X2 Issue 18

W LONDON RADISSON BLU AQUA PUBLIC LIME WOOD BEL-AIR
G
L
O
B
A
L

H
O
t
E
L

D
E
s
I
G
n
1
0
.
0
0
I
s
s
u
E

1
8
X2018-001-COVER ph.indd 1 12/04/2012 10:26
Project2:Layout 1 27/4/12 09:41 Page 1
W
hen Porcelanosa was founded in Spain in
1973, the company specialised in producing
bathroom tiles for residential projects and
had 98 employees. Fast forward to 2011 and the
Porcelanosa Group is a far grander operation its
eight companies, with more than 400 showrooms
worldwide, ofer a range of products from kitchen
and bathroom equipment to state-of-the-art building
products.
Already well established in the residential market,
Porcelanosa is now determined to make as big an
impact on the commercial arena, starting with the
ADVERTORIAL
4
Porcelanosa
London Design Ofce
93-99 Goswell Road
Clerkenwell
London EC1V 7EY
T: 08444 818950
F: 08444 818960
www.porcelanosaarquitectura.com
X2018-PORCELANOSA.indd 1 23/04/2012 09:32
ADVERTORIAL
5
opening of a showroom in Londons Clerkenwell this
month.
Clerkenwell has the biggest concentration of great
design in the UK, says the companys commercial
specifcation director, Mark Coates (pictured
left). Were keen to use this showroom to attract
commercial architects, developers and contractors
because people are saying we are the best-kept secret
in the commercial market. So many architects dont
realise that we ofer products such as external cladding
and raised-foor-access tiles.
Te new 200 sq m showroom, which has been
created by Spanish interior design frm CuldeSac,
is a hands-on space where clients commercial
and residential can get to grips with Porcelanosas
products, including Krion, the companys new
seamless surface material.
Te showroom is very much an interactive area.
Tile samples and all our latest products are right there
for you to touch, explains Coates.
You can get hold of a tile and examine its technical
side the technology that keeps it on the wall. Tiles
are a lot more than just an artistic design; the structure
that holds the tile in place is so important.
X2018-PORCELANOSA.indd 2 23/04/2012 09:33
FLORENCE COLLECTIONS OFFICES AND SHOWROOM: Via Ceccarelli, 311 51039 QUARRATA (PT) Italy
Tel. +39 0573 737860 / 72144 Fax +39 0573 774572 www.orencecollections.it info@orencecollections.it
FLORENCE COLLECTIONS OFFICES AND SHOWROOM: Via Ceccarelli, 311 51039 QUARRATA (PT) Italy
Tel. +39 0573 737860 / 72144 Fax +39 0573 774572 www.orencecollections.it info@orencecollections.it
:

A
r
b
e
t

D
e
s
i
g
n

|

:

|

:

L
o
r
e
n
z
o

B
o
r
g
i
a
n
n
i
UK Ofce 01656 744333 - 07801 639765 orence.uk@btconnect.com UK Ofce 01656 744333 - 07801 639765 orence.uk@btconnect.com
WELCOME
7
E
d
i
t
r
o
i a
Letter from the editor
In this spring edition of X2 we have some sensational hotels that feature the
best in contemporary design, while respecting the past.
For example we have one of Ian Schragers latest forays into the hospitality
sector, Public Chicago. Tis is a reincarnation of the citys fabled Ambassador
East, which while retaining much of its celeb-attracting character has added
zing courtesy of Mr Schrager. We also look at the new Bel-Air in LA, which
has re-emerged following a two-year make-over at the hands of the Rockwell
Group, so naturally theres plenty of pizzazz there too. In Europe, Finland to be
exact, we have the Sokos Hotel Villa, built around the shell of a 19th-century
granary, and we feature two UK hotels Lime Wood, a reworked Georgian
country manor house that is bang up to date thanks to David Collins Studio
mixing antiques with contemporary pieces and fnishes, and Eccleston Square,
a London townhouse (again from the Georgian period) which is elegant
outside and in while being packed full of IT gadgetry and modern design.
But good design isnt necessarily the sole domain of the fve-star, luxury
hotel. So this month we have taken a look at the design thats going on in the
budget-end of the market. Te Puro Hotel in Wroclaw, Poland, is a vanguard
in self-service hotel movement, but still has fne design details by British
practice Blacksheep. And we take a more general look at the afordable sector
as a whole, touching on the design work going on for citizenM, Tune, umi and
the Premier Inn chain. Defnitely something for everyone!

Editor
tdowling@fxmagazine.co.uk
EDITORIAL
Editor Theresa Dowling
tdowling@fxmagazine.co.uk
Deputy editor Pamela Horne
phorne@x2magazine.co.uk
Writers Maarja Pehk, Anna Lewis,
Anshu Patel
Designers Scott Moore, Wes Mitchell,
David Cooper
PRODUCTION
Production manager Steve Buchanan
sbuchanan@progressivemediagroup.com
ADVERTISING
Group sales director Joe Maughan
020 7336 5236
jmaughan@progressivemediagroup.com
Sales manager Ryan Sloan
020 7336 5311
rsloan@progressivemediagroup.com
Products researcher Carly Bain
020 7336 5232
Carly.Bain@worldmarketintelligence.com
GENERAL
Publishing director Simon Hodson
Editorial director Theresa Dowling
Commercial director Mike Callison
The paper used in this magazine is obtained from
manufacturers who operate within internationally
recognised standards. The paper is made from
Elementary Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp, which is
sourced fromsustainable, properly managed
forestation. Printed in England by Stephen and
George. All rights reserved: No part of may
be reproduced or stored in a retrieval systemor
transmitted in any form, electronic, mechanical,
or photocopying, without prior written permission
of the editor. 2012 Progressive Media
International. ISSN 1756-3887
supports the aims and objectives
of ACID(Anti Copying In Design)
Cover
WLondon, with interior design by
Concrete Architectural Associates
X2018-002-EDITORIAL ph.indd 1 13/04/2012 15:40
X2018-003-CONTENTS ph.indd 1 13/04/2012 15:42
CONTENTS
9
C
o
n
t e t
n
s
INTRODUCTION
W LONDON UK
SIX SENSES Con Dao, Vietnam
RADISSON BLU AQUA Chicago, USA
ROCCO FORTE Abu Dhabi
SOKOS HOTEL VILLA Tampere, Finland
HOTEL AMERICANO Manhattan, USA
PURO HOTEL Wroclaw, Poland
BOHEMIA Gran Canaria
LIME WOOD New Forest, UK
BEL-AIR Los Angeles, USA
PUBLIC Chicago, USA
ECCELSTON SQUARE London, UK
THE PRICE IS RIGHT Price-conscious hotels
MY FAVOURITE HOTEL One Aldwych, London
ULRIKE LEHNER Concrete Architectural Associates
JIM HAMILTON Graven Images
HANNAH GULLSTEN Gullsten-Inkinen
TIM MUTTON Blacksheep
11
14
18
22
28
34
38
43
48
53
57
62
67
71
82
16
26
35
46
HOTELS
PEOPLE
X2018-003-CONTENTS ph.indd 2 13/04/2012 15:43
HOTEL REVIEW W LONDON
10
Leicester Square
London
W
X2018-004-W HOTEL ph.indd 1 13/04/2012 15:45
HOTEL REVIEW W LONDON
11
W HOTELS HAS MADE ITS DEBUT
IN THE UK, AND WHAT A RED-
CARPET ARRIVAL IT IS. IN THE
CAPITALS SHOWBIZ HEART
OF LEICESTER SQUARE, THE
NEW W HAS ALL THE GLITZ AND
GLAMOUR FOR WOULD-BE STARS
HAVING A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
ARCHITECTURE: JESTICO + WHILES
INTERIOR DESIGN: CONCRETE
ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATES
W
s arrival in the UK comes at a time when
the worldwide brand is a relatively new
player in Europe, with just four other
hotels in the region Barcelona, Istanbul and
St Petersburg and Paris. London is a much-admired
addition to the W portfolio, having scooped the
Best Hotel award in the latest FX Awards.
W Leicester Square in London conforms in
spades to the brand brief of being a design-led
hotel and targeted at a younger, playful, less-
corporate crowd.
One of few new-build hotels in central London
in the past 40 years, the hotel is on the site of the
former Swiss Centre on Leicester Square,
at the centre of the West End. Te facade of this
10-storey building, which in addition to the W
Hotel also houses retail, leisure and residential
accommodation, has been wrapped in a second
skin of frameless glazing that is suspended
from the face of the building. It works like a
pixellated screen, capable of projecting dynamic
light installations.
Guests enter the W underneath a cloud
sculpture of 280 disco balls, surrounded by black
glass walls. Tey lead guests to the Welcome
reception area and up to the Wyld bar on the frst
foor, and the theme is continued in the guest-room
levels, where the room numbers are crafted out
of small glitter balls.
To the side of the entrance is the two-level Spice
Market restaurant, which uses a palette of copper
and orange to develop the spice theme. Lighting
comes in the shape of brass lanterns, and the outer
walls are lined with black leather banquettes. An
eclectic mix of chairs and tables occupy the centre
W is for welcome, in the
mirror-surfaced and disco-ball
lled hotel entrance, far left.
Above left, the mirror-clad and
gold-dressed Wow suite bed-
room. Top, in the Spa suite, the
bed is underlit. Above, the W
lounge has a curving dramatically
lit ceiling over a 37m continual
length of Chestereld sofa
X2018-004-W HOTEL ph.indd 2 13/04/2012 15:46
HOTEL REVIEW
12
Concrete Architectural
Associates was founded
by creative director Rob
Wagemans in 1997.
Based in new ofces in
the Red Light district
of Amsterdam, this
multidisciplinary creative
ofce employs 35 staff and
trainees in building identities from urban planning to interior design, from architecture
to graphic design. In addition to the W Hotel London, it lists citizenM hotel at Schiphol
airport, Selfridges Hotel, London and another W hotel, in Verbier, Switzerland (a project in
progress) as portfolio highlights.
W Hotel is part of a huge hotel group, Starwood Hotels. Was the brief you were
given for the interiors prescriptive, or was Starwood very open to your ideas?
The design brief had the following statement: W is more than a hotel, more than a
lifestyle, W hotels worldwide is a state of mind. It is the place you go to escape from the
routine and become a part of all that is now. Starwood wants to make every W hotel
a destination within a destination. Based on this initial statement Concrete developed
a design narrative for the W London hotel. A strong narrative gives the designer a tool
to create the design for all spaces of the hotel.
The W Londons interiors present it as so much more than just somewhere to
stay in a city. How did you set about giving the hotel such a unique personality?
There is more to London than the obvious tourist attractions. Ultimately youll get the
chance to see the city from within. Wed like to show you the real London and what
true Londoners are about. A public and private tour guides you through the day and
night life of a quintessential Englishman and woman. We follow the transition of
a classic businessman in the morning to a dancing star in the bar at night, and imagining
everything in between.
What kind of research did Concrete do in preparation for W London?
Interview with Ulrike Lehner
Project Leader for W London, Concrete Architectural Associates
Working and travelling around the world gives us the opportunity to get acquainted with
local cultures, habits, customs, materials and nishes. It keeps our eyes and senses open to
new inuences wherever we are. While were travelling we see a lot of hotels. This leads to
inspiration seeing other designs but also to frustration being a guest in hotels.
For this hotel we have been inspired by the UK, and London in particular. We have
analysed quintessential Londoners and their ways of working, meeting and playing, to
offer guests the chance to see the city from within.
It is located right in the heart of touristland, but its not a tourist hotel.
Who is it aimed at?
W hotel focuses on guests who want to have the consistency of a major business brand
and love the curiosity of a lifestyle brand.
Which aspect of the interiors at W London are you most pleased with?
Were pleased with all the aspects of the interior and the overall atmosphere that the hotel
exudes. The rooms of the W London hotel contain a unique aspect though.
W London Leicester Square guest rooms combine a comfortable sleeping zone with
a luxurious vanity area. Whether you like to dress up for the party or need a good sleep
after, the rooms are made to full both. A standard hotel room layout has been rearranged
into the ultimate dressing room. Here, your world evolves around the vanity desk and
starts with a good preparation party before shifting over to a red-carpet night in the
West End. This room, at this location, is not just for a good nights sleep. Theres far more
to explore...
Tell us about you call the hotels showstoppers
In the entry & Welcome area: A 280 and 350-piece disco ball-cloud that creates
a transition from hectic London street life to the W Lounge.
In the W Lounge: The 12m-wide x 6m-high Union Jack cabinet.
In the W Lounge bar: A social landscape made out of one Chestereld couch for
guests to live, meet, mingle and irt on.
In the Wyld bar: A disco ball with a diameter of 3 m.
In the W guest rooms: The dressing desk a huge desk and vanity table combined into
one signature furniture piece for the dressing room.
E
W
O
U
T

