and I respect the other aspects that, equally, make a bar a success: service, atmosphere and the drinks offering of course.
Image credit: Lore Group
HK: What’s next for you and Lore Group?
JS: We have the ambitions and confidence to do more hotels, but we will never do a hotel for the sake of ticking a box. We will never compromise on the importance of storytelling and being contextual to a neighbourhood and city. My work is never done with any of the properties I have designed either, as hotels are organic and we always need to make changes and work on programming.
Miniview: Sumei Skyline Coast Boutique Hotel, where space becomes art
Designed by GS Design to both mirror and frame its natural coastline location, the Sumei Skyline Coast Boutique Hotel uses architectural form and furniture in a palette of pure white and bright blue to make a strong statement that sculpts the space in which it sits…
The Sumei Skyline Coast Boutique Hotel is located on the Skyline Coast in Sanya Hainan in China, a popular tourist attraction that is all about the vast open seascape, a seascape which is also the definitive point of inspiration for this project. Inspired by the ocean and the winding coastline surrounding it, the façade of this hotel is designed to mirror the rise and fall of the waves along the shore while the interior is all about maximising the views, and presenting guests with a series of sculpted and framed spaces.
Image credit: GS Design
Shenzhen based practice GS Design are responsible for both the architecture and the interior design.The project is all about the space and the shapes within it, with the minimal palette making a strong design statement as the pure white forms are set in contrast to the sky, the seascape and the sunset.
“We work to craft the space into a timely and sophisticated art piece with long lifespan of usage by adopting this classic color.” GS Design
Image credit: GS Design
The surrounding blue of the sky and the sea has been curated into views and vistas within a series of arches and architectural forms with careful consideration to proportions. Broad curves of pure white become sculptural statements against the contrasting colour of the sky. The ocean and beach, the palms and the sky are all collected within the arch shape frame with precise aesthetic proportion guiding the entire process. Wandering by the consecutive arch shaped windows, guests are offered a broad vision of pure white that frames and emphasises the vivid natural scenery of the exterior. Heights, shapes, depth are all considered to create a multi layered surface that relates to the environment.
Image credit: GS Design
Space has been designed to flow freely around curves and corners with a blurring of visual boundaries. On the exterior deck, the swimming pool is visually integrated with the ocean and the infinite blue sky, presenting guests with the natural experience of swimming freely in the vast ocean. Within this space, every view is considered and every vista framed or sculpted by the structure. Depth of water is as important as the walls around it with the shallow water working as a mirror of the sky, the stone steps and the sunken seating area define and give the space order. Everything works together to provides a relaxing interactive scene fusing nature and art.
Image credit: GS Design
GS Designs have deconstructed the space by using simple graphic shapes. The circles within the squares overlap and interconnect which creates the in-depth vertical layered effect in the hot spring area. The shifting of light and shadow is key to the poetry of the spatial structure; the silhouette of the waves, the afterglow of the sunset, and the ripples of the hot spring pool are all part of a single composition. Natural light is used to frame architectural shapes, and the relationship between light and shade is key to the design. Windows bring the waves and sunset into the space, while the skylight directly above a bed brings sparkling starlight, enhancing the connection to nature that directs this entire design. The interior design is minimalist with all furniture and textiles in the space in pure white with an emphasis on texture and form, the interplay of delicate and rough, light and shade, replacing colour.
Image credit: GS Design
The furniture in this hotel is as sculptural and as architectural as the space in which it sits. The design has again maximized the views and the scenery by introducing various perspectives through the height difference of the furniture. Every view is considered as part of the design, and the placement of the furniture is as much about functionality as it is about how it breaks up and defines the space in which it is placed.
Image credit: GS Design
Defined by the strong geometry; circles, semi-circles, and squares are repeated throughout and used to frame the building and the space around it. This design is all about the pictures, the views, the vistas created by both the architecture and the forms within. Everything has been designed to maximise the purity of the scenery in which the Sumei Skyline Coast Boutique Hotel is embedded.
Why sustainability is a core pillar in design at GROHE
At GROHE, sustainability is at the heart of the business, reflected in everything from product design through to packaging. Ebru Bircan (Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA) discusses how the brand continues to innovate…
Sustainability in design isn’t just a growing trend; it’s a necessity. In recent years, it’s been imperative we begin taking a closer look at our environment and our impact on it. Individually, it’s a seemingly overwhelming task, but as an industry responsible for product, design and experience innovation, together we can make progress and drive transformation.
Here at GROHE, sustainability is at the heart of our business reflected in everything from the products we design to how they’re packaged. We’re incredibly proud to be creating innovations which enable designers, architects, hoteliers and developers to create more considered spaces. Our Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold Level range, for example, is amongst the first in the sanitaryware industry to begin approaching a circular economy. The world-class design accreditation means each product component can be recycled or has an endless lifecycle.
Achieving the globally recognised certification was a huge milestone in our commitment to sustainability. The circular approach to design allows us to drastically reduce the use of new resources – using this framework is a necessary mindset change in our industry to help drive change.
Image credit: GROHE
As sustainability continues to be increasingly important, we’re here to empower our customers in making eco-friendly decisions which don’t compromise on design or features. With GROHE product ranges including cold-start, energy-saving taps and technology to reduce water flow without disrupting usage, we’re passionate about innovating while creating beautiful pieces which are still user-friendly. After all, sustainable practices should be doing good for the future of our planet without negatively impacting on our day to day lives.
Our infra-red taps are another great example of introducing sustainability without compromising on features; the technology allows for less water wastage as well as helping to keep the area more hygienic due to less need for touch. There are also significant resource savings to be made by opting for water-saving bathroom products. With more and more advanced technology being developed, many of these economical options are still able to deliver an excellent experience.
Image credit: GROHE
At GROHE, we offer water-saving capabilities across premium bathroom products with the help of our EcoJoy technology, which is available across a wide range of taps and showers. Such as, the GROHE Tempesta 250 showerhead delivers GROHE’s Rain spray pattern at a reduced flow, while offering a premium shower experience, with GROHE EcoJoy helping to reduce the water flow by up to 50 per cent.
Our shower thermostats help encourage water saving with models equipped with an EcoButton that allows the user to opt for a reduced water flow. The GROHE Grohtherm 1000 thermostat, for example, is available with the GROHE EcoButton and packed with GROHE EcoJoy technology for consumption efficiency.
As well as our product development, our global company initiatives have seen us become CO2 neutral worldwide and reduce our water consumption by 38.7 per cent. We also reached our goal of plastic free packaging as of January 01 2022 meaning we’ve saved 32 million pieces of plastic packaging.
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.
Meliá Hotels International deepens its footprint in Vietnam
With 12 new properties from Tay Ninh to Hai Phong, the Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International, is set to become one of the largest international hotel brands in Vietnam through a new collaboration with the country’s largest domestic hotel owner, Vinpearl. Here’s what we know…
The global hotel brand Meliá has built a portfolio of 380 hotels in more than 40 countries since its founding in Palma De Mallorca in 1956. It already has a strong presence in Southeast Asia, and currently operates 20 properties and has a pipeline of an additional 20 hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Under the agreement announced with Vinpearl, Meliá Hotels International will take over the management of 12 hotels and resorts already opened and in operation, in top destinations spread across the length of the Vietnam.
“We believe in creating strong and strategic regional partnerships with companies that have a deep connection to the locations they serve,” said Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International. “The Vinpearl properties and destinations at the heart of this agreement are a wonderful complement to the roots we’ve already established in Vietnam.”
This latest move by the group will make it the second largest hotel group in Vietnam in terms of number of rooms. The rapidly expanding company first entered Vietnam back in 1999 with the opening of Meliá Hanoi. They currently have six properties in operation with six hotels in the pipeline in popular tourist hotspots throughout the country. The partnership will increase the group’s room count for Vietnam to 24 hotels and resorts, with eight hotels under operation and 16 more on the way.
In addition to Meliá Hotels International, the existing portfolio includes two other brands, Sol by Meliá and INNSiDE by Meliá. In this new arrangement with Vinpearl, the properties will be known as Meliá Vinpearl hotels in order to emphasise the unique personality and strength of this collaboration.
“Collaborating with international partners in running our properties will effectively facilitate Vinpearl in joining world-famous hotel networks and contribute to raising the bar for Vietnamese tourism,” said Mr Thai Thanh Nhat Quang, CEO of Vinpearl Hotel. “Through this cooperation, Vinpearl and Meliá Hotels International also expect to deliver a variety of high-class hotel service experiences to millions of domestic and international tourists.”
Image credit: Melia Hotels International
The 12 five-star Meliá Vinpearl properties will complement the group’s existing portfolio, by expanding into new locations. The first hotel to come into the fold was Vinpearl Quang Binh. The property is now under Meliá management and will be rebranded as Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh. The coastal location catapulted to fame several years back when the world’s largest cave was discovered in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Despite this magnet, the area has remained relatively untouched by international hotel brands.
Vinpearl Hotel Hue is now also under management and will be unveiled as Meliá Vinpearl Hotel Hue in May 2022. The hotel holds a prime position in Vietnam’s former imperial capital city, Hue, with views over the popular destination’s fabled Perfume River. The other hotels under this strategic alliance include sites such as Thanh Hoa and Hai Phong near the country’s capital Hanoi; Nghe An and Ha Tinh along the North Central Coast, and Tay Ninh in the south. The group will expand under Meliá Vinpearl into locations where Melia already has properties, such as Danang, as well as cultivating new ground in destinations where the group currently has no presence.
“At Meliá we prioritise each guest’s wellbeing and, through our personalised service approach, develop authentic connections with all who stay,” said Martin. “This is our way and what we will bring to each Melia Vinpearl property.” Long renowned for its Spanish hospitality, the brand intends to inculcate the same spirit of warmth and passion in every one of its Vinpearl properties. At the same time, the group plans to elevate sustainability as a priority. Meliá Hotels International was recently named the most sustainable hotel brand in Europe and Spain for the third consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.
UNILIN unveils an even more sustainable oak finish
Suppliers of innovative wood-based solutions for building and interior design projects, Master Oak by Unilin, provides an answer that is both authentic and sustainable…
The impressively authentic Master Oak from Unilin Panels is available on HDF panels made with 100 per cent recovered wood, and sets a new benchmark in authenticity for decorative finishes, presenting lifelike decors that look and feel just like genuine oak. Hardwearing, scratch and UV-resistant and easy to clean, Master Oak is suitable for a wide range of interior applications, including doors, shelving, furniture, desks and walls.
“Unilin’s Master Oak’s matt finish delivers a luxurious appearance and has a unique pattern – just like genuine oak,” said Caroline Van de Populiere, R&D Director, Unilin Panels. “That natural appearance is enhanced even more by the different types of pores and depth variations. Together with the outstanding performance of decorative panelling and our 100 per cent recovered wood MDF and HDF, you end up with a product that masterfully outshines genuine oak. Master Oak has a natural appearance, is scratch-resistant, colourfast, and low-maintenance.”
The company has invested in developing a process that allows it to use 90 per cent of wood from post-consumer sources such as unwanted furniture and building timber without compromising the quality or integrity of its products. Through advanced sorting and cleaning processes, it removes all impurities for a high-grade wood fibre suitable for products. This process gives more life to more than 1,000,000 tonnes of waste wood every year.
Master Oak is available in six colours – brown, natural, double fumed, light natural, everest white and elegant black – in a range of HDF panel sizes, as well as HPL and edging tape, for use in doors, walls, shelves and bespoke furniture production. All of these finishes can also be combined effortlessly with any type of substrate such as MDF or chipboard, and comes in fire-retardant, moisture-resistant and formaldehyde-free variants.
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.
