In the HIX seat: Developing and designing for the post-pandemic world together
With the UK road map, outlined by the government, showing signs of recovery, our columnist Joel Butler unveils the six discussion points that HIX Event will focus on when it welcomes the design community to London in November…
A week ago, I return home from dropping my daughter off at school for the first time in five months – a milestone that feels like that first daffodil head springing up in March. You knew it was going to happen, nevertheless the joy it brings is palpable.
You would have thought that a week later the novelty would have passed. It hasn’t. So please excuse my fanciful prose and humour me, allow me to muse on the wonderful parallels between our literal and metaphorical Spring times. I’ve just had a coffee, you see, and as I said I’m not having to struggle through primary school math today. Here goes…
“And right on cue, indoor hospitality appears with its luscious shades of interiors, drinks and meals are scoffed and slurped with grateful abundance.” – Joel Butler, Co-Founder, HIX Event.
As the cherry blossom of a nation’s beer garden falls into its half-full pint glass, design showrooms bloom at once, Clerkenwell, Chelsea, Angel, Wigmore Street open up in unison. And right on cue, indoor hospitality appears with its luscious shades of interiors, drinks and meals are scoffed and slurped with grateful abundance. Ideas, real conversations, and even more ideas climb the walls like the illustration of Max’s room in ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, and then we celebrate the opening ceremony of a youthful summer, the full wonders of life sway and dance with a gentle breeze as all social restrictions cease.
I really can’t wait for the above things to happen across the UK, the rest of Europe and around the world. We’ve designed HIX around the way people are likely to feel once varying restrictions have been lifted from their lives and I’ll be exploring these topics within this column in the run up to the event in November.
The pandemic has been a challenging time for all and a truly horrific one for so many. The six discussions that define HIX 2021 will recognise this, often starting in a place of anxiety and darkness. With help from our speakers, contributors, and audience we’ll then journey towards opportunity and something better.
Our six discussions focus on how hotels can develop and design around their guest’s feelings in a post-pandemic world.
Financial Anxiety towards meaningful value
Solitude towards shared experience
Masks, gels and distance towards safety
Misinformation towards truth
An existential office dilemma to the hotel as our brave new workplace
Collective mental and physical health pressure towards self-compassionate design
Between now and November, we’ll invite discussion, debate, opinion and solutions to these challenges. For now, though, I’ll have another quick coffee before school finishes.
Supplier feature: What makes a good flooring contractor?
How do you decide who is going to be your chosen Flooring contractor? How can you differentiate between the good, the bad and the best? Here are the questions you should ask yourself – and why Falcon Contract Flooring considers itself to be ‘the company to choose’…
Certification & Licenses
Professional flooring Companies should have certification to prove they are as good as they say. What are the certificates to look out for and what do they mean?
ISO – International Organisation for Standardisation – according to their website states to “think of them as a formula that describes the best way of doing something.” That said, Falcon have obtained ISO 45001 for Health & Safety Management.
Working in construction, it is important to keep everyone safe and people’s safety is our priority. Falcon is also Safe Contractor approved, showing organisations we are a safe, stable and an ethical business to partner with.
Chas is recognised as the leading accreditation with over 2,000 clients and 32,500 contractors. Falcon have been certified by Chas for several years.
Caring for the environment is a major factor when choosing the right contractor. There are certifications to prove whether a company is green, and Falcon have achieved certificates in ISO 14001 – Environmental Management and are proud to be part of Carpet Recycling UK.
Every client is looking for the highest of standards and should only accept the very best. ISO 9001 – Quality Management System is another certification for Falcon. Considerate Constructors and Smas are also certificates we have attained. Construction line offer a grading system – Bronze, Silver and Gold, and Falcon have already gained the silver certificate. We are currently in the assessment stage of achieving gold.
Communication
A vital part of any partnership is communication. Any customer will need to have total trust with the contractor of choice to really bring their vision to life. At Falcon we offer complete transparency. We love working with likeminded businesses to avoid any grey areas! We work with people we like and people that like us. It is so important we are always open and honest.
With each project there is a dedicated project manager available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our dedicated, committed, and experienced team will be by your side, every step of the way. If a customer has any queries or needs advice, Falcon will happily assist.
We are here to build solid working relationships, making sure our customers always return. We believe having new flooring should be a journey and a nice one at that. Our 30-year relationship with Whitbread confirms this. Falcon have worked hard to become their chosen contractor and have proven time and again why nobody else does it like we do.
It is not just customers who Falcon build solid relationships with. Our procurement team work tirelessly with existing and new suppliers, finding those who are the most reliable, efficient, and cost-effective but above all else that have the same values and culture as Falcon.
Experience
Every client wants a well experienced contractor, who knows what they are doing and will not let them down. More experience means better knowledge. Falcon started as two men in a van. More than 35 years later, two men have increased to more than 20 office staff with over 100 installers on the road. One van has increased to 50. Nationwide, it is hard to miss a Falcon van.
“The company has grown at a staggering rate over the last five years and achieved 675 per cent growth.”
Falcon has been built on family values, our Chairman Ian Hassall has been with the company since 1994 and officially took over ten years later. It is now led by sons Charles and Tom, who have been with the company for more than 15 years. The company has grown at a staggering rate over the last five years and achieved 675 per cent growth. The company grows but the values are still the same. The Board of directors know that this is a crucial enabler for future growth!
Nothing says experience better than awards. Falcon have won awards for the past three consecutive years: Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year – Midlands 2018, National Small Family Busines of the Year 2019 and most recently; Best Commercial Flooring Company – UK 2020.
If it were not for the hard work, committed experienced staff, and the continued support from our partners these prestigious awards would not be ours. It is something we are very proud of.
Flexibility
You have found your contractor of choice. You have chosen your product. You are all ready to go. But the contractor lets you down! You need to make sure you can find a contractor who can adapt to your timeframes of choice, who can attend a site anywhere in the country at any time of the day. Well, Falcon can and do.
Falcon understand the importance of hotels keeping rooms online 24-7 to cope with supply and demand, which is why we offer a reactive and maintenance service whereby we receive a call out, attend site, repair or replace the flooring in that area and have the area back online to be sold within a 24hr period. An offline / sold damaged room means a loss of revenue to any hotel. So, the faster the room / area can be repaired and back online the better for hotel revenue and customer satisfaction. This is a service that Travelodge, Whitbread and Marriott have taken full advantage of and Falcon continue to deliver every time. At the beginning of February, Falcon were assigned 300 hotel bedrooms throughout multiple sites across the UK. These needed to be complete in 10 days. We did not disappoint and completed every room with two days to spare.
As a nationwide flooring contractor, with installers based around the country, we can adapt to any time frame, day or night. Falcon also have a large client base within the healthcare sector so understand the need for sticking to timeframes and adapting at the last minute. If a hospital theatre has an emergency, Falcon will adjust accordingly. We do not disappoint and will work through the night if necessary, to make sure the job is finished to the highest of standard.
Process
A clear and precise process to minimalise mistakes or confusion is the key factor for any good client-contractor relationship. From enquiry to free digital survey, Falcon have specialised surveyors who work closely with our estimating team who quantify the materials required, making sure there is as little waste as possible, helping both the environment and saving the customer money.
Our quote is honest and clear, detailing everything the job will entail. A detailed and personalised project pack is sent out which includes highlighted areas and a virtual reality based on what the projects could look like. All relevant contact details are also listed.
Quality checks are completed during and upon completion, with our flooring experts reviewing each final detail to make sure it is up to FCF standard. We like to deliver a vision, and to make you happy.
Testimonials
When choosing a flooring contractor, it is always important to see what other companies think. Sometimes, a sales pitch and the truth are not always the same thing. Like anything, a review is sometimes the thing that seals the deal. Falcon have testimonials from some of our top partners; Travelodge states: “[We have] been very impressed with service standards, speed of service and account management. Speed and customer service is second to none compared to any of our outsourced contractors.”
As well as working for well-known hospitality brands, Falcon have made good relationships with other construction companies. Novus Contractors said: “They are our nominated contractors. The office staff are brilliant, they have answers at their fingertips, no ‘umming and erring’, they have information instantly. The guys on site are absolutely superb, they have been known to start earlier and stay later to stick to the tight program. One of the best contractors we’ve ever worked with.”
Falcon Contract Flooring is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Wallpaper goals: Adding personality in public spaces
With all this talk around hygiene and reassuring the post-corona consumer, to avoid spaces looking too clinical we need to start talking about how we inject personality back into the public areas. Cue the arrival of Arte’s latest wallcoverings collections that give off some serious haute couture vibes and a splash of wallpaper goals…
Many hotel spaces have now evolved to become community hubs, appealing to not only business guests and tourists, but equally people looking for an experience, whether that be a spa day, a business breakfast or a social lunch. Consumers are savvier and more informed, looking for something more substantial than a comfortable stay, so it’s important to ensure any public space is decorated in a way that appeals to all senses and creates a unique, stand out interior.
Gone are the days where a hotel lobby was acting merely as a transitional space for check-ins; this is the first place guests will see when they arrive and the last place they will see before they leave, therefore it’s important to make a lasting impression. This is an area with the highest traffic in the entire hotel; it’s one that guests will move through many times, therefore it needs to be both functional, but also stylish, atmospheric and vibrant.
Hotels are recognising the value in utilising and maximising their large spaces to attract footfall above the guests staying at the hotel. Interior designers are experimenting with different aesthetics and textures to add interest to these spaces, elevating not only the design, but also the common perception of what a hotel should like; dreary walls, covered in a singular paint colour or outdated wallpaper are being swapped for statement designs, playful patterns and distinguished textures.
From small boutique hotels like the art deco inspired Hotel Victor Hugo in France, with interiors by Laurent Maugoust featuring the gorgeous, hand-embroidered Crane pattern in their lobby to larger hotel groups such as the Hilton Tanger City Centre in Morocco, designed by Jaime Beriestain Studio featuring the geometric Sapphire Maze in one of their restaurant spaces, Arte’s designs have been expertly used by interior designers in hotel lobbies, bars and restaurants around the world for over 40 years to transform public spaces into places with character and personality.
Wallpaper is one of the simplest ways to refresh and add interest to a space, yet, it can be one of the most impactful. With materiality and texture at the heart of Arte, many of their wallpaper designs push boundaries of what is known as ‘traditional wallpaper’ and incorporate innovative techniques and finishes from heat embossed 3d fabrics, printed textiles and natural materials including silk, raffia and sisal to denim, velvet and leather, the possibilities in both texture and design are endless.
Lush and rich, jungle and tropical foliage designs such asPalmera, Abanico, Java or Silk Road Garden, as well as the more paired back florals of Wildflower or Grow will work equally well for an all-over scheme or a statement wall to give a sense of comfort by bringing the outdoors in through motifs and colours seen in nature, adding life and light to a space and allowing us to maintain that connection to nature.
Image caption: Java | Image credit: Arte
Many interior designers are abandoning the traditional rules of decorating and embracing the idea of combining different wallpaper designs in the same space, mixing textures and bolder designs with different colours across the walls, layering with other decorative items in the space, for a dramatic, maximalist scheme. Arte’s collections are designed in a way that offers a comprehensive palette of colours, ranging across a wide range of textures, prints and patterns – allowing for designs to be combined and mixed in a way that results in a playful, but cohesive scheme.
Intreguing and interesting textures can be found across the collections, including heat embossed 3d patterns as seen in Intrigue, Enigma and Eclipse, as well as the rich velvet, suede and leather textures of Velveteen, Les Cuirs and Lush. The 3d, heat embossed Caisson design from the Eclipse collection was used by designer Gensler to dress the walls in the Baton Rouge Hotel, resulting in an interior that not only looks elegant and gives the illusion of French panelling on the wall, but one that feels warm and comforting. Aside from being extremely durable and long-lasting (with the added bonus of acoustic qualities), these heavier textures are a great way to add both flair and warmth to a space, be it a restaurant or a hotel bedroom; creating a relaxing, yet stylish space.
Image caption: Les Cuirs | Image credit: Arte
Image caption: Velveteen | Image credit: Arte
Arte’s wallcoverings are not only creative and innovative, but each collection offers a myriad of possibilities for transforming a public space, be it through colour, pattern or texture, making it easy for designers to create spaces that are sophisticated, impactful and engaging.
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.
Virtual roundtable: Bespoke possibilities in luxury design
To specify or not to specify, that was the initial question that editor Hamish Kilburn put forward to our expert panel of designers and lighting masterminds for our latest roundtable, in association with bespoke lighting brand Dernier & Hamlyn, on bespoke possibilities in luxury design…
There are a plethora of well-documented benefits linked to selecting bespoke products in a luxury brief – it eliminates the need to flex or drastically change the interior design scheme, for starters. Bespoke is therefore, in many if not all scenarios, the best and most preferred solution among leading designers where budget is no barrier. Or is it? In association with the bespoke lighting experts at Dernier & Hamlyn, we recently invited a cluster of leading interior designers and world-renowned lighting experts in order to explore the bespoke possibilities in luxury design. As well as understanding today’s perception of ‘luxury’ among clients and guests alike, we were intrigued to also understand the pitfalls designers should avoid when deciding to go bespoke.
Meet the panel:
Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs
Hamish Brown, Partner, 1508 London
Jo Littlefair, Co-Founder and Director, Goddard Littlefair
Justin Wells, CEO, Wells International
Kirstin King, Design Director, Bergman Interiors
Mark Harper, Head of Design, Dernier & Hamlyn
Paul Nulty, Founder, Nulty Lighting
Simon Rawlings, Creative Director, David Collins Studio
Tina Norden, Partner, Conran and Partners
Shayne Brady, Director, Brady Williams Studio
Hamish Kilburn: How have hotel operators’ perception of luxury design changed over the past few years? Is what used to be considered luxury now standard? And what does this mean for designers in ensuring their schemes exude luxury?
Justin Wells: We pontificate over luxury so much – it’s just like defining colour! Firstly, it’s very important to know your audience – and that includes understanding cultures and demographics. In our experience, luxury in North America has been around legacy brands. In more perhaps progressive markets, such as South East Asia, for example, they are certainly trying to reposition luxury to be more lifestyle. In the region of the Middle East, which is where I am now, the perception of luxury is to make up for lost time. Elsewhere, in more mature markets, such as Europe, there’s certainly a reinvention happening at the moment, which is very exciting.
HK: You talk about perception, which makes me want to bring in social media and this demand for ‘accessible luxury’ into the conversation. Has that damaged the integrity of luxury hospitality?
Simon Rawlings: It’s interesting, we’re finding that luxury is becoming more standardised, certainly when it comes to peoples’ expectations of luxury. With many brands and experiences that are global, we’re really seeing that each region’s differences are disappearing, which is actually quite boring when you want to emphasise differences.
“Authentic luxury has to be very particular to that project, and to standardise luxury is dangerous.” – Simon Rawlings, Creative Director, David Collins Studio.
Luxury is a difficult thing to pinpoint and it can be as simple as beautiful service in an ordinary space. Authentic luxury has to be very particular to that project, and to standardise luxury is dangerous.
Also, we will never get a brief that says ‘we want to be a luxury hotel’. Instead, it will be the ideas and thoughts around sustainability, aims to stand out from the crowd that, combined, lead spaces and projects to look and feel more luxurious. The idea that luxury is lavish and excessive is an outdated mindset. For us, it’s been an interesting and exciting time recently because a lot of the briefs we have received in the last few months show that people are really willing to invest in good design.
“The luxury element 10 – 20 years ago would have been more around the materials and finishes, but it’s less and less about that now.” – Kirsten King, Design Director, Bergman Interiors.
Image caption: Interiors inside Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, designed by David Collins Studio, which features bespoke lighting from Dernier & Hamlyn | Image credit: Jack Hardy
Kirstin King: For us, the luxury element 10 – 20 years ago would have been more around the materials and finishes, but it’s less and less about that now. Instead, it has become much more about lifestyle. We have to think more intelligently to really understand the local craftsmen, and in doing so we need to pair things back to allow the ambiance to naturally reflect luxury.
Paul Nulty: For us, luxury lighting design is something that fires all the senses. Whether it’s visual or a composition. If it’s heightening the senses and the emotional connection with that space, then it feels luxurious.
HK: Similarly, how have guests’ perceptions of luxury design changed over the past few years?
Hamish Brown: We have always worked with private clients, and our understanding on what luxury guests need and demand stems from experience in residential. The key difference that consumers are expecting now is that sense of place. Across all brands, the industry went through a brief moment of standardisation, but now we are seeing brands really understand and celebrate cultural difference. For example, if you take two Four Seasons properties in two locations within one country. By both capturing the local flavours of their unique destination, it sets them aside from each other. That in itself becomes luxurious, bespoke and individual. And then, what happens is that the brand’s DNA gets threaded into the design scheme through consistent service – it’s no longer a look or an aesthetic but much more a feeling.
HK: With the sheer number of options that suppliers offer in their standard ranges these days, why is the demand for bespoke design in luxury projects still growing?
Jo Littlefair: I think that bespoke design, both in hospitality and high-end residential, gives you the flexibility to respond to a project individually – it’s a great way to bring in local vernacular. It’s really important for us to give a strong identity. In our studio, nothing is a cookie-cutter approach. Instead, we respond to everything individually – and I think bespoke design gives you that ability to scale and size things perfectly. It allows us to really craft interiors as opposed to just select them.
Image caption: a 67-inch peacock sculpture adorned in 25,000 Swarovski crystals sits inside the Mayfair Townhouse, designed by Goddard Littlefair | Image credit: Iconic Luxury Hotels
SR: We’ve started specifying more than we have ever done. Yes, of course, there’s still the demand for bespoke, but there are so many incredible designers who are creating some really awesome things that we love to embrace and collaborate with them on. With the Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, for example, one of our goals was to specify as many statement pieces as we could. As someone who has always championed bespoke everything, I don’t think by specifying you get a lesser product, and I don’t think the clients think anything less of it either. It’s changing, and there are a lot of us who have our own collections so we will specify our own products for certain projects.
“The quality of the end bespoke product is not necessary as high as something that has been crafted over many years.” – Tina Norden, Partner, Conran and Partners.
Tina Norden: I would say that there are regional differences. Particularly in Asia, clients may believe you can get the product cheaper but sometimes the quality of the end product is not necessary as high as something that has been crafted over many years. Therefore, you have to be extremely careful as an interior designer. You need the right manufacturer you can trust that allows you to see the prototypes – we have all been there when that simply isn’t an option.
With the late Sir Terence Conran traditionally being a furniture designer, we have always had – and shown huge respect for – the work that furniture designers do. I guess that sometimes people don’t appreciate how much time specifiers take to get products just right.
HK: You’re right, Tina! Trust is vital – and the relationship now between quality suppliers and designers is stronger than it has ever been, is it not?
Mark Harper: We are seeing and contributing to more artisan people who are being specified. For us, as a bespoke lighting manufacturer, we do what we do to the highest level of quality.
HK: At what point in the design process do you decide bespoke is the best option?
PN: Designers go bespoke when they cannot find a product on the market that achieves the look, feel and quality that they are looking for. Perhaps the bespoke product will give a slightly different glow, but for me it comes back to the senses. It’s relevantly simple, and yet extremely complex at the same time.
Shayne Brady: At the end of the day, it is a case-by-case basis – and it depends on different factors. We often have clients come to us with a specific vision. In Bob Bob Cite, for example, the client wanted to create a full suite of bespoke wall and ceiling lights. Bespoke is great when you are working in a space that has high volume because you can customise each product to fit the space.
Image caption: Bob Bob Citi diner, designed by Brady Williams Studio, which includes bespoke lighting from Dernier & Hamlyn | Image credit: Bob Bob Citi
HK: Do bespoke projects always have to be the statement design pieces?
TN: In lighting terms, quite often it is. Ultimately, it is really coming down to the client and the location. Quite often in Europe, making something bespoke can actually feel a lot more special. Whereas in Asia, it feels more luxurious to select something from a high-end brand as a feature piece.
HK: And surely if you have a really ambitious idea that is pretty unconventional, bespoke becomes your best and sometimes only option – and Kirstin I am thinking about your project, The Engine Room…
KK: It was a really interesting project for the team here. The idea was an indoor rowing club that was sheltered in a converted church. The budget was low and therefore we recycled a lot. For example, the juice bar was made out of church pews. I would say 60 per cent of that project was lighting. As the guests were working out, the lighting would move and react in order to enhance performance. We worked very closely with the lighting designers to create that effect.
Image caption: The Engine Room, designed by Bergman Interiors | Image credit: The Engine Room
HK: That is a great example of using the demographic of where you are and thinking outside the box, and elevating the five senses. Are designers now approaching projects more holistically with sound and smell in mind?
“For me, sound and lighting are very closely linked – maybe that’s me going back to my clubbing days.” – Tina Norden, Partner, Conran and Partners.
TN: Yes, very much so. A few weeks ago, at Hotel Designs LIVE, we discussed how sound was being used in experience. For me, sound and lighting are very closely linked – maybe that’s me going back to my clubbing days. It’s all enhancing the overall ambiance.
PN: Multi-sensory lighting and design is the future! We started offering sound design in some projects. Going beyond acoustics, we are very interested to understand how sound can help enhance the consumer journey and we are seeing this now in hospitality. The third element of that is smell, which is becoming really important. Lighting, sound and smell work together, almost as a set of sub-consultants in design and architecture.
A bespoke lighting scheme by Nulty Lighting for the Earth Hotels concept at Downtown Dubai | Image credit: Nulty Lighting
HK: That’s extremely difficult to get right when all of those elements are very personal.
PN: Absolutely, and that’s why you have to really understand the brand from the outset of the project and what you want that user experience to be.
TN: That’s the key, it’s about being specific and designing for the demographic. You are not trying to please everyone.
“There will be dialogue about creating separation – which removes barriers and planning. In many ways, that’s allowing brands to reinvent themselves.” – Justin Wells, CEO, Wells International.
Image caption: The Maximilian Hotel in Prague, designed by Conran and Partners
SR: I was doing an interview recently where I was asked when we come out of this pandemic whether or not people are going to struggle with noisy areas, and it’s an interesting point. At the same time, I met a sound identity designer. There are so many people listening in on podcasts these days. Ultimately, it made me realise that you can close your eyes but you cannot close your ears.
JW: We are trying to create thriving spaces and there were a lot of social collisions in these areas before the pandemic. However, now there will be dialogue about creating separation – which removes barriers and planning. In many ways, that’s allowing brands to reinvent themselves.
“Our clients reported that spend was greater on the tables that had more space.” – Shayne Brady, Director, Brady Williams.
SB: In between the second and third lockdown here in the UK, the guests were really appreciative and enjoyed the restaurants that had more space – not from a Covid perspective, but more from a luxury point of view. Actually, our clients reported that spend was greater on the tables that had more space. Perhaps we don’t need as many covers as we used to have.
HK: Do you therefore think that F&B spaces will be larger and take up more space?
SB: It will be more of a dialogue, for sure. There are more questions around capacity and what the sense of luxury means. Not being confined is luxury to me because that makes the experience far better.
“When we come out of this, there will be a need to decompress even more.” – Jo Littlefair, Co-Founder and Director, Goddard Littlefair.
JL: Pre-pandemic we were thinking about de-compression. We are very aware that people need that disconnect. The pandemic has definitely amplified that. When we come out of this, there will be a need to decompress even more.
Image caption: W Abu Dhabi Yas Island, designed by Justin Wells | Image credit: W Hotels
HK: And now for a word that brings shivers down our spines: trends… what are the topics and movements that are dominating your conversations at the moment?
MH: We have seen an increase in enquires and requests for natural materials and clean lines with a traditional twist. What we are going to see now is the bigger picture; it’s about longevity and sustainability. Also, you cannot ignore the fact that LED technology has come on leaps and bounds and I expect that to evolve further and faster than perhaps ever before.
SR: LEDs are a nightmare, though, because the colour temperature on every single LED is different. So, trying to marry the interior design is very difficult. We still end up using filament bulbs because you just can’t rectify it.
PN: One big trend we are seeing is towards wellness – certainly towards business hotels and using lighting to mitigate jetlag. Lighting using circadian rhythm has a huge role to play in that. There’s a hotel in Reykjavik where the lighting is tied in to the alarm clock, and it illuminates before the sound of the alarm clock goes off in order to wake the guest up gently.
HK: Is that extremely expensive? For me, the benefits of circadian rhythm in lighting is so obvious, so why is it therefore not in more hotel design schemes?
PN: It’s more expensive and of course if you’ve got a 300-key hotel then it adds up. However, the benefits of that technology are being more and more proven.
HK: Do you worry about suppliers copying a bespoke design after seeing it in your projects? Does anyone have any examples of this they can/would like to share?
HB: Yes, you see that in parts of Asia and it’s not ideal, but it’s unfortunately part of our work that is always there.
TN: I think there’s an opportunity there. If we work together with the manufacturer on a product going forward then it beats them at their own game.
HK: The ‘Norden’ chandelier, you heard it here first! Other than the ‘Norden’ collection, what’s lacking in lighting at the moment?
HB: Being able to visual prototypes in lighting is very important and be able to adapt and mold them in that creative process allows us to do more things.
SR: I agree. The first thing we want to know is what type of light the product will give off. If there was a tool to establish that, it would help us understand which light a fixture will give. For me that comes before what the product looks like. Some way of understanding the type of light the fixtures give off would be so invaluable.
“The issue is that designers love the materiality of stuff. It’s trying to engage with the intangible stuff.” – Paul Nulty, Founder, Nulty Lighting.
SB: That is interesting. We are working on a project at the moment where they have that already for furniture, but something similar in lighting would be very helpful.
PN: I agree with you. The issue is that designers love the materiality of stuff. It’s trying to engage with the intangible stuff. So many people disregard the quality of light. Quality of light and quantity of light are independent and are, I believe, misunderstood.
KK: From my experience, this should happen before we get fully into a project. Maybe it should happen even earlier!
Image caption: Worlds away from the hustle and bustle of London life above, The Spa at The Lanesborough was sensitively designed by 1508 London | Image credit: 1508 London/The Lanesborough
HK: Let’s finish by talking tech. The advancement of render software is incredible; it has given designers a tool to be more accurate and as a result allowed them to make informed decisions ahead of purchasing. However, it does also mean that clients now expect to see sharp renders in pitches. Does this ever narrow the window for new ideas to come into the project once it has been won?
HB: It’s such a hot topic at the moment within our studio and we have invested in a lot of technology at the moment to really confront this. You are correct in terms of narrowing down the window – and there is always a debate in our minds as to how far you go in the pitch. Right now, I think renders should happen later in the process and there has to be a visualisation tool that is a half-way house. That journey has to be a process – and that’s how you get a perfect space.
HK: And you are all competing against each other to win projects… Does it require across the board, designers stating that they will only present sketches?
HB: It would be amazing to have a conversation with designers to establish how far we should all be going in a pitch.
HK: It’s catch 22. As tech improves and the clients and consumers’ knowledge of design expands then so too does the demand for wanting to see more in a pitch.
KK: I agree totally. Sometimes the client demands a minimum of three renders in the pitch and it is a huge cost. You want to win the project and you know that everyone else will be producing renders.
SB: It depends on the client. Some clients do not understand the concept of your pitch unless it is a perfect CGI. More and more, these days, the client is very involved and there is a collaboration from start to finish. If you can hook a client with a great idea that is where it should be won.
JW: We always go quite analogue in our pitches. We use vignettes to highlight certain areas. We then, during the pitch, talk about these spaces and elements, which become frameworks. The aim of the pitch is for the client to establish how we think and how we work. If we win a pitch, we will then produce more emotive non-photo realistic renderings. The next set of renders will be marketing quality.
Dernier & Hamlyn, the sponsor of this roundtable, is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
More than 12,000 designers & architects tuned in to ‘GROHE X’
Dubbed the ‘industry’s answer to Netflix’ – and we can see why now – GROHE X launched this week and attracted more than 12,000 visitors to explore the Grohe hub. Following the impressive start, things are just getting started as editor Hamish Kilburn prepares to host two sessions today on the portal…
‘Discover what’s next’: With this guiding theme, LIXIL EMENA successfully launched its digital experience hub, GROHE X, for its GROHE brand earlier this week. The comprehensive brand platform offers informative and inspirational multimedia content to both GROHE’s professional business partners and consumers. Tailored to the needs and interests of the respective target groups, a customised programme of content is available, which includes how-to videos, inspirational articles, and 360° virtual rooms that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the latest product highlights. In addition, there are exciting video formats such as ‘A Glass of Water with…’, in which various GROHE experts offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of the global brand, or ‘Wow of the Week’, in which a particularly inspiring project or topic is presented each week. While visitors to the brand hub can explore the world of GROHE on their own, GROHE X also opens up new ways of interaction. Business partners can use the platform to make appointments with their sales representatives and thus exchange information directly about the innovations that have just been introduced.
Image caption: Green screen, behind the scenes of the GROHE X studio
Image caption: The high-tech studio sheltered a plethora of discussions and seminar sessions
“GROHE X is a milestone in our brand history. It opens up unprecedented opportunities to experience GROHE and to discover our products and the issues that drive us,” said Jonas Brennwald, Leader LIXIL EMENA and Co-CEO Grohe AG. “You can connect with GROHE X wherever you are and whenever you want. GROHE X is thus bringing us closer together in a time when we need to stay physically distant. The positive feedback I have received from customers all over the world has reconfirmed that we took the right decision eight months ago. The digital journey we have embarked on with GROHE X has only just begun. The platform is here to stay and will constantly evolve over the next months. My biggest thanks go to the team who made all this possible while working remotely. I’m extremely proud of the courage and leadership they demonstrated in transforming an idea into GROHE X.”
A new milestone in GROHE’s sustainability journey
For the launch of GROHE X, various event formats, both live and on demand for invited guests are available on the platform in addition to freely available editorial content. The highly anticipated GROHE X launch week commenced with a premiere keynote, which gave the global brand the opportunity to once again prove its status as a sustainability pioneer in the sanitary industry and announce its latest achievement: its four best-selling products as Cradle to Cradle Certified ® variants. In contrast to the linear Take-Make-Waste model, Cradle to Cradle stands for continuous material cycles. A product is manufactured in such a way that, at the end of its life, the components can be used to create new products. To achieve certification a product is evaluated in terms of the following five categories: material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness.
“Achieving Cradle to Cradle certifications at Gold level is a huge step in our sustainability efforts,” explained Thomas Fuhr, Leader Fittings LIXIL International and Co- CEO Grohe AG on the importance of the circular approach within the brand’s sustainability strategy. “I am very proud that we are one of the first brands in the sanitary industry to once again make a clear commitment to sustainable transformation and set a new benchmark. Since the building sector accounts for more than 50 per ent of worldwide material consumption, the moving away from a linear model in favour of a circular economy is essential to stop the exploitation of natural resources. We need to transform our business model towards a circular value creation and start considering products at the end of their life as valuable material banks instead of using new resources.”
The significance of initiating a paradigm shift in the construction industry and putting a focus on green buildings based on Cradle to Cradle® design principles was also the key issue in one of the platform’s panel talk discussions, when Dr. Christine Lemaitre, CEO DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council), Dr.-Ing. Peter Mösle, Partner Drees & Sommer SE and Managing Director, EPEA GmbH, and Fuhr discussed how sustainable architecture can be thought and implemented both today and in the future.
During the keynote, GROHE also introduced the new ‘GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education’ (GIVE) programme which strengthens the social dimension of the brand’s sustainability engagement. GROHE is already collaborating with 26 institutions to date, offering plumbing training across the EMENA region. As part of the GIVE programme, the brand will support plumbing schools in creating a state-of-the-art training framework by installing modern training facilities and providing learning material and experienced technical trainers. Students will complete a specific product training designed by GROHE, for which they will receive an internationally recognised certificate. Given the shortage of skilled installers in the sanitary industry, it is more important than ever to offer an attractive training programme that helps young people build the foundation for a prosperous future.
Image caption: As part of the launch, GROHE unveiled the latest innovations in the GROHE Spa collection
Relevant innovations for the living spaces of tomorrow
Another determining theme of the keynote was the reclaimed customer-centricity. This focus on the customers’ expectations and needs is not only reflected on GROHE X or in the brand’s new commercial approach, which offers a differentiated product portfolio and dedicated services tailored to target groups, but is also a guiding principle when developing new products.
This was impressively underlined with the presentation of the relaunched bestseller GROHE Eurosmart. With the fourth generation of the tap range, the brand reinvented one of its core products, making Eurosmart the most versatile line in the brand portfolio. Users can now choose a hybrid tap, which combines manual operation and touchless hygiene, or different lever variants such as the loop lever, which simplifies gripping thanks to the cut-out centre, or the long lever which allows users to operate the tap with the elbow, thereby minimising the contact with surfaces – ideal for healthcare settings.
“When we design a new product, our first question is always: Who are we designing this product for? Human- centric thinking and a deep understanding of consumers are key to developing meaningful products that improve and add value to the daily lives of people around the world”, says Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design, EMENA. “With our products, we want to respond to changing consumer needs and react to social trends. In our product development, we are guided by three key macro trends: Urbanisation, Health & Wellbeing, and Sustainability. In the last year, for example, the idea of the bathroom as a spa or wellness area has really accelerated. Consumers are looking for bathroom products which help them create memorable experiences, and want to transform the bathroom into a space where they can take good care of their body, mind, and soul. Our response to this trend is the new GROHE SPA collection which we curated to include the most exclusive products from our portfolio to allow users to enjoy unique moments of bliss.”
What to look out for today on GROHE X.
At 11:00 CET (10:00 GMT), the platform will go live with the session GROHE X Deep Dive Session – GROHE SPA Health through water. In this session, editor Hamish Kilburn will welcome Speck and Karl Lennon, who is Leader, Projects Channel – A&D, LIXIL in the EMENA region, to discuss the latest innovations of the new GROHE SPA line and how the technology behind each product goes beyond the five senses.
At 11:45 CET (10:45 GMT), straight after the deep dive session, Kilburn will return to host the panel discussion entitled strategies for future living. This session will welcome Cristina Laurijssen (Senior Director of Design for Rosewood Hotel Group), Constantina Tsoutsikou (Founder, Studio Lost), Hamish Brown (Partner, 1508 London) and welcome back Lennon to explore how the pandemic is forcing the industry to rethink wellness and how the increasing demand for ‘safe’ spaces, especially within luxury residential developments and hospitality venues, can be answered.
GROHE will also celebrate the launch of its platform with various event formats throughout the launch week. In the future, GROHE X will be expanded to include hybrid and mobile brand experiences in addition to the digital offering.
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.
Designed by creatives for creatives, The Glenmark Hotel is a gem in the Jewel City, deeply rooted in the heart of Glendale and a hub for the healthcare and entertainment industries in Los Angeles. Its interior design dances along the fringe, flirting with natural materials, texture and geometric forms. Thoughtful public spaces and amenities, 85 artfully designed guestrooms, signature restaurant Olia, Mila Rooftop, Olia Coffee Café, a lobby bar, and 7,900 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting and event space mold The Glenmark Hotel into a true community that is a hidden Los Angeles hideaway.
HBA Los Angeles designers drew inspiration from Glendale’s vibrant diversity, the city’s innovative and creative industries, and its geographical intersection amongst its neighbours to offer a microcosm of the city with pockets of discovery throughout the hotel, much like the city of Los Angeles itself. A casual-chic aesthetic is juxtaposed with architectural gestures and playful, impactful art by local artists to create sophisticated yet approachable environments with comfortable and stimulating moments.
The lobby serves as the epicentre of energy, bathed in natural light and with visual surprises to entice all who enter. A gallery wall of rotating artwork flanks one side of the voluminous space while wood slats wrap from floor to ceiling on the other, defining the lobby bar and reception areas. Sculptural lighting, accent furnishings and decorative elements combine with custom rugs and inviting seating groups for a relaxed, residential feel.
In the guestrooms, tailored detailing and mixed materials are realised in a neutral colour palette of white, taupe and warm browns.
Image credit: The Glenmark Hotel
An intricate geometric installation composed of rich dark tilework acts as a backdrop behind the headboard while a large-scale wall mural makes a bold statement and adds a splash of colour. Streamlined technology and state-of-the-art connectivity in the guest rooms and throughout the hotel allow guests to plug in and get to work and unplug when it’s time to relax.
Industry insight: Redesigning an already ‘recognisable’ hotel (part 1)
Do owners and the project designers feel the pressure of redesigning an established hotel where a previous brand had found its rightful place in an area of a city? Tom Bishop, Director of Project Management at Concert, explores…
Taking a popular hotel and creating a new chapter of the story through either ‘hard’ re-positioning or simply a ‘soft’ face lift must come with added pressure or perhaps the pressures will always be the budget that weighs heaviest on everyone’s shoulders! New identities that are led by the brands and/or operators must release any pressure but with life style brands that are more flexible, especially that invite a wide range of clientele must focus owners and designers to tease the best out of an existing hotel building.
Image credit: Dolce Sitges
Externally the façade reflects the culture and aesthetics of a hotel. It is an identity on which the hotel’s theme is based on. The façade is the visual connection of what the public observes and what image they perceive in their heads. Altering a façade on a recognisable building can create a big impact but will come with buildability issues.
The orientation (zoning and layout) of an existing Hotel is already set so internally the question needs to be asked if the existing or previous brand had found its rightful place i.e. did it have a specific style that just needs updating? If it had not then a full redesign is the way forward and ultimately gives designers expression to provide a genuine experience with representation of the place. The opposite is the cost manager led re-touch, rather than reinventing a hotel’s DNA.
Image credit: Hilton Canopy
Designers are and can be restricted by existing services (including elevators, escalators, fire staircases, ramps, electrical system core, plumbing system, and HVAC system etc.) and cores which are already defined with structural solidity. The structure is designed and operates the critical operations as well as entertaining guests. Any redesign is not just meant for aesthetic purposes, but to improve the service that the hotel can provide the guest and their experience.
Sustainability – hotels are massive energy consumption facilities, depending on their size, technology or location. Redesigning an existing Hotel gives the opportunity to provide new plant and equipment that is more efficient in terms of energy consumption and sensor connectivity.
Through lifestyle there are no fixed ideas so a designers role is to guide and advise for a brand to evolve. If a hotel already captured the essence and soul of the area that surrounded it through design, extending the cultural experience and further establishing a true sense of belonging to the place then there must be a fine balance that designers have to achieve in taking on a ‘golden goose’ and not over-designing.
Part 2 in this editorial series will be available shortly. Concert is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Product watch: Illuminated wall niches from Schlüter-Systems
Schlüter-LIPROTEC LED niches from Schlüter-Systems help to create the ‘wow factor’ in the bathroom while offering guests a wellness oasis…
With the hospitality industry looking to open back up to the public later this year, there is plenty to be excited about. People are keen to enjoy time outside of their own homes, and a UK getaway is high up on the list for many. Now more than ever is the time to give guests an unforgettable hotel experience, with wellness and serenity being key factors that they are looking for.
Bringing spa-like elements to a guest bathroom is a simple way to enhance a visit, whether that involves providing complimentary skincare products so they can pamper themselves or utilising the space available to create a peaceful sanctuary of relaxation.
Image credit: Schlüter Systems
Image credit: Schlüter Systems
Schlüter-Systems makes this easy to achieve with the help of one of their most versatile products. Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-N are prefabricated niches and shelves for wall areas of all kinds, made from the multi-functional tile underlayment Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD. They can be covered directly with tiles or with suitable rendered/plaster covering materials.
The Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-NLT are installed with LIPROTEC technology, enabling the installation of illuminated niches in bath and shower areas. The plug-and-play technology makes it even easier as they are ready to install – ideal if you are looking at ways to bring some spa-like elements to your project whilst the hospitality industry is gearing up to welcome guests again.
Niches within a bathroom or shower can serve multiple purposes, such as offering additional storage options and enhancing the design of the room. Welcoming guests with the use of soft, ambient lighting can make a big difference to their wellness; the idea of soaking in a bathtub reading a good book with a calming illuminated niche keeping your beverage at arm’s reach is a true luxury, and that is what many people are searching for when planning a hotel stay.
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.
Cape Cod opens up a world of design options for smaller bathrooms
The hallmark of the Cape Cod smaller bathroom program is the perfect fusion of material and form to satisfy even the highest aesthetic standards, including those from designer Philippe Starck…
The elegant bathroom opens up a whole host of design options, especially for smaller bathrooms. With its innovative design for the washing area, Starck creates sheer elegance and a generous sense of space that exudes an inviting calmness. The combination of a 70cm-wide, gleaming white ceramic furniture washbasin with a floor standing chrome frame and integrated shelf in White High Gloss introduces a brand-new look to the bathroom.
Practical, easy-clean shelf areas adjoin the circular basin on the left and right. Minimalistic mirrors with all-round LED lighting add the perfect finishing touch to the washing area.
Image credit: Duravit
Image credit: Duravit
Another new element is a smaller version of the striking, freestanding bathtub in space-saving dimensions of 165 x 78cm. Like the larger variants,it is also made from the tried-and-tested, high- quality DuraSolid material, is pleasantly warm to the touch, and has a sophisticated matt appearance. A smoothly shaped headrest set into the backrest guarantees relaxed comfort when reclining and bathing.
The series can be combined with Starck T accessories and selected toilets and bidets from the Starck 1, Starck 2, and ME by Starck ranges for a thoroughly stylish and harmonious look. The SensoWash Starck f shower toilet offers maximum hygiene and comfort. This symbiosis of toilet and bidet provides gentle, natural cleansing with water.
