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.
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!
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.
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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.
Aim Architecture and David Chipperfield Architects are the creative forces behind Taoxichuan Hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The hotel is sheltered inside three interconnected buildings, immerses guests into an experience through design and architecture, which is a nod to the ceramic heritage of its location. Pauline Brettell writes…
The Unbound Collection is about unique design and it is about story telling. The brand prides itself on its portfolio of one-of-a-kind destination hotels; properties that are part of the fabric and strongly connected to their location. Nowhere is this more visually clear than in AIM Architecture and David Chipperfield Architects’ recent masterpiece. Taoxichuan Hotel is situated in the vibrant Taoxichuan creative and cultural district of Jingdezhen, China. The project is a collaboration between the two architecture studios 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.
Image credit: Hyatt / Aim Architecture
The project is the story of a journey and takes guests and visitors on the path of the long and fascinating life of porcelain in all its forms and metamorphoses. Jingdezhen, in Northeastern Jiangxi, is the porcelain capital of the world. For more than 1,000 years, it served emperors of all dynasties, and its history is the history of porcelain. With this guiding the design process, the physical spaces as you move through the hotel are divided into tonal and textural themes that traverse the history of porcelain from its origins through to its spread and influence in the broader world, and finally in its return to its native home.
Image credit: Hyatt / Aim Architecture
The different spaces are the Origin in the lobby, the Creation in the lounge, the Discovery in the ballroom, the Fascination seen in the dining area, the Appreciation in the SPA , and finally, the Return as translated into the guestrooms.
Image credit: Hyatt / Aim Architecture
Image credit: Hyatt / Aim Architecture
Each space explores and uses ceramic differently, pulling out different colours and textures. Each area is a piece of the journey. The project seeks to unite raw and refinement, turning ceramics into architecture, furniture, and patterns.
Image credit: Hyatt / Aim Architecture
The contemporary brick architecture, designed by David Chipperfield’s studio, consists of three courtyard blocks connected by a generous interior street. AIM’s approach with the interiors, was first to continue the architecture into the interiors by extending the brick facades of the exterior, and then, from translucent white to glazing greens and blues, each of the three interior volumes is dedicated to one technique. The lounge uses green Celadon glazing. The restaurant and spa are committed to the methods of using cobalt for blue colouring. The meeting and ballroom are all about the lightness and transparency of porcelain. To move through the hotel is to move through different techniques of porcelain.
Image credit: Hyatt / Aim Architecture
With roof lights designed to evoke the powerful heat of the kiln, through to the use of softer clay tones in the guestrooms, the hotel is a tribute to the technique and experience of porcelain in the heart of its birthplace. It is worth a journey now as much as was in the times of the Portuguese or Dutch tradesmen and Chinese emperors. Here, ceramic is commemorated in a unique way and is explored both as an honest material, along with its versatility and power in interior design.
LEDS C4 took on the signage project for the Llum BCN light festival, which was held in Barcelona from February 4 – 6. The festival comprised of 19 light sculptures, which were strategically distributed throughout the streets and designed in a way that allows the general public to enjoy them up close…
Llum BCN 2022 festival in Barcelona is all about lighting the streets with personality. For this year’s event, LEDS C4 took on the signage project by contributing to two artistic installations: the “Treequency” project, the work of a group of students at IED Barcelona design school, and the OracLED artistic installation by BeatMe Lab, which is taking part in the Off Llum alternative circuit, combining video mapping and pixel mapping to recreate scenes straight from a dream.
Llum BCN 2022 is an extensive laboratory full of night-time landscapes that are home to a wide range of artistic disciplines, placing it among some of the world’s top light art events, such as those in Eindhoven, Prague and Lyon.
The signage project is made up of 19 large light sculptures that are strategically placed throughout the Poblenou district of Barcelona, one of the city’s most dynamic and vibrant areas and the perfect setting for the Festival of the Light Arts.
The main design element of each signage sculpture was a circle: a simple expression that symbolises the concept of a place, a meeting point. The rings with built-in LED strips were designed by the special project department at LEDS C4. They are all 1.5 metres in diameter and installed on minimalist structures at a height of three metres.
Image credit: LEDS C4
Image credit: LEDS C4
Each ring was lit up in one of three basic and easily distinguishable colours: red, blue or yellow. Each colour represented the different parts of the festival: festival locations (red), schools (blue) and external collaborations with the festival (yellow).
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.
SpaceInvader designs interior scheme for new Tribe Hotel in Malta
Leading Manchester-based design studio SpaceInvader has created the interiors scheme for a new Tribe Hotel within Malta’s fast-developing airport city complex. Here’s what we know…
Tribe, a new and rapidly growing hotel brand from Accor with three properties from Paris to Perth, has more than 38 hotels in the pipeline. Geared towards a youthful, contemporary traveller, the brand is making significant inroads into the design-led affordable luxury sector. When the owners of the Skypark development in Malta invited bids for one of the sites to become a hotel, it was a clear match, and Tribe together with a regional Maltese consortium won the bid. Malta-based architects AP Valletta have now designed the building envelope, with designers SpaceInvader creating the hotel’s interior concept, having been appointed to the project after already having worked with the Tribe brand on UK hotel concepts for Liverpool and Glasgow.
Image credit: SpaceInvader
The brief for the interiors was to create a vibrant and sociable atmosphere for guests, visible from the second they enter the hotel. The area of Malta the hotel is located in is young, cool and already known for its F&B offerings – including a lively evening cocktail culture – meaning the hotel has an additional role to play in responding to and staying in keeping with the existing local vibe. In response to this and the building’s architectural concept, with plays on light and dark and the concept of day-to-night transformation, SpaceInvader’s design concept is fun, glamourous and dramatic.
Image credit: spaceInvader
Image credit: SpaceInvader
The overall concept was inspired by the idea of a ‘Zoetrope’. “This was an early form of animation technology offering fast-moving contrasts from black to white or light to dark,” explained John Williams, Founder of SpaceInvader. “It most often took the form of a cylinder with vertical slits cut into the sides. We have expanded on the concept to design an interior that captures constant movement in a fixed space, reflecting the nature and situation of the hotel as a robust and monolithic building made of local stone, but surrounded at all times by the fast-paced movement of the airport and a sense of travel, transformation and possibility. The Zoetrope additionally references the spirit of theatre and performance, as theatre has traditionally been such a major part of Maltese cultural life.”
Image credit: SpaceInvader
The concept’s applications will find form in myriad ways, from art installations by local artists to interiors elements such as panels that allow slivers of light and movement to be glimpsed through the gaps. The concept will also be expressed in the lighting scheme, which includes a bespoke, supersized bar pendant with moving images projected onto its interior surface. Corridor lighting meanwhile will play with dramatic light-and-dark illusions, making a perfect backdrop for guests to record on Instagram. Effects throughout the hotel will ensure a strong sense of day-to-night transition and a variety of atmospheres making use of colour, art and video projection, which can be customised as required to reflect local events, exhibitions and seasonal festivities.
Image credit: SpaceInvader
A crucial ‘affordable luxury’ element will be the use of local materials, from the hotel’s construction to the inclusion of ceramics. Maltese glassware and ceramics will create decorative, eye-catching moments, nodding to a key Maltese craft and marrying Maltese culture with Tribe’s high-style commitment to contemporary artwork, photography and installations. The material palette for the interior will make use of contrasting colours, bold prints and tactile textures, sitting proudly on a balanced neutral base of Maltese limestone. Surfaces of Maltese terrazzo and hammered gold will refer to Maltese crafts and architecture, whilst marble and brass finishes add notes of an affordable luxury aesthetic with added Zoetrope lines ensuring fun graphical concept features. Furniture will include bold monolithic forms to chime with Maltese architecture, together with the fun element synonymous with the Tribe brand.
Image credit: SpaceInvader
Dark corridor spaces with floor and ceiling spotlighting cast light and shadow paths, creating a transient lighting effect inspired by the overall design concept. The hotel’s standard bedrooms will feature bold colour blocking with layered textures and forms for depth and interest. Contrasting black and white patterns within the upholstery and lighting will once again reflect the movement of the Zoetrope, with feature lamps inspired by the film and photography industry. Bathrooms will offer 3D linear feature tile offset with luxury marble vanity, along with block colour tiles. Brass sanitaryware and detailing ensures an elegant luxurious bathroom that reflects Tribe’s bold and vibrant brand.
Image credit: SpaceInvader
Image credit: SpaceInvader
The hotel’s executive bedrooms will feature a palette of muted tones, taking influence from the colours of Malta’s Luzzu boats and surrounding Mediterranean hues. Softness and warmth will be added through the use of timber flooring together with warm lighting and luxury detailing. The executive bathrooms feature stunning vanity units in a bold and unique blue marble, together with gold tones, reflecting the Mediterranean Sea, set against Malta’s limestone architecture.
Tribe Hotels is Accors answer to the affordable luxury niche of contemporary, design-driven accommodation. The brand focuses on an edited guest experience having identified that luxury under this umbrella, is all about efficiency flexibility and design, rather than the contents of your minibar. The brand is about simplicity accessibility and social connectivity, it is about getting the style and budget balance right, along with an understanding of what a functional, contemporary hotel should be. The Tribe pipeline is testimony to a trend that is clearly here to stay, and the Spaceinvader design concept for Tribe Malta encapsulates this design ethos as it prepares to drive the brand forward.
Inspired by the natural, effortless beauty of marble, but with all the practical advantages that porcelain brings to interiors, Versilia Marble displays striking grey veining set against a neutral white backdrop for instant attention.
Image credit: RAK Ceramics
Durable, straightforward to install and easy to care for, this revised classical marble surface is the ideal choice for worktops, wall surfaces and floor coverings. The high gloss finish gives the material the edge, even when used over compact spaces where reflecting light can introduce the illusion of spaciousness into the design.
Tapping into the continental trend for worktops with a slim profile, Versilia Marble is 9mm thick and in measurements from 60x120cm per tile. The Mega Slab format allows for greater consistency when used over large areas, with less need for grout lines and a seamless finish.
Having identified the bathroom trends moving forward into 2022, this Versilia Marble tile is a perfect fit as we look to add a bit of designer luxury to our lifestyle.
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.
SB Architects reveals design details for Ritz-Carlton in Costa Rica
With construction scheduled to commence anytime now, the new Ritz-Carlton resort and exclusive collection of luxury-branded residences in Costa Rica will be nestled in one of the most prized coastal locations of Peninsula Papagayo in the northwestern region of Guanacaste…
SB Architects has revealed the design it led for Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residence. The resort and exclusive collection of luxury-branded residences will be located in Peninsula Papagayo, a private club and resort community in Costa Rica’s northwestern region of Guanacaste. Collaborating with landscape architect and land planner, EDSA, and a market leader in experiential lodging, Luxury Frontiers, SB Architects created a design reflective of the Guanacaste region and the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand, which is renowned for creating immersive and meaningful escapes in the rarest corners of the world.
Costa Rica, rich with almost five per cent of the entire world’s species, is known as a ‘blue zone’, a destination where data indicates people live longer and healthier. The new Ritz-Carlton resort’s design and architecture pays deep respect to the region’s biodiversity. “Today’s discerning travellers and buyers are seeking the most beautiful, remote landscapes to relax, explore, and deepen their connection to nature,” said SB Architects President and Principal, Scott Lee. “With immersive hospitality concepts informed by research into the traditions and architecture of the Guanacaste region, our team designed Nekajui as a place to soak up the local culture, satiate a thirst for outdoor adventure, and experience the peninsula’s natural wonders through the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand.”
Image credit: Gencom
Nekajui, a Ritz Carlton Reserve will encompass 107 guestrooms and suites while the Residences will include 36 rare villa and estate homes. The exotic sanctuary is in Costa Rica’s Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a sensitive nod to Costa Rica’s position as a prime ecotourism destination and one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, SB Architects’ site-sensitive design weaves tree-house type structures and tents alongside villas, with a light-on-land approach that allows the design to be guided by the natural, steep contours of the land.
SB Architects conducted research into local architectural elements and reinterpreted them for its design, which immerses guests and residences authentically in the locale and delivers experiences tailored to the ethos of Guanacaste. A ‘classic zone’ at the heart of the resort draws from traditional, hacienda-style architecture and honours Spanish influences, while a ‘transitional zone’ showcases an interpretation of architecture found in the local Guanacaste region across guest rooms, suites, and branded residences. An ‘organic zone’ encompassing the guest lodging, beach club, and wellness spa features iconic treehouse-style architecture inspired by the natural environment and distinctive site.
Image credit: Gencom
An understated arrival pavilion in the local architectural vernacular leads guests to a spectacular central open-air courtyard, where La Casona and beautifully crafted guestrooms and suites are rooted in the Classic Costa Rican Hacienda Architecture. Comprised of a collection of buildings at the heart of the property, La Casona welcomes guests to the arrival pavilion, an event centre resembling a Guanacastecan church, and three main ocean front buildings that include the Great Room/lobby, barista bar and marketplace, boardroom, and suites on the top levels, all facing the ocean. La Casona also leads guests down one level to a three-meal restaurant, a hidden rum cave to savour the finest regional rums and exclusive tasting events, and to the main pool and pool bar. As guests move out further from the resort, the scale of buildings becomes smaller, and the guestrooms and residences showcase an elegant, clean, and light transitional interpretation of the architecture found within the local region of Guanacaste.
The branded residences are intimately scaled buildings tucked into the hillsides, featuring entrances from the second level, and delivering great privacy to owners. Ranging from 2,200-6,300 square feet, most of the two-to-five-bedroom villas feature spacious outdoor living areas, views from master bedrooms and bathrooms, canopied terraces, outdoor kitchens, and private pools. Designed in a transitional Costa Rican style, the homes feature modern interiors with a distinguishing feature – the Great Room – conceived as a modern version of the salón in Spanish colonial architecture.
Image credit: Gencom
Image credit: Gencom
“SB Architects’ contemporary reinterpretation unifies the kitchen, dining, and living room spaces into one grand salón,” said SB Architects Vice President Marcelo Balzano. “The Great Room is the arrival point in every home at Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residence, a place where residents can reunite with family and friends in an exotic coastal retreat.”
Nekajui winds organically from coastal bluffs down to the sandy beach, offering unparalleled access to the peninsula’s natural beauty and a multifaceted architectural journey. SB Architects conceived the notion of giving guests the option of staying close to the heart of the resort at La Casona, in one of the guestrooms scattered across the site, or in tents or treehouse-type structures that are more remote and the most casual and organic in design. The design caters to a wide audience with varying tastes and appetites for adventure travel, allowing people to delve as deeply into nature and organic experiences as they desire.
Image credit: Gencom
The beach club, designed in a whimsical, rustic style akin to the tent structures, features its own natural lagoon-like pool, with another pool and three-meal restaurant experience situated above at La Casona. An iconic funicular carries guests down from the main pool to the secluded beach club, which is designed high above the sand and pushed back to respect the coast. Whisking guests 200 feet up and down the coastal hillsides, the funicular offers bird’s-eye views between the arrival core and the beach club destination. Here, guests will discover the organic shaped pool and a casual private dining experience that extends above the sloping mountainside, along with sandy pathways leading to the ocean.
Designed by Dubai-based interior design studio LW, The Dubai EDITION is Marriott International’s latest addition in the Middle East. Making a strong statement on the city skyline, we stepped inside to take a closer look at the design and details inspired by the energy and innovation of downtown Dubai…
Having thrown open its (impressive) doors to guests in November 2021, The Dubai EDITION, with its own unique design and identity, has already made its mark in the centre of this thriving international gateway city. The EDITION brand by Marriott, a concept innovated in collaboration with designer Ian Schrager, is all about creating a personal and unique hotel experience that embodies a sense of place. And claiming to herald a new generation of modern luxury, the Dubai EDITION, designed by LW, takes this mantra on and pays homage to Dubai’s passion to create something entirely new. The result is an elegant, vibrant, urban hub that undeniably encapsulates the essence of this inspired city and sets the bar for luxury. The hotel brings a new bespoke, boutique experience with the attention to detail and finesse that the brand is known for.
Image credit: Marriott International / Natelee Cocks
As with all EDITION hotels, the lobby is a dynamic, social space that subtly reveals a sense of place and of time. With its soaring arches, the impressive domed ceiling is reminiscent of Italian architectural structures. You are immediately drawn to the centre piece, a seamless triple spiral staircase, which makes a unique design statement as it connects the lobby to other public spaces. Dark woods, neutral tones, soft textures and warm lighting take you effortlessly through the public areas where the space is broken up with furniture placed in intimate seating groups. This considered and intentional space is consciously tranquil and comfortable. A grand three-tiered crystal chandelier adds drama and decadence to this gathering place, a place definitely to see and be seen.
Image credit: Marriott International / Natelee Cocks
The cohesive design language flows seamlessly throughout the hotel and continues into the 275 guestrooms, including 41 suites and a vast Penthouse. This simplicity in design immediately brings attention to minute details such as the matching of veins in the natural stone and wood. The palette is minimal yet warm, with a journey of slightly different hues and colours. The light oak wood and stone accents flow from one room to the other and evoke a feeling of tranquil luxury. The monochromatic colour scheme and contemporary minimalism make each room feel fresh and light and is complemented by the elegant lines of the furniture, textured upholstery and wooden-lined walls. Floor to ceiling windows provide abundant light and lead onto large glass balconies with spectacular views over the iconic Burj Khalifa.
Image credit: Marriott International / Natelee Cocks
Image credit: Marriott International / Natelee Cocks
Accessible from the lobby, the ground floor is home to Duomo, the theatrical Italian restaurant which is again, filled with natural light from the floor to ceiling windows and punctuated with pops of yellow in the velvet furnishings, a clear design departure from the natural toned lobby. Abstract digital art is projected onto the dome ceiling above, creating an interactive and encompassing dining experience from the surroundings to the plate. Tucked away in the lobby, Leon is a cosy speakeasy-style bar serving original custom cocktails and flavours from around the world. It is an exciting juxtaposition to the rest of the hotel with contrasting punchy accents in orange and red against a dark, rich background. Clever lighting further enhances the vibrant colour-blocking throughout the space. It is full of energy and has already become the place for visitors and those living in the city to enjoy live DJs, network and socialise, as it channels EDITION’s ethos to surprise guests with the unexpected.