H
U
I
B
E
R
S
W LONDON
X2018-004-W HOTEL ph.indd 3 13/04/2012 15:48
HOTEL REVIEW
13
The Spice Market restaurant
uses a palette of orange and
copper. Above left, the Wyld
bar, decked out in black and
red with a giant disco ball and
a central feature. Above right,
the private screening room
continues the black and red
colour theme, with white neon
strips of lighting. Below left,
entrance to the W spa. Below
right, the Ws gym, with the
glitter-ball effect as wall graphics
of the restaurant, and a spiral staircase connects
the two foors.
Upstairs on the frst foor is the lobby lounge,
probably the W Hotels most restrained space
in terms of decor. Styled like a gentlemans club
room, it has been divided by a two-storey-high
showstopper shelving unit, mimicking the Union
Jack fag. Tis is where an exhibition of plates,
featuring modern motifs taken from fashion
shoots, can be found. Square sofas provide a stylish
meeting and waiting area. Te lounge bar is more
relaxed, flled with a 37m-long, custom-made
Chesterfeld sofa and with a dynamically contoured
and dramatically lit ceiling.
Everything, including the end-grain oak fooring
and gold leaf ceiling, naturally follows the winding
landscape.
Te party side of the Ws personality is displayed
to the full in the Wyld bar, a red and black glitzy
nightclub-type interior with a two-storey drinks
cabinet. Wylds interior look combines the red
carpet feel with spicy red and black leather
furnishings, black sequined walls and a grand fnale
3m-diameter disco ball. A circular booth surrounds
bespoke cocktail tables that light up in red.
When entering one of the hotels guest rooms,
there is a defnite feeling of Narnia you enter the
room via the wardrobe, which covers the whole
of the back wall. Te interiors of each room is
split into two themes, hard and soft, with the
hard dressing room leading through to the soft
furnishings of the bed and chaise longue. Fabric
pendant lights, fabric on the walls and cotton
curtains continue the soft theme.
Here emphasis is placed on the ritual of getting
ready for a night out on the town, with a custom-
designed island vanity unit created in Corian within
the bedroom and incorporating sink and storage,
inspired by vintage cabin trunks. Te unit can
double as a bar top for in-room drinks yet another
designer touch to enhance the W Hotel experience
in one of Europes most vibrant cities.
W LONDON
X2018-004-W HOTEL ph.indd 4 13/04/2012 15:49
ADVERTORIAL
14
Hamilton Litestat
Quarry Industrial Estate
Mere
Wiltshire
BA12 6LA
T: 01747 860088
www.hamilton-litestat.com
info@hamilton-litestat.com
Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge
Hamilton supplied a unique table-mounted media
and power outlet for the impressive Park Plaza
Westminster Bridge hotels 1,021 contemporary
bedrooms and suites. The bespoke product was
designed by our team of experts, who worked
closely with the hotels architects to ensure that the
nal product met aesthetic, engineering and safety
specications.
The freestanding unit was nished in glossy
piano black and its smooth curves and clean lines
were inspired by todays most popular mobile
phones and tablet computers. The panel features
a combination of British 13 amp sockets, European
and American sockets, a speaker socket for MP3
players and an Internet connection point that
allows guests to access the hotels broadband
network. Given the hotels prime central location,
the product has been designed and produced for
the needs of both business and leisure guests who
can easily make use of their own portable electrical
equipment with no need for international adaptors.
It also means that guests arent required to nd a
socket at a lower level or unplug any xed
hotel equipment.
Hamilton Litestat is a specialist British
manufacturer of high quality decorative
electrical wiring accessories and systems
for energy management, including audio
and lighting controls. Managing director
Ian Hamilton discusses the benefts of the
companys bespoke design service, Savile Row
Tailor-made wiring accessories,
engineered to order
X2018-HAMILTON.indd 1 03/05/2012 15:16
ADVERTORIAL
15
H
amilton Litestat is a specialist British
manufacturer of high quality decorative
electrical wiring accessories , audio and
lighting controls systems. Managing director Ian
Hamilton discusses the benefts of the companys
bespoke design service, Savile Row.
Tats why at Hamilton we put all of our
40+ years of experience into designing and
manufacturing bespoke solutions to meet our clients
requirements as part of our Savile Row service. From
a particular fnish or colour to a specifc function or
technical element, we can create plate designs and
systems that control lighting, window blinds and
audio, all of which work within your existing plans
and can contribute to energy efciency.
Increasingly, bespoke products are needed to
cope with the complex demands of modern living
and nowhere is this more evident than in todays
top hotels, where there is a rapid fow of demanding
people, each with diferent needs. Often, the
challenge is to combine a particular functionality
with a carefully designed aesthetic, turning what is
essentially a utilitarian product such as a key card
switch, lighting control panel or electrical socket
into an interesting, attractive design feature. You
will see from the example of our work for Park
Plaza (below left) that this is something we are used
to doing. In this case it was for a city hotel but
we are equally at home in period properties and
regularly produce traditional designs in antique
brass and woods as well as contemporary ones such
as coloured glass and crystal clear plastic, each time
ensuring all the accessories form part of a cohesive,
stylish scheme. We can even provide door furniture
to match.
For more information on our Savile Row service,
as well as our comprehensive range of plate designs,
audio and lighting controls, get in touch with the
Hamilton team using the details opposite.
X2018-HAMILTON.indd 2 03/05/2012 15:16
HOTEL REVIEW SIX SENSES CON DAO
16
NATURAL MATERIALS, ECOLOGY,
SUSTAINABILITY AND RECYCLING
WERE BYWORDS FOR THE
FRENCH PRACTICE AW2
IN THE CREATION OF THIS
AWARD-WINNING ISLAND
RESORT IN VIETNAM
ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN: AW2
X2018-005-SIX SENSES ph.indd 1 13/04/2012 15:51
HOTEL REVIEW SIX SENSES CON DAO
17
Senses Six
Con Dao
Vietnam
The BETTONE range
of coordinated bathroom
products features steel/enamel
washbasins with wall mounted,
counter top, built in and under-
mounted options, as well as a
free-standing monolith
B
ETTE baths, shower trays and wash basins are
designed to bring pleasure to the bathroom
experience and are made from a material that
provides durability and ease of cleaning high grade
steel/enamel.
From the look of the bathroom itself, to the shape
of the bath back rests, the smoothness and quality of
the enamel fnish and the spaciousness and rigidity
of the shower trays and baths, everything is designed
to create the ultimate bathroom.
Te company has a passion for the high grade
steel/enamel it uses to create its baths, shower areas
and washbasins.
Steels strength and stability means, for example,
that BETTE can produce shower trays and
washbasins in very large sizes. Tis stability also
ADVERTORIAL
18
Bette
0844 800 0547
www.bette.co.uk
makes it perfect for baths and shower baths. Steel
allows the precise formation of shapes and edges, so
BETTEs baths for showering have steep sides at the
foot end for more standing room. Steel is also a good
conductor of heat so will take on the warmth of
the bathroom and will not feel cold.
All BETTE products are fnished with the
companys BETTEGLAZE enamel, which is
extremely smooth, durable and has wonderful
light refecting qualities. It is highly resistant to
scratches and heat and will not lose its colour, even
after years of using and cleaning. It is hygienic
and easy to clean with no special care needed. Te
enamel and the steel are fred in a kiln and bond to
one, exceptionally strong material and all BETTE
products come with a thirty year craftsman warranty.
The Shower Trays from the
BETTONE range coordinate with
the baths and wash basins and
come in eight sizes up to 140 x
100cm.
The BETTONE range features
baths, shower trays and
washbasins in one coordinated
design and all in steel/enamel.
It includes the award-winning
BETTEONE RELAX bath, with its
special back prole, designed
like a reclining chair, for an
unsurpassed level of comfort
X2018-BETTE.indd 1 23/04/2012 09:30
HOTEL REVIEW
19
SIX SENSES CON DAO
S
et against the backdrop of forested
mountains, mangrove trees, tropical
beaches and turquoise water, Six Senses
Con Dao Resort and Spa has a spectacular
location of the coast of Vietnam among the
archipelago of islands.
One of the main highlights of this stunning
destination is not just the natural landscape,
but also its preservation while the luxury resort
was being constructed.
It is located in Con Dao, a hitherto untouched
area that for decades has been protected as a
national and marine park. Architects at the French
company AW2 took into account the environment,
ecology, energy use, and sustainability factors
when designing the resort, allowing it to ft into
the environment rather than altering the landscape
to accommodate it. Te whole of the resort is
constructed out of natural, sustainable, and
recyclable materials,
which are also locally sourced wherever possible.
For the resort experience of the guests we had
to preserve this feeling of nature, and for us, the
architects, we had to commit to respect the
site with an appropriate design. Tis meant
for us being very sensitive about every
environmental aspect of the project: impact