Duravit is one of Hotel Designs’ recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Product watch: TSAR launches the Chromatic carpet collection
Talk about taking art outside the frame… the Chromatic carpet collection by TSAR distills feelings of otherworldly escapism into new Axminster carpet designs…
With the A/W 2020 Chromatic collection debut, Melbourne-based TSAR Carpets offers end-users reprieve from a troubled world through a synesthetic experience that evokes feelings of optimism and delight.
Centered around the concept of “the future of hospitality” – a theme explored during Hotel Designs LIVE last month – the state-of-the-art collection is an experiential approach to defining transitional public spaces in a socially distanced landscape, filtered through playful prisms of surrealism, futurism, and fantasy.
Image credit: TSAR Carpets
Image credit: TSAR Carpets
Available since November 2020, the collection is sold exclusively at TSAR’s studios in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London, and Shanghai.
Rooted in digital abstraction and translated into reality by TSAR’s 30 years of manufacturing expertise, the Chromatic collection comprises six distinct patterns that feature both harder-edged geometric patterns as well as organic liquid forms — each utilising signature gradients and the integration of a full-spectrum of mood-altering colour, thoughtfully selected to emphasise the characteristics of each design and naturally compliment the designs.
Image credit: TSAR Carpets
Drawing inspiration from visions of futurism and fantasy, this surreal and abstract collection supports an emerging design trajectory in the world of high-end hospitality, and is suitable to a wide variety of highly-trafficked public spaces including hotels, corporate offices and event centres.
“With Chromatic, my objective was to create a visually-intriguing collection that elicits a sense of elation and happiness, offering an aspirational escape from the current state of the world,” said Andrew Cenita, TSAR’s New York-based designer who created each digital pattern in Adobe Illustrator. “For this collection TSAR’s goal was to introduce a new experimental aesthetic into our ready-made offering, providing our customers with a high-quality product that serves various hospitality interior applications and beyond.”
Image credit: TSAR Carpets
In the wake of Covid-19 mitigation strategies, the Chromatic collection’s unique ‘gradient mapping’ attributes provide interior designers with new tactics in the creation of human-centered spaces. Leveraging TSAR’s Axminster broadloom custom-carpet design workflow, designers may apply these custom-colour gradients to create bespoke floor-based way-finding systems and social distancing markers, demarcating private zones from transitional spaces like corridors and circulation areas. Specification, colours, and image scale can also be customised to suit any project scheme.
In bringing the collection’s launch to life, TSAR partnered with 3-D Artist Joe Mortell and creative director Charlotte Taylor to develop a suite of digital stills and animations depicting the collection within a series of futuristic hospitality and interior environments. Following a successful collaboration with Joe on the visual assets for TSAR’s Spring 2020 Circ collection, Andrew re-approached Joe, as well as Charlotte, during the design and conceptualisation process of the collection. Attracted to each designer’s ability to balance realism with a fantastical and otherworldly design approach, the visuals represent a seamless shared vision between Joe, Charlotte and TSAR’s creative team. Generating a compelling universe of realistic spaces, each image expresses a captivating and colourful digital world that compliments abstract objects and furniture vignettes with each Chromatic rug design.
The collection is available in the following patterns: Reveal, Ripple, Ember, Aurora, Neo and Lucid.
TSAR Carpets, which is an Industry Support Partner Hotel Designs, is a Melbourne-based design brand with more than 30 years of expertise in the manufacturing of luxury custom carpets and rugs. A family-owned business founded by David and Kerrie Sharpley, it is now a global company recognised for its passion for textiles and its profound knowledge of the handtufted technique. TSAR delivers bespoke floor coverings for high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial environments worldwide.
Introducing AXOR One by Barber Osgerby: The essence of simplicity
The new collection from AXOR is for the shower, bath and basin and is unified by a holistic design language of slender silhouettes, flat surfaces, soft corners and balanced proportions…
Six years after the first collaboration with Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, AXOR is proud to announce its latest collection. AXOR One is unified by a holistic design language of slender silhouettes, flat surfaces, soft corners and balanced proportions. The iconic taps feature a gentle taper to their curved spouts, a subtle detail that signals exceptional quality of design and manufacturing.
Powered by advanced Select technology, the elegant brassware establishes a simple mode of interaction; press down on its all-in-one controller to start or stop the water, turn clockwise to increase the temperature. The action is effortless, intuitive and ultra-precise: the essence of simplicity. This is the same inventive design thinking that characterises the entire collection.
“How do you challenge the archetype? Through the pursuit of art and science, invention and interaction,” said Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. “AXOR One provokes the memory of water but heralds a new way of controlling it that is much more precise and incredibly refined. The AXOR One products are unique, made possible through our design thinking, and realised by the incredible engineering of AXOR.”
Image credit: AXOR One
Image credit: AXOR One
Form and function
Utilising Select technology, the mechanical tap handles enable precise, water-saving on/off and temperate control. The AXOR One thermostat uses large, clearly marked, highly responsive paddle handles to offer intuitive control of spray types for shower or bath, while a large thermostat handle provides ultra-precise control of temperature and volume.
The AXOR One overhead and hand-held showers feature monolithic forms and an innovative range of Rain and PowderRain spray types, reflected in the distinctive graphic language of the showerhead’s spray disc. The showerpipe is the perfect all-in-one combination of overhead shower, hand-held shower, wall bar and wall outlet.
Image credit: AXOR One
Design legacy
Following the introduction of the interactive control element for the shower (2015) and the corresponding hand-held shower (2017), the AXOR One collection presents new complementary products for basin, bath and shower. The former design archetype has been reinterpreted for greater clarity, enhanced function and superior control.
Collection overview
The AXOR One collection comprises 31 products, including one-hole, two-hole and three- hole taps, wall-mounted taps, a floor-standing bath filler with hand-held shower, and the AXOR One thermostatic module for bath or shower. The wide range of shower items includes overhead showers that combine both Rain and PowderRain spray types, a hand-held shower that features PowderRain, and a shower pipe and shower set that offer a clean appearance thanks to their integrated wall outlet. The AXOR Universal Circular Accessories range is the perfect complement to the AXOR One collection.
Timeless by design, and available in Chrome, Matt Black and the trademark exclusive AXOR FinishPlus surfaces, AXOR One brings simple elegance to any bathroom.
Hansgrohe is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Product watch: Wilton Carpets unveils the Vignette collection
Close working relationships with clients has meant Wilton has always produced bespoke rugs for specific projects, but increased demand has inspired them to put together this collection of stylish commercial rugs…
Designed to look great and wear well in commercial environments, Vignette from Wilton Carpets is available with short lead times and with attractive volume discounts.
The cool, contemporary rug collection includes a suite of 14 dynamic rugs offer flexibility for the design scheme and usable, durable colourways. At the start of the brief, Design Director Damian Roscoe reached for original inspiration.“When looking for inspiration for a rug collection the designers at Wilton decided to go back to the very origins of the art form, he explained to Hotel Designs. “No matter where a rug would have come from, all told a story and as such all had symbols, motifs and meaning. The Figurine, The Amulet and the Tree of Life are just three of many such concepts. Our designers took these ideas and developed themes, colourations and patterns that embody these origins.”
Image credit: Wilton Carpets
Image credit: Wilton Carpets
Anchored to carpet heritage, but looking to the future, Wilton wove these stories into modern design and palettes, drawing inspiration from Pantone colours of the year; a vibrant yellow and the strong warmth of the most enduring grey, and the re-emergence of bold abstracts in pattern design. As design turns away from the trend for minimalism, and re-engages with the ‘more-is-more’ philosophy of design, the rugs are striking abstract pieces featuring vivid colours and unique shapes, in line with that design direction.
While brave tones and abstract shapes are red hot for the coming year, the enduring appeal of calming, restorative natural neutrals offers balance in this collection. Inspired by the natural and ethereal, there are elements of this collection which encourage a connection with landscape, imagination and wellbeing.
Woven to order in its Wiltshire factory, this rug collection is manufactured in contract quality, offering superb lifetime value. Customisable, and ready for delivery when you need them, the Vignette range provides a cost-effective lift to your interior scheme.
Wilton is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
New event alert: Retail & Hospitality Design Forum
Forum Events, the parent company of Hotel Designs, has launched the Retail & Hospitality Design Forum in order to bridge the gap between retail and hospitality designers and suppliers…
To help the industry enter the new era of retail and hospitality, Forum Events has launched a new meet-the-buyers hybrid event for senior professionals who are directly responsible for the interior design and fit-out of retail stores, leisure and hospitality establishments and those who provide products and services to these industries.
Confirmed delegates already include the likes of the Group Construction Director at WHSmith, a senior representative from Pentland Brands Limited and the shopper design manager at Berghaus.
The Retail & Hospitality Design Forum, which takes place from September 6 – 7 at Radisson Red, London Heathrow (virtual attendance options are also available), will be a highly focused event that will consist of one-to-one, pre-arranged business meetings, interactive seminars and valuable networking opportunities over the two days.
For suppliers, the event will guarantee:
An audience of pre-qualified buyers
Selected and ‘matched’ meetings
No time wasters
No hidden costs
Just one-to-one sales meetings throughout
For senior retail and hospitality professionals who qualify, the event will guarantee:
Pre-arranged meetings with solution providers of your choice
25 minute meeting slots will be relaxed and civilised, with no hard sell
Attend a tailored programme of inspiring seminars
Easily compare and benchmark potential products, services and solutions
You will be one of just 65 VIPs at the event, ensuring that you get personal attention
How to attend
If you are a supplier to the industry looking to meet top retail and hospitality professionals, email Courtney Saggers – or click here to request more information.
If you are a hotelier and would like to attend the Summit for free, please email Victoria Petch – or click here to book your place.
Hosted by editor Hamish Kilburn and co-hosted by designer Harriet Forde, DESIGN POD’s latest episode, entitled ‘Architecture Beyond Boundaries’, is now available to listen to all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music and Acast – and welcomes Christos Passas, Director of Zaha Hadid Architect (ZHA), as the guest professional for the episode.
As well as discussing how ZHA stretches what is possible in design and architecture, the episode also dives deep into the legacy that the late Zaha Hadid left behind, whose outstanding contribution to the architectural profession has been acknowledged by professional, academic and civic institutions around the world, including (but not limited to) the Forbes List of the ‘World’s Most Powerful Women. “It is no coincidence that this episode has been released in the wake of International Women’s Day,” explains Kilburn. “Hadid’s vision was one that captured the imagination of more than industry professionals; her unapologetic, pioneering mindset continues, to this day, to resonate with every individual on the planet who believes in and strives for equality in all sectors.”
“When it comes to younger generations, I always look for people who are not afraid to work hard.” – Christos Passas, Director, Zaha Hadid Architects.
Passas, who first joined the international architecture and design studio 23 years ago and recently won Architect of the Year at The Brit List Awards 2020, agreed to be interviewed by Kilburn who was keen to understand more about how the studio has changed since the passing of Hadid as well as getting the low-down on the studio’s latest project, The Opus in Dubai, which Hotel Designsexclusively reviewed the design of last month. In addition to this, Passas describes what he looks for in the young talent that walks through the ZHA doors. “The collaborative nature within our team is something to be learned from,” explains Passas in the interview. “We have always found a certain amount of pride and encouragement to be a company that is very much proactive on an individual level. When it comes to younger generations, I always look for people who are not afraid to work hard and for those who are able to test their ideas with others while working for the good of others.”
Consumer demand for personalisation continues to grow in all aspects of our lives. Today there is an expectation that products and services will meet our exact needs – if an available solution doesn’t tick all our boxes, we want to customise it simply and cost-effectively and make it our own. And if that’s not possible, we’ll find another supplier that can make it happen. Hamilton Litestat provides bespoke solutions to fulfil these customer demands, including its popular Paintables colour-matching service.
Accessories can be painted to blend in with a colour taken from a wallpaper, or to contrast it with a hue from the room’s soft furnishings. Popular colours are heavily influenced by the paint manufacturers, so Dulux’s Colour for 2021, Brave Ground, is set to have a major impact on the finish of wiring accessories in current interior design schemes. The company is giving the designer the ability to make every flick of a switch feel unique while ensuring ease-of-ordering and minimal hassle for wholesalers and installers.
“We pride ourselves on going the extra mile to ensure a client’s vision can be executed, and our Paintables service is helping deliver that with accurate colour matching to interior design schemes,” explains Gavin Williams, Sales & Marketing Director at Hamilton. “Today, people expect options to be tailored to them rather than selecting off-the-shelf solutions, and Paintables delivers that experience in a simple and cost-effective solution. We’ve seen demand double in the past 18 months, and to keep ahead of the market have increased our capacity for this service at our Bristol facilities.”
Image caption: Paintables Service Hotels by Hamilton Litestat
Hamilton has long offered colour-matched switch plates and sockets from its factory at Mere but with this rapidly rising demand it has relocated and doubled the size of its Paintables Department, which now sits at its headquarters in Bristol, delivering a 40 per cent reduction in current lead times.
The Paintables service is a powder coating process and is available on Hamilton’s popular and versatile Hartland CFX and Sheer CFX designer plate collections, which offer a wide range of functionality and configuration options. So, whether a customer wants a USB switched socket in BS 114 Rail Blue, so it blends seamlessly with a deep on-trend wall colour, or a Wide Rocker Switch in RAL 6000, a leafy green to complement a jungle mural feature wall, it’s possible quickly, simply, and cost-effectively.
Colour selection
For accurate colour matching Hamilton recommends using colour reference systems RAL, British Standards or the Natural Colour System. While Pantone is often a go-to system, its accuracy is limited in metal powder coating applications, so all Pantone colour-matching requests need to be individually accessed to avoid disappointment.
Image credit: Hamilton Litestat
Yet with RAL having 1,625 options and the Natural Colour System having 1,950, customers will not be short on colour choices! In addition to the vast colour possibilities, Hamilton’s Paintables solution is available in gloss, matt, and even a metallic finish.
“Colour influences our emotions and behaviours, so getting the right colour scheme and coordinating accessories and soft furnishings is really important. After the difficult times we’ve faced lately, there’s a great craving for change and to get away from our daily routines. Colour can help us reset, recharge and refocus, and Paintables wiring accessories can ensure that these schemes are cohesive and personalised to the customer’s exact colour requirements.”
FREE production service
All of Hamilton’s wiring accessories receive a decorative coating of some kind – whether that’s to achieve a standard Matt Black option or a metallic finish such as Antique Brass. For bespoke, colour-matched Paintables finishes, the cost of the spray coating process is already considered, so Hamilton only charges for the dry powder coating required. Purchased in bulk, this means that on-trend colour requests may be very competitively priced due to market demand.
“Many orders we receive from wholesalers are bespoke, so thanks to our expanded Paintables capacity we can provide colour-matched finishes with minimal impact on anticipated lead times,” explains Williams. “Moreover, as we already take into account the spray coating process in the unit price, the cost implications are minimised. Although niche colours may have a minimum purchase quantity, we can offer more popular colours cost effectively.”
Flawless finish
The Paintables powder coating results in a high-quality finish, ensuring the paint adheres evenly and the colour is consistent. It is resistant to chipping, scratching, and fading, which is particularly important for these high-wear wiring accessories.
Powder coating makes use of pigment and resin that are statically charged and sprayed onto the electrically grounded surfaces of the wiring solutions. The paint coating is then cured in an oven, resulting in a finish that is far more durable than other paint options.
Should it not be possible to select a colour ahead of time, Hamilton also supplies primed plates for painting on site. While not as durable as they haven’t been cured, they provide a flexible alternative for achieving the colour-matched aesthetic.
Hamilton Litestat, which was a Session Sponsor at Hotel Designs LIVE, 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) Hotel Designs LIVE: Sense of sound in hotel design
The third session at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, turned the audience’s attention towards sound. Going deeper than simply discussing acoustics, editor Hamish Kilburn invited a leading designer, architect and sound architect to explore sound’s role in hotel design and hospitality…
Designers, architects and the leading hoteliers have always been celebrated for thinking holistically. This statement can be measured by the industry’s proactive reaction to the Covid-19 crisis and the innovative solutions that have emerged since the world went into survival mode this time last year.
With the aim to explore meaningful ways to stretch the interior design schemes of tomorrow – and to simply offer something different on the palette for the audience of designers, architects, hoteliers and developers around the globe who tuned in to Hotel Designs LIVE – the third panel discussion of the day served up an engaging conversation around the possibilities of sound in hotel design and hospitality.
The exclusive session, which followed debates on the future of hotel design and sustainability, was powered by both science and experience. The topic, meanwhile, around the sensory experience in hotel design and hospitality, is one that has arguably been amplified in recent product launches in the wellness arena.
The discussion began with Kilburn asking the panel whether or not they believed the industry currently understood the potential of sound in hotel design, which soon steer the conversation towards how sound can be explored, beyond acoustics, to enhance the hotel guests’ experience.
Here’s the full recording of the panel discussion, which has been edited by CUBE and includes a Product Watch pitch from Panespol:
SAVE THE DATE: Hotel Designs LIVE will return for a fourth edition on May 11, 2021. Session titles and speakers will be announced shortly. Once these have been announced, tickets for Hotel Designs LIVE will be available. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, focused Product Watch pitches or the concept of Hotel Designs LIVE, please contact Katy Phillips or call +44 (0) 1992 374050.
Miniview: Inside Italy’s natural wellness hotel, Terme di Saturnia
Design firm THDP’s recently completed project is situated in Tuscany, Italy. As a natural wellness hotel and retreat, Terme di Saturniahas been part-inspired by the elements of earth, air, and water. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Surrounded by beautiful Tuscan countryside, Hotel Terme di Saturina is a luxury golf and spa resort, which is located 3km from both Le Cascate del Mulino waterfall and the village of Saturnia in Tuscany, Italy.
Image credit: Terme di Saturnia/Giorgio Baroni
Image credit: Terme di Saturnia/Test Srls
Design firm THDP was responsible for refurbishing both the guestrooms and the public area. The inspiration behind the concept is formed around a ‘super natural’ condition; how elements such as the earth, air, water transform as well as the light and temperature. THDP used terms such as reflection, corrosion, erosion, layering, ripples to create the visual and emotional language of the interior design.
Image credit: Terme di Saturnia/Giorgio Baroni
Light installations with glass spheres were created by Gomiero, who had the intuition to ripple the spheres to create the same reflection of water on the walls.
Image credit: Terme di Saturnia/Giorgio Baroni
The waterfalls of the Mill were the inspiration behind the design of the lobby/lounge area, created together with local artisans such as the Ragnini workshops of Pitigliano who have created oxidised tables and bronzed handles and with experienced craftsmen such as Ramiro Contract and design such as Materica who work metals in a contemporary way, using them liquid to transform them into corroded metals, as well as sulphur dense water.
The selection of four colour palettes resulted from the observation of the resort’s surroundings. The colours have been declined in diverse shades in line with the different areas, from the reception with the ethereal hues of the waterfalls of the Mill, to the patio with the central olive tree embodying the Tuscan countryside, up to the bright tones of turquoise and petrol blue of the handmade glazed terracotta tiles of the bar counter coating, found after a long search, in the colour ‘The Fondale’, from Pecchioli Fierenze.
Image credit: Terme di Saturnia/Giorgio Baroni
Image credit: Terme di Saturnia/Giorgio Baroni
In order to maintain an ideal continuity with the classic and elegant original style, but more importantly with the conscious intention to adhere to a sustainable approach to renovations, some wooden furnishings have been preserved both in rooms and common spaces.
The hotel, which sits above Italy’s most famous thermal spring dating back 3,000 years, is naturally a safe and quiet place – think home-away-from-home – that is conducive to wellbeing as we enter a new era of wellness.
Gfell: A sustainable wellness hotel rooted with nature
The sustainable wellness hotel, situated in South Tyrol, Italy, was designed by noa* as an expansion project by embedding it in the terrain, offering guests a spectacular view and the feeling of being emerged in nature in a way that is totally unique. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
“Transform a traditional South Tyrolean restaurant into a larger hospitality space, without altering the charming, beautiful landscape with new levels.” This was the brief that design firm noa* was confronted with in a quaint neighbourhood called Fiè, within the wonderful Dolomite scenery of the Sciliar and the Catinaccio.
The Gfell hotel, which is adjacent to the pre-existing Schönblick restaurant, sits isolated on top of a slope that provides views that stretch over unspoiled forests and meadows. The owner was aiming to coordinate this restoration project with top-quality accommodation, building new spaces able to enhance the distinctiveness of the location.
Image credit: Alex Fliz
“We could have added an extra level”, explains the architect Andreas Profanter, a partner at noa*’s studio. “But in line with the contractors, we opted for a less invasive and more environmentally friendly solution, placing the new section inside the hill. So it’s an earth shelter construction that reduces the impact of the operation without taking any views away from the restaurant, whilst in actual fact, providing all the guests at the new hotel with a spectacular panorama. And not only that, but an old barn on site has been refurbished as an additional space for the new hotel.”
It is meaningful, considered and gives a sensitive nod to the building’s past that access to the new spaces takes place through an old barn which sits by the restaurant. The outside of the building has preserved its traditional look thanks to careful restoration works, but the inside holds a surprise for visitors: it has been fully converted to host the hotel’s reception, a lounge and breakfast hall within one large open- space area.
It is an uncommon yet effective design solution from both an environmental and architectural point of view; on the one hand, it repurposes the existing level, deeply- rooted in the heritage and land of the local alpine community; and on the other hand, it breathes new life into a building that would otherwise be neglected or left to decay, transforming it into a place of discovery and surprise.
Image credit: Alex Fliz
The hotel, which takes its name from the Gfell meadows (prati di Gfell) area, is an eco gem and a prime example of design working with service conswciously. For example, the hotel boasts the latest insulation technology, ensuring high levels of comfort. The heating and hot water are obtained thanks to a pellet burner, which guarantees “zero impact” on CO2 emissions.
Inside, all rooms and spaces take light from the large window overlooking the valley and they are structured seamlessly under the large wooden truss, which was partly rebuilt from scratch in line with local architectural tradition to restore all the feel of a typical South Tyrolean farmstead.
Image credit: Alex Filz
Image credit: Alex Filz
Even the flooring, which makes an impression as a simple original cement screed, aims to reproduce the uneven surface area of the original barn (a specific treatment makes the surface waterproof and stain-resistant, however). In the middle is a spectacular column fireplace reinterpreting the alpine hearth and creating a visual crux around which the different functional spaces revolve. Brise soleil-type wooden panels soften radiation from the sun during the hottest hours of the day, whilst creating aesthetic impact at the same time.
Outside, in line with modern demands for exterior spaces – especially in wellness hotels – the building opens out onto a large terrace that provides guests with a view over the valley.
Image credit: Alex Filz
Image credit: Alex Filz
The new building is developed on two underground levels, which follow the land’s natural slope. Its architecture is almost cancelled out in order to allow for the natural scenery to be read with no interruptions. For noa*, hospitality is about (and in this project more so than ever) continuously seeking out dialogue with nature and providing the latter with the starring role.
There are 17 new rooms, complemented by a wellness area with a sauna and relaxation area. Going down a staircase from the barn, guests enter the lower level which provides access to the new rooms; all of the rooms are the same on both levels (-1 and -2) and are amazing in terms of their features and size.
On entering, a wooden entry-type hall (concealing the wardrobes) leads to a bright, open space (25 square metres). The model is that of the suite, with an open bathroom area (except for the toilet and bidet) designed with stone- effect tiles which break up the colour uniformity of the durmast wood chosen for the flooring in the room, whilst a white ceramic vessel sink revokes the traditional country basin in terms of its shape. All the furniture is custom designed in light and natural tones. But most importantly, in each room there is a huge glass window (measuring 4.8 metres in length) that coincides with the façade, showcasing a thrilling view. “There’s nothing in front of us, only pine forests, pastures and mountains”, notes the architect Profanter. The room is complemented by a terrace, featuring wooden flooring (on level -2 it directly borders the lawn) which provides more living space.
The wellness area, which is also on level -1, also shares the splendid view with the rooms, extending out onto wooden terraces where guests can sunbathe or simply relax in the warmer months. Inside, 6 cabins create fully wooden-cladded mini-rooms for individual use, allowing guests privacy and tranquillity whilst they lie down on a soft mattress that is submerged into the flooring. Custom-designed chaise lounges round off the decor. In the wellness area there is a Finnish- and bio-sauna (the latter with a lower temperature), which have a panoramic glass window.
Noa* was actively involved in designing the new hotel at all levels, from the conception and implementation of the architecture to the design of the interiors and furniture, even deciding on the smallest of details. For example, the flower outline motif that is a recurrent theme in the lounge, the wellness area and even the sauna’s interior.
Image credit: Alex Filz
“The interior design was handled with great detail”, explains the interior designer Barbara Runggatscher, who coordinated the project. “We decided on natural materials and fabrics to create a relaxing environment. We chose the darkest tone of durmast wood and paired it with neutral rough-fibre upholstery, like thick-weaved linen and cotton. A large part of the decor was custom-designed with the aim of offering maximum comfort and personalised solutions.”
A good example in terms of functionality is the multi-purpose cabinet in the old barn’s lounge, which if need be can be transformed into a breakfast corner but is also useful for afternoon tea breaks.
The main material used for the interior design was wood, used for furniture (tables, chairs, benches, beds, cabinets…) as well as for the flooring in all the rooms. Here, unprocessed durmast wood was used showing all its knots. This is also a feature of the furniture’s craftsmanship.
In terms of fabrics, the designers went mainly for natural textures and tones which are the perfect union for the wood. Mono-coloured felt or one with a geometric motif was chosen in the rooms for the textile upholstery whilst thick curtains, made with special fireproof fabric ensure the necessary privacy and soften the light during the hours of maximum sun rays.
The attention to aesthetic and functional aspects in the lighting project gave rise to ad hoc lights: for example, the lamps with textile lampshades used in the old barn, with the warm and welcoming lighting that is in full symphony with the upholstery of sofas and armchairs.
Editor Hamish Kilburn here with your weekly briefing. This week’s round-up includes an exclusive lighting feature, details about Rosewood’s second hotel in London and how to watch out latest panel discussion on sustainability beneath the surface…
As impressive as that all sounds, this week, the international development plot has thickened, with Hotel Designs leading the narrative around sustainability and the future of hospitality at Hotel Designs LIVE, Rosewood dropping yet more news around its second arrival in London and a study being launched that cuts through the noise to reveal new demands from modern traveller following the pandemic.
So, without further a due, here are the top stories from the last few days.
Our nod to International Women’s Day is more of a formal bow or curtsy. For this year’s IWD, we heard from leading female designers, hoteliers and architects about how far we have come and, crucially, how far we have still got to travel in order to operate in an equal and fair global arena.
Inside Nobu Hotel London Portman Square – a hotel that has caused a lot of noise recently on the international hotel design scene – there is a bespoke lighting narrative that flickers unlike any other. We exclusively caught up with Lyn Newcombe, Head of Projects at Dernier & Hamlyn and Lewis Taylor, Design Director at David Collins Studio, to capture the full story.
Blueair, which produces air purifiers that remove air pollutants like smoke, mold and allergens, recently participated as a Product Watch Pitch Partner at Hotel Designs LIVE. Here, the brand shares insights into how consumers feel about visiting hotels in a post-pandemic world.
On February 23, designers, architects, hoteliers and developers from around the globe tuned in to watch Hotel Designs LIVE. Following an engaging panel discussion on the future of hotel design and hospitality, the spotlight for the second session of the day landed on leading design and hospitality figures to debate sustainability, a topic that continues to be weighed down by heavy stigma. Sponsored by Grohe, a brand that inherently has sustainability running through its DNA – if recent accolades are anything go by – the panel was inspired by the recent Q&A between Hotel Designs LIVE and eco warrior, Bill Bensley.
As wellness evolves as we enter a new era of hospitality, we invite Beverley Bayes, Creative Director at Sparcstudio, to discuss the growing trend for biophilic design in spa and wellness properties. It is inevitable that spa and wellness, post-pandemic will become an ever more important and integral part of our lives. We are entering a new era where ‘Health is the New Wealth’ and a healthy lifestyle is recognised as an important part of preventative medicine.
Since joining SB Architects in 2007, Lucienne Walpole has played a valuable role on the design team for a number of the firm’s most exciting hospitality projects. Combining her dual backgrounds in interior design and architecture, Walpole brings to the firm strengths in space planning as well as architectural design. Following Walpole’s participation in Hotel Designs LIVE conference, we caught up with the architect to learn more.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, which currently manages 27 luxury properties in 16 countries with a further 21 hotels under development, has announced that its second hotel in London will be sheltered in the former US Embassy and will be named The Chancery Rosewood.
If you haven’t yet had a change to listen to DESIGN POD, here’s the latest episode. Entitled ‘Choosing Your Lane’, we invite interior designer Constantina Tsoutsikou to join us as our first guest. Episode two, with guest Christos Passas, Director of Zaha Hadid Architects, goes live on Monday!
Since you’re here…
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With all senses expected to be explored in wellness in tomorrow’s hospitality experience, bathroom brand KEUCO has launched The Royal Midas shower light…
The bathroom has changed in recent years and it is now seen as a place for relaxation, a home style spa and room to unwind and indulge the senses.
The shower has become a large part of this and in many homes it now replaces the bath; with many showering in the morning to actively start the day or taking a shower in the evening to relax the body and sooth the soul. The ROYAL MIDAS shower light made by KEUCO provides a unique showering experience– a perfect combination of water and light.
The Royal Midas shower light, has a large integrated shower head and the combination of light and water has a positive effect on the person showering. Single drops of water reflect the light, whilst the water streaming from shower above covers the body – refreshing, cooling and invigorating or warming and relaxing.
The unit is a complete all-in-one product this means installation is quick, safe and easy in combination with your chosen KEUCO shower valve; the KEUCO shower light being autonomously operated via a momentary room switch providing on/off and light adjustment.
Image credit: KEUCO
The shower light can be set or dimmed between 6500 kelvin (day light) and 2700 kelvin (warm white). This is especially good in winter time, it allows you to have a brighter ‘day light’ shower with a warming effect for body in the morning, and this activates the circulatory system. A warmer, softer light during an evening shower creates a relaxing ambience; it is similar to the effects of sunset and helps to release the hormone melatonin encouraging healthy sleep.
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: Sustainable luxury surfaces from Siminetti
As we have already established in our editorial series with the brand, Siminetti is renowned for its hand-crafted mother of pearl decorative surfaces. In the unprecedented circumstances of 2021, the brand’s products offer a unique form of decoration with qualities that enhance both public and private areas…
Siminetti produces luxury surfaces that are crafted with passion and viewed with awe. As explained in a Product Watch Pitch at Hotel Designs LIVE, all of its raw materials are sourced from ethically farmed and sustainable sources. This is to ensure our impact is with respect to the traditions of the people who inhabit the areas and ensure the environment is protected. Typically the shellfish industry farm foodstuffs, cosmetics and pearls for jewellery. Leaving the shells as waste material which is discarded to landfill. Siminetti takes this jewel in the rough to remove the harsh exterior and reveal the undisputable beauty within, resulting in not only a minimal environmental impact but a positive one reducing waste to landfill.
Image credit: Siminetti
The process in which the brand’s raw product is transformed into their beautiful surfaces however is not straightforward. All products are handcrafted with a key attention to detail. Rough imperfections are removed to reveal the stunning nacre. This is then cut into individual tesserae, hand-placed by artisans onto either mesh backings or paper sheet faces – for mosaics – or applied to one of their panelling substrates to create our inspiring decorative surface. Finally, the mosaic tiles and decorative surfaces are polished to bring out the stunning qualities of mother of pearl then sealed for increased strength, an enhanced finish and ease of cleaning.
Following the events of 2021, hoteliers and designers are looking for solutions to growing hygiene concerns. Siminetti’s decorative surfaces come made to measure up to a size of 1200mm x 2400mm with a strong panelling substrate. The substrate options include aluminium honeycomb, magnesium board or PVC foam in varying depths depending on your requirements. This results in an exact fitting solution that requires no grouting and is easily wiped clean in high traffic areas. The grout typically used with bathroom tiling can cause a bacterial build-up or capture viral pathogens. The brand’s paneling solution mitigates that risk whilst providing a luxurious aesthetic.
Image credit: Siminetti
This year, Siminetti unveiled its Seasons’ Collection. A series of decorative surfaces inspired by nature and kind to the planet. The collection consists of 12 designs which are all currently available in two colourway options; Innocence saltwater pearl or Golden Promise saltwater pearl with a Bianco freshwater base. These timeless designs will tie your décor back to nature, provide a hygienic – easy to clean surface, and inspire your customers.
The seasons’ collection entails a range of designs to complement any luxury setting. Breaking the traditions of what is assumed possible with mother of pearl. The inclusion of geometric, organic and abstract patterns sets the collection apart from any others on the market. Explore the twelve stunning designs on their website or their new brochure.
It is important to look at what can be taught by the disruption of 2020. Siminetti’s next generation of decorative surfaces present opportunities in the development of both luxury hospitality aesthetics and hygiene demands of more demanding guests. This benefit of improved maintenance and aesthetics, over traditional tiling, is furthered also by the surfaces ease of installation compared to traditional tiling.
Siminetti is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Product watch: PENT. launches stylish hotel fitness solutions
Following PENT.’s Product Watch pitch at Hotel Designs LIVE during a panel discussion on the future of hotel design and hospitality, Hotel Designs takes a look at the brand’s latest stylish fitness accessories…
On February 23, during Hotel Designs LIVE first panel discussion of the day, PENT., which was established in 2011 on the base of experience and know-how gained in previous years as a supplier of fitness solutions for professional fitness clubs, unveiled details about two of its latest collections that are suitable for the hotel and hospitality market.
Recently, hospitality demanded a product that not only responded to the change that the world has been going through over the last year but also allowed hotel guests to use fitness equipment at a comfort of their rooms. Both the SOPHIA and COMBO Hotel collections were inspired by the ever-changing role of fitness spaces within the hotel experience.
SOPHIA
The SOPHIA collection includes a set of dumbbells, kettlebells, exercise mat and essential yoga and fitness accessories. Placed on a niftily designed cart, it can be delivered straight to a guest’s room. It is the true evolution of modern solutions for the hotel industry in times of pandemics and beyond.
Image credit: PENT.
SOPHIA has been created by specialists for professionals and enthusiasts as a complete set for the most demanding guests. The ergonomic design includes drawers for smaller but important accessories such as a jump rope or push-up bars. There’s a place for towels, water and an IPad.
COMBO Hotel
If, however, a hotel prefers a more stationary solution then PENT. also provides a permanent set of fitness equipment. The COMBO option can be placed inside a chosen room or a suite to provide hotle guests with even more privacy and hassle-free experience.
Image credit: PENT.
All PENT. fitness equipment is designed and manufactured in Poland and the brand prides itself on the fact that the entire production process is performed in-house.
Even the smallest wooden, steel or genuine leather components are made by PENT. employees – not a single production process is outsourced, which means that the company has the opportunity to fully customise and quickly develop new products. All product components are made by hand, and where it is impossible, the elements are made on the most modern CNC machines.
PENT. was a Product Watch Pitch partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
In Conversation With: Lucienne Walpole, Vice President, SB Architects
SB Architects recently appointed Lucienne Walpole as the firm’s new Vice President. Following Walpole’s participation in Hotel Designs LIVE conference, editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with the architect to learn more…
Since joining SB Architects in 2007, Lucienne Walpole has played a valuable role on the design team for a number of the firm’s most exciting hospitality projects. Combining her dual backgrounds in interior design and architecture, Walpole brings to the firm strengths in space planning as well as architectural design. She lends a unique perspective while contributing a strong sense of creative vision and attention to detail and has played a crucial role in many high-profile hotel, resort, and multi-family projects.
So when it was revealed that Walpole had been appointed as a new Vice President of the firm, we at Hotel Designs were not surprised. I caught up with Walpole to understand her passion for design and architect, her position on wellness post-pandemic – following the panel discussion the architect took part in during Hotel Designs LIVE last week – while also learning what a typical day looks like in Walpole’s shoes.
Image credit: Conrad Punta de Mita/SB Architects
Hamish Kilburn: What attracted you to work in architecture?
Lucienne Walpole: I always knew I wanted to have a career rooted in creativity, but I didn’t seriously set my sights on architecture until the end of college. I initially studied Interior Design but then went straight on to pursue a Masters in Architecture. I think the seed was always there though. I was born, raised, and currently reside in Coral Gables, Florida where we have a wealth of beautiful Old Spanish homes, one of which I grew up in. I watched as my parents transformed the run-down 1920s house into a home full of detail and beauty. They taught me about vision and being able to see past a neglected exterior or a blank page.
Hamish Kilburn: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
LW: Working at Baha Mar in the Bahamas in conjunction with SB Architects has afforded me the opportunity to lead the design of two amazing restaurants. Since Baha Mar is known for its spectacular, out of the box ideas, the client was keen to pursue ideas that might have otherwise been disregarded initially for budgetary or feasibility reasons. Not only did I get to lead the design, but I was able to be a part of the construction administration process. The sweet finale was being able to finally enjoy a meal and a margarita in one of the over-water dining pavilions we designed.
Image caption: The Sky Bar at Baha Mar, designed by SB Architects
HK: How do you keep your designs fresh from one project to another?
LW: I’m inspired by the site and local history of each project I work on. Every location has different opportunities and every market demands a different experience. I love looking at imagery for inspiration and revisiting my initial sketches and thoughts.
HK: How has your voice as a designer evolved since joining SB Architects?
LW: I started at SB Architects straight out of graduate school at the age of 24 and I’ve been here ever since. I’ve been lucky to work under great mentors who taught me the ins-and-outs of the hospitality design world, as well as the qualities needed to be a good leader. As I’ve stretched my wings, I’ve learned not to be afraid to throw out ideas in meetings even if they seem a little crazy. I strive to always think outside of the box and not let go of the original design intent too easily.
HK: Describe a typical working day for you…
LW: I wake up before anyone else in the house in order to squeeze in a quick workout before jumping in the shower, making lunches, and getting myself ready. After I’ve dropped off our two young boys at school, I rush off to the office to start my day. These days I’m doing a mixture of working from home as well as working in the office. Once in front of my computer, I dig right in since time without the distraction of two little ones is limited these days. I’m usually designing in AutoCad and sketching, completing image research, and taking Zoom calls with clients and my team. A good podcast, audio book, or music is a must.
HK: What advice do you have for younger generations of women wanting to get into design leadership positions?
LW: As women, and often mothers, we are great multi-taskers and time managers. Don’t wait for the opportunity but instead speak up about what your goals are. Also, know that it’s ok to offer up ideas and speak up in every setting. Most of the senior leadership I work with are so busy that I think they appreciate it when someone else is willing to take the reigns on a new initiative.
Image credit: Conrad Punta de Mita/SB Architects
HK: Where do you see hotel design 10 years from now?
LW: I think hotel design will evolve into a space where wellness isn’t just a line item in the program, but instead infused into each space touching all five senses, wellness will become as commonplace, and as considered as lighting. I think operations and hotel design will begin to be more closely tied, especially considering all the last 12 months has taught us. Not just from how the back-of-house spaces work, but how an operator can customise an experience for the guest and how the design can support that.
HK: You joined us on the virtual sofa at Hotel Designs LIVE a few weeks ago for a session on wellness. What will wellness’ role be post-pandemic?
LW: I feel wellness will not only be about the physical but the mental too. We need to move our bodies, but we also need to rest our minds. The wellness experience should also extend from adults, all the way to the youngest of children. I think this theme of inclusivity will push travel to become more meaningful and provide more teaching opportunities.
HK: Are you working on any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?
LW: I’m working on an urban retreat, Al Yosr Clubhouse, located just outside of Cairo, Egypt. We’re designing the space to be an urban sanctuary for the surrounding community and those looking for a wellness experience. The clubhouse will have a large spa component, a few F&B venues, as well as a sunken garden that stretches the length of the site providing different pockets of space to relax, meet, and play.
LW: Meaningful travel, intention, less public spaces, more outdoor spaces. Providing more spaces for those working remotely. More local travel. Curated experiences and personalisation. Sustainability and wellness will move away from being a buzz word, but an expected feature… at least within the luxury market space.
As wellness evolves as we enter a new era of hospitality, we invite Beverley Bayes, Creative Director at Sparcstudio, to discuss the growing trend for biophilic design in spa and wellness properties…
It is inevitable that spa and wellness, post-pandemic will become an ever more important and integral part of our lives. We are entering a new era where ‘Health is the New Wealth’ and a healthy lifestyle is recognised as an important part of preventative medicine.
UK hotel spas are set to provide an alternative to holidays abroad as staycations are expected to boom. There has been a 1,900 per cent increase in searches for ‘when do spas open? ‘ post road map announcement, as reported in Googles search trends.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
“Excellent design will be absolutely key in the creation of destination spas that are unique, have heart and soul, capitalise on the best aspects of their location in linking to a beautiful landscape or view,” says Beverley Bayes, Director of Sparcstudio. “Many of the trends in spa design this year and beyond relate to our collective desire to connect with nature.”
Biophilic design: Reconnecting with nature
2020 saw the entire country embrace the great outdoors and spas followed by extending their spa gardens, making use of outside space to help social distancing which created a true connection between the spa and nature.