The combination of these spaces and the considered design has created both a serene escape from from the busy city life of Dubai, as well as a social and vibrant destination hotel.
Meet the speakers for Interior Design & Architecture Summit 2022
Hotel Designs has taken over the speakership programme for the Interior Design & Architecture Summit that takes place on June 30 at London Hilton Canary Wharf. Interior designers and architects attending will enjoy three panel discussions that will cover topics such as sustainability, wellness and materials. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
The Interior Design & Architecture Summit (IDAS), which is free to attend for qualifying designers and architects, is Hotel Designs’ premium meet-the-buyer event.
The one-day event, which this year will take shelter at London Hilton Canary Wharf on June 30, is designed to dynamically bridge the gap between senior designers, architects and key-industry suppliers. The Summit includes pre-arranged face-to-face meetings, a networking lunch – and to round it all off, Hotel Designs has curated a captivating panel discussion programme. The three debates will run throughout the day, and will include leading industry figures to discuss topics such as sustainability, wellness and materials.
“When curating this year’s sessions and line-up of speakers, we identified these three particular topics, not just because of their relevance but also because of the pre-conceptions around them,” Editor Hamish Kilburn who will chair each conversation said. “Take sustainability, for example: the ultimate ‘buzzword’ of the modern design era. We want to go beyond championing products and schemes that use recycled materials and move into talking about what’s next; products, projects and new methods of working that intuitively help our industry to work towards a circular economy.
“The speakers we have invited for all of our sessions, I believe, are at the forefront of change – and have been called upon to impart their knowledge and latest research. Above all, though, we are encouraging all designers and architects to come to together to challenge conventional approaches to design and architecture.”
This year’s confirmed sessions and speakers are:
How to attend IDAS:
If you are interested in exhibiting at the 2022 event, please email Katie Parkin, or call 01992 374064. If you are a senior designer and/or architect and would like to attend the 2022 event, please email Alex King, or call 01992 374086, or email .
In conversation with: Tina Norden, Interior Designer of the Year 2021
Conran and Partners’ Tina Norden – recently crowned Interior Designer of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2021 – welcomes Editor Hamish Kilburn into the studio’s brand-new Clerkenwell home, in the heart of London’s thriving design neighbourhood…
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 completed 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.
Following what she describes as an “unsuspecting win” at the awards ceremony which she describes as like a “big group hug from the industry,” I went to visit Norden in Conran and Partners’ new home in the heart of Clerkenwell.
Norden’s passion and curiosity for interior design and architecture was a combination of nature as well as nurture. Her father was a landscape architect, and growing up on the outer edges of the German port city Hamburg – a destination that amplifies creativity, culture and liberal attitudes – which influenced her career path.
Despite her love for her hometown, Norden’s commitment to the world of design and architecture brought her to London aged just 18 years old – directly after leaving school. Drawn, she explains in the Conran and Partners’ A Way of Living book, to the city’s “incredible music scene”, when it came to applying for university, there was no other place for Norden.
> Watch the full interview with Tina Norden, Partner, Conran and Partners here.
Upon completing Part I of a course, Norden took a year out, which opened the door to a placement at Conran and Partners, a place that Norden describes as “the place for me.”
Taking away the experience from her placement, Norden was offered a place at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London, on a course that combined both design and architecture (something she wishes was more common in today’s educational system). There, she completed her Part II, and arguably where she discovered her interest in interior architecture.
While studying, the designer and architect continued working at Conran and Partners (and never left), enjoying the creative freedom, while working closely with Sir Terence Conran on a number of high-profile projects.
In her time at Conran and Partner, Norden has given so many projects new leases of life, while also leading a team with a strong and empathetic style. Her masterpieces include German Gymnasium, Skylon, South place Hotel, Finsbury and the Maximilian Hotel in Prague.
One thing is certain when flicking through all of Norden’s work: she designs for style over fashion (every time) to ensure the result is both aspirational and long-lasting – a skill she has no-doubt inherited from Sir Terrence Conran himself.
Recently completed projects include the new Park Hyatt hotel in Auckland, FEAST within Hong Kong’s iconic EAST hotel, a new dining destination and members’ club within London’s Taj Hotel and the Peninsula Boutique and Café in Hong Kong.
In addition, Norden and her team were recently part of what many would consider the highlight of HIX Event 2021; designing the WFHotel installation. The studio worked collaboratively to design a set that explored how consumers’ attitudes towards working from home/hotel could challenge conventional lobby designs. Norden’s interpretation of the brief centred around community-focused ways to interact (unsurprising after experiencing for myself her selfless approach to being a true leader in international hotel design).
This editorial series is sponsored by GROHE, Broadcasting Partner of The Brit List Awards 2021 – and was filmed by CUBE. The Brit List Awards will return this year – with applications/nominations opening in the Summer, and remaining a free-of-charge process for all categories. Following our interview with Norden as Interior Designer of the Year, up next we meet Mark Bruce, Main Board Director of EPR Architects who was recently crowned Architect of the Year 2021.
Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) has unveiled its 2022 seminar programme, with an all-star line-up of hospitality brands and industry leaders, including some of our own here at Hotel Designs. The event, which takes place on March 21-23 at ExCeL London, will reunite the hospitality and foodservice industry for three packed days of learning, networking and product discovery…
Hotel Restaurant & Catering (HRC) has partnered with EXP101 for this year’s event to curate the programme of content for the Vision Stage, designed by Harp Design, which will be focussing on a range of timely topics and trends affecting hoteliers, publicans, restauranteurs and professional caterers.
After a two-year period which has seen significant evolution in the use of hospitality tech, the show’s Tech X stage will host sessions examining best practice in implementing new technology and where to make smart investments for hospitality businesses.
“HRC 2022 is jam-packed with content tackling some of the most important topics, challenges and opportunities in the world of foodservice and hospitality,” said Ronda Annesley, HRC Event Manager. “We’re thrilled to be working with some fantastic content partners who have brought exciting new insights, speakers and talking points to this year’s seminar programme.”
Monday March 21
Day one of the show will kick off with ‘The return of the pub’ on the Vision Stage, during which KAM, the British Institute of Innkeeping, Louise Maclean of Signature Pubs and Anthony Pender of Yummy Pubs will be discussing the impact that the past two years have had on the pub and bar sector and some of the new opportunities that have emerged since restrictions eased in the UK.
One of the biggest challenges to emerge in recent years has been staffing shortages in the hospitality and foodservice industry, and 21 March will see an all-star panel hosted by Keiron Bailey of EXP101 and featuring Chris Gamm of Springboard, Mark McCulloch, Founder of Hospitality Rising, Abi Dunn of Sixty Eight People and UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls take to the stage to discuss the changing approaches needed in recruitment and retention.
Dunn commented: “We’ve seen operators struggling with staff shortages throughout the pandemic at all levels, not just in recruitment but also in retention. Some of the more successful businesses to tackle this have collaborated with marketing teams, made smart use of technology and have understood that there is a need to invest in people.”
At 14:15 – 15:00, Editor Hamish Kilburn will take to the vision stage with David Chenery, Founder and Director of Object, Space, Place Limited and Claire Smith, Director of ADBA Design to discuss how restaurant design and bring back consumers to dine out again.
Tuesday March 22
Day two of the show will see HRC’s Chef Ambassador Michel Roux Jr take to the stage to discuss shifting kitchen cultures with a panel of top UK chefs.
This will be followed by Katie Rose, CFO and COO of Market Halls and Andy Dyson, Business Development Director – New Concepts at Revolution, revealing how diversifying your offering can grow and protect your business.
On the Tech X stage, KAM Founder Katy Moses will be joined by Yummy Pubs Founder Tim Foster and Philip Thorley of Thorley Taverns to discuss how hospitality tech can benefit both pubs and their patrons.
Wednesday March 23
The third and final day of HRC will be putting people on the agenda with a session from The People Collective featuring John Mason of Sideways, Leanne Tester, Learning & Development Manager at Pizza Pilgrims, Grind’s Head of People Preeya Parker and Avi Collins, Head of People at Tapas Revolution.
Tech on Toast Editor and EXP101 Founder Chris Fletcher will then be joined on stage by pointOne EPoS Founder Steven Rolfe, Dub Lee of Honest Burgers and William Connors of Popeyes for a discussion around all things digital transformation, and how technology has elevated the online offering of leading hospitality brands.
View the full seminar programme, including the chef line-up for The Staff Canteen Live and the agendas for the Better Hospitality Conference and Hospitality’s Talent Conundrum conference, at hrc.co.uk/2022-seminar-programme. Places are limited for these live discussions so ensure you book ahead to secure your place.
As one of the first of Hilton’s new Motto brand properties to open, this project in one of Manhattan’s most vibrant neighbourhoods sets a standard for those to come. We stepped inside for a closer look…
A short walk from architectural icons like the Flatiron Building and the High Line, the 374-key Motto New York is sheltered inside a 42-storey structure by Stonehill Taylor, the New York City based firm that has also designed the hotel’s interiors.
The setting within a former theatre district and current arts district inspired the use of unique art installations and dramatic arches in The Motto New York’s public spaces and guest rooms. However, it was the venue’s 24th Street address that acted as the main design muse, as Stonehill Taylor used the number 24 and its significance in different contexts as a spark for the hotel’s colour scheme, furnishings, finishes, and artwork.
Image credit: Motto by Hilton / Joe Thomas
The ’24’ design concept is highlighted by way of three unique concept pillars. The first, the 24 hours in a day, takes inspiration from the passage of time, the sun, the moon, and the contrast of light to dark. In military time, 2,400 signifies the midnight hour, which the firm wove into the hotel through accents of deep midnight blue. The second 24-ism references metals, in particular 24-karat gold and chromium, the 24th element on the periodic table. Stonehill Taylor’s team incorporated these finishes in a unique yet cohesive way in light fixtures, case goods, and artwork. For the third and final concept, the designers looked to 24-bit colour, a means to produce colour digitally in its truest form, which resulted in concentrated moments of vibrant jewel tones carefully curated throughout the hotel.
Image credit: Motto by Hilton / Joe Thomas
Image credit: Motto by Hilton / Joe Thomas
Stepping inside you are greeted by multi-coloured panels hung in a kaleidoscopic ceiling installation. A jewel-tinted stained-glass screen, inspired by the phases of the moon, provides a vibrant backdrop to a clean-lined reception desk. Moving into the food and beverage area, gold and midnight blue elements define the space in a skylit F&B space located along the ground floor’s eastern edge. Gold velvet-upholstered chairs saddle up to walnut tables, and back-lit midnight-hued velvet and leather banquettes adjoin the walls. Located centrally on the ground floor is a dramatically sunken day-to-night conversation pit for working or lounging by the main bar. A suspended lighting installation of glowing multi-coloured glass globes climbs its way through the brass-railed feature stair to the second-floor lounge, where an over-sized mixed metal wall sculpture greets guests at the upper level of the stair. There, a well-appointed lounge area can be found with welcoming and stylish furnishings atop jewel-toned area rugs and a bar with a midnight blue mosaic tiled wall, softly lit by glowing brass and chrome mirrors. All these elements clearly showcasing different aspects of the design narrative.
Image credit: Motto by Hilton / Joe Thomas
Image credit: Motto by Hilton / Joe Thomas
A restrained but distinctive design scheme characterises the guestrooms. These compact yet smartly appointed spaces feature furnishings that make maximal use of available space. Platform beds have channel-tufted headboards in a light-to-midnight-blue ombre, as well as built-in storage. Contrasting midnight-blue and white colour blocking appears on the tiled walls in the bathroom, highlighting brass and chrome fixtures. In both the guestrooms and corridors, the designers have carefully curated a selection of artworks recalling urban elements of New York City, whether through colourful graphics or striking photography. Guestroom corridor wallcoverings continue the contrasting blue and white concept with a carpet design that explodes in a prism of colour. In addition to traditional king and double guestrooms, the Chelsea Motto offers a unique three-bay plan, that includes a “king bunkie” option – a king bed with a twin bed above it.
Image credit: Motto by Hilton / Joe Thoma
Image credit: Motto by Hilton / Joe Thoma
From the striking Motto green entry doors through to the lobby, public spaces and finally the guestrooms, the story behind the design concept has been considered at every step and in all the details. The finishes, fixtures and installations are all part of a cohesive project that reflects the neighbourhood that shelters the latest addition to the Motto by Hilton brand.
> Since you’re here, why not find out more about the brand Motto by Hilton?
A hotel concept designed using innovative sustainable materials
In the wake of winning the special Jury Prize for their innovative hotel concept that they unveiled at Accor Design Awards, Yasmine Bennani, Solène Percie Du Serf, Nicolas Alibert and Alexandre Albert-Picquet from L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique speak to editor Hamish Kilburn about the unique materials explored in this hotel experience of tomorrow…
The Coccon project, a hotel concept unveiled by the students from L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique, was one of the highlights of Accor Design Awards in 2021. The sustainable shells of each ‘cabin’ or ‘suite’ stunned the judges with the designers’ level of creativity, flair and knowledge of innovative materials.
The hotel presented to the judges catered to the rising demand of bleisure travel. Forget the typical corporate shell, though, because this hotel suite concept – made from biopolymer, local wood and other eco-friendly elements – has been designed for the future as a one-off travel experience in Africa.
Following their special accolade, designers Yasmine Bennani, Solène Percie Du Serf, Nicolas Alibert and Alexandre Albert-Picquet, spoke to Hotel Designs about how the project came about, as well as what they hope the industry can learn from their research.
Hamish Kilburn: What were the major challenges of this project?
Yasmine Bennani: The major challenge was creating a project suitable for future travellers, and predicting what that would look and feel like. We had a free hand on the design but we really wanted to challenge today’s existing views on sustainability. As well, we pushed our creatives and technical limits, both on design and on software.
HK: What or who were the main influences?
Solène Percie Du Serf: Our main influence was Neri Oxman, an American scientist, architect and designer who is a leader of bioclimatic architecture. With her team at the MIT Media Lab, she works on new sustainable process for the design of the future.
Image caption: A render showing the exterior of the cabin, designed by L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique. | Image credit: Accor Design Awards
Image caption: A sneak peek render of the suite in the hotel concept designed by the students at L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique. | Image credit: Accor Design Awards
HK: What brand would you believe would be most appropriate for this concept?
Nicolas Alibert: Matching with our concept, it would be great to have a business-oriented brand, in the premium sector and with a special sustainable ethos. We think that Mantis Collection answers this need, as it is anchored in the preservation of the environment. ‘An exceptional place to find yourself’ is the baseline of the brand, which is in line with our concept.
HK: Can you tell our readers a bit more about the materials you had in mind for this concept?
YB: The main material is the chitin developed by Neri Oxman, which is a large, structural polysaccharide made from chains of modified glucose and is found in the exoskeletons of insects. It is an engineering track, an experimental material nowadays to imagine tomorrow standardisation. We would love to count on the new modes of 3D printing to push for a freer architectures.
HK: Nearly one year on, would you change anything with the design?
Alexandre Albert-Picquet: We would not change the concept, still today we are proud of our design. We would however go into further detail, in the finishing touches, to make the experience completely real and adjusted to customers’ needs.
Image caption: The hotel concept’s design and architecture took cues from the local vernacular, designed to be a non-invasive luxury hospitality experience. | Image credit: Accor Design Awards
HK: Where else, geographically, can you see this concept working?
NA: Our design is very specific to Konza City, with locals resources and needs. But we can imagine our ‘break’ concept, from the city to the nature, developed in all the technopolis of tomorrow with a new local thinking.
HK: And finally, how has this ‘special accolade’ from the judges helped you in your individual journeys?
AAP: It proves that we are not doing this for nothing; our hard work is awarded and respected. It gives us the confidence and the desire to not hold back, and to always push the boundaries in our work. Also, it helps us to be recognised by the professional community, which makes it easier when we have to apply for internships and future jobs.
ILIV introduces new weaves & textures into its 2022 collections
The year has got off to a flying start for the family owned fabric company of SMD ILIV, as it plans for ten brand new collections to launch in a dynamic response to emerging design trends…
The past twelve months has seen the SMD ILIV team investing heavily in research to identify new and emerging markets and trends with a view to align them to gaps in the company’s product offering. As a result of this time and inspiration, ten brand new collections are set to be launched across all of the three sectors of hospitality, workplace, and care.
This means that ILIV now has over thirty collections suitable for drapery to choose from with two more plain drape collections set to launch over the next quarter, including an elegant herringbone weave and sumptuous duotone chenille. The range now spans a selection of velvet and chenille qualities along with drier, woven textures such as basket weaves and wools.
Image credit: ILIV
Image credit: ILIV
Alto, one of the latest releases, is available in twenty-nine colours and has a natural animal look with an organic feel. With its soft handle, Alto creates the ultimate drape, perfect for hospitality environments. The mottled design within the cloth has an iridescent appeal, giving a more luxe feel making it the ideal choice for making a statement.
The second of the new collections to launch, Nightfall, is the first ever wide-width flame retardant dim-out drapery collection. Echoing the woven texture of the bestselling drapes collection Tundra, Nightfall has a subtle two-tone construction with a soft, light-weight handle. Nightfall, along with the Starlight, Aura and Eclipse collections, make up the wide-width offering, allowing designers and specifiers ample choice of dim-out plains, black-out plains, voiles and patterned designs for interior schemes.
Image credit: ILIV
Alongside the plain drapes collection, ILIV offers an extensive offering of printed designs which allow flexibility within interior schemes. With seventeen base cloths to choose from, the print qualities range from sheer voiles to antimicrobial weaves and velvets, suitable for any concept. The Brookland velour drapery quality has now been added to our base cloths selection (Q1529), offering a more cost-sensitive alternative with a soft handle and drape. Later this year, the launch of the crib-5 velvet Casa upholstery quality for printing, will add a luxurious feel to the existing offerings.
Serene is the latest print collection to launch and was created with a watercolour hand-painted look with soft brush strokes and a relaxed form. Heavily inspired by the pandemic, the Serene collection emotes stillness and serenity, designed to bring calmness and tranquillity to interior design, a strong trend which has swept the nation during the global pandemic.