on site and nature, water, energy ,
says AW2.
With the lightest of ecological footprints, the
resorts 50 villas sit with their individual outdoor
bathrooms on the 1km stretch of white beach. Te
villas are ecologically efcient with open-air living
rooms, with the use of air conditioning limited only
to the bedrooms.
Te villas are constructed on timber frames
along the natural curve of the dunes. Butterfy-
shaped roofs fnish of the structures by allowing
light and air in but still ofering shade to the
sundecks and infnity pools.
Te villas interiors follow clean lines, with
neutral brown tones of the timber creating
a rustic ambience. Te beds are dressed in crisp
white bed linen and white covers, and sofas are
upholstered in white fabric also. Te only splash of
colour is from the vivid cushions, giving the spaces
a warm tropical vibe.
Te heart of the resort is created to look like
a traditional Vietnamese fshing village and
marketplace. Te village area is complete with
a main street and square and traditional-looking
vintage Vietnamese doors, full of intricate detailing.
Using the doors in this way is not only recycling
in action, but gives the visitors a glimpse into
Vietnams history of design and architecture.
Te village is linked to the beach villas and spa
by a wooden bridge leading across the dunes.
Te restaurant area is built in the dunes and
imbedded into the landscape, and its large expanse
of decking is oriented to maximise the spectacular
views. Te idea behind this area is to provide the
guest a new experience of dining every time they
visit, with varying vistas from diferent kinds of
seating daybeds, dining table and chairs, sofas
Te restaurant itself is open at the sides with
a light butterfy single roof. Inside diferent dining
spaces allow framed views on to the extraordinary
surroundings. Private dining areas provide unique
experiences of luxury, personalised service,
as in the wine cellar, at the Chef s Table near
the kitchen, and in the secluded Cocoon dining
room, which is stepped down into the beachs
white sand.
As with all the diferent areas of the resort
the spa is dominated by its special landscape
the mangrove, a most surprising and unexpected
natural setting.
As with everywhere else in the resort, the spa
experience is unique, with its intimate contact
with the natural surroundings. Treatment pavilions
and walkways are built on stilts to be higher than
the ground, which is covered by thick vegetation.
Six Senses Con Dao has received a Green Globe
certifcation for its conception and construction.
In addition it has won three architectural awards
including the 2011 Green Good Design Award.
houses. Te houses are in fact facades for the Six
Senses Gallery, activity centre, meeting room and
library. Te open square of the market provides
entertainment by screening flms, and a terrace
from the library to the main bar enables guests
to relax with a drink while taking in the natural
beauty surrounding them. Te market and village
area are made out of sustainable teak, using more
than 1,000 recycled antique wooden panels.
Te walls of the buildings are clad internally in
Previous page and images on
this page, French architecture
practice AW2 set out to create
the resort with the lightest
of ecological footprints, using
natural, sustainable and recycled
materials, sourced locally
wherever possible. Below, the
village buildings are clad in old
doors, forging a link between
past and present
HOTEL REVIEW RADISSON BLU AQUA
20
Radisson Blu
Aqua
A 15m-long replace is the
rst thing guests see when
arriving at the hotel, a warm and
welcoming sight for new arrivals
and for those re-arrivingafter
a day out. Right, the stunning
Aqua Tower, home on the rst
18 oors of the Radisson Blu
Aqua hotel
Chicago
X2018-006-RADDISON ph.indd 22 19/04/2012 10:06
21
GLASGOW-BASED HOTEL DESIGN
PRACTICE GRAVEN IMAGES PAYS
HOMAGE TO CHICAGO AS THE
BIRTHPLACE OF THE MODERN
SKYSCRAPER WITH ITS CHOICE
OF COLOUR SCHEME AND
PALETTE OF MATERIALS
ARCHITECT: STUDIO GANG ARCHITECTS
INTERIOR DESIGN: GRAVEN IMAGES
GUEST ROOM DESIGN: CHRISTIAN LUNDWALL
T
he frst Radisson Blu to open in the USA is
located on the frst 18 foors of the spectacular
81-storey Aqua Tower in Chicago. Te
interiors of the hotel have been designed by
Jim Hamilton of Glasgow-based Graven Images,
with leading Swedish hospitality designer
Christian Lundwall overseeing the design
of the 334 guest rooms.
Hamilton, the creative director of Graven
Images, wanted to pay homage to Chicago as the
birthplace of the modern skyscraper with his design
and so used weathered heavy steel throughout as
a key element for the interiors. Te orange patina
of the steel contrasts with the warm-grey polished
concrete and brickwork in the interiors. Other
materials such as Corten steel, Krion
(a natural stone-like product from Porcelanosa)
and weathered oak were also chosen with Chicago
in mind, and further references to the city are
present almost everywhere in the hotel, be it
in the form of carpeting or artworks.
Te main entrance is framed by a transparent
blue glass box, which allows passers-by to get
a glimpse of the hotels ground-foor public spaces.
Brick piers act as a gateway to the lobby where the
use of negative space composes a series of building
silhouettes referencing the Chicago skyline, and
backlit glass blocks in the walls are reminiscent
of city lights from a distance.
Across the foyer, a 15m-long freplace takes
Oslo
designed by Morgan Studio
Inspired Collecions from Morgan
T: +44 (0) 1243 371111 F: +44 (0) 1243 378796
info@morganfurniture.co.uk www.morganfurniture.co.uk
27
23
prominence, with a wall-to-wall screen of Egyptian
brass medallions by artist Randa Fahmy serving as
a curtain for the freplace. Te warm tones of the
fre and brass, alongside a handmade rug depicting
an abstract aerial view of Chicago, create a warm
and welcoming feeling to the area.
An internal corridor in the lobby features a
martini bar, which boasts oversized dark-blue
upholstered captains chairs. A fying staircase at
the end of the bar connects the ground foor with
the contemporary Italian restaurant and bar, Filini,
on the next two foors.
Te bar space features a black and white hand-
pieced mosaic foor, inspired by the pattern of
iron grates around the citys pavement trees, and
underneath the glass tabletops in the restaurants
booths are fickering LED lights, creating an
illusion of tea-light candles.
Te upstairs area of Filini features a glass wall
showcasing quality Italian wines. Tis combined
with silver leather seat cushions and oiled oak
tables, creates a contemporary but cosy ambience.
One of the most striking features in the ground-
foor corridor space, however, is a structural I-beam
that serves as a perch for the seating boxes in the
restaurant above. Te corridor also connects to
an art gallery showing works by Chicago artists,
hand-selected by Hamilton, and to the 8,600 sq m
event facilities.
Swedish designer Christian Lundwall, who has
A mirrored-glass mosiac wall
with individual mirrors sitting on
top creates a stunning effect in
this all-white and mirror public-
use cloakroom, top. Right, one of
two guest-room concept designs
for the Radisson Blu Aqua,
Naturally Cool features splashes
on colour, metal lighting and
dramatic paper art. Above, the
Martini bar features oversized
captains chairs
created bedroom designs for many other Radisson
Blu hotels worldwide, created two concepts for
guest rooms at the Chicago hotel. Mansion House
conveys a clubby yet refned vibe by featuring
strong lines, deep rich timber fnishes and dashes
of chrome. Naturally Cool has splashes of colour,
metal lamps, wood fooring and dramatic paper art,
all combining to ofer a contemporary softness.
Te stylised homage paid to Chicago with the
interior design of Radisson Blu Aqua is a great
success, as Graven Images and Christian Lundwall
have combined the contemporary interior
incorporating the signature of Radisson Blu hotels
worldwide with clever references to the Windy
City without clich.4
HOTEL REVIEW
24
RADISSON BLU AQUA
Interview with Jim Hamilton
Graven Images
Jim Hamilton is the creative director of Graven
Images. The design studio has been providing
services, including interior design, branding and
communications design, for a global clientele in
the corporate, public, and hotel and leisure sectors
for more than 25 years. Graven Images has a team
of 25 in its studio in Glasgows Merchant City,
including architects, interior designers, graphic
designers, 3D artists and exhibition designers.
Recent projects include the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago, Hotel
Missoni Edinburgh and Kuwait, Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa, and The
Corinthian Club in Glasgow, which won Best Interior Design at the 2011 British
Design Awards.
This was your rst commission in Chicago. Was there much of a
culture gap between Glasgow and Chicago?
There are some similarities. Allegedly the new grid system after the great re
of Chicago in 1871 was partly inspired by Glasgows grid, but also the culture
both cities have great music and club scenes. I felt quite at home in Chicago,
as it is a very welcoming city and quite an industrial city much like Glasgow.
The choices of surfaces used in the Radisson Blu Aqua for Chicago are
very specic. How much research went into their selection?
It wasnt so much about research as about the fact that we spent two years
working on the project. I was keen to make sure that there was some
indigenous quality to the design. But rather than using the obvious inspiration,
I tried to nd things that I enjoyed and liked in the city. For example the tree-