This ‘biophilic’ approach to design is already evident in our own homes, offices and hotels right now and we expect them to explode in spas in 2021. Spas are realising the full potential of converting outside terraces and underused gardens to useable spa relaxation and wellness spaces.
Nature has always been a key inspiration in the design of the spas that Sparcstudio creates which includes Calcot Spa, Dormy House, The Spa at South Lodge Spa, Sopwell House Spa and the Aqua Sana spas. The Sparcstudio HQ is based by the river at Richmond and we are lucky to have Kew Gardens close to hand for natural ‘inspiration’.
Image credit: The Spa at South Lodge Spa
Location, location, location
When creating a new build spa, careful positioning is key if you want to take full advantage of the vistas, natural light and links to outside spa space, whether this is via gardens or a even a roof terrace. Thankfully spas have largely emerged from being consigned to the hotel basement, reflecting their increasing importance as part of a hotel’s overall wellness offer and the rise in global spa tourism where spas are destinations in their own right.
The Aqua Sana Forest spa concept that we helped develop, transformed the Aqua Sana space – planning model from inward facing experiences, to experiences that reached out into the forest with the inclusion of in-out pools and panoramic saunas surrounded by trees, as can be seen at the new build Center Parcs Longford Forest Aqua Sana spa in Ireland. At the Sherwood Forest Aqua Sana, we created the first sauna on stilts which takes ‘Forest bathing’ to a new level.
Exterior Spa experiences can also include a yoga deck or dedicated area for ‘Forest bathing’, curved seating around a firepit, a circular walk through herb garden, or bathing in a natural pool. Natural swimming pools offer a sense of freedom and escapism whilst tapping into the popularity of ‘wild swimming’. These fresh water, naturally filtered pools and ponds are set to become an essential element for any forward thinking, eco-conscious spa developer.
We are also designing stretch and personal training zones that extend to an outside deck beyond the interior gym spaces.
Not all sites of course are blessed with an inspiring mountain top, edge of the ocean location or a view of pristine countryside or even a glacier, but with good design it’s very possible for a building to ‘transcend’ the location and benefit from a biophilic design approach.
Take the inspiring example of Thomas Heatherwick designed wellness centre ‘Maggie’s in Leeds (a charity that provides support for people affected by cancer). Set in the midst of medical buildings, almost on a traffic island, the studio created a series of beautiful interlocking organic buildings that seem to grow out of the garden and provide a relaxing haven which has central top lit space and roof terraces that features native English species of plants, alongside areas of evergreen to provide warmth in the winter months.
Top lighting
‘Top lighting’ of spaces with the integration of skylights or slots and integration of internal courtyards is a very effective way of providing a connection to nature in spas, framing sky views and allowing light to penetrate into the heart of spa. An example of this can be seen at Spa Vilnius Lithuania, where we formed an organic shaped top lit winter garden in the heart of the treatment space.
Image credit: Champneys Spa Mottram Hall
Interior spaces will also continue to have a strong Biophilic feel and visual link to natural surroundings. I love the Japanese concept of ‘Yukimi-shoji’ meaning ‘Snow viewing Shoji’, which is a type of window made so the bottom half slides upwards, often to reveal a beautiful view. Taking inspiration from this concept, we often frame a view with a single pane of glass in a treatment room or even a heat cabin (such as the Organic Sauna at South Lodge Spa), which features organic forms looking out onto the curving South Downs.
Biophilic form: Curves, waves and organic forms
Curved soft cosseting forms will be a strong theme in spa design offering a comforting embrace to spa users. These will be evident in many elements ranging from curved organic pools (such as the ‘wild swimming’ pool at South Lodge). Bespoke joinery and furniture (for example the statement curved sofas that we created for Champneys Mottram Hall) or the bespoke organic sauna designs and ice feature that we designed as part of the new pool there.
Image credit: Sparcstudio
Image credit: Champneys Spa Mottram Hall
Biophilic design for the senses
Natural light, planting, fire and water are key elements to incorporate into a biophilic wellness interior. But surprisingly ‘Aroma’ whilst often being a key part of the spa treatment experience itself, can be overlooked in the physical design of the spaces.
As spa designers but we like to be mindful of Aroma as an integral part of the sensual experience, imbedded in the spa materials and finishes and experiences. Thermal and heat experiences offer an opportunity to create little ‘micro climates of aroma’. Cedar is one of my favourite timbers within saunas for its soothing slightly exotic smell. We have also designed many plant based aroma rooms including the ‘lavender aroma room’ heat cabin that we designed as part of the heat experiences at Dormy House Spa utilising local lavender from a nearby farm.
At Sopwell Spa, Cottonmill Club, we created a ‘Rose Relaxation room’ inspired by Moroccan Riads whose central courtyards provide serene sheltered relaxation spaces infused with a Moroccan rose aroma, and rose tinted glass panels create private relaxation niches.
As part of our design of Third Space fitness club at Tower Bridge we created one of London’s first dedicated hot yoga studios. We lined the walls with fragrant Juniper logs and fitted with state-of-the-art anti-bacterial technology, enabling members to enter deep stretches and poses, and detoxify through perspiration, in a hot, cleansing biophilic environment.
Kaldewei invites designers, architects and hoteliers to the Global Digital Innovation Summit 2021, which will feature 60 talks, 100 speakers on engaging topics and innovations in 14 languages…
International architecture and design trends, sustainability, first-hand industry insight and product innovations are on the agenda at the Kaldewei Digital Innovation Summit 2021 from March 22 – 26. Under the heading #KaldeweiDigital this traditional manufacturer from Ahlen will bring together around 100 international experts online for one week. In addition to well-known designers and specialists from the hotel sector, architecture and housing construction, the speaker line-up includes exerts from Kaldewei with whom participants can enter into a digital dialogue.
There will be more than 60 talks in 14 languages at the Digital Innovation Summit from Kaldewei, which features content from four continents. Franz Kaldewei, CEO and owner of Kaldewei, heads the Highlight Talk on Wednesday March 24 starting at 12:00; when he will be speaking with Bernhard Osburg, CEO of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG, about sustainable steel production and processing; turning it into high- quality shower surfaces, bathtubs and washbasins made of steel enamel. Kaldewei and Osburg will answer questions from the journalist Andreas Horchler, inlcudng: Is there such a thing as green steel? What steps are influential companies already taking on the path to climate neutrality? What generational promises have they made?
Another highlight of the online event is the panel “Future perfect: Building Successful Partnerships “on March 24 from 17:00. Can Faik (Editorial Director of Hospitality Interiors, UK), Federico Toresi (Global VP Design, Premium and Luxury Brands, Accor, France), Tarek Hegazy (CEO & Creative Director, Living Design, Sweden), Beth Campbell (CEO, Campbell House, USA) and Pallavi Dean (Founder and Creative Director at Roar, Middle East) will be speaking about circularity in architecture and product design.
Another eagerly awaited event is the Tech talk by systems mechanic and model Sandra Hunke, who, together with Martin Schäpermeier, Technical trainer at Kaldewei Iconic World, will be giving tips and tricks straight from the construction site on Monday, March 22 from 08:30.
As a special service, market partners, regardless of the region or country, can have their personal Kaldewei contact person present the ISH innovations and get in touch with the speaker directly via a chat function.
Click here to find out more information about the event and to register your place.
Kaldewei 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.
Bathroom lighting from Vaughan: A look back at masterpieces
Vaughan was one of the first companies to provide bathroom lighting that was both functional and refined when the brand began designing lights for this purpose more than 15 years ago. Let’s a take a look back at some highlights…
Although bathroom lights need to be equipped with an IP44 rating, Lucy and Michael Vaughan also recognised that clients require a product that kept in line with their visual aesthetic. Throughout the past 15 years, Vaughan’s bathroom lights have been featured in numerous hotel projects – from the Soho House Group to Firmdale Hotels, as well as stand-alone projects including Claridge’s and Grantley Hall. In the past year alone, Vaughan has provided lighting for more than 50 hotels across the United Kingdom and Europe.
Variety, as well as quality, are two central components to Vaughan. Product design is meticulously developed and led by Michael and Lucy Vaughan, co-founders of the company. Their shared background as antique dealers is without a doubt an underlying influence in their creative process. As Lucy comments: “Our creative process is very much cyclical, updating and reflecting on products we’ve already made and antiques which we have seen throughout our time as dealers.” Bathroom lighting is no exception – with a variety of styles, finishes, metals and shapes available to the trade, and a clear alignment with the brand’s existing lines. Ranging from the more subdued Beverley Wall Light to the more ornate, glass-art beauty of the Morillon Wall Light, Vaughan offers a wide selection of bathroom lighting to choose from, while remaining committed to their pursuit of quality and craftsmanship.
Notable bathroom past projects include The Ned, Gleneagles and St Ermins Hotel as shown above. Other notable hotel projects where Vaughan bathroom lighting was successfully and thoughtfully installed are shown below at the Le Bristol, Paris, Doonbeg in Co. Clare and Ballynahinch Castle in Co. Galway, both in Ireland and Villa Stephanie Spa in Baden Baden, Germany.
Image credit: The Ned bathroom, with lighting supplied by Vaughan
Image credit: Gleneagles bathrooms, with lighting supplied by Vaughan
Specified by MM Design and installed by Societe SPIE, Hotel Le Bristol has elegantly placed two pairs of Vaughan Octagonal bathroom wall lights in nickel in their deluxe suite bathroom.
Made from solid cast brass and nickel plated, the Octagonal bathroom wall light is one of Vaughan’s early designs – one which is more traditional in style yet still stands the test of time and the design allows for lampshades to soften the light.
Image credit: Le Bristol, Paris showing Vaughan’s Octagonal Bathroom Wall lights
Following a recent refurbishment at Ballynahinch Castle in Co. Down Ireland, bathrooms feature Vaughan’s Dover bathroom wall lights in nickel together with Berrington mirrors in a bronze finish. Inspired by the Art Deco movement, the Dover bathroom wall lights feature a circular backplate and frosted glass cylinders which can be placed horizontally or vertically.
For the classic and superior bathrooms at Villa Stephanie, part of the Oetker Collection, interior design studio MM Design chose Vaughan’s Norfolk Wall Lights in a sleek nickel finish. Placed either side of each mirror, the wall lights are topped with a square fabric shade which softly diffuses the light. The Norfolk is a simple design and form – featuring a rectangular backplate, square candleholder and angular arm. When combined with the oval sinks, cylindrical worktop legs, and rectangular mirrors, it creates a satisfying, playful interior – one that is predominantly focused on the relationship between different geometric shapes. Made with a base metal of hot forged brass, the Norfolk is available in a number of finishes – from the chrome one pictured here to antique brass and nickel too.
Vaughan 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.
Bespoke design in a post-pandemic era of hospitality
The very essence of bespoke design conjures up feelings of luxury, exclusivity and comfort, all of which are vital feels to capture in hospitality in a pandemic world. To understand the role of bespoke in tomorrow hotel, we catch up with Will Chelsom, Managing Director at Chelsom…
Designing something to perfectly suit its application rather than buying ‘off-the-shelf’ will always add a sense of quality and value to a project which is especially true with decorative lighting. For decades the design team at Chelsom has worked hard to ensure there is a consistent DNA flowing through all aspects of their products. Regarded as one of the leading global suppliers of decorative lighting to the global Hospitality sector, Chelsom’s standard products are selected by interior designers for brands ranging from Mandarin Oriental to Holiday Inn Express and Virgin Voyages to Carnival Cruise Lines.
Image credit: Celebrity Edge/Chelsom
Alongside the evolution of the brand’s standard lighting collection, Chelsom is also a leading bespoke lighting manufacturer. The team at Chelsom work in a truly collaborative manner with designers and end clients to bring often challenging, one-off design concepts to life. Recent bespoke projects range from the design and build of a one-off five-metre-high statement chandelier for a hotel atrium as well as the manufacturing of 5000+ table lamps to feature in every cabin on a cruise ship.
Unique designs require flexible and adaptable manufacturing, something Chelsom prides itself on offering clients at every stage of a bespoke project. The Chelsom bespoke team is made up of specialists in all areas including design, logistics, operations, production and technical, symbiotically working alongside one another in order to achieve the best results. Chelsom has a 100 per cent ‘partnership approach’ when working with clients where they can add extensive knowledge, expertise and skill whilst the customer creative design intent always remains at the core of the process.
Image credit: Chelsom
Bespoke design was once considered something for the luxury end of the market. However, the demand for tailored, unique design is something Chelsom works with clients to deliver at all budget levels. The industry has been hit incredibly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and many believe that there will be a need to future-proof the industry by factoring in special qualities to product and interior design. As we all move forward from the pandemic, there will undoubtedly be more of a need to customise products and to specify lighting with added functionality.
Over the last year, the Chelsom design team have been exploring a number of different aspects of lighting design which could serve to reduce the spread of viruses within the hospitality environment. As bespoke features, Chelsom has developed decorative ‘touchless-switching’ solutions which will reduce the points of contact in a hotel guestroom; They also offer fabrics with antimicrobial qualities, as well as metal finishing options which will significantly reduce the spread of germs and bacteria; The Chelsom team are even exploring the use of UV light within a decorative application in a further attempt to wage war on viruses within the hospitality setting. None of these solutions will suit every project but the technologies are there to be experimented with and by having the capabilities available, Chelsom are able to constantly offer smarter solutions and add even more weight to their bespoke services and products for the future.
Image credit: Chelsom
Chelsom’s goal moving forward is to ensure that the bespoke lighting process can be both affordable and sustainable. With so many supply chain options available, the Chelsom team hopes that their quality levels, experience and market knowledge makes them the go-to lighting experts for projects at all levels. However, price-point and quality can only play part of the role in the world today and Chelsom are constantly looking to streamline processes and be more sustainable in everything they do as the environmental agenda becomes ever more important. Chelsom’s drive to ‘make more in UK’ significantly reduces the carbon impact seen by using overseas manufacturing and global logistics and they are delighted to have completed so many projects using home-grown manufacturing in North West of England.
Image credit: Hoxton Southwark/Chelsom
One recent example saw Chelsom create a huge chandelier for Le Meridien Dania Beach Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Chelsom worked with Dash Design in New York to create a lobby chandelier centre-piece designed to look like a constellation of stars and planets, suspended to create the illusion it was floating on air. A series of ‘planets’ attached to steel arms of varying lengths contain a small LED at the end to represent stars in the sky. Designed to be compatible with the hotel’s existing dimming system, real wow factor is achieved as the chandelier light effect adapts and transitions from a day through to night sequence. The project was challenging and took two years to complete but Chelsom were able to interpret the original design through months of intense planning and development. A huge level of CAD expertise went into evolving the design and miniature model versions of the chandelier were created long the way so that Chelsom could perfect the overall engineering of the product and master the perfect manufacturing technique.
One of the biggest challenges was how to make a huge statement chandelier, the size of a London Bus, appear weightless and fit perfectly into the six-metre domed ceiling of the hotel lobby. The light effect was also key, requiring a huge amount of technical Chelsom knowledge to create the desired ‘twinkle’ effect so that the chandelier correctly represented the constellation look that the client was after. Every single aspect of this project was carried out in the Chelsom UK headquarters, including all project management meetings, the overall design and engineering, sampling and prototyping and then the overall manufacture. The huge structure was broken down into many sections at the Chelsom HQ and then delivered and installed by the Chelsom in Florida. The final results speak for themselves and this is one of the most impressive light fittings that Chelsom has ever created. It was a technical and engineering marvel in its creation but also an aesthetic achievement to have remained so sympathetic to the original Dash Design brief.
Chelsom, which is a Recommended Supplier, was a Product Watch Pitch partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
Case study: The bespoke lighting narrative inside London’s Nobu hotel
Inside Nobu Hotel London Portman Square – a hotel that has caused a lot of noise recently on the international hotel design scene – there is a bespoke lighting narrative that flickers unlike any other. Editor Hamish Kilburn exclusively catches up with Lyn Newcombe, Head of Projects at Dernier & Hamlyn and Lewis Taylor, Design Director at David Collins Studio, to capture the full story…
The design narrative for Nobu Hotel London Portman Square was focused on creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance and contemporary luxury. In order to create the right ambience when it came to statement decorative fittings, bespoke lighting manufacturer Dernier & Hamlyn, which has been making bespoke lighting since 1888, became the obvious choice.
The brand’s work for David Collins Studio at the new Nobu London address saw its team’s extensive experience and wide-ranging artisan skills brought to bear in a variety of ways to produce more than 100 individual pieces, all of which were crafted from brass and hand-finished in bronze.
Image caption: The lobby/lounge at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square. Image credit: Jack Hardy
Lighting made by the brand features in the most spectacular areas of the hotel including wall, ceiling and pendant lights in the restaurant, bar and private dining room.
Particularly noteworthy bespoke light fittings crafted to David Collins Studio’s design schemes include:
In the restaurant’s lobby lounge, a pendant some 1,600mm square and four square luminaires that sit atop cabinets containing wines and spirits comprise hand crafted brass frames fitted with glass panels on which bespoke parchment shades are fitted.
Four bronze pendants finished in antique brass some 1,300mm in length are above the sushi bar which were hand cut, shaped and welded fitted with bespoke handmade seeded glass shades.
12 ceiling lights for the main restaurant feature reeded glass tubular shades and hand formed brass end caps. They are fixed using one-metre long, handcrafted brass rods fitted with solid brass spheres.
An 80-metre brass track system to accommodate hand-folded, white-paper shades created by Danish bespoke shade maker Le Klint.
12 colonnade wall lights installed in the lobby ceiling, which were formed from brass sheets cut by hand, all pieces individually silver-soldered and finished in a unique bronze shade created by the David Collins Studio team. Light is softly dissipated through the 22 shades created by sandwiching luxury Spanish parchment between glass panels.
“We wanted the lighting to convey Nobu’s strong brand identity and to reference Japanese principles of design without making anything too “themed”.” – Lewis Taylor, Design Director, David Collins Studio.
Image caption: Nobu Restaurant inside Nobu London Portman Square. / Image credit: Jack Hardy
Image caption: Nobu Restaurant inside Nobu London Portman Square. | Image credit: Jack Hardy
“This project utilised many of our team’s skills to ensure the lighting we manufactured achieved the quality and attention to detail required,” Lyn Newcombe, Head of Projects at Dernier & Hamlyn, told Hotel Designs. “The lighting they produced for Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is even more exquisite than we hoped for and we have no doubt that the hotel’s guests and diners will have their experience enhanced by the mood it helps to create.”
Following the opening of the hotel, we talked to Lewis Taylor, Design Director at David Collins Studio, to shine the spotlight on the role of lighting inside Nobu Hotel London Portman Square from the designer’s perspective.
Hamish Kilburn: At what point in developing the design concept for hotels do you consider lighting?
Lewis Taylor: Lighting and custom lighting is considered at the very start of the design process along with all the other elements that make up one of our interior designs. Our starting point for a design is always to consider the feeling that the space should evoke, and lighting is such an important factor in creating and maintaining the overall mood of space.
With all the spaces we create, there is a common thread of design details, colours and textures that create the overarching concept and carries through from the furniture design, material selection, custom finishes, and bespoke lighting, that link everything together in a subtle and sophisticated way. So when we start to create this narrative of details at the beginning of the design process we are considering everything holistically, lighting included.
HK: How important is bespoke lighting to you and for which areas do you tend to specify it?
LT: Bespoke lighting really helps to give each project a unique sense of identity that you cannot find with simply specifying a piece.
HK: What were you looking for the lighting to convey/reference at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, and how did you achieve this?
LT: We wanted the lighting to convey Nobu’s strong brand identity and to reference Japanese principles of design without making anything too “themed”. We looked at simple and honest applications of materials and clean simple shapes that follow the forms created in the interior architecture. Warm and dappled lighting effects really help to give the space an inviting and intimate feeling.
HK: Nobu Hotels is known for blending modern, cool luxury and minimal Japanese tradition. What therefore was the lighting in the restaurant and bar areas’ role in this?
LT: In both spaces the lighting really adds intimacy and interest. In the bar the relatively low lighting levels and dark finishes mean that the lighting really pops. The Japanese book binding paper on the shades on the bar top are unique and the unusual triangular form of these bar lamps are mimicked by the textured glass ceiling pendants.
In the restaurant, the hanging pendants around the perimeter of the room create a calm warm glow, whilst the custom wall lamps on the columns reflect the light beautifully off the textured mirror glass columns.
HK: Very simply, why did you specify Dernier & Hamlyn for this project?
LT: We have a proven track record of collaborating to create unique lighting pieces that are finished to the highest quality. Their craftsmen and technicians really know the level of detail we will want to go into and the uncompromising quality that we expect. The process of transforming an idea off paper and into reality with them is also an enjoyable one with sampling and mock-ups to ensure the desired finished lighting effect in addition to the finished product.
HK: Have you worked with the brand on other projects?
LT: We have worked with Dernier & Hamlyn on many projects over our 35-year history, in a range of locations and varied sectors, from private home to hospitality and retail space. Our work with them on the custom lighting for Harrods Mens Superbrands being one of the more recent examples.
Dernier & Hamlyn is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Washing with water technology has always been at the heart of Geberit’s product innovations. The original Geberit shower toilet, the ‘Geberella,’ launched back in 1978, and brought groundbreaking technology to the market, with an innovative WC enhancement solution and built-in spray functionality. Its revolutionary toilet seat was designed to fit virtually any ceramic bowl and came in a range of on-trend, bold colours, so could be perfectly matched to the bathroom furnishings of the day.
Geberit’s AquaClean shower toilet as we now know it was introduced back in 2011 and continues to pave the way for the washing with water revolution today.
Enhancing guest experience
From odour extraction technology that purifies the air to an automatic lifting seat that rises when the user approaches, Geberit’s AquaClean range incorporates a range of features that have been carefully designed to improve guest experience with wellness and hygiene front of mind.
At the touch of a button, the shower toilet’s integrated spray function provides guests with a fresh-out-of-the-shower feeling, with premium models also offering a cutting-edge features including orientation lighting and heated seating.
Designed by renowned London-based architect, Christoph Behling, each model brings a contemporary, compact wall-hung design to perfectly complement any guest washroom.
Hygiene front-of-mind
AquaClean shower toilets also incorporate other solutions that help maximise hygiene in the washroom space. Geberit’s KeraTect Glaze, for example, makes cleaning easier with a non-porous, smooth surface, helping prevent staining of the ceramics and creating a high-gloss effect. Other innovations also make cleaning and maintenance easier, with rimless design and TurboFlush technology eliminating tricky corners and hard-to-reach areas around the pan.
Selling experiences
As the trend for selling ‘experiences’ and creating an escape for guests continues, so too does the value of creating a unique, positive guest experience to help build stronger memories and ensure customers keep coming back.
As we focus ever more on physical and mental health and wellbeing to help combat the stresses of modern life, it’s clear that good design in the bathroom or washroom space could be the key to unlocking better lives. And it is critical for hotels and designers to be aware of this opportunity.
Geberit was a Product Watch Pitch partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
If there’s one phrase that’s inspired equal parts optimism and frustration this year in hotel design, it’s the idea of a green recovery, writes Amrit Naru, Studio Director, ADP Architecture…
Last July, the UK government’s announcement of a funding boost to help with green industry was met with a mixed reception, and while the principle of green recovery has won wide support, there’s understandable skepticism about whether government and industry leaders can commit to going far enough.
And yet this looks like our best chance. It’s impossible to ignore the negative impact of the pandemic – but if we look forward, taking the new roadmap for lifting lockdown as a starting point for recovery, it’s possible that we can use it as an opportunity to build a very different kind of post-pandemic landscape.
The effects of climate change are increasing exponentially, from extreme weather events to desertification and species extinction. All industries participate in a system that’s allowed this to happen, and everyone therefore has a part to play in helping to stop it. The hospitality sector is certainly no exception: our work reaches communities all over the world, with more than 200,000 hotels generating an annual revenue of more than £400 billion, and employing people of every imaginable background. By interrogating how that money is raised, who it benefits, and what processes it drives, we can make sizeable and measurable change. And with the hospitality sector set to bounce back more dramatically than almost any other industry, we’re uniquely positioned to lead the way towards a sustainable, inclusive future for our planet and its people.
There’s another side to this story as well. Personal wellbeing has been one of the hardest-hit victims of the pandemic: the Centre for Mental Health estimates that up to 10 million people in the UK will need new or additional mental health support due to the crisis. I recently spoke on a panel addressing how hotels can support wellbeing in the future, with ideas ranging from room size and air quality to back-of-house facilities (a reminder that wellbeing is as important to staff as it is to visitors). It’s certainly my view that sustainability and wellbeing go hand-in-hand, and it’s this approach that ADP takes on many of our projects.
In fact, it’s precisely this idea which led to us developing a new tool that measures three key factors in the wider impact of a project: sustainability, belonging and engagement. The first is all about how a building relates to its environment. Does the project’s energy use support a zero-carbon strategy? Does the project support local wildlife, and encourage sustainable travel? The second – belonging – centres on the ways in which buildings connect people with places: a key consideration for any hotel. Thirdly, we consider whether a project is engaging, and whether it can provide that boost to wellbeing which is sorely needed in a post-pandemic world.
Answering these questions requires a degree of creativity in finding solutions, but it also demands honesty in acknowledging where we could have done better. This brings us back to that point about the green recovery – as an industry, we can be optimistic about our capabilities, but we need to be self-critical. It’s not enough simply to say that we support a green recovery, or even that we’re taking particular steps in that direction. We need to measure outcomes. We need to show that what we’re doing is actually making a difference.
This was a problem we encountered time and again when creating the SBE (“Sustainability, Belonging, Engagement”) toolkit. Identifying what needs to change is one thing; measuring it in an objective, consistent way is another. After months spent poring over research and testing our ideas against a range of our own projects, we created a toolkit which broke these “big issues” down into concise factors such as water use or connectivity to nature, and then broke each of these down further – creating a questionnaire which could output an easy-to-read score.
Questions cover every aspect of a project’s potential impact. Has the community been involved in the design? Are there measures to mitigate flood risk or the effects of climate change? What are the average floor-to-ceiling heights? The result is a robust and usable toolkit, one which ADP is now using on every single project we work on.
The SBE Toolkit is very much our own, but it reflects wider trends in the hospitality industry and beyond. One of these key trends – as I’ve already mentioned – is wellbeing. As we move out of lockdown and nationwide restrictions, hoteliers will need to think carefully about how they can balance safety measures with a sensibility that helps guests feel welcome and at ease. One approach is to use the WELL Building Standard, a certification process that takes a detailed account of the ways in which a building can promote health, safety and general wellbeing.
The advantage of using a recognised standard like WELL is that not only can you trust that the process is relevant and meaningful – your visitors and staff can, too. In fact, as tourists take a wider range of factors into account when looking for a hotel, it’s looking increasingly possible that measurements like the WELL Building Standard will become an important part of marketing. The ability to research a number of hotels quickly online has allowed people to consider factors like carbon footprint or media reputation in their search for the perfect stay – so it doesn’t seem far-fetched to expect wellbeing to play a growing role in the future.
A second key trend is flexibility. Working from home isn’t going away with the restrictions. Our experience living with Covid-19 has taught us that we can work from home more, and that doing so carries unique advantages in a society which is ever more globally connected. Hotels are going to play a special role in this “new normal” (apologies for using that phrase, but in this case it genuinely applies). As travel patterns resume, the technology which has allowed us to work from home will allow us to work from anywhere, including local coffee shops, leisure venues, and of course hotels. There will doubtless be a growing market here for co-working spaces built into the wider context of a hotel, as well as adjacent and related spaces such as serviced apartments, aparthotels, and long-stays.
Finally – and bringing us full circle – the word “sustainability” is going to be on everybody’s lips more than ever in the years to come. The pandemic has forced us to think more introspectively about the impact of our travel, and while the travel industry is predicted to come back strongly after restrictions lift, it’s surely a good thing that travellers will take that more thoughtful approach into the future with them. Thoughtful travel is bound to lead to more sustainable travel, and with sustainable travel comes a focus on sustainable hotels.
It’s therefore important that, as an industry, we’re as thoughtful as the people we serve. Hotels are currently among the most resource-intensive commercial buildings in terms of energy and water use per square foot. We need to work together to address this now, as we restructure our ways of operating for a post-pandemic world. We need to reach out to other areas of the tourism industry – from ecotourism to local workforces and communities – to form a united front against climate change. We need to be role models, even when it’s most difficult. The pandemic has presented unparalleled challenges for the hotel industry. As we emerge blinking into the light of a new world, it’s time to seize the opportunity to provide hotels which support the environment and the people they impact. If we meet this opportunity head-on, others are sure to follow us on the road to a green (and happy) recovery.
ADP Architecture is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image caption: ADP Third Space concept. | Image credit: ADP Architecture
Renowned developer Qatari Diar Europe has revealed that the former US Embassy, 30 Grosvenor Square in London, will be named The Chancery Rosewood. Here’s what we know…
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, which currently manages 27 luxury properties in 16 countries with a further 21 hotels under development, has announced that its second hotel in London will be sheltered in the former US Embassy and will be named The Chancery Rosewood.
Recognised for delivering some of London’s most celebrated landmark schemes, the development is the latest example of Qatari Diar’s continued investment into the UK. The Grade II listed building is currently being reimagined by British architect Sir David Chipperfield as a new retail destination and a Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ luxury hotel.
Qatari Diar’s plan for The Chancery Rosewood will form part of a new-look Grosvenor Square. Multiplex has been awarded the contract, with the main construction works commencing in 2021. Once open, a new landmark to the Mayfair neighbourhood and the square will emerge as a vibrant hospitality and retail destination.
The ambitious project, which will no-doubt be compared to the timeless Rosewood London that was famously designed by Tony Chi and opened in 2013, will include a variety of retail spaces within the building, opening onto a newly created public realm to support the future plans for the enhancements to the Square. These units will face the square and create a permeable and accessible ground level as the hotel opens up and connects with its surrounding public realm. The Chancery Rosewood will deliver a significantly revitalised public realm and the creation of a world-class destination.
As with their other landmark schemes such as Chelsea Barracks and Southbank Place, Qatari Diar are committed to ensuring the historic location is given a new lease of life for future generations. With nearly £4bn invested to date in UK real estate projects, once The Chancery Rosewood and all other UK projects are completed, they will have a combined value of £7bn.
Image credit: DBOX for Qatari Diar
Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, CEO of Qatari Diar, said: “The announcement of The Chancery Rosewood name and the award of the contractor appointment to Multiplex marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Grosvenor Square, and is a project that we are extremely proud to be delivering as part of our ongoing investment into UK real estate.
“Our vision at Qatari Diar is to revitalise this public space through the creation of a world-class hotel destination, and in turn inspire the wider regeneration of central Mayfair. Alongside the development of The Chancery Rosewood, our investment will create significant enhancements to the area to help reconnect it to the Mayfair neighbourhood. We’re looking forward to seeing this and the hotel development take shape with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in the near future.”
The Chancery Rosewood provides the luxury hotel brand the unique opportunity to create an ultra-luxe residential atmosphere, with the aim to establish a new benchmark for modern luxury and attract a global and local clientele to set the new benchmark in luxury hotels.
The Chancery Rosewood destination will include 139 spacious guestrooms and suites designed by Joseph Dirand, publicly accessible spaces including a variety of formal and casual dining and entertainment spaces, a Yabu Pushelberg designed Asaya integrative wellness facility, five flagship retail spaces and a grand ballroom with space for up to 750 guests. The designers behind additional F&B outlets will include Tristan Auer and Bar Studio.
“It is an honour to work with such a talented team of architects and designers.” – Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
The Chancery Rosewood name was ultimately chosen for its relation to the building’s history and original purpose. Invoking a sense of grandeur and importance, the name celebrates its origins as the first purpose-built chancery in London. Architect Eero Saarinen’s mid-20th century Mayfair landmark previously housed the U.S. Embassy before its relocation in 2018 and Qatari Diar’s acquisition in 2009. The US commissioned Saarinen to design the original building which opened in 1960. His listed grand facade dominated the western border of Grosvenor Square, with the building and its surroundings becoming synonymous with the UK’s diplomatic relationship with the US.
“At Rosewood, each element of our properties are informed by the unique nuances of the destinations in which they reside,” said Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. “The Chancery Rosewood will realise this Sense of Place philosophy in new and innovative ways, as evidenced by the hotel’s new name, which pays homage to the Mayfair landmark’s storied past. It is an honour to work with such a talented team of architects and designers who share our mission of bringing an unparalleled, ultra-luxury lifestyle experience to one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods, and we thank our partners at Qatari Diar for the opportunity to be a part of this incredible project.”
David Chipperfield Architects’ scheme aims to restore Saarinen’s vision of creating a ‘palace on the park’. The grand piano nobile level will be opened up again to welcome both hotel guests and the public, extending the hotel and retail experience beyond the building and into the redeveloped garden square. The building’s original features and mid-century characteristics have been retained, including its Grade II listed façade and unique diagrid ceiling which have been restored and repurposed. In addition to the retained fabric on site, more than 4000 individual elements have been carefully disassembled for cleaning and refurbishment before being reinstalled into the building during the final construction phase. These elements include original details such as stone cladding for the interior, mullions, window handles and most prominently the golden eagle sculpture crowning the building.
David Chipperfield, principal of David Chipperfield Architects, explained: “Through this project we are seeking to remain true to Eero Saarinen’s original vision for this building, converting it for a new role that maintains much of its original architectural character and civic presence. It is a great responsibility to work with this piece of young heritage, mediating with the past in order to ensure its future. We look forward to continuing the work on site and bringing this remarkable building back to the city.”
The Chancery Rosewood’s interior scheme is led by globally renowned French architect Joseph Dirand. As a longtime admirer of Eero Saarinen’s modernist style, working on the project was a thrilling opportunity to transform the space into something welcoming. His designs for the ultra-luxe guest rooms and public spaces are both intimate and glamourous. The scheme utilises a warm palette which will largely feature walnut panelling, marble and brass. The perfect counterpoint to Chipperfield’s renovation, Dirand has incorporated the warmth and intimacy of a British member’s club with the shapes and textures of Art Deco. His signature style of art de vivre will be felt in every corner of the building.
“What would be a better dream for an architect than to be able to reinvent the future of such an iconic mid-century building in the middle of Mayfair by Eero Saarinen,” added Joseph Dirand of Joseph Dirand Architects. “This modernist landmark has been the headquarters of the US Embassy for more than 60 years. Originally conceived as a fortress and inspired by the Palais des Doges in Venice, it will now become the New British palace of hospitality and lifestyle.
“In respect to Saarinen’s original creation, I have tried to imagine a modern interpretation of the traditional British gentlemen’s club; full of warmth and intimacy, and inspired by the sophistication of the Art Deco of the Roaring Twenties combined with the creativity and glamour of the swinging sixties.
“To respond to this impressive architectural monolith, the interior will be dressed like a modern dandy. Bringing softness and warmth through the different spaces, we used a warm palette of material largely covered with walnut wood paneling along with marble and brass.
“The idea was to translate the soul of this sophisticated city and its classical architecture into a new ornamental vocabulary specific to this singular building and project. We are bringing this iconic place into the future for its second life, where it will be more generous and playful.”
Environmentally sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of ecological sustainability. Over recent years, the realisation that many of our human practices are destroying the earth has led to this growing emergence of eco-design, which is increasingly being integrated, into every phase of a potential new product, from conception to completion.
Image caption: Public areas inside Principal York | Image credit: Havwoods
Image caption: Bar area inside Grantley Hall | Image credit: Havwoods
In this way, when we consider the environmental impacts throughout all stages of the product development process, we more thoughtfully create eco-design products – those that aim to make the lowest possible environmental impact throughout their lifecycle.
According to Greenpeace, human consumption of natural resources has doubled over the last 30 years. Of course, we have good reasons to manufacture better and more efficiently: raw materials and natural resources are finite and, if we do not do better, they will run out.
Eco-design differs slightly from green design, which is perhaps a term more often used – it is an easy mistake to interchange the two phrases. Whereas eco-design is a more natural, organic practice from start to finish, green design focuses more upon the use of recycled materials, renewable energies and a reduction of material waste. Therefore, it is more efficient to adopt an environmentally sustainable approach from the very start.
Wood is one of the few renewable choices of building material for flooring. Other materials are derived from fossil fuels (such as plastic) or take huge amounts of energy to produce (such as concrete). In contrast, wood is a renewable, natural resource which, when managed correctly can provide an unlimited supply. But it is important to carefully monitor and apply policies to ensure that the journey of the wood is sustainable, every step of the way.
Image caption: Close-up of wooden floors inside Storrs Hall | Image credit: Havwoods
Havwoods has recently introduced HavSeal™ stamp of approval, which means that even further measures than ever before are taken to ensure sustainable and responsible procurement within their supply chain. The HavSeal stamp of approval is awarded to those products that exceed the already high standards needed to ensure entry into its portfolio. As part of this process Havwoods not only considers the origin, the legality and sustainability of each of the products but also the energy that goes into production of the product, the chemical content of the product as well as the mill’s commitment to re-using its waste.
The Green Seal award is given to products that offer extra international accreditation, identified as coming from sources that offer higher standards of energy use and waste generation. The Gold Seal is awarded to the products coming from mills that show an extreme passion and proactive approach to ecological benefits such as reusable heating for local communities, the powering of wind turbines, financing the re-introduction of animals into the forest areas and commitments to replanting forest and woodland areas.
These awards are used to encourage and educate the supply chains so that only the very best quality products are offered to the Havwoods’s customers.
Havwoods was a Product Watch Pitch partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
Saving energy: Utility Team launches ‘game-changing’ software
Utility Team has officially launched its new ARC (Automated Response Command) energy efficiency software. The energy-saving solution was designed and built to optimise the cooling loads of commercial and industrial chiller plant…
Utility Team has launched its new ARC energy efficiency software following live field tests of the new ARC software from across a range of sectors revealed impressive reductions in energy usage of between eight and 20 per cent. As cooling loads often account for some 60 per cent of the total energy site consumption, the savings ARC delivers profoundly benefit a business’s commercial and environmental performance.
How it works
ARC is a self-learning software that constantly monitors and logs plant output, total energy consumption, and common header temperatures. ARC then uses this data to predict what is going to happen within the plant, based on historic events under the same ambient conditions and then recommends optimal adjustments accordingly. The software constantly monitors its own performance to account for seasonal demand changes and adiabatic conditions. It is important to note that ARC does not replace the existing controls on the plant but rather uses them to optimise performance.
What’s its purpose?
For more than a year now, Hotel Designs has been working with Utility Team and amplifying the brand’s passion about helping businesses use less energy and create a net zero world. The brand is uniquely positioned to help customers realise the benefits of achieving their net zero goals.
“Sustainability is a core pillar of the business and why we invested in the idea of ARC,” explained Delvin Lane, CEO, Utility Team. “Having identified that commercial and industrial chiller plants are often inefficient and waste both energy and money, we set about finding a solution to this challenge. The potential energy savings ARC could deliver was clear from the outset, as was the positive impact on reducing carbon emissions globally.”
Who’s it for?
ARC will deliver savings wherever an organisation is using commercial or industrial chiller plant delivering a positive impact both commercially and environmentally. Installing the software solution could be a game-changer for many sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, commercial buildings and data centres. In addition to this, as the world returns to a more normal way of life throughout the remainder of 2021, ARC can deliver significant savings to businesses operating exhibition space or sporting stadia. The installation of ARC at the Ricoh Arena for Wasps Rugby has already delivered a 14% reduction in energy consumption.
“The ease and speed of installation was impressive,” said Sarah Roberts, Operations Director at Wasps. “The solution was fitted with little impact on our day-to-day maintenance operation, which was especially important during the current COVID pandemic and the associated security protocols we have in place.
“The really exciting thing about the ARC solution is that while we have already seen a reduction in energy usage, we are not yet at a point in the year when its performance will be most beneficial. As we head into the summer months and our air conditioning systems are running at their optimum, we are really looking forward to seeing the energy usage and financial savings that ARC delivers.”
Adam Benson, Chief Commercial Officer at Wasps, added: “The introduction of ARC to the Ricoh Arena has not only helped decrease our energy consumption but also delivered a meaningful commercial saving. At a time when we need to find ways to minimise expenditure, the 14% reduction in energy consumption has been a welcome boost. This has been delivered with no impact on the quality of comfort levels and helped us lessen our impact on the environment.”
ARC delivers savings immediately
Often with new energy efficiency solutions, there is a requirement for upfront investment on the customer’s part. ARC is a Software as a Service (SaaS) licence and delivery model. This means that there is no upfront investment required by the customer, and they see a financial saving from day one. With so many businesses hit hard by the pandemic, especially in the hospitality sector, the ARC SaaS model allows businesses to access the solution easily and benefit from the savings immediately.
Christopher Toze, Managing Director of ARC and Head of Energy Services at Utility Team, said: “During the development process, we were excited about the anticipated energy savings ARC could deliver. Having undertaken months of real-world testing, the efficacy of ARC has exceeded all expectations.
ARC is a fully packaged solution that is simple to install, is backed with performance guarantees and robust measurement and verification and, with an innovative Software as a Solution (SaaS) model that removes barriers to investment.
Whilst initially launching in the UK, the ARC team has global ambitions as we believe ARC will have a significant positive impact in the fight to combat climate change by reducing the energy usage of commercial and industrial chiller plant as demand for cooling increases.”