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.
Mary Katrantzou designs new tile collection for Villeroy & Boch
Inspired by the past to create designs for the future, Villeroy & Boch has collaborated with fashion designer Mary Katrantzou to bring the natural world into the living environment with the VICTORIAN tile collection…
Villeroy & Boch tiles has unveiled its first designer collaboration in more than 20 years. Created by leading fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, VICTORIAN is a vibrant and colourful tile collection inspired by the art of lepidopterists and the geometry of traditional Victorian tiles. Captured by the creative vision of Katrantzou – an acclaimed designer with a strong passion for premium and timeless elegance, as well as an appreciation of craftsmanship and tradition – Villeroy & Boch tiles saw the opportunity to create a signature collection that would lend itself to the designer’s unique aesthetic and style.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch / V&B Fliesen GmbH
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch / V&B Fliesen GmbH
When Katrantzou was first approached by the tile specialist, she was instantly drawn to its over two centuries’ history of design and manufacturing. The designer was keen to convert her approach to fashion into a spatial context of walls and floors, blurring boundaries between decorative mediums and drawing inspiration from objects, interiors and art. By visiting Villeroy & Boch tiles’ headquarters in Merzig, Germany, Katrantzou learnt more about the process behind the creation of its tiles. She also discovered that tiles from this era were still present in one of the hallways on site and realised that 19th century Victorian tiles have truly stood the test of time, being as fashionable today as when they first came into style. Katrantzou felt that this collaboration with Villeroy & Boch tiles should be an exercise in the understanding and application of balance, symmetry and proportion, and that striking a harmonious balance between colour, pattern and form is just as important in interiors as it is in fashion.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch / V&B Fliesen GmbH
As a former architectural student, she also explored Victorian interiors and ornamentation in her own Autumn/Winter 2018 Collection. As a result, the designer and Villeroy & Boch tiles decided to collaborate on a collection that interplays between their respective archival designs. Butterflies are central to the new VICTORIAN collection. A recurring theme in her fashion collections, Katrantzou sees them as one of the truest examples of metamorphosis. The designer wanted to utilise butterfly prints to communicate optimism while transforming tiles into a collectable piece of art. Another theme central to Katrantzou’s work is that of postage stamps. She believes that they “exude the allure of faraway lands and make you dream about what each piece of paper represents, where it might have been, who has touched it on its journey round the world.” In a world where stamps are becoming obsolete, the designer appreciates them even more “as tokens of the past and relics of a different era”. Through the VICTORIAN collection, she wanted to create a vignette within the home, a window into the world that captures this sense of nostalgia but is equally graphic and modern in its design.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch / V&B Fliesen GmbH
Gathering these themes together, VICTORIAN features eight different décor sets (20cm x 20cm) with borders and edges to complete the offering. Four coloured butterflies on either white or black backgrounds have been created using a combination of digital print and traditional screen-printing, with light visual 3-D effect used to provide a handcrafted appearance to each tile. Seen either straight-on or at a 45-degree angle, each butterfly tile is enhanced with either gold, black or perforated borders. Continuing the theme of white, black and gold, authentic marble-effect tiles are offered in two different finishes – high gloss for walls and polished surface for floors. They are joined by concentric designs alongside modern graphic interpretations of Victorian tiles. The butterfly tiles can be used independently or in combination to create a design that perfectly suits every bathroom setting.
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 / V&B Fliesen GmbH
Hyperion Tiles adds Mikodam luxury panels to its portfolio
Designer tile specialist Hyperion Tiles has expanded its portfolio to include contemporary wall and ceiling panels for commercial interiors. The five distinctive designs have been launched with luxury hotel living in mind…
Hyperion Tiles is known for its design-driven portfolio of porcelain, stone and mosaic statement wall tiles and engineered wood flooring. By expanding its collection to include the range of luxury wall panels by Mikodan, Hyperion will be able to provide alternative state-of-the-art wall and ceiling solutions for discerning interior designers and hoteliers.
Image credit: Hyperion Tiles
“We have successfully joined forces with Mikodam, an architectural products and furniture brand, as their exclusive UK supplier,” said Richard Skeoch, director at Hyperion Tiles. “Installing Mikodam panels on walls and ceilings facilitates even sound distribution and prevents acoustical defects such as glare, background noise echo and flutter echo. This makes them the perfect solution for commercial properties, such as hotels, restaurants and bars.”
Mikodam has just launched five new striking panel designs – Deta, Neka, Rona, Sona and Zeta, all of which which are now available at Hyperion Tiles. With strong graphic and architectural qualities, these panels have the ability to transform a wall or ceiling into a unique design statement. All the panels are available in a range of colours, materials and shapes, with options allowing the designer to experiment with different rotations and combinations, as each panel is attached to an innovative rail system which allows for 90°,180° and 270° swivel.
“These panels are part of Mikodam’s ultra-modern acoustic collection, which combines function with form,” said Skeoch. ” They address a variety of noise and soundproofing issues making these ideal for the hotel sector, enhancing peace, privacy and comfort.”
Aside from the aesthetic qualities of the panels as a strong design statement, they also provide practical solutions by improving acoustics, and facilitating visual definition of space. They are a versatile feature for commercial properties such as offices, restaurants and bars, as well as being a valuable addition to residential projects, such as luxury apartments and town houses.
Hyperion Tiles is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Case study: A sensitive bathroom renovation inside Thornbury Castle
Once owned by Henry VIII, Thornbury Castle, having undergone an extensive and impressive renovation, has been transformed into a luxury hotel and sought after event venue. Schlüter-Systems came to the rescue with a full system solution…
Situated in the heart of Gloucestershire, Thornbury Castle is the last Tudor Castle to be built in England. Once owned by Henry VIII, it is now a high-end luxury hotel and popular venue for weddings and other grand events. This impressive renovation project saw multiple guestrooms and guest bathrooms refurbished and reimagined.
Due to its historic roots, there needed to be a balance between creating the new facilities whilst retaining the charm of the famous Grade I listed building. Schlüter-Systems were able to help with this tricky task, offering a full system solution using Schlüter-KERDI products to ensure waterproofing within the guest bathrooms, which were designed and specified by Childs Sulzmann Architects.
Image credit: Schlüter-Systems
For areas of high moisture, waterproofing is an essential consideration, and it takes on an even greater significance when it comes to preserving historic buildings such as Thornbury Castle. To meet this requirement, a selection of Schlüter products were utilised to create a fully tanked system. This included the BBA-certified Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD tiling substrate and sealing components Schlüter-KERDI-KEBA sealing band, KERDI-COLL-L sealant adhesive and Schlüter-KERDI-KERECK which was used for internal corners. To provide entry level within the shower area, Schlüter-KERDI-LS sloped shower tray and Schlüter-SHOWERPROFILE-S tapered profile were installed beneath the tiles.
When working on the design and specification of bathrooms within heritage buildings, waterproofing will ensure the building is preserved for generations to come, and Schlüter-Systems are able to work within heritage constraints to create sympathetic and practical solutions.
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.
Main image credit: Schlüter-Systems / Thornbury Castle
Product watch: The latest lamps, fittings & pendants from Franklite
In the wake of an award-stealing year, lighting brand Franklite emerges in 2022 fired up with new product ranges that are new in stock. Hotel Designs takes a peek…
With two successful product launches in January and September last year, Franklite’s Catalogue 26 Supplement is quite the bumper edition, full of exquisite product ranges.
Image caption: The Perdita range. | Image credit: Franklite
The Perdita, an already very popular range, is now available in brushed brass finish with rectangular crystal drop. With varying sizes – from five-light to 30-light fittings– the range is suitable for any application.
Image caption: The Avenue range. | Image credit: Franklite
Floor lamps make a subtle, yet functional addition to any hotel room. The Avenue range includes a matt brass finish floor lamp on a white marble base along with a satin nickel finish floor lamp on a black marble base both with an in-line switch on the cable.
The ceiling fitting, pendant and wall bracket of the Acoste makes this range suitable in multiple areas within a hotel. Available in brushed brass and satin nickel finish with clear ribbed, enclosed glass with a slightly inverted base. The modern, uniquely designed wall brackets frame any hotel bed perfectly all whilst providing sufficient reading light.
Adding a touch of royal elegance to any hotel interior is the Coronet, a chrome finish fitting with oval-shaped crystal glass. The fitting is supplied with a chain suspension which can easily be converted to a flush fitting suitable for low ceilings.
Image caption: The Coronet collection. | image credit: Franklite
Franklite continues to design product ranges for the hospitality market that are not only functional and efficient, but also beautiful and creative.
Celebrating sculptural design: Inside Westin London City
Almost four years on from when Editor Hamish Kilburn broke the news that Westin Hotels & Resorts will make its debut on the UK hotel design scene, he is back to unveil the design and architecture narrative now that Westin London City has officially opened its doors…
Designed by British architecture and interior design studio Dexter Moren Associates, the new riverside hotel, with unparalleled views of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and Tate Modern art gallery, combines meaningful wellness with contemporary fluid and sculptural design. Built on the premise that a connection to nature enhances wellbeing, the design is integral and is inspired by the unique location, and shelters a modern residential feel.
Image credit: Marriott International
“The Westin London City seamlessly balances London’s captivating energy with the wellness promise that Westin Hotels & Resorts is known for, providing mindful travellers a new way to experience this iconic destination,” said Jason Nuell, Senior Vice President, Premium Brands, Marriott International. “As the brand’s debut in the UK, we’re excited to continue expanding our portfolio, delivering industry-leading well-being experiences designed to empower a better you.”
Image credit: Marriott International
Image credit: Marriott International
Wellness plays a powerful role within the hotel’s 222 guestrooms, which feature brand signatures, such as the iconic Heavenly Bed and a spa-like bathroom. In fact, the hotel experience comes to life through the brand’s six pillars of wellbeing – Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well – allowing guests to personalise their stay and engage in programming that best meets their needs.
The expansive Heavenly Spa by Westin has been designed to prioritise guest’s well-being with six treatment rooms and an indoor pool, which was carefully constructed around the archaeological remains of the Huggin Hill Bathhouse below.
Image credit: Marriott International
Riverside dining can be enjoyed at two venues – wine bar Hithe + Seek, overlooking the Thames, and all-day dining destination Mosaic, featuring a sustainably sourced menu of nutritious dishes. Presenting a world of contrasts to city-goers, Hithe + Seek is set at the heart of the hotel.
Plush furnishings and modern finishes create an intimate atmosphere while the eclectic wine list, made up of 80 references, is carefully split into two sections – Hithe which features a selection of familiar favourites and Seek which showcases undiscovered gems hand-picked for diners looking to expand their palate. The small plates menu combines recipes from old and new world wine countries within the wine list.
Named after the colourful artwork commissioned for the front of the hotel, Mosaic offers a sustainably sourced menu ideal for those seeking healthier choices including dishes from the Westin Eat Well menu, which provides options that fuel and energise guests without compromising flavour, taste, or satisfaction. Located on the fourth floor, where the north and south sides of the hotel merge, its city-facing location makes it the perfect destination for lunches or after work dinners and drinks.
“By connecting these two sides of London, we have opened a walkway that could help towards a greener city.” – Neil Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at 4C Hotel Group.
Collaborative working areas that spark creativity are at the heart of the hotel with its 1,060 square meters of contemporary meeting and events space. Allowing flexibility in function through simple and intuitive design details, the hotel’s Ballroom is a fluid space that can be easily tailored to host a range of events. Five expansive meeting rooms emulate the linear nature of the north lobby’s design, introducing residential touches and natural textures.
Owned by 4C Hotel Group and managed by leading hospitality management company RBH, Westin London City, which also has nine state-of-the-art residences, unites the final piece of the Thames pathway connecting the Embankment to the Tower of London. “By connecting these two sides of London, we have opened a walkway that could help towards a greener city, encouraging locals and visitors alike to walk the beautiful stretch of river,” said Neil Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at 4C Hotel Group. “It has been 80 years in the making in bringing this walkway back for everyday use and we are delighted to see our city united once more.”
Textile manufacturer Zimmer + Rohde has given Hotel Designs a sneak peek of its SS22 collections, which will be on display at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour at London Design Week this March. Editor Hamish Kilburn shares his top picks from the launch…
On March 13, the design community will gather in the uplifted Design Centre Chelsea Harbour for what we expect to be the most meaningful London Design Weeks yet, given the struggle around live events over the last few years and following the venue’s spectacular renovation.
Among the resident suppliers that will be showcasing the latest trends and new ranges will be Zimmer + Rohde, which will unveil a range of beautiful new textiles. And it is my role to tease the design industry on what the textiles brand will be celebrating.
Sketchbook
Sketchbooks have their own special charm, as they provide an insight into the internal workings of the artistic process. They reveal the raw material behind design and, according to Goethe, speak directly to the spirit, without intellectually circuitous detours. On the quest for the origins of artistic geniality, the sketchbook is its own genre in the art world and the scribbles of major artists are, of course, exhibited alongside finished works.
Image caption: A sneak peek of the Sketchbook collection. | Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Image caption: A sneak peek of the Sketchbook collection. | Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
There are many different types of sketching: the planned formal sketching in a studio, in an artist’s workbook, scribbles on a journey in small sketch pads or on loose scraps of paper that fit into a jacket pocket. Sketching nocturnal inspirations on a notepad next to the bed or even the classic white serviette in a restaurant. Taken together they have one thing in common: they immortalise the creative flashes of genius. It is this short moment, as well as its myriad manifestations in the shape of dots, lines, bundles of lines, hatching, brush marks and colour splotches, spontaneously transferred onto paper, that the Sketchbook collection by Zimmer + Rhode is dedicated to.
For the artistic designs – Graffiti, Script and Superimposition – fine line drawings, scribbles and hatchings were translated into artfully woven and finely embroidered textiles. The spectacular linen print, Colour Study, is a textile interpretation of a painterly colour study. The material collage, Compilation, was created through lighthearted experiments with weave and Scherli techniques as well as a virtuoso choice of materials. The deliberate use of random principles in the manufacturing process and the combination of print and jacquard fabrics is particularly acute in the two signature designs, Grand Leaves and Kubist, which tell of the experimental joy of working with a sketchbook. This ramble through the decorative worlds of a variety of artistic styles is rounded off by extensive monochrome palettes in unadulterated materials like thick-pile mohair velour and relaxed but sophisticated linen satin, all the way down to flattering soft textured mélange fabrics.
Of all the interior materials we use in our homes (and in the hotels we design), textiles are responsible for the feeling of softness and warmth in the living space. Its appearance varies like no other, depending on the light, the atmosphere and simply due to its inherent liveliness. In this way, the fabric, and therefore the collection, takes on the role in interior space that the sketchbook would in an exhibition.
Etamine – ‘Coup de Soleil’
Against whitewashed walls and rough stone floor, the sun plays games with the flowers of an Etamine fabric and creates shadows that dance in the wind. Somewhere in Andalusia, in the studio of a French artist, the Coup de Soleil, collection by Etamine offers us a glimpse of the beauty of natural materials and the rich colours of its prints and embroideries.
Image caption: Packed with colour, the Etamine collection. | Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Image caption: The Etamine collection has a distinct relationship with nature. | Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Like a painter’s canvas, the Chant de L’eau fabric offers us a depth of focus of an imaginary horizon thanks to a digital printing process that also reduces energy and water consumption. For Esprit de Vent, the blend of cotton, linen and recycled fibres creates an open weave like a fishing net that gently entraps the light while the wild flowers of Liberté Folle throw themselves at a linen voile with a hand-washed finish that comes to us straight from the shores of Lake Como.
Who is the true creator, nature or the artist? Etamine steps away from the norm and projects its vision of the world in an imaginary dimension where shapes and fabrics blend and fuse. Wool fabric wraps itself around a piece of furniture to enhance its form, a voile fabric reaches out ephemerally into nature to create an illusion and reveal a gesture. The essence is light, nomadic and the stuff of dreams.
Caught in the last rays of the sun, the floral fabrics come to life, while at nightfall a star sparkles above the olive groves; it bears the beautiful name Etamine.
Travers – Garden Club
Designed to reflect the spirit of a well-travelled lifestyle, inspiration for Garden Club was drawn from all corners of the world. It stays true to Travers’ traditional design history and is influenced by the outdoors. The designs in the collection offer escapism, with an assortment of patterns and textures reminiscent of the diversity found in nature. The collection is motivated by the dream of a beautifully cultivated garden composed of plants and flowers that have been gathered from near and far. This philosophy directly relates to a variety of original designs, printing techniques and weaving processes that together form a layered collection of fabrics reminiscent of old world style.
Image caption: The pattern-filled collection can be applied to soft furnishings to add personality. | Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
Image caption: The Travers – Garden Club collection in a quaint bathroom. | Image credit: Zimmer + Rohde
A mastery of craftsmanship and attention to detail is found in the development of each design in the collection. To realise the hero print, Audubon Garden, Zimmer + Rhode teamed up with Southern California artist Allison Cosmos. Every brush stroke was preserved for the fabric adaptation of this original hand painted garden oasis, filled with birds, flowers and butterflies. Wave Hill, a true warp print produced by trained artisans in India has a rustic quality that perfectly encapsulates a feeling of vintage charm. The colour palette is ‘of today’, with a relaxed casual nuance making each fabric approachable and easy to use. Garden Club blurs the lines between home and garden, breathing fresh colour and new life into each interior.
Zimmer + Rhode 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 One&Only’s debut resort in the United States of America
Rolling out the first One&Only resort and residential community in the United States, One&Only Moonlight Basin, slated to open in 2024, sets out to redefine luxury hospitality in Big Sky, Montana…
The Lone Mountain Land Company and Kerzner International Holdings Limited have released plans for Moonlight Basin in Big Sky Montana, the first One&Only resort and residential community in the United States. The development forms part of the strategic growth for the brand portfolio with its ethos of introducing its resorts and residences to some of the world’s most incredible natural settings, buzzing urban centres, and exclusive communities.