In (video) conversation with: Interior designer Geraldine Dohogne
Editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with Geraldine Dohgone, whose pure love for design and hospitality earned her the highly commended title for the second consecutive year in the Interior Designer of the Year category at The Brit List Awards 2021…
To say that Geraldine Dohogne had an unorthodox beginning to her career would be an understatement. She began on the operational side of hospitality, with renowned Zannier Hotels.
Image caption: The lobby and lounge inside 1898 The Post. | Image credit: Ich Miles
It was not long until her natural gifts and undeniable talent as a designer began to shine through, and quickly pulled her to lead as the company’s Design Director. Her career blossomed out of what she describes as “pure love for design” – an odyssey that has taken her around the world, and back.
After designing some of Zannier Hotels’ most impressive projects – including one hotel that is literally perched on top of bolders in the Nambia desert – Dohogne made the decision to set up her own studio while also working with the hotel brand to launch its first hotel in Vietnam.
Image caption: A suite inside Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô. | Image credit: Frederik Wissink
With each project she brings positive social impacts, sustainable literacy and fresh inspiration drawn from each country and culture. Her strategy and work ethic that she leads her studio with pushes projects beyond ‘hotels’ and into spheres of learning, leisure and beauty.
Despite having an awe-inspiring story, though, it was Dohogne’s projects that captured the attention of the judges at The Brit List Awards 2021, and led her to become, for the second consecutive year, the highly commended candidate in the Interior Designer of the Year category.
> Click here to watch the full 7-minute interview between Geraldine Dohogne and Hotel Designs’ Hamish Kilburn on the GROHE X platform.
One of those projects is Grandvoir, nestled in Belgium’s Ardennes, which is due to open in Autumn of this year. The project will be a masterful expression of biophilic design. 84 cottages will span over around 60 acres in a pocket of pristine vegetation. Among it, the Old Mill from 1852 on the property is being completely restored to its original aesthetic and will favour the natural materials of the land, such as ageing timber, blue-stone and yarn-woven linens.
The project will bring children’s education in nature and regenerative sustainability to the forefront. With educational paths, stimulating architecture and mindful wildlife watching, the project will be driven by our humanistic need, for both adult and child, to play and reconnect. “All products, will be locally grown, made or found,” Dohogne explained.
Image caption: Dohogne’s latest project is situated in the countryside of Ardennes, Belgium. | Image credit: Beyond Design
Image caption: Dohogne’s latest project is situated in the countryside of Ardennes, Belgium. | Image credit: Beyond Design
Designers shape the world. It is through our collective decision making in construction, development and experience, our world interacts — and ecological and social systems, built. Dohogne’s passion and dedication to push each project into a new dimension of thought and care sends a message to design enthusiast and travellers everywhere that sustainability does not compromise luxury, and local collaboration proves for the best projects.
Virtual roundtable: bathroom design within heritage buildings
With an increased emphasis being put on bathroom design to differentiate and add personality to a project, Hotel Designs in association with Schlüter-Systems, invited a panel of designers and architects to explore innovation in the realm of bathroom design when working within the constraints of heritage buildings…
Bathroom design is fast becoming the focal point of the guestroom experience in luxury hotels – in some cases, quite literally, as in recent years the bath in many luxury suites has shifted right into the bedroom itself. At the very least, there is certainly more focus on ambient details, such as lighting and scent. And these new elements are bringing more experience to wellness.
As we see bathrooms pivot from practical spaces to becoming the central point of luxury and wellness, Hotel Designs and Schlüter-Systems invited a panel of designers and architects to look specifically at bathroom design within the parameters of heritage buildings; the opportunities and challenges as they work with the narrative of a building’s history while trying to accommodate areas that practically live up to modern traveller demands.
Meet the panel:
Sze Wei Lee, Co-Founder, Translation Architecture
Una Barac, Founder, Atellior
Geoff Hull, Director, EPR Architects
Neil Andrew, Head of Hosptiality, Perkins&Will
Amrit Naru, Hospitality and Leisure Director, ADP Architecture
Danny Brant, Specifications Consultant, Schlüter-Systems
Hamish Kilburn: Let’s dive straight in – how can designers and architects sensitively add personality in bathrooms that are sheltered within heritage buildings?
Amrit Naru: The starting point in any [bathroom] design is about understanding what the heritage asset is, and then trying to establish which of those elements can be drawn on and incorporated within the bathroom space.
HK: In a previous roundtable discussion, we looked at bathrooms beyond practical spaces, and it does seem as if there are more risks being taken in the bathroom spaces now.
AN: Yes, I think there is an element of that, partly because of what is available now in terms of the products that have been developed – you can draw on the smaller elements – the details such as the handles, which bring in character to a particular space.
Neil Andrew: By the nature and function of washrooms, people use those spaces as a pause point.
HK: Where would you start when injecting personality in bathrooms within a heritage building?
Una Barac: While on the one hand there can be space restrictions, the heritage of the building can kickstart the project with conceptual thinking, which can give you as the designer a lot of personality to work with. We have recently completed serviced apartments for 11 Cadogan Garden – a typical Chelsea redbrick townhouse with six apartments. We had lot of restrictions as it is a listed building, but we used what the heritage of the building had to offer and, in this project, taking advantage of beautiful Victorian windows was key. We then went quite contemporary with fittings and fixings, which provided a nice juxtaposition, because while the design needed to show that connection to the history of the building, we also wanted it to feel like a very different offering.
Image caption: Bathroom inside apartments at 11 Cadogan Gardens, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: 11 Cadogan
Image caption: Bathroom inside apartments at 11 Cadogan Gardens, designed by Atellior. | Image credit: 11 Cadogan
Geoff Hull: When we worked on The Ned, the restrictions meant that the bathroom solution was to create a pod within the middle of the floor plan. Then in another example, looking at our project at The Old War Office, we had rooms and spaces with high historical significance. Working with the building, we were able to approach things differently and placed the bath in the middle of the room rather than create a separate bathroom – we approached the bathroom design as a process of adding and positioning furniture rather than creating and defining space. In short, each project brings its own approaches and solutions.
HK: It’s not uncommon to see a freestanding bath in the middle of a suite these days. Is this an easy solution if designers are struggling to work within the confines of a heritage space?
GH: Each project and space brings with it different considerations but combining the bathroom and bedroom space into a single room is a way to connect the design with the building. The obvious advantage is that it makes a space feel less confined. There does seem to be a move away from the cookie-cutter approach that we saw perhaps 20 to 30 years ago.
Image caption: The Royal Opera Suite inside NoMad London, designed by Roman and Williams (architecture by EPR Architects). | Image credit: Benoit Linero
Sze Wei Lee: We recently completed The Relais Henley. For this project, we did not see the bathroom as a separate area. Instead, the design of the bedroom and the bathroom is seen as one. We worked in the context of the location beside the river in a listed building that is more than half a century old, and all this directed the design. But also, with listed buildings, you don’t want to open a can of worms. Therefore, on a practical level you also must respect what is already there and, in the bathroom design specifically, work with the existing plumbing. These are limitations, but those restrictions also make every bathroom unique.
HK: Expanding on that ‘can of worms’ concept that Sze Wei mentioned… what challenges have been thrown at you in working on these types of projects that you have never had to face before, and what unique solutions did you come up with?
SWL: We have worked with several existing and heritage buildings, and the key to finding solutions is in the collaboration process – the builders, contractor, designers must all be flexible to find a solution. We all need to think on the spot and work and as a team – there is always a solution to something!
Image caption: A bathroom inside The Relais Henley, designed by Translation Architecture. | Image credit: Gregoire Gardette
GH: We need to understand the clients’ aspirations, and investigate structural limitations, because it is not just about the aesthetic and the emotional connection, the technical elements are also important, and we need to know how to solve challenges if we are going to drive a successful project.
UB: To be honest, every project catches you unaware … I am always waiting to see what challenge a new project is going to throw at me!
Image caption: The marble bathroom is a hero feature at The Manor House inside Rosewood London, designed by GA Group (architecture by EPR Architects)
HK: The softening of brand standards that we are seeing with some of the large hotel groups must make things easier?
UB: While we don’t push our clients beyond their comfort zones and we respect the brand and the building as well as its heritage, there is also no point in mimicking history.
NA: It depends on the brand, and while I wouldn’t want to do a pastiche and recreate the past, some concepts for a hotel might call for something like that – or somewhere in the middle where the client looks for what can be called a modern irreverence, where you can introduce that mix and juxtaposition.
HK: Drawing attention to accessibility, what are the main challenges in designing modern bathrooms inside heritage buildings for all?
AN: We have come a long way with assisted equipment, and there is so much more available today – we have the opportunity now to do some nice, innovative design solutions in rooms without making them feel different to the rest of the hotel, and special requirements can be seen as part of the design rather than separate to design.
NA: Even the location of DDA rooms can be an issue, especially in a listed or heritage space. When you are looking at an old building and all the level changes within that, the location of bedrooms can be difficult before you even get to address the design requirements.
UB: I would like to add here that while a lot of us talk about how we can conceal things like grab rails, however much you hide it, it is still there. So, where possible, I feel we should celebrate it rather than hide it! There are now so many options, so rather than hiding things, I would opt to celebrate them by using all the beautiful colours and finishes available now!
Image caption: Bathroom designed by Bergman Design House inside The Lund Collection’s first property in The Cotswolds. | Image credit: Vigo Jansons
HK: Let’s move onto sustainability. How can you make a bathroom feel luxurious using sustainable materials – where are we in this conversation with clients?
UB: We have started to ask suppliers to provide credentials of products when specifying and requesting samples. Carbon neutral products are becoming easier to find. It does feel easier when you are able to use modern finishes and materials, but possibly when looking at more traditional materials, it becomes more about being local and regional.
NA: We still have a long way to go when it comes to our knowledge of sustainable design. Everyone wants to do it, but we don’t necessarily have all the answers and solutions. I still believe that if you can go local when sourcing materials, that is still the better option as a lot of products claiming to be carbon neutral are simply carbon offsetting and that is not really the long-term solution. The other key question in this conversation is the longevity of materials, as ultimately, we want things to be reused rather than taken out and recycled.
SWL: At the moment, key considerations regarding sustainable design are in the actual functioning of the bathroom. The flow rates, sanitary ware, amenities, and the water use are also significant areas we should look at when exploring sustainability in design. With all the best will in the world, though, from our clients’ perspective, sustainable materials need to become more available and affordable.
GH: You could argue that simply by working with a restoration programme and restoring a historical building, that is a significant nod to sustainability. Working on a listed building, you are encouraged to use and reuse the same materials. It is often easier and cheaper to throw things away and start again, so you do need a client that is ambitious and for these morals to be integrated into the design process.
Image credit: Amira Aboalnaga/Unsplash
HK: In conclusion then, going back to the subject at hand, with more emphasis being put into the bathroom, where do you see bathroom design in five years from now?
AN: Luxury is now less about the physical and more about the value to the individual – physical luxury is quite easy to understand, but it is now about that bespoke environment that can be tailored to the individual. The givens are that you have luxury materials, the extra level is about using new technology to connect into that extra sensory offering.
NA: I would say the same; more multi-sensory design, and normalised circadian lighting. Luxury hospitality, in my opinion, will always be about giving guests something that they can’t experience at home.
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.
To mark its 50 anniversary, Skopos has breathed new life into two of its most popular fabric collections…
The Vienna collection from Skopos, which launched in 2008, was born from a desire to create pattern which was graphic, bold and fun. Aimed originally at the education sector, the designs were simple, yet playful. Sacher an organic horizontal hoop design, shouted retro vibes, and was ripe for reinvention.
Revisiting this design, the team at Skopos played with texture, colour and direction to develop a vertical loop with a linen graze, placed onto muted gold and green. The result is ‘Vienna Loop’, which is being added to the brand’s 50th anniversary collection and being sampled on its exquisite velvet blackout base-cloth, Sonno.