Utility Team is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: Sustainability beneath the surface
On February 23, designers, architects, hoteliers and developers from around the globe tuned in to watch Hotel Designs LIVE. In the second panel discussion of the day, editor Hamish Kilburn was joined by leading hospitality figures to discuss sustainability beneath the surface…
With so much noise around sustainability at the moment, it was about time that Hotel Designs LIVE, which was launched last year with the aim to keep the conversation flowing during and after the Covid-19 pandmeic, hosted a panel discussion that allowed designers, architects and hoteliers to go beneath the surface of conscious design and hospitality.
The virtual event, which took place on February 23, led with the ambition to go further than it has ever gone in order to define the point on meaningful topics and conversations.
The discussion dived in head-first with editor Hamish Kilburn asking the panel what their thoughts were on greenwashing, before moving on towards establishing where sustainability in hospitality is heading and whether or not the pandemic has been a positive or negative catalyst for sustainable solutions and eco-savvy product development.
Here’s the full recording of the panel discussion, which has been edited by CUBE and includes Product Watch pitches from Grohe, Havwoods and Siminetti:
As well as recently publishing our highlights from the first session of Hotel Designs LIVE, the full recordings of the other two sessions (‘ ‘Safe & sound hotel design’ and ‘A new era of wellness’) will be available on-demand shortly.
SAVE THE DATE: Hotel Designs LIVE will return for a fourth edition on May 11, 2021. Session titles and speakers will be announced shortly. Once these have been announced, tickets for Hotel Designs LIVE will be available. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, focused Product Watch pitches or the concept of Hotel Designs LIVE, please contact Katy Phillips or call +44 (0) 1992 374050.
The hotel guestroom has undergone many changes over the years to keep up with the lives, both social and physical, of the ever changing demands of the occupant. TVs have got larger yet slimmer, showers have replaced baths and decor concepts range from the lavish, to the quirky.
With Covid-19 providing the biggest interruption to the industry in modern memory, there are solutions available today to safeguard guests throughout this pandemic and beyond.
Indeed, how we enter our rooms and how we relax fundamentally have not changed. Instead of physical keys, we now have solutions that are sustainable, more efficient and far hygienic options with both online and smart key check ins systems already available.
Sometimes a stay is more of a luxury – maybe a retreat – than a busy business trip. Perhaps the stay has an emotional significance for the Guest and a hotel-branded paper RFID card could provide the ideal souvenir to remember the stay in years to come.
Image credit: Yeames Hospitality
Image credit: Yeames Hospitality
The importance of first impressions for any hotel is vital, therefore a suitable check in and access system is of the utmost importance for any Hotelier to prevent a hasty entry into Trip Advisor, rather than a relaxed stroll to the room, whereby they could be greeted with a stylish and custom floor reader panel directing them to their door.
A quick tap on the “Floor Panel” or via the “Magic Eye” reader on the door is all that is needed to gain entry to their room whereby the second impression of the Hotel can be developed with designated lighting themes designed for entry, sleeping and work.
The guest experience is enhanced further using amazing design from the interior designer and architect that utilises the latest technology for room management control with custom finishes to any panel to provide a bespoke room design for any Hotel.
As the guest unpacks they could find room management controls in all the right places to control turn the TV on, set the air conditioning or open the blinds.
With presence sensors installed, the room status can be known to staff and can be monitored and adjusted for the highest energy efficiency. Housekeeping could also be informed when the room is empty for cleaning.
What differentiates a Messerschmitt system to the others on the market?
Both the Key Card and Room Management Systems can be used separately or combined which provides great flexibility for a Hotelier to add on future upgrades as required.
All of the components are designed and manufactured in Germany and therefore not reliant on imports from China where future availability of main or spare parts can not be guaranteed.
30 years of experience and installed in over 2000 branded and independent Hotels, provides reassurance that the products are tried and tested.
Increased Investment into R&D in the last 2 years will see an influx of new options for the future Hotel.
Yeames Hospitality is both proud and excited to be the exclusive certified partner for Messerschmitt Systems in the UK and Ireland and are working diligently to bring this excellent solution to market with Hotels already installed and running in London.
As a company we have our own experienced and trained engineers as well as support staff to ensure all systems installed are maintained to the highest standard with a comprehensive management system and proactive maintenance processes in place.
Image credit: Yeames Hospitality
With the acquisition of Hotel Media, we are developing a unique approach to integrated systems that can offer the Guest seamless experience throughout the hotel.
By working together with design teams in the hospitality sector, room management, guest entertainment and design can be created that provide for the guests senses and allow design and function to co-exist.
Yeames Hospitality was a Product Watch Pitch partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
Nearly half of Brits surveyed expect air purifiers in tomorrow’s hotel
Blueair, which produces air purifiers that remove air pollutants like smoke, mold and allergens, recently participated as a Product Watch Pitch Partner at Hotel Designs LIVE. Here, the brand shares insights into how consumers feel about visiting hotels in a post-pandemic world…
With the brilliant news that the hospitality industry can soon resume, the task of getting consumers through the doors will be a challenge that many hotels face, with many people continuing to be naturally concerned about visiting public spaces and mixing with others. One solution to instil consumer confidence, according to a recent YouGov survey of 2,000 UK residents, is to install an air purifier within the venue to improve indoor air quality. In fact, almost 40 per cent of those who took the survey saying that they would be more likely to stay in a hotel with air purifiers
Blueair a world-leading manufacturer of air purification solutions for home and professional use commissioned the YouGov research to share insights into how consumers feel about visiting hospitality venues and hotels after seeing the benefits from installing air purifiers first-hand in a Central London hotel. Founded in Sweden, Blueair delivers innovative, best-in-class, energy efficient products and services to consumers in more than 60 countries around the world.
Image credit: Blueair/Page8 Hotel
Image credit: Blueair
Prior to taking the YouGov survey, 43 per cent of participants knew that indoor air contains PM2.5 (e.g., dust) particles, 74 per cent were aware of bacteria and 72 per cent knew that indoor air contains viruses. Of all those who took part in the survey, 12 per cent did not know that indoor air can contain VOCs, mould, pollen, pet dander, viruses, bacteria or PM2.5. There’s no doubt that purifying indoor air will give consumers more confidence about heading out to their favourite restaurant, café or pub. As well as removing bacteria and viruses, an air purifier can help with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Blueair’s air purifiers draw air in through its filtration system and will clean a room up to five times every hour. Its HEPASilent™ technology removes at least 99.97 per cent of dust and harmful particulate matter as small as 0.1 microns in size, quietly and using minimal energy consumption.
“When you learn that indoor air can be up to five times’ more polluted than outdoor air, investing in air purifiers for hospitality venues becomes a very sensible and important investment for those preparing to re-open,” explained Michael Westin, B2B sales manager for Blueair. “Our compact, quiet, and stylish Blue Pure 411 air purifier can be found in every guest room in the central London boutique hotel, Page 8, and their staff and clients have seen the benefits first-hand. Blueair’s range of air purifiers are not only one of the best on the market in terms of performance but the design has also never compromised, meaning they can fit seamlessly into any hotel room, big or small no matter the interior styling.”
By partnering with the best air purifier brand in the world, Page8 hotel in London promises to provide the best indoor air quality for guests. A cosy well-designed hotel room is essential for a pleasurable trip, while breathing clean air in the room is an added value which is not commonly offered to guests of a hotel. Using a Blueair air purifier that removes airborne pollutants will go a long way towards helping our guests stay healthy by breathing cleaner air.
As well as removing bacteria and viruses[1], an air purifier can help with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Blueair’s air purifiers draw air in through its filtration system and will clean a room up to five times every hour. Its HEPASilent™ technology removes at least 99.97% of dust and harmful particulate matter as small as 0.1 microns in size, quietly and using minimal energy consumption.
Sara Alsen, Chief Purpose Officer for Blueair commented: “Breathing clean air is essential for a healthy lifestyle but the presence of dust, mites, mould, bacteria and viruses means that indoor air can be up to five times’ more polluted than the outdoor air[1]. If consumers are to be persuaded to spend time in their local hospitality venues and businesses, then installing an air purifier not only ensures cleaner air but it also inspires confidence.”
Blueair is dedicated to providing clean air both inside the home and within the hospitality business. Its high-performing air purifiers have a high Clean Air Delivery Rate, cleaning the air within a room five times every hour, removing harmful particles, bacteria and viruses using HEPASilent™ technology.
For your bespoke air purification solution please get in touch with Michael Westin michael.westin@blueair.se
[1] *Testing by the accredited CAS Test Technical Servies measured a 99.99 per cent removal rate of the 12 most common viruses and bacteria by the Classic 280i and Classic 480i, including swine flu (H1N1), E. coli, and Enterovirus (EV71).*
Blueair was a Product Watch Pitch Partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
International Women’s Day: Leading hospitality design figures comment
Our nod to International Women’s Day is more of a formal bow or curtsy. Editor Hamish Kilburn hears from leading female designers, hoteliers and architects about how far we have come and, crucially, how far we have still got to travel in order to operate in an equal and fair global arena…
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve collected the thoughts of women who have and are breaking boundaries in international hotel design. While we have come so far to champion equality in our industry, a recent report published by the BIID strongly suggests that there is a long way to go in order to create a equal opportunities in this global arena.
Let’s hear from our leading ladies on what the next step towards equality in design, architecture and hospitality needs to be.
Image caption: Jo Littlefair, Co-Founder and Director, Goddard Littlefair
“While women have made great strides in forging careers and have tremendous support within our industry, unfortunately there remains a difference to how we are perceived professionally and there are prejudices which some still hold on to therefore perpetuating their existence. Without being so utopian as to be unrealistic, my personal view is that at every opportunity presented to us we should learn to celebrate our differences, try to be tolerant and inclusive of one another to realise the best initiatives we can, together. It’s like chipping away at a founding stone of a pyramid – it’s going to take a while! Being a designer means questioning and thinking creatively is second nature, I always try to channel energy in finding a solution and not being content with a closed door.”
Image caption: Una Barac, Executive Director, Atellior
“Sadly, there is still a way to go for women, and minorities, in the hospitality design sector across the world. If you look around, you find very few women at senior board level. Yet, studies repeatedly show that diversity is not only good for an organisation’s culture but results in better business outcomes.
At Atellior we are now 35 people across two offices, 22 of whom are women, and we pick our people based on their talent. Having grown up in Eastern Europe when it was governed by socialist ideology, one positive result was that I completely believed in gender equality. That’s why I eventually set up my own business!”
“We have come far but not far enough. Each generation moves forward and sadly this will take time. Whilst women now hold 30 per cent of all board roles in the UK, we are still faced with a system that doesn’t accommodate or value the fact that as women, we bear the children who will be our future. This shouldn’t be a juggle but embraced for the challenge it is and be met with inclusive solutions for all.”
Image caption: Sarah Murphy, Architect, Jestico + Whiles
“Now is the best time ever to be a woman in the design industry. I love what I do and rarely feel as though my gender is a factor. While Jestico + Whiles is full of talented and amazing people and the company works hard to ensure equality and inclusivity is tackled day to day, not annually, we remain aware that there is work to be done internally and throughout the industry.
“I have been fortunate to work with inspirational female designers, associate directors and directors both in my company and client side. However, I recognise that my experiences are my own and that it might be different for other people – I haven’t got children yet for example. But undoubtedly, things have come a long way in even the decade I have been in the industry.
“It’s been a tough year for everyone, but I hope the shift to flexible working is here to stay. Allowing the individual to be more in control of their own structure and time might see a subtle change in inequality, through a more balanced way of life.”
Image caption: Geetie Singh-Watson outside The Bull Inn in Totnes | Image credit: Rachel Hoile Photography
“I was living in a commune and at primary school as the feminist movement took off. Surrounded by wonderful women and men working out what it meant to them and society. It was such an exciting time, but mostly in silo. There were mountains to climb. Men thinking they could touch you whenever they felt like it, the language used, the pay expectations let alone basic working and domestic rights.
“We have come so far in my life – it amazes me, and we must never forget that. But, that doesn’t mean we still don’t have more mountains to climb before equality. But these days, I can correct any male centric language, with anyone I work with, and its taken seriously. It feels like such progress. I have real hope for my daughters future. We must be alert though. We must keep up the fight and take our political responsivities seriously. Learn about our politicians and what they stand for. Or we could slide backwards so fast if we are in the wrong hands.” – the Bull Inn in Totnes was recently reviewed by Hotel Designs.
Image caption: Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Interiors
“My message this International Women’s Day would be to choose to challenge, choose to engage, choose to stand out of the crowd and choose to build and maintain meaningful relationships. A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. This year we are celebrating: The work of female creatives and elevate visibility for commercial projects and commissions; the female athletes and applauding when equability is achieved in pay, sponsorship and visibility; the digital advancement and championing the women forging through technology and leadership while uplifting women to pursue goals without bias or barriers. Above all, celebrating being a mother, a sister, a best friend and a life partner, supporting our families the most precious, are the most cherished and treasured gifts of all.” – Marie Soliman, Co-Founder, Bergman Interiors.
“Gender equality in design continues to be an evolution in the world. As a woman, in many parts of the world people are not always used to seeing a woman as a figure of authority, and even in countries where it’s more common there can still be this sub-conscious thinking. Construction, building and of course architectural development are all very important parts to designing a hotel. Roles and industries that have been pre-dominantly male, though in recent years are seeing more women every day. It’s been exciting to be in this moment of history.
Design processes have always been driven by intuition and feeling, as soon as you discovery a place or an existing building. The hiring processes in design follows this same rhythm. Each is taken on as an individual with a unique soul and character and the creative styles either come together organically or not. From a designer point of view – this allows a much more level playing field.
As a designer with a more ‘masculine’ style (so people tell me!) it’s an interesting balance that plays out in my work.”
Pinar Harris, Vice President and Principal, SB Architects
Image caption: Pinar Harris, Vice President and Principal, SB Architects
“There has been a surge of women taking on leadership roles, but we still have a way to go. We need to make sure we have women in ‘decision maker’ roles and strive to maintain an equal seat at the right tables to effect change and make an impact in the field. Women are currently achieving this goal, and it’s evolving one meeting at a time, one day at a time.
“We’re working on closing a gap spanning centuries of continuous inequality, so, we still have a way to go, but, personally, I’m hopeful that our daughters are being raised with a mindset of absolute equality, with some fantastic role models in front of them in every field.”
Hotel Designs is proud to support and celebrate equality in design. Following a recent report published by the BIID, it is clear that much more needs to be done in order for us to operate in a truly democratic and equal international hotel design and hospitality scene. Happy International Women’s Day!
Early check in: MarBella Elix, a design hotel inspired by the sea
The latest design hotel to arrive in the MarBella Collection portfolio, MarBella Elix, which is about to open on the mainland of Greece, is the brainchild of Konstantinos Kydoniatis and Dimitris Thomopoulos…
MarBella Elix, which Hotel Designs first took a sneak peek of early last year, is an inspirational and to many extends a timeless design hotel situated in a previously undiscovered area of Greece. As the third hotel to join the MarBella Collection portfolio – and the brand’s first property outside of the island of Corfu – MarBella Elix is perched above the beautiful Karavostasi Beach in the Parga region, looking west towards Corfu and Paxos.
Image caption: MarBella Elix is unique to the current MarBella Collection properties as it uses typical Epirus traditional architecture, where the buildings follow the natural landscape. Image credit: Heinz Troll
The 146-key design hotel was built into the sloping mountain with every room looking out over the uninterrupted sea. The architecture is designed to reflect the natural location, mirroring the sandy cliffs and the surrounding area of astounding natural beauty. The interiors meanwhile lend themselves to a family-friendly resort, with expansive communal and dining areas and comfortable resting places, perfectly situated to admire the unspoilt surroundings.
The project was spearheaded by Konstantinos Kydoniatis whose idea was to blend the existing landscape into a premise built with tiered levels.
Image caption: The hotel has been designed meticulously to always frame the stunning views of the Ionian Sea. | Image credit:
Image caption: The rooftops have been used to create
large 25 – 30 sq. mt. private pools for guests staying in upper-level rooms. | Image credit: Heinz Troll
The architectural inspiration behind the design hotel was to create a hotel with contemporary simplicity, paired with breathtaking views. The project was spearheaded by Konstantinos Kydoniatis whose idea was to blend the existing landscape into a premise built with tiered levels suitable for couples and families alike. The existing traditional Greek building was radically redesigned, in order to serve the contemporary needs of a five-star hotel. The designers used high-end technology to ensure the building was constructed with the needs of a luxury traveller in mind, whilst at the same time achieving a high level of sustainability.
The overall brief for Marbella Elix was to redesign and recreate a traditional Greek property into a luxury, modern resort for families and couples, upgrading both premises and amenities seamlessly transition between the traditional and modern.
The transformation has been meticulously planned to play on the outstanding views of the Ionian Sea, ensuring the property is fully equipped for for its guests who expect premium luxury standard. Designed and created by Dimitris Thomopoulos and Kydoniatis, the style focuses on three key elements; the breathtaking, sea-view scenery; the proximity to the once-inaccessible vast coastline, which is now easily reached by a small path and the local architecture elements of stone, marble and wood.
“The inspiration behind the design comes from the breath-taking view of the infinite sea and the surrounding environment,” explained Thomopoulos. “The design of this five-star hotel is now a reflection of the existing materials and styles of traditional Greece, combined with a constant reminder of the beauty of nature.”
The lobby and dining area was conceived as a viewpoint. An uninterrupted line of vision flows directly from the entrance of the restaurant to the vast sea views, with a green filter created through a structure of plant life, to emphasise the natural synergies and surrounds.
Image caption: The lobby and public areas carefully injects biophilic design into a contemporary space. | Image credit: Heinz Troll
The main restaurant follows the design approach of the lobby area, with natural light and plant features throughout. The à la carte restaurant is unique with its luxurious and distinctive darker tones, creating an elegant and authentic feel.
The distinct nod to nature continues in the guestrooms, with the entire design scheme including, floor-to-ceiling windows, working around and framing the unparalleled views of the Ionion sea. The designers have added a twist of something rare and unique to the area by redefining the traditional architecture of Epirus through minimal and clear lines.
Image caption: The use of natural elements adds a sense of place throughout the 146 spacious and contemporary guestrooms and suites. | Image credit: Heinz Troll
MarBella Elix is unique to the current MarBella Collection properties as it uses typical Epirus traditional architecture, where the buildings follow the natural landscape. Marbella Elix blends into the surroundings using built-in tiered levels that appear to come out of the steep slope landscape. This creates unobstructed views to the forest and Ionian sea. The rooftops have been used to create large 25 – 30 square-metre private pools for guests staying in upper-level rooms, tying in natural elements such as stone claddings to reflect the architecture of nearby towns.
The hotel’s coastal location makes it an ideal spot to catch the sunset. | Image credit: Heinz Troll
The MarBella Collection currently boasts two unique properties in their portfolio, the iconic family 5* resort, MarBella Corfu Hotel located and in Agios Ioannis Peristeron and its adjacent sister, adult-only suite hotel MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas which opened in May 2018 and is a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. In 2021, the highly anticipated MarBella Elix will be added to the collection, a design hotel curated for travellers seeking true luxury experiences.
Smashing Supplies: a go-to stop for all hospitality supplies
Smashing Supplies aims to bring the best products to the hospitality industry in order to meet requirements and facilitate the safe opening and return of hospitality guests…
With the Roadmap that has been laid out by the Government, giving a level of certainty for hospitality that hasn’t been see for many months, and has been welcomed by all. Smashing Supplies offers products to equip the industry for the post-pandemic world.
Some key points to remember:
Equipment is serviced and ready to use, with many machines having been turned off for a very long time now is the time to ensure that they are all serviced and can function properly, you don’t want to find out that there are issues with your machines the night that you reopen!
A extra deep clean is carried out through the whole facility, dust and dirt unfortunately have a habit of getting into every nook and cranny particularly when there isn’t the usual traffic around. The only way to ensure safety and that your facility really sparkles is to give everywhere a through deep clean.
All small items of both front of house and back of house are cleaned, including but certainly not limited to;
All Glassware (even if it hasn’t been used to get it off the shelf and clean it ensures safety and that they have that extra bit of sparkle)
All Crockery – not just what has been used
Glassware & Crockery are checked for any chips and damages and these are disposed of, including worn chopping boards, wooden serving platters that are damaged due to knife marks.
All machines are run through a full cleaning cycle, and if like beer lines they have food or drink in contact with them, then they are thoroughly cleaned/purged
Ensure all your procedures are up-to-date and cover off all appropriate rules and regulations including but not limited to – remember ignorance is not a defence (social distancing, wearing mask rules, rood prep rules)
Stocks of PPE for staff are in place including masks, aprons, test kits & more are available, in date, up to specification and ready to use.
Ensuring that your guests are not welcomed into such a clinical-like facility that they feel like they have come to the dentist, but are welcomed warmly but in a safe manner, will be key to ensuring success. Getting this balance right is essential, and here at Smashing Supplies we are here to assist in getting this balance right.
Smashing Supplies is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Following Chelsom‘s participation at Hotel Designs LIVE on February 23, where the lighting brand pitched Edition 27 in a Product Watch pitch, Hotel Designs takes a closer look at the brand’s latest LED Eye collection…
When Will and Robert Chelsom designed the iconic bedside reading light LED Dock, the design intent came with years of experience in successfully lighting hotel guestrooms. Trying to mix being inconspicuous and striking at the same time was a big design challenge, little did they know it would become the company’s most successful product ever enhancing hotel schemes in more than 30 countries worldwide. A hard act to follow!
Image credit: Chelsom
As part of Chelsom’s latest collection Edition 27, Will and Robert wanted to move on the aesthetics of a bedside reading light whilst maintaining all the successful features of function and light output. The starting point was to create a product which was inconspicuous in that it nestled successfully into a headboard with minimum projection and yet was cool and stylish to look at when guests first entered the room. Development led to compact and slim outer vessel which surrounded the ‘eye’, a sculptured cast metal piece which invites the hotel guest to open the eyelid thereby illuminating the light and allowing a full range of movement to create the perfect light spill. Much time and engineering skill went into prototype development ensuring that the cast centrepiece revolve and rotates wit the lightest of touch and can be easily opened to operate the microswitch and closed to extinguish the light.
The highly tactile moulded centrepiece still remains extremely slim with a subtle curve at the bottom edge. Once opened the warm white LED light passes through a high-quality focusing lens to create perfect reading light. The product comes in 6 different standard finishes; Matt White, Brushed Brass, Brushed Nickle, Satin Black, Brushed Nickle with Satin Black, Brushed Brass with Satin Black and to special order combination finishes are available giving a contrast between the outer vessel and internal moulded eye. The product is CE and UL certified and represents great value given its high- quality function and superb finishing.
Chelsom, which is a Recommended Supplier, was a Product Watch Pitch partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
In pictures: Inside the largest overwater residences in the world
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, located on the Baa Atoll, has launched the largest overwater residences in the world with a major renovation of the resort’s two-bedroom over water pool residences…
Setting a new precedent in naturally inspired design and luxury living, the renovation of the seven residences at Anantara Kihavah sees a careful preservation of the element of space while marrying a light and airy interior refit with smart technology home comforts.
Each overwater residence is generously spaced at 1,500 sq. m. and comes with the addition of a new fully equipped gym, a couples’ spa treatment room, a fully equipped professional kitchen with wine fridge, expanded outdoor decks and larger swimming pools. This follows a multi-million-dollar redesign of the two-, three- and four- bedroom beach pool residences in 2020 just before lockdown, with the four-bedroom residence at a commanding 2,000 sq. m.
Image credit: Anantara Kihavah
Two-bedroom overwater pool residences
The two newly completed two-bedroom overwater pool residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows across its entirety, guaranteeing vast views of the ocean. Fitted with a professional working kitchen in the living and dining room, each en-suite bedroom at either end features ample individual outdoor living space, whilst the extended infinity pool tiled in natural Sukabumhi stone and shaded outdoor dining sala is the ideal hangout for shared leisure activities.
Image credit: Anantara Kihavah
With fitness and wellness being a bigger focus than ever in the modern-day traveller’s needs, the redesign of these residences sees the addition of a gym, fully equipped with the latest in TechnoGym machinery, and a couple’s spa treatment room. Both rooms are fitted with retractable blinds, allowing for natural sunlight by day and unfiltered stargazing at night. Whilst relaxing with a signature Anantara Spa massage, a view of the marine life just beneath the residence, is made possible with the strategic placement of glass panels underneath the spa treatment beds. Glass-bottomed whirlpool bathtubs have also been fitted in each bathroom, providing therapeutic massages even during bath time.
Staying true to the heritage of the Maldives, each residence features Kajan thatched palm roofs and Balau hardwood flooring spanning the entire length of its expansive outdoor deck, accompanied by netted hammocks suspended over water.
Image credit: Anantara Kihavah
Image credit: Anantara Kihavah
Two-, three-, and four-bedroom beach pool residences
Anantara Kihavah’s beach pool residences start from 1,330 sq. m for the two-bedroom option to 1,770 sq. m for the three-bedroom residence and 2,000 sq. m. for the four-bedroom pool sanctuary.
Surrounded by foliage and bright bougainvillea accents, occasional sights of coconut trees jutting through floors or ceilings is testament to the resort’s commitment toward preserving the natural beauty of the island, whilst optimising each residence’s space.
Image credit: Anantara Kihavah
Like the over water pool residences, the architecture of each beachfront residence reflects Kajan palm roofs and Balau decks. The newly extended swimming pools are now fitted with massage jets, whilst an outdoor Sala Thai provides shaded relief for lounging and dining.
A light neutral palette uplifts a previously dark wood scheme, presenting an atmosphere that is at once comfortable and relaxed, yet modern and luxurious. Rattan details, woven straw carpets, Maldivian motifs and teak wood furniture further accent the distinctively tropical vibe of each room. Floor-to-ceiling doors of the main living and dining area effortlessly slide open for views of the tropics.
Image credit: Anantara Kihavah
Image credit: Anantara Kihavah
Further embodying island living at its most luxurious, a water feature wall designed to mimic that of a real waterfall, is the highlight in each revamped bathroom newly fitted with intelligent toilet technology. Wellbeing and fitness are also not forgotten – with each residence fitted with its own private double-bed spa treatment room and gym featuring a complete range of fitness equipment.
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.
5 minutes with: Mark Harper, Head of Design at Dernier & Hamlyn
Ahead of Hotel Designs’ next roundtable, in association with Dernier & Hamlyn, on bespoke possibilities in luxury design, editor Hamish Kilburn caught up with the brand’s Head of Design, Mark Harper to understand bespoke lighting’s role in tomorrow’s hotel…
Mark Harper is Head of Design at bespoke lighting manufacturer Dernier & Hamlyn. He worked in various manufacturing and design roles and, after a brief spell at other bespoke manufacturers recently returned to the company’s new premises in Surrey. We caught up with him (over Zoom obviously) to talk lamps, lifestyle and lightbulb moments.
Hamish Kilburn: How long have you worked in the lighting industry?
Mark Harper: I’m proud and also a little surprised to say, more than 35 years!
HK: In that time, what have been the major changes you have seen in hotel design?
MH: Mostly to do with the use of technology. When I started out it was nearly all bayonet cap and ES lamp holders, then fluorescent lights became a really big thing and now, of course, LED is the lighting technology of choice. The light they produced was a bit cold and not very user friendly at first, but they have got progressively better and better and it’s rare that anything else is used in most places now.
Also, the technology that we use for both design and manufacturing has really changed the way we work. Things such as CNC and laser cutting has drastically altered production methods and CAD, while 3D rendering and printing has given more scope to the design, development and presentation of our work. Although I still prefer putting pencil to paper at least during the initial stages of a project. I think it is the best way to experiment with what can be achieved and means I can put my heart into it so that the lighting that is finally in situ in beautiful hotels is part of me as well as the designer’s aspirations.
“It used to be all about varied finishes on metals, and although there is still a lot of that, we are increasingly seeing specifications that include combinations of various woods.” – Mark Harper, Head of Design, Dernier & Hamlyn.
Image caption: Mark Harper working on drawing for Adare Manor Tack Room lighting design
HK: And what would you say are the current challenges you are dealing with?
MH: Sourcing the diverse materials that designers want for their bespoke lighting can be challenging. It used to be all about varied finishes on metals, and although there is still a lot of that, we are increasingly seeing specifications that include combinations of various woods and even skins.
HK: We like to remain upbeat here at Hotel Designs. What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
MH: Hospitality getting back to business. In regards to work, that means sharpening those pencils and helping designers achieve their bespoke lighting dreams for their clients. We’re really looking forward to inviting designers and their clients into our new studio so that we can work collaboratively to engineer and produce the bespoke lighting they want. And out of work that means getting together with friends and family again and enjoying their company.
Image caption: Public areas inside Adhere Manor | Image credit: Dernier & Hamlyn
HK: Are there implications for bespoke lighting post-pandemic?
MH: Not really, but we are, of course, feeling the effects of what is happening to hospitality with people working from home and not coming to our factory as much as they have in the past as well as some holding back of projects. We are starting to see this turn around, which is great for everyone involved in the industry.
HK: What do you think will be the upcoming trends in hospitality design?
MH: I think there will be more and more focus on sustainability, both of the materials utilised and energy usage.
Massive leaps forward have been achieved with the use of LEDs which use around 90 per cent less energy and have a life-expectancy that is 20 times longer than a typical incandescent bulb. This also means they need replacing much less frequently which is good news for hotel operators and their staff and also for designers who can be more confident that their painstakingly designed light fittings, will be kept illuminated as they intended, which was often not the case in the past when non-working lightbulbs were sometimes not replaced for months.
Provenance of the materials we use is increasingly important and will become even more so as younger designers, who tend to be more ethically aware, come through and will want ever more transparency about where and how things were sourced and produced.
HK: What would you have been if you hadn’t been a lighting designer?
MH: Something to do with sport. Probably training of some kind. I was a county level squash player at 17 and also played football to a fairly high standard but stopped most of it when I discovered the kind of things that boys in their late teens usually do. Although I love my job, earning your living from sport must be brilliant. And I’d be fitter a lot than I am too!
HK: What has been your favourite hospitality project?
MH: I have worked on so many over the years that it’s impossible to pick one. Standouts include Adare Manor and Gleneagles (which Hotel Designs reviewed) both of which are places with illustrious pasts that needed the lighting to make reference to this, while contributing to the designer’s aim for their future ambitions.
Image caption: The Century Bar, Gleneagles | Image credit: Dernier & Hamlyn
Bob Bob Cite, the amazing 190 cover restaurant in the Leadenhall Building, which we made more than 400 light fittings for was brilliant to be part of. And the recent project we have worked on which has been fantastic is lighting for the beautiful restaurant, bar and private dining room at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square. I love the way that the designers have engendered a modern feel with really clever and subtle traditional Japanese twists.
Image caption: Bob Bob Cite restaurant | Image credit: Dernier & Hamlyn
HK: What are the best and worst traits in the designers you have worked with?
MH: The best are those who have a clear vision for what they are trying to achieve with their projects and the role that the bespoke lighting they have specified has in it. I’d rather not dwell on the negatives, but let’s call it indecisiveness to be polite.
Dernier & Hamlyn is one of our recommended suppliers. To keep up to date with their news, click here. And, if you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Product watch: Les Tricots by Arte, inspired by haute couture
Arte’s latest wallcovering collection, Les Tricots, is a celebration of haute couture – think unique printing methods and the use of velvety soft yarns. Hotel Designs explores the power of fashion in design…
Image caption: The Les Tricots collection was inspired by haute couture. | Image credit: Arte
Image caption: Les Tricots explores the power of fashion. | Image credit: Arte
Les Tricots is latest collection that has made it onto our editorial radar, which intricately creates the illusion of rich fabrics and elaborate textiles thanks to the combination of unique printing methods and the use of velvety soft yarns.
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
Image credit: Arte
The new collection consists of five different patterns including the versatile Boucle and Tulle, intricately detailed Cashmere and Sergé, as well as the showstopping Chintz, offered in an explosive colour palette of blue, green and red.
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.
With surface design heavy on the agenda for the design community, Hotel Designs takes a look at SMD Textiles, a brand thatoffers no less than 165 vinyl upholstery fabrics…
The 165 vinyl upholstery fabrics within the collections at SMD Textiles have been intelligently designed to cater to every aspect of the contract market from faux-leather to herringbone and animal skin hide-look finishes.
Back in 2014, the brand introduced its first vinyl collection, Burghley, and it proved to be its most popular contract upholstery choice. Designed as a stylish faux leather upholstery, Burghley was aimed at catering to the healthcare and hospitality sector as a practical alternative to leather.
Image credit: SMD Textiles
Image credit: SMD Textiles
Image credit: SMD Textiles
Due to high demand, intense popularity and a shift in market needs,the brand saw the collection triple in size. The range now boasts 61 exciting colours, ranging from neutral tones through to the more luxurious metallics and bold brights, meaning there is now an even greater opportunity to select stylish co-ordinates ideal for every contract space.
“We wanted to create something which was versatile that would not only cater to a wide audience but it would have enhanced durability and reliability suited for severe contract use,” the brand explained in a press statement. “All of our vinyl’s are REACH compliant and fire-retardant to crib-5 standards, alongside being waterproof and stain resistant. They also pass Martindale testing with at least 100,000 rubs with Burghley now surpassing 760,000 rubs, making it one of the most durable and robust vinyl’s on the market.”
After the positive reception Burghley received, Saddle, Chroma and Opal were later introduced in 2017 to offer SMD Textiles’ customers a broader range of textures and colours.
Image credit: SMD Textiles
“Chroma, Opal and Burghley metallics have added a contemporary twist to our range, allowing designers to create a wow factor in their briefs, whilst still adhering to the rigorous contract testing requirements,” SMD Textiles referenced in a press statement. “Across 11 stunning metallic colours, the embossed, chromatic vinyl’s were and still are intensely popular with our international customers.”
Available in twenty-five colours and offering a classic antique leather look, Saddle was designed to mimic the feel of a traditional leather whilst offering added benefits such as their anti-microbial and waterproof qualities.
“Saddle has been hugely popular for us in the hospitality sector, with many of our customers specifying it for hotel rooms and reception seating as it offers a more sophisticated look,” A spokesperson from the brand said. “And then after the success of Saddle, we were keen to introduce a sheen version to sit alongside it. We were receiving feedback from our customers that when they were selecting fabrics for certain settings, the glossier finish translated beautifully to a totally different audience. Ascot is able to bring a more relevant and funky look to a brief whilst Saddle is able to offer a more paired back, traditional look”.
Over the past few months, we have worked to expand our contract vinyl portfolio with the Rio, Nevis and Lismore collections. Lismore is a two-tone faux leather with a pebble grain effect, which recreated the texture of a tipped leather. Nevis emulates an authentic, rustic herringbone weave running vertically through the design. The trend led colour palettes for Lismore and Nevis have been carefully selected to highlight the brand’s existing contract collections.
Image credit: SMD Textiles
Image credit: SMD Textiles
“For us, we wanted to prove that there was and is way more to vinyl than its stereotypical care home stigma,” the statement added. “By bringing out all of these bold trend-led colours on interesting herringbone and tipped leather-look textures, we wanted to change perceptions.”
Rio is described as the smoothest, cleanest and crispest vinyl in our range. Soft to the touch and punchy in colour, Rio is an exciting new vinyl perfect for bold interiors and bold briefs.
“With the way the world is shifting at the minute, we’re proud to say that all our vinyl’s are suitable for outdoor seating areas, making them a great choice for beer gardens and outdoor communal areas,” added a spokesperson for the brand. “Our anti-microbial finish, Feelsafe was recently lab tested and is proven to inhibit the spread of the Covid-19 virus amongst other Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi. The lifespan of vinyl’s are just incomparable to other fabrics, the longevity of the makeup Is remarkable making it a really cost effective and sustainable choice for contract settings.”
SMD Textiles is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
In (lockdown) conversation with: Art consultant Harry Pass
For one year now, Hotel Designs has been amplifying art consultancy firm Elegant Clutter in order to get a deeper understanding of art’s role in hotel design moving forward. Here, editor Hamish Kilburn catches up with the brand’s creative director, Harry Pass…
Whether it’s virtual escapes or understanding how designers should brief their at consultants, the team at Elegant Clutter have kept the pages of Hotel Designs colourful and vibrant over the last year. The art consultancy firm has been responsible for injecting personality into hotels for brands such as Hyatt, 25Hours Hotels, Bespoke Hotels, Radisson Blu and many others. To learn more about how the brand stays ahead of the curve, I caught up with Harry Pass, the Creative Director and art consultant who understands how to meaningfully amplify narrative in hotel design.
Hamish Kilburn: What sets Elegant Clutter aside from other art consultants?
Harry Pass: I think it’s how wide-ranging our work is and the fact that we create as well as curate. If you took a stroll around the place, you’d bump into product designers, paint sprayers, fine artists, carpenters, art consultants, metalworkers, researchers and picture-framers, amongst plenty of other roles – so we are very different to the agency model that you often find with art consultants. I could go on passionately about this for hours but if I can add one more difference, it’s our collective imagination!
Image caption: Work in progress in Elegant Clutter’s 3D Studio for The Brooklyn Hotel, Manchester | Image credit: Elegant Clutter
HK: Has the role of art in hotel design changed since the pandemic?
HP: No – it hasn’t changed. Art in hotel design is mostly about narrative. There may be a shift in the type of projects that are being invested in, but the main role of art to tell stories is not going to change. I think history shows us that we will see a surge in creativity and art following the pandemic and hopefully this will also provide some powerful inspiration for hotel design.
Image caption: Suspended Star Sculpture by Elegant Clutter installed at Hard Rock Hotel Budapest | Image credit: Elegant Clutter
HK: What would you say is the main pre-conception people have of art curators?
HP: There’s lot of different hats to wear but when you talk about Art Curators, people can have this idea of someone waltzing into artist studios, selecting pieces on the spot and then having the vision to instinctively point to wall locations to indicate where they should be hung. The reality is that it is of course more technical and more reliant on a team of people, working together on many details to build an experience with lots of layers.
HK: What are the main challenges when curating art for hospitality?
HP: One thing I love about art is that it is subjective. But this aspect can be one of the biggest challenges in a project. For example, following weeks of curating art options, we may present to an investor client and an interior designer who have quite different opinions on the art. In some ways this reflects the discussion a group of guests may have in the finished hotel space. At the end of the day, we all see something slightly different. A slight edge to the art collection can be a good thing and we want to keep those conversation starters…
Image caption: Close up of Henry VIII mixed media portrait, destined for the AMEX Centurion Lounge, Heathrow | Image credit: Elegant Clutter
HK: At Hotel Designs, we love art when it is outside the conventional frame. What is the most creative art project you have worked on to date?
It’s really hard to pick out one but probably the 25Hours Hotel in Düsseldorf, which we worked on with Stylt Trampoli. Our brief for that project was to imagine the hotel was the child of a German father and French mother – when your brief starts like that you know you are onto a winner! The approach in this project was very open minded and a great deal of the art we created was painted directly to the wall surfaces, including an oversized ‘sketch book’ of nude studies in the 16th floor restaurant.
QUICK-FIRE ROUND
HK: What projects are you working on currently?
HP: Hard Rock Hotel Madrid, Raffles Jeddah and some Curio and Indigo projects in the UK.
HK: What is the most common pitfall designers fall down when specifying art?
HP: Specifying it late instead of building it into earlier stages of project development.
HK: If (touch wood) your house was burning down and you only had time to take one piece of art, which piece would it be?
HP: An abstract artwork that my children painted that hangs in our kitchen.
HK: If you had to get rid of one piece of art in your home, which piece would it be?
HP: The ‘Chocolate box’ painting of our house that my aunt gave me (please don’t tell her!).
HK: What is the best part of your job?
HP: I could write an essay! Summed up, it’s the possibility to be creative every day within the world of art.
Image caption: The Paris Club Restaurant, 25Hours Hotel Düsseldorf | Image Credit: Erik Nissen Johansen/Stylt Trampoli
Image caption: Harry heads up Art Story, Elegant Clutter’s in-house Art Consultancy. ’08 April 1919’ by Art Story artist, Martina Nehrling. | Image credit: Elegant Clutter
HK: What’s your advice for designers who are working on a tight budget?
HP: You don’t need to cover every wall! I would concentrate on the most important locations – where you know a guest will linger and take it all in. Some spotlights in these locations focused onto the art will double your impact. Regarding the content, being creative is the way to go – encourage your client to embrace the philosophy that anything can be art if it is arranged and presented imaginatively. Some of the humblest materials are the best to work with. If you have a little more budget to buy some fine art, you don’t need to go with established names – there is so much emerging art talent out there.
HK: I suppose art doesn’t really follow trends, as such. What’s your secret to keeping art current yet timeless?
HP: I think that by keeping the story telling as the main focus, the style of art is actually inspired by the story. It’s the combination of different pieces that could be from different eras and styles that builds the narrative and so you are not relying on one single trend. We want to be trend setters rather than followers and we are about to launch an Art Story student competition to help us spot and mentor emerging talent. There is a balancing act between being both aware and inspired by trends but also being confident enough to ignore them.
Elegant Clutter is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Black Friday package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Main image caption: When Harry met Henry | Image credit: Elegant Clutter
The new Aloft hotel arriving in Mexico marks Marriott Bonvoy’s entry into the ‘bohemian paradise’, Tulum…
Aloft Hotels, which currently operates more than 185 hotels in more than 25 countries and territories, has opened a new boho-chic property in Tulum, Mexico.