Designed by architect Olson Kundig, One&Only Moonlight Basin will shelter 73 guestrooms and suites in the main lodge, 19 secluded villas throughout the resort, a separate ski lodge, and a Chenot Spa. In addition, the resort will introduce the first community of One&Only Private Homes in the U.S., offering 62 private residences throughout the landscape, which are sure to become one of the most sought after addresses in the U.S. The free-standing Olson Kundig-designed homes will offer a contemporary design, complete with glass walls to showcase Big Sky’s soaring mountain ranges.
“Each One&Only resort celebrates their own distinctive location and Big Sky is the perfect site, where guests and residents alike can enjoy the very best of nature year-round through the life and energy of One&Only.” – Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer, Kerzner International.
Image credit: One&Only
“I am thrilled that we are introducing our first One&Only resort and community of Private Homes in the U.S.,” said Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer, Kerzner International. “Each One&Only resort celebrates their own distinctive location and Big Sky is the perfect site, where guests and residents alike can enjoy the very best of nature year-round through the life and energy of One&Only. At Moonlight Basin, Lone Mountain Land Company has built a mountain destination that showcases the natural beauty of Montana’s extensive, dramatic landscapes, and I am delighted to introduce One&Only in this unrivalled destination.”
Image credit: One&Only
Intimate in size, the architectural design of the resort respects the terrain, and minimal impact will be made to the location’s ecosystem during development. Framing the majestic mountain ranges of the area, the resort will seamlessly integrate into the inspired landscape. Featuring local art embracing textiles, roaring fires, and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, guests will simultaneously feel connected to, yet protected from, the spectacular surroundings. Like all properties in the collection, Moonlight Basin will place an emphasis on privacy, providing the ultimate hideaway within a choice of accommodations that are perfect for both couples and families. An emphasis will be placed on outdoor living spaces to enjoy the natural mountain surroundings.
One&Only also has an exclusive global partnership with the leading health and wellness brand based in Switzerland, Chenot. The resort will be home to a transformative Chenot Spa, providing an experience that combines science-based health and beauty with alternative therapies. This will be the first time the Chenot Method will be available in North America. A cutting-edge fitness centre will feature both indoor and outdoor spaces as part of the resort’s overall amenities that will evolve with the seasons.
Image credit: One&Only
The resort will act as both the nexus for adventure, and a space to unwind between activities. From hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing and snowshoeing, to Alpine and Nordic skiing, dogsledding, and snowmobiling, personal experiences will be offered to discover the best of Big Sky. As with all One&Only properties, it will offer innovative programming for families with children while carefully preserving space for adults only as well.
From awe-inspiring natural landscapes to state-of-the-art facilities for fitness, wellness, art, cooking and more, Moonlight Basin will be a stimulating oasis for active, mindful, and creative pursuits, regardless of age or passions. An adventurous experience in an authentically wild environment that will take the One&Only brand ethos into the heart of the country.
Top 3 rug and interior design trends forecasted for 2022
On the topic of cutting-edge rug and interior design trends, it’s always intriguing to hear what the experts at Modieus are predicating. This year, the team have grouped their trends under one overarching theme, allusion, which Hotel Designs has broken down into three sub-trends…
So far this year, the trend forecasts published on Hotel Designs have provided a safety blanket for designers and architects. Whether it has been surface design trends, wider hospitality trends or how wellness and wellbeing is shifting up a gear, the trends that have emerged in recent months are clear indicators that the industry needs to adapt in order to keep ahead of modern traveller demands.
Most recently, though, we have heard from Modieus which never fails to shake up conventional approaches to interior design. The ‘rugtrepeneurs’ there have confidently categorised this year’s predicted trends under one overarching theme, Allusion.
So, how does the concept of Allusion relate to trends, you may ask? Well, as we’ve come to expect from Modieus it’s with a thought provoking twist.
“We have developed a series of design stories to support our three core trends which represent a passage through time,” Xander Okhuizen, Founder of Modieus, tells Hotel Designs. “We took time to consider key influences as we journeyed through this linear timeline. We call this process “stop at an intersection” – we look back, look around, look up, ahead and forward. In that moment, we assimilate particular historical styles and events.”
The design team at Modieus identified three core trends each linked to a point in time, but each trend has two distinct viewpoints. Leah Manwaring and Debra Ryan, the creative brains behind this report were keen to emphasise that you can have different perspectives when following a trend.
Image caption: Leah Manwaring
Image caption: Debra Ryan
Boho folk
Image caption: 1970s trendboard of colours and tones that surround the ‘boho folk’ trend. | Image credit: Modieus
The Boho Folk trend takes us back in time to the ’70s. Think retro fused with boho. A nostalgic revival style that started in fashion.
“The fabulous fervor of the 70s geometrics, lines and block patterns are modernised and embrace a Japandi construction, Scandinavian rustic and Japanese minimalism. Shapes are round, circular or arched,” says Manwaring. “Furniture is also curvilinear in style. Colours feel grounding like they have literally been drawn from the earth, clay and ochre. Mixed with a light honey, slightly saturated and soft. This is almost neutral.”
Image caption: Modieus
Ryan adds: “While we pause in the 1970’s, we soak up bohemian vibes to articulate our second story. Whimsical florals, delicate petals awash with texture. Hand painted blooms and stylised flowers have been bleached and sunkissed. Our nude colour story uses soft pinks, porcelain and blush. Our soft pinks have a chalky effect.”
Urban street
Image caption: A trendboard that reflects the colours and tones that represent ‘urban street’. | Image caption: Modieus
The street art movement that started in the 90’s comes back with a contemporary feel in the Urban Street trend.
“The maximalism of the street art movement is back with a contemporary feel,” Ryan explains. “With pattern-clashing and eroding textural mash-ups. You can add drama to industrial hospitality spaces, incorporating a maximalist feel without a huge commitment to step outside the comfort zone with a rug that has big energy.
“Do you remember the tie dye shirts from the 90’s? Once the preserve of hippies, ravers and Grateful Dead fans, tie-dye has moved into the mainstream the trend gathered steam during the pandemic. Our tie dye inspired designs are darker and moodier, like darker timber colours that are set to make a comeback.”
Image caption: Modieus
Manwaring shares the other side of their Urban Steet trend. “Our collective love for lush indoor environments will continue to bloom,” she says. “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.
“This has meant an increasing pursuit of natural light, harnessing lighter-toned colour palettes and embracing plants. Using lush leafy greens, hues of the forest and foliage as a way to interact with and nurture our natural environment from the comfort of our own homes.”
Smart future
Image caption: A trendboard made up of futuristic colours that represent Smart Future. | Image credit: Modieus
The Smart Future trend caters for our ever-changing needs, recognising that we need to provide equally adaptable interiors.
“The design of the future is multi-functional and in harmony with the end-user, more meaningfully than ever before,” Manwaring explains. “For example, as designers, we could be asked to design a bar space to become a pop up cinema for an indie movie festival. We need to develop solutions for experiences in a way previously unseen.”
“The two colour stories in this trend are ELECTRIC BLUE, reflecting digital, automated and clean patterns and PEARLESCENT, which incorporates disco glam hues and structured patterns.” adds Ryan.
Image credit: Modieus
PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri is a perfect partner for muted pastel tones. These pearlescent tones appear translucent, layered and take a nod to the sparkle of disco glam.
It’s pretty clear that the Modieus team are driven by colour, with more than 1,400 shades to select from, their clients can be confident in colour matching in any construction type. Whether it is wall to wall carpets, rugs (indoor or outdoor), impervious backed, carpet tiles or even entrance mats, Modieus skill is finding solutions for their clients. And because everything is bespoke, almost anything is possible.
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.
Häfele has overhauled a Renault Relay van, installing it with the latest innovations from its new Loox range to offer customers the chance to get up close with the products and explore the breadth of its capabilities…
Häfele has started touring the UK in its brand new Loox Van in an innovative launch of Loox 5 and its Lighting Design Service. Kitchen design studios, independent retailers, merchants, architects, manufacturers, installers and others in the industry can now book a slot to receive their own personalised experience in the Loox Van, with Häfele’s team of lighting experts on hand to discuss the latest lighting trends and design advice.
“The Loox Van was developed to provide a mobile, accessible facility for the industry to improve their understanding of how lighting can improve their projects, and how our products and services can help them achieve even more for their customers,” said Shaun Barker, assistant product group manager for smart lighting, security and media at Häfele UK. “We’ve seen demand for Loox products increase almost 20 per cent in the last 12 months which – given trading conditions – is brilliant, and we expect that trend continue as we officially release Loox 5 to market and continue to tour the country with the Loox Van.”
Image credit: Häfele
The Loox 5 range is a form of LED lighting that can be integrated and built into furniture and units. It includes upgraded internal components and an improved distribution style compared to its predecessor, making it suitable for a wider variety of applications spanning the domestic and commercial markets. Its connection capability has increased from 3.5amp to 5amp, with improved drivers that mean the lighting can be used 24 hours a day for up to 50,000 hours – and in some case 70,000 hours – without any noticeable reduction in performance.
The colour rendering index – a scale that rates an artificial white light source’s ability to accurately display colour – is above 90, meaning that during extended use there is no difference in colour quality, making it a top choice for settings where colour accuracy is important, such as shop displays, or galleries.
“Loox 5 is the next generation in lighting; it offers a distinct improvement in performance compared to anything currently available on the market,” Barker went on to explain. “As well as being technically more capable than similar products, the beauty of the range is that it’s designed to meet the tastes and needs of more people – from families working with installers and manufacturers to create modern kitchens, to hotel owners wanting to offer their guests a unique lighting experience.”
Alongside Loox 5, Häfele is officially launching its Lighting Design Service, arming designers, retailers, manufacturers, and installers with a free, value-added tool to ensure customers receive great-looking, holistic lighting solutions in their projects. Customers can submit room or floor plans to the Lighting Design Service’s team who will create creative and technical lighting schemes on their behalf providing a bespoke layout, product list and priced quote – all free of charge. This can then be used together with Häfele to Order – a service that cuts, assembles, packages, labels and delivers products to specific requirements to save time during the installation process.
Häfele is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Come as you are: 25hours opens its first hotel in Scandinavia
The 25hours Hotel Indre By, slated to open its doors next month, is the first 25hours hotel in Scandinavia, and the design team has been true to brand developing layered interiors focussed on individuality and personality while exploring the buildings previous purpose as a university and a place of learning…
The name of this hotel says it all, as the Danish term ‘Indre By’ means inner city or city centre, and, like it says on the tin, this hotel is situated right in the middle of Copenhagen. The building itself dates back to the 19th century, once housed a porcelain factory and was later used as a university building. The interior design of the complex, which comprises four buildings, was the result of a first-time collaboration between 25hours and the London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio.
“Coming of Age was our fundamental idea when we were developing the concept of the hotel, which ties in with the building’s former use as part of a university,” explained Copenhagen Project Director Henning Weiß. “Passion and knowledge, art and science find a new home in the hotel in an exciting combination.”
Image credit: 25hours / Stephan Lemke
The 243 guestrooms, designed in ‘Passion’ and ‘Knowledge’ styles, range from Small to Gigantic and offer a retreat to suit every traveller and their needs. Several of the rooms even boast a small terrace and access to the Secret Garden – something which is virtually unique in Copenhagen.
Image credit: 25hours / Stephan Lemke
Image credit: 25hours / Stephan Lemke
Whether it’s the Vinyl Room or the Love Library, there are hidden spots all over the hotel which are well worth exploring. The Assembly Hall forms the central meeting point and is the perfect location for a quick coffee in the morning, a snack after a stroll around the city or a drink before checking out the Copenhagen nightlife. The NENI restaurant and Café Duse are destinations for hotel guests and locals alike, and the Boilerman Bar in the basement is the ideal place to spend cosy evenings with music and top-class drinks.
The hotel’s spacious wellbeing area is situated on the first floor. Awaiting visitors is a fully-equipped fitness studio with the latest techno gym equipment, yoga mats and a view of the terrace. The outdoor sauna, featuring both indoor and outdoor loungers, offers guests deep relaxation. Those who arrive early and want to hit the town before check-in can use the power shower in a section specially fitted out for early check-ins or late check-outs to freshen up before their rendezvous with Copenhagen.
Image credit: 25hours / Stephan Lemke
The bicycle is as synonymous with Copenhagen as the famous Smørrebrød, and the city is ideal for exploring by bike, which is why guests of the 25hours Hotel Indre By can also enjoy the urban bikes of Berlin-based firm Schindelhauer. Both classic city bikes and e-bikes are available, perfect for a relaxed tour of the neighbourhood. The bikes come with a tour map of the city’s most charming routes, which has been specially compiled for 25hours by bike professionals.
25hours Hotels have positioned themselves as a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, and characterized by provocative urban locations, irreverent yet functional aesthetic, and the romantic nostalgia of grand hotels. The brand focuses on individuality, authenticity and personality and, under the motto “If you know one, you know none”, designs each of its hotels with different designers and unique style. This Copenhagen design team have ensured that Hotel Indre By lives up to all the branding with its eclectic interior that tells a story at every turn.
Global hospitality brand YOTEL has announced the addition of YOTEL London Shoreditch to its portfolio, the groups fifth city centre hotel in the UK, and its nineteenth globally. Slated to open in April, here’s what we know…
Putting a clean emphasis on British development, YOTEL is opening its fifth hotel in the UK this April. The 161-key hotel, conveniently located in the heart of vibrant East London, on Cambridge Heath Road, already incorporates some of YOTEL’s minimalistic design features and facilities. As part of the conversion, the property will receive a light refurbishment to incorporate YOTEL’s signature design and technology features. Guests will be able to check-in in under a minute on self-service stations at Mission Control and will be able to use their mobile devices as SmartKeys.
The hotel is ideal for both business and leisure travellers, featuring several room types, from double and twins, to family and interconnecting rooms. Accessible via the high street and hotel lobby, the hotel also features its own beautifully designed bar, restaurant, and co-working space. YOTEL London Shoreditch is owned by Crestline Investors Inc. and Avelios Investors, and will be managed by Michels & Taylor.
Image credit: YOTEL
“Being able to secure two franchise deals in under three months is testament to the growing strength of the YOTEL brand and its increased relevance in delivering low-touch high-tech hospitality experiences,” said Hubert Viriot, CEO, YOTEL. “We’re delighted to be working with institutional partners Crestline and Avelios, which once again showcases YOTEL’s continued sophistication in working with established hotel owners and investors.”
Less than three minutes’ walk away from Bethnal Green tube station, the hotel is situated in a vibrant part of East London, home to many creative start-ups, media agencies, and entrepreneurs. The area is conveniently connected to the city centre, famous London landmarks, and leisure attractions through various transport links. It is well supplied with cocktail bars, urban wineries, and world-class restaurants. Guest staying at the hotel will be a short walk away from London Fields, Broadway Market, and Columbia Road.
“As with YOTEL Manchester, YOTEL London Shoreditch contributes to the more than 1,200 keys in our UK portfolio and is testament to the continuation of our hotel conversion strategy as well as our expansion plans in the UK and Europe whether through franchise or hotel management agreements,” said Viriot. “We are looking forward to emulating this strategy in other cities around the world.”
The group currently has 19 hotels in operation worldwide, from San Francisco to New York, Amsterdam to Istanbul, and all the way to Singapore. The next YOTEL to open will be YOTEL and YOTELPAD Miami in spring 2022, followed by YOTEL Geneva later in the year.
A new design by Duravit, No 1 is a complete range with a host of combinations
With the focus on what is truly required in the bathroom, the new Duravit No.1 complete bathroom series is a compact and comprehensive product range that is excellent value for money within in the entry-level segment…
Bathroom concepts in the budget price range are usually dominated by round shapes. With the new No 1 series, Duravit presents an exciting alternative in planning-friendly dimensions. The rectangular shape of the washbasins and the narrow design of the side edge produce a large inner basin – with a generous, comfortable tap panel. Washbasins, as well as hand rinse basins can be combined with pedestals, semi-pedestals, or vanity units. In addition furniture and built-in washbasins are available.
Image credit: Duravit
A practical choice of furniture is part of this range, with a minimal overhang from the washbasin to the bathroom furniture, which underlines the modernity of the Duravit No.1 design. Features like the recessed grip and surfaces pleasant to the touch makes for a seamlessly integrated design into the décor fronts. Available in White Matt or Graphite Matt, the furniture has been designed to enable easy retrofitting at a later stage.
Vanity units with a hinged door are available for the handrinse basins and furniture with a pull-out compartment, with an additional and practical internal drawer on request for some of the washbasins. A semi-tall cabinet provides generous storage options. Matching mirrors and mirrored cabinets have long-lasting and energy-saving LED lighting. All furniture is supplied pre-assembled and fully adjusted, enabling quick and convenient final installation.
Image credit: Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
The stylish Duravit No.1 tap range has a harmonious and balanced design. The handle, with its dynamic upward-facing position, feels pleasant in the hand and underlines the high-quality aesthetics. The washbasin mixers excel both in terms of quality and function with their long-lasting ceramic cartridges, subtly integrated aerators, and sustainable product features – they are available with FreshStart (energy-saving cold-water start) or MinusFlow (throughput limited to 3.5 l/min).
Image credit: Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
A further highlight in this price segment is the trapezoid built-in bathtub made from sanitary acrylic, available in three sizes, with the option of left or right corner versions. The bathtub provides a luxurious bathing experience with a comparatively low filling volume even on smaller floor plans. Rectangular built-in bathtubs in all standard sizes complete the range; the 1800 x 800 mm model is available as a two-seater. With depths of 40 or 46 cm, the bathtubs are comfortable whether sitting or lying. The bathing experience can be further enhanced by the optional whirl function with its beneficial massage effect. Bathtub handles, can be ordered separately and are installed at the factory, improve safety.
Image credit: Duravit
The Duravit No.1 toilet range features the bathroom manufacturer’s innovative Duravit Rimless flushing technology and the successful DuraStyle Basic toilets, plus a wall-mounted toilet for children. Bidets and urinals complete the product range.