Image credit: Skopos
Joining Vienna Loop, to celebrate this anniversary, the next design has been named ‘Spa Days’. Originally a woven design, known as Spa, from Skopos’ Nereus collection, Spa was a two-tone design, with a frolicking, playful line. Evolving this look, the creative team married two contrasting-coloured lines on a simple background to create a printed design that works across all contract environments, offered as samples on its P11 base-cloth.
Vienna Loop and Spa Days have been added to our 50th anniversary celebration collection, with samples of the four skus available to order via our website. These revisited designs have been re-coloured and reworked to fall in-line with today’s trends and the scales have been manipulated to work effectively across different soft furnishings.
As with all Skopos prints, designers will be able to order the ‘anniversary’ designs in bespoke colourways, in-line with minimum order requirements, across a number of base-cloths, including upholstery velvets and various drape qualities for use across a variety of environments.
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.
Case study: a contemporary bathroom redesign in the heart of Paris
Interior designer Gesa Hansen has given the bathrooms of a 15th arrondissement hotel in Paris a fresh new look with the help of Villeroy & Boch…
Surrounded by tree-lined streets filled with little boutiques and shops, gourmet bistros and food stores, the Hotel Ami has been welcoming guests in this quintessentially Parisian setting since 1925. Following a complete renovation and redesign, the hotel is ready to reveal its new look, done with the characteristic, attention to detail of interior designer Gesa Hansen. Having already developed several colour concepts for Villeroy & Boch, Hanson has succeeded in conveying the district’s authentic charm in the interior design. The result is a welcoming haven of peace and relaxation for travellers in the midst of fast-paced city life.
Image credit: Romain Ricard
Hansen has styled the interior of the Hotel Ami with her distinctive minimalist Scandinavian signature where warm, expressive colours meet light wood, straight lines fuse with flowing curves, and natural materials along with carefully selected accessories and functional features create a feeling of comfort and homeliness. The 41 guestrooms with bathrooms have all been individually decorated and designed using Villeroy & Boch ceramicware from the Collaro series.
“Their very balanced, welcoming proportions make them ideal for any space and they fit perfectly with the overall concept of the bedrooms and bathrooms,” explained Hansen. “The edges and walls are neither too thick nor too thin. They have a very human design which makes them one of my favourite products in the bathroom.”
Image credit: Romain Ricard
As is typical for Paris, the bathrooms are not very large, but the design has made full use of the available space with clever solutions to ensure maximum comfort for guests. To create a sense of continuity between the design concept in the adjoining, partially open-plan integrated guestroom and the bathrooms without overcrowding these small spaces, Hansen has used colour to create highlight effects rather than on entire surfaces. In some of the bathrooms single coloured tiles create playful effects on the walls, while in others larger areas of light-dark contrasts make the space appear larger. The result is a light look that gives the bathrooms a pleasant atmosphere.
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.
Main image credit: Villeroy & Boch / Romain Ricard
Thompson to debut in Spain with luxury hotel in the heart of Madrid
Slated to open in summer 2022, Thompson Madrid is set to become an iconic landmark in the city and marks the luxury brand’s arrival into Spain…
The first Thompson Hotels property will arrive in Spain this year. The 175-key Thompson Madrid will be located in the centre of the new Golden Mile in Madrid, just steps away from the iconic streets and plazas of Gran Vía and Puerta del Sol, amongst the most visited and eclectic tourist hotspots in the city.
“We are honoured to work with Exacorp One S.L. to welcome the Thompson Hotels brand to Spain, a sought-after market of today’s leisure travellers. Thompson Madrid will become a remarkable property in the heart of the city, where culture is celebrated and everyone who walks through the doors feels more like a resident than a guest,” said Peter Norman, senior vice president development EAME & SWA at Hyatt. “These plans for Thompson Madrid come at a time of significant growth for the Thompson Hotels brand, largely fuelled by leisure travel demand, offering a luxurious, evocative collection of boutique hotels, synonymous with highly distinct services and experiences that cater to the high-end traveller.”
The luxury lifestyle hotel, which will enter Madrid as the third Hyatt-branded hotel in the city, will feature a striking mid-century aesthetic. Its thoughtfully curated spaces will include a rooftop terrace and pool that have all been inspired by the soul of the city and its architecture.
“We are thrilled to work with Hyatt on Thompson Madrid, a stunning property that we are sure will become an iconic landmark within the beautiful city of Madrid,” said Carlos Llansó, architect and spokesperson at Exacorp One S.L. “We look forward to welcoming guests to discover a new sense of luxury later in 2022.”
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
The 175 sophisticated guestrooms include 22 exceptional suites – many with balconies or terraces and outstanding city views. The 222 square-metre Penthouse suite, will be the crown in the jewel.
Three food and beverage outlets will be on offer, with culinary offerings managed by Grupo La Ancha, the renowned restaurant group who have had a strong presence in Spain since the early 20th century and are the creators of beloved dining concepts such as Fismuler in Madrid.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Alongside a speak-easy style bar, the hotel will feature a signature rooftop terrace, offering drinks and dining with sweeping views overlooking the city. Styled as a hilltop residential inspired cantina and a destination day club, it will be the perfect urban oasis for guests to enjoy.
The hotel’s expansive outdoor pool will elevate it as a wellness experience, with the city’s natural scenery as the pool’s backdrop. In addition, the hotel will also shelter an open-air courtyard and state of the art fitness centre.
Thompson Madrid marks a significant moment for the luxury hotel brand. Other hotels under construction from Thompson Hotels include Texas properties in Austin and Houston, as well as Thompson Denver, and Thompson Buckhead.
> Since you’re here, why not read about Thompson Hollywood, designed by Tara Bernerd?
In conversation with: Paul Sewell on innovative surfaces in hotel design
From practical considerations to the latest style influences, Paul Sewell, Specifications Manager at CTD Architectural Tiles, discusses with Editor Hamish Kilburn the impact surfaces can have in hotel design…
There’s nothing quite like characterful surfaces in hotel design to create a lasting impression in all areas. These days, when it comes to innovative surfaces, there is so much on offer – you only had to attend Surface Design Show to see how manufacturers are create new, bold and ethically sourced products.
To understand more about the latest trends – and to get a glimpse of the brand’s latest collections – I caught up with Paul Sewell, Specifications Manager at CTD Architectural Tiles to discuss the power of a first impression, hygienic offers and what designers should consider when specifying new tiles.
Hamish Kilburn: You have recently unveiled a number of new product collections – what are the latest tile trends you’ve been able to tap into?
Paul Sewell: The curation of our new ranges has been directly informed by the conversations we are having with our clients and our desire to always ensure we can offer the choice and creativity they need. Traditional and decorative ‘chipped’ stone finishes, such a terrazzo and Ceppo Di Gre styles, have enduring popularity and lately, there has been a growing preference for combining natural materials with warmer colour palettes. Our new Inclusioni Classico tile range perfectly captures both these elements and includes some striking Mediterranean inspired tones. This range also offers the timeless beauty of a terrazzo effect in a porcelain tile which is not only easier to install but also has real longevity and durability.
Using terrazzo style tiles alongside simple yet striking cement finishes is also proving popular and our new Masterpiece tile collection embraces this. Master is inspired by concrete, and Piece emulates the traditional Italian speckled look. These tiles can be freely combined together or used separately to create bespoke designs and work well with designers who are looking to create a rich palette of complementary colours and finishes.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
HK: A good first impression is everything – how can tiles create a welcoming front of house design?
As many modern hotel schemes are increasingly being used as spaces that welcome all sorts of visitors, not just guests, but hot-desk workers and visitors to restaurant and bar facilities, the opportunities for creating stunning front of house interiors are vast. We are continuing to see a preference for using larger format tiles to create stunning feature atrium floor designs, with richly glazed smaller format tiles used as wall details to connect to the other spaces.
We are also seeing a greater use of colour with royal blues and deep greens creating really opulent and luxurious interiors, and pastel shades evoking a sense of calmness and serenity. Many of our existing tile collections have been updated to include wider colour options to offer even greater creative flexibility. The Affrescati range embodies this trend really well and it is inspired by the look and feel of traditional Italian tiles and aged plaster. This gives the tile a tactile, sumptuous character and one that looks stunning when used as feature wall – the blue tile with star décor detailing is simply stunning.
Experimenting with texture and finishes can also be really effective in zoning a space, particularly when used alongside different lighting conditions. We’ve again responded to this by expanding and refining our tile ranges. The new Marea collection for example can produce really striking effects in different lights thanks to its undulating ribbed pattern which creates contrast between both gloss and matt finishes. It’s a simple but striking way to create a focal point or create defined areas.
HK: From offering al-fresco dining to providing access to complementary sports facilities, outdoor areas need to work seamlessly with the interior space – how can the commercial tile package help achieve a cohesive design?
PS: They absolutely do need to work together and if the last few years have shown us anything, it is that outdoor spaces need to offer the same level of comfort and aesthetic appeal as the interior. With this is mind, we’ve been able to offer tile solutions that allow designers to create a unified design scheme with seamless internal and external flooring designs. Large format limestone inspired tiles such as those found in our Anthology collection provide the perfect balance between being practical, as they are both hardwearing and offer excellent anti-slip properties, and providing a stunning, seamless design when in situ.
One of the biggest challenges of creating harmony between interior and exterior space is that although the same style of flooring tiles can be used, not all ranges will enable the same size tiles to be used in these different environments. We’ve addressed this with the addition of the Stern range, which includes extra large tiles that can be used both inside and outside for a coherent design.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
HK: Of course, it isn’t all about aesthetics – what other qualities need to be considered when specifying commercial tile packages?
PS: The durability of tiles is unrivalled and they are the perfect solution for high-traffic areas and a great long-term investment. The other main issue to consider is of course safety and we not only offer a wide range of tiles with great anti-slip performance but we can also work closely with our clients to find the most appropriate tiles for their project, particularly when working on areas such as swimming pools, spas and wet rooms. Traditionally, tiles with ultra high-slip resistance could also be harder to clean and we’ve been keen to find a solution to this, which is why we’ve recently added some innovative glazed tiles to our collection such as Realstone Argent, which scores highly in terms of slip resistance but is also almost completely smooth to the touch and exceptionally easy to clean.
HK: Speaking of cleanliness, how has the tile industry responded to the need to keep surfaces hygienically clean?
PS: With hygiene being so important to this sector, there is also huge potential for the use of anti-bacterial tiles which is one of the most exciting innovations of the last few years. These tiles have an enhanced glaze which eliminates bacteria on contact, making spaces cleaner and more hygienic for guests. The technology is baked into the tile, meaning it will work for the full life of the tile and importantly, can’t be washed away no matter how robust the cleaning regime. This type of tile offers incredible practical benefits but as always, we are aware that our clients don’t want to have to compromise on aesthetics. That’s why we been keen to add some really beautiful and bold ranges to our collection such as Luce which combines a high-performance anti-bacterial glaze with a striking finish reminiscent of silk. This creates a truly lustrous visual statement which alters as the viewer moves past it.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
HK: Sustainability is also an important topic for anyone working in the built environment sector. How can you work with designers to provide eco-friendly and stylish solutions?
PS: We are having many conversations with both our clients and manufacturing partners about sustainability and I’m pleased to say that we are consistently able to bring new solutions to the table. We offer several tile ranges that achieve Gold Cradle-to-Cradle certification and only work with tile manufacturers that have Environmental Product Declarations. Many of our tiles also have high recycled content, such as our Yuri range which is created using 90 per cent recycled materials.
As a UK-based supplier, we are also keen to minimise the embedded carbon generated through the distribution of our products, which is why we hold large amounts of stock to be able to offer efficient and timely deliveries. For other tile ranges that we don’t hold in stock, we can offer quick lead times so that projects can remain on track.