grates on streets these are things that people tend to ignore and walk over
every day without noticing. But for me, its an amazing, beautiful piece of cast
iron. So we took the pattern from the grates and used that as the inuence for
the main mosaic oor in the bar. We also brought in some of the materials from
closer to home (for us), for example the ceiling and wall tiles in the bar and
restaurant are by a Glasgow-based designer Dene Happell.
The Filini bar, with its origins
in Europe can be seen from the
street, and rather than it being
an Italian pastiche the aim was
for it to be simple, contemporary
and inviting. The pattern of the
mosaic oor references grates
placed around trees on the citys
streets.
You already mentioned using the city of Chicago as a design theme for
the interiors. Was that something already in the design brief?
Not at all. The brief was to create a Radisson Blu that was the rst one in
United States, so it had to be strong and different from everything else in
Chicago and in North America. It was quite an open brief, but we worked hand
in hand with Carlson [owner of the Radisson brand].
The hotel has its own art gallery. Tell us more about it
The idea for the art gallery came about because one large section of the
building is dedicated to the ballroom and events facilities, and the other half of
the ground oor is a public space. There was this no-mans land in between, so
I kept thinking that it would be nice to have something that would merge these
two spaces together. I spent a lot of time in Chicago going to the art galleries
and choosing the pictures, and each and every piece has a story behind it.
I tried to make the gallery something that was relevant and meaningful.
What was the inspiration behind the design of the Filini bar and restaurant?
Filini, as a brand, was originally developed in Europe. Another rst in the USA,
it had to be something specic. It was never meant to be a piece of Italy or an
Italian interior, but be quite contemporary, modern, simple, comfortable and
exible, and it had to look inviting from the street and from the lobby.
What is your favourite space in Radisson Blu Aqua?
I like the lobby with the replace. In the original hotel scheme it was marked
out as a reception area, so that was the rst big move I made when I was
looking at the plan shifting the reception area to the left. The 15m-long
replace is now the rst thing guests see.
I coined the phrase re-arrival which is all about the fact that Chicago
is both for leisure as well as business market. So there are guests who stay
for a week or longer and, for me, when coming back to the hotel, the last
thing I want to see again and again is the reception. It makes it feel much more
welcoming if the rst thing you see is the replace, the brass screen, the rug
and the sofas, making the impression soft and welcoming.
B
ack in 1992, Albions founders had a mission -
to create the ultimate bathtubs. After studying
the marketplace and analysing baths made
by others, it was clear that only two materials were
available at the time. Firstly, acrylic, which is a soft
plastic had become popular in the 1970s. Tis was
due to its ease of manufacture and low cost. Tis was
coupled with acrylics ability to be made in diferent
colours that were fashionable - who can forget those
avocado and chocolate brown suites! However,
acrylics inherent qualities fall short of what the
customer really wanted. Its fexibility was always an
issue. Many people reported a dread, even a fear of
ADVERTORIAL
26
Albion
Factory and Showroom
The Factory
High Birch Road
Weeley
CO16 9BU
T: 01255 831605
F: 01255 831327
www.albionbathco.com
info@albionbathco.com
X2018-ALBION.indd 1 03/05/2012 11:17
ADVERTORIAL
27
taking a bath as they felt the tub might break under
their weight. Also, people said that acrylic was easy
to scratch and always had a cheap plastic look about
it. Tese shortcomings remain today.
Cast Iron, which has been used for approximately
120 years had gained a reputation for being the
real-thing. However, cast iron baths have many
drawbacks, notably excessive weight, incredible
heat loss from the bathing water and a proneness
to surface chipping. Homeowners also found that
modern liquid cleaners would immediately ruin the
white interior surface.
After two years of development, Albion had
it sorted. A new material was created from an
amalgam of high technology resin and a special
reinforced mineral. Manufactured in Albions
own factory, this material was named Iso-Enamel
due to its high strength and hard surface. Tis
formulation, when mixed is cast into moulds and
allowed to harden. Te result is a strong, durable and
luxurious construction that will give years of bathing
enjoyment. Also, Albion baths will keep your bath
water hotter as the material insulates rather than
loses heat. To this day, Albions patented process is
unique and ofers benefts that other materials
cannot provide.
Albions range of baths are split into two families:
Roll Tops, having a soft rolled edge and Bull Nose
which are characterised by a continuous form from
inside to outside.
Albions Roll Top Baths can be fnished to an
exterior colour of your choice or choose one of
Albions burnished metallic fnishes.
To compliment the fne baths, Albion
supply showers, shower enclosures taps and fne
sanitaryware. From classical to cutting edge modern,
Albion can provide all the required fttings to create a
distinctive and stunning result. For advice on styling
and layout - give Albion a call on 01255 831605.
X2018-ALBION.indd 2 03/05/2012 11:18
HOTEL REVIEW
28
ROCCO FORTE HOTEL
The lobby space (right), and
the reception (far right) reect
the curved shape of the hotel
building, and use locally sourced
marble extensively
Rocco Forte
Abu Dhabi
X2018-007-ROCCO FORTE ph.indd 1 11/04/2012 12:43
HOTEL REVIEW
29
W
ith not a straight line in sight, the Rocco
Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi is a vision of
gleaming glass rising high above the city.
Architecture practice WS Atkins and Partners
took inspiration from the local landscape, with the
buildings curved lines referencing the sand dunes
of the desert, while the blue and green mosaic
of the hotels facade references the colours of the
Arabian Gulf.
Taking into account sustainability, the buildings
11-storey atrium features fritted glass panels to
refect sunlight away and keep the building cool.
In a footplate of more than 28,000 sq m, the
hotel features 281 guest rooms, seven restaurants
and bars, a large spa, a ballroom and a variety of
meeting rooms.
Te hotel is our most architecturally bold
yet, and it really makes you feel the splendour
ROCCO FORTE HOTEL
FOR ITS MIDDLE EAST DEBUT
ROCCO FORTE HOTELS HAS
CREATED AN ARCHITECTURALLY
BOLD BUILDING, WITH THE
EQUALLY STUNNING INTERIORS
FEATURING SOPHISTICATED
AND MODERN SUMPTUOUS
FINISHES AND MATERIALS
ARCHITECTURE: WS ATKINS AND PARTNERS
INTERIOR DESIGN: OLGA POLIZZI
The rippling organic shape
of the Rocco Forte Hotel
Abu Dhabi echoes the
dunes of the nearby desert,
while the facade of blue and
green mosaic references the
colours of the Arabian Gulf
Decorative LED pendants. Dimmable with
emergency gear and presence/absence
detection ensuring
maximum energy saving at all times.
FRANKled can also offer led13 Duo
lightsource for decorative chandeliers.
www.franklite.net Franklite Limited info@franklite.ltd.uk
franklite issue 18:Layout 1 19/4/12 12:29 Page 1
HOTEL REVIEW
31
and ambience of Abu Dhabi, says Olga Polizzi,
director of design for Rocco Forte hotels. I like
the brightness here, and when sourcing materials
locally we came across beautiful marble which we
have used throughout the hotel.
Guests entering the Rocco Forte Abu Dhabi are
greeted at the striking reception desk, which looks
like it has been chiseled out of a block of solid
stone, while the horseshoe-shaped staircase around
it appears to be hanging in the triple-height lobby.
Tis hotel is the frst Rocco Forte Hotel to
be opened outside of Europe, and Polizzi, who
oversees the designs of all the companys properties,
has blended European and Middle Eastern styles to
create a look that is both sophisticated and modern
while featuring sumptuous details to emphasise the
Middle Eastern charm and location.
ROCCO FORTE HOTEL
Each of the guest rooms has large, curved
windows and features a rich colour scheme inspired
by the region green, yellow and terracotta as
well as richly patterned fabrics, modern, curved
sofas and unique artwork.
As in all our properties, I like to feature local
art, explains Polizzi. Tere is work by poet and
artist Adonis one of my favourites in the
bedrooms, while in the suites lyrical paintings
by Salwa Zeidan adorn the walls. And the lobby
features a striking triptych by Fatima al Mazrouei.
Te Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi houses
seven bars and restaurants, and each one features
a handmade chandelier in Czech Bohemian crystal
glass. Te Blue cocktail bar on the sixth foor from
the outside appears to be suspended mid-air. Te
stylish spaces main feature is the 15m-long bar
Above and top right, the
Blue cocktail bar in the hotels
atrium, with its soaring windows
that run three storeys of the
11-storey-height of the hotel.
The glass panels are fritted to
reect sunlight away and keep
the stunning space cool. Top, a
high-sided headboard anks the
bed in this guest room, opulently
dressed in rich colours of purple,
gold and red
br|t|sh des|gners and manufaoturers of oontemporary furn|ture
hb head office
un|ts 1, 2 and 8
broadwyn trad|ng estate
waterfa|| |ane
orad|ey heath
west m|d|ands
b64 6ps
t: +44 (0}121 559 9111
f: +44 (0}121 559 9122
e: sa|es@hbgroup.oo.uk
www.hbgroup.co.uk
b
pr|vate res|denoe south west franoe