Designed to be simple, practicable, and stylish, Duravit No.1 has everything that a contemporary bathroom needs, optimum quality at an unbeatable price. This is an ideal collection for a first time buyer bathroom through to the hotel and the project sector: all products stemming from Duravit’s new in-house design have been created to enhance the quality of daily life. With the focus on what is truly required in the bathroom, Duravit No.1 opens up a whole host of combination options, creating the perfect foundation for a range of bathroom plans and designs.
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.
In Conversation With: Paola Navone, interior design muse for COMO
The Italian designer and talent behind several COMO projects, Paola Navone, talks to Pauline Brettell about her inspiration, love of travel, and her latest COMO design collaboration at COMO Le Montrachet…
From Thailand to Tuscany, paging through the Paola Navone’s COMO portfolio is a journey in both design and destination. She is a designer who always draws in attention with her strong visual statements, and this signature has become interwoven with her history and work with the brand. She approaches each project with a fresh eye and innovative designs, allowing for a strong sense of place and context.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
On the COMO website it states that “Italian designer Paola Navone is one of COMO’s greatest inspirations,” so we started the conversation by asking her about this relationship, and how it started.
“I have known Cristina Ong for many years. We immediately shared an appreciation for the same kind of understated luxury – immaterial, never aggressive and respectful. I had the chance to design COMO Point Yamu and we chose to design a hotel that was made entirely with materials available in Thailand, taking advantage of the incredible Thai craft traditions. It was a great creative adventure which has been followed by other very special collaborations with COMO all over the world. The most recent are in Europe, with COMO Castello del Nero in Tuscany and the new COMO Le Montrachet in Burgundy.”
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
It is clear from looking at Navone’s work across all mediums, that there is a love for travel that expresses itself through her designs, as she has the ability to extract what is essential to a destination and communicate this in the details. She has a rich history in the design movement more broadly and can trace her roots and influences back to being part of the Alchimia family, in the late seventies, right through to today where she is still seen to be at the forefront of contemporary design. There remains an irreverence and eclecticism that runs through her designs which sits comfortably alongside the multifaceted influences that come from travel.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
“Much of my free and unconventional way of thinking about things comes from my involvement in Alchimia family, the anti-academic side of architecture in Italy in the late seventies. Then there is, of course, my nomadic attitude, my Mediterranean roots and my sense of beauty linked to simplicity and imperfection.”
The love of travel, the nomadic, clearly informs the designs and gives insight into what makes a successful hotel interior concept and design. “When I travel, I love breathing in the atmosphere of the place I’m in. I always like saying that, when you wake up in a hotel room, you need to open your eyes and feel where you are, whether that be on a Mediterranean island, in India or in New York. So, when I design the interiors of a hotel, I always try to make guests feel an instinctive complicity with the environment, a natural sense of belonging to the place, always in a contemporary, relaxing and joyful way.”
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Restaurants
Despite a substantial portfolio in hospitality and hotel design, Navone’s projects have never become formulaic. But like most designers, there is a strand or a common element that runs through the body of work. She discussed a little more about how each project is unique, and what it is that connects the COMO projects she has worked on, the common element, and it is all about a feeling rather than a physical design construct.
“Each of my projects come from a special alchemy, that’s why they are always unique. It’s a bit like in cinema, where each movie is distinctive because the story, the actors and the costumes are different, even if the director is always the same. What connects every project for COMO Hotels and Resorts is the feeling, the special attention to the all-round wellbeing of guests linked to the pleasure of spending quality time in a beautiful place.”
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
“When you wake up in a hotel room, you need to open your eyes and feel where you are” – Paola Navone.
With so many beautiful hotels and resorts in the COMO portfolio, we had to ask Navone, as a designer, if she has a favourite – not necessarily the biggest and the boldest project that she has worked on with the COMO brand, but the one that for her stands out on a personal level. With no hesitation COMO Point Yamu was on top of her list.
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
“COMO Hotels and Resorts are always located in wonderful places around the world, and this is the first thing that makes them so special. COMO Point Yamu is immersed in the magnificent natural scenery of Phuket and even the smallest details are designed to involve the guest in the magic of the natural environment. Point Yamu demonstrates what I love to do in my work very well, incorporating my passion for craft traditions, my taste for the imperfect beauty of natural materials and the idea that even everyday things can have a surprising chance of a new life.”
Image credit: COMO Hotels and Resorts
QUICK-FIRE ROUND
Pauline Brettell: Which is your favourite space in the new COMO Le Montrachet Hotel?
Paola Navone: As with all COMO properties, guest wellbeing will be the core of the experience even at Le Montrachet. The COMO Shambhala Retreat, known all over the world for its wellness treatments and therapies, will be one of the surprising highlights of the project
PB: Your favourite (or go-to) colour/palette?
PN: I have an instinctive attraction for cold colours, the shades of air and water
PB: A favourite COMO Hotel 1) as a traveller, and 2) as a designer
PN: Both as a traveller and a designer, I’m looking forward of visiting Bhutan, relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking Himalayan panoramas that COMO Uma Paro offers
PB: Next destination on your travel bucket list?
PN: COMO Uma Paro!
As both the hospitality industry and interior designers are starting to look critically at the design process, we moved away briefly from Le Montrachet and veered off into the bigger and broader question that is on everybody’s lips right now, the question of sustainable and ethical design. Navone’s response makes it clear that this is not a new concept to her, but one that has always been an integral and unselfconscious element of her designs.
“My way of thinking about design, linked to simplicity and respect for the craft traditions of the world, naturally embodies the idea of sustainability. I enjoy introducing the simplicity and poetry hidden in natural materials and the raw finishes present in the industrial process. It’s not always easy but what happens is always full of wonder.”
Looking at the details and the integration of craft and artisanal finishes, is what always draws me into these designs, there is always the element of innovation as she is able to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. The magical process of taking an everyday utilitarian item and turning it into a design statement is something she excels at, the vision in which the lobster basket becomes statement lighting, woven wicker is scaled up and becomes a wall. Trying to get a sneak peek into what is happening behind closed doors in the Le Montrachet project, we thought we would ask if she has found anything is this corner of France that called out for repurpose and some design inspiration? But she kept her designer cards close to her chest!
“We love to discover excellence in the craftsmanship of the places we work. Meeting local artisans and getting to know their art is always an exciting part of the project for us and a great source of inspiration. France has got countless traditions and it will be beautiful to express them in the design of this exciting new hotel. Working on an existing property with so much history, the challenge is to create an element of surprise in a special and respectful way. Working on historical heritage has never been a barrier to us, but a great creative opportunity. In harmony with COMO’s style, everything about the Le Montrachet project will be very light and soft, in order not to overshadow the special charm of the place.”
So for now, it looks like “light and soft” are our only taste of designer things to come at Le Montrachet!
Slated to open later this year COMO Le Montrachet has been consistently listed as one of the most anticipated hotel opening of 2022, and the role of Paola Navone as interior designer on this project is creating as much interest as the hotel opening itself. With everything going on behind closed french doors, we are intrigued and waiting to see the results of what her signature style and trademark contemporary touches will bring to the historic 18th-century property in the sought-after Côte-d’Or.
Surface Design Show 2022: Line-up confirmed for 2022 edition
Days ahead of Surface Design Show 2022 officially opening its doors, Hotel Designs takes a peek at the speakership line-up, which includes Editor Hamish Kilburn moderating one of the opening night debates as well as interviewing interior designer of the year, Tina Norden, on the main stage…
Surface Design Show 2022, which opens next, will be an exciting combination of education, engagement and entertainment at one of the first industry events to fully return to a face-to-face format this year. Held from February 8 – 10, the event, which will aim to shine the spotlight on surface trends, will take place once again at London’s Business Design Centre in Islington.
The Main Stage will host a total of 18 different talks staged across the 2 1/2 days, featuring some 50 speakers, inspiring and educating a professional audience of over 1,000 architects and designers.
Image credit: Surface Design Show
The Opening Night Debate, held in partnership with RIBA, kicks off proceedings from 18:30 – 19:30pm on February 8, where a stellar line up of industry experts will discuss Climate Change and Future Proofing. This session will explore not only the issues around the future durability and adaptability of current projects, but also how we can ensure that the commercial value of projects can be future proofed against climate change. Speakers include Rachael Owens, Architect and Head of Sustainability with Buckley Grey Yeoman, Simon Sturgis, Founder of carbon consultancy Targeting Zero LLP and Ana Rita Martens, Architect and Senior Associate sustainability at Woodalls.
Continuing the environmentally conscious theme, the second session of that evening will be moderated by Hotel Designs’ Hamish Kilburn, and will look at Why Sustainable Interiors Matter, featuring founding signatories of the Interior Design Declares, an industry response to climate breakdown and biodiversity collapse. These include biophilic design champion Oliver Heath, MCM’s Design Director Deepak Parmar and Helen Gordon, Co-founder of sustainable construction company Kite.
There will be a number of ‘Legends Live’ sessions throughout Surface Design Show. These will offer visitors the chance to hear from the likes of lighting designer Sally Storey being interviewed by Theresa Dowling of FX Magazine, Conran and Partners’ Tina Norden being interviewed by Kilburn and AHMM’s Paul Monaghan talking to Phil Coffey of Coffey Architects as they discuss their illustrious careers to date.
Among the highlights of Wednesday are the Colour, Material and Finish Forecast featuring Hannah Malein, Head of Trends for Colour Hive/MIX magazine and the Surface Design Awards Preview: Surface Tension. Chaired by architectural critic and correspondent Aidan Walker, the session will gather together a group of articulate influencers to select and discuss some of the outstanding submissions from the 2022 Surface Design Awards.
The winners of the Surface Design Awards will be revealed in a networking breakfast on Thursday 10 February from 08:45 until 10:30. Hosted by designer, educator, diversity & inclusion consultant and careers mentor, Simon Hamilton, 48 Finalists will be present to hear whom the judges have chosen as their 2022 winners. Ever-supportive of emerging talent, the Surface Design Awards Display will be designed by a team of young people supported by the Design Museum.
Ever popular elements of the Surface Design Show return once more including the New Talent section, dedicated to ‘start up’ designers and Surface Spotlight Live where visitors can touch and feel a selection of materials curated by trend and colour expert Sally Angharad.
Stone Gallery is set for its strongest ever showing with an Italian Pavilion of 28 stone producers. Britain’s Stone Federation will also be hosting a pavilion, whilst architects Squire & Partners has designed a Stone Tapestry, a bespoke installation piece exploring innovative textures, light, colour and pattern to create a tapestry of inspiring materials from around the world.
Get set for a packed few days of knowledge sharing, a celebration of industry achievements and plenty of opportunities for networking at Surface Design Show 2022.
9 leading hoteliers share expectations & predictions for 2022
As January slides seamlessly into the rest of the year, and 2022 is starting to look optimistically (dare we say it) like some normality might be on the horizon, we speak to some of the movers and shakers in the world of hoteliers and hospitality about their expectations and predictions for the year ahead…
The beginning of the year is always awash with trend predications and expectations, and as we emerge, a little bleary eyed from the enforced hibernation of a global pandemic, with the baton of optimism firmly in hand, we spoke to nine hoteliers from very different corners of the globe, and asked them to share some of their thoughts on the year ahead for hospitality.
Periklis Gompakis, Sales & Marketing Director of the MarBella Collection, Greece:
Image credit: MarBella Collection
“2022 is shaping up to be a year like no other, bringing together new trends inherited and accelerated following the last two years with a series of post-pandemic consequences in a global socio-economic context. Sustainable and mindful travel is expected to co-exist with increased flight costs and inflation rise. Staycation, bleisure, and workcation patterns are here to stay, resulting in less frequent travel but for more extended periods. Upward trends for both multigeneration and solo travel will resume, focused on the luxury five-star resorts and private residences or villas, mainly for Europe and the Mediterranean. High-end holidaymakers will continue to expect personalised services and seek tailor-made holiday experiences, keeping a balance with enhanced digitised hotel services offering. No slowdown in new hotel openings is anticipated, although the significant disruptions in the global supply chain and the labour shortage hotel firms are already facing.”
Nick Prattas, Vice President & Managing Director of Windjammer Landing, St Lucia:
Image credit: Windjammer Landing
“This year, we are already seeing amazingly positive signs for the resort. Bookings up an incredible 22 per cent compared to 2019, with enquiries continuing to come in thick and fast. With the demand bouncing back for long haul travel and the rise in multi-generational trips, St Lucia is firmly back to being a bucket list destination. We are also implementing many new advances in technology, service and food and beverage at Windjammer Landing for 2022, which alongside the Caribbean Tourism officials report, will look to be one of the best years for us and the Caribbean.”
“Destination of choice is key in the decision making, and confidence in the location is already paramount for 2022. Destinations that have continued to invest will always stand out in the luxury market and will attract repeated and new travellers and investors. Low-density areas are also becoming a target for shorter breaks rather than city break style trips. Furthermore, people will look for more places where nature is respected and protected – where the brand has strong sustainability initiatives. We are also starting to see longer holidays and rising trend in real estate, where buyers’ second home is becoming their primary residence, due to the flexibility in remote working.”
Kate Hughes, Operations Director of Lepogo Lodges, South Africa:
Image credit: Lepogo Lodges
“Once South Africa was removed from the red list, we saw a steady stream of international enquiries for 2022. Many for family groups rather than individual couples, and longer stays of four – six nights rather than the two – three we saw before. However, there is still a level of uncertainty in booking, and flexibility is key which, of course, we are happy to provide. We believe this year will bring guests keen for adventure and bucket list trips after the last two years, travelling in family groups and staying in one place for longer than moving every few days.”
“With 90 per cent of our stock sold for 2022, we are anticipating that travel this year will be even busier than pre-pandemic times. Since people have not had the opportunity to travel in two years, we’re noticing a growing interest in villas with services and properties that offer privacy and peace. The reality is that our future is in the hands of various governments and political powers, therefore we must trust that they make the best decision to help the travel industry and our economy bounce back.”
“Looking ahead to 2022, we are anticipating the return of business travel to Cambridge and that our luxury lifestyle long-stay apartment offering will be a refreshing alternative to hotels guests may have previously visited. The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton is a hybrid option of hotel facilities combined with your own apartment and place to call home, even just for the night. For our long stay market segments (7+ nights), we are forecasting this to be at least 45-50 per cent of our business mix, and we are the only operator in Cambridge that our guests not only get discounted prices based on length of stay but are also rewarded with points via the Hilton Honours programme.”
Howard Hastings, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland:
Image credit: Hastings Hotels
“Last year we enjoyed an excellent staycation boom from the Republic of Ireland. Travel from GB will be boosted in 2022, both due to the post-pandemic sustained marketing for Northern Ireland in GB and the reduction in air passenger duty from April, making it cheaper to arrive here by air. There is also much pent-up demand from the US – the direct flights cancelled during the Pandemic are being reinstated (Dublin – San Francisco has now resumed), and new ones have been added (Dublin – Vancouver direct starts in June). So we expect to see a strong rebound in 2022 from North American visitors. It is also anticipated that 2022 will be a record year for the number of passengers on Cruise Liners coming to Belfast, so we look forward to welcoming the influx of guests in the near future.”
Roberto Sortino, Managing Director & Founder of Villatravellers, Sicily, Italy:
Image credit: Villatravellers
“I’m hopeful and optimistic that travel will return in full force in 2022. I think that the trends we saw in 2021 – longer term stays, a desire for space and privacy, and an interest in really getting to authentically know your destination – will continue this year. Villa holidays are a great way to enjoy a sunny and secluded getaway, and Villatravellers has a wonderful selection of villas to rent, and we also offer extra experiences that let you see the real Sicily in all its glory. We hope that travellers will continue to be curious and enjoy precious time with family and friends this year.”
Raffaella Scalisi, General Manager of the Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Tourism Board, Italian Alps:
“In 2022 we predict a gradual restart to tourism, with long-haul trips from flourishing markets such as the US hopefully resuming in full swing in the summer season. As travel continues to return and grow, Courmayeur is confident in its ability to handle high amounts of tourism during peak season, while still preserving the area’s essence of a typical alpine village. Additionally, as sustainability is one of our highest priorities, we are proud to boast a pedestrian-friendly city centre and offer tourists plenty of options from public transportation to biking to reach the nearby Veny and Ferret valleys.”
GROHE ‘reinvents’ two of its premium bathroom collections
In response to the growing health and wellness trend, GROHE has extended its premium portfolio of bathroom fittings with the newly reinvented GROHE Allure range and the new GROHE Rainshower Aqua Body Sprays for an enhanced, expertly crafted bathroom experience…
Offering sanctum and oasis from a hectic day of meetings, travel and sightseeing, the hotel bathroom plays a big role in the overall experience of a guest’s stay. Materials, light, fixtures, and fittings must marry together to offer a relaxing and cosseted experience. The GROHE Allure range offers designers the freedom to tailor the space to the client’s needs, whether designing a tranquil spa landscape for a resort, or a private luxurious private bathroom in a boutique. Progressive designs and carefully chosen materials, finishes, and colours, combined with high-end technology, will stand out and create the desired impact in any bathroom project.
“These exclusive new products are especially dedicated to architects and designers who want to transform their clients’ bathrooms into a holistic wellness oasis that becomes a perfect hideaway to recharge body, mind, and soul,” said Patrick Speck, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, EMENA.”GROHE Allure is defined by a progressive design that allows full design coordination, creating unique bathroom experiences. These memorable, unique spaces will stand out in any project. In addition, a palette of carefully curated colours and finishes enables architects and designers to add a personal touch.”
Image credit: GROHE
The popular GROHE Allure tap line has been updated to offer the very best in health and wellness within the bathroom. The design statement captivates with its minimalist and extraordinarily slim design, which is now even more appealing due to its newly refined aesthetic. By combining state-of-the-art water technology with German craftsmanship, the tap offers a distinctive highlight in the range. Thanks to seamlessly designed haptic feedback, the precision control of the three-hole basin mixer offers a unique tactile experience and improves interaction.
Image credit: GROHE
The versatile range also encompasses floor-mounted taps and waterfall spouts for the bathtub, which allow for a holistic, coordinated design. For tasteful accents in the bathroom, the Allure line offers a choice of different colours and finishes: Chrome, Brushed Cool Sunrise, Brushed Warm Sunset, and Hard Graphite – all perfectly coordinated with GROHE Allure Accessories.