HK: Can you tell us more about some of the recent hotel schemes you have been involved with?
PS: We’re proud to have partnered to supply tile packages for a number of clients in the hotel sector and we have worked with both large national hotel chains as well as independent operators.
Most recently we supplied the tile package for the new Melia InnSiDE hotel in Newcastle. Located in the historic Quayside area of the city, the new hotel has been designed to complement the industrial heritage of its surroundings and required a tile solution that combines both natural aesthetics with enhanced durability. We put forward tiles from our Realstone Rain range, which has been inspired by the look and feel of English Limestone, and these have been used to great effect 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 Griege tiles installed in strips across the width of the floor. It’s a really stunning scheme.
Another recent example is the newly renovated and rebranded Broadcroft Hotel in Glasgow which embodies a lot of the key trends that we have seen in this sector. The hotel has made a real focal point of its reception area, using the natural tones of our Realstone Slate iron stone effect floor tiles to accentuate the warmer tones of the walls and soft furnishings. The hotel also showcases a stunning design in its new café bar-grill which both complements the main reception area and also creates a distinct identity. Here the use of the Havana White Garden patterned tile defines the bar area and showcases the vibrant blue tones that we have been seeing so much of. The use of patterns and colour creates an attractive contrast with the warmer tones of the adjoining wooden floor to create a really stunning space.
HK: As well as offering a vast range of tile solutions, what other services can you offer designers working in this sector?
PS: What we are able to offer our clients, and what makes many of them choose to work with us time and time again, is our in-house technical expertise. That means we can work with clients at the very earliest stage of a project to provide them with inspiration and insight – we can suggest tile collections that we know work well in hotel settings and we can also address the key practical requirements. We find our skill set is particularly valuable when working on complex areas of a hotel such as swimming pool areas as we can provide tile packages that not only look amazing but work effectively within the space. The potential for the use of tiles in this sector is vast and we are passionate about helping our clients realise it for their own projects.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Black Friday package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
LEDS C4 light a ‘serene, harmonious & majestic space’ in Barcelona
The project, lit by LEDS C4, originated in the materials that are a part of our physical and tangible world, but it is also related to the work of Six N. Five with technology and spaces. With a monochromatic colour scheme in earth tones, there is an artisanal feel to connect both worlds…
Under the guidance of the interior designer Isern Serra, LEDS C4 is providing the lighting for the new offices of the 3D design studio Six N. Five in Barcelona, founded by Ezequiel Pini. With the aim of designing a multidisciplinary space that encourages creativity, the decision was made to show off the reality of construction, leaving all of the original structure uncovered while providing warmth and serenity by means of the materials, earthy tones and light.
Image credit: LEDS C4
Image credit: LEDS C4
LEDS C4’s lighting, with Atom Track 52 spotlights and Play High Visual Comfort Adjustable downlights, blends into the architecture of the space and helps to create a cosy, relaxed environment.
In addition, Cocktail, Simply, Big and Nude light fixtures from the Decorative Collection help to create sources of light in the creative space.
The project involved refurbishing street-level premises. A multi-purpose space, mainly used as an office, but also as a showroom, adding an area for presentations, a small workshop for creating small prototypes, a leisure and virtual reality zone, and a café area. All in all, a multidisciplinary space open to the city with small cultural activities.
Image credit: LEDS C4
“The diverse spaces to be allocated and the imposing heights made it possible to create a space in the top section to house the workshop and a storage area,” said Serra. “This mezzanine also enables us to separate the public area from the more private ones.”
The mezzanine can be closed off with curtains at both the top and the bottom, thus making it possible to not only offer different levels of privacy, but also provide an element for dividing the different areas.
The space was devised to be a large architectural sanctuary with a strong artisanal feel. Earth colours were chosen to reinforce the idea of materiality, opting for a smooth finish cement floor with building elements, along with walls in the same tone with uneven plasterwork.
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.
SB Architects completes Pendry Hotels’ first year-round mountain resort
The 153-key Pendry Park City, designed by SB Architects and KES Studio, is slated to usher in a new era of hospitality in the heart of Canyons Village at Park City Mountain…
Pendry Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Pendry Park City, the brand’s first year-round mountain resort located in the heart of Canyons Village at Park City Mountain, which sits in the heart of largest mountain in the nation, with more than 7,300 acres of skiable terrain.
Render credit: Pendry Hotels & Resorts
The ski-in/ski-out resort, which opens as the sixth addition to the Pendry Hotels & Resorts portfolio, features 153 guestrooms, suites, and residences. In collaboration with Columbus Pacific, the resort was designed by SB Architects with interiors by KES Studio, and shelters four dining outlets, a rooftop pool and spa, a curated art collection and more than 2,100 square metres of meetings and event space.
Image credit: Pendry Hotels & Resorts
Image credit: Pendry Hotels & Resorts
“Pendry Park City is a true year-round destination, bringing outdoor pursuits, world-class dining, art, wellness and entertainment, to guests, residents and the local community,” said Alan J. Fuerstman, founder, chairman and CEO, Montage International. “We are incredibly proud to debut Pendry’s first resort in one of our favourite mountain destinations and look forward to showcasing all that Pendry has to offer.”
Render credit: Pendry Hotels & Resorts
In conceptualising the exclusive enclave, SB Architects considered what was missing from Canyons Village, and thought carefully about how the broader masterplan could evolve over time. Drawing inspiration from the natural surroundings, the studio departed from the traditional alpine lodge aesthetic to set a new standard for refined mountain living within a contemporary architectural vernacular. Influenced by the area’s rich mining history, and neighbouring mountain ridges, the design is driven by the guest and owner experience.
The resort and residences were designed to connect back to Canyons Village, both from an aesthetic and functional perspective. Comprised of three buildings that sit on a shared podium, the project extends beyond Pendry, with a proposal for an elevated bridge connecting the adjacent properties while integrating the rest of the village into a compelling anchor. Residential units feature protected balconies and floor to ceiling windows that maximise views from the living spaces toward the mountains and activities as they unfold across the plaza.
Render credit: Pendry Hotels & Resorts
Today’s global travellers are hungry for new experiences that are true to locale, and resort homeowners want more than just a home, where they can gather and entertain friends, enjoy outdoor activities, have memorable meals, and experience the art and culture that give a place its character. The hotel opens with the facilities (and style) to cater for such an era in modern travel.
MET Hotel opens its doors in La Paz, the city that touches the clouds
Overlooking the Andes mountains and with panoramic views over the city, the MET Hotel combines contemporary design with a strong reference to Bolivian culture in this vibrant concept that feels right at home in the cool Calacoto neighbourhood…
The Panorama Hospitality Group, the team behind Bolivia’s most awarded and first design hotel, Atix, has added to its Bolivian portfolio with the opening of MET Hotel in Calacoto, one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the city. At an elevation of more than 3,600 metres above sea level, La Paz is known as the city that touches the clouds and is the gateway to the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats and the Bolivian wine country.
Image credit: MET Hotel
“La Paz is a bustling city with a vibrant art and gastronomy scene,” said Fernando Rodriguez, founder of Panorama Hospitality Group.”We are thrilled to be opening MET Hotel to provide travellers with a unique home base for their Bolivian adventures. Calacoto is a residential neighbourhood that continues to grow in popularity and offers galleries, boutiques, and great dining options.”
The hotel design is a partnership between New York-based hospitality design firm Los Designers and Bolivian architect Ivan Valdez, who has worked with the late Zaha Hadid Architects in London. Overlooking the Andes Mountains, the hotel is centrally located to Mi Teleférico, an aerial cable car that offers epic views of the city.
Image credit: MET Hotel / Valeria Dorado
The property shelters 76 guestrooms which includes a penthouse suite. The premier MET Penthouse is a two-room suite with the perfect combination of panoramic views over La Paz on the outside and a carefully curated art collection featuring local artists on the inside. Modern accent décor pieces such as the pillows celebrate the rich weavings from the Jalq’a culture in Southern Bolivia and the bedroom rug patterns take inspiration from local historic textiles from Tiwanaku, an ancient city and sacred site consisting of former pyramids and enclosures, gateways and monuments located in western Bolivia near the southeast shore of Lake Titicaca.
Image credit: MET Hotel / Valeria Dorado
Continuing the design narrative of modern design with an emphasis on Bolivian culture, the lobby draws inspiration from the local ruins of Pumapunku and Tiwanaku with its layered concrete walls shaped like perfectly cut geometric stones. While the design is largely modern, these historically significant patterns provide underlying textures that provide a sense of place.
Image credit: MET Hotel / Valeria Dorado
Image credit: MET Hotel / Valeria Dorado
The all-day dining destination, Dominga transforms itself from a lively breakfast venue to a warmly lit and engaging space with chef’s table at night. With an emphasis on local ingredients, Dominga offers a distinctive dining experience based on contemporary cuisine that can be paired with a fine vintage from its wine cellar. The bar allows guests a space to indulge in local wines and spirits and includes the world’s largest collection of Singani, Bolivia’s national liquor. Met Hotel will also include La Paz’s first outdoor rooftop bar named Azotea offering scenic views and craft cocktails available for guests and private events.
Currently exhibiting her paintings at Omni De Architects, an innovative and collaborative gallery space that aims to connect all aspects of design while giving artists access to less traditional methods of exhibiting their work, Frances Bildner discusses the role art can play in public spaces…
With the increasing focus on art as an enhancement to the environment, we are starting to see more art in public spaces. Correctly curated, it can add value to these spaces in hotels as it brightens up the lobby and corridors, while at the same time can make guests feel more comfortable and relaxed, inspired and energised. The more colour on the walls, the more wellbeing all round! Using these spaces to exhibit takes art out of the conventional galleries, which can be rarefied and intimidating places, into the public realm, giving the everyone access to the art, and giving the artists a bigger platform on which to exhibit.
Image credit: Frances Bildner
As the art comes out of the galleries and into new and more collaborative spaces like Omni De Architects, it gets a wider audience, and at the same time becomes more central to all our lives. It removes some of the elitism that can surround gallery art as it becomes part of our everyday experience. Another shift in artistic space is the increase in Artist in Residence collaborations, more events both on and offline, and retreats where artists can spend time working on their craft in different environments as art becomes more integrated into the hospitality and travel sector. Along with this comes the benefit of travel, which to my mind enhances one’s work and is a stimulating broadening experience which allows a growing in perspective. The different colours and light in places like India and Morocco, South America and Africa can add layers to an artist’s work. I would recommend travel to any artist who wants to vary their experience.
In many ways, as art becomes more integrated into hotels and hospitality, we have come full circle as art is no longer confined to the exclusive margins of galleries. This is excellent for all involved. The public has greater access to art, spaces can be reimagined as the works change and businesses grant artists more respect and validity. It is a win-win situation.
Frances Bildner 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.
Sonance takes multi-zoned approach for F&B space in Glasgow
The challenge presented to Sonance by this social space required a multizone sound system solution, that would lend individual atmospheres to the different environments within the restaurant. Here’s how it was done…
Famous for fine wine, whisky and excellence in Scottish cuisine, Ubiquitous Chip is one of the longest serving restaurants in Glasgow today. Situated within a fantastic setting on Ashton Lane in Glasgow’s West End since 1971, the restaurant uses an extraordinary mix of room design, subtle artificial lighting and cascading natural light amid islands of lush foliage to create the setting for customers to share intimate (or rowdy) dining experiences in a range of individual environments day and night.
Image credit: Habitech /The Ubiquitious Chip
The challenge for installer Lairds of Troon was to design a multizone sound system that would lend individual atmospheres to the different environments within the restaurant, enhancing the customer experience without imposing on conversations or detracting from the room design.