The four-storey property, which is managed by Highgate Hotels, features 140 loft-like guestrooms and suites and a variety of vibrant spaces for socialisation and music, including: signature Ático Rooftop Lounge & Bar with an infinity pool, teepees for kids, and the destination’s only venue for corporate meetings and events. Aloft Tulum is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of brands, and its first property to debut in Tulum, Quintana Roo.
The hotel’s location – near Tulum’s desirable downtown district and its white-sand beaches – caters to Aloft’s tech-savvy, music-loving crowd, as general manager Sergio Parra explains. “After much anticipation, we are thrilled to welcome visitors to Aloft Tulum,” he said. “It is the ideal choice for travellers who are in search of a boutique-like hotel with bold design at an approachable price point.”
Next-gen travellers enter the hotel’s lobby to be greeted by urban art that changes seasonally, modern furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows. While guest rooms boast 10-foot-high ceilings, plush platform beds and light airy décor infused with natural textiles to deliver the ultimate comfort. Each room includes complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 55-inch LCD televisions, free signature coffee and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads.
Image credit: Marriott International/Aloft
The hotel offers several design-forward spaces including its Ático Rooftop Bar & Lounge. At this hangout spot, guests can take a dip in the infinity pool, experience local cuisine and sip on seasonal cocktails – all while marvelling at unrivalled views of Tulum.
Image credit: Marriott International/Aloft
Aloft Tulum is situated off-the-beaten-path in a beautiful location on Coba Avenue that is just a short walk or drive away to internationally recognised cuisine, local shopping and recreational activities.
For Highgate, which is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company, the opening of Aloft Tulum solidifies the company’s reputation as a dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint.
Located on a pristine beachfront property, the hotel site will be comprised of 150 rooms and suites. The exclusive seaside location will offer guests views of the Adriatic Sea and direct beach access, along with easy accessibility to the nearby historic town of Ostuni and countless other attractions in the region.
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts
“As we grow as a brand, our focus is on opening hotels in the world’s best travel destinations, and in markets where we can introduce an elevated luxury experience. In Puglia, we are achieving both of these goals, and this is the perfect project to expand our presence in Italy with our partners at Omnam Investment Group, led by David Zisser,” says John Davison, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “We look forward to setting the standard for luxury hospitality in this beautiful region, creating opportunities to discover more of this incredible country with Four Seasons.”
“We acquired this amazing plot of land in Puglia at the end of 2020 together with our trusted partners led by Adam Hudaly from IAC investments. We are always looking for opportunities to create something unique and unexpected with each new project, and we are very excited to do exactly that with the iconic Four Seasons brand,” says David Zisser, Founder and CEO, Omnam Group. “As more and more travellers discover Puglia, we look forward to delivering the best luxury lifestyle offering in the region, not only through exceptional design and amenities, but through renowned Four Seasons service.”
Image credit: Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts
Puglia makes up the heel of Italy’s “boot” and is home to ancient towns with rich histories, national parks, soaring mountains, exceptional food and wine, pristine beaches and Mediterranean climate. Ostuni, the local city a short drive from the Resort, is also known as the “White City” for its white-washed houses and buildings carved into the cliffside, medieval streets, and its 15th century Gothic cathedral.
Guestrooms and suites will be housed in villa-style units, all facing the sea, with architecture by award-winning design firm HKS Architects that has previously worked with Four Seasons on projects in the Bahamas, Tunis, and Egypt, while interior design is being led by ODA Architecture.
Additional onsite facilities will include six restaurant and bar offerings, including an all-day restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a seasonal pool bar and grill, a lobby lounge bar, a signature bar and a beach club. The Resort will also include extensive meeting and event spaces including a ballroom and smaller meeting rooms in a designated building, as well as additional outdoor event offerings.
Following a challenging year for all sectors in hospitality, Soho House, which was founded in 1995 by Nick Jones, has emerged from the pandemic with a teaser that showcases an optimistic year – with six new Houses that will soon become part of the members-only brand’s ever-growing footprint.
Aside from opening its first property in 1995, key milestones include the brand’s first countryside property (Babbington House in 1998), its arrival in the US (with the opening of its first property in New York in 2003), the brand’s venture into Europe (with the opening of its Berlin property in 2010) and the brand’s first opening in Asia (both in Mumbai and Hong Kong in 2019).
Fast-forward to the present day, and as the brand’s 27 Houses are awaiting the return of modern travellers, we take a look at the new destinations and Houses that are expected to open this year.
Just down the road from the original House – 40 Greek Street, Soho, London – 180 House, which will be located on The Strand, will become the brand’s 10th property in London. Just a short walk from Somerset House, the property will shelter a club, three floors of co-working space, and a rooftop pool with views of Westminster and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Canouan – opening Q1, 2021
Image credit: Soho House
Image credit: Soho House
The opening of the brand’s property in Canouan will mark its arrival in the Caribbean region and will be located on the secluded island of Canouan, which is part of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The renders of the 40 bedrooms and a gym show a paired back design that celebrates barefoot luxury and the authentic charm of the Caribbean.
Located in a former convent in the historic Jaffa neighbourhood, the property will feature a pool, terrace, and 24 stylish bedrooms expected to reflect the life and soul of the destination.
Rome – opening summer, 2021
Image credit: Soho House
Image credit: Soho House
In recent months, there has been a lot of development interest in Rome – with brands such as Rosewood and Bvlgari Hotels also announcing debut arrivals excepted in the next few years. Located in the San Lorenzo district, the debut Soho House property in Rome – the brand’s seventh property in Europe – will shelter 49 bedrooms and 20 apartments, with unparalleled views stretching across the Eternal City from its rooftop, terrace and pool.
Paris – opening summer, 2021
Image credit: Soho House
Image credit: Soho House
For a brand that is known for amplifying creatives (connecting travellers and locals alike) in thriving neighbourhoods, it makes a lot of a business sense for the members-only lifestyle brand to expand its portfolio with a property in Paris. In the former red-light district of Pigalle – steps from the 19th-century cabaret Moulin Rouge – the brand’s property in Paris will shelter 35 bedrooms, a gym, and a courtyard garden overlooked by a pool terrace.
Austin – opening summer, 2021
Image credit: Soho House
Image credit: Soho House
On South Congress Avenue, Soho House Austin will become the brand’s first property in Texas and the 10th Soho House territory in North America, and will feature a rooftop pool, 46 bedrooms, and a members screening room.
Since you’re here…
More than 40,000 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!
12 design pieces by Hommés Studio that will transform your interiors
From lighting and mirrors to room dividers and rugs, Hommés Studio presents a perfect selection combining high-end materials in design pieces that will elevate your interiors and offer your design project the desirable unique style…
Hommés believes that a home must express the owner’s soul, as clothes convey the personality of the person who dresses them. With the vibrant purpose of introducing a nouveau Haute Couture Interiors concept, Hommés presents spaces with bold and unique identities.
1) LIGHTING
Lighting plays a significant role in human life today. Since ancient times, it has fascinated us, regarded as a synonym of security and a chance for survival. Adequately selected lighting for the interior can give the room a completely new look.
Cocoon
The shapes of Art Deco jewels inspired cocoon Suspension Lamp. It was designed to bring elegance and character to any living area. A luxury chandelier for a high-end interior design project.
Image caption: Cocoon | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Cocoon | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Minelli
Minelli Chandelier reflects an irreverent modern design style. It combines a premium selection of materials, making it the ex-libris of the Hommés Studio ceiling lamps collection.
Image caption: Minelli | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Minelli | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Dyta
Dyta Table Lamp was designed for lovers of authentic, provocative design. Its structure represents a female silhouette’s shape, holding a globe lamp with a rotating circle in a refined brass finish. The product was inspired by the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, associated with love, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation.
Image caption: Dyta | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Dyta | Image credit: Hommés Studio
2) MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL
A mirror is a unique element of interior design. Hommés Studio always intends to offer the boldest and daring option, and this collection is no exception.
It allows us to cover up many of projects’ imperfections and expose their advantages. A room may seem deeper and bigger and a narrow room – wider, thanks to a correctly positioned mirror.
Ibiza
Ibiza is an eye-catching wall mirror perfect for a modern design decor. The hanging mirror is inspired by the raw and timeless textures of the tribes’ decorations, jewels, and artistic elements.
Image caption: Ibiza | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Moritz
Moritz is a luxury wall mirror inspired by the raw and timeless textures of the tribes’ ornaments, jewels, and creative aspects. Moritz’s mirror reflects identity and character to any contemporary wall decor.
Titan
Titan Wall Mirror is a spontaneous and sophisticated mirror design for walls. Inspired by the solar system, Titan is the largest moon of Saturn. This mirror represents a multifunctional design vision. While human beings cannot live on the Titan moon, Titan Wall Mirror can surely be part of their living areas.
Image caption: Titan | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Moritz | Image credit: Hommés Studio
3) ROOM DIVIDERS
HOMMÉS Studio presents you with products that offer an eclectic mix of cultures and design styles. From vibrant colors to more neutral tones, this room dividers collection was customized to a luxury lifestyle and elegant interiors.
Rebus
Rebus Folding Screen is the perfect choice for a room divider. This Folding Screen is the encounter between aesthetics and functionality, honoring an expertise handmade manufacture process.
Manu
Manu Folding Screen is a modern project must-have piece. Instantly transform your space with this statement screen: a designer room divider crafted with traditional details.
Zebra
Boasting a melodic and luxury flair in the gentle curves and warm sand tones, the Zebra Folding Screen is perfect for sectioning-up a luxurious space or adding a different mood and texture.
Image caption: Zebra | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Rebus | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Manu | Image credit: Hommés Studio
4) RUGS
Exceptional in design and fearless in attitude. Rugs have the power to create a new silhouette in the home and hotel. A welcoming variety of opulence rugs to take your interior design project to another level. With an aesthetic ranging from abstract, organic, and bold design, it will inject colour and personality into any division. A modern rug performs a significant part in space design, a reflection of your distinctive identity in the space you call home.
Antelope Rug
Antelope rug is a design masterpiece, perfect to be part of your next luxury design projects as a statement decor item. The beautiful and one-of-a-kind details will infuse any room division with elegance and magnetism.
Piano
Piano Rug evokes a potent combination of colours and shapes that collide in the same dimension. An abstract design is a bold choice for a modern-living project. Made by the wisest hands, this rug features a unique design. Following the design trends dictated by the interior design gurus, this rug can be placed on a wall as an art piece.
Ammir
Ammir rug is a boundless expression of the Islamic culture. Hand-tufted with New Zealand wool, mohair, and cotton. A mix of shapes and neutral tonalities will make your dining room a one-of-a-kind.
Image caption: Ammir | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Antelope| Image credit: Hommés Studio
Image caption: Piano | Image credit: Hommés Studio
Hommés Studio is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Diversity in interior design: BIID reveal study findings
The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has revealed the results of the first research study into diversity in interior design – change is needed from eduction upwards…
The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has announced the findings of the first diversity in interior design research, carried out to gain a detailed picture of the current landscape of the UK’s interior design sector and to provide a foundation to achieving a more diverse and inclusive profession in the future.
The research project covered:
An analysis of the diversity of interior design BA and MA students at UK educational institutions.
An analysis of the diversity of the post‐graduate employment patterns of interior designers.
A diversity in interior design survey aimed at currently practising interior designers to gain insights into diversity in the workplace and wider profession.
Key findings – diversity in interior design survey, aimed at currently practising interior designers
This research was launched with the intention of understanding the diversity of working interior designers. By completing this survey, the interior designers questioned helped to contribute to a detailed picture of the current profession which will also become a benchmark so progress can be tracked, and trends can be identified over periods of time.
While 69 per cent of those who completed the survey were white, of those who stated their current position is head of a studio or a senior level position, 78 per cent are white, 10 per cent Asian and six per cent are black – highlighting a lack of ethnic minorities in senior positions.
When asked whether race/ethnicity has created barriers to their progression in interior design, 22 per cent agreed. Of this proportion that agreed, 76 per cent identified as black, Asian or mixed – indicating that those with ethnic minority backgrounds feel that their race is a barrier to career progression. 15 per cent stated that they are the only black, Asian and/or Minority Ethnic employee in their organisation.
What’s more, just under 40 per cent (37 per cent) say they have been the victim of some form of discrimination in their profession and/or place of work.
For those who state they have been discriminated in their profession or place of work because of race/ethnicity, the breakdown of their race/ethnicity is as follows 42 per cent black, 25 per cent Asian, 11 per cent mixed.
Key findings – interior design students
The analysis examined interior design students at UK higher education institutions.
Interior design students were more likely than the average student to be from an ethnic minority background. 29 per cent of interior design students were from an ethnic minority background, compared to the 23 per cent of all UK students. In addition, interior design students were more likely to be from an ethnic minority background than architecture/planning students (22 per cent) and creative arts and design students (14 per cent).
Across the sector there was an ‘attainment gap’ for ethnicity. Ethnic minorities students were less likely to get a first than white students. The ethnicity attainment gap was larger on interior design courses than on other courses: 13 per cent of ethnic minority students attained a first compared to 28 per cent of white students.
The cohort of interior design students analysed was more ethnically diverse and featured a higher proportion of individuals from less privileged socio‐economic backgrounds than the general student population for the same time period.
Key findings – employment outcomes after graduation
18 months after graduation: 74 per cent of graduates were employed or about to start work. However, unemployment was higher than for the UK average (six per cent of interior design (ID) graduates compared to four per cent of other graduates).
Of those who were employed, 74 per cent of ID graduates were in high‐skilled occupations including interior design. 18 per cent were in low‐skilled jobs; this is twice the UK rate of nine per cent for graduates.
In regards to gender, females were more likely to go into interior design, whereas males went into other professions. Females were also more likely to be in a low‐skilled occupation when surveyed.
Ethnic minorities were more likely to be in a low‐skilled occupation when surveyed. It should be noted that this is higher than across UK graduates with degrees not in interior design. This suggests there may be particular challenges for ethnic minorities who have interior design degrees. Ethnic minority ID graduates were less likely to work in high‐skilled occupations as a whole (63 per cent, compared to 74 per cent of white graduates).
Conversely, ethnic minority ID graduates were more likely to go into intermediate and low skilled occupations. A quarter (25 per cent) of this group were in a low‐skilled occupation 18 months after graduation (compared to 19 per cent of white graduates).
Ethnic minority graduates from ID courses are more than twice as likely to end up in low‐skilled occupations (25 per cent) compared to ethnic minority graduates from other courses (11 per cent).
Next steps
The student research positively indicates that students from less privileged socio‐economic backgrounds and students from ethnic minorities feel that interior design is a career choice for them and are choosing to study it in high numbers.
However, the results of the post graduate research project and the diversity survey indicate that there may currently be barriers to entry and/or progression in the UK interior design industry.
The challenge now for the BIID and the wider interior design profession is to ensure that as many students as possible are able to go on to successful careers as interior designers, and that barriers to their success are removed.
Katherine Elworthy, BIID Chief Operating Officer commented: “Our belief is that the interior design profession should be open to everyone. Whilst we are encouraged by high numbers of students choosing to study interior design, we need to explore how we can support the career progression of those students from ethnic minorities who may not be getting the opportunities to progress once qualified. The recently formed Diversity and Inclusion Committee is actively looking into how we can do this. We need to ensure that all interior designers, at every stage of their careers, have the opportunity to thrive.”
The research forms an important part of the BIID’s recently launched action plan into Diversity and Inclusion. The initial plan includes Diversity and Inclusion specific training content in the BIID Continuing Professional Development (CPD) calendar and the development of a Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy to be published in April, which will lay out specific areas for long term action. These initiatives are overseen by the new BIID Diversity and Inclusion Committee who are reviewing the research and recommending next steps as part of the BIID’s long‐term strategy to help foster and encourage a diverse and inclusive interior design profession.
(In video) Hotel Designs LIVE: The hotel experience 10 years from now
To kickstart Hotel Designs LIVE on February 23, editor Hamish Kilburn hosted a panel discussion with leading designers and architects entitled: Floor 20, room 31, which virtually checked in to the hotel experience 10 years from now…
On February 23, 2021, Hotel Designs‘ editor Hamish Kilburn returned to host the third instalment of Hotel Designs LIVE, which launched last year with the aim to keep the industry connected and the conversation flowing during and after the Covid-19 crisis.
The one-day conference welcomed world-renowned interior designers, architects and hoteliers to discuss the future of our industry in four engaging panel discussions, which were:
Floor 20, room 31, checking in 10 years from now
Sustainability, beneath the surface
Safe & sound hospitality & hotel design
A new era of wellness
The production of Hotel Designs LIVE took place while adhering to the current lockdown regulations and kickstarted with an editor’s welcome from Kilburn who explained the need for the virtual event. “The industry’s new swear word, Covid-19, has temporarily brought hospitality and tourism to its knees, but in these challenging times we have seen the real power of designers, architects, hoteliers, developers and suppliers all working together to invent and implement meaningful solutions,” he said. “Hotel Designs LIVE was born in those confusing times, and our aim is simple: to create conversations unlike any other and keep the industry connected.”
The first session of the day, which was sponsored by Hamilton Litestat, was designed to look ahead towards what hospitality and hotel design will look and feel like one decade on from today, and was curated to confront recent cultural shifts that have smudged the sketches, so to speak, as to what the hotel of the future will look like.
On the panel:
Albin Berglund, Founder, Bergman Interiors (Interior of the Year, crowned at The Brit List Awards 2020)
Rob Steul, Creative Director, The Londoner (Edwardian Hotels)
The conversation began with Kilburn asking the panel how accurate previous predictions were regarding the ‘hotel room of the future’. It was concluded that the word ‘experience’, in all sectors of hotel design, was used 10 years ago in order to meet the then new demand among modern travellers who were expecting a deeper and more purposefully driven hospitality journey. Related to this, a new era of luxury lifestyle brands started to emerge to blur the lines in luxury travel, which, following the most testing year the hospitality arena has experienced in modern times, takes us to where we are now.
When the conversation turned to technology, interior designer Martin Goddard led the discussion to argue that moving forward, he expects modern travellers will be burnt out by technology and hotel design in many areas will encourage human connection once more as well as injecting meaningful sense of location, which was evident in Hotel Designs’ recent hotel review of The Mayfair Townhouse, which Goddard Littlefair recently completed steering clear to reference obvious clichés in the design. “One of the best pieces of feedback I’ve received from that hotel is that it always felt like a cosy winter’s day,” Goddard said.
Interior designer Albin Burglund was able to offer a unique perspective when it came to predicting the future of hotel design from both a luxury design as well as a wellness perspective. “I agree with Martin that the industry will be cautious to inject technology,” he explained, “and this will largely follow consumers putting more of a focus on their own personal wellness and wellbeing.”
Chris Lee injected qualitative research into the discussion following a campaign he and his team completed last year for Sleep & Eat, which involved collaboration with Chalk Architecture, Hotel Hussy and students from the University of West London, presenting an interactive render for a ‘2035 guestroom of the future’ based on the groups prestigious upscale Wyndham brand. As well as the project “capturing the imagination” of the modern traveller, the guestroom design and layout challenged conventional hotel rooms – and despite the focus being largely on the ‘Gen-Z traveller’, the product was actually carefully designed for all generations as it allowed guests to select their own scene settings to reflect their mood or preferred environment. Following research into understanding the DNA of the hotel guestroom experience, technology had to be seamlessly blended in to the design scheme.
The discussion soon veered towards Covid-19 and specifically the pandemic’s impact on future design and hospitality. Rob Steul, with more than 20 years’ experience in architecture and design, used the upcoming luxury hotel in Leicester Square, The Londoner, as a prime example of how the industry’s already high standards put hospitality design in good stead for when hospitality and travel returns in the post-pandemic world. “Long before Covid-19, we had already considered elements such as air flow,” he explained. Burglund agreed while also questioning the short-term purposes of event spaces and questioned how these could be utilised and used during what has no-doubt been a testing time for hospitality worldwide.
The full recordings of the other three sessions (‘Sustainability, beneath the surface’; ‘Safe & sound hotel design’ and ‘A new era of wellness’) will be available on-demand shortly.
SAVE THE DATE: Hotel Designs LIVE will return for a fourth edition on May 11, 2021. Session titles and speakers will be announced shortly. Once these have been announced, tickets for Hotel Designs LIVE will be available. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, focused Product Watch pitches or the concept of Hotel Designs LIVE, please contact Katy Phillips or call +44 (0) 1992 374050.
Back by popular demand after publishing our two-part series on hotel openings in 2021, Hotel Designs is serving up the hottest, most spectacular March hotel openings. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
Despite uncertainty around travel in the near-distant future, Hotel Designs’ editorial team has detected optimism on the international hotel design scene. And with this positivity comes hotel openings, which are coming in thick and fast as travel demands surge following the Covid-19 crisis.
From where we are sitting, still, most hotel openings are expected for later on in the year, but there a handful of gems are expected to arrive early to the party. Hot off the heals on February’s openings, ere are some of the hottest hotels that are opening this month:
Denver’s newest independent lifestyle hotel, The Rally Hotel, is set to open its doors to guests in early Spring 2021. The Rally Hotel pays homage to its baseball roots and takes its name from an age-old baseball superstition – the rally cap – in which fans wear their caps backwards or inside out as a talisman for their team to pull off a come-from-behind victory. The hotel’s 176 guestrooms, including 29 suites, are thoughtfully designed to maximise comfort and evoke the feeling of approachable luxury. The hotel will feature a rooftop pool and deck on the Bridge-Way overlooking Coors Field with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
Located in the charming community of Calistoga, the next addition to the diverse Four Seasons California Collection will include wine country’s first Four Seasons resort with an on-site winery and vineyard, in partnership with Thomas Rivers Brown. Featuring 85 luxurious guestrooms and suites designed by Erin Martin, two outdoor pools, and a distinctive wellness-focused spa concept, Spa Talisa, the property will also introduce the highly anticipated TRUSS Restaurant and Bar led by Michelin starred Chef Erik Anderson.
Vico Milano
Image credit: Vico Milano
Neri Baccheschi-Berti, whose family is behind the beautiful Castello di Vicarello, a restored 12th Century castle in the rolling Tuscan hills, is expanding his vision across Italy with the launch of Vico Milano in March 2021 – a seven-bedroom guesthouse in the country’s most design and fashion-forward city, Milan. The family’s connection with Milan is deep-rooted, having lived and worked there for many years. The site of Vico Milano was previously the mother’s showroom from her days as a fashion designer for her brand Bungai, prior to which it was a factory designing and producing legendary Legnano racing bikes. Positioned in one of the city’s most sought-after locations, Corso Genova 11, the boutique property is just a short walk to the Duomo and the fashionable district of Via Tortona, home to designer showrooms and a Milan Fashion Week hotspot.
Wyndham Grand Algarve
Image credit: Wyndham Grand Algarve
Following a €5million transformation, the Wyndham Grand Algarve will relaunch in March to shelter a sophisticated interior design scheme. The all-suite resort has been reimagined to provide premium amenities, stylish interiors and the most attentive service. The 132 suites are the largest in Quinta do Lago, with one-, two- and three-bedroom suites offering a relaxed lounge area with kitchen facilities. A sun-drenched balcony or terrace provide extensive views across the lush gardens.
Azumi Setoda, which will open in early March, is located on Ikuchijima, a small island of about 8,000 people in the Seto Inland Sea. With this debut property, the brand will take the cultural framework of the traditional ryokan and infuse it with a quality offering that appeals to the modern, global traveller. The balance between tradition and innovation is integral to all parts of Azumi; demonstrated through everything from the design, service, food and beverage, to wellness and cultural programming.The main structure of Azumi Setoda is Horiuchi-tei, a 140-year old Japanese compound, formerly the headquarters and private residence of one of the most dynamic salt farming and shipping families in Setouchi, after whom it is named. The family would also use the space to host and entertain important guests.
Keep an eye on the Hotel Designs website for all the latest hotel opening news. On the editorial desk, we are hopeful and anticipate the lockdown regulations to relax somewhat. With this in mind, we expect more noise on the hotel design scene from March onwards. In the meantime, you can read all about this year’s hottest hotel openings in part one and part two of our editorial series on hotel openings.
Since you’re here…
More than 40,000 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!
Bringing colour to bathroom design with RAK-Feeling
To kickstart our editorial series putting bathrooms under the spotlight, we hear from RAK Ceramics how personality, warmth and character can be injected into the bathroom by simply introducing colour…
For a long time, the focus for sanitaryware has been starkly white, but things are changing. While we remain a long way from the avocado greens, electric blues and candy pinks of the 1980s, wall-to-wall white and chrome bathrooms are also seeing a change-up, with a return to colour. Soft pastels and muted shades are increasingly being seen on sanitaryware.
image credit: RAK Ceramics
Less clinical than an all-white bathroom, these pops of colour can be scaled up or down to meet individual requirements. It is not necessary, for example, to choose an entire suite of sanitaryware in a single colourway; a washbasin bowl in cappuccino can add colour and visual interest to a bathroom while being enhanced by more traditional white pieces elsewhere, an idea that works particularly well in smaller spaces.
Coloured sanitaryware also works in harmony with brassware finishes other than chrome, giving designers greater choice and creative freedom. Colour doesn’t need to mean bold and bright and in this instance the trend takes a far subtler approach, with nature-inspired tones that serve to add character while creating a relaxed and tranquil vibe.
Using black is a popular way of adding a sense of drama to the bathroom, for example. This is a stylish and sophisticated colour palette that is very easy to match with other shades, going darker in large spaces and lighter in compact settings. A black basin can easily be combined with matt black brassware for the basin bath and shower, for instance, for a co-ordinated look that is far from overbearing.
RAK Ceramics is the first manufacturer in the UK to launch colour into its portfolio with intent, with the introduction of RAK-Feeling; a complete collection of shower trays, enclosures and valves, washbasins, brassware, WCs and bidet, made with innovative materials and available in a range of colours.
Image credit: RAK Ceramics
Image credit: RAK Ceramics
Alongside Matt White, the range is also available in Matt Greige, Matt Cappuccino, Matt Grey and Matt Black.
RAK-Feeling countertop wash basins with slim edges will enhance any modern bathroom and are finished with an exclusive matt glaze, matching exactly with RAK-Feeling shower trays. Designed to create a spa-like finish with elegant and contemporary lines the flush-to-the-floor shower trays are made of RAKSOLID, a durable material composed of a mixture of natural minerals and resins, with an anti-slip smooth finish.
The perfectly colour matched WCs and bidet and beautiful brassware offer the perfect final touch. RAK-Feeling is where quality and harmony merge with functionality to create a bathroom of the utmost comfort, in colour.
RAK Ceramics is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
The world-renowned Hong Kong architect André Fu, has been given the ultimate compliment by the owners of The Upper House who have named a suite in his honour. Hotel Designs learns more about what to expect in the suite when it opens this spring…
A brand new and soon-to-be ‘sought-after’ experience awaits guests at The Upper House with the arrival of the André Fu Suite this Spring. Although we are still eagerly awaiting the professional images of the suite, we have in the meantime managed to find out more details of what to expect inside, which is a space that gives a sensitive nod to Fu’s style that has effortlessly evolved in tandam with modern traveller demands and the brands expansion in new locations.
The 1,960-square-foot suite combines the understated luxury of the 117-key luxury hotel with the André Fu philosophy for living as realised through Fu’s own collection of furniture, homeware and decorative accessories. The suite is a tribute to the world-renowned Hong Kong designer and his enduring relationship as the architect of The House.
Image credit: The Upper House
Image credit: The Upper House
Perched above the metropolis that is known as ‘Asia’s World City’, on Level 48, the André Fu Suite presents a completely new experience from The Upper House brand and acts as an aspirational space that is a testament to what a suite can offer. As guests explore and interact with the surroundings during their stay, they enter and discover the world of André Fu Living and his collaboration with The House that has spanned over a decade.
“Framed sketches of the architect’s original concept designs of the hotel from 15 years ago adorn the walls.”
Giving a nod to both the architect and the hotel’s journey, framed sketches of Fu’s original concept designs of the hotel, from 15 years ago, adorn the walls. More than 100 pieces of homeware are curated from the André Fu Living Collection, including the Spring Summer 2021 collection while hand-selected books from the visionary’s personal library each translate the shared vision and history of Fu and The House into an immersive living experience.
Image credit: André Fu
Image credit: André Fu
Image credit: André Fu
The space draws on the philosophy shared by both brands that true luxury is in the experience and not just the aesthetics. As such, the suite is designed to act as a conduit for experiential and authentic connections to people and place.
A dining table, set for 20, is the perfect background for entertaining, whether for dinner parties, celebrations or more formal business lunches. The intimate and inviting space is intended to give visitors the sense of walking into somebody’s home, and enables hosts to embrace their personal expression of living.
Image credit: The Upper House
A place for rejuvenation, the suite’s integrated spa is a dedicated and transformative space featuring twin massage beds. Guests can embark on a completely immersive experience to cultivate inner peace and rejuvenation, or simply escape the urbanity of the city and their everyday lives.
The suite’s design is a testament to the sensibilities of its designer and his ability to bring a calm simplicity into interior spaces. Using a palette of mineral blue, dusty mink and pale ivory, the space will feature pieces from the existing André Fu Living collection, which first made its debut in Milan during Salone del Mobile 2019, as well as presenting brand new unseen pieces. These will include a collaboration with British heritage wallcovering specialist, de Gournay, and lounge seating upholstered in Lora Piano’s finest wools.
From the sculptural ottoman to the fluidity and linear structure of the Mid-Century inspired furniture, and the refined porcelain tableware delicately garnished with artisan brush gilding, each piece within the suite is an expression of Fu’s signature understated sophistication and fascination with craftsmanship, focusing not simply on how beautiful things look but how they make guests feel.
In addition to the arrival of the suite, Fu has turned his hand to transform level four from a place to check-in and out to a space that feels more akin to a living room. Replacing traditional check-in desks with a more open high table removes the barrier between guest and the guest experience team.
Image credit: The Upper House
An adjoining lounge space, featuring pieces from André Fu Living, is also created for guests to conjure. The result is an increased sense of intimacy, interaction and relaxation in an area that combines form and function for an enhanced guest experience.
Fu reflects on his long relationship with The Upper House and how his and the brand’s style has adapted over the years. “When the Upper House first opened 11 years ago, it was considered the antithesis of what typically defines an Asian luxury hotel,” he says. “At the time, I attempted to infuse how I saw hospitality going forward into this property. Fifteen years later, I am still excited to evolve with the House as it has remained a key relationship for me throughout my career. I’m thrilled to be able to bring my own André Fu Living brand to the hotel as part of this new suite and once again, I’m eager to see how guests will respond to it, whether it’s through entertaining or indulging in an urban escape.”
After much anticipation, the André Fu Suite opens this spring, which champions his motto of design not being about ‘imposing a lifestyle’ and instead being ‘a personal expression of living’.
Product watch: Popular lighting designs from Heathfield & Co
From the soft curves and natural textures of Elder and Terra, to the simple and understated linear forms of Torchere and Veletto, this month Heathfield & Co celebrates its bestsellers…
Featuring classic pieces, recently launched favourites and long established designs, Heathfield’s collection of bestsellers perfectly illustrate popular products for the home. Warm, earthy textures, brass tones and neutral fabric shades complement both classic and contemporary interior schemes.
Image caption: Heathfield & Co’s Audrey Pendant
Drawing from a range of influences, from mid-century aesthetic to organic forms, these popular designs in ceramic, glass, wood and metalwork cover decorative and functional styles with a focus on quality and fine details.
Heathfield & Co is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Since you’re here…
More than 40,000 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 briefing: Award winners, design trends and a new Nobu
In the same week Hotel Designs LIVE flooded the industry with four panel discussions on meaningful topics, Hotel Designs published breaking news stories from brands such as Accor, Nobu Hospitality and Hyatt. In addition, we caught up with a few leading designers to make sense of design trends in 2021. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes your weekly briefing…
Well, well, well – we don’t want to jinx anything but, from the looks of things, it seems as if hospitality is preparing its comeback and permanent exit from what has no-doubt been the most challenging situations our industry has faced in modern times. My inbox is flooding with press releases referencing hotels being signed left, right and centre, which is painting our pages on the website with optimism. And the good vibes keep on coming as we are currently preparing to share the recordings of the conversations we had earlier this week at Hotel Designs LIVE (first editorial piece is landing early next week).
But before that, let’s look back at the major hotel design headlines that dropped this week:
The annual OPAL Award celebrates and give exposure to the most exceptional projects in architectural design, interior design, and property development from all over the world. From a shortlist of more than 600 global projects, the OPAL jury panel selected three “Designs of the Year” winners in Architectural Design, Interior Design, and Property Development along with Platinum Winners, Winners and Honourable Mentions.
As Nobu Hospitality prepares its arrival in Marrakech, the brand continues to expand its luxury lifestyle portfolio, which now includes a new hotel in Germany as details of a new 191-key hotel emerge. The Nobu Hotel and Restaurant will be located within the Elbtower, a project by SIGNA Real Estate, one of Europe’s leading property companies. The Elbtower will be a mixed-use development destination encompassing premium office space and the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant set within the tallest high-rise in the city.
Since 2021 started, we have deliberately put an emphasis on trends – from surface design trends to architecture trends and recently predicting what colour palettes will be popular this year and in the future. Instead of rolling our eyes, which is often the reaction when the trends are mentioned, we are embracing new ideas and meaningful solutions following what has been the largest disruption to hospitality in living memory.
In order to understand how designers worldwide are thinking right now about the future, we have heard from seven leading professionals from Wimberly Interiors. Here are their predictions.
The international hospitality group Accor has announced Singapore’s first Mondrian hotel will be built in the heart of the city’s prominent Duxton Hill neighbourhood and is set to open in early 2023, which will come after seven Mondrian hotel openings globally, which are slated for 2022.
New York-based Stonehill Taylor lives up to its reputation as a leading interior design firm operating in the luxury lifestyle hospitality arena by unveiling a clean and sophisticated renovation inside Hyatt Regency Houston.
More than 40,000 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!
Marvel Shine is the new ceramic tile collection inspired by four fine white marbles, which Atlas Concorde presented to engaged designers, architects, hoteliers and developers in a Product Watch Pitch at Hotel Designs LIVE on February 23…
Marvel Shine is the new ceramic tile collection inspired by four fine white marbles, thanks to which Atlas Concorde has been able to further expand its already extensive range of marble-effect surfaces. The new natural variants are all rooted in Italy, where “white gold” has been shining for centuries in all its purity, recalling a history of illustrious sculptors and monumental architecture.
Marvel Shine draws on this prestigious legacy and translates it into a concept of a new Italian Renaissance, which evolves classicism into an unprecedented contemporary style ideal for designing the spaces of our time.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
To develop this collection, Atlas Concorde sought out the assistance of SAVEMA, a leader in the international marble industry that made available all its experience for the selection of the most suitable references, confirming Atlas Concorde’s role as a standard-setter when it comes to the ceramic reinterpretation of natural marble.
The four variants of the range, inspired mainly by Calacatta and Statuario marbles, share a bright, pure white background varied by veins in warm and cool tones.
Calacatta Delicato has a bright warm white background crisscrossed by subtle light grey streaks. Calacatta Prestigio is inspired by a fine-grained marble with a pure ivory-white background and sparse thin grey-beige veins alternating with some broader branches that determine its value. Statuario Supremo stands out as the most refined and sought-after stone in recent years thanks to the extreme brilliance of its white background and its broad light grey veins. Calacatta Imperiale is perfect for spaces of sumptuous elegance thanks to the crystal white background traversed by precious yellow-gold and grey streaks.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
Esthetic purity and natural majesty make the surfaces of Marvel Shine perfect for architectural and interior projects where the contemporary nature of the spaces merges with the timeless strength of a noble material. Combinations mixed and matched with other products in the Marvel range and other Atlas Concorde collections also add infinite expressive potential to the collection, expanding the boundaries of style.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
Marvel Shine can be laid in a bookmatch pattern replicating the way marble slabs are used on walls for an even more spectacular effect. It’s available in porcelain tiles in the large 120×278 cm format and in the 75×150 cm format, making it possible to create a 6×3 m graphic composition.
The collection features a wide range of formats that today Atlas Concorde makes available to designers around the world: large porcelain slabs measuring 160×320 cm with a 6 mm thickness, slabs for furnishings (Atlas Plan) measuring 162×324 cm, the large format measuring 120×278 cm with a 6 mm thickness and so on down to strips measuring 37.5×75 cm. Completing the selection are single-fired white body wall tiles in the brand new 50×120 cm format and in the traditional 40×80 cm size.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
The two classic Matte and Polished surfaces are joined by the new Silk finish, inspired by a traditional workmanship of marble that introduces a new sensation in the realm of tactile ceramic experiences: a silky, soft touch that also reflects the light. It gives surfaces a naturally velvety appearance, highly valued in contemporary design.
Marvel Shine is the latest addition to the rich Marvel family, further expanding it with new creative solutions. The Scenic Mosaic, made from 120×278 cm porcelain slabs cut into smaller pieces, makes it possible to reproduce the bookmatch look in original shapes and even on curved surfaces for added design versatility, ideal for interiors with a eye-catching impact.
The decorations in the range of single-fired wall tiles are instead designed to soften the intense white of marble-effect surfaces through the use of precious materials (including gold, pink gold and platinum) and elegant colour accents.
Atlas Concorde was a Product Watch Pitch partner at Hotel Designs LIVE, which took place on February 23, 2021. Read more about the virtual event here. The next Hotel Designs LIVE will take place on May 11 2021.
The rise of antibacterial surfaces in hotel design
Given the recent uncertainty faced by many in the hospitality sector, it’s clear that in order to evolve, we need to place greater importance on designing spaces – including antibacterial surfaces – that seamlessly enhance hygiene. CTD Architectural Tiles explores…
The hospitality industry is known for its interiors – with many venues achieving recognition for their aesthetically pleasing design schemes. Yet, as with any environment with daily exposure to the public, hygiene is key and must be carefully considered within commercial design schemes.
This amplified focus on sanitation has provided us with an opportunity to shine a spotlight on tiles. We have recently explored the power of colour in the post-pandemic world, but when it comes to versatile surface coverings, there is a demand for robust and aesthetically pleasing tiles – both wall and floor – that are easily wiped cleaned.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Antibacterial tiles
Antibacterial Tiles are the perfect solution for improving health and hygiene within the hospitality industry. Made with the PROTECT antibacterial solution, the tile surfaces of LEA Ceramiche’s ranges are finished with the specialised, world-renowned Microban® Technology coating that eliminates up to 99.9 per cent of bacteria.
In addition to providing a hygienic surface option, there is room to experiment creatively with antibacterial tiles, with a range of stylish designs available that allow designers to experiment creatively – this is especially important within hospitality environments where appearance is key.
CTD Architectural Tiles’ Delight range for example, is designed to replicate the visual qualities of marble, and would add luxury and elegance to any hotel entrance space. Its unique veining and selection of three surface finishes, allow for creative expression and endless design possibilities.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
The ultimate tile choice for health & safety
Many hospitality venues including spas, gyms and other additional hotel-related leisure facilities are extremely popular with consumers, often becoming even busier during peak season due to the strong attraction of a calm and tranquil ambience.
When working with an environment prone to water, for example a swimming pool or spa, it’s important to look for a tile with inherent anti-slip properties to reinforce health and safety and enhance the overall experience for guests.
Anthology merges both anti-slip and antibacterial properties to result in a tile design that accentuates health and safety. An ideal choice for the wellness environment, the forward-thinking porcelain tile has a structured finish with high non-slip resistance.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
Hotel lobby surfaces
Hotel receptions are typically where first impressions are made, therefore it’s important to design an interior that creates a statement but can withstand heavy footfall from guests, employees and other visitors.
The surface needs to be easy to sanitise and therefore tiles – over another porous floor covering – is the more suitable choice. Furthermore, as expectations around hygiene advance, the industry will be keen to invest in materials that can be easily cleaned and effectively maintained.
With hospitality design continuously evolving it’s clear the introduction of forward-thinking materials will be pivotal moving forwards.
CTD Architectural Tiles is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Black Friday deal package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
New York-based Stonehill Taylor lives up to its reputation as a leading interior design firm operating in the luxury lifestyle hospitality arena by unveiling a clean and sophisticated renovation inside Hyatt Regency Houston. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores…
Located in downtown Houston – a short distance from the George R. Brown Convention Centre and Minute Maid Park – the Hyatt Regency Houston shelters 955 rooms, including 20 suites, all of which have been revamped by award-winning architecture and interior design firm Stonehill Taylor.
Image credit: Julie Soefer
In addition to the private areas, the New York-based firm, which is also responsible for the interior design scheme inside Ace Brooklyn, has been tasked with the interior design of the public spaces, including several food and beverage venues. The design team set out to create a multitude of compositions as the sculptural dimension of modern furniture interacts with the unconventional use of materials, geometry and scale – resulting in a hotel infused with creative flair.
The existing hotel boasts a Brutalist-influenced 30-story atrium with a series of transparent elevator cabs that climb the full height. A black material accentuates the lift shaft and contrasts with the neutral bone-coloured interior architecture.
“The fluidity between the interior design and architecture is inspired in part by the famed village of Marfa, Texas.”