Image credit: GROHE
With the Rainshower Aqua Body sprays, GROHE launches a showering highlight which upgrades the daily routine with a pulsating water massage. Control and function are intuitive with a pop-up design; when the water is activated, the body sprays pop out of the cover plate, allowing users to switch between the Rain and Active Jet spray easily by simply turning them. When the water is turned off, the body sprays pull back and blend into the shower surround completely, resulting in a slim, minimalist design for optimised space in the shower.
Full freedom of choice is guaranteed with round and square designs, available in different GROHE colours to match any aesthetic. Along with a luxurious showering experience, the Rainshower Aqua Body sprays support in eco-conscious design with GROHE’s EcoJoy technology integrated for a reduced water consumption, combining innovation and sustainability.
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.
Quintessentially British design scheme unveiled for The Retreat at Elcot Park
On a mission to create extraordinary boutique hotels in curated destinations, The Signet Collection has transformed The Retreat at Elcot Park into a design that is both classic and contemporary with a few unexpected twists en-route…
The Retreat is getting dressed and ready for its springtime launch, following in the successful footsteps of its cousin property The Mitre Hampton Court, as visionary British hospitality brand The Signet Collection reveal the design details of its second hotel. Housed in a Grade II-listed 18th century building, The Retreat has a storied past, once being the childhood home of the great poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Following the success of The Mitre Hampton Court, The Retreat will continue the brand’s celebrated design aesthetic, blending the old with the new and quirky British sensibility. Tasked with a fun, escapist and element-of-surprise oriented brief, London-based luxury interior design practice Taylor and Turner is the creative lead behind its transformation, which nods to both the history and location of the picturesque country house.
“Elcot Park has a fascinating, long and rich history,” commented Anneke Gilkes and Harriette Cayzer, of Taylor & Turner. “It has been a huge privilege to be entrusted with creating a new chapter in its story with Hector and the brilliant team at Signet. We have endeavoured to respect its past whilst ensuring that the design practicalities meet the rigorous standards of the modern day. Our ethos has been rooted in creating a retreat for any age offering complete escapism and a sense of fun.”
The Retreat will be home to 55 characterful and comfortable guestrooms, including three suites, each showcasing its individual heritage. Each room is a celebration of the very best of British design, with many of the rooms containing eclectic antiques sourced by local dealers. Whilst antique furniture and traditional elements remain throughout, punches of colour, fun and the unexpected are clearly visible in each of the rooms. Guests will be spoilt for choice when choosing from views over the Wessex Downs, the gardens, or picturesque courtyards.
Each floor has a theme, with rooms named after champion racehorses, famous jockeys, local points of interest, or nods to British country pursuits such as: shooting, fishing, hunting and racing. Meanwhile, the three Signature Suites are decorative and named after previous inhabitants of the country house: the Sutton, Bushby Bacon (a family suite), and the Percy Shelley.
The Sutton Suite features Watts of Westminster’s hand-blocked ‘Pineapple’ wallpaper which provides an elegant contrast to the duck-egg blue doors and skirting boards. Key design elements include a pomegranate Sanderson bed canopy with a contrasting Fermoie striped headboard, and a spectacular roll top copper bathtub in front of large bay windows. A blush pink Mimi Pickard sofa and strawberry patterned throw cushions inject pops of colour throughout the Suite.
Image credit: The Signet Collection
The Bushby Bacon Suite, an expansive two-bedroom family suite with an open plan bathroom, is dedicated to one of The Retreat’s earliest inhabitants. Elegant and refined, the suite features a contemporary four poster bed with a navy and cream interior with pelmet and simple pleating, set against red and blue Braquenié’s Toile des Indes wallpaper by Pierre Frey. The suite leads through to the children’s bedroom where curtained orange bunk beds take centre stage, against hand-painted striped walls. The bedrooms connect to a stylish white bathroom with a freestanding marble bathtub surrounded by bay windows.
Image credit: The Signet Collection
Image credit: The Signet Collection
A spectacularly elegant suite dedicated to one of the major English Romantic poets, The Percy Shelley Suite boasts bold and expressive décor with statement vintage Morris & Co wallpaper. Contrasting sage green woodwork matches the tone of the freestanding bath which sits in front of a large window overlooking the gardens.
Taylor & Turner have breathed new life into the bedrooms, which ooze vibrancy and fun with bobbin mirrors, Rosi de Ruig lamps, scalloped-edged side tables and bright upholstered headboards. Each bedroom is a treasure-trove of pattern and personality, and the playful use of colour and antiques lends soulfulness to give each room its own unique character.
Image credit: The Signet Collection
Image credit: The Signet Collection
Similarly to The Mitre, the designers have placed emphasis on the entrance hall being a place for reading and relaxation, similar to a drawing room in a country home. Mohair blue sofas, traditional seating, yellow cushions and Titley and Marr green curtains make for a cosy atmosphere. Complemented by the beige walls, many of the existing fittings and furnishings have been restored, such as the teak wooden flooring. Guests are met by a hand-painted map of the local area illustrating the abundance of British pursuits on The Retreat’s doorstep. Meanwhile, to the right of the grand entrance, a quote from one of Percy Shelley’s poems adorns the walls, reflecting the property’s literature and arts heritage. The result is a quintessentially British feel with an informal, playful twist where guests will quickly feel at home.
True to brand, all things culinary will have pride of place at The Retreat, which will open with a Whiskey room, two private dining spaces and two restaurants: Yü, a Pan-Asian restaurant, and 1772, an all-day-dining Brasserie. Atmospheric orb bulbs, a sputnik chandelier and golden table lamps make for a sleek and refined setting. A five metre brass bar with a fluted leather front is paired with elegant striped-back bar stools. Curved and straight seating booths in sumptuous deep blue and bottle green velvet offer pleasing aesthetics, and an intimate dining experience.
Having dined and imbibed to their hearts content, guests can enjoy the facilities of an impressive Health Club, including hydrotherapy pools, three treatment rooms, a steam room & sauna, large gym, spin studio and a relaxation area. The tone and textures in the spa exude a feeling of calm, in contrast to the women’s changing room, however, which is unexpected, playful, and fun, and inspired by the 1950s boudoir.
The Signet Collection is a home grown and hands-on brand, resolute in its dedication to crafting stunning designs in historically significant properties, preserving authenticity and delivering unparalleled service and experiences. The addition of The Retreat Elcot Park to the portfolio looks set to ensure the brand continues on its journey of creating meaningful stays in time honoured places.
Sneak peek: SS22 wallcovering collections from Arte
Drawing inspiration from the past for the design year ahead, the new collections from Arte are serving us luxurious materials from traditional techniques that can transport us back in time with a taste of grandeur of days gone by…
Arte is planning to take us on a journey of discovery with its new collections. Not only will designers dive into the splendid architecture of stately Greek temples and Italian palazzos, but impressive mosaics, sculptures and ornaments will also catch the eye as classical antiquity is revisited in a modern and playful way through the use of surprising drawings, materials, techniques and colours.
“Arte strives to create innovative wallpaper collections that explore exciting new production methods and quality materials and reach far beyond the boundaries of traditional wallpaper design,”said Philippe Desart, Co-owner and Managing Director, Arte. “This spring the eight new collections include luxurious mosaics and plaster inspired details, which recognise historic crafts, as well as hand-painted scenes and large-scale panoramic designs that create truly show stopping art for your home.”
The Les Thermes collection depicts the rich history of Greco-Roman antiquity in which sculpture and architecture both play an important role. The well-known bathing culture also has a prominent presence, and this is reflected in aspects such as luxurious mosaics, traditional techniques, and an impression of a hand-painted scene of Roman thermal baths. This opulent collection provides a taste of the grandeur of days gone by.
Within the collection is the Mosaico design, where large mosaics with a metallic accent catch the eye in an aged tile pattern, creating an incomparable graphic effect. Mosaics have adorned the walls and floors of countless squares, palazzos, and historic buildings for centuries. This characterful wallcovering adds a touch of history to modern interiors and comes in nine shimmering colourways that compliment the other designs in the Les Thermes collection.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Saturnia – Within the collection, the statement design takes its inspiration from the Tuscan village of the same name which has been known for its hot springs since Roman times. This peaceful scene illustrates people bathing in the springs. As well as providing relief, the underlying fil-à-fil technique with silver and gold foil creates a unique sheen in the water, creating a genuine statement wallcovering. This design is available in three colourways which integrate with the colours running through the Mosaico pattern.
Image credit: Arte
Stucco – This design makes a playful reference to the decorative plaster used during Greco-Roman antiquity. It is an abstraction of textile and the tone-on-tone colour palette ensures a serene but weathered patina. The design is available in 16 colourways.
Tessera – The small squares made of stone, ceramic, terracotta or glass that are used to make mosaic floors or decorative jewellery are the inspiration for this design in the Les Thermes family. This pattern adds a note of luxury to the collection with its highly luxurious feel due to the reflective nature of the metallic shades of silver, gold, bronze and rose.
Orrizonte – The textile-inspired wallcovering has a warm weathered look thanks to the luxurious bouclé fabric it takes its inspiration from. The horizontally woven multicolour threads lend depth and relief to the pattern, and the visible metal threads ensure a subtle sheen. This design comes in an extensive 11 colourways.
Image credit: Arte
A second collection, Sculptura, draws its inspiration from traditional plasterwork. Strips of plaster were arranged by hand and then transformed into a surprising textural vinyl collection, leaving the typical plaster structure of mesh, cracks and uneven areas clearly visible. This intriguing wallcovering with its surprising geometric patterns subtly lends a touch of colour, relief and structure to the wall. The shadow play of light and dark brings smooth walls to life. Sculptura lends a subtle, classic decorative touch to an interior.
Image credit: Arte
Rovine – The statement design of the Sculptura Collection, Rovine depicts an etching of a Greek ruin, the drawing shows antiquity in decay, yet with an element of grandeur in its statement dimensions. The work is dedicated to Monsieur Descamps, one of the king’s artists, and is available in three colourways.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Oblong – The design qualities within this collection feature a playful patchwork of irregular rectangles. As with plaster, strips are placed on top of each other and flow together. The result is a peaceful, plain effect that reflects the enduring trend for uneven plasterwork. This design comes in the earthy tones that compliment the rest of the collection.
Shards – Displaying a composition of fragments the design titled Shards draws its inspiration from plasterwork, which gives the pattern a traditional character. The uneven nature of the wallcovering and incidence of light create extra relief and are more organic in feel. Available in ten colourways.
Piante – Showcasing a botanical drawing designed to transport you into untamed nature, the collection, which is available in 10 colourways, is a celebration of all things outside of perfection. Due to the tone-on-tone plasterwork effect, the overall look remains peaceful and lends character to the wall. The uneven nature of the wallcovering and incidence of light create extra depth and relief.
Arte is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: 3 new lighting collections from Christopher Hyde
Having excelled at manufacturing luxury luminaires for an extensive range of interiors for more than 25 years, Christopher Hyde Lighting is showcasing some of the finest designs within the prestigious classic and contemporary collections…
Christopher Hyde has unveiled a stunning range of new lighting products. Here’s our editor’s pick of some of our favourites.
The Carlton Collection comprises of sconces and elegant chandeliers available in antique french gold and antique silver with clear crystal droplets, which can also be available in smoke or mixed glass.
Image caption: The Carlton Collection. | Image credit: Christopher Hyde
The Chicago Collection of floor and table lamps make a subtle, yet functional addition to any hotel room. Suitable for both contemporary and classic interior design styles, the range of mirror-covered floor and table lamps with dark wood details and antique dark bronze finish are supplied with a stone coloured chinette shade.
The Victoria collection includes cut crystal lanterns on a cast brass frame finished in satin chrome and available in three sizes. The style of this collection is quite unique from the more traditional style lanterns who would expect to see.
Image caption: The Victoria Collection. | Image credit: Christopher Hyde
Recently, Christopher Hyde has been working on new product designs and is excited to include these luminaires to the eclectic collections. The Christopher Hyde Lighting team based at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, are always available to offer expert advice.
Christopher Hyde Lighting is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image caption: The Chicago Collection. | Image credit: Christopher Hyde
Texture, style and substance… Clarke & Clarke’s SS22 fabrics collection sets the stage for new heights of performance with technically equipped fabrics that shine in hospitality settings…
Clarke & Clarke’s new fabrics collection for SS22 combines elevated performance in its very fibres, with luxurious style. Whether it is for banquette seating in a bar setting, bedroom headboards or a variety of lobby chairs and stools to greet patrons, Clarke & Clarke’s latest fabric additions, take hospitality design up a notch, offering technically superior fabrics without compromising on style.
Flame retardant, GRS certified (Global Recycling Standard) and utilising innovative materials to achieve high-spec, luxurious fabrics, Orla, Riva and Dawson are three strikingly beautiful new designs, created to capture the essence of many an interior setting and in some instances, mimic fabric textures and details.
Image credit: Clarke & Clarke
Orla, crafted from 52 per cent recycled plastic bottles, is a go-to fabric for upholstery and drapes. Sumptuously soft, the relaxed, natural-feeling fabric has a subtle herringbone detail and an incredibly tactile quality. 24 trend-led colours, all GRS certified, range from subtle naturalistic shades of Pebble and Ash to the more daring Spice and Garnet, complemented by earthy tones of Olive and Saffron, ensuring that the fabric suits a host of interior schemes. The 48 per cent natural cotton ensures a soft and high-quality texture is maintained and this delicate balance of recycled and natural fibres creates a luxe yet relaxed weight, for bespoke drapes and soft upholstered pieces. Orla is the first Studio G recycled product at Clarke & Clarke.
Entering the realm of mimicry, Dawson has mastered the leather-look whilst also being inherently flame retardant, waterproof, antimicrobial and phthalate-free. Durable and sophisticated, Dawson, in its 18 shades and tones, is the perfect embossed faux leather for dining and drinking areas, where traffic is high, and spillages may occur. The antimicrobial fabric is waterproof to one metre and is cigarette and match certified, passes IMO 8 and meets American standards for international specification. Natural hues combine with more punchy jewel tones to create accents and highlights in amongst an otherwise meltingly soft palette of Chestnut and Mahogany, for that classic, leather-bound chair appeal.
Booth seating or bar stool designs look equally high-end in Dawson, with its naturalistic patina and muted shine allowing the texture and feel of the fabric to delicately accent the entire interior setting, be that a cool cocktail bar or a hotel brasserie.
Clarke & Clarke’s reputation for the development of its eco portfolio continues in Riva, a soft, luxurious velvet made entirely from plastic bottles. The opulent drama of Riva’s velvet texture and colour choices, of which there are 25, makes for the ultimate fabric for hospitality settings. This dual-purpose, environmentally conscious fabric is GRS certified (Global Recycling Standard) but does not hold back on glamour and style. Rich, sumptuous and innovative with its harnessing of the power of recycling, this short velvet traverses the spectrum in bold Chartreuse, inky indigo and a heritage-inspired Moss, to complement a rich tapestry of leathers, woods and metals within an interior. Pairing Dawson and Riva in communal settings create texture and depth, for the most convivial environment, limiting environmentally impact and elevating style all at once. Equally, Riva’s rich palette and texture that melts in your fingers would serve private bedrooms and suites beautifully.
Orla, Dawson and Riva join Burlington, whose legacy for strong performance matched with stylish aesthetics continues.
Inspired by the historic Burlington Street, London, home to Savile Row, a distinguished wool feel emerges from a washable, 100 per cent fire retardant fabric. Highly durable and adaptable, Burlington sets the standard for brushed decorative weaves, pairing high performance with that sleek London style.
Crafted in plains, stripes and checks, the 100 per cent inherent FR polyester yarns and overall durability of the fabric does not impact the style, including herringbone and dog tooths, only serving to elevate Burlington’s suitability for hospitality environments.
Clarke & Clarke 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.
Preview: Trends & materials to emerge at Surface Design Show 2022
As we gear up for all things material at the Surface Design Show 2022 next week, where editor Hamish Kilburn will take to the stage moderating two sessions; taking an in depth look at why sustainable interiors matter, and interviewing Tina Nordan on the Legends Live platform, Pauline Brettell takes a sneak peek at what visitors can expect and the emerging design trends for surface design and materials…
Taking place next week at London’s Business Design Centre, Surface Design Show will again provide architects and designers with an exciting and inspirational range of surface designs and materials as it prepares to ‘bring surfaces back to life’. The show promises to inspire with innovation and creativity both in the form of exhibitors, as well as conversations to challenge and debate around issues that are important for the design industry as a whole.
Speaking before the event opens, trend forecaster and curator of the Show’s Surface Spotlight Live feature, Sally Angharad has given us a sneak peek into the trends that are predicted to direct our designs over the coming year. “The design directions I have highlighted see new surfaces that blur the boundaries of material properties and celebrate original characteristics,” explained Angharad. “With greater focus on offering multiple solutions in one, we see solid materials interact with light and mixed material designs that give the customer greater choice. It is particularly exciting to see biodegradable and recycled ingredients driving aesthetics, with a move towards unique colourways and textures. Once again the Show will set the scene for the next year in terms of design ideas.”
These trends, as highlighted and developed by Angharad, have been divided into the appropriately descriptive categories of Soft Lines, Pattern Inlays, Translucent Layers, Bio Magic and Dappled Colour. We take a closer look at the colours, textures, and technology at play, and some of the makers and manufacturers championing them.
The soft lines trend is all about gentle relief surfaces that evoke a sense of calm by featuring tonal shifts and subtle line work for a pared back aesthetic. Tattoo by Italian wallpaper designer and manufacturer Zambaiti Parati showcases this trend in its embossed wallpaper with beautiful soft tactile lines that echo natural stone.
Raven is Europe’s leading Japanese tile specialist, and Yuki is a glazed porcelain tile from Master Ceramicists, INAX of Japan. The YU-KI name is from YU meaning glaze and KI meaning seasons. The standard white colour represents winter snow, the red represents summer sun, and the black represents the night sky of a mid-autumn day. The gentle curved Yuki border form is naturally created by using split bamboo, one of the most familiar materials for Japanese people.