HOTEL REVIEW
33
ROCCO FORTE HOTEL
made from the semi-precious stone blue
wild agate. Other bar and restaurant
highlights include the art-deco-inspired
Italian restaurant Oro, designed by Martin
Brudnizki, in which guests dine at tables of
Calcutta marbles and are seated at circular, leather
banquettes; Latin American-inspired bar, Noche,
with its living garden wall, carved sandstone
sculptures of South American symbols and timber
fooring from Argentina; and a DJ booth made
from Edelman leather.
Rocco Forte Hotels is due to open a 159-bed
hotel in Jeddah in 2013, a 90-suite golf and
spa resort in Marrakech, an 82-room hotel
in Luxor and a 275-room property in Cairo,
all in 2014. Te brands attention to design
detail will make for more exciting hotel-design
experiences to come in the Middle East.
Bottom, the Noche bar
displays its vibrant Latin
American inuences. Below,
inside the Oro restaurant, where
gold detailing abounds with a
contemporary twist, such as in
the sunburst screen and the oor
lamps. Below right, the mens
pool is a cool and simple space
with ceiling-recessed lighting
HOTEL REVIEW SOKOS HOTEL VILLA
34
W
hat was once a granary, built in 1890
in Tampere, Finland, has now been
transformed into a hip business hotel,
designed by Hanna Gullstn, of Gullstn-Inkinen
(GI). As one of the shortlisted hotels at FX
International Interior Design Awards 2011, the
Sokos Hotel Villa was praised by the judges, who
commented that the hotels design had style and
verve in abundance.
Although only the shell with its window
openings remains of the granary, the aim of the
Gullstns design was to preserve the aura of the
original building. Tis has been achieved by
featuring red-brick walls, and columns and ceilings
in concrete throughout the new hotel. As the
granarys original windows are relatively small and
dont allow for much daylight to enter the building,
the concrete ceilings have been painted white to
refect as much light as possible.
Te colour scheme in the ground-foor reception
area is controlled and calm, featuring mainly
grey tones with occasional splashes of orange,
which enliven the space. Te original concrete
foor, which caused some problems during the
renovation, as it was in very poor condition and
difcult to drill through, has now received
a ceramic tile fnish, similar in looks to concrete.
Te furniture featured in the lounge has been
designed in warm red and orange tones, and
alongside a contemporary freplace and cosy-
looking hanging chairs creates an overall
harmonious and welcoming vibe.
Te hotels 99 guest rooms feature fooring
and bed heads in light ash timber that have been
given an oiled fnish. Te rustic feeling is further
emphasised by using woollen textiles in the
rooms. Even though Finnish regulations for fabrics
require all textiles be fre resistant and machine
washable, Gullstn found a way to feature hand-
woven woollen blankets and bed throws by
sourcing materials that are compliant with the
regulations and outsourcing their manufacture
to a local community group.
Designed by Gullstn, the blankets in the guest
rooms were hand-woven by women from a local
retired citizens society Mummon Kammari the
Grandmothers Chamber. To complement the
blankets, curtains in the rooms are in the same
dark grey, as are the shower curtains.
Te textiles were designed to establish a calm
SCANDAVIAN DESIGN KNOW-
HOW HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THE
SOKOS VILLA HOTEL, WHERE
THE SHELL OF A 19TH-CENTURY
GRANARY FORMS THE BASIS
OF A CONTEMPORARY YET
SYMPATHETIC NEW HOTEL
INTERIOR DESIGN: GULLSTN-INKINEN
S
o
k
o
s
H
o
t
e
l