“We wanted to build upon the vitality, freshness and colour of the spaces with excellent full-range audio quality that would blend in and be easy to control zonally by the restaurant staff,” said Tom Watson, Lairds.
The solution selected for the project was Sonance Mariner 54 speakers, driven and tablet-controlled by Yamaha’s super compact MusicCast WXC-50 pre and WXA-50 power amplifiers.
“We placed the Mariners strategically and discreetly throughout the levels of the restaurant,” explained Watson .“They blend perfectly with the interior and, via their Fastmount brackets, are easily directable for optimum coverage, and they can work at high volumes without distortion, helping to create a high quality musical backdrop even on a jumping Saturday night. The performance of the Mariners is such that intelligibility and audio dynamics are excellent at lower volumes as well, and this offers more scope to get the sound just right.”
Independent music selection and volume in the different spaces can easily be achieved through the MusicCast system (which is linked to the restaurant’s cloud server), so that each has a unique full range sound, custom curated for the mood in the room. The MusicCast system is perfect for the job, as it is easy to use and set up, with a simple touch-control over zone, volume and virtually any streaming service, ensuring that the music fits perfectly with any occasion in the venue. This ease of control also includes a One Push Play feature, which turns the system on and initiates playback of the previously selected source by pressing any button on a WXC/WXA-50 front panel. The entire system has been strategically and discreetly placed throughout the levels of the restaurant.
Habitech 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: Habitech / The Ubiquitious Chip
The Mosaico+ tile collection inspired by embroidery
Surface brand Mosaico+ has unveiled the Loom collection, the new range of floor and wall tiles designed by Marialaura Rossiello Irvine, and inspired by her trousseau’s embroideries…
“Loom is a random assembly of memories and tradition, dedicated to the women of my family.” This is how Marialaura Rossiello of Studio Irvine describes Loom, the new collection she designed for Mosaico+ taking inspiration by embroidery; a series of porcelain stoneware modules that will be disclosed at Cersaie 2021.
Image credit: Mosaico+
Image credit: Mosaico+
The collection of full-body porcelain stoneware suitable for indoor and outdoor use on both floors and walls was born from the personal story of Marialaura Rossiello Irvine. From the memory of her childhood, spent observing the work of the women of her family who used to meet up to embroider together. Endless afternoons in which they spun and unthreaded until they reached perfection.
The result of this painstaking work was the trousseau that Marialaura Rossiello Irvine could boast already at the age of five. “30 sheets, 30 tablecloths, 60 towels of different sizes, 10 assorted bedspreads and blankets,” she said. “Hundreds of doilies. All meticulously embroidered, sewn, assembled with different techniques: crochet, bobbin lace, knitting, cut-work.” A rich dowry that the designer, however, could not use after the wedding, because her husband resented to wake up with the embroidered tattoos on his face.
Image credit: Mosaico+
With Loom, those embroideries emerge from the wardrobes where they have been closed for more than 30 years and acquire a new life. Enlarged or shrunk, the cut-outs taken from the designer’s trousseau have been assembled and embossed on full-body porcelain stoneware modules.
The collection is a random sequence of several embroideries, different one from another as much as for the needlepoint of which the designer’s trousseau was composed.
Image credit: Mosaico+
Loom comes in pre-cut, 8,5 mm thick 14×70 cm modules the surfaces of which feature portions with different textures. Once they have been laid and grouted, the modules are no longer legible and the surface becomes a complex combination of different elements, shapes and dimensions. The collection is composed of two left patterns and two right patterns – staggered end-to-end installation is mandatory for the best result.
The collection consists of four patterns, two for the left side and two for the right side. The staggered running pose is mandatory for the output of the project.
Mosaico+ 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 pictures: inside The Lund Collection by Bergman Design House
What The Lund Collection lacks in size, it more than makes up for in personality. Bergman Design House has transformed a one-bedroom private cottage in the Cotswolds into a quirky bolthole, complete with original artwork, vintage treasures and luxury details throughout…
Bergman Design House, the design studio that is about to complete the debut property for The Other House, has taken a one-bedroom private cottage, just a stone’s throw from Chipping Norton and Great Tew, and converted it into a design-led staycation oasis.
Image credit: Vigo Jansons
The Lund Collection is exquisitely decorated by the husband-and-wife design duo, Marie Soliman and Albin Berglund and features a carefully-curated collection of original artwork and vintage treasures alongside new bespoke furniture from the studio’s Black Berg Collection. From 17th century Chinese ceramics and an 18th-century marriage armoire turned showstopping drinks cabinet to a modern and luxurious deep-soaking bathtub, design enthusiasts will marvel at the wonders on display.
Image credit: Vigo Jansons
“What’s been so enjoyable about this project has been the ‘treasure hunt’ for the most incredible antique and vintage finds, all of which tell their own unique story while highlighting the beauty of the newer items next to them,” said Soliman. “It’s an approach I like to call ‘organised chaos’; the creation of a space that is both functional and timeless, with a playful hint of surprise or whimsical energy.”
Inspired by the beauty of the Cotswolds, the property features a colour palette that reflects all four seasons, from the vibrant green of Summer to the russet-oranges of Autumn. In combination with some of the most distinguished furniture and textile artisans in the UK, including upholstery from the likes of Robert Kime, Tori Murphy and de Le Cuona, the result is an authentic, charming and quality interior design scheme that feels true and connected to its roots.
Image credit: Vigo Jansons
Creating and designing the property has been a passion project for Soliman and Berglund, and they hope it will be a sanctuary for future guests seeking zen and an escape in the countryside. “We fell in love with this cottage and the absolutely stunning countryside. We are so thrilled to share it with our guests. It is intended to be a sanctuary for all who visit – we want our guests to come here and truly switch off, connect with nature and feel at home,” said Soliman.
Image credit: Vigo Jansons
The Lund Collection is Bergman Design House’s foray into a new line of luxury individual accommodations in the UK, providing the utmost privacy while offering the ultimate guest experience. Where’s next, we wonder…
Four Seasons Hotel Melbourne to open as group’s second hotel in Australia
Taking luxury to new heights as part of the STH BNK By Beulah development, Four Seasons Hotel Melbourne will be located in what is set to be the world’s tallest vertical garden…
Melbourne property developer, Beulah, has announces that Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, a global leader in luxury hospitality, has been chosen to manage the hotel within its new AUD $2.7 billion development, STH BNK By Beulah.
Four Seasons Hotel Melbourne – the second Four Seasons property to open in Australia – will feature 210 rooms, crowning the western tower of STH BNK By Beulah, and will see guests arrive via a Sky Lobby situated on the 63rd floor, boasting panoramic views over Melbourne’s city skyline, beachfront and Royal Botanical Gardens. The hotel will also offer a world-class integrated health and wellness experience, a sprawling rooftop restaurant and bar and multiple event spaces.
Image credit: Beulah
“Four Seasons was the perfect partner for STH BNK By Beulah and will offer an unmatched hospitality experience, while remaining uniquely Melbourne,” said Adelene Teh, Beulah Executive Director. “As STH BNK By Beulah continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the luxury, lifestyle and sustainability spaces, Four Seasons aligned perfectly to our ethos and vision, offering unparalleled experiences, a bold commitment to innovation, and fantastic sustainability initiatives across its hotels and resorts.”
On track to become Australia’s tallest tower, STH BNK By Beulah is also set to become the tallest vertical garden in the world, setting a precedent for future skyscrapers to incorporate the natural environment. The vertical garden will reach a total of 5.5 kilometres, the length of Melbourne’s famed The Tan running track nearly 1.5 times over.
Image credit: Beulah
“We are incredibly proud to partner with Beulah and to be a part of the leading-edge STH BNK By Beulah development. This project will set a new standard for luxury in Melbourne, offering guests an exceptional Four Seasons experience set within an environment that will be unmatched in this market,” explained Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “At Four Seasons, we look for opportunities where we can be part of innovative new projects, with partners who share our vision for excellence – Four Seasons Hotel Melbourne is no exception, and we look forward to welcoming guests through our doors in the years ahead.”
In addition to services and amenities of the hotel, guests will enjoy access to the myriad experiences available at STH BNK By Beulah, including the lush gardens, programming within the art and culture spaces, co-working facilities, the STH BNK Market Hall, and much more.
Envisioned as a vertical mini-metropolis, STH BNK By Beulah will comprise four distinct collections of private residences, public and green spaces, a rooftop sky garden, 3,000-seat auditorium, commercial offices, childcare centre, a health and wellness precinct, arts and culture spaces and programs, as well as world-class experiential retail, all within two twisting terraced forms.
Kit Miles collaborates with Moooi Carpets on Biophillia collection
British textile designer Kit Miles joined forces with Moooi Carpets to create a new Biophillia collection that draws on nature for some bold inspiration…
Kit Miles’ fascination with the rich synergy between plants and animals comes to life in a new collection inspired by biophillia’s mesmerising patterns. The new addition to the Moooi Carpet’s Signature collection, the selection of prints, named Biophillia, aim to provide a ‘window into the world of plants and nature’ with hand-drawn dragonflies, flora and surreal plants that dance around each other bound as well as references to eternal natural cycles.
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
Biophillia exults in the surreal qualities of the natural world. Drawing on the tradition of botanical illustration, highly rendered flora and fauna celebrate the complexity and curiousness of nature. The striking use of colour gives this design a distinct and modern visual identity and is an expression of the studio’s passion for evoking the strangeness that is ever-present in the world around us. The collection combines the sumptuousness and tradition of the Baroque with modern design. This Design is available in different colourways that will definitely find a match in any interior and is available as an area rug or a broadloom wall to wall pattern.
Image credit: Moooi Carpets / Andrew Meredith
Kit Miles founded the design studio in 2013 with one vision: to create a textile collection steeped in the values of quality, exquisite draughtsmanship and a futuristic, often surprising use of scale colour and imagery. The studio is regularly invited by leading architects and interior designers to bring Miles’s unique skill across projects both large and small. The studio’s breadth and skill in executing fine product is continually developing, highlighting a restless drive towards the exploration of what print design is now and what it could be next. This collaboration with Moooi Carpets covers new ground and is an exciting addition to the extensive Moooi collection.
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. Kit Miles has joined MEET UP London as an Event Partner, and will display its latest collection at the Minotti London showroom on March 24.
Main image credit: Moooi Carpets / Andrew Meredith
Radisson Hotels has announced its entry into Madagascar with the opening of three hotels: Radisson Blu Hotel, Radisson Hotel on the Antananarivo Waterfront and Radisson Serviced Apartments in the city centre…
Antananarivo, is also known as ‘Analamanga’ or the ‘City of Thousand’ referring to the thousand soldiers appointed in the 17th century by the King Andrianjaka to protect the palace, locally known as Rova, on the highest hill of the city.
Marking the hotel group’s arrival in Madagascar, Radisson Hotels has announced that it will open three hotels in the area that are set to change the city skyline, and will give visitors access to these charming streets as well as the surrounding attractions showcasing the island’s remarkable fauna and flora. Situated between the city centre and the newer waterfront development, all three Radisson offerings will bring something different to the ‘Tana’ table.
Image credit: Radisson Hotels
The properties slated to open in the city are Radisson Blu Hotel Antananarivo Waterfront, Radisson Hotel Antananarivo Waterfront and Radisson Serviced Apartments Antananarivo City Centre.
Radisson Blu Hotel Antananarivo Waterfront will be centrally located in a private area within the tree-lined waterfront and is close to the recently developed premier business district. The hotel’s 168 modern guestrooms and suites will be filled with natural light and overlook the captivating city with waterfront views. Guests can choose from a variety of F&B options ranging from international to regional dishes, a rooftop restaurant with indoor dining and terrace seating, offering panoramic views of Tana or a refreshing cocktail or light snack at The Lobby Coffee & Bar. The hotel will also feature an outdoor rooftop pool and a modern, fully equipped fitness centre, and meetings and events of all sizes are also catered for with five meeting and boardroom venues within the hotel.