Next to the main entry sit four new reception pods, creating a warm welcoming to the arrival experience. Though simple in design, the new reception pods’ wooden slats add texture and detail to the arrival experience. The reception desks are framed to create an intimate effect within a towering space. The fluidity between the interior design and architecture is inspired in part by the famed village of Marfa, Texas, well known as a haven for artists and their iconic installations often created from existing architecture.
Image credit: Julie Soefer
In the lobby, there is a main bar that has been redesigned to occupy one full level. To similarly foster a sense of intimacy and human scale, there are distinct seating zones, including a collection of soft seating elements around the bar’s perimeter and wood-framed booth seating. The bar is defined by natural materials, including a stunning marble countertop and concrete-inspired porcelain tiles crafted by artisan Concrete Collaborative. Over the bar hangs a slatted wood canopy creating the illusion of a ceiling in a cavernous setting. The floor is a custom herringbone carpet. Behind the bar, an escalator leads to the second floor.
Image credit: Julie Soefer
Image credit: Julie Soefer
Also, on the first floor are two restaurant spaces: an upscale steakhouse and a grab-and-go eatery. The former space has been rebranded with an industrial-meets-Scandinavian, contemporary aesthetic that incorporates warm neutrals and earth-inspired materiality. Wood is used throughout the space to create texture, as with the slatted wood ceilings and tambour-clad columns that define the lobby-facing seating. Past the hostess zone is the interior dining area complete with natural wood flooring and inset pattern black and white porcelain tiles. Open shelving and banquette seating are arranged along the edge of the space. There is also a private dining area consisting of three joined rooms with a dividing wall to demarcate different zones; this area has porcelain floor tiles and tambour-clad walls with cove lighting. The more casual venue, meanwhile, conveys a crisp coolness with a navy and tan palette throughout, and rich wood tones for a cozy approach.
There are a series of ballroom spaces throughout the hotel, where a you can find integrated custom lighting, a distinctive carpet pattern and textured wall finishes.
The corridors leading to the guest rooms feature a tailored palette of grey, black and white, and deep gold hues. Inside the rooms, guests will be greeted by the surreal undertones of the corridor continuing into the room complemented by a semi-open closet finished in a rich wood tone.
Image credit: Ralph Esposito
The guestroom palette and colour-blocking approach are influenced by Mark Rothko, an artist best known for his Abstract Expressionist works, examples of which are housed in the nearby Houston-based Menil Collection. In a nod to Rothko, a headboard light shines on a textured navy wall; the effect is a subtle variation in tone that creates a striking centerpiece for each guest room. Furnishings embrace a playful aesthetic and feel as if they are art pieces themselves. Casegoods feature elegant, curved corners, a departure from the typical brand standard of corner edges. In the bathroom, black floor tiles and grey porcelain wall tiles channel a vintage feel yet timeless feel.
The international hospitality group Accor has announced Singapore’s first Mondrian hotel will be built in the heart of the city’s prominent Duxton Hill neighbourhood and is set to open in early 2023, which will come after seven Mondrian hotel openings globally, which are slated for 2022…
Singapore’s first Mondrian hotel is currently being developed by Craig Road Property Holdings. This news comes on the heels of Accor’s recent announcement regarding its planned venture with Ennismore, which will see the creation of one of the world’s largest and fastest growing lifestyle and entertainment operators set to include Mondrian hotels.
Mondrian Singapore, a luxury lifestyle hotel comprised of 300 guestrooms and suites, a restaurant, a lounge and a rooftop bar will combine historic architecture from Singapore’s centuries-old shophouses with a new build of modern, contemporary influences.
Chadi Farhat, Chief Operating Officer of sbe, believes that the hotel will be an apt addition to the already thriving hospitality scene in Singapore. “We are thrilled to bring the iconic Mondrian brand to Singapore’s Duxton Hill neighbourhood. Mondrian is a natural fit for a global destination like Singapore, said Farhat. “The property will provide a cultural hub of food and beverage experiences for locals and travellers alike. Mondrian Singapore will be more than a hotel; it will be a destination.”
Sun You Ning, Director, Craig Road Property Holdings, added: “We are excited to debut the Mondrian brand in South East Asia and Singapore with our partner Accor. Mondrian Singapore will provide guests an opportunity to stay in the heart of Duxton Hill, a vibrant heritage conservation area surrounded by Michelin-starred eateries, award winning bars, and iconic retail stores – all within walking distance to the Central Business District.”
A collaboration between DP Architects and Studio Carter, Mondrian Singapore will feature a lower three-story building in a contemporary take on the famous Singapore ‘shophouse’ building typology. This portion of the hotel features a terracotta roof and colonial-style window shutters and will include the hotel’s premier guest accommodations in loft suites. The hotel will then be expanded with a new, contemporary tower housing the majority of the hotel’s guestrooms as well as a rooftop pool and bar and signature restaurant.
The two buildings will be united by an urban oasis landscape deck to remind guests of their location, as Singapore is known as the “Garden City.” In addition to the rooftop pool, the hotel will also feature a speakeasy bar with a hidden entrance for travellers and locals to explore. sbe subsidiary Dakota Development, led by President Joe Faust, will provide design management services for the project.
Mondrian Singapore will be the first Mondrian hotel in Singapore, further expanding the brand’s luxury lifestyle experiences in South East Asia. The hotel’s location in the charming “day-to-night” Duxton Hill neighbourhood of Singapore’s bustling Downtown Core District positions itself as a prime location for travellers looking to immerse themselves in local cultural explorations.
Mondrian Singapore is one of the new Mondrian properties that Accor plans to open globally and will be one of the first to open in early 2023 in its next phase of expansion following Accor’s acquisition of sbe’s hotel brands. It follows the company’s recent announcement of Mondrian Gold Coast opening in 2023 and the upcoming opening of Mondrian Shoreditch London in Q2 2021 and Mondrian Bordeaux and Mondrian Cannes in France in 2022.
The debut of the Mondrian brand to Singapore reflects the strategic expansion of the brand’s international footprint, which will include soon-to-be announced Mondrian properties in the Dominican Republic, Germany, the Maldives, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Launching for ISH 2021, Hansgrohe presents Aqua Days: a hybrid brand experience that will enable audiences to discover and experience the new AXOR and hansgrohe product launches in an innovative and interactive format…
From visionary concepts and forward-looking technologies to unique design and brand stories, guests can expect a wide range of content at Aqua Days that has been specifically developed to inspire in a digital world, in the absence of the physical show.
Taking place from March 16- 18 2021, Aqua Days will showcase new products from AXOR and Hansgrohe, offering the perfect opportunity to be immersed in a life with water. Highlights will include the global premiere of the Pulsify shower revolution from hansgrohe and the exclusive AXOR One collection designed in collaboration with the renowned Barber Osgerby, supplemented with live chats and Q&As with Hansgrohe experts.
“The hybrid experience – meaning the ability to be physically and virtually experiential – is a must in any customer-centric brand strategy in 2021,” said Hansgrohe CEO, Hans Juergen Kalmbach. “That is why we have planned an excitingly dramatic line-up of virtual highlights for our anniversary year. We did not rush into this process of creating a hybrid brand experience with a holistic approach. We started early and took our time to develop exciting and informative concepts for our customers.”
This new, customer-centric brand experience is best accessed online at 10am on March 16, so you can experience the event with full interactivity. If you miss this, it can be accessed on-demand at any time to perfectly suit personal schedules and interests. From retailers, installers and architects to designers, industry influencers and journalists, this unique platform promises to bring to life a digital event experience like no other.
Hansgrohe is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Nobu Hospitality, the global lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, has announced its continuing global expansion into the ‘Gate to the World’, Hamburg, Germany. Here’s what we know…
The Nobu Hotel and Restaurant will be located within the Elbtower, a project by SIGNA Real Estate, one of Europe’s leading property companies. The Elbtower will be a mixed-use development destination encompassing premium office space and the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant set within the tallest high-rise in the city. For the founders of Nobu Hospitality, actor Robert De Niro and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, there is synergy between the energy of Hamburg and the spirit of the brand. “We are very happy to be working with SIGNA in developing the Nobu Hotel in the great city of Hamburg,” they stated in a press release.
Timo Herzberg, CEO SIGNA Real Estate Germany, added: “The partnership with Nobu Hospitality in the launch of the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant Hamburg underscores the compelling Elbtower development as Northern Germany’s tallest skyscraper. Hamburg as a destination fits seamlessly within the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant collection and will be embraced by our prestigious office tenants in the Elbtower as the most exclusive destination in Hamburg.”
Rising 245 metres and 64 stories over the River Elbe, the Elbtower is designed by celebrated architectural firm David Chipperfield Architects and will complete the city’s silhouette with its striking and curved façade. Forming a designed counterpoint to the famed Elbphilharmonie concert hall and serving as an entrance marker to the prestigious HafenCity district. The Elbtower will house the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant, the tower itself will be comprised of flexibly designed office spaces with unparalleled views of the city and beyond. The ground floors, with their innovative layouts, will form the hub of the Elbtower community and play a significant role in positioning the Elbtower as the most attractive place to work, sleep, eat and drink, shop and socialise in Hamburg. The offering will comprise of a variety of retail shops, restaurants, and co-working spaces. The Elbtower will add to The SIGNA Group’s portfolio of exclusive real estate properties in prime city locations around Europe.
Trevor Horwell, CEO Nobu Hospitality, comments: “We are extremely honoured and excited to be working with SIGNA on this unique project. This is the first project in this growing partnership, and we are exploring other destinations with SIGNA. Hamburg is an economic powerhouse in Germany and is an exciting destination for travellers whether for business or pleasure and perfectly fits with our global clientele. The Elbtower itself is a very special project planned as Hamburg’s world class dynamic lifestyle destination with our Nobu Hotel and Restaurant sitting as its core.”
Image caption: Exterior shot of the Elbtower, designed by David Chipperfield Architects | Image credit. Nobu Hospitality
Image caption: A sneak peek of a bathroom inside the hotel shows a minimalist design scheme. | Image credit: Nobu Hospitality
The Nobu Hotel Elbtower Hamburg will offer 191 spaciously designed guestrooms and suites, a 200-seat Nobu restaurant, a stylish terrace bar and lounge with views of the River Elbe, and a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness facility. In addition to the restaurant and private dining rooms, the hotel will offer sophisticated event space for corporate and social gatherings as well as an outdoor terrace. Another highlight will be a Nobu private members club for the local community where members will benefit from a private lounge with a food and beverage offering, access to the hotel’s fitness and wellness facility as well as exclusive members only events. Nobu is one of the world’s most celebrated luxury hospitality brands renowned for its award-winning “new style” Japanese cuisine and exceptional hotel offerings in the world’s most desirable locales, with heartfelt service, energised public spaces and instinctive design.
With an ever-evolving, burning demand among modern travellers to check into spaces that ooze personality, design and art work in tandem, as editor Hamish Kilburn learns when he interviews interior designer Steve Esdaile when establishing art’s role in tomorrow’s hotel design…
Esdaile Design is rapidly making a name for itself with interiors featuring bespoke art commissions at the heart of the designs. These stunning focal points that always provide an element of surprise are something of a signature of founder Steve Esdaile. From private residences and hotels to commercial and retail spaces, Esdaile is keen to add what he simply calls an element of personality.
These artworks wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery, so what inspired Steve to incorporate them into his designs? We took five minutes of his time to find out.
Hamish Kilburn: You’re a designer by trade but where did your interest in bespoke art commissions start?
Steve Esdaile: As an art and design graduate, I’ve always loved making things and really love the environment of an artisan workshop. This has extended into my design work where I enjoy bringing to life original and previously unrealised pieces of work. Given my interest in skilled art and craft, when I’m employed to present ‘standard’ products, I look to artists and craftspeople to add an element of ‘bespoke’ to the settings.
Image caption: Study library created by Esdaile Design, featuring bespoke furniture and hand-carved stone relief in the light well.
HK: Where do the ideas come from and how do you find craftspeople to work with?
SE: The ideas for projects are usually client-led initially. I’ll try and provoke a train of thought in the brief process – which could be an interest, reference point or emotion that the client would like to realise in the commission. And the craftspeople we work with tend to come via a recommendation from my existing contacts. Obviously, the internet can yield a broad scope of ideas and potential, but narrowing the field takes time and experience, and knowing what questions to ask is critical. My background in workshop manufacture is invaluable, as I understand the information a craftsperson requires. The best results tend to come from asking someone to do what they do best.
Image caption: Bedroom of a master suite in a Thames-side property. The monochrome hand-painted wallpaper in the bedroom was commissioned directly from the studio of a Chinese artist, and brings an exotic depth of field to the space.
HK: Can you give us as an idea of the range of materials and techniques you’ve incorporated into your designs?
SE: Within one Thames-side residence, I incorporated no fewer than five bespoke art pieces. For example, in the master bedroom, I commissioned a monochrome hand-painted wallpaper directly from the studio of a Chinese artist. The design brought an exotic depth of field to the space. Then in the ensuite, a Crinoid sea-lily fossil plaque from the Lower Jurassic Period in the shower enclosure and a bespoke mosaic floor panel with fish motif add decoration that reflects and celebrates the riverside location.
Image caption: A recent project, the basement of a house. The driver for this project was the client’s artwork, which can be seen on the walls.
Image caption: The polished marble and quartzite floor is finished and polished, and incorporates a water-jet cut central panel design with a relatively traditional orientation, with a nod to mapping imagery as point of reference.
HK: And any favourites among those projects?
SE: In the study library of that same project, we commissioned a 5 x 2m stone relief that forms a backdrop to the external lightwell. It depicts the battle between Rama and Ravana, from the Ramanyana and was hand-crafted by a Cambodian carver. My favourite aspect of the project is the sheer beauty of the carving as a backdrop to the interior space. Every time I revisit the property, I’m struck by the fact that I have to stop and take it in for a moment. It makes me appreciate all the individuals who were involved and the relationships that developed within the process. I love the fact that the end result is unique and somewhat unexpected in the environment. Though if you ask me again tomorrow, I may have a different answer – my current project is always my favourite!
HK: What added extra do you think art commissions bring to hotel and commercial spaces?
SE: Without doubt it adds both personality and charm to a space. In a small, boutique hotel, a commissioned piece is a great way to chime with the personality no doubt already on display. But it can also give the different hotels of a corporate brand an element of personality and individuality. After all, each piece is unique so can’t be replicated from one location to the next. In that way, a bespoke art commission can also really add a sense of place.
Image caption: The illuminated panels in a study library and borders on the bookcases are details from original plates by cosmographer and mathematician Andreas Cellarius.
HK: Are there any additional points to consider when creating artworks for commercial spaces that will inevitably have higher traffic than residential interiors?
SE: Yes, the work needs to have more impact visually to stand out in a public space. So, for example, stronger contrasts in the work mean a more impactful piece that will gain the attention it deserves. And, of course, in practical terms we need to choose materials that won’t wear or deteriorate with continual touch or use. Particularly as they’ll be subject to continual cleaning – they need to withstand whatever is thrown at them.
By contrast, in a residential setting, the owner will live with that piece for many years, so the subtleties and detail need to go deeper to be appreciated for longer. Also, the owner intrinsically knows the story the artwork is telling – in a commercial setting, the story needs to tell itself.
HK: What are you working on now – and what’s next?
SE: I’m currently working on a stunning bespoke Zellige mosaic from Morocco, orientated around a 48-point star design, widely considered the queen of traditional mosaic work. I particularly enjoy the geometry, and how the simple lines and coloured polygons knit together to make such a rich and complex visual tapestry. I’ve also recently been pursuing an interest in traditional Japanese Hakone marquetry, and looking at ways of applying this within more contemporary applications. I’m always looking to future, though, and I suppose the dream next project would be to create something that I had no idea was possible!
Leaflike is on a quest to help customers with their sustainability agenda, switching to recycled planters, introducing hydroculture planting, flower rejuvenation programmes and green walls…
Leaflike saw an increasing trend for sustainability within the Christmas packages last year, from a decorative tree made with recycled glass bottles at the Holiday Inn Camden Lock to beautiful wooden wreaths for Galvin at Windows, Hilton Park Lane.
Leaflike considers sustainability in every project delivered for customers, recognising that venues want to know where their products are from and that its ok to have them recycled and upcycled if it means they are more sustainable.
One customer has recently gone for all sustainability options including having herbs as table centre pieces and then using them in the kitchen for cooking thereafter. Using recycled plant pots made from either coconut shells or PCs, phones and microwaves. Plus, hydroculture planting using no soil or compost and a flower rejuvenation programme. These initiatives ultimately make them award winning and truly amazing with their global commitment to respect and preserve the planet.
In addition, we are launching a 40 by 40 initiative. Leaflike will plant 40 trees a year which in turn will provide 40 tonnes of carbon reduction over the next 40 years. We will be doing this through the national trust. You can track the company’s progress on its website.
Image credit: Leaflike/Holiday Inn Camden Lock
Image credit: Leaflike/Waldorf Hilton Palm Court
The Waldorf Hilton has been a customer for more than five years and they recently adopted sustainable and recycled products in their venue including the famous Palm Court.
Guy Hilton, General Manager, The Waldorf Hilton explains how the brand has helped connect interior design with the outside world. “I have been working with Leaflike for five years at this venue and previous Hilton hotels as well,” he explains. “The key thing here was to establish the historical planting that takes it back to the glory days of 1908 when there was Tea Dance The room Palm Court, famous for its Tea Dance, we have worked hard with the team at Leaflike to bring palms back into the Palm Court! Across the hotel the plants and planting are in keeping with the style of the hotel.”
‘In these difficult times we have worked closely with Leaflike to consider interior planting that also covers the hygiene needs and distribution of hand sanitiser.’
Join Leaflike in its next webinar
Hear how Leaflike helps customers transform any space into something beautiful and place sustainable solutions in their venues. Visit www.leaflike.co.uk/cpd.
Leaflike is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
Product watch: Ceiling light collection from Chelsom
From the looks of things in the Edition 27 collection, which launched last year, Chelsom likes to give designers plenty to play with. With this in mind, Hotel Designs takes a sneak peek at the diverse range of ceiling light options the brand offers…
Every hotel or cruise ship needs a statement chandelier and this eclectic collection has been carefully created to cater for all budgets and applications, taking design aesthetics to the next level without compromising on function and efficiency.
Hello VETRO: a seamless fusion of design and function
Slender disks in brushed brass and sculptured glass create a timeless, elegant design that makes the range extremely versatile for any application in hospitality and marine environments.
This statement pendant dramatically illuminates the surrounding area with each facet of the sculpted glass catching the light creating a striking light effect that is a statement in itself.
Chelsom is one of our recommended suppliers and regularly feature in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Outstanding Property Award London: Winners announced
The annual OPAL Award celebrates and give exposure to the most exceptional projects in architectural design, interior design, and property development from all over the world. Editor Hamish Kilburn, who joined the judging panel for a second year, is here to unveil the winners…
From a shortlist of more than 600 global projects, the OPAL jury panel selected three “Designs of the Year” winners in Architectural Design, Interior Design, and Property Development along with Platinum Winners, Winners and Honourable Mentions.
You can view the full list of winners on the OPAL website, but here are some of the major wins from this year’s event.
Architectural Design of the Year
White Deer Plain. Mountain Land Resort Hotel
Image credit: WuLicheng (lead architect) and Huiyimingcheng (collaborating firm)
Sharp contrasts and a tin box-like structure, the White Deer Plain. Mountain Land Resort Hotel offers a strong vision of different material usage and highlights the perpetual battle between light and shadows through its shapes and framework. The space and dimensions of the building remind the viewer of the ratios and relationship between human and architecture.
Interior Design of the Year
Technopolis Auditorium: An acoustic device
Image credit: ahylo architects
The Auditorium was a renovation project designed for the Municipality Of Athens, completed recently in the cylindrical Historic Industrial Gas Park building. Keeping with the concept of a gasholder tank, the forms of the inner design fold and flow, transforming the auditorium into an “acoustic device.” The roof enhances passive acoustics through geometric sound reflectors and absorbers and oak surfaces that form prismatic clusters. In total, the structure consists of 564 elements coming together into an alluring, jubilant meeting spot for art lovers.
Property Development of the Year
Park Silom
Image credit: NYE & RPG Development Co. Ltd.
“Silom” translates to “Windmill” in Thai. Historically, the area was a humble rural location that, with the evolution of Bangkok, became the financial district. At Silom, the windmill symbolises new beginnings, which is reflected by the intention of breathing new life into the community right from the heart of the building. The o ice complex is a38 storeys with two basement levels and 56,000 square metres in total area.
What’s in the spotlight this March on Hotel Designs?
This March, Hotel Designs is serving up a multiple stories that will be dedicated to lighting and bathroom; two areas in hotel design that are seeing evolution and meaningful change…
Throughout March, Hotel Designs will be putting both lighting and bathrooms under its editorial spotlight in order to continue to define the point on international hotel design.
Lighting (part 1)
Due to the popular nature of the topic, the editorial team have planned two features this year dedicated towards lighting solutions. We will be exploring the latest innovations on the market as well as understand more about lighting’s role on the post-pandemic hospitality scene.
Bathrooms (part 1)
Also being covered in two parts throughout the year, our editorial features around bathrooms will explore hygiene demands and solutions as well as how designers are working on new ways to inject personality in the bathrooms, ahead of the topic being amplified at the next Hotel Designs LIVE in May.
If you are a supplier and would like to find out more about how you could feature in Hotel Designs, or know of a product that we should be talking about, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Villeroy & Boch/Duravit/HBA/Chelsom
KEUCO Black adds an elegant touch in a modern bathroom
When it comes to stylish modern furnishing, black surfaces and finishes catch the eye offer a luxurious appearance especially in the bathroom, explains bathroom brand KEUCO…
If black is destined to be a key colour in your bathroom; KEUCO has an extensive range of products within their Black Concept collection.
KEUCO EDITION 11 bathroom furniture is available with a stylish black metallic-pigmented lacquer finish. The rectangular vanity units, sideboards, high and low storage units in this collection are all designed to be handle-free with a soft-touch closing system.
This noble matt-black look exudes an air of elegance and extravagance, yet the velvet matt quality of the bathroom furniture ensures the room maintains a cosy atmosphere. The black finish on this collection is easy to care for as each surface has anti-fingerprint protection.
It’s not only furniture that is available in stylish black the inventive IXMO shower range is also available with a PVD brushed black chrome finish. IXMO combines aesthetic design with functionality; as the single fitting elements allow a variety of functions, the number of visible fittings required is actually reduced. This allows greater freedom when planning the layout of the shower and bathtub in the bathroom.
Image credit: KEUCO
Image credit: KEUCO
The large rectangular EDITION 11 head shower creates a minimalistic look, the light metallic shimmer of the brushed black chrome surface works equally as well on light and dark surfaces, displaying to perfection the modern yet honest design elements of EDITION 11.
EDITION 11 fittings and accessories in brushed black chrome create an elegant contrast when combined with white ceramic washbasins;
The Black Concept is available in all areas of the bathroom, the ROYAL LUMOS light mirror has a black all-round anodized rim, and the two LED illuminating sources (main illumination and washbasin illumination), can be dimmed intuitively via the control panel. There is also an option to vary the colour of the light and activate the mirror heating option preventing misting.
The colour theme flows through the bathroom including accessories. KEUCO shower shelves are the perfect combination, a stylish design that provides practical storage space for the shower. There are two wall mounted variants plus one that can be hung over the shower wall, these spacious shelves are made of grey-black powder coated aluminium. (The shower shelves can be mounted on the wall without drilling by using the easy-to-use two component adhesive.)
Image credit: KEUCO
Image credit: KEUCO
The iLook_move cosmetic mirror with brushed black chrome PVD coating adds the finishing touch to this darkly accentuated, colour coordinated bathroom design with matt-black surfaces, metallic optics and luxurious KEUCO bathroom furnishings resulting in a sophisticated interior.
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.
Hyatt Hotels and Juniper Capital Partners has announced the opening of Hotel Nyack, previously The Time Nyack Hotel in New York’s Hudson Valley…
Following the hotel group’s debut property opening in Cambodia, and its Unbound Collection making an entrance in Sweden, Hyatt Hotels has recently announced that Hotel Nyack in New York has joined the group’s Joie de Vivre brand, which consists of a collection of boutique hotels offering ‘unique accommodations’ that reflect the neighbourhoods they’re located in.
Recently acquired by Juniper Capital Partners, Hotel Nyack now joins Hyatt’s Joie de Vivre lifestyle brand today inspiring the spirit of playful travel through neighbourhood connections. Located in Hudson Valley’s Rockland County, Hotel Nyack will provide picturesque views of the Hudson River and newly reconstructed Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, and is primed to welcome guests and locals with the Joie de Vivre brand’s joy-driven service.
In addition, Juniper Capital Partners has appointed international hospitality management company, Real Hospitality Group, Inc. (RHG) to oversee the operations of Hotel Nyack. RHG brings its comprehensive management services to create success and deliver a memorable and enhanced guest experience.
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
Image credit: Hyatt Hotels
“At Hotel Nyack, guests are able to immerse themselves in the vibrant town that offers art, culture, history and nature,” said Lawrence Bain, Managing Partner of Juniper Capital Partners. “With a commitment to the Nyack community and our guests, we were drawn to Hyatt’s Joie de Vivre playfulness and deep respect for its neighbourhoods and Real Hospitality Group’s industry leading performance. We believe installing these two groups as an extension of our team will bring a bright, successful future for the hotel.”
The 133-room hotel with loft-style accommodations housed within the framework of a four-story, former factory, has plans to renovate several portions of the hotel including its culinary offering. An open, industrial feel and reflection of the urban neighbourhood within the property’s contemporary design lends itself to the overall heartfelt and inclusive spirit of the Joie de Vivre brand. An urban stopover, less than an hour drive from New York City, all guests will notice touches of greater New York influence throughout the unprecedented level of excellence and service at Hotel Nyack.
Hotel Nyack also joins the World of Hyatt loyalty program, providing members with opportunities to enjoy valuable loyalty benefits on qualifying hotel stays, dining services, meetings, events and more as a part of their unique stay experience.
Adaptation is the design trend to celebrate in 2021
Hotel Designs goes behind the scenes of one of the leading design firms, Wimberly Interiors, to understand what hotel designers are expecting to be the major design trends of 2021…
Since 2021 started, we have deliberately put an emphasis on trends – from surface design trends to architecture trends and recently predicting what colour palettes will be popular this year and in the future. Instead of rolling our eyes, which is often the reaction when the trends are mentioned, we are embracing new ideas and meaningful solutions following what has been the largest disruption to hospitality in living memory.
In order to understand how designers worldwide are thinking right now about the future, we have heard from seven leading professionals from Wimberly Interiors. Here are their predictions…
“I would say personalised boho. A lot of natural, raw materials and earthy palettes with an emphasis on plants brought indoors in any shape or form, to take us back to nature after being locked in for so long.” – German Mendoza, Associate and Senior Designer, London.
Image credit: Rosewood Baha Mar
“My interiors prediction for 2021 is ADAPTATION! As this year has laid down in front of us a path of restaurant, hotel and venue closures and abandon, 2021 will be the year of taking those left behind spaces and turning them into something new, exciting and hopeful.” – Josh Held, Vice President and Director of Entertainment, New York.
“After being part of Fortis 2019 [WATG and Wimberly Interiors’ internal rising star program], my eyes have been opened to the need for resilience in interior design. More than just a trend, it is gaining momentum and is ultimately about the use of materials – tactile, natural, honest and, most importantly, local. Interior design is moving rapidly towards a sense of place and appreciation of available materials and products with a low carbon footprint. It is this availability of resource that is key to the future of design beyond trends.” – Damien Follone, Senior Associate and Senior Designer, Restaurant and Bars, London and The Brit List 2020 Designer.
Image credit: EDITION Hotels
“After a chaotic 2020, we’re predicting that 2021 will be all about calm and comfort.
“Natural and organic materials and cool neutral colours with touches of earthy tones are on the way in. Think stone, wooden finishes, recycled and plant-based woven fabrics, and touches of greenery.
“We’re also going to see more open, uncluttered spaces that balance a minimal aesthetic with comfort, warmth, and a feeling of ‘home’ – especially in hospitality design. Objects that are both beautiful and functional, or possess special meaning rather than being purely decorative, will take prime position.
“Blending old and new with curated feature pieces will also continue to dominate the interior design space. Over the past few years, we’ve seen consumers move towards buying better made, longer lasting statement pieces as opposed to their faster, in the moment or ‘on trend’ counterparts.” – Rachel Johnson, Senior Vice President and Studio Director, London.
Image credit: Kempinski Jinan
“Wellness has topped trends lists for years – and not just in the travel and hospitality industries. As we begin contemplating our post-pandemic (or next-pandemic) world, wellness is going to be bigger than ever and take on a much more holistic form: health, safety, and resilience will become one, and we’ll see designers collaborating more freely with new and unexpected industries and professionals. In the short-term, it’ll mean opening windows in guest rooms, saying goodbye to individually packaged plastic bottles for products or water, and ensuring a better relationship between the indoors and out through integrated design.” —Margaret McMahon, Global Director, Wimberly Interiors
“Within hotels, I think there will be a real move towards creating spaces where people feel private and protected. Interior design will feel cozier and more residential, while still providing all the finishing touches that guests have come to love from hotel environments versus the home. Luxury hospitality in particular already has a head-start on this, with spaces often designed with exclusivity in mind.” —Liana Hawes, Creative Director, Wimberly Interiors New York.
“2021 will bring a consciousness of how we conceive private spaces by giving them more flexibility. Think ‘light furniture’ that adapts to different situations with concealed extra functionality to accommodate luxury, comfort and purpose, such as a chair that doubles for dining and working. As many continue to spend increased hours at home, the role of the artwork, textured and natural materials, and botanical wallcoverings will become extremely important – especially in spaces that have prolonged hours of use. As Joan Miró said, ‘A simple line painted with the brush can lead to freedom and happiness.” – Paolo De Simone, Associate and Senior Designer, Wimberly Interiors Singapore.
Weekly briefing: A new design podcast, Moxy arrivals & 2021 colour trends
Huddle in, folks. Editor Hamish Kilburn here with your weekly briefing of the biggest stories that have been published on Hotel Designs in the last few days. Is everyone sitting comfortably? Let’s begin…
“Finally some good news,” said nobody, ever, on the editorial desk at Hotel Designs, because despite hospitality still suffering as a result of the pandemic there are always room for positive stories to focus on. And this week was no exception. As our in-house team furiously prepare to serve up our third Hotel Designs LIVE, we have also been busy launching and promoting our new podcast and publishing engaging content such as a colour trends forecast for all of you who are alergic to colour trends (spoiler: nature is calling).
So, let’s get started, shall we? Here are what I am calling the hottest hotel design stories of the week:
Episode 1 of DESIGN POD has landed
In each episode, the new podcast for all designers and architects, which can be listened to on all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music and Acast, will welcome influential guests to share their opinions on the conversations and challenges that are shaping our industry. Together, they are embracing innovation while balancing the important issues we all face as modern designers and architects.
In association with series sponsor Bathroom Brands Group, the first episode of DESIGN POD explores the topic of ‘choosing your lane’ in both architecture and design. In order put some personality into this topic, Kilburn interviews special guest interior designer Constanina Tsoutsikou, the former Creative Director of HBA London and founder of Studio LOST, to understand the process and challenges that came with launching her new design studio, Studio LOST.
A year after hospitality lost its colour due to the outbreak of Covid-19, we’ve asked brand strategist Emma Potter to inject our pages with some vibrancy. Here, she explores colour’s role in post-pandemic hospitality and hotel design.
Moxy South Beach has arrived in Miami’s Art Deco District. Lightstone, the developers behind three award-winning Moxy hotels in New York City, worked with design firm Rockwell Group and architect Kobi Karp to create a stylish, playful open-air concept celebrating Miami’s cosmopolitan culture.
Hotel Designs LIVE, the one-day virtual conference for designers, architects, hoteliers and developers that has just been shortlisted at the Digital Event Awards, takes place on Tuesday February 23 – and it will shelter four engaging panel discussions with world-renowned hospitality and design experts.
And that’s your lot! Have an enjoyable and safe weekend, and in the meantime we will get cracking to create next week’s juicy headlines which include a behind-the-scenes look into design firm Wimberly Interiors and all the action from Hotel Designs LIVE.
Since you’re here…
More than 40,000 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!
Hotel Designs LIVE, the one-day virtual conference for designers, architects, hoteliers and developers, takes place on Tuesday February 23 – and it will shelter four engaging panel discussions with world-renowned hospitality and design experts…
Designers, architects, hoteliers and developers attend free – click here to sign up (booking form takes less than two minutes to complete). Click here to read the agenda for the day.
In addition, to ensure that the event is bridging the gap between hospitality suppliers and designers, architects, hoteliers and developers – the conference will also include structured ‘Product Watch’ pitches within each session, allowing the audience to hear about the latest innovations to emerge in the hotel design arena.
If you are a designer, architect, hotelier or developer and would like to secure your complimentary seats in the audience, click here.
If you are a supplier to the hotel design industry and would like to promote your latest product or services to the Hotel Designs LIVE audience, please contact Katy Phillips via email or call +44 (0)1992 374050.
A year after hospitality lost its colour due to the outbreak of Covid-19, we’ve asked brand strategist Emma Potter to inject our pages with some vibrancy. Here, she explores colour’s role in post-pandemic hospitality and hotel design…
The pandemic has created a seismic shift in human behaviour. We have adapted well to new ways of working and new ways of communicating with our friends, family and colleagues, but how will the hospitality industry connect with the post-corona consumer? Through colour and savvy design is how.
I think it’s fair to say that the last year has been a rollercoaster of emotions from worry and anxiety with the announcement of the first lockdown in March 2020 to frustration and confusion with the ongoing uncertainty as we enter a new year. Arguably it is in times like these where we are able to see just how powerful a tool colour is – used correctly and purposefully, it has the ability to control the emotional noise that surrounds us.
Image credit: Stefen Tan/Unsplash
Like many other sectors, the hospitality industry has been hit exceptionally hard all over the world but I’m sure the appetite that many have to travel, see and experience new destinations remains pretty solid. Having been cooped up in our homes and restricted to our local areas (in some cases only a 5km radius from our front door) as human beings, we are craving a change of scene; to get away from our daily routine, and to have shared experiences with loved ones that help us reset, recharge and refocus.
As we continue to move through 2021 – a year of optimism and solutions – I believe colour will play an increasingly significant part in hotel design. Whilst the world is undergoing one of the largest global ‘resets’ in decades – with many people re-evaluating their lives, how they use their homes, where they want to live, their choice of career, right down to the way they wish to show-up and be present in the world – this is also a tremendous opportunity for hotels to ‘reset’ and re-open refreshed and reinvented.
In some instances, that may be a guest that’s looking for a high-end, luxury and high-tech experience that gives them the power to control and operate everything contactless. For others, who crave environmentally values, they will want to immerse themselves in nature and find a destination that has focused on bring the outdoors in, adopting a more biophilic style to their architecture and design. Moreover, perhaps hoteliers have taken this time to become more conscious to source all their products locally and from sustainable sources. In all cases, the two types of customers are very different and demand a different colour schemes and design style – and yet, they are often sheltered in the same hotel, which creates somewhat of a challenge for the design team. But it’s not impossible. One hotel that manages to perfectly balance both sustainable approaches and extreme luxury is Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia, which was reviewed in 2019 by Hotel Designs.
Image credit: Jade Mountain
Given the fact we’ve had so much screen time in the past 12 months, post-pandemic it’s likely we will see a surge of the environmentally values based consumer – and the hoteliers and designers who inject this feeling with purpose will the ones who come out on top.
“Choosing a colour scheme for a hotel is an expensive decision to get wrong.” – Emma Potter.
In addition, just as colour has the ability to create an effective and productive workplace, it also has the authority to evoke an emotion and a positive memorable experience during a guest’s stay. Remember, guests are making decisions based on their emotions and therefore colour can often influence our emotions and change our behaviour – so it’s imperative for a hotel to get their colour scheme right to establish true, meaningful connections with their guests.
Common pitfalls to avoid when choosing colour
Choosing a colour scheme for a hotel is hugely complex and an expensive decision to get wrong. It’s important to think about what the hotel brand stands for; who their ideal guest is (who do they want to appeal to), what do they want their hotel to offer that others don’t, what behaviours do they want to elicit, what feeling’s do they want to evoke, what memories do they want their guests to take away with them – all of these elements and more need a huge amount of consideration.
“Choosing a colour scheme because it’s ‘on trend’ means you’re following someone else’s version of ‘good’ or ‘great’.” – Emma Potter.
So, when choosing a colour scheme, consider this:
Brilliant white – I would recommend that you avoid choosing brilliant white to paint a space, whether it’s big or small. From a psychological standpoint, white may be perceived as perfection to bring a sense of calm and quite; yet on the flip side it makes a space feel sterile, cold and lifeless. It reminds me of stark, clinical hospitals. Instead, check out the brands, such as Arte, that celebrate imperfection in nature.
Over saturation – Just as it’s important not to saturate a space with brilliant white, it’s equally not advisable to saturate a space with any ‘one’ colour. All colours, with the exception of pure greys, have positive and negative psychological aspects. Of course, grey may make us feel safe because it has the capacity to help us blend in with the background but for me it’s quite non-descript and when surrounded by it for too long depletes my energy levels, resulting in me feeling drained and lethargic. Equally if I was immersed in a red space initially, I may feel energised and excited but if I remain in a red room for a long period of time, I’m likely to become agitated and annoyed because I’ve been over stimulated by the colour.
Think about the space as a whole – When designing for a space it’s easy to get carried away with the colour scheme on the walls, but it’s important to think about the space as a whole. There are many elements to consider, from the walls, carpets, and cabinetry, to soft furnishings (including fabric type and textures as well as the construction of and / or print pattern), to lighting, glassware and the many accessories that adorn and embellish an environment. Think about the design journey and space as ‘one’ and the experience you with so take your guests on will flow.
Tonal harmony – A colour scheme will always come together and be a success when the colours chosen relate and come from the same tonal group. When colours don’t harmonise it generally creates a sense of confusion or disharmony which guests will pick up on innately, but what they won’t always be able to identify or articulate is ‘why’ they feel this sense of discomfort. In essence it all comes down to selecting a colour palette that has tonal harmony.
Trends are not timeless – I imagine that, certainly when it comes to residential design, opting for a colour scheme because it’s ‘on trend’ is more common than we realise – perhaps a client has picked out the colour because they have seen it in a magazine. Yet to help us choose the right colour scheme it would be good to understand how, as humans, we relate to colour – be that psychologically, personally and symbolically. Additionally, it makes senses to understand the influence of both the positive and negative traits, plus the application and proportion of colour used to create the desired results. Choosing a colour scheme because it’s ‘on trend’ means you’re following someone else’s version of ‘good’ or ‘great’, and not tuning into your intuition to discover your own. There are many well-respected paint-manufactures who make trend predictions at the beginning of every year like Pantone, Dulux, Farrow and Ball or Benjamin Moore – these are great places to go for inspiration, but in the end, make sure you select a colour palette and design style that’s right for your brand and the experience you wish to create – in the end it’s all about creating an immersive and memorable customer journey.
Create sense of place – Achieving a strong sense of place in hotel design without straying into cliché territory is often a major challenge in any project. Colour can be a subtle way to reflect the natural landscapes as well as the personality of the destination. Take the newly opened Moxy Miami South Beach, for example. Gregg Keffer, Partner and Studio Leader at Rockwell Group delibrately chose a vibrant colour and design scheme that broke boundaries while capturing the “bright, carefree sophistication” of South Beach.
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Clever ways of injecting colour to enhance wellbeing
The idea of connecting hotel design and hospitality with nature is not new, yet in response to the pandemic there has been some discussion of the re-emergence and rise of biophilic design – it’s become mainstream! This builds on the idea that as humans we have an innate attraction to, and love of, the nature world. This would possibly explain why people will happily pay more for a room with a view of never-ending, undulating mountain ranges or the expansive horizon of the sea because these vistas will most likely deliver an incredible glowing sunrise to start your day whilst sipping on a delicious cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea, or to end your day with a mesmerising sunset whilst enjoying a chilled glass of rose or perhaps a gin and tonic as a sundowner.
Image credit: CTD Architectural Tiles
In essence, ‘biophilia’ means ‘love of life’, however, when it comes to biophilic design this does not mean putting in a few plants as a token gesture. It means embracing all elements of biophilic design, a true engagement of all our senses – sight, taste, hearing, touch and smell – to help us understand and absorb what’s going on around us. Take art outside the frame, using tiles from the likes of CTD Architectural Tiles. Use natural materials such as wood, maximising natural light, making organic shapes a priority, and using a range of plants to create a sense of the great outdoors – all of which helps to balance our emotions and support our emotional wellbeing whilst introducing a natural range of tones, shapes and colours.
Image credit: Conran and Partners
In this way, not only do we create a space where guests feel safe and secure, we enable them to better connect with themselves by creating a peaceful, tranquil environment, making it a memorable meaningful experience that they’ll want to come back for, time and time again, year in, year out. After all, that is the end goal, right?