V
i
l
l
a
F
in
la
n
d
X2018-008-SOKOS ph.indd 1 19/04/2012 09:56
HOTEL REVIEW
35
Interview with Hanna Gullstn
of Gullsten-Inkinen
Hanna Gullstn founded GI Design & Architecture in 1989
with husband Jari Inkinen, whom she met while studying for an
interior architecture degree at the Institute of Art and Design
in Helsinki. At the start of her career, Gullstn was involved in
projects for cruise ships, restaurants and department stores.
Today, she is internationally recognised for her hotel projects,
including Radisson Blu Hotels in Espoo and Tampere, Hotel
Helka in Helsinki and Sokos Hotel Villa in Tampere. She has
also completed other notable projects such as the Finnish EU chairmanship conference
spaces and interiors for the Sanomatalo ofce building in Helsinki
What were the biggest challenges of converting the old granary building into
a modern hotel?
The biggest challenge was to conceal as much as possible of the M&E and plumbing
services when refurbishing the old building.
How much freedom did Sokos Hotels give you in terms of design decisions?
I had a free hand to implement the design and appearance of the rooms. I have worked
with this client previously so I knew what they were looking for in terms of materials and
budget. I also took into an account all the hotel chains guidelines.
The women from the Mummon Kammari hand-wove the blankets for the guest
rooms. What inspired you to seek their help?
When I suggested a knitted blanket to the client, I made the prototype myself at the time
I was worried that I would have to hand-weave all of them! Fortunately, the hotel manager
had a contact at the Mummon Kammari. It was fantastic that we could include local
handicraft. I want my designs to be manufactured locally as much as possible and I try
to add something unique to all my projects.
If you were to design Sokos Hotel Villa now, would you do anything differently?
Breakfast at the hotel is served in a different building, with an internal corridor linking it
to the hotel. It would have been great to design that space as well with the same design
theme and spirit as in the main hotel building.
What is your favourite part of the hotel?
The upper-oor rooms, because they are more individual. They have steep, sloping
concrete ceilings and beams. They were challenging spaces to design and congure but
they do add character to the hotel.
Do you prefer working with conversions, such as the granary, or new-builds?
GIs projects are primarily renovation projects, specialising in refurbishment. I think4
and fresh ambience. Tis is enhanced by the
integral furniture, clothes stands and tables, all
designed by Gullstn-Inkinen, with a glossy paint
fnish on the fttings and bent white metal tubes
of the clothes stands adding to the Nordic vibe.
Vitra rocking chairs in white are also featured
in some of the guest rooms.
Bathrooms feature dark grey ceramic foor tiles
and matt white wall tiles. Walls have also been
partly dressed in glass mosaic tiles in dark grey.
Guest room lighting has been designed to
combine ease of maintenance with a specifc style,
as the hotel chain Sokos had specifed that there
should be no freestanding or movable lighting,
such as foor or table lamps. As a result all the
lighting is fxed, and white-painted metal shades,
preferred over fabric shades for their durability, are
featured. Ceiling spotlights are
LED, while wall fxtures feature fuorescent tubes.
Gullstn has seemingly efortlessly combined
a fresh and contemporary design look with the
buildings origins as a granary, without making
any compromises on delivering a great design
or on preserving the original atmosphere of the
late-19th-century listed building.
A contemporary freestanding
replace, hanging bent wood
chairs and splashes of red
and orange create a warm
and cozy vibe in the lounge.
Left, the reception is in cool
tones, with the original concrete
oor covered in a tile nish to
look like concrete
SOKOS HOTEL VILLA
X2018-008-SOKOS ph.indd 2 19/04/2012 09:56
CHRISTIAN FISCHBACHER, DESIGN CENTRE CHELSEA HARBOUR
UNIT 1/18 FIRST FLOOR SOUTH DOME LOTS ROAD, SW10 OXE LONDON
BED LINEN | INTERIOR FABRICS | TOWELS | DOWNS & FEATHERS | CARPETS | BEDS | WWW.FISCHBACHER.COM
HOTEL REVIEW
37
it is a lot more sustainable to design existing buildings, and change the use and bring
them to a new life. Our ofce is in a refurbished buildings that used to be a bus body
plant. But now this industrial building is used for ofces and exhibition spaces. Were also
often asked to collaborate with architects on refurbishment projects as interior architects.
GI has stayed mostly in northern Europe with its projects. Have you any plans
to venture into a more international design market?
We are interested in all projects in Europe that require input on highly efcient and
environmentally aware design solutions as well as the Scandinavian visual outlook.
We have an ofce in St Petersburg, a city where we have done projects such as
recently completed V Kontakte (Russian Facebook), and head ofces of international
companies. We have a London presence too, from where we are looking for further
collaborations and design opportunities.
Do you have any other exciting hotel projects coming up?
Yes, but unfortunately we cannot disclose them yet.
Each of the bedrooms feature
woollen blankets and throws,
created by local women. The
small window openings of the
original building led to the
concrete ceilings being painted
white to reect as much light as
possible. Below left, guest rooms
are full of character with steeply
sloping roofs. Below right, guest
suite bathrooms feature saunas
SOKOS HOTEL VILLA
X2018-008-SOKOS ph.indd 3 19/04/2012 10:00
L
ocated in the middle of Chelseas art gallery
district of Manhattan, Hotel Americano is the
frst North American venture for the Mexican
Grupo Habita hotels of Carlos Couturier and
Moises Micha. With Hotel Americano they have
repeated their canny knack of chosing the right
designers to work on their projects and refect the
location while creating a warm, welcoming retreat.
HOTEL REVIEW
38
Award-winning Mexico-City based architect
Enrique Norten and his practice TEN Arquitectos
was selected to transform the former parking garage
into a 10-storey, metal-mesh-wrapped boutique
lodging. Its industrial facade leads to a quietly
dynamic space with 56 guest rooms and suites,
two restaurants, a lobby cafe and two basement
bars, designed by French practice MCH, headed
by Paris-based designer Arnaud Montigny, famed
for his work on the Paris clothing and accessories
store Colette.
At the Htel Americano Montigny, who has
often collaborated with Japanese architect Kengo
Kuma, has introduced a warmer approach, one
infuenced by his work in Tokyo.
While still outside admiring the remarkable
HOTEL AMERICANO
Low lounging furniture
surrounds the Hotel Americano
rooftop pool with views
over Manhattan
New York
Hotel
Americano
X2018-009-AMERICANO ph.indd 1 11/04/2012 12:48
HOTEL REVIEW HOTEL AMERICANO
39
ONCE A PARKING GARAGE, THIS MANHATTAN HOTEL NOW EMBRACES
LATIN-AMERICAN INFLUENCES FROM ITS MEXICAN DESIGN DUO AND
ARCHITECT, WHILE ITS GUEST ROOMS HAVE A TASTE OF JAPAN FROM
A FRENCH INTERIOR DESIGNER...
ARCHITECTURE: TEN ARQUITECTOS / ENRIQUE NORTEN
INTERIOR DESIGN: MCH / ARNAUD MONTIGNY
The outdoor rooftop terrace
cafe (above), is dressed in muted
colours, with circular marble-
topped tables individually lit
by chrome pendant lights
quasi-industrial facade created by Norten, visitors
can take an exterior glass elevator straight to the
roof terrace restaurant, which is awash with simple
clean lines and a muted colour scheme, with plenty
of grey. A more relaxed area for kicking-back sits
beside the restaurant, with a selection of poolside
loungeable seating and a grand wall of glass brick
the epitome of urban chic.
Te Hotel Americanos main lobby features large
couches in black leather, slate-grey walls, and soft
brown carpeting. Varnished wood furniture sits
below space-age pendant lamps, while the public
bar has a simple style of ultra-modern seating, soft
lighting and plain walls.
Couturier and Micha wanted the architecture
to refect the urban location of the hotel while
HOTEL REVIEW HOTEL AMERICANO
40
HOTEL REVIEW
41
HOTEL AMERICANO
still creating a sense of escape. Tis idea was also
applied to the interior design, especially to the
guest rooms and suites.
For these Montigny has applied a Japanese
infuence and simplicity an urban ryokan on the
Hudson, you could say. Materials are all natural,
beds are positioned in the middle of the rooms on
Strong geometric shapes
put a stage kitchen central to
the outdoor dining on the
Hotel Americanos roof top
Japanese inuences are
apparent in the minimalist
guest rooms, with their platform
beds, top. Above, big leather
sofas and grey walls and
feature in the hotels lobby
wooden platforms, walls are white, and design
is most defnitely minimalist.
Furniture and lighting in the guest rooms follow
the strictly minimalist Japanese theme upholstery
is leather, lighting is low and many
of the textiles were sourced from the Japanese
brand Fog.
7 ways to make your guest feel special
A brand new 'Super Seven' range from the undisputed leader in hotel TV
LED screens in all sizes and the most energy effcient TVs. Two simple examples of where we stand out. In
fact, we give you 'Super Seven' reasons to choose our TVs. Our sets really do offer something truly unique.
Contact us at www.philips.com/hospitalitysolutions for more information.
06305551_ADVERTORIAL_4H_ENG.indd 1 23-09-10 14:31
Philips X2.indd 1 4/3/11 13:32:13
Hotel
Puro
HOTEL REVIEW
43
PURO HOTEL
Wroclaw
X2018-010-PURO ph.indd 1 11/04/2012 12:51
5-star
in-room entertainment.
Would you like to find out more? Hospitality@loewe.de
What makes entertainment in todays hotels unique?
There are TV systems which bring everything together: Loewe.
For hotel guests who expect perfection.
Perfect hotel integration with tailored solutions for
in-room entertainment.
Optimum features impressive sound and
system solutions that leave no wish to be desired.
Exclusive design beautifully timeless and multi-award
winning.
Loewe hotel service straight through to the
manufacturer with personal contact.
Individual creative freedom for perfect integration
in any interior.
Product design: Loewe Design, Phoenix Design, Design 3
Project2 3/12/10 11:59 Page 1
HOTEL REVIEW
45
N
ear the historic centre of Wroclaw, Polands
fourth largest city, lies the Puro Hotel the
frst in an innovative chain of budget-
intelligent hotels, where technology plays an
important role throughout the building.
While technology was one of the key features
in the design brief, it also stated that it should
enhance the hotel experience without dominating
it. Designers from the London-based design agency
Blacksheep set out to do just that and, as a result,
Puro Hotel was one of the shortlisted hotels for
FX International Interior Design Awards 2011
and was praised by the judges as a clever, well-
designed project.
Puros owner, Genfer Hotels, had specifed in
the brief that the ground-foor area should be
a busy place, so it has been designed to encourage
socialising as well as informal business meetings.
Te open-plan lounge features glass walls so that
the interior looks inviting from the outside. Te
space features seating by Ligne Roset in greens and
greys, in keeping with the overall colour scheme.
And in line with the important role played by
technology at the hotel, there is an information
wall on which news run round the clock and six
iPads are available for use by guests, while a bank
of terminals ofer guests a speedy and trouble-free
self-check in, though there is a concierge staf
to be of assistance at all times.
A cafe and bar area adjacent to the lounge
is designed in grey tones that are enlivened by
bursts of greens and yellows. Cafe walls are
adorned with art showing the most iconic
buildings in the citys main square, and the
bespoke carpet also designed by Blacksheep
enhances the local feel by carrying a motif
inspired by the leaves of Bartek, an ancient
Polish oak tree. Te cafe area leads to an outdoor
space, which has fxed banquette seating and
chairs by Ronan and Ewan Bouroullec.
Te oak-leaf motif of the bar and cafe carpet
is also echoed on the foors of bright yellow-painted