Image credit: Radisson Hotels
Also located in the Waterfront development will be the 30-key boutique Radisson Hotel Antananarivo Waterfront. Reflecting the Radisson brand’s signature Scandinavian aesthetic, the hotel’s guestrooms and suites will feature natural materials such as beautiful wooden details, combined with Madagascan inspired architecture, all with picturesque lake and garden views. Sheltered within the hotel, the Tamboho Restaurant will present a menu of local and international dishes, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, while The Tamboho Meeting Room, accommodating up to 20 guests, will be the perfect venue to host a meeting in the city.
Meanwhile, Radisson Serviced Apartments Antananarivo City Centre will shelter 56 spacious and bright studios and apartments. With views of the surrounding hills, the apartments will offer the ideal home-from-home for guests traveling for business, leisure or extended stays.
The convenient in-room features will include a kitchenette and minifridge all within a neutral colour palette and with modern details as the studios and apartments, are designed to provide the ultimate sense of functional tranquility. Located on the fifth floor, SOHO Rooftop Lounge will offer an escape from the bustling city, while the SOHO Rooftop Terrace will provide the ideal space to host a private event or celebration with its intimate atmosphere and spectacular views of Antananarivo.
Skopos Fabrics: Inspired by the past, looking to the future
Celebrating 50 years of design and manufacture in contract textiles, Skopos is marking this milestone by looking back at some of the standout designs that have come off its drawing board, and putting them back in the design spotlight with the launch of its 50th Anniversary Collection…
The early ’70s saw the birth of a new textile business in the Yorkshire town of Batley. With design and innovation at the heart of everything, three local art college students came together to build an energetic business delivering eye-catching printed fabrics for healthcare and hospitality interiors. The students were influenced by graphics seen in Greek pattern and began developing bold repeating textile prints, and hand-printing fabrics on-site in Yorkshire. Derived from the Greek word for ‘purpose’ the business became known as Skopos. Designs were hand-made to order, and early collections used simple, bold shapes, the perfect backdrop to modern 1970’s interior spaces. Mixing colours by hand to deliver an on-trend solution, the Skopos team created dramatic, eye-catching designs that became synonymous with the the brand.
Image credit: Skopos
At this early stage the business made the decision to partner with a company with expertise in flame retardancy fabric treatment, and realised the requirement to deliver against certain safety standards for textiles within contract interiors. Demand grew in the UK, covering markets including healthcare, hospitality, cruise and ferry and then started to gain momentum overseas with big orders coming in from the Middle East.
Fast forward to 2022, and this year marks the celebration of 50 years! As a tribute to this milestone, throughout this year, the Skopos team will be looking back at some of their favourite designs over this half century. The 50th Anniversary Collection will see some of the most authentic landmark designs reborn using contemporary design production techniques. The evolved designs will be developed in line with current trends for use within contract interiors today. Each month these ‘new’ designs will be brought to life on the website and samples made available in the usual way.
As with all Skopos prints, customers will be able to order the Anniversary designs across a number of base-cloths, including upholstery velvets and various drape qualities for use in any project. The design team will be able to help with bespoke projects and colourways.
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.
Editor Hamish Kilburn here to bring you up to speed on the latest and hottest hotel design stories. In this week’s digest, I share my thoughts on Surface Design Show 2022, give a nod to the interior designers who gave Hotel Designs some serious lighting inspiration and explore what the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Costa Rica will look (and feel) like…
Every so often on the editorial desk at Hotel Designs, a project emerges that completely blows my mind. Yes, we always cover sensational projects that shelter exceptional interiors, but when the design narrative of a hotel runs so deep so that every touchpoint sensitively references its location a creative and non-confirming way, I can’t help myself from standing in awe when understanding the challenges the designer faced when creating such a masterpiece.
Well, this week the editorial team have had the pleasure of writing about two of these projects that stylishly sit in this category of ‘extraordinary’. The first being Taoxichuan Hotel, designed by AIM Architecture and David Chipperfield Architects. Its design pays tribute to the city’s porcelain heritage in the design, the finishes and the surfaces. The other is located in Costa Rica. Every inch of Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, designed by SB Architects, will reflect a deep respect to the region’s biodiversity.
But that’s not all… let’s take a look at this week’s hottest stories and features:
To launch this month’s feature around innovative hotel lighting, Hotel Designs asked a handful of leading interior designers share their favourite lighting design schemes.
With a deliberately unsubtle undertone of sustainability and drive towards reusable materials, Surface Design Show 2022 took place inside London’s Business Design Centre – and received an overwhelming response from both visitors and exhibitors.
OMNIYAT and Dorchester Collection have just announced the completion of One at Palm Jumeriah, Dorchester Collection, Dubai. As the leader in luxury real estate that offers the most sought-after residences, the OMNIYAT development offers unparalleled views of the shorelines of Dubai.
Taoxichuan Hotel is situated in the vibrant Taoxichuan creative and cultural district of Jingdezhen, China. The project is a collaboration between AIM Architecture and David Chipperfield Architects and occupies three interconnected buildings, every part of which pays tribute to the city’s porcelain heritage in the design, the finishes and the surfaces.
The group’s first property in Greece, Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino, will be located on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese, in one of the most unspoiled and breath-taking landscapes in the Mediterranean. The beachfront resort will be part of Costa Navarino, a well-established tourism destination. The Costa Navarino project is owned and developed by TEMES, a leading developer and operator of high-end tourism and real estate destinations in Greece.
More than 60,000 readers per month enjoy the content we publish on Hotel Designs. Our mission is to define the point on international hotel design, and we are doing that by serving relevant news stories and engaging features. To keep up to date on the hottest stories that are emerging, you can sign up to the newsletter, which is completely free of charge. As well as receiving a weekly round-up of the top stories, you will also access our bi-monthly HD Edit –staying ahead of the curve has never been so easy!
With a deliberately unsubtle undertone of sustainability and drive towards reusable materials, Surface Design Show 2022 took place inside London’s Business Design Centre – and received an overwhelming response from both visitors and exhibitors. “It was spectacular,” writes editor Hamish Kilburn…
The 2022 edition of Surface Design Show was, for many reasons, the best one yet! More than 160 exhibitors showcased the best in sustainable materials, with almost 5,000 architects, designers and specifiers (and one or two design editors) visiting over the two and half days to explore the latest trends, materials and conversations around sustainable solutions in surface design.
Once again, the show attracted a high-quality audience. 84 per cent of visitors worked in the architecture and design sector and 73 per cent have direct purchasing authority. Reflecting the cancellation or postponement of exhibitions over the last 24-months; 69 per cent of the audience came to source new products and 50 per cent were looking to discover new design trends.
The overriding theme of the show ‘Sense of Place’ which looked at putting humanity and the planet’s wellbeing at the heart of all decision making, was first introduced at The Opening Night Debate.
Held in partnership with RIBA, Climate Change and Future Proofing featured a stellar line up of industry experts. The passionate session hosted by Simon Sturgis, Founder of Targeting Zero brought together a younger generation of architects, designers and clients. They not only explored the issues around the future durability and adaptability of current projects, but also how we ensure that the commercial value of projects can be future proofed against climate change.
The debate continued as the stage was taken over by Interior Design Declares, a new association that has formed by a number of interior designers in response to the climate change emergency. Moderating this panel – and amplifying the individuals who are really making a difference with a disruptive approach to sustainability in design – left the audience emotionally charged, demanding change, which indeed was one of my highlights of the show.
Image caption: The founding members of Interior Design Declares made their intentions clear as they won over the crowd with their ambitious aims to change the sustainability goal posts in interior design. | Image credit: Surface Design Show
Image caption: It was ‘standing room only’ over on the Main Stage during the opening night debates. | Image credit: Surface Design Show
Carrying on with the theme Sense of Place, many of the exhibitors brought new products to the show, which were both innovative and sustainable.
Among them was James Latham, one of the UK’s leading distributors of timber, panels and decorative surfaces, which hosted a variety of premium material brands, and unveiled a range of new exclusives including: Honext recycled panels, Dekodur decorative laminates and Studio Collection solid surfaces. The team also revealed a brace of new innovations, include its proprietary Carbon Calculator, which is an academically researched tool that grades specific timber’s sustainability credentials, helping specifiers understand how green their chosen material is.
Image credit: James Latham
Meanwhile, The Good Plastic Company showcased sustainable panels from 100 per cent recycled plastic, Wonderwall Studios had stunning wall panels made from salvaged wood, whilst Armourcoat launched its new natural clay lime plaster, Clime.
Visitors could not leave the exhibition hall without first exploring the Stone Tapestry, a moodboard-like installation designed by Squire & Partners that highlighted the use, applications and reuse of natural stone.
Image credit: Squire & Partners
Image credit: Squire & Partners
In line with the show’s theme of sustainability, this year Stone Tapestry focused on locality, and showcased some of the impressive materials quarried in the UK – tapping into the ongoing conversation around using natural stone to deliver a more sustainable built environment.
One of the standout trends of the show, Bio Magic, looked at how biodegradable ingredients continue to offer sustainable solutions with developments in colour dyeing and recycling processes, bringing new alternatives to the table using food waste.
Wildman & Bugby brought ecology leather to the show, which uses Olivenleder, a biodegradable tanning agent made using the fallen leaves of the Mediterranean olive harvest. Meanwhile Johnson Tan, one of 32 New Talents at the Show, created surfaces using food waste including eggshells and coffee to achieve delicate, subtle and translucent materials.
Indeed, one of the most visited and exciting areas of the show was the New Talent section. Surface Design Show is committed to supporting and promoting up and coming designers in the materials sector. Sponsored by Canon UK and curated by Jennifer Castoldi, the 2022 show saw more than 30 participants display a range of sophisticated and innovative designs from textile designs to augmented reality to 3D tiles, including Best in British Design winner from The Brit List Awards 2021The Monkey Puzzle Tree. A recurring theme among many participants this year was the use of natural materials and dyes.
Image credit: Surface Design Show
Among the 160 exhibitors the Italian Trade Agency in conjunction with Confindustria Marmomacchine presented a pavilion of 28 companies representing the Italian stone industry. Showcasing new, innovative and luxury materials including stunning white marble from Elite Stone, Limestone from Fato Stone and porphyry natural stone from Avisio Porfidi Srl representing the best of Made in Italy.
There was also a comprehensive talks programme, which included more than 50 speakers from a range of design backgrounds. New for 2022 was the Legends Live sessions which saw industry leaders interviewing someone in or connected to the industry. The pairings included lighting designer Sally Storey being interviewed by Theresa Dowling, editor of FX Magazine, Conran and Partners’ Tina Norden in conversation with myself and AHMM’s Paul Monaghan talking to Phil Coffey of Coffey Architects as the interviewees discussed their illustrious careers to date.
Winners of the 2022 Surface Design Awards were announced at a breakfast ceremony on the last day of the Show, where the BAFTA headquarters in London by Benedetti Architects took not only the award for Public Building Interior category but was also selected as the Supreme Winner.
Image credit: Surface Design Show
The judges were impressed by the sensitive reconfiguration and repositioning of the original Victorian plasterwork and reuse of oak flooring whilst also introducing future facing solutions including Eyrise TM s350 Licrivision liquid crystal rooflight ‘smart’ insulated glass, which removes up to 80 per cent of harmful rays.
Other winners included Maggie’s Southampton by AL_A, which won Light + Surface Exterior and Public Building Exterior and the Peacock Cellar restaurant in Shanghai which took the top honours in the Light + Surface Interior category.