Image credit: Raven
Image credit: Raven
Pattern Inlays looks at how patterns and motifs are introduced in intricate ways, taking inspiration from marquetry techniques, with modular shapes creating a design. Cora Wood Experience has teamed up Pininfarina to create Miraggio a new wooden floor collection that combines different technologies and materials and features complex geometric patterns inspired by natural elements. The idea behind the collection was to create continuous flooring that blurs the borders between the exterior and interior spaces, uniting them with a unique design, mixing the wooden surfaces with ceramic elements.
Wonderwall Studios brings this theme to life in its premium panelling created from salvaged wood, giving discarded timber a second lease of life. Pheonix is perhaps its most avant-garde design, conceived of furniture-grade hardwoods with geometric and organic patterns that collide.
Image credit: Phoenix Wonderwall Studios
Translucent Layers introduces designers to hard materials which explore translucency to maximise on light and space using geometric shapes and interlocking structures. Jodhpur Blue has developed a range of stunning translucent stone sheets that bring this theme to life. Made using a thin layer of stone with a transparent resin backing to create a beautiful stone sheet that can be back lit to enhance the stones features and characteristics.
Another interesting application of this concept can be seen in the installations by Amron Architectural, a trusted supplier and manufacturer of products for the architectural and design industry worldwide. Providing innovative solutions from the workplace to award winning restaurants, used within their schemes are chains by Kriscadecor. This architectural solution uses intricate chains to create semi-transparent textures and shapes from elegant waves to parallel structures.
Image credit: Kriskadecor
Bio Magic is set to be a key trend for 2022 and beyond as it looks at biodegradable ingredients and materials which continue to offer sustainable solutions with developments in colour dyeing and recycling processes bringing new alternatives to the table using food waste. Johnson Tan, one of 32 ‘New Talents’ at Surface Design Show, has created surfaces using food shell waste including eggshells and coffee which creates a delicate, subtle and translucent material. Also found within the New Talent section is Biotic by Studio Lionne Van Deursen, an ongoing research project and material archive. Microbes are used to grow a biological material which is made of bacterial cellulose. This is made using yeast and bacteria in a fermentation process. During this process bacteria spin nano fibres of cellulose and produce a layer on the surface. When this layer has dried, it becomes a solid material that has comparable properties to leather.
Image credit: Biotic Studio
Also innovating on the leather front, Wildman & Bugby brings ecology leather to the show in the form of a sustainable 100 per cent genuine leather made using Olivenleder a biodegradable tanning agent. The leathers within this collection are tanned with the patented wet-green technology. Using the power of nature, the olive leaf extract used for the tanning agent is exclusively made from the fallen leaves of the Mediterranean olive harvest.
Image credit: Wildman 7 Bugby
The Dappled Colour trend heroes the rise in recycled materials and sees more one-off design aesthetics emerge where repurposed materials define the colour palette, embracing dappled patterns and flecks of contrast instead of solid colour.
The Good Plastic Company produces sustainable panels from 100per cent recycled plastic, in addition each panel is made from a single type of plastic so it can easily be recycled, extending the economic life of the material. There is a huge choice of colours and styles with many having a striking dappled colour effect. Another dappled surface being created from plastic is WasBottle from Benecore, a 100per cent recycled HDPL panel designed to produce tabletops, shelves and partition elements and claddings for interiors. Each panel is unique thanks to the randomness of the recycled material showing variations in colour which creates a vibrant dappled texture.
Image credit: Benecore
We are only touching the surface of these trends here, and it is clear that there is a lot to look out for and discover amongst the exhibitors at this years Surface Design Show. As we explore and discover all this material innovation, take time to listen to the conversations on stage. At a time when interior designers are joining others across the industry and are being challenged by the Interior Design Declares petition, these trends and materials take on a greater significance in the big design picture.
Hotel Designs is proud to be a media partner with this event and editor Hamish Kilburn will be moderating the conversation on the main stage on ‘Why sustainable interiors matter and how we plan to transform the industry’ at 19:45 on February 8. The following day Kilburn will join Conran & Partners Tina Norden on stage as part of the ‘Legends Live’ interview series on the main stage 14:30 February 9.
Four Seasons unveils 2022 hotel development pipeline
For Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, 2022 is all about solidifying success and strategic expansion. We take a look at the group’s plans and pipeline for the year ahead…
Luxury hospitality company Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, plans to continue to solidify its position through the strategic expansion of its portfolio of hotels, resorts and residential developments. The company is also extending its luxury lifestyle offering through the growth of Private Retreats, its portfolio of luxury villa and vacation home rentals, its bespoke Private Jet experience and through the Four Seasons at Home luxury goods collection. Despite industry-wide challenges caused by the pandemic, Four Seasons outlook for 2022 looks set to build upon the success of the past year, including the addition of highly anticipated new hotels, resorts and residences in key markets, and the extension of its standalone residential collection with new properties opening last year in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Supporting this growth, the company’s longstanding shareholder, an affiliate of Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (Cascade), closed this month on its acquisition of a majority stake in Four Seasons from its long-term investment partner, an affiliate of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC). The transaction marks a pivotal point for the company, further demonstrating Cascade’s commitment to provide Four Seasons with resources to accelerate growth, support the company’s properties and owners, and expand its strategic goals. KHC retains a 23.75 per cent stake in Four Seasons and remains strongly dedicated to the company’s considerable opportunities.
“2022 marks an important moment in the evolution of Four Seasons as we sharpen our development focus in key markets, strengthen our leadership position as an iconic luxury brand and capitalise on new opportunities that will continue to drive and diversify our growth,” said John Davison, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Realising these opportunities means investing in our greatest competitive advantage – our people. For more than 60 years, the strength of Four Seasons has been grounded in our unmatched commitment to service excellence. As we grow with intention, so too do the opportunities for our people, ensuring we create an environment in which they can flourish.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Four Seasons is building on the momentum of its successful 2021 openings in strategic markets, including in Napa Valley, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Taormina, Italy. The company continues to accelerate expansion plans worldwide with four openings planned for 2022, including exciting new developments in Tamarindo, Mexico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Along with the accelerated pace of new openings, the high valuations and increasing demand for existing Four Seasons properties managed on behalf of owners speaks to the strength of the Four Seasons brand.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Four Seasons has more than 50 new projects under planning or development, including in Italy, Spain, China, Japan, Colombia, Belize and across key markets in the US, all of which will add to the company’s existing portfolio of 122 hotels and resorts and 48 residential properties in 47 countries around the world.
“Four Seasons has a strong, strategic growth trajectory – an extensive pipeline of projects that will open in key global destinations, with visionary development partners who share our commitment to excellence,” said Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “Our residential business in particular is a key pillar in our growth plans, with a five-year pipeline of USD 7 billion in gross sales value comprising more than 30 projects worldwide.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotesl and Resorts
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
New standalone Private Residences, developments not connected to a hotel or resort, set to open in the coming years include Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai at Jumeirah – a project that fully sold out before public sales began – Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin and Four Seasons Private Residences Marrakech at M Avenue. These new standalone developments join the company’s current collection in London, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Other upcoming residential developments connected to an existing or soon-to-open Four Seasons property include Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Nashville, Mumbai, Cartagena and Belize.
As Four Seasons extends its portfolio globally, the company does so with consideration for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) priorities. Four Seasons is committed to sustainable hospitality, including reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, eliminating waste, and sourcing responsibly. To further its commitments to address waste and protect local ecosystems, the company aims to remove all single-use plastic from the guest experience by the end of 2022.
Main image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
EDITION LIGNATUR by KEUCO and TEAM 7 add new furniture pieces
KEUCO and TEAM 7 have announced a new addition to the Edition Lignatur collection of solid wood bathroom furniture. Wild white oak has been added to the collection of premium natural wood surfaces which are the bespoke trademark of this collection…
EDITION LIGNATUR is an exclusive collection of furniture made from natural wood, and is the result of many years of bathroom know-how from KEUCO combined with leading manufacturer TEAM 7’s traditional art of woodworking. Every element of EDITION LIGNATUR furniture has been individually created by the Design House Tesseraux + Partner, as these unique pieces are custom-made and hand built for each and every order.
The original offering of premium natural wood surfaces has been extended, and now includes a distinctive range of wild white oak furniture. Each piece of this light wild oak series features uniquely prominent dark knots. To enhance these natural features, the entire surface is treated with a special formula that includes a natural white oil which helps to give the furniture its distinct appearance. The wild white oak joins the other premium real wood finishes in the range which include noble walnut, oak and Venetian oak. The Venetian oak furniture is made of aged oak piles from the lagoon city of Venice, with their natural shipworm markings as a key feature. Each piece of EDITION LIGNATUR solid wood has its own individual markings, making it one of a kind.
Image credit: KEUCO
As well as introducing the wild white oak finish, the range is also including an additional washbasin, fitting and mirror cabinet options, extending the possibilities for designing exclusive bathrooms. You can now choose from a range of single or double washbasin units and counter top washbasins, as well as side units, tall units and bench seats. The vanity units for surface mounted round washbasins, as well as side units and the coordinated side units, are available with a choice of either with ceramic or glass cover plates.
KEUCO fittings and accessories create a harmonious visual appearance with surfaces in classic chrome or new brushed finishes, including bronze, champagne-coloured nickel, or trendy black chrome. The EDITION LIGNATUR free-standing accessories for the washbasin and toilet incorporate different types of wooden furniture and designs into the range.
Image credit: KEUCO
Image credit: KEUCO
Washbasins made of Varicor or ceramic can be combined with these noble wood surfaces. Round ceramic surface mounted washbasins in white or slate grey complement the product range, and a specially developed free-standing fitting stands enhanced in the middle of the washbasin. The washbasins can also be combined with KEUCO on-wall fittings.
Image credit: KEUCO
The EDITION LIGNATUR mirror cabinet offers a perfect combination of wood, mirrors and light accentuating the natural wood elements of the design, while the shelf inners, rear wall and exterior side panels all made of matching wood. This triple-sided light frame makes it a real highlight in the bathroom and comes as either as a classic on-wall or recessed mirror cabinet.
Image credit: KEUCO
The open shelf is the perfect stage for your favourite products, while the LED lighting can be dimmed by means of a panel giving you the possibility of changing the light colour from warm white to daylight.
The aim of perfectly crafted products is to combine aesthetic forms with sensible functionalities, and this is a claim that is consistently taken into account with this collaborative bathroom collection, right from the idea through to the implementation.
KEUCO is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Product watch: Re-cut from Atelier Reservé for Moooi Carpets
Atelier Reservé is an Amsterdam-based niche brand, founded by the Reverse Boys Alljan Moehamad & designer Deyrinio Fraenk, with a focus to bring old stock fabrics, used materials and vintage garments, back to life. Moooi Carpets’ Re-cut collection is a product of that vision…
Atelier Reservé’s focus is on redesigning and reinventing garments by using a combination of old and new blended fabrics, with uniquely designed Japanese and tattoo references. Not surprisingly, the brand’s design philosophy and aesthetics have led to admiration and representation around South-East Asia, with exclusive high-end retail partners in Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Japan.
The brand’s love for using vintage Levi’s garments and fabrics has also resulted in a long-term collaboration with the global jeans brand. For Levi’s, Atelier Reservé created various limited edition capsule collections, upcycling and reconstructing existing Levi’s classics.
Image credit: Atelier Reservé
Image credit: Atelier Reservé
With these collections, the two brands appeal to a next generation of consumers who are looking for sustainable and unique pieces with a story, and who are not limited by conventional norms, fashion rules or trends. For Atelier Reservé, each item is genderless by nature and can be worn fitted, oversized, inside out, or anyway the owner likes it.
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
Image credit: Moooi Carpets
Without explicitly highlighting its sustainable and organic nature, Atelier Reservé gives an authentic touch to quality garments and embraces the aging process that naturally occurs as a result of day-to-day wear and tear. For Atelier Reservé, ‘one-of-a-kind’ means each garment has its own story with its own unique shape. All garments are made by hand, by a small team at a workshop in Amsterdam. That’s why colours, shapes and details vary. The consistency is in the love for handwork, quality materials and the free-spirited nature of the makers.
Atelier Reservé follows its own nonconforming path and invites its wearers to do the same.
The vintage garments are “Re-cut” to give a longer lifespan to fabrics and raw materials that are already in rotation. Redesigning and reinventing a combination of old and new blended in a unique garment with strong Japanese references.
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.
Duravit offers attractive solutions to safety in the bathroom
Bathrooms can present us with a range of risks and hazards. With this always in mind, Duravit offers solutions that are both safe as well as aesthetically dynamic…
Whether caused by moisture, less than ideal structural conditions, or operator error, typical sources of risk in the bathroom include slipping or stumbling hazards, and scalding hot water. The risk of accidents can be significantly reduced if careful precautions are taken right from the beginning of the design and specification process. Duravit’s range includes a host of elements to enhance safety in the bathroom – whilst still meeting the highest aesthetic standards.
Image credit: Duravit
Preventing falls with a flush-fitting, anti-slip base is why all Duravit acrylic shower trays come with an antislip coating to reduce the risk of slipping on a wet surface. The transparent and yet tangible primer guarantees sureness of footing and slip-resistance. TÜV Rheinland has confirmed quality level C for wet barefoot areas (DIN 51097). For example, all Tempano shower trays are available with this anti-slip coating.
Products made from DuraSolid meet anti-slip requirements even without an additional coating. DuraSolid is a cast mineral material developed by Duravit. Bathtubs made from DuraSolid A feature a matt, velvety surface, and offer a pleasant feel without visible joints and seams – for example the bathtubs of the ranges Cape Cod by Philippe Starck, Dura Square or Luv by Cecilie Manz. Stonetto shower trays with the DuraSolid Q surface texture guarantee safety in the bathroom thanks to class B slip-resistance. Users warm to the innovative mineral material on the first touch thanks to its texture that is reminiscent of natural stone.
Structural conditions need to be taken into account in addition to the composition of bathroom elements. Flush-fitting showers do not have a lip, which helps prevent trips. Tempano offers the option of a straightforward flush-fitting installation, and the specially developed support frame is supplied in a preassembled format and can be easily adapted to the height of the floor structure on site using templates and the adjustable feet that are accessible from above. Stonetto also offers the option of flush-fitting installation.
Image credit: Duravit
Image credit: duravit
Bathroom lighting can be a further safety factor, and a well-lit bathroom makes trip hazards visible –by day and night. Shower-toilets with LED night-light function, such as SensoWash Starck f, offer orientation and safety in the dark without interrupting the body’s repose. All keys on the A2 actuator plate are permanently illuminated in the dark to aid orientation and the night-light function switches on or off automatically, depending on the ambient light. Some mirrors and mirrored cabinet models also feature washbasin lighting that acts as a night light. For example, the L-Cube furniture series comes with an optional installation frame including an integrated LED night light and daylight sensor.
Scald protection thanks to thermostats is another safety feature that can be easily intergrated into a design. A thermostat guarantees that the required temperature can quickly be set and is ideal in cases of recurrent fluctuations in pressure and temperature in the supply pipes. A safety lock at 38 degrees Celsius protects the user from scalding. At the same time, warmer water can be obtained by pressing a safety button and turning the handle further. The C.1 Duravit faucet series by Kurt Merki Jr. includes shower-head and bathtub thermostats for exposed or concealed installation, as is also the case with B.1 and B.2. Shower systems that are optionally available with a thermostat or single lever shower mixer are a practical all-in-one solution. Holistic bathroom design is ensured by B.1, B.2, and C.1, each perfectly match all Duravit series with their soft, striking, or simply unpretentious design language. Polished chrome surfaces ensure a pleasant feel on all models. The combination of the anti-slip and flush-fitting base, illumination, and a thermostat from the Duravit portfolio creates a safe environment, consistent with the design concept of the holistic bathroom.
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.
VIP arrivals: Hottest hotel openings in February 2022
Cutting through the noise around the flood of hotel openings anticipated for Q1 in 2022, Editor Hamish Kilburn shares his pick of the VIP arrivals expected this February. In his round-up, he picks out a quirky LA bolthole, a 250-key luxury abode in New York and a new wellness destination in the Middle East…
So far this year, the most popular stories on Hotel Designs have been the articles that have referenced Marriott, Raffles, Hyatt and Hilton’s hotel openings and development plans in 2022 and beyond. Following popular demand among our readers to be in-the-know when it comes to the latest and greatest hospitality entrances, from this February onwards we have re-launched our much-loved VIP arrivals editorial series.
Each month, the editorial team will take it in turns to lay down the upcoming hotel openings that we cannot stop talking about. So, without further a due, here are my hottest hotel openings to look forward to in February.
One Hundred Shoreditch, London
Image credit: One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel
Image credit: One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel
Located in prime position on Shoreditch High Street, and arriving this February on our ‘hotel openings’ radar, One Hundred Shoreditch is the new hotel from Lore Group, the group behind Sea Containers London, Pulitzer Amsterdam, Riggs Washington DC and Lyle Washington DC. Designed by Lore Group Creative Director Jacu Strauss, One Hundred Shoreditch will 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.
Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Qatar
Image credit: Chiva-Som
For the wellness gurus among us, the news that Chiva-Som is opening a retreat in the Middle East is nothing short of significant for the brand, as well as Qatar. Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som sits in a pioneering destination in the Middle East that blends Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine with a holistic health and wellbeing philosophy, established by Chiva-Som, the internationally acclaimed wellness resort in Thailand.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
Image credit: Marriott International
Following our insight into Marriott’s 2022 hotel development pipeline, there is one hotel that stands out for us in that exciting mix of hotel openings in Manhattan, and that’s the The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, steeped in history but we are told will feel ‘thoroughly modern’. The 250-key hotel, which will finally open this February, shelters a spa with eight treatment rooms, an all-day dining restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés and almost 1,000 square-metres of event space.
YOTELPAD Miami
Image credit: YOTEL
Taking the clever hospitality concept that made YOTEL famous and loved among the on-the-go modern travellers, but packaging it up with a more residential feel, YOTELPAD, we expect, is going to turn heads on the global long-stay hospitality scene. Each PAD is the epitome of efficiency, with custom European kitchen and bath cabinetry with stone finishes, contemporary flooring and beautifully made furniture and that transforms to do everything modern guests need.