In safe hands: New hygiene products from Villeroy & Boch
Following last months spotlight being on hygiene products and safe design, bathroom manufacturer Villeroy & Boch responds with new products that cater for the post-pandemic hospitality arena…
Interesting fact: in the 19th century, significant scientific insights create the foundations of modern hygiene. An essential contribution is made by sanitary products, which are still not widely used around 1900 and are more a privilege for the wealthy people. At this time Villeroy & Boch starts large-scale production of bathtubs and toilets. This is an important contribution towards democratising bathing and hygiene.
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Are you looking for hygienic, fresh and easy-to-clean bathroom products? Well, with the Villeroy & Boch’s champion and Quaryl you are in safe hands. The rimless DirectFlush toilet with the innovative CeramicPlus and AntiBac surface is the perfect hygiene solution from Villeroy & Boch.
The new generation of rimless WCs offers particularly quick and thorough cleaning. A precise, splash-free water flow ensures the entire interior of the bowl is rinsed thoroughly to ensure cleanliness. The design of the DirectFlush WCs makes them easier to clean – which saves times and money. So the DirectFlush WC is suitable for use in both private households and commercial projects. One of the leading European Hygiene Institutes, IZORE – the “Centre for Infectious Diseases”, Friesland, NL has shown in tests that, thanks to the optimised design, the rimless Villeroy & Boch DirectFlush WC is practically germ-free after cleaning.
The low water consumption of just 3/4.5l is standard for Villeroy & Boch and sufficient for flushing the entire bowl. This is better than required by the standard. As standard EN 997 permits an unflushed area of 85 mm below the upper edge for rimless WCs. But DirectFlush flushes the entire inner bowl!
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
Image credit: Villeroy & Boch
AntiBac is the innovative hygiene solution for busy commercial areas. The new glaze contains silver ions that have been proven to reduce the growth of bacteria on ceramic surfaces and WC seats by more than 99.9%!
Villeroy & Boch has succeeded in improving the properties of ceramics. A special process gives the CeramicPlus surface a permanent highquality finish. CeramicPlus offers optimum hygiene and is kind both to the environment and the wallet. The water forms in droplets on the CeramicPlus surface. These flow off into the outlet, taking residues, such as limescale and dirt with them which makes the cleaning process much easier and quicker.
In combination with CeramicPlus and the rimless DirectFlush WCs, AntiBac ensures maximum cleanliness and hygiene – throughout the product lifetime!
Quaryl from Villeroy & Boch is a unique material for unique bathrooms. Robust, durable yet allows a wide range of designs, nice and warm to the touch. An exclusive material for unusually precise shapes with clearly defined edges and small radii, setting new standards in baths and shower trays design. A great advantage of the material is its surface which provide a perfect hygiene solution. Quaryl is a material with a smooth, pore-free surface that makes cleaning easier and quicker as dirt and limescale have hardly any hold – this ensures a permanent, glimmering shine.
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.
Parkside guides designers through the power of patterns
Parkside is now taking bookings for virtual presentations of its RIBA accredited CPD that takes designers through the relationship to patterns and symmetry…
‘An Introduction to Tiling Patterns’, is a RIBA accredited CPD presentation by design-led tile specification company, Parkside, that introduces tiling patterns through the world of tessellations, looking at symmetry, repeat patterns and a handful of mathematical terms and rules.
Now available as a virtual presentation, An Introduction to Tiling Patterns initially takes a look at tessellations, giving an understanding of the etymology, terminology and types. Showing common examples of regular, semi-regular and irregular tessellations, the CPD then goes on to explore how these founding principles translate into tiling patterns.
Tracing the history of tiles, as well as designs found in nature and their psychological meaning, it then goes on to explore the impact of tiling patterns on interiors, as well as the creative possibilities of creating your own unique pattern.
Brian Linnington, managing director, Parkside; “We’re bringing unique insight into the power of patterns to remote working teams with our CPD presentation that’s ready to be presented virtually. Reflecting on tiling patterns in the world all around us, we’re hoping that teams will find an inspirational and ultimately informative exploration of how to integrate innovative tiling designs in future projects.”
Including interview excerpts with famed designer and BIID director, Sue Timney, An Introduction to Tiling Patterns can be presented to remote teams by one of Parkside’s experienced consultants. It provides an opportunity to combine team wellbeing with RIBA approved professional development.
GROHE launches ‘GROHE X’, a new digital experience hub
In an industry-first, On March 16, 2021, Hotel Designs will join LIXIL EMENA to launch a digital platform enabling visitors to experience exclusive GROHE brand insights and product news first-hand…
With GROHE X, LIXIL EMENA launches an industry-first digital platform for its leading global sanitary brand, GROHE. Visitors to the hub have the opportunity to create their own individual GROHE brand experience thanks to informative and inspirational multimedia content tailored to the needs of its professional business partners and consumers. Whether a trade customer wants to know which global trends are impacting the sanitary business, an installer is looking for how-to videos to make their working day easier, an architect is seeking inspiration on the latest design trends, or a consumer is searching for state-of-the-art product innovations to make their dream bathroom a reality – GROHE X allows everyone to explore the world of GROHE and expand their horizons for a better way of living.
Originally intended as an alternative to the biennial ISH, the world’s leading trade fair for water and HVAC, from which GROHE withdrew due to the Covid-19 pandemic, GROHE X is now more than a trade fair substitute. Alongside uniting thought-provoking and entertaining stories in one place, GROHE X brings the world closer together, offering a platform that can facilitate engaging exchange and support from the brand’s experts. Now that opportunities for face-to-face meetings are limited, GROHE X provides the perfect environment for collaborating and sharing ideas – the new place to meet in the digital world. In addition to the comprehensive free editorial content available, the platform launches on Tuesday 16th March 2021 with dedicated event formats tailored to GROHE’s professional business partners.
“GROHE X is a result of our disruptive way of thinking. We embraced the new normal and understood challenges as new opportunities,” is how Jonas Brennwald, Leader LIXIL EMENA and Co-CEO Grohe AG explains the central role that GROHE X plays for the global brand. “For me, GROHE X is proof that, especially at times like these, you need to exchange ‘but’ for ‘imagine if’ and I’m more than proud that everyone at GROHE was so bold to thinking open-mindedly like this.
“With GROHE X, we offer our customers a central, always-available brand hub to get inspired but also to interact with us – wherever they are, whenever they need us. Also, in the future, we aim to pave new paths with GROHE X. The digital platform is just the beginning of an own experience ecosystem that will drive engagement with our customers in the years to come. As soon as it is possible again, GROHE X will be supplemented by hybrid or truck tour events.”
Image credit: GROHE
“Although physical distance is key these days, we still want to offer our customers a unique setting to experience our innovations and to exchange with us directly,” says Thomas Fuhr, Leader Fittings LIXIL International and Co- CEO Grohe AG. “GROHE X allows everyone to immerse in the diverse world of GROHE and it gives you the building blocks to create an individual brand experience. You will get exclusive, behind-the-scenes insights of our plants and how our customer-centric supply chain connects them to the global markets; learn more about our latest technologies developed in our in-house R&D department located in Hemer, Germany; and we will also take you along with us on our sustainability journey, to which we will add another milestone. It is amazing what our teams have brought to life in such a short period of time.”
Putting customer-centricity at the heart
With tailored content carefully curated for each target group and industry channel, GROHE X also reflects GROHE’s new commercial strategy which will begin to be rolled out in the UK to align with the introduction of new product launches. Based on comprehensive feedback from GROHE’s business partners on their expectations from the brand, GROHE’s leadership team developed a go-to-market approach that offers a differentiated product portfolio and dedicated services to each of its target customer groups: distributors, retailers and installers, architects, designers and planners, as well as consumers.
Developing relevant product solutions that improve consumers’ lives requires a deep understanding of what consumers expect from their living spaces and GROHE is striving to anticipate even those unarticulated consumer needs at an early stage of its product development process. The focus on the needs and aspirations of customers will be of central importance with regards to several new products that GROHE will unveil on GROHE X during its launching weeks.
To discover which key consumer insights the brand is building on, which solutions will offer consumers added value in the bathroom and kitchen of the future, and how the brand plans to further expand its sustainability transformation following its double win success at the German Sustainability Awards 2021, visit grohe-x.com from March 16, 2021.
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.
One week until the team at Hotel Designs go live with the next virtual conference – designers, architects, hoteliers and developers can secure their complimentary tickets here –Hotel Designs LIVE has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Webinar Series’ category at the Digital Events Awards 2021.
Secure your complimentary tickets to Hotel Designs LIVE here (booking form takes less than 2 minutes to complete).
“We are all very proud that our simple yet solid virtual concept has been recognised as one of the UK’s best webinar series,” explained editor Hamish Kilburn who will return to host Hotel Designs LIVE next week for the third time. “Since launching last year, Hotel Designs LIVE has been a meaningful way to keep our wonderful readers around the globe connected, engaged and entertained – and for that reason, we feel like we have already won!”
The event, which launched in June 2020, has been recognised by the judges at the Digital Events Awards for its ability to connect both suppliers and buyers operating in the international hotel design arena. In addition to the live interviews and panel discussions with handpicked industry experts – and to ensure that the event is bridging the gap between hospitality suppliers and designers, architects, hoteliers and developers – the conference also included structured ‘Product Watch’ pitches that are amplified in each session, allowing the audience, while trade shows are on hold, the opportunity to hear about all the latest innovations and product launches.
“This category will recognise the team behind a webinar series that has consistently delivered outstanding results,” explained the organisers of the Digital Events Awards. “Judges will be looking at the diversity of content, range of topics and speakers as well as audience numbers for registration and attendance. The series that can demonstrate a high engagement with returning attendees will be highly considered.”
The winner of Best Webinar Series will be unveiled at the virtual awards ceremony, which will take place at 4pm on March 18.
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Moxy South Beach has arrived in Miami’s Art Deco District. Lightstone, the developers behind three award-winning Moxy hotels in New York City, worked with design firm Rockwell Group and architect Kobi Karp to create a stylish, playful open-air concept celebrating Miami’s cosmopolitan culture…
Moxy South Beach has opened with a design that blends the glamour of midcentury Havana, the artistry of contemporary Mexico City, and a tropical vibrancy that’s unmistakably Miami.
The 202-key, eight-story hotel, featuring two pools and the nearby Moxy Beach Club, will be the first resort-style property under Marriott International’s Moxy Hotels brand, marking a new chapter for hospitality in Miami Beach. Moxy South Beach is upending the way travellers experience hotels in the new year, from contactless check-in to indoor-outdoor lounging, meeting, fitness, and dining spaces.
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
The highly anticipated opening of Moxy South Beach comes at a pivotal time for Miami Beach, which is repositioning its traditional entertainment district as the new “Art Deco District” — a reimagination of the historic neighbourhood with Moxy South Beach at the forefront.
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
“In a way, the design anticipated the needs of the current environment, so we’re able to accommodate what people are looking for right now.” Mitchell Hochberg, President, Lightstone.
“Opening the hotel during this unprecedented time presented Lightstone with a unique challenge,“ says Mitchell Hochberg, President, Lightstone. “Moxy South Beach isn’t a response to the pandemic, even if it feels like an antidote to it. In a way, the design anticipated the needs of the current environment, so we’re able to accommodate what people are looking for right now: contactless check-in, outdoor spaces, and a do-it-yourself ethos. But we always stayed true to the roots of the Moxy brand, letting guests curate their own experience while they escape reality for a few days in South Beach – and the icing on the cake is that it’s all at an attractive price point. That’s an idea with timeless appeal.”
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Moxy South Beach’s interiors are designed by Rockwell Group (public spaces and bedrooms) and Saladino Design Studios (Serena, Como Como, and Mezcalista), while exteriors are by Kobi Karp Architecture in collaboration with Rockwell Group. Guests can customise their level of interaction as they move from the sanctuary of their bedroom to public spaces designed for socialising on demand. The majority of spaces are open-air and blend seamlessly with indoor areas. Public areas are peppered with private and semi-private enclaves — including poolside cabanas, open-air meeting studios, and sequestered dining tables — that let guests be in the mix and on their own all at once.
Guests enter the hotel through the main walkway on Washington Avenue or the modern porte-cochère at the east entrance. The sun-drenched lobby features several relaxed seating areas with amusements such as a foosball table whose players are vintage pinup dolls brought into the modern era as a women’s soccer team as well as a carnivalesque, Zoltar inspired, pay phone that provides complimentary horoscope readings from resident astrologer Bassfunkdaddy. The lobby’s three flexible meeting studios and restaurant all converge around a large, open-air courtyard. The space is surrounded by glass walls that can open or close as the weather allows.
The indoor-outdoor spaces continue with a fitness centre inspired by nearby Muscle Beach; an outdoor movie screening room on the rooftop; and the Moxy Beach Club on Miami’s famous South Beach. The 72-foot, cabana-lined pool on the second-floor terrace maximises see-and-be-seen sightlines with tiered lounge seating, benches in the water, and luxury private cabanas. A circular communal shower invites flirtatious interaction, with flamingoes peeking through the surrounding hedge.
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Swimmers in the pool can peek down directly into the lobby through an eight-foot, see-through cutout at the bottom of the pool, adding up to an exhibitionistic vibe that embodies South Beach. The hotel’s eighth floor rooftop features a shallow lounging pool with chaises submerged in the water and daybeds shaped like lily pads.
The 202 thoughtfully-designed guestrooms include King, Double Queen, or Quad Bunk options, as well as residentially styled suites. All rooms are dressed in vivid Miami hues and bathed in sunlight thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Inspired in part by the Clyde Mallory Line, an overnight ferry service between Miami and Havana that operated in the 1940s and ‘50s, the rooms resemble ocean liner staterooms with ingenious, space-maximising storage solutions. Oceanview rooms on higher floors offer unobstructed vistas of the Atlantic, while other rooms feature expansive views of South Beach’s pastel-hued architecture. Bedrooms feature custom art by Miami artist Aquarela Sabol depicting iconic artists — Frida Kahlo, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí — visiting South Beach.
“To capture the bright, carefree sophistication of South Beach, we blurred the boundaries between indoor and outdoor amenities.” – Greg Keffer, Partner and Studio Leader at Rockwell Group.
“Our design concept for Moxy South Beach celebrates Miami’s uniquely multicultural style, from eclectic Art Deco motifs and Miami Modernism, to Cuban and other Latin American influences,” says Greg Keffer, Partner and Studio Leader at Rockwell Group. “To capture the bright, carefree sophistication of South Beach, we blurred the boundaries between indoor and outdoor amenities, and created light-filled guestrooms that have a feeling of openness.”
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
For the dining and drinking venues, Lightstone tapped the Miami restaurateurs behind the uber-popular Coyo Taco and 1-800-Lucky to create six new exclusive concepts, drawing on Mexican, Caribbean, and local flavours.
Starting at the signature Bar Moxy, guests can simultaneously check-in contact-free and order a handcrafted cocktail. Retro-style swivel barstools surround the oval-shaped bar, while an infinity mirror installation above contains the phone number of El Floridita, the legendary Havana watering hole, paying tribute to Miami’s Cuban heritage.
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
Facing Bar Moxy is Los Buenos, the all-day bodega and taco stand, which will dish up tacos on hand-pressed tortillas and burrito bowls, as well as breakfast items and a variety of specialty coffee drinks by La Colombe.
On the second floor, an open-air rooftop restaurant and bar, Serena, channels the enchanting rooftop and patio restaurants of Oaxaca and Mexico City. Located on a vibrant, lushly planted terrace, Serena has a laid-back yet sophisticated vibe that’s like none other in Miami. Lounge and table seating — plus an enticing menu of shareable dishes and hand-crafted cocktails — create an inviting atmosphere for sunset cocktails and nibbles, leisurely lunches and dinners, or buzzy brunches accompanied by live music.
The hotel’s eighth-floor rooftop bar, aptly named The Upside, has a shallow lounging pool, alfresco movie screening area, whimsical seating options, and 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean and Miami Beach. Available exclusively to hotel guests and for private events, The Upside will become a coveted space for parties, film screenings, and pop-ups. A sinuous canopy on the rooftop provides shade during the day, while showcasing a brilliant, geometric mural by New York artist Edward Granger when illuminated at night. The piece is a nod to the thriving street art scene in nearby Wynwood and acts as a colorful beacon for the hotel.
Opening April 2021 is Como Como, a marisqueria (seafood restaurant) and raw bar centred around the “fuego,” a wood- and charcoal-fired grill utilising ancient Mexican techniques. The open-cooking concept allows diners to watch the culinary process firsthand, while a “tequila tree” sculpture theatrically dispenses the agave spirit from hand-blown glass spheres. The restaurant also serves diners in its outdoor courtyard, a lush space layered with coloured tilework, hanging plants, and a sign reading “Besos De Mezcal,” hinting at the night to come.
Also opening in April is a sexy and mysterious mezcal lounge, Mezcalista, accessed either from the back of the marisquería or through a discreet entrance on Washington Avenue.
“We’re creating concepts that give people a lot of choice,” says Sven Vogtland, co-founder of Coyo Taco Group. “You can head up to Serena for a sunset drink and a bite, sit down for an elegant meal at Como Como, or enjoy the intimate energy of Mezcalista while the DJ spins. Or you can have all three in one night. We’re providing a variety of vibes and environments, which in turn will attract a real intermingling of different types of guests.”
An energetic mix of cultural and lifestyle programming will roll out at Moxy South Beach, including several exclusive partnerships. Adapting the notable #SWEATatMoxy program from its sister properties in New York, Moxy South Beach will have guests working up a sweat with “Glutes Check” classes from local fitness guru Starr Hawkins, taking part in restorative sessions from NYC-based BeRevolutionarie, or joining a Surfing Bootcamp from Surfrider Foundation, an organisation dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean waves and beaches. The Surfrider Foundation collaboration continues with Silent Disco beach cleanups and surf-inspired movie screenings on the rooftop. The rooftop will also host biannual screenings in partnership with the Miami Film Festival.
Image credit: Moxy Hotels
On the rhythm front, Prism Creative and Tigre Sounds are curating a weekly live music series with emerging musicians. The hotel is also partnering with heralded genre-bending Miami orchestra Nu Deco Ensemble to share frequent live streams of their sold-out concerts. These partnerships continue on the small screen via Moxy South Beach’s in-room TV channels, including Nu Deco Ensemble’s “Orchestra Reimagined” performances. Hotel guests will also receive special perks at cultural institutions like the Bass Museum, Rubell Museum, Superblue Miami, and the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).
Listen now: DESIGN POD, a podcast for designers and architects
The wait is over! Following more than a year of planning, Hotel Designs has launched DESIGN POD, a contemporary podcast for designers and architects on the go. Episode one looks at ‘choosing your lane’ with special guest, Constantina Tsoutsikou…
Hosted by editor Hamish Kilburn and co-hosted by designer Harriet Forde, DESIGN POD has launched to be a contemporary voice for the design and architecture community.
In each episode, the new podcast, which can be listened to on all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music and Acast, will welcome influential guests to share their opinions on the conversations and challenges that are shaping our industry. Together, they are embracing innovation while balancing the important issues we all face as modern designers and architects.
“The topics and personalities that are amplified on this podcast will give texture and perspective on the key issues that face modern A&D professionals,” explains Kilburn. “But it is also a ‘safe place’ for anyone who has an interest in architecture and design.”
In association with series sponsor Bathroom Brands Group, the first episode of DESIGN POD explores the topic of ‘choosing your lane’ in both architecture and design. In order put some personality into this topic, Kilburn interviews special guest interior designer Constanina Tsoutsikou, the former Creative Director of HBA London and founder of Studio LOST, to understand the process and challenges that came with launching her new design studio, Studio LOST.
“In episode one, Constantina Tsoutsikou also lifts the lid on some of the most challenging client requests.”
As well as throwing back to career highlights and understanding how the designer, against many odds, set up her own design studio following almost 15 years at HBA London, Tsoutsikou also lifts the lid on some of the most challenging client requests she has had to manage. “I’ve had clients where they send you a brief that says they love art deco,” she explains, “and months down the line, after a whole creative process has taken place, they actually meant Baroque, which changes everything!”
Case study: hospitality and privacy combined in a listed patrician house
The comfortable apartments have been individually designed and offer guests a stylish interior with feel-good hospitality that appropriately nods back to the buildings heritage…
Carl Wunderlich, was a colonial goods merchant and mayor who built his imposing municipal residence in 1798. Alexander Hugenberg took over the listed municipal mansion, they lovingly converted it into an extraordinarily stylish lifestyle and event location.
Their modern take on the historical building opened its doors in 2019.It’s a perfect place to unwind whilst still upholding the history and tradition of the building. The comfortable apartments have been individually designed and offer guests a stylish interior with a feel-good factor.
Image credit: Michael Gregonowits
One can stay for a few days, several weeks or even months. The extraordinary design, with its combination of modern and vintage elements generates a warm, cozy atmosphere. In keeping with the style of the mansion, washbasins and toilets from the Starck 3 range were fitted in each of the apartments. This bathroom classic, created by designer Philippe Starck for Duravit, harmoniously rounds off the interiors.
The location also features a restaurant, which can be booked for both private and commercial functions offering a range of options for individually planned events. The extensive garden with its terrace is an ideal venue for celebrations, as are the inner courtyard or vaulted cellar. The in-house library with fireplace is the perfect place for a small group to spend a cozy evening.
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.
Product watch: TSAR Carpets introduces Sierra Collection
Hotel Designs learns more about the recently launched Sierra Collection by TSAR Carpets, which is described as an ‘exploration in woven process and natural textures’…
A global industry leader in luxury custom-made carpets and rugs, Melbourne-based TSAR Carpets is pleased to introduce the new Sierra Collection, a series of broadloom wool-rich Axminster carpet designs inspired by mountainous terrains and desert landscapes. Available February 2021, the collection will be sold exclusively at TSAR’s studios in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London, and Shanghai.
While keeping in line with TSAR’s signature use of bold and signature designs, the Sierra Collection transforms the company’s vision for the future of hospitality, commercial and residential projects into paired-back contemporary statements teeming with topographical dimension. The collection features an array of natural, earthy tones in five distinct patterns, ranging from geological motifs to glacial-like elements that offer a sense of tranquility and fluidity.
“The Sierra Collection was first and foremost inspired by Iceland’s historic and impressive female-led weaving industry and the natural beauty of the country’s stark and craggy landscape. That investigation further spurred interest in bringing to life additional rugged and arid landscapes worldwide — from California’s Coachella Valley to the rugged cliffs of the Shire at Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne,” says Charlotte McGeehan, a trained weaver and TSAR’s in-house designer. “The ultimate goal of the collection is to ground the end user, while providing a high-performing and luxuriously comfortable experience underfoot.”
Image credit: TSAR Carpets
Image credit: TSAR Carpets
The collection’s textures were derived from an array of McGeehan’s experimental and labor-intensive hand, seersucker and jacquard weaving techniques, which were then digitally translated into broadloom Axminster carpet designs. Incorporating 80 per cent New Zealand wool — a durable material thanks to the fibre’s unparalleled diameter and strength — the collection is suitable for a wide variety of highly trafficked public spaces as well as residential environments. Specification, colours, and scale can also be fully customised to suit any project.
“TSAR’s thirty years’ of manufacturing expertise combined with our unique vertical integration practices — from sourcing raw material in fleece form and spinning the yarn to our own specification, to the dyeing and sampling process — results in exceptional consistency and quality control, “says McGeehan. “Like the enduring terrain that inspired the Sierra Collection, each hardwearing carpet is built for longevity.”
In bringing the collection’s launch to life, TSAR partnered with Italian image production studio Nova Visualis (@novavisualis) to create a series of digital vignettes that reflect the collection’s terrene ethos and intended end use. Nova Visualis, known for their creative direction and technical precision, designed five dynamic renders that imagine the collection in various trend-forward hospitality and residential environments. The end result is a suite of visual settings that evoke a transportive and serene experience.”
TSAR Carpets, a Melbourne-based design brand with more than 30 years of expertise in the manufacturing of luxury custom carpets and rugs, is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here.
Editor Hamish Kilburn here with your weekly briefing. It’s been another busy week on the editorial desk and there’s a a lot to get through – so let’s get started, shall we?
Following last week’s story of February VIP Arrivals, in the last few days we’ve heard from a number of interesting developments globally, which gives us hope and faith that the travel industry will recover from the harsh sting of Covid-19. But if you still needed a boost of positivity, then we have the podcast waiting in the wings for you…
DESIGN POD available to listen to from Monday
At Hotel Designs HQ, we are days away from launching our new podcast DESIGN POD – which will be available to listen on all the major podcast platforms from Monday onwards. Designed to be the contemporary voice for all interior designers and architects on-the-go, DESIGN POD will amplify conversations and new perspectives on key issues that face modern A&D professionals.
Before Monday, though, here’s a sneak peek of what to expect in episode one, which is entitled ‘Choosing Your Lane’ with special guest, designer Constantina Tsoutsikou, founder of Studio LOST.
Bookmarked by our editorial team as one of 2021’s hottest hotel openings, Six Senses Botanique, Brazil, which has been built from indigenous materials such as jacaranda and chocolate slate, has opened in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains, which is known as the “mountains that weep” due to the abundance of springs and rivers.
Things are heating up in the development team at Hilton Hotels after the company has signed for two hotel brand debuts in the Seychelles. The properties – a Waldorf Astoria and a Canopy by Hilton – are scheduled to open in 2023 and will build upon an already impressive Hilton portfolio on the archipelago, in addition to the soon-to-be-opened Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts.
2012 was a pivotal year for Saar Zafrir, who changed lanes from a 12-year career in finance to take a year off. The next 12 months prepared him to ‘get into the game’, taught by his own passion to become an interior design, at first starting small with friends and family but soon being offered a pathway into the hotel design arena. With a new focus on hospitality and F&B design, Zafrir’s approach was born; to transforming established corporate-style hotels and hospitality groups into fun and lively boutique brands that speak loudly to the growing demands of the modern traveller.
Image credit: Miami Design District by SB Architects
Last week, we published our close look at surface trends, where it was concluded that strict pre-pandemic industry standards mean that hospitality design is “well-placed to weather the storm” without a major supply-side rethink.
Following this feature, SB Architects, an award-winning international architecture firm focusing on designing soulful and inspiring destinations across hospitality, residential and mixed-use, has stepped up to release what its team believe are the top architecture trends that are emerging in 2021.
Following the Marriott International’s recent announcement to open almost 100 hotels in Asia Pacific this year, JW Marriott’s 100th property, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, is now open, bringing a new level of luxury to the Tampa Bay area. Located in the heart of the dynamic Water Street neighbourhood, the 519-key property invites discerning guests to take time for themselves, relax, and rediscover a balance in mind and body.
Product watch: Kaldewei turns bathtubs into modern sound boxes
Kaldewei SOUND WAVE is the ultimate combination of relaxing spa and unique sound experience – above and below the water…
Listening is pure enjoyment. From the gentle rustle of leaves tickled by a breeze to a virtuoso violin concerto by Mozart – music, voices and gentle sounds give us unique moments of well-being and help us to relax. Bringing together the joy of bathing with the delights of music and sound was an obvious choice for Kaldewei. SOUND WAVE is the ultimate combination of relaxing spa and unique sound experience – above and below the water.
Spa meets sound
SOUND WAVE isn’t only a winner with spa lovers. Professionals like sound engineer Bryan Gallant from The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Canada, are big fans of this Kaldewei innovation. “We put in a Kaldewei sound bath tub for certain clients who decide they like a soak (a bath) after work, the great thing is, they can listen to the music they made while dropping the soap!” says the studio manager.
A sustainable steel enamel Kaldewei bathtub fitted with SOUND WAVE recently took up residence at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. Opened by Bryan Adams in 1997, The Warehouse Studio consists of four studios of varying sizes and fit-out, housed in an historic building in the west coast metropolis. Rock greats have been regular visitors here for years: REM, Nickelback, Billy Joel, Muse, Metallica and AC/DC have all recorded tracks or entire albums at The Warehouse Studio. Bryan Adams himself has also made most of his recordings here.
After finishing work, the musicians can now enjoy the special mix of sound and relaxation and literally immerse themselves in their new songs – like in a symphony in enamel.
Image credit: Kaldewei
Image credit: Kaldewei
How it works
Suitable for any bathroom, SOUND WAVE is the acoustic innovation that turns a steel enamel bathtub into a resonant sound box. Compatible with all Kaldewei bathtub models, this bathroom audio system is installed at the same time as the bathtub. Six acoustic panels and two transducers are attached to the outside of the bathtub; these remain entirely invisible behind the panelling. SOUND WAVE can play every kind of audio file via Bluetooth from a smartphone, laptop, tablet or PC. The chosen digital device then works as a remote control which is automatically recognised after the first sign-in. Up to eight devices and individuals – a biggish family, for example, or an entire band – can be paired with SOUND WAVE at the same time.
“Unfortunately a whole band can’t fit into the bathtub, but we’re talking with Kaldewei about designing one!” says studio manager Bryan Gallant with a twinkle in his eye.
Bryan Adams has had a close connection with Kaldewei for some time: in 2020 the Canadian rock musician and photographer was asked by Kaldewei to present the subject of hand hygiene in pictures. With “Naturally Connected” he created an emotional visual rendering of connectedness in turbulent times.
Kaldewei is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
With the blend of Japanese and Scandinavian interior styling making itself felt in the Japandi trend, Granorte’s Wabi cork wall covering executes the look to perfection…
Bringing the warmth and calming influence of natural finishes in elegant fashion to walls, Wabi is a wall tile from Granorte, made entirely of recycled natural cork, leftover from wine stopper production. Bringing new meaning to walls in private residences and commercial locations alike, Wabi takes influence from wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy of appreciating the beauty that can be found in the imperfect creations of nature.
The cork wall tile’s elegant aesthetic in a palette of 14 tones, ranging from peaceful hues of Ice and Snow through to hues of rich forest green in Leafs and deep ocean blue in River. Each colour is available in a texture from a selection of four. Whether the uneven and rough nature of Virgin cork, the virgin cork and shaves of Burl, pressed wine bottle corks in Corky or the linear effect of unused bark in Linea, it’s a powerful and fascinating look. Each design is available in 900mm x 300mm tiles treated using CORKGUARD, an extra-matt water-based finish that seals and protects to ensure lasting natural beauty.
Paulo Rocha, Granorte, says; “We’re really interested in finding ways to explore cork’s creativity. We believe cork is an interior finish that is more relevant today than it has ever been, but we also want to demonstrate that it can be applied in interesting and exciting ways that can lift interiors out of the usual. Cork really highlights that choosing natural and sustainable materials doesn’t have to be limiting in terms of creativity.”
Since the 1970s, the family-run Granorte been making cork products in its Portuguese factory, creating everything from classic floor tiles through to furniture, fabrics and even baths and sinks. Continual investment in the latest technology, including a seven-axis robot, has made sure that Granorte is at the fore of innovative uses for the material.
As we continue to look to create interiors that deliver a sense of comfort and assurance, cork’s natural origins, natural aesthetic, comfort, excellent acoustics and thermal insulation make it the perfect material.
Granorte is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. And, if you are interested in also benefitting from this three-month editorial package, please email Katy Phillips by clicking here.
In Conversation With: The man who designed the ‘most stylish’ hotel in Crete
Ahead of the official opening of CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa – a new property that is known locally as the most stylish hotel in Crete – we caught up with the projects designer, Gian Paolo Venier to discuss design detail and decor must-haves…
In summer last year, we gave our readers the first sneak peek insideCAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa.
Taking luxury, gastronomy and design to a new level on the island, the property, which is just a stone’s throw from sought-after Elounda, the hotel will open later this year with a mind-body balancing spa, four gastronomic restaurants, stylish rooms, suites and villas with private plunge pools and unrivalled vistas of Spinalonga Island.
Image credit: CAYO
Drawing from a calming and neutral palette, interior designer Gian Paolo Venier has blended cool greys, soft blues and greens with brushed marble, chic glass and stone in a nod toward the historical locale and architecture of nearby ancient city of Olous.
To understand more about the design narrative, we caught up with the designer himself.
Hotel Design: What were your first thoughts when you were presented with the concept of CAYO?
Gian Paolo Venier: I was excited. The location is astonishing, and the brief I was presented with was both stimulating and challenging – not only was it a huge project, almost all the rooms are different. The architecture balanced perfectly with the landscape following a simple, timeless approach. I saw the project as a blank canvas, and couldn’t wait to create its own unique personality.
Image credit: CAYO
The cherry on top of the cake for me was Cayo’s location, my beloved country of Greece, where I have spent a lot of time over the years and become increasingly familiar with its islands. I am in love with the people, lifestyle, landscape, colours… and Meltemi (the Greek wind)! It is one of the places I feel happiest and truly at home. The project began in Paris, I met with the owners for lunch, and they introduced me to CAYO. We clicked right from the offset and soon become friends, then accomplices.
Image credit: CAYO
HD: CAYO’s surroundings clearly play a big part in the property’s design. Can you tell us more about the process of creating hotel interiors that reflect the natural surroundings?
GPV: With all of my projects I take lots of inspiration from the destination and try to reflect it as much as possible through my design. I enjoy finding parallels between the land and the culture, and in Cayo’s case, the landscape is so prevalent that it would be impossible not to centre the design on the property’s beautiful surroundings. For the facade of the building, we created a colour palette that complimented the surroundings. We wanted to ensure CAYO blended into the landscape and create a soft transition from nature to architecture. We incorporated pebbles within the design, as they’re traditionally used in Greece for flooring and opted to use them inside playing around with the dimensions.
Image credit: CAYO
For the guestrooms, the approach was completely different. All the rooms boast a view of the sea and the islet of Spinalonga, so during the summer months the rooms will be filled with light, with this in mind we created a colour palette that supported the Cretan sun to prevent any harsh contrasts. This end result features lots of pastel colours that blend together whilst showcasing the view.
HD: What’s your favourite design element of CAYO?
GPV: It’s so hard to choose as nearly all elements of the property, from the furniture to light fittings, were custom-made during this project. I love the three-floor chandelier in the main staircase, made of bamboo cages and hundreds of hammered aluminium butterflies. It embodies freedom and is a subtle reminder to the guest to “feel free!”. Another highlight is
the handcrafted pottery we installed in the lobby. The pots were sourced from local potters and the idea was to spark people’s curiosity and perhaps initiate a visit to the local workshop where the pots are still produced today by hand – ultimately telling a story through design.
Image credit: CAYO
Image credit: CAYO
HD: One of CAYO’s USPs is that each suite/room boasts a view of the ocean. Was it important for you to emphasise this through your design?
GPV: This was compulsory! It made my job so much easier as I already had the focal point, it was just a case of showcasing this through the design. The view from Cayo is so unique and I didn’t want to take away from this by making the design too loud. I like to think of Cayo’s design as ‘whispered’ it embraces the natural surroundings instead of forcing itself upon them. Being blessed with the view is like having a Monet painting in each room – you simply design around it! The ambience has already been created; you just need to follow.
Image credit: CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa
HD: Natural colours or bright and bold?
GPV: My projects always result in a balance of freshness and joy through the use of colours. The mix of colours depends on the context, the project, the relevance, and the idea that guides the concept. I don’t tend to apply one rule to all of my clients and sometimes I’m surprised by the palettes I create, and I don’t think I’d be a good designer if I wasn’t!
HD: How should we find inspiration when it comes to design? What inspires you?
GPV: When you do this job with passion, you never stop analysing, observing, and cataloguing everything you see. It is an exercise that becomes second nature, and travelling is one of the greatest tools to seek inspiration. It’s the part of my job that brings me the most joy. To discover, meet, investigate, and then return, translate, and redesign. This is an infinite exercise that I find incredibly beneficial.
HD: Do you have any advice for budding home designers?
GPV: During the first lesson at the university, my design professor told us: “You have to experience everything. You cannot design anything if you don’t know and have no experience.” We were very young, and perhaps we did not understand what it meant to experience different contrasts – be that sleeping in a luxury hotel and then trying a hostel or eating in a Michelin- starred restaurant and then a Tavern. Through analysing and acknowledging we can truly understand the meaning of experiences. My professor’s words have always guided me and still ring true today.
Image credit: CAYO
HD: When it comes to décor, what one item should we all have?
GPV: In 1908, Adolf Loos wrote in his book “Ornament and Crime” that he told his clients not to redesign their new house completely. Instead, he advised them to bring at least three family objects. These three “errors”, as he referred to them, gave the project a touch of humanity and history. I think this means that a “must-have” item must be something personal, which helps define our identity. It doesn’t matter what it is. The important thing is that it represents us or tells something about our history and or identity.
Bathroom designer and manufacturer, Geberit, has launched a Hotel Guest Experience book in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading architects and design experts…
The exclusive publication examines what the future may hold for hotel guest experience, exploring the challenges facing future design in the wake of Covid-19 and the complex changing needs of the modern guest.
The report features contributions from writers, architects and leading experts across areas including hygiene, sustainability and design.
Industry-recognised expert in the field of biophilic design, Oliver Heath, shines a spotlight on the importance of designing for the senses, focusing on a human-centred approach to hotel design and examining how hotels can help guests experience a better state of physical and mental state of wellbeing during their stay.
Dexter Moren, partner at Dexter Moran Associates, looks at how hygiene can be optimised throughout hotels in a post-Covid world. The report also looks at sustainability, with Juliet Kinsman, founder of BOUTECO and respected sustainable luxury travel writer, exploring the role of sustainability in a hotel’s story, and what strategies can help hotels reduce energy, conserve water and minimise waste. Tanya Griffiths, chartered architect at Kay Elliot, considers the growing demand for hotels to offer a diverse and personalised experience, and offers readers some solutions to successfully achieve a mixed-use design.
Sophie Weston, channel marketing manager at Geberit UK, said: “Geberit’s Guest Experience Hotel report will provide some thought for hotels on what the future may look like and insight into the key challenges facing hotels today.
“We’ve produced this in collaboration with some of the most well-renowned individuals in their respective fields. We want to support hotels and help them navigate these uncertain times – we explore how intelligent analysis, creative design and clever specification can meet the changing needs of their customers. We’ve produced this in collaboration with some of the most well-renowned individuals in their respective fields.”
Ruth Slavid, architectural writer, editor and author of nine books, provides the foreword to the report. She says: “We know that hotels will undoubtedly have to change. The unimaginative operator may slosh around some sanitiser and encase a few things in plastic. But those who succeed will do so through intelligent analysis, creative design, clever specification and a real understanding of what tomorrow’s customer needs and wants. This book will be a valuable resource for hotels looking for expertise and insight into future needs.”
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.
To cut through the noise of emerging architecture trends, we hear from architecture firm SB Architect’s President and Principal, Scott Lee, and Senior Vice President and Principal, Bruce Wright…
Last week, we published our close look at surface trends, where it was concluded that strict pre-pandemic industry standards mean that hospitality design is “well-placed to weather the storm” without a major supply-side rethink.
Following this feature, SB Architects, an award-winning international architecture firm focusing on designing soulful and inspiring destinations across hospitality, residential and mixed-use, has stepped up to release what its team believe are the top architecture trends that are emerging in 2021.
“One positive thing to come out of this pandemic is that design and architecture will be more responsive and intuitive to the needs of humanity unlike ever before.” – Scott Lee, President and Principal, SB Architects.
Undoubtably, the Covid-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark across every industry, shifting priorities, and dramatically impacting how the firm – and industry as a whole – approaches design as well as how architecture trends are defined. “2021 will be a year of transformational growth for society – and how we design our world in response to the recent events will create lasting change for years to come,” said Scott Lee, President and Principal, SB Architects. “The architecture community must shift our way of thinking about how society will function moving forward, with a focus on designing spaces for our physical and mental wellbeing. I believe one positive thing to come out of this pandemic is that design and architecture will be more responsive and intuitive to the needs of humanity unlike ever before.”
Experience-driven design
SB Architects sees experience-driven design continuing to thrive in the years ahead. Our lives are filled with experiences that are all fulfilled virtually – from ordering food online to work and school. To make an impact, spaces must be adaptable and designed to enhance our wellbeing and offer a physical experience that elevates the offering from the virtual – a moment of ‘wow’ so to speak. Spaces will be designed to entice occupants to feel energised and experience the natural surroundings of a space to reconnect with nature.
Image credit: Miami Design District by SB Architects
The firm sees this architecture trend extending into the retail space, too. Retail development can no longer just be basic, cookie-cutter boxes in an open space; it needs to be a multi-faceted community and cultural experience. Retailers have and will continue to get creative with strategically curated facades to inspire and arouse curiosity – the idea that retail is entertainment.
Going private in public
People want to feel connected and be able to socialise in a way that feels safe. Guests are going to be socialising outside for the foreseeable future, and the coming year will showcase innovative design solutions that speak to this pressing need. This will lead to a rise in zoned dining in hotel spaces including pavilions and landscape barriers to create safe spaces for eating in public.
Image credit: SB Architects/Hotel Villagio
A street well-known for restaurants may close on Friday night so that it is walkable with seating outdoors, and food trucks, dining al fresco, and micro-restaurants with takeout windows will likely become more popular. Hyper-personalisation has always been a luxury signifier, but the current climate is pushing for innovation, SB Architects anticipates a rise in interesting private dining options and chef-to-table experiences.
Hybrid hotels: the rise of ‘bleisure’ travel
A trend at the intersection between hospitality and residential is the aparthotel – hotel rooms that function like an apartment, reducing the amount of guest to staff interaction.