The good news keeps on coming… Surface Design Show 2023 will take place at The Business Design Centre February 7 – 9, 2023.
Hotel lighting: how interior designers are breaking boundaries
To launch this month’s feature around innovative hotel lighting, Hotel Designs asked a handful of leading interior designers share their favourite lighting design schemes. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Let’s face it, quality hotel lighting ultimate riddle. In 1994, interior designer Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz told Elle Decor that “light is the magical ingredient that makes of breaks a space; it’s one of the most important elements in all my interiors.”
Perhaps, therefore, what is difficult to accept is that for the majority of projects, good lighting should not be noticed.
Well, here at Hotel Designs, we like to champion those who confront existing ideas and attitudes and instead put forward bold, innovative solutions. To launch our wider feature on lighting, we have spoken to a handful of leading interior designers and lighting experts to understand the power of being well lit, and how (used sensitively) architectural and decorative lighting can completely change the look and feel of a space and take the overall design scheme deeper.
Designer: Simon Rawlings, Creative Director, David Collins Studio Project: Nobu Hotel London Portman Square
Image credit: David Collins Studio
Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, which opened in 2021 to rave reviews, was designed by the award-winning David Collins Studio, which was responsible for the concept of the signature Nobu Restaurant, bar and all year-round terrace, the Lobby and Lobby Lounge, plus a 600-person ballroom, facilities and meeting spaces.
Lighting was key to the overall design concept and extensively considered to ensure a feel of flow and unity as the guest moves throughout the hotel’s various spaces, yet providing a point of difference to respond to the requirements and mood for each. In the Lobby Lounge a considered multi-layered lighting concept enhances the atmosphere of comfort and glamour, which is echoed with a series of informal sofas and armchairs upholstered in luxurious mohair, velvet and woven fabrics, all inviting guests to relax within the space.”The vision was one of comfort and approachable glamour and the Studio’s layered lighting concept was considered to reflect this, providing a seamless transition,” said Simon Rawlings, Creative Director, David Collins Studio. “The space feels relaxed and informal by day, becoming a more dramatic scene at night, where the mix of unique textures are gently illuminated from the softly diffused custom wall lights and with the bar itself becoming a focal point, anchored with glass towers each illuminated from above.”
Custom wall lights, cast from bronze, create pools of light rippling through evocative seeded glass, whilst the central bar’s textures of rich dark timber and traditional Japanese raku tiles are dramatically highlighted from above, with lighting encased within large- scale linen and alabaster shades atop glass display cabinets.
Designer: Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House Project: Laowai F&B speakeasy bar in Vancouver
Image credit: Bergman Design House
Ever since launching in 2016, Bergman Design House has been gathering momentum on the international hotel design scene. Its most recent and most-talked-about project is about to launch this spring, which will be unveiling the debut property of The Other House, a new hospitality brand that is expected to disrupt the traditional sectors of hotels, serviced apartments and private rentals, effortlessly and elegantly combining home comforts with hotel-style facilities.
For the sake of this feature, though, we’re taking a look at another hospitality project a little further from the London-based studio’s home. The Phoenix lighting installation inside Laowai in Vancouver is what makes this project speak, sing and even dance. The lighting scheme brings a sense of freedom to the flying flock of Phoenix manufactured by Karice lighting while the peacock with emerald lamp shades brings the glam.
Inspired by the false storefronts and secret passwords of speakeasies in Shanghai and Hong Kong’s cocktail scene, Laowai is the newest speakeasy to grace Vancouver’s booming cocktail bar scene and (we’ll spill the tea)… it’s through a secret door in the new restaurant, BLND TGER. “Laowai is a throwback to an illicit and seductive Shanghai 1930 glam period when that city’s infamous bars and clubs welcomed the world: locals, émigrés, and refugees; dreamers and deviants; celebrities and criminals,” said Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Design House.
International lighting design practice Nulty has never been afraid of breaking new ground when it comes to hotel lighting. And the lighting studio’s recent project is no exception. Nulty was asked to design the lighting scheme for Rove Expo 2020 Hotel, the only hotel situated on Dubai’s landmark Expo 2020 site.
Located adjacent to the Al Wasl Plaza and its awe-inspiring coloured dome, the hotel has been designed as a vibrant centrepiece that reflects the Expo 2020 theme of ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’. The hotel’s interior draws inspiration from the sub-themes of the Expo, in particular the neighbouring Sustainability pavilion. A sustainable consciousness runs throughout the LEED Gold design concept, including Nulty’s lighting scheme which is all LED and controlled by a DALI system that allows individual areas to be adjusted throughout the course of the day.
Nulty worked in partnership with architecture practice RSP and contractors Arco Group to create a contemporary lighting scheme that evokes a sense of place by
weaving in references to Dubai’s rich heritage and culture. Within the hotel’s expansive open-plan ground floor, where lobby, lounge and co-working areas merge with a bar and all-day dining café, layers of illumination add character and creativity to each individual area. The lighting scheme also brings a sense of rhythm and cohesion to the ground floor to mark the subtle transitions between each space.
“Guests are greeted by the lobby area where industrial design details have been set against a warm but refined material palette inspired by Dubai’s urban and desert landscapes,” explained Paul Nulty, Founder, Nulty. “Oversized orange pendants adorn each desk and complement a series of ornate metallic structures used to frame the reception area. Linear lines of light illuminate each reception desk to create a floating effect and are replicated across the ceiling to add further visual interest.
In fact, oversized orange pendants are a recurring theme within the neighbouring bar area where they have been paired with intricate white metalwork to create a striking central feature. Linear lines of illumination pick out the materiality of the wooden bar and help demark the space as an area where guests can socialise and relax after a day at the Expo site. Contemporary ceiling pendants offer a further nod to the industrial Dubai theme and work alongside suspended track lights to strike the right balance between decorative and functional lighting.
Designer: Lara Bohinc/Adam Coare, Dernier & Hamlyn Project: The Mandrake Hotel, London
Image credit: The Mandrake Hotel, London
Everything about The Mandrake, in fashion terms, is Haute Couture. The design of the luxurious boutique hotel in Fitzrovia was inspired by the medicinal properties of the plant after which it is named, the interior is an eclectic mix of vibrant features with carefully curated artworks and intriguing soundscapes.
When it came to bespoke lighting for The Mandrake’s Penthouse Suite, designer Lara Bohinc chose Dernier & Hamlyn for the room’s very distinctive chandelier because she had been told we were probably the only company in the UK who could truly respond to her demanding commission.
The resulting chandelier comprises more than 1,100 metal tubes which were individually machined to precise measurements. Each tube was hand finished in antique nickel and mechanically fixed to the fitting’s aluminium frame. This ensured that the metal finish was of the very highest quality and consistency while the frame was as light as possible to aid installation. Practically irreplicable, the chandelier is fitted with more than 30 LED G9 lamps that give the perfect level of illumination for this very special room.
“I was involved in all aspects of this amazing chandelier and it was completely different to anything I had previously been involved with,” Adam Coare, Design Manager at Dernier & Hamlyn said. “It was a great experience to work on the initial concept, producing rendered images, 3D models and working drawings to finally manufacturing. It was a really complex job that was well worth the effort, especially when seeing this fantastic piece in situ.”
Designer: Martin Brudnizki, Founder, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio Project: Annabel’s, London
Image credit: Annabel’s
Forgive us, our next case study is not a hotel – but redesigned by a hotel design legend, Martin Brudnizki, the iconic members club Annabel’s shelters an revolutionary lighting design scheme that helps to transport its members into a different world entirely.
When tasked with redesigning the new-look Annabel’s back in 2018, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio was excited to try new creative styles, push design boundaries and really play with the narrative. “It was an extraordinary project to work on and thanks to the client, we were really pushed to think outside of the box and design something totally new and undiscovered,” Brudnizki told Hotel Designs. “As Annabel’s is a club that welcomes members from breakfast through to dinner and beyond, we knew early on that the lighting design would be really important and critical to the space’s success. Conscious of natural sources of light we worked on the premise of integrating lighting across three main levels: low-level ground lighting, mid-level wall lights and overhead chandelier lighting.
Working with Isometrix, the studio’s lighting consultants, Brudnizki and his time created a club that mimicked the flow of the day; natural bright light for breakfast through to lunch that’s also suitable for working remotely and holding business meetings and then a moodier, more playful lighting scheme that takes members from late afternoon through to the early hours. Lighting was such an important aspect of the whole club’s design as it enhanced the ambience, ensuring every member felt at home and at ease yet excited and titliated enough to feel as though they had arrived at the best club in London.
Since you’re here…
More than 60,000 readers per month enjoy the content we publish on Hotel Designs. Our mission is to define the point on international hotel design, and we are doing that by serving relevant news stories and engaging features. To keep up to date on the hottest stories that are emerging, you can sign up to the newsletter, which is completely free of charge. As well as receiving a weekly round-up of the top stories, you will also access our bi-monthly HD Edit –staying ahead of the curve has never been so easy!
OMNIYAT and Dorchester Collection have just announced the completion of One at Palm Jumeriah, Dorchester Collection, Dubai. As the leader in luxury real estate that offers the most sought-after residences, the OMNIYAT development offers unparalleled views of the shorelines of Dubai. Managed by world-renowned luxury hospitality brand, Dorchester Collection, the property welcomes residents to immerse themselves in a unique selection of luxury lifestyle experiences, and as of February 2022, we are told that 96 per cent of the entire residential plot has been sold.
“Following the culmination of hard work and diligence, we are proud to welcome the completed architectural masterpiece, One at Palm Jumeirah, Dorchester Collection, Dubai, to the nation’s luxury property landscape, setting the standard in the global real estate industry,” said Mahdi Amjad, Founder and Executive Chairman of OMNIYAT. “Our flagship residential building and Dubai’s most sought-after address is guaranteed to offer a unique lifestyle as well as an unrivalled way of living, and it will be the most enviable address in the Emirate, an address that our residents can now call home.”
“Together with OMNIYAT, the region’s architectural visionary and leader in the luxury real-estate landscape, we have now opened the doors to this new and iconic landmark on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.” – Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection.
Image credit: OMNIYAT / Dorchester Collection
As the leader of luxury living in Dubai, OMNIYAT became the first developer to collaborate with acclaimed hospitality brand Dorchester Collection, to launch its first ever offering in the Middle East region. This is a highly collaborative partnership, with luxury, quality and attention to detail being at the centre of both brand’s core values. Similar to Dorchester Collection, OMNIYAT appeals to discerning individuals who are well versed when it comes to luxury living and are looking for a particular lifestyle. Both companies share one common vision: delivering an ultra-luxury lifestyle with privacy and exclusivity.
“This project is a measure of true success,” said Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection. “Together with OMNIYAT, the region’s architectural visionary and leader in the luxury real-estate landscape, we have now opened the doors to this new and iconic landmark on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah.”
This residential landmark houses 94 immaculate and prestigious residences with extensive views and the utmost privacy without compromising décor and style. The interiors and finishes are not the only reason why One at Palm Jumeirah is becoming the epitome of luxury living, the exteriors are an artwork in themselves. One at Palm Jumeirah elevates the experience even further by offering unbeatable Dorchester Collection services including reserved loungers and beach butler service, spa treatments for residents, a private cinema, infinity pools and even valet parking, to ensure the ultimate treatment for its guests is to the highest standard.
> Since you’re here, why not read our review of another OMNIYAT property, The Opus (also in Dubai)?
The first hotel from boutique brand, The Signet Collection, The Mitre Hampton Court opened its doors in September 2020. Nadia Walford took some time out to soak up some of its signature countryside chic…
Set on the banks of the River Thames sits the Grade II-listed property that shelters a The Mitre, which has just 36 keys. It is steeped in history and oozes charm, warmth and character thanks to its quirky, mood-lifting interiors and authentic blend of old-meets-new features.