Short Stories Hotel
Image credit: Short Stories Hotels
In the heart of Los Angeles sits a 66-key boutique hotel that is about to open a new hospitality experience, where the stories may be short but also deeply meaningful. Short Stories Hotel LA draws inspiration from LA’s breezy natural aesthetic and pace, and will serve as a ‘tranquil retreat in an urban core’.
MET La Paz
Image credit: The Panorama Hospitality Group
Image credit: The Panorama Hospitality Group
Opening in one of Bolivia’s trendiest neighbourhoods, the 76-key MET La Paz will shelter a contemporary design narrative, which will flow through from the lobby/open restaurant area right into the guestrooms and suites.
Inhabit Queen’s Gardens, London
Image credit: Inhabit Hotel / Tim Evan Cook
Image credit: Inhabit Hotel / Tim Evan Cook
Listed in our ‘hottest arrivals in 2022‘, Inhabit London Queen’s Gardens will open as an intimate boutique hotel comprising of 159 uplifting guestrooms, along with carefully considered social spaces. Just like its sister hotel, which shares the same city as its home, Inhabit Queen’s Gardens has been created with a passion for wellbeing and living in a way that supports a healthy mind and body, as well as modelling responsible hospitality practices.
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!
Weekly digest: Design deliveries, ace openings & development pipelines
Namaste! Editor Hamish Kilburn here to wrap up your week (and month) with the only story you need to read this week in order to be fully aware of the latest movements on the hotel design and hospitality scene. This week’s round-up includes news from the likes of Marriott, The Set Collection and Ace Hotel Group…
Is it that time already? Fridays on the editorial desk at Hotel Designs always starts the same: with a piping-hot coffee followed by scroll of our analytics to see which of the headlines published over the last five days have been a hit with our readers.
As we prepare to bid farewell to what I am glad to call a stable month – a welcome novelty given the unpredictable times we were all working in over the last two years – the stories that have stood out this week as our most-read include interviews and features that all share a common denominator; they are all looking towards brighter, happier and healthier times – PMA to the rescue!
Channelling nothing by good vibes, here are our top stories from the week.
Image caption: A contemporary guestroom inside Mamilla Jerusalem. | Image credit: The Set Collection
Inside The Set Collection’s iconic London hotel, Hotel Café Royal, Hotel Designs meets legendary hotelier and Executive Director Jean-Luc Naret to discuss hotel development, the definition of luxury and how (and why) the collection is expanding.
“A decade on from that spectacular opening party, I am back here, inside the Regent Suite that casts an unparalleled view over Piccadilly Circus, to meet Jean-Luc Naret, the Executive Director of The Set Collection, which is made up of a cluster of iconic hotels in spectacular locations.”
The Hilton Cologne is nestled in an amazing location in Cologne’s city heart, being a stone’s throw from the most visited attraction in the city, the Cologne Cathedral. The city is also known for its vibrant cultural scene, including numerous festivals such as Cologne Carnival, Cologne Lights, Cologne Pride, Art Cologne, IMM Cologne, Heinzels Winter Fairy-tale: Handbrotzeit and several food festivals, amongst many others. The hotel itself was once home to Cologne’s postal savings bank, a landmark building on the famous Marzellenstrasse. The building’s heritage is the inspiration behind the interior design of The Pigeon Post Bar & Eatery by the THDP design studio, which expresses this vintage vibe, while being considered and contemporary with some fun quirky details.
The opening of the 124-key Ace Hotel Toronto this June will mark the brand’s debut property in Canada. The modern hotel, which has been developed in partnership with Zinc Developments and Alterra Group and designed by Toronto-based design firm Shim-Sutcliffe Architects in collaboration with Atelier Ace’s interior design team, will be housed in a new building in Toronto’s Garment District designed. “Our intention with Ace Hotel Toronto was to make a positive contribution to our city, a welcoming civic space where life happens and memories are made, and where both locals and their guests feel equally at home, Brigitte Shim from Shim-Sutcliffe Architects told Hotel Designs.
It was one of the most ambitious architecture and hotel development projects that Leicester Square had ever seen. The plans for the world’s first ‘super boutique’ hotel,The Londoner, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, engineer experts at Arup Associates and artist Ian Monroe, reportedly cost £5 million and included 15-storeys of innovative design and architecture.
It’s not the first time celebrities have dipped their toe in the hospitality waters, with the likes of Hugh Jackman, Donatella Versace, Elizabeth Hurley and of course Robert De Niro among A-listers owning hotels. The recent addition to the list includes Pharrell Williams and David Grutman who in 2021 opened The Goodtime Hotel to rave reviews.
Less than a year later, the pair have tasked design and architecture studio Rockwell Group to bring to life their next hotel vision of a design-forward lifestyle hotel in The Bahamas.
At the end of 2021, the hotel group’s worldwide system consisted of nearly 8,000 properties and roughly 1.48 million rooms in 139 countries and territories. At year-end, the company had the largest global development pipeline, with roughly 485,000 rooms.
Image caption: This month, Perkins&Will announced how it plans to go carbon neutral on its projects by 2030. | Image credit: Perkins&Will
I would like to address the greenwashing effects of buzzwords. The latest of which, surrounding the topic of sustainability, is ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, Governance. The decision was made (by whom, I am still not entirely sure) to replace the over-used term of ‘sustainability’ with ‘ESG’ in the hope of encouraging people to think about the wider context. But in doing so, the problem has in fact escalated. I have waited until now, adhering to the unspoken rule of thinking before I speak, to put forward my views on this matter, but I’m afraid my frustration has boiled over.
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!
Why architectural ironmongery is key to successful hotel design
The individual components of a hotel are cherry picked to strike the perfect balance between aesthetic and functionality. To achieve this, architectural ironmongery is crucial, says Paul Smith, Head of Specification Sales at Häfele UK…
As hotel design projects progress, budget limitations sometimes mean the teams have to swap the originally specified products for cheaper alternatives. As a result, the final hurdle of the project – which sees the initial vision truly come to life – becomes more about hitting cost requirements than selecting the best products for the building’s needs, and the guest’s expectations.
The assistance of an architectural ironmonger at the specification stages of a project can prove vital. Helping to translate and convert your requirements into a functional and legally compliant ironmongery schedule, an ironmongery expert will also help achieve an overall aesthetic that will impress your guests and ensure the finished building has the wow factor.
Image credit: Häfele UK
On a recent project at the Harrington Hall Hotel in South Kensington, the Häfele Projects 360 team were called on to help create a luxury interiors scheme that would leave a lasting impression on guests. They developed and supplied a suite of UK-manufactured brass door hardware, specially finished in satin and antique styles, to complement the building’s character and established aesthetic while adding a modern edge.
The Häfele Projects 360 Team offers hotel designers and operators a solution to ensure design consistency across an entire building, from start to finish. The team is made up of more than 20 Guild of Architectural Ironmongers who are DipGAI qualified and were some of the founding members of the GuildMark Scheme, assuring customers of the highest standards of modern specification.
Image credit: Häfele UK
Its tailored programmes of work are built around specific budgets and deadlines, while also adhering to current construction design standards, offering bespoke solutions which ensure each hotel stands out for its individuality. The team offers design consultation, product specification and product selection, as well as order management, ongoing support and after sales care. All of this helps customers achieve the levels of accuracy, attention to detail and absolute functionality required for every part of their project, with a specific focus placed on architectural ironmongery.
For example, via Häfele’s industry standard door scheduling software, the Häfele Projects 360 team can prepare accurate and detailed ‘door by door schedules’ for hotel projects of all shapes and sizes. Customers will receive an easy to follow document with a comprehensive list of all doors within the project and the related hardware, tailored to specific requirements, including product imagery and pricing information, grouping similar products into hardware sets.
Additionally, Häfele’s breadth of range means that it has products to suit every budget. The team can work to the original ironmongery brief without amending the functionality, a solution can be sourced to suit the budget of a project without compromising on the intended look and feel, meaning a client’s original vision need never be sacrificed. The finishing touches of a hotel scheme should be equally prioritised as the bricks and mortar. As the space develops, moving from concept to reality, the finite detail must remain a big deal and be delivered in such a way to ensure your project runs efficiently, meets the expectations of customers today and stands out in a crowded marketplace. The Häfele experts are on hand to oversee the entire process, leaving operators to focus on getting people through their doors.
Häfele is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Hypnos Contract beds can be found in Hotel Indigo hotels across the UK and Europe. We take a look at how Hypnos seamlessly delivers comfort to two very different hotel design styles…
The first Hotel Indigo opened in 2004, and today this wonderful boutique hotel brand from IHG can be found all over the world. Each Hotel Indigo delivers authentic local experiences, modern design and intimate service with the peace of mind and consistency of staying with one of the world’s largest hotel groups. And because no two neighbourhoods are alike, neither are any two Hotel Indigo properties. Every Hotel Indigo has its own character, no matter where in the world, but they all have one thing in common, and that is to provide exceptional customer experience, which of course, includes a great night’s sleep.
Hypnos beds can be found in Hotel Indigo’s across the UK and Europe. Olivier Brommet, Director of Global Business Development, Hypnos Contract Beds explains why. “Hypnos are the only bed manufacturer approved to supply the worlds four largest international hotel groups,” said Brommet. “Our extensive network of global representative’s service and supply our clients in their locality. This collaborative approach allows us to provide our global clients such as IHG with bespoke solutions consistently across their hotels around the world.”
Hotel Indigo Cagnes-sur-Mer and Hotel Indigo Bath are two perfect examples of how design style can be completely different, but guests can be sure of the same comfortable night’s sleep.
Image credit: Hypnos / Hotel Indigo
Bedrooms at the Hotel Indigo Bath are contemporary with a traditional twist, reflecting the age and style of the 18th century Georgian building whist also catering for modern tastes. Each of the stunning 166 guestrooms are furnished with fabulously comfy Hypnos beds.
Image credit: Hypnos / Hotel Indigo
Hotel Indigo Cagnes-sur-Mer is the perfect escape on the French Riviera. This modern hotel provides a peaceful haven from the bustle of this medieval city, while Hypnos beds provide a more classic comfort in the contemporary design scheme. In the past, the city was used as a great retreat for all kinds of artists, most famously Renoir who spent his last 12 years living just around the corner from Hotel Indigo site.
With this meeting of great brands, guests can enjoy a great night’s sleep after exploring beautiful culturally rich cities across the UK and Europe, as Hypnos beds can be found in Hotel Indigo’s, from Stratford upon Avon to Glasgow in the UK, and from Belgrade to Madrid in Europe.
Hypnos 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 checks in: ESG, let’s talk about it (consciously)
Are you discombobulated with the various buzzwords that are circulating conversations around sustainability? Why are we being advised to use the term ESG, and what does it even mean? Editor Hamish Kilburn attempts to answer these questions when trying desperately to encourage people to be more conscious when using terminology on the global design and hospitality scene…
Throughout my childhood, there was one saying over others that I remember most vividly. “Think before you speak,” my mother, teacher – even my gymnastics coach, would say. It’s been ingrained into my head ever since I received soap in my mouth after asking for the ‘effing’ marmalade at the breakfast table, when my grandparents were present.
As I grew up, careless back-chatting advanced into opinions being formed. Later, this transformed, as luck would have it, into a career of journalism where I have always found comfort and passion in sticking up for the unpopular and ethically addressing the formally unsaid or underrepresented (or both at times).
“ESG stands for Environmental, Social, Governance.”
With that in mind – and in the risk of sounding overtly negative in this already challenging era of design and hospitality – I would like to address the greenwashing effects of buzzwords. The latest of which, surrounding the topic of sustainability, is ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, Governance. The decision was made (by whom, I am still not entirely sure) to replace the over-used term of ‘sustainability’ with ‘ESG’ in the hope of encouraging people to think about the wider context. But in doing so, the problem has in fact escalated. I have waited until now, adhering to the unspoken rule of thinking before I speak, to put forward my views on this matter, but I’m afraid my frustration has boiled over.
Image caption: When it opens later this year, Inhabit Queen’s Gardens will shelter a conscious design narrative, which is sustainable and innovative. | Image credit: Inhabit Hotel / Tim Evan Cook
“The truth is, I don’t care what words are use, so long as they are spoken or written with morality, understanding and meaning.” – Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs.
Having watched friends, colleagues, clients and brands blurt out the term without fully comprehending it, enough is enough. And they are not alone, nor do I blame them. Many people, quite understandably, assume (making an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’ in the process) that the ‘S’ in ESG stands for ‘sustainability’, which voids the entire sentiment of using yet another acronym. Instead it stands for social; the social impacts of decisions.
In addition, admittedly fuelled by passion and good will, eco-warriors – of which I say with sensitivity as I put myself in the same category – unintentionally have amplified the stigma around sustainability that heavily suggests that if you’re not using the right terminology then you’re on the wrong side of history against the wider issue of climate change.
The truth is, I and many others who care deeper about the wider and devastating impacts of climate change, don’t care what words are use, so long as they are spoken or written with morality, understanding and meaning. I can get on board with ESG, but I do feel like there are other words that can be used that offer more clarity.
Image caption: This month, Perkins&Will announced how it plans to go carbon neutral on its projects by 2030. | Image credit: Perkins&Will
I also fear that the industry’s strive to say the right thing, instead of trying to do everything we can to live and work more consciously, will camouflage those who are proposing and delivering very good and innovative work behind the scenes, which is where the attention should really be focused on. This month, we shone the spotlight on several of these, including Perkins&Will’s mission to become Net Zero by 2030, Harrison Spinks’ on-going journey to become carbon-neutral by 2023 and two hotels that, when they open, will seriously disrupt and challenge the current hospitality landscape. In just a few weeks, I will have the pleasure of joining industry legends from Interior Design Matters on stage at the Surface Design Show to discuss the significance of sustainability and why we all should act now to become better working citizens.
As we leave January behind – having explored hotel openings and smart tech – we move into investigating our upcoming features; surface design and lighting. 2022 is well and truly underway, folks and, during the next 11 months, I hope you will see how our committed team will discover the unsung heroes when finding those around us who are showing original and conscious concepts that will better people.
If hotel designers, architects, hoteliers and brands developed themselves while being conscious to those around them as well as the environment they are in, then the hospitality and hotel design landscape, on a global level, would be a much cleaner and greener place to sleep, work, play and eat.
MEET UP London: Early bird promotion ends this Friday!
A short sharp shout-out for our early bird promotion which runs until 17:00 on Friday (yes, that’s tomorrow!) for you to claim your early bird tickets to Hotel Designs‘ Q1 networking event, MEET UP London…
Where:MEET UP London is taking place in the Minotti London showroom on March 24 2022, so not only will you get to meet and network with professionals across the disciplines in the hospitality design industry, but you will be doing it in an inspiring space.
What: MEET UP London is a networking event, designed specifically to bridge the gap between designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers. This next MEET UP will be themed ‘inspiring creativity’.
Why: “If we have learned anything from the last few years, it is that hotel design and hospitality is fuelled extensively by human relationships,” said editor Hamish Kilburn who will return to the Minotti London to host MEET UP London. “If our recent face-to-face networking events, including The Brit List Awards 2021, are anything to go by, designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers alike have a strong appetite for meaningful networking events. And with that qualitative research complete, we are once again ready to serve.”
The early bird promo runs until 17:00 on Friday 28 January – between now and then, tickets for designers, architects, hoteliers and developers are just £10 + VAT (inflating to £20 + VAT after early bird promo). For anyone else, they are just £99 + VAT (inflating to £150 + VAT after early bird promo).
Not wanting to make you panic, but…please note, there are limited tickets available for MEET UP London. Due to the demand for this event, we anticipate that tickets will sell out. To purchase tickets, click on either the supplier booking form tab or the Buyer booking form tab*.
* Only designers, architects, hoteliers and developers qualify as ‘buyers’.
Product watch: Sekers launches two new collections
Sekers has launched two new fabric collections, Grandeur and Munro, both referencing the brands Scottish locale as inspiration in the sheer weaves and textured neutrals…
Fabric brand Sekers has launched its first sustainable collection woven in Global Recycling Standard certified polyester, whilst continuing to meet the necessary contract market requirements. The Grandeur collection features a textured plain with a complementary wide width sheer, woven in a refined palette of sophisticated neutrals, cool greys, attractive pinks and soft, dusky blues.
Image credit: Sekers
Grandeur is made up of two designs; Glamis and Kinnaird. Glamis is composed of 53 per cent recycled polyester and 47 per cent polyester, and ideally suits being used to make contract curtains, bedding and accessories. This design has an elegant, raised strié effect which gives a subtle striped appearance on the fabric. The use of Glamis can add a hint of personality when used in an interior space, as it adds a textural element to the room which will not go unnoticed. The supporting plain wide width sheer, is composed of 100 per cent recycled polyester, making this collection the ideal choice for the environmentally conscious designers specifying for the hospitality and leisure markets.
Sustainability aside, this washable collection also has a delicate hand and fluid drape, proving Grandeur to be an elegant addition to any hospitality or leisure interior.
Image credit: Sekers
Image credit: Sekers
Munro, inspired by Scotland’s towering mountains, glistening lochs and golden beaches, is a striking collection of five decorative, wide width sheers. The five designs in this collection all clearly directing us to the source of inspiration, are Dorain, Lomond, Macdui, Nevis and Wyvis. Dorain is a dramatic net textile with intertwining yarns, giving this design a bold, noticeable appearance. Lomond is a dense weave with a subtle lustre, while Nevis draws inspiration from the rippling water of Loch Eil which reflects the mighty peak of Ben Nevis. The fourth design, Macdui, resembles the plateau of the mountain which is covered with granite gravel and boulder fields. Its delicate texture flaunts decorative floats which display an attractive ombré effect. Finally, Wyvis shows off an exaggerated strié effect which mimics the grand cliff edges.
Much like Scotland’s landscape, this collection will take your breath away. Munro is available in a refined palette inspired by the natural world with a great selection of greys, whites and blues. Munro is an elegant addition to any interior and the ideal choice for the designer specifying for the hospitality, leisure and marine (with the exception of Dorain and Lomond) markets.
Sekers is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
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