corridors leading to the guest accommodation,
and on the walls of the 102 guest rooms. Tese
too come equipped with the latest technology
including a fat-screen TV, a multifunctional
touch-screen tablet computer that controls the
rooms air conditioning, lighting, and audio-video,
and a motion sensor for low-level lighting that
switches on automatically should the guests wake
up during the night.
Te compact 19.5 sq m rooms are designed
with integrated desk and robe units with a built-in
desktop safe. While the bathroom in the corner
PURO HOTEL
THE LATEST IN HIGH-
DESIGN, HI-TECH, SELF-
SERVICE HOTELS HAS
ARRIVED. BUT WHILE
GUESTS CAN CHECK
THEMSELVES INTO THE
PURO, THERE'S ALSO
NODS TO WROCLAW'S
ICONIC ARCHITECTURE
AND POLISH HERITAGE
ARCHITECT: APA HUBKA
DESIGN: BLACKSHEEP
Above, graphic representations
of the city's architectural heritage
adorn the walls of the cafe/bar.
Right, the exterior of the Puro
Hotel, designed by the Polish
architecture practice Aba Hubka.
The use of coloured futuristic
lighting ensures that the Puro
Hotel becomes a Wroclaw
landmark. The ground-oor
full-height glazing reveals the
inviting interiors to the street.
Far right, a bank of terminals
offers guests the option
of a speedy DIY check-in
X2018-010-PURO ph.indd 2 19/04/2012 09:54
HOTEL REVIEW
46
PURO HOTEL
Interview with Tim Mutton
Managing Director of Blacksheep
After leaving university with a degree in interior design, Tim
Mutton worked with leading design practices including Terence
Conrans and United Designers. He set up his own agency,
Blacksheep, in 2002 with creative director Jo Sampson. With his
specialist knowledge in the practical and operational areas of the
design business, Mutton oversees all aspects of Blacksheeps
projects, many of which have earned the company global
recognition in the hospitality design sector.
How much freedom did Puro owner Genfer Hotels give you in the design brief?
Our brief was to create a contemporary hotel concept for an exciting emerging market.
We had free rein to interpret this. Our approach was to focus on the users convenience,
stripping away the unnecessary complications of staying in a hotel and introducing
technology in innovative but user-friendly ways.
Puro is very technology-led how different from your usual work was it to design
a hotel like this?
The technology element provided challenges in terms of services integration and planning,
but also was inspiration for the aesthetic expression. We consider the hotel to be design-
led before being technology-led, so the project is not so different from our usual work;
the technology components were signicant features to be seamlessly integrated into the
creative design strategy.
Do you think technology-led, self-service hotels are the future?
Yes, we believe this model of self-service will become more commonplace, particularly for
hotels that cater for the business market as opposed to holiday-makers. With self-service,
it is important that there are design elements that balance a relaxed ambience, warmth and
comfort so that the guest still feels welcomed into the space. User experience needs to be
simple and clear so that the guests do not feel overwhelmed or lost.
The motif of the leaf from the ancient oak Bartek seems to play a major role
throughout the hotel. Where did the inspiration to use this come from?
We wanted a strong indigenous image and a source of natural form that would add softness
to the scheme, which we thought resonated through the leaf design. The Bartek oak is
famous in Poland; local legend says it was the favourite of kings. At the beginning of the
20th century, the oak was partially burned down and 12 years later, its trunk was lled with
concrete. Since 1952, the Bartek oak has been recognised in Poland as a national monument.
What was the inspiration behind using the citys architecture in the cafe design?
The team undertook several research trips to Poland to fully understand the local geography,
culture and history of Wroclaw. The decision to graphically apply the traditional architecture
on the mirror was taken as the forms are visually strong in silhouette and it grounds
a component of the scheme rmly in local context.
What is your favourite design element from the Puro Hotel?
It would have to be the lounge area. It is a generous, multipurpose space that encourages
informal meetings, casual dining and social interaction. It is the rst place that guests are
received at when they arrive and where they best experience what the Puro is about.
Is there anything you'd have done differently if you were starting the design of the
hotel now?
There is a wonderful garden at the hotel and we would have loved the opportunity to
develop the outside space as well.
Puro is the rst hotel in this new chain. Will you be designing the upcoming hotels?
Yes, after a successful initial project between Blacksheep and Genfer Hotels, this is
something that will develop in the future. We are currently working on the second site
in Krackow, which will open in early spring 2013.
What other projects that you are working on now are exciting you most?
Blacksheep has just completed the design of Union Jacks, Jamie Olivers new restaurant in
central London. When working with Jamie, as with all our clients, we try and capture 'him',
not a pastiche of his character or the best bits, but simply his genuine spirit and honest
approach to his food, and wider ethical concerns, and that is what is emulated in the design
of his new restaurant.
Other exciting projects are a new restaurant due to open this spring in the London
Marriott Hotel, County Hall Gillrays Steakhouse and Bars design pays homage to
the restaurants namesake, James Gillray, a famed caricaturist of the late-18th century
and Kismet, a new nightclub in the Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotel in Hyderabad.
The space references the wonderful artistic and craft traditions of the region and
fuses them with highly contemporary furniture and features to reect the citys hi-tech,
present-day reality.
The compact size of the
guest rooms is maximised by
integrated furniture and a glass-
walled bathroom (left). Above,
one of the Puro's main colours,
yellow, is used to great effect in
the corridors, where the bespoke
carpeting carries a motif of the
ancient Bartek oak tree,
a national symbol
of each guest room is glass-walled so as to not
reduce the apparent size of the room, there
is a curtain that can be drawn for privacy. Te
airiness of the rooms is further enhanced by wall-
to-wall windows.
Te emphasis throughout the Puro Hotel
is on customer convenience. By stripping away
some of the traditional elements of staying
in a hotel, such as centrally controlled heating
and air-conditioning, the guests individual needs
are catered for by introducing clever technological
solutions but without making any compromises
on design.
X2018-010-PURO ph.indd 3 19/04/2012 09:54
2022 Hypnos X2 Ad 248x328 aw OL.indd 1 8/12/11 13:33:17
ON THE SUNSHINE ISLAND OF
GRAN CANARIA THE HOTEL
BOHEMIAS PUBLIC SPACES IN
BLACK AND GREYS USE A SPLASH
OF ORANGE AND GOLD TO HINT
AT THE COLOURFUL PALETTE
AWAITING IN THE GUEST ROOMS
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN: PIA SCHMID
HOTEL REVIEW HOTEL BOHEMIA
48
Gran Canaria
Hotel
Bohemia
X2018-011-BOHEMIA ph.indd 1 11/04/2012 12:53
A
way from the crowds of Playa del Ingls,
one of Gran Canarias best-known beach
resorts, Hotel Bohemia rises above the
rippling sand dunes, surrounded by volcanic peaks.
Originally constructed in the Seventies, the building
then comprised 115 guest rooms. By reducing that
number to 67, owner Rembert Euling and interior
designer and architect Pia Schmid have been able
to create open and fowing living spaces that stretch
from inside to out.
With the motto design to live in Hotel Bohemia
has created a relaxed atmosphere, which allows
guests to roam throughout the public spaces.
Each of the guest rooms and suites is decorated
with a bright and playful palette of oranges, purples
and lime green, all ofset with varnished light-wood
fooring, and furniture pieces that include chunky
bedheads and cupboards. Moulded plastic in bold
and bright colours also features largely, with chairs
and bedside tables.
Zig-zag patterns can be seen in wall dividers
and on the balconies; though this is far from the
strangest thing to be found on the balcony large
gnomes holding up table-tops create a quirky spot
to put down a cocktail. Bathrooms are ftted with
modern sanitaryware and accessories, but here too
its the unusual that catches the eye this time the
shower tiles being in purple.
Te public areas are a little more subdued in
colour and style. Te Relax Room lounge and
reception area still incorporate orange into the
colour scheme, but alongside black and shades
of grey, creating a more understated look. With
plenty of dark wood, black bamboo, rectangular
chaise longues and foating curtaining, the rooms
have something of an Oriental feel. Teamed with
Above, The Relax Room does
just that, with its subdued colour
palette of blacks, greys and
splashes of orange. Left, guest
rooms have been given a more
colourful vibe, with oranges,
reds and lime green sitting
on light-coloured wood ooring
and against furniture pieces also
in light-coloured wood
49
X2018-011-BOHEMIA ph.indd 2 11/04/2012 12:53
51
the black and gold lily-pad sculpture in the centre
of the Relax Room and the orchids dotted around
the space, you could be forgiven if for a moment
you thought you were in Japan rather than Gran
Canaria. Te custom-built Siam Spa has been
developed by P49 an Asian architectural team
which specialises in luxurious spas. With grey
walls, black bamboo blinds and gold and orange
accessories, the spa is a modern haven, where
relaxation is the main focus.
Te 360-degree rooftop restaurant and lounge
can be reached via a glass elevator, and ofers
unobstructed view of the dunes of Maspalomas.
With the hotels structure of glass and steel, a feeling
of modernism can be experienced throughout.
Top, the Hamman in the Siam
Spa is a haven of relaxation in
blacks and silver contrasted by
gold-coloured wall sconces
Above, a treatment room
uses a darker colour palette in its
furniture and walls, with
a splash of colour in the
orange windowseat cushions
and gold wall sconces
Left, the reception area
X2018-011-BOHEMIA ph.indd 3 11/04/2012 12:53
H O T E L S P E C I A L I S T S
I N H O U S E F A B R I C A T I O N & I N S T A L L A T I O N
VI CTORY HOUSE, COX LANE, CHESSI NGTON, SURREY, KT9 1SG
+ 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 8 9 7 4 0 5 0 0 WWW. B E CK I N T E R I OR S . COM
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts - Jumeirah Hotels - InterContinental Hotels Group
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts - Starwood Hotels & Resorts - Sofitel Luxury Hotels - The Athenaeum
Marriott Hotels - J W Marriot St Regis Hotels - Royal Garden Hotel, To name but a few...
Project2 15/11/10 16:25 Page 1
HOTEL REVIEW
53
LIME
Lime
hotel
Wood
THE CLASSIC ENGLISH COUNTRY
HOUSE GETS A CONTEMPORARY
WAKE-UP IN A FIVE-YEAR PROJECT
THAT BRINGS LIME WOOD FIRST
A 13TH-CENTURY HUNTING LODGE,
THEN A GEORGIAN COUNTRY
MANOR HOUSE, BANG UP TO DATE
ARCHITECTURE: CHARLES MORRIS AND
BEN PENTREATH
INTERIOR DESIGN: DAVID COLLINS STUDIO
New Forest
X2018-012-LIME ph.indd 53 11/04/2012 12:54
I
Lightweight
Waterproof
Dimensionally stable
Heat insulated
Unique IBFWE Foam
(Global Warming Potential Value1)
Available in a wide range
of thicknesses
I
Tel : +44 1706 647 333 E- Mai l : s al es @wedi . co. uk www. wedi . co. uk
wedi creative building systems. One source - Endless Possibilities
A comprehensive range of modular components and systems are available
Create the perfect Spa and Wellness environment with wedis range of creative building products. wedi offers designers a world of
inspiration with which to create stylish, innovative and relaxing ideas for Wellness Areas, Spas and Wet Rooms. With a comprehensive
product range and five star service wedi is so much more than an item of building material combining a number of impressive
properties in one product with installation options for virtually any substructure. Transform your ideas into reality with wedi.
we d i
INNOVATIVE BUILDING SOLUTIONS

wedi spa and wellness solutions - designed with designers in mind
g _ y g
HOTEL REVIEW
55
LIME
A
s soon as guests turn into
the driveway of the boutique
Lime Wood hotel, a sense of
grandeur washes over them. Drive
past a small lake and a newly built
but antique-looking smokehouse
and lanterns lead up to the facade in
Bath stone. Tis 18th-century
home located in the New Forest
National Park has been reinvented
and restored in a fve-year project
to its old-English country style,
but with some very modern and
contemporary touches.
Architectural interventions and
extensions were the work of Charles
Morris, while Ben Pentreath of
Working Group Design restored
the main house and its existing
extensions. David Collins Studio
was responsible for the interior
design, and has created a modern
interpretation of the English country
house with an overall look of laid-
back luxury relaxed but not without
attention to detail and the odd
eccentric touch.
With antique oil paintings
sitting beside bold, contemporary
sculpture, and a mix of antique and
bespoke furniture, the Lime Wood
epitomises a timeless-with-a-twist
style. Te rooms are arranged around
a central arcaded courtyard, with
stone columns and arches in English
Palladian style. No danger of getting
rained on though, as it can be fully
covered with a retractable glass roof.
Te main hotel and its separate
guest houses consist in total of 16
bedrooms, and each one is decorated
individually, giving the rooms their
own eclectic vibe. Every room ticks
the modern country house box, with
neutral colours, and natural textiles
employed in handknotted rugs,
stitched leatherwork and silk curtains.
Bathrooms too feature personally
sourced marble from Italy, with
traditional nickel features for
a chic yet classic feel.
A skillful blend of styles gives
each of the public areas a character
of its own. Maxs Bar is an intimate
space with contemporary features.
Previous page, a marble
mosiac patterned oor and
arched French doors in the
terrace room. This page, top,
antique chairs sit by a strikingly
contemporary coffee table.
above, a coachhouse bedroom;
left, a contemporary version of
the classic freestanding bath
Leather tables, refective teal blue
paneled walls and a mirrored silver
leaf bar gives the bar a metropolitan
ambience. For those who prefer a
more informal setting, Te Scullery
takes on quite a diferent : this simple
and utilitarian 18th-century country
house kitchen features stone walls,
woodblock-topped tables, painted
white foorboards and a central open
stone freplace used for roasting meat.
Yet the hotels dining room is a world
away from the understated modesty
of Te Scullery, with an interesting
mix of colour, texture and form that
features woven carpets and golden
silk curtains.
Set to the side of the main house,
the three-storey Herb House spa
includes a pool, outdoor hot tub and
treatment rooms with one-way glass,
ofering relaxing views of the hotels
private part of the surrounding forest.
Also housed in the Herb House is a
sauna, steam room, and mud house,
as well as the hotels Raw Bar, serving
salads and salmon from the hotels
own smokehouse.
X2018-012-LIME ph.indd 55 11/04/2012 12:54
B L OC OU T D OOR L OU N G E C OL L E C T I ON D E S I G N MA R K G A B B E R TA S ( L ON D ON )
S UPE RBLY CRAF TE D TE AK, WOVE N AND ALUMI NI UM OUTDOOR F URNI TURE
GLOS TE R, COL L I NS DRI VE , S E VE RN BE ACH, BRI S TOL , BS 3 5 4 GG
TE L . +4 4 ( 0 ) 14 5 4 6 3 1 9 5 0 FAX. +44 ( 0) 1 45 4 6 3 1 9 5 9
E - MAI L . I NF O@GLOS TE R. CO. UK WWW. GLOS TE RPRO. COM
Bloc X2 Spec - lhp_Layout 1 23/02/2011 16:13 Page 1
HOTEL REVIEW
57
HOTEL BEL-AIR
A LEGEND IN THE CALIFORNIAN HOSPITALITY SECTOR, THE BEL-AIR HOTEL IS BACK FOLLOWING A
TWO-YEAR REFURBISHMENT. ORIGINAL ICONIC FEATURES HAVE BEEN RESTORED AND NEW ELEMENTS
ADDED, BUT THE HOTELS SWANS DIDNT RUFFLE A FEATHER...
INTERIOR DESIGN: ROCKWELL GROUP, ALEXANDRA CHAMPALIMAUD
Bel-Air
Hotel
J
I
M
M
Y

C
O
H
R
S
S
E
N
X2018-013-BEL AIR ph.indd 57 11/04/2012 12:55
Sanitaryware