Commissioned by Charles II in 1665 to house the overflow of courtiers, the hotel site is rich with historical and royal connotations and has been reconstructed several times over the years. Legend has it that The Mitre was linked to Hampton Court Palace by a tunnel to facilitate kingly meetings with mistresses.
More recently, it was given a new lease of life in 2020 by Hector Ross and Ronnie Kimbugwe, founders of The Signet Collection, whose vision for the brand is to create meaningful stays in time-honoured places throughout southern England. If rumours are to be believes, due to the pandemic, Ross based himself inside the hotel alongside 30-plus builders during the first lockdown to conduct an extensive, multimillion pound refurbishment.
Image credit: The Mitre Hampton Court
Bringing this vision to life, interior designer Nicola Harding, who worked on Beaverbrook and The Rose in Deal, was the creative energy behind the colourful reinvention.
Sticking to the brand’s ethos which “aims to connect guests with the history and the location of each hotel, providing characterful bedrooms, and playful lively public spaces where people quickly feel at home”, Harding has certainly stuck to the brief, decorating spaces with a playful mix of vibrant colours – an incredible 244 paint shades were used during the refurbishment – clashing prints, a hand painted de Gournay electric blue wallpaper, all the while drawing inspiration from Hampton Court and the surrounding neighbourhood including Bushy Park.
Image credit: The Mitre, Hampton Court
Image credit: The Mitre, Hampton Court
Each of the 36 guestrooms and suites have been individually designed with Harding’s signature aesthetic. Marrying bright colours with busy patterns, features include gingham chairs, Rosi de Ruig lamps, wallpapers from London-based Dutch designer, Ottoline de Vries and antique headboards. Vintage books, posters, and nostalgic toys are placed in stylish nooks, while some original pieces taken from the original hotel have been reworked or upcycled, a satisfying blend of old and new.
Image credit: The Mitre, Hampton Court
The ‘heritage rooms’ are pet-friendly and themed around English countryside traditions of hunting, boating and other sports, while the showstopping Henry VIII bridal suite features a four-poster bed, a copper roll-top bath, and spectacular views of the River Thames and Hampton Court.
Image credit: The Mitre, Hampton Court
A stay at The Mitre is not just about feeding the soul. With two restaurants, a lively riverside terrace complete with Whispering Angel Boat Shack, an Orangery, a library, and a vintage food truck, it’s ideal for those in need of an overnight escape and a quality feed, along with plenty of opportunities for riverside walks and time to explore nearby Hampton Court. Thanks to its location, the property caters for guests looking for a chic, country house hotel experience within easy reach of central London.
Image credit: The Mitre, Hampton Court
Image credit: The Mitre, Hampton Court
This spring the brand is set to launch its second property, The Retreat at Elcot Park in Newbury. Housed in a Grade II listed 18th-century building located between Hungerford and Newbury, The Retreat will comprise of 55 individually styled bedrooms with magnificent grounds to match, combining quirky British sensibility, blending the old with the new. With stunning views of the Kennet Valley, the property is ideally situated for those looking to enjoy both country pursuits and culture alike, with its proximity to various famous sites including the Downton Abbey Highclere Castle and Newbury racecourse.
> Since you’re here, why not find out more about The Signet collection here and here?
In conversation with: Mark Bruce, Architect of the Year 2021
EPR Architects’ Mark Bruce – recently crowned Architect of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2021 – invites Editor Hamish Kilburn inside the studio doors to discuss the make up of the multi-award-winning NoMad London, as well as some of the masterpiece projects that are currently on the boards…
In the second video as part of our four-part series where we interview a handful of the winners of The Brit List Awards 2021 we meet Mark Bruce, Main Board Director of EPR Architects.
Bruce heads up the hotels and hospitality team with extensive experience across the hospitality sector, and particular expertise with listed buildings, refurbishments and resort hotels.
> Click here to watch the full 7-minute interview between Mark Bruce and Hotel Designs’ Hamish Kilburn on the GROHE X platform.
Whether designing efficient hotel and bedroom layouts, revitalising grand hotel buildings, repurposing a retired ship in to a unique stay-over destination or designing an exclusive and homely 40-key ranch in the New Mexico Desert, Bruce brings a particular flair with an informed, yet inventive, commercial approach.
The NoMad brand arrived in London last year to a flood of heart-warming reviews. The hotel’s architecture, envisioned by EPR Architects with its clients, Sydell Group, aptly compliments the interior design and overall look, envisioned by New York-based interior design studio Roman and Williams. The new hotel breathes life into the grade II-listed building that was famously known as The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station.
It was this hotel, along with the projects that are on the boards, including Raffles London, Six Senses London and many more, that impressed the judges to unanimously vote Bruce as Architect of the Year in 2021.
Bruce is a qualified architect (RIBA) and was educated at both the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art and Edinburgh College of Art where his passion for truly transformative and regenerative projects was first nurtured. He immediately found that a career in hospitality design allowed him to combine this passion with his love of remarkable buildings and interest in hotel architecture within a sector that demanded bespoke and thought-provoking solutions.
Image caption: Side Hustle bar inside Nomad London. | Image credit: Simon Upton Interiors
Image caption: Side Hustle bar inside Nomad London. | Image credit: Simon Upton Interiors
Since then, he has dedicated his career to specialising in hotel design and delivery working with many of the mainstream hotel brands as well as having the opportunity to use his skills in undertaking a number of unique hospitality project.
Standing as one of the architecture firm’s most ambitious projects, EPR Architects is working with a handful of leading interior designers to convert London’s Old War Offices in Whitehall into a luxury development, which will shelter Raffles Hotels and Resorts’ debut hotel.
Product watch: Reframe by Unidrain is going bold as brass
Trends and fashion statements aren’t confined to the catwalk, our bathrooms need to keep up with the seasons new looks, and Unidrain’s new Reframe collection is taking the lead…
Functionality is always top of the leader board when it comes to bathroom design, from a family bathroom makeover, through to a five star hotel refurbishment – function comes first! Followed closely by style and colour and other design considerations. Unidrain has taken all of these elements into consideration with the new Reframe collection.
When creating the perfect bathroom, fixtures, fittings, taps, accessories and drains all work together to create the overall picture, and with current trends moving away from chrome to focus on a more tonal finish, from black to brushed brass, the colour palette has grown. Deciding on colour palettes, tones and textures is not just limited to walls and floors in the bathroom but extends to the fittings and fixtures as well.
Image credit: Unidrain
Image credit: Unidrain
Unidrain have embraced the warmer tones in the new Reframe Collection, and accessories are available in the on-trend shades of copper and brass. These warmer, sun kissed tones add reflective light to a bathroom; showers become statement pieces with bright drains and glowing soap shelves. All the elements in this collection have been designed in tones and finishes that can both blend or highlight the space.
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.
The Drake Hotel Toronto adds five-storey ‘Modern Wing’
The Drake Hotel has turned the page onto an exciting collaborative project with the new Modern Wing which combines a strong sense of place along with some playful and eclectic design details…
The new Modern Wing at Toronto’s Drake Hotel is a five-storey addition to the original nineteenth century Classic Wing, and provides the hotel with a new living room style lobby, an intimate street front bar, meeting and event spaces, 32 new guestrooms (for a total of 51), and a rooftop penthouse suite with a large terrace. DesignAgency took on the project of the Modern Wing’s interiors in collaboration with the Drake’s in-house design team and the original Drake hotel designer John Tong of +tongtong, with Diamond Schmitt Architects as the building’s architects. Adding local flavour came naturally to this team of design experts as, uniquely, all are residents of the area, and the project represents a significant milestone for the future of their neighbourhood.
Image credit: The Drake Hotel / Brandon Barre
“Since The Drake Hotel opened 17 years ago, the neighbourhood has matured from a local secret to a world-renowned destination for art, fashion, food and culture,” said Anwar Mekhayech, a founding partner at DesignAgency. “The interior design for the Modern Wing reflects how the Drake continues to lead this vibrant scene by rethinking and reinventing itself.”
In step with the hotel’s evolution, DesignAgency brought a sense of refinement to the Drake’s playful and referential style and grounded the interiors with a rich sense of place. A generous brass revolving door, and a red velvet curtained bar offer the elegant sense of arrival and comfort associated with the world’s most treasured vintage urban hotels. DesignAgency imagined the lobby as a place where guests and locals alike can mingle and savour the Drake’s famed cocktails. The eclectic mid-century modern furnishings and painted brick fireplace signal classic hospitality spiked with contemporary panache.
Image credit: The Drake Hotel / Brandon Barre
The lobby bar capitalises on the flow of energy between the street and interior. The Drake has always enlivened Queen Street West, and now its lobby bar features a curved, full-height window to engage passersby with bar guests, and vice versa.
Image credit: The Drake Hotel / Brandon Barre
The design team are all avid travellers, and their personal and professional understanding of the elements of a great hotel stay informed the lengthy design process of the guest suites. The rooms’ saturated colours, feature artists, and signature wallpapers – ranging from traditional Arts and Crafts style to geometrics – change from floor to floor, giving each a unique mood. Custom-made blankets, patterned rugs and lighting by local artisans, underscore the hotel’s creative expression. The nearly 1,000 square-foot, two-bedroom Rooftop Suite is the epitome of the Drake’s idiosyncratic personality and spirited approach, fearlessly mixing bold patterns with a sophisticated more-is-more attitude.
Image credit: The Drake Hotel / Brandon Barre
Image credit: The Drake Hotel / Brandon Barre
“The Drake Hotel made history when it opened as Toronto’s first design hotel,” said Mekhayech, “and this new phase gave us the chance to help reimagine it for the future.”
The Modern Wing both mirrors and creates a contrast to the more classic architectural design of the original Drake Hotel, and as the Drake’s first new building, it gives the community a vibrant new meeting space, and offers guests improved accessibility and an expanded variety of innovative and fun room options, all of which is expressed through the design and interior details.
Main image credit: The Drake Hotel / Brandon Barre
Mandarin Oriental announces debut plans for Greece
Slated for spring 2023, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has plans for a new luxury hotel in Costa Navarino, Greece. Here’s what we know…
The group’s first property in Greece, Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino, will be located on the southwest coast of the Peloponnese, in one of the most unspoiled and breath-taking landscapes in the Mediterranean. The beachfront resort will be part of Costa Navarino, a well-established tourism destination. The Costa Navarino project is owned and developed by TEMES, a leading developer and operator of high-end tourism and real estate destinations in Greece.
“Mandarin Oriental is known for delivering exemplary service and exclusive experiences in its many luxury properties around the world”, said Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, Chairman of TEMES. “We are proud to have the Group bring their hospitality expertise to Greece for the first time, signifying the further growth of Costa Navarino, which is becoming a top international destination for people to visit and to live.”
Image credit: Mandarin Oriental
Image credit: Mandarin Oriental“We are delighted to be opening our first property in Greece in Costa Navarino and look forward to sharing this striking combination of unspoiled landscape, olive groves, pristine beaches and authentic Greek culture in the region with our guests” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental. “We are pleased to partner with TEMES, the group that has been responsible for the creation of Costa Navarino as a bourgeoning tourism destination.”
The hotel will shelter a total of 99 guestrooms, including 48 pool villas, all with outdoor terraces and sea views, along with five restaurants and bars. In addition, there are plans for a 1,500 sqm wellness facility which will feature an impressive 25m indoor-outdoor pool that has magnificent bay views, along with the signature Mandarin Oriental wellness therapies with both indoor treatment rooms and outdoor pavilions. The guest experience will be further enhanced by its proximity to the destination’s leisure activities, water sports, biking and rock-climbing, as well as four signature golf courses designed by Bernhard Langer, Robert Trent Jones II and José María Olazábal.
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