Image credit: SB Archtiects/Pendry Park City Residences
This trend is experiencing a comeback and gaining traction for a number of reasons; the locations are desirable, guests can stay for extended periods of time to experience ‘living like a local’, and a huge majority of the population is working from home, meaning that ‘staycations’ and localised travel, for ‘bleisure’ (business and leisure) are rapidly growing in popularity.
In a similar vein, SB Architects anticipates branded private residences will continue to grow in popularity. Buyers will gravitate to luxury hotel brands that they trust from the hospitality space, with residences that offer a suite of unique and boutique offerings the most in-demand with buyers, given the increased focus on customising residential spaces and spending more time at home.
“This focus on intentional wellness translates into adopting more empathetic design.”
Intentional wellness
Human beings have an innate biological affinity to nature. Biophilia, spending time immersed in natural environments, is proven to reduce stress and improve a person’s well-being. In terms of the built environment, the crisis has reinforced the belief in the positive power of nature, placing it front and centre of the hospitality experience through outdoor facilities, natural light, and fresh airflow.
Image credit: HBA San Francisco/SB Architects/St Regis Los Cabos
It also reinforces a broader trend for intimately scaled environments that emphasise privacy and personal space. People are taking a slower and more considerate approach to travel and are looking to bring that same sense of peace and tranquility into their personal space.
Over the next few years, SB Architects anticipates an upsurge of people prioritising exercise and wellness into their homes. This focus on intentional wellness translates into adopting more empathetic design – or design that acts as a conduit of an experience and not an architectural statement.
The science of feeling good
The current global pandemic has instilled a sense of uncertainty and unease, and hotels are going to be relied upon to provide a space to escape, disconnect and retreat in comfort. Today’s traveller is looking to check-in to a hotel and find the same level of comfort, if not more, than they have at home. Most people are now living a relatively ‘smart’ life, using AI daily, with smart assistants managing and automating a lot of day-to-day tasks – from waking them up and turning on the heaters, to ordering their groceries – so, a ‘smart’ hotel room is almost expected.
“Once the pandemic eases, SB Architects predicts a rise in ‘tech-free’ packages to allow guests to detox from being consistently connected.”
Tackling tech-burnout
Technology was already evolving at an incredible rate but has gained momentum and taken on a lightning pace in reaction to the Covid-19 crisis. The global pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for acceleration and change.
Working remotely has created the expectation that one is always available, creating a ‘tech burnout’. Luxury hospitality is defined by choice, and guests want the choice of how they interact with technology during their hotel stay, whether that is being connected, offline, or somewhere in-between. Once the pandemic eases, SB Architects predicts a rise in ‘tech-free’ packages to allow guests to detox from being consistently connected, providing a chance to unplug and enjoy a no-tech experience without smartphones and computers.
Image credit: Kimpton Hotels/SB Architects
“The past year has given us a clearer focus of the ideal function of shared spaces and how architecture and design must be sensitive to the needs of occupants,” said Bruce Wright, senior vice president and principal of SB Architects. “Simply put, 2020 has underscored the fact that we need our spaces to do more for us – more flexibility in form and function and to inspire creativity and promote wellness. We are looking forward to meeting these new challenges.”
JW Marriott celebrates opening of 100th property worldwide
The milestone hotel, which becomes the 100th property in the JW Marriott portfolio, is expected to ‘redefine luxury hospitality’ in Tampa with stunning design, sheltering a ‘holistic approach to wellbeing’…
Following the Marriott International’s recent announcement to open almost 100 hotels in Asia Pacific this year, JW Marriott’s 100th property, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, is now open, bringing a new level of luxury to the Tampa Bay area. Located in the heart of the dynamic Water Street neighbourhood, the 519-key property invites discerning guests to take time for themselves, relax, and rediscover a balance in mind and body.
Image credit: Jeff Herron
The opening stands as a significant moment in the brand’s history. “The first JW Marriott opened in Washington DC in 1984 and was a tribute to my father, J.W., and a celebration of his love of service and hospitality,” explains Bill Marriott, Executive Chairman of the Board at Marriott International. “That tribute has now evolved into a global hotel brand, an incredible testament to the spirit of that first hotel being embraced worldwide. Our family is incredibly proud that my father’s name now welcomes guests in over 100 desirable destinations across the globe now, including Tampa.”
With the opening of JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, JW Marriott demonstrates its commitment to Tampa, boosting development of its luxury market and supporting the destination’s ability to host larger groups and events, as well as leisure travellers.
“We couldn’t be more proud to introduce JW Marriott’s 100th hotel in a city that has emerged as one of Florida’s most exciting destinations in recent years – Tampa,” added Bruce Rohr, Global Brand Leader of JW Marriott. “With its seamless integration into the vibrant Water Street neighbourhood, modern design and luxurious amenities inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is a shining example of our brand’s continued excellence and our legacy of exceptional service.”
Image credit: JW Marriott
From locally-inspired dishes to holistic wellness amenities, every aspect of JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is designed with guests’ well-being in mind. This begins with its breathtaking and calming aesthetic, designed by Nicholas Brosch Wurst Wolfe & Associates, with interiors by Champalimaud Design.
Blending modern luxury with the sophisticated energy of Tampa’s Water Street neighbourhood, the hotel welcomes guests with a moment of architectural awe: a four-story atrium lobby lounge featuring hanging art and a floating conference room dubbed “Skybox,” providing guests with the perfect location to be in the moment and take in the energy of the neighbourhood. The downtown Tampa waterfront district has a rich history of arcades, porches and awnings which help create a layered and detailed streetscape. These elements invite physical connections between interior spaces to exterior landscapes.
With custom furnishings and water-inspired design, guestrooms are open and spacious, featuring soft natural colour palettes and materials inspired by the surrounding waterfront. Several room categories boast spectacular views from floor to ceiling windows as well as spacious bathrooms with natural light. The property’s Presidential Suite has its own terrace with a wet bar where guests can take in sweeping city views.
Meanwhile, the JW Suites offers 270-degree city views of Tampa’s vibrant Water Street neighbourhood. Spacious and sophisticated, the king Guestrooms feature elevated amenities and an abundant natural light, separate working desks and sliding doors which open to a luxurious bathroom featuring marble vanities and standalone rain showers.
JW Marriott hotels around the world encourage guests to take time for themselves – and JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is no exception with many locations around the hotel acting as havens for the body and mind. A restorative experience begins with a Vitamin C-infused shower, circadian lighting and air-purification system in the Stay Well™ Premier Rooms located on the 16th floor, ideal for wellbeing-seeking guests.
Image credit: JW Marriott
In response to current circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street has implemented a variety of elevated protocols and practices in keeping with the hotel’s high standards of cleanliness and luxury service. Enhanced property standards include:
Every guest room is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to guests’ arrival.
Face coverings are required for all guests in all indoor public spaces.
Socially distanced lobby and restaurant seating is in compliance with local mandates.
Plexiglas shields are used at Reception.
Signage throughout the hotel reminds guests to maintain social distancing and limit capacities.
Staff have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection, particularly in areas with high traffic including restrooms, elevators, and escalators as well as provided more hand sanitising stations.
Staff members will wear PPE (e.g., face coverings, gloves, etc.) based on the activities they are performing and based on direction by the local authorities.
Disinfectant wipes are available in the room for every arriving guest as well as upon request.
New architectural wrap patterns now available from William Smith
William Smith Group leads the way in architectural wrap solutions with 500 3M DI-NOC patterns now in stock…
A major investment in 3M DI-NOC stock now places a choice of 500 patterns (half the entire 1000 pattern collection) at the fingertips of William Smith Architextural division’s customers.
All stock is available off the shelf, and by the metre, giving installers the advantage of more choice for their clients, readily available samples, and shorter lead times.
The new DI-NOC finishes available include an even greater choice in wood, colours, metallic, stone, and fabric, as well as 3M’s recently launched suede collection. More specialist finishes include abrasion resistant, matt, and exterior, to meet even more design requirements to create innovative solutions.
The investment of almost £300,000 in the addition of 350 patterns is a clear demonstration of the William Smith’s commitment to the UK market and to further enhancing support for its installers.
“This investment in additional stock represents our dedication to supporting our installers more than ever,” explains Architextural Marketing Manager, Lindsay Appleton. “Stock availability means we can offer greater access to material by the metre, and help our customers to win more projects by enabling them to offer sampling and prototypes to their customers.”
Image credit: William Smith
Williams Smith Group 1832 Head of Marketing, Chris Bradley comments: “Our Architextural Division was created to drive awareness with architects, designers and specifiers about the concept of architectural wrapping as an alternative surface in redesigns. Recognition of the sustainability and cost saving benefits of wrapping existing fixtures and fittings, instead of replacing them, is growing in momentum in the UK and we are seeing rapid growth in demand for these products.”
“Architextural is leading the market, and is now the largest UK stockist of architectural films, from the two leading brands, 3M DI-NOC and Cover Styl,” concludes Chris Bradley.
Working in partnership with 3M, William Smith is the lead supplier of DI-NOC stock in the UK. To view the full 3M DI-NOC stock range or request samples visit the William Smith Group or Architextural websites. To request the new Architextural brochure email lindsay@williamsmith.co.uk. To book a training course and become part of the growing installation network, click here.
Architextural is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our recommended suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
With public healthcare in the spotlight like never before, the Covid-19 pandemic is challenging hoteliers to rethink the entire guest experience. Here we hear from Harris Jackson on the role of surface design…
From bringing the outside in to focusing on building a sense of community, wellness is high on the agenda for many brands as they look for new ways to connect with their customers and rebuild trust. And for good reason – according to a variety of data, consumer trust is at an all-time low.
Last year a study by End of Tenancy Cleaning Company, which surveyed almost 2,000 British travellers, found that 50 per cent of people do not trust hotel hygiene and over a third would avoid international travel for the next 12 months. Almost half of the people surveyed also said they would clean a hotel room themselves before using it. Research like this demonstrates the lack of confidence guests currently have and just how important safety and security is as a key message.
There are many ways hoteliers can respond to this and instil a sense of trust far beyond placing hand sanitisers in lobbies and installing perspex screens in the reception area. One way to elevate the customer experience and improve health and safety is through the design of surfaces.
Form and function
Beautiful design is about more than aesthetics, it’s about responding to customer needs and the current climate. There are a number of surface trends to look out for in 2021 (and beyond) that explore both form and function; sustainability, ventilation, flexibility and connecting to nature are all taking centre stage alongside technology that can improve public health.
Wellbeing is at the top of the agenda when it comes to design and we have seen this impact design trends before. In 1918, influenza impacted design by throwing more emphasis on light and air, and more minimal interiors (with heavier more cluttered interiors thought to be unhygienic). And now due to Covid-19 we are going to see another shift. It’s long been known that the surfaces we interact with can be transmitters for bacteria and some, such as E.Coli, can last for months on surfaces.
So how can hoteliers invest in surface technology to improve public health and the overall guest experience?
It can purify air
Some technologies are focusing on purifying air, such as Pureti’s photocatalytic applications. It utilises the natural process of plants. As well as purifying air it can also be applied to surfaces to help them stay cleaner for longer. Apparently this treatment has even been used by NASA! We know that air quality is so important for guest comfort and with many people seeking out less urban environments and a stronger connection to nature, technology like this could have far reaching benefits.
Image credit: Pureti
Texture can limit transmission
The texture of surfaces can play a key role in not only the aesthetics of a room but in helping to eliminate viral transmission of bacteria. The Imperial College London looked at different textures and coatings and found that copper surfaces provide antibacterial protection, killing 99.9 per cent of bacteria within two hours. This raises some interesting ideas around materials used throughout the hotel environment, especially within heavy traffic areas such as lobbies and doorways.
Fabrics for more than comfort
New technology extends past hard surfaces and covers soft furnishings too; Aguaguard365 is an example of an antibacterial protection system for fabrics that helps keep textiles free of bacteria. From bed linens to towels, technology is constantly evolving.
Image credit: Aguaguard365
So as travel restrictions begin to lift and consumers consider staying away from home again, it’s clear that surface technology can do more than just elevate appearance – it can help to instil trust and boost confidence, something that’s crucial in the current climate.
The latest hotel to open in the Six Senses portfolio lies at the confluence of three river valleys in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains in Brazil. Hotel Designs takes a sneaky look inside…
Bookmarked by our editorial team as one of 2021’s hottest hotel openings, Six Senses Botanique, Brazil, which has been built from indigenous materials such as jacaranda and chocolate slate, has opened in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains, which is known as the “mountains that weep” due to the abundance of springs and rivers.
Image credit: Six Senses
There was never any question that the merge in 2019 between Six Senses and IHG wouldn’t distort the integrity and much-loved personality of the leading wellness hospitality brand. And Six Senses’ latest luxury hotel is no exception. In fact, guests checking in are being told to expect “out-of-the-ordinary experiences and emotional hospitality”, with the Six Senses integrated pillars of sustainability and wellness at the heart of the operation.
Image credit: Six Senses
The first phase of the resort evolution are most notably gastronomy and wellness – with new menus at Restaurant Mina, a new Fire Side lounge menu, an exclusive eight-course gastronomic journey paired with wines from the resort’s select Adega, a reconnection experience with an artisanal outdoor picnic, and pioneering therapies at Six Senses Spa.
Image caption: Mina offers unparalleled dining experience overlooking the three river valleys. | Image credit: Six Senses
Image caption: The Fire Side lounge is a perfect setting for guests to enjoy the mountain view while sampling local cheeses and cold cuts, house-made coxinha, or fresh grilled vegetables. | Image credit: Six Senses
The property currently offers seven suites in the main hotel and 11 private villas dotted in the hills around it. A further 16 villas are planned, constructed off-site in a modular manner using local materials and sited to minimise their impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. There will also be 37 branded residences, again constructed using an eco-friendly modular approach, available for purchase off-plan.
Image credit: Six Senses
Image credit: Six Senses
Through the ‘Eat With Six Senses’ philosophy, Six Senses Botanique will bring out the best of the region’s cuisine and seasonal produce, starting with “Farm to Table” herbs, fruit and vegetables grown in the resort’s own organic gardens and farm.
Mina, the resort’s signature restaurant, offers modern, contemporary Brazilian dishes and 180-degree views of the mountains and valleys, with the suspended fireplace warming the dining room and rich wood floors underfoot.
The new Fire Side lounge meanwhile features a variety of drinks prepared with home-grown probiotics and a tonic with ingredients harvested from the surrounding vegetable gardens.
The Adega (Wine Cellar) journey begins in the fireplace lounge, starting with a toast of bubbles with Chef Gabriel Broide as he himself explains the custom eight-course menu for the evening.
Reconnection Experiences offer guests the chance to reconnect with themselves and loved ones while exploring the local flora, fauna and timeless ways of living in tune with the natural world.
Image credit: Six Senses
Nowhere is the local influence more evident than in the spa, which currently features four treatment rooms, a beauty salon, floatation pool, isotonic pool, sauna and steam room with rainforest mist. New treatment rooms, relaxation and wellness areas, as well as a fitness centre will be added later this year.
Six Senses Botanique will appeal to guests seeking an eco-retreat in nature along with authentic Brazilian design, culture and cuisine. The property is blessed with seven water springs providing guests with their own mineral water. There is a water treatment station to return clean water back to nature. Mindful of making responsible decisions, the resort team also works with community members to see how they can contribute to a better quality of life for everyone, while preserving and celebrating local traditions and culture and the beautiful natural environment surrounding the property.
Image credit: Six Senses
Six Senses, which is clearly leading the way in innovative wellness travel, now manages 18 hotels and resorts and 29 spas in 21 countries under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas, and has signed a further 27 properties into the development pipeline, including the highly anticipated Six Senses Ibiza which should arrive this Spring.
Atlas Plan is the latest brand of Atlas Concorde, the first Italian ceramic group in the world, and produces large sized porcelain slabs ideal for interior design projects addressed to the Ho.Re.Ca. world…
The wide range of effects, finishes, colours, textures and veining allows architects and designers to satisfy every new design concept and to create unique and exclusive settings: luxurious marble-look hotel lobbies, industrial-chic concrete-look restaurants, elegant and essential stone-look outdoor areas, modern and hi-tech metal-look lounge bars.
The outstanding aesthetic quality of the ceramic material blends with its extremely high technical performance: strength and resistance to chemical agents and thermal shocks make porcelain tiles the ideal material for designing bars, restaurants and hotels with indoor and outdoor settings. Moreover, porcelain ensures the surfaces of counters, tables and worktops are resistant to everyday wear and highly hygienic for direct contact with foodstuffs.
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
The perfect coordination of Atlas Plan surfaces with the Atlas Concorde range of floor and wall tiles opens up a multitude of compositions for entirely covering and furnishing a room, to obtain a comprehensive look of great scenic impact or suggestive style combinations in tune with other materials.
The range of Atlas Concorde and Atlas Plan products also offers solutions that comply with anti-slip requirements (PTV 36+ under dry and wet conditions) and are therefore particularly suitable for the design of indoor and outdoor common areas.
Spazio Gourmet Sarajevo 350-m² restaurant in Sarajevo, designed by Studio Kon2re. The product used in this project is Bianco Dolomite by Atlas Plan: an intense and luminous marble look, characterised by delicate dark veins, which perfectly matches the light wood with natural shades.
Atlas Plan constantly invests in product innovation: two technologies that are an absolute novelty in the world of furniture and architecture have been recently introduced.
The Natura-Vein™ Tech technology offers the possibility of industrially recreating the typical veining of a natural material such as marble. Through-body vein technology thus increases the freedom of design for designers because it makes the marble look even more realistic, lending each project continuity of surface, edge and corners.
The Natura-Body™ Tech technology, on the other hand, reproduces the aesthetics of natural stones both on the surface and in the body of the slab. Material continuity between the surface and edges of full-body porcelain slabs is an aesthetic advantage that meets the highest design standards, both indoors and outdoors.
Atlas Plan is available in the UK market with a wide range of products and an extensive network of certified and approved fabricators for the slab processing.
The Atlas Plan team is also available to organise certified CPD (Continuous Professional Development) presentations both digitally and face-to-face at interested architecture and design firms in London and across the UK.
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.
Main image credit: Atlas Concorde
For further technical and commercial information you can contact the Key Account Manager Alberto Pagani, based in London, who will assist and support architects and designers in every request.
New bathroom products from Gessi explore gender in design
New bathroom products from Gessi cater for designers trying to achieve masculine and feminine design aesthetics in wellness spaces. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores…
Variety is the spice of life, is the message we are receiving when hearing all about Gessi’s latest news. The bathroom brand has made a name for itself by challenging convention in wellness spaces – think spotlight shower and spa-like bathrooms. But it’s recent launch goes another step further to look at shapes, furnishings, and colours associated to both masculine and feminine spaces – all while putting an emphasis on modern traveller demands, such as hygiene and wellbeing.
“Gessi has announced a shift in bathroom architecture to accommodate the emerging needs of living.”
Continuing the tradition of transformation started in 2002 with Rettangolo and the Private Wellness Program introduction, Gessi has announced a shift in bathroom architecture to accommodate the emerging needs of living. Gessi’s Private Wellness Program’s mission is to create spaces of wellbeing in the bathroom. The brand has expanded on this concept to offer separate bathroom areas dedicated to men and women’s distinctly different needs. In this vision, “the woman and man of Gessi” are conscious inhabitants of the contemporary home seeking exclusive areas, totally dedicated and reserved for themselves.
Image credit: Gessi
In a statement, the bathroom brand explains the contrasting demands for men and women when it comes down to bathroom design. “Contemporary men and women relish their rituals of personal care and the need for moments of isolation and relaxation to unwind from the day’s stress,” the statement said. “While both genders seek peace, rebalancing, and regeneration in the bath space, their habits and use of this vital environment remain substantially different. The increasingly restricted shared spaces of domestic life create the need for a decompression room. In answer to this need, Gessi has introduced coordinated furnishing elements that offer men and women divided environments of wellbeing, personalised for their personality, daily rituals and style.”
In Gessi’s vision, wellbeing is achieved in the “appropriation of one’s own space by choosing its shapes, furnishings, and colours”. So everyone feels comfortable in a habitat that has been exclusively created for him/her. Like fragrances, jewellery, or clothing, the new Anello and Ingranaggio collections are designed differently to celebrate each gender and make the bathroom a place that honours men and women’s unique needs.
The design of Ingranaggio has a masculine soul and speaks of essential vigour. It reminds us that we are the perfect mechanism of our existence with its elegant handle shaped like a toothed wheel, evoking a gear in motion. The energy of a moving clockwork ideally transfers to the environment and to the user of this collection.
Image credit: Gessi
Meanwhile, the Anello design has the feminine elegance and modern grace of a jewel and is notable for its distinctive circular handle. As a symbol of infinity and love, the ring becomes the promise of lasting beauty in her setting of peace and wellbeing.
Image credit: Gessi
Each collection offers a variety of models and finishes perfect for further personalisation of your environment – “Anello, the woman of Gessi” and “Ingranaggio, the man of Gessi.” Gessi’s vision is to revolutionise the bathroom with products designed for men and women’s individual tastes that can also be combined harmoniously or switched to satisfy individual tastes, so to create one room with distinct wellness spaces for each.
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.
Amsterdam-based interior designer Saar Zafrir joins editor Hamish Kilburn to discuss his latest project to redesign The ReMIX Hotel in paris as well as his wider mission to ’boutique-ify’ large corporate hotels…
2012 was a pivotal year for Saar Zafrir, who changed lanes from a 12-year career in finance to take a year off. The next 12 months prepared him to ‘get into the game’, taught by his own passion to become an interior design, at first starting small with friends and family but soon being offered a pathway into the hotel design arena. With a new focus on hospitality and F&B design, Zafrir’s approach was born; to transforming established corporate-style hotels and hospitality groups into fun and lively boutique brands that speak loudly to the growing demands of the modern traveller.
Image credit: Sir Savigny Berlin
In fact, in less than a decade, the designer has catapulted himself as a unique creative and developer of hospitality projects throughout Europe, including the award-winning Brown Beach House Croatia (a former tobacco processing plant on the Dalmatian Coastline of Croatia, transformed into a signature Brown Hotels property) as well as Max Brown Hotels, Sir Savigny Berlin and Gekko Group’s Provocateur Berlin Hotel.
Image credit: Provocateur Berlin Hotel
Through savvy attention to detail, Zafrir creates more than simply beautiful spaces. His work gives spaces a second life, thus generating a new audience that can optimise revenues for hotel chains. The latest example is The ReMix Hotel in Paris., a new hotel that was slated to officially open this month located in Paris’ 19th arrondissement and a longtime property of Schroder’s Group.
Schroder’s hired Zafrir to develop a new brand to revamp the pre-existing 259-key hotel property in Paris’ Parc of La Villette. With a colourful and eclectic design influenced by the retro and abstract flair of the 1980’s, The ReMIX Hotel is a far pivot from the previous concept behind the original Schroder’s property. Inspired by the 1980’s pop song ‘Forever Young,’ Zafrir has worked to reminisce the essence of the 80’s tune into a modern day design style. The result is a playful yet sophisticated atmosphere with vivid colours, mix of patterns and textures and custom-made furnishings. The ReMIX Hotel will be an anchor for drawing in new breaths of culture, art, entertainment and dining in Paris’ 19th arrondissement.
Image caption: Interior designer Saar Zafrir explored a distinct, loud ’80s interior design theme when redesigning the F&B areas inside The ReMIX Hotel in Paris. | Image credit: Marvin Gang
Hamish Kilburn: First things first, what inspired your career change from finance to enter the hotel design landscape?
Saar Zafrir: After 12 years within the capital world, I decided to take a year off. I used my shares to buy an apartment in Tel Aviv. During my year off, I decided to work on design and renovation. Whilst getting familiar with design, I taught myself how to use Sketchup, AutoCAD and congeneric software and I totally fell for it. The design was so brilliant that I began to design for both my family and friends. Two years later I bought partnership within the hotel industry and I sold my apartment. That’s how I got into the game.’’
HK: You’ve become known for modernising corporate-style hotels into fresh new brands. Is there any transformation project that you’re specifically proud of?
SZ: “Yes, ReMIX. ReMIX used to be an extremely dull cooperate hotel. We managed to transform it into a very exciting, fascinating hotel people love to visit, even just to take pictures.’’
Image caption: The lobby inside The ReMIX Hotel in Paris features design-led co-working spaces. | Image credit: Marvin Gang
Image caption: A playful design scheme inside the lobby of The ReMIX Hotel in Paris. | Image credit:
QUICK-FIRE ROUND
HK: What is one trend that you wish will never return? SZ: Terrazzo, for sure.
HK: What items during lockdown could you not have lived without? SZ: “I would say both my oven and stove. I can’t choose.’’
HK: What makes a good design team? SZ: “Working together as a team to inspire each other along the way.’’
HK: Who is your interior design hero? SZ: “Philippe Starck! He was the first to create something that really went out of the box.
HK: Tell me about the concept for your latest project: The ReMIX Hotel in Paris.
SZ: “The client presented us a very large building that needed total renovation. The building was built in the 80’s.
I had always dreamt of designing a hotel 80’s themed. I have always been a fan of the song ‘’Forever Young’’ by Alphaville. The design pitch was shared with the client and the investors of the project and they liked the idea very much. We wanted to bring back the 80s with the roller-skates, the pop, the neon and the rubiscos. The initial idea was to not just open one ReMIX hotel but more of them.’’
HK: What challenges did you face with this project?
SZ: “The big challenge was to transform a very old and dull building into something that’s very exciting to look at. It has also been a challenge to convince the client of our initial design. Additionally, we were tied to a very tight budget. It has been a challenge to meet the client’s needs whilst taking the budget into consideration.’’
Image caption: a clever seating/bed in a guestroom inside The ReMIX Hotel in Paris. | Image credit: Marvin Gang
HK: Finally, can you tell me about some exciting projects you have in the pipeline?
SZ: “Yes, so we created a new brand called Cardo. Cardo is an autograph collection. It will appear in Rome (640 rooms), Paris (300 rooms) and Brussels (540 rooms). Cardo is a cooperate hotel that is characterised by super cool brands, an amazing F&B concept and Spa. I am convinced that it will soon become an evolutionary concept within the hospitality industry.’’
Things are heating up in the development team at Hilton Hotels after the company has signed for two hotel brand debuts in the Seychelles. The properties – a Waldorf Astoria and a Canopy by Hilton – are scheduled to open in 2023 and will build upon an already impressive Hilton portfolio on the archipelago, in addition to the soon-to-be-opened Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts.
Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton believes that these properties mark a sigificant milestone in both brand’s expansion.“The Seychelles remains unquestionably one of the world’s most desirable destinations for the discerning traveller, ” he said. “We are proud of the role our teams have played in the sustainable development of the Seychelles, and these new additions, coupled with Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts, will give our guests an unprecedented range of world-class experiential options to choose from when planning what is sure to be an unforgettable visit.”
Waldorf Astoria Platte Island
A truly exclusive luxury experience, the resort will offer a collection of 59 seafront villas all equipped with private pools. Guests will have access to six restaurants and bars, a spa, kids’ club, outdoor observatory, tennis courts and a marine conservation discovery center – all within the sanctuary of Platte Island. The island itself lies just more than 130 km south of Mahé and is renowned as a nature lover’s paradise, covered with palm forest and surrounded by a coral reef and lagoon. A small airstrip allows for access to the island from the main airport of Mahé. In an effort to create and use renewable energy as part of the resort’s operation, many buildings throughout the grounds will be equipped with solar-paneled roofing.
Canopy by Hilton Mahé
Located on Mahé’s Anse à la Mouche beach, famed for its calm and shallow waters, this resort is set to bring a new sense of vibrancy to the oceanfront community. Significant investment is going into developing the facilities of the surrounding beach, including a boutique shopping village. The resort will offer 120 locally inspired guestrooms and space to accommodate more intimate meetings and events.
Hilton operates six brands in Africa and the Indian Ocean and recently reached the milestone of 100 hotels trading or in the pipeline across the continent. Hilton remains steadfastly committed to the sustainable development of travel and tourism across the region and has implemented several award-winning sustainability measures at its three operating Seychelles properties. These range from the removal of plastic straws and bottles to the use of locally sourced produce through to wildlife conservation and community engagement projects.
Since you’re here…
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Bed manufacturer Hypnos has been awarded The Planet Mark – Carbon Neutral Certification for its decade-long commitment to carbon-neutral production…
Royal warrant holder and leading sustainable sleep brand, Hypnos, has announced that its decade-long commitment to carbon neutrality and environmentally-friendly product design has been recognised with a prestigious The Planet Mark – Carbon Neutral Certification.
Having been carbon-neutral for over a decade and offset more than 9,550 tonnes of carbon along the way, Hypnos has demonstrated its pioneering and long-running environmental credentials.
The ethical company was the first bed manufacturer in the world to have become carbon neutral. Indeed, Hypnos has championed the importance of sustainability and carbon reduction across the bed industry throughout the last decade and is pleased to see a number of other bed brands starting to take their first steps into becoming carbon neutral.
The Planet Mark is committed to the United Nations Decade of Action, which covers everything from sustainable living to climate change and creating a circular economy. The Planet Mark is a highly distinguished sustainability certification for businesses in the UK and internationally, recognising continuous improvements within a company across a wide range of areas including building strong employee engagement to create a sustainable culture.
This certification comes shortly after the family-owned British bedmaker announced it had developed an innovative new recyclable, eco-friendly and carbon neutral packaging solution. Made from sugarcane, a renewable and carbon dioxide depleting resource, this new solution will be used for their beds and mattresses across its retail and contract factories, encouraging all bedmakers to adopt this technology to help eliminate plastic waste.
When it comes to carbon reduction and tackling its footprint, Hypnos has implemented a range of robust measures. This focuses on using renewable natural resources and making sure that all its product designs and ethical bed production are focused on low-carbon solutions. Its carbon offsetting and social responsibility programmes include working in the community with local schools and conservation groups, planting trees to sequester carbon and build biodiversity environments.
Richard Naylor, Sustainable Development Director at Hypnos Beds, believes the time is right to receive such a nod to the brand’s eco-friendly DNA. “Our commitment to sustainable sleep is something which affects every single corner of our business,” he said in a statement. “From our sustainability-led culture, products and operations to working with fully traceable materials and certified farmers and growers in our supply chain, right through to how we actually package our finished products, we’re sustainable in every part of our business and we aim to help set the sustainability standards for the bed industry.
“We’re delighted to be able to add The Planet Mark to our list of credentials which we have built throughout our long journey to sustainable sleep. We’ve led the way when it comes to environmentally-friendly bed making for well over a decade and are excited about everything we have planned over the next decade as well.”
Steve Malkin, CEO and founder of The Planet Mark, adds: “Understanding and reducing the impact that your business has on the planet is absolutely essential and we know that Hypnos has been unrelenting in its pursuit of truly sustainable beds, delivering outstanding products for both its customers and the planet.
“We’re pleased to see such a strong commitment to the environment and to social responsibility from a well-known and respected British brand and it’s great to work together to achieve common environmental goals.”
For more than a decade Hypnos has ensured sustainability infiltrates every area of its business. For that reason, Hypnos’ products are made with 100 per cent natural and sustainable fibres, meaning they’re fully recyclable and don’t end up at landfill sites at the end of their lifetime. In addition, all Hypnos mattresses are free of harmful and allergy-related chemicals – with no use of any synthetic, chemical-based foams or memory foams.
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.
Inside W Melbourne, the brand’s second opening in Australia
In the heart of an eclectic dining and edgy fashion district, W Melbourne arrives, with design by Hachem, to shake things up a bit. Editor Hamish Kilburn explores…
W Hotels, part of Marriott International, is on a roll and has officially opened the doors to Melbourne’s first W Hotel. Situated in the heart of the city’s eclectic dining and edgy fashion district, W Melbourne brings the community’s iconic laneway culture and emerging music scene to life. Inspired by the contrasts of the city, the hotel slowly reveals itself to visitors as guests peel back layers to unearth the unique personality of each space.
For W Hotels, the synergy between the brand and its new home in Melbourne is one that makes a lot of business sense. “Melbourne is the perfect locale for the playfully luxe spirit of the W brand and we could not be more excited to unveil this highly anticipated hotel to the world,” said Jennie Toh, Vice President of brand marketing and brand management, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “From its unique, locally inspired design to its eclectic lineup of restaurants and bars, W Melbourne is destined to redefine the luxury hotel scene here and become a must-go destination for travellers and local scene-stealers alike.”
Igniting endless possibilities
Australian architecture and interior design firm Hachem brings innovation and brand storytelling to life through their evocative approach to W Melbourne. Drawing on the city’s diverse and contrasting character, W Melbourne’s design inspiration is translated into vignettes of Melbourne’s streetscapes, letting guests uncover the dynamic city’s past from behind the scenes.
Upon arrival at W Melbourne, guests are introduced to the neighbourhood’s iconic laneways, famous for their graffiti street art and offbeat, eclectic characters. Victorian bluestone tiles connect the Living Room to the laneway, blurring the line between the exterior and interior, where the Welcome Desk stands ready to greet guests. A vast lenticular art installation by local painter and digital artist Rus Kitchin immerses viewers into a canopy of Australian flora and fauna growing above the famed Hosier Lane. The illuminated glass and wood of the Flinders Lane entrance is juxtaposed against the shadows of the hotel’s foyer.
W Melbourne has 294 luxuriously stylish guestrooms and 29 suites, with design details curated to reflect Melbourne’s fascinating history and culture. The hotel’s Wonderful, Fabulous and Mega category rooms are inspired by the neighbouring street-level newspaper kiosks that back to the 1960s.
Image credit: W Hotels/Marriott International
Each room features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning skyline views. The Marvellous rooms feature a vibrant wall graphic of a fairy wren, a bird native to Australia, pulling back a layer of fabric to reveal a colourful Melbourne scene. The graphic pays homage to the city’s roots as a fashion hub, with Flinders Lane at the centre of its textile trade. The 175-square-meter Extreme Wow Suite (W Hotels’ modern interpretation of the traditional presidential suite), is on the hotel’s highest floor at Level 15, and features a large balcony with expansive views of the Yarra River and an interactive music station – a fresh take on an old-school jukebox.
Celebrating the city’s eclectic F&B scene
W Melbourne’s distinctive restaurants and bars are all set to amplify Melbourne’s dining landscape with innovative, original takes on the city’s multicultural cuisines. All-day dining restaurant Lollo, under the culinary creative direction of celebrated chef Adam D’Sylva, offers a menu that’s designed to be shared and celebrates the chef’s mixed heritage. At the centre of the action and pulse of the hotel is cocktail bar Curious, with its design as impressive as the evocative cocktail list. The bar welcomes guests into a cocoon-inspired space formed by its overhead timber beams in a parametric sequence with low lighting and muted colour palettes. Signature Japanese restaurant WARABI focuses on the freshest seasonal produce with seating for only 30 diners and a private dining room for ten. Culprit channels Melbourne’s café culture into an original bar concept that adds a new twist to the dining experience with a sophisticated floor-to-ceiling charcuterie display and a Vermouth tasting tray.
Mixing work with play, guests will be captivated by 830 square metres of ultra-modern conference, meeting and event space at W Melbourne, setting the stage for spectacular events with fully adaptable conference equipment, world-class audio-visual facilities and contemporary cuisine from the expert in-house catering team. The jewel in the crown, the Great Room, is a 426 square-metre pillarless ballroom with an abundance of natural light and 4×5-metre LED wall. To celebrate the region’s diverse seasons and autumn as a popular time to visit, Melbourne-born visual artist, Ash Keating utilised soft pinks and violets to light up the Great Room ceiling for an enchanting experience for guests.
Meanwhile, FIT and WET on Level 14 will inspire the W ‘Detox. Retox. Repeat’ brand signature wellness philosophy, offering spectacular views alongside an ultramodern fitness facility, gold-roofed indoor pool, poolside bar and DJ booth.
It’s an exciting time for the W Hotels brand. Having already established itself as a leading disrupter to the conventional hospitality scene, its latest openings in both Melbourne, Ibiza and Nashville are statement examples of the luxury lifestyle brand marking their territory in new and exciting travel hotspots.
Main image credit: W Hotels/Marriott International
Weekly briefing: Tech talk, art escapes & beyond the surface of trends
‘Ey-up’, Hamish Kilburn here to deliver your weekly briefing. Over the last couple of days, we have showered our readers with exclusives, the latest news and insightful features. For those of you on-the-go, here are this week’s hottest stories in one easy-to-consume story…
If you only read one of our stories this week, make sure it’s this one! This week’s stories that have dominated the Hotel Designs website include an exclusive sneak peek of a major hospitality project in Silverstone (UK), a feature that tackles how the pandemic will affect hotel development, an inspiring interview about a hotel in Italy that will simply take your breath away and two – yes two – trend forecasts around surfaces and technology. Oh, and we also take a glance at some of this month’s hottest hotel openings. Are you sitting comfortably? Let’s begin.
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: the pandemic. To help us separate fact from fiction, Tom Bishop, Director of Project Management at Concert, is here to offer some clarity and perspective on the current Covid-19 situation. We wanted him to answer the fundamental question to understand once and for all how the pandemic will impact the hotel design community. Here’s what he had to say…
This feature was a strange one for me because, if Covid-19 hadn’t entered on its wrecking ball last year, it would have followed my review of the hotel under the spotlight. Almost a year after my flight was cancelled, plans to review the luxury lair are unsurprisingly still on hold. While we wait patiently, though, it felt fitting to catch up with Pascale Lauber & Ulrike Bauschke in order to understand the context and challenges that come with such a magnificent project…
Technology’s role in hotel design has arguably never been so relied upon. If you happened to miss CES 2021, fear not as myself and wellbeing expert Ari Peralta – together, an editorial dream team – are here to share the best hotel design tech trends that emerged from the show…
When we were told that we were going to be the first to publish about Bergman Interiors – the design firm that cleaned up at The Brit List Awards 2020 – teaming up with Twelve Architects and Escapade Living on a new hospitality development in Silverstone, we were so excited. And then we saw the renderings of the luxury villas overlooking the iconic racetrack and that took the anticipation up a level. Take a look for yourself in our exclusive feature that takes a glance at what this hospitality project will look like…
From where we are sitting, most new hotels that are expected to open this year are holding off until later in the season, but there a handful of gems are expected to arrive early to the party. Without further a due, here are some of the hottest hotels that are opening this month.
Are you swooning over staycations or dreaming of distant lands? We are all feeling the desire to escape from it all. I started the week in search for that holiday away from my thoughts by catching up with Elegant Clutter’s Creative Director Harry Pass to find out how art in hotel design can be a wonderful way of elevating a sense of escapism…
And finally, here’s a meaningful and relevant trends forecast that goes way beyond the surface… “Strict pre-pandemic industry standards mean that hospitality design is well-placed to weather the storm without a major supply-side rethink,” says Meghann Day, partner, HBA San Francisco. In this exclusive feature, the designer walks journalist Oriana Lerner through what’s ahead for surface design trends in 2021 and beyond…
That’s your lot! Join us next week when we will take a look at W Hotels’ latest opening in Australia and we share our in conversation with Amsterdam-based designer Saar Zafrir. Also, keep one eye open for our podcast DESIGN POD, which will drop with episode one shortly…
Since you’re here…
More than 40,000 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!
SB Architects and The San Francisco branch of design firm HBA has unveiled interior renders of The St. Regis Los Cabos, which will open in 2022 as the debut St. Regis hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico…
The first St. Regis in Los Cabos, Mexico, the exclusive property is being designed by interior design firm HBA and architecture studio SB Architects. Early renders of the project show how it will become a bespoke sanctuary of beauty and calm for the modern wanderer, situated within the award-winning luxury resort community of Quivira at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.
Slated to open fall 2022, the hotel will shelter 120 rooms and suites, 74 residences, and an expansive collection of amenities across a 33-acre site along 12,000 feet of pristine beachfront.
Image credit: HBA San Francisco
HBA San Francisco designers – the same brand that recently completed the design for the Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection – aspired to evoke a sense of paradise found and a journey of discovery through a temporal design rooted in a modern yet authentic Mexican aesthetic, using traditional materials that honour the area’s diverse surroundings and culture, layered with exquisite details. Colours, patterns, and textures inspired by the sea, along with the windswept rocks and rugged granite cliffs of the coast, will promote a seamless connection to the landscape while the use of greenery will further bring the outside in.
Image credit: HBA San Francisco
An architectural beacon framed by walls of sculptural ironwork in a filigree pattern and a wood-beamed trellis, The St. Regis Bar will push the envelope of artistic expression and set the stage to catch a surreal sunset. The specialty restaurant will be composed of a series of intimate rooms for a truly transformative dining experience, whether perched at the intimate bar or the show kitchen counter, enveloped by the lounge-like living seating, or at the heart of the action at the chef’s table. Decorative and artisanal in every detail, the simple plaster and beam expression of the architecture creates the feeling of a luminary or well-travelled wanderer’s curated home.
Image credit: HBA San Francisco
Guestrooms will feature a special macramé canopy bed facing the sea beyond, encouraging graceful rest while awakening one’s instinct to be truly present. On the terrace, hammocks and a day bed for two will be modern Mexican in character with a nest of pillows encased in custom-crafted fabrics. Bathrooms will be well-appointed with a double vanity, dry vanity, custom interior tub and pass-through shower. Spanning the length of the bathroom space will be a wall of modern-patterned tiles realised in an ancient medium and cool hues, punctuated by walls of glass that draw the eye out to the spectacular views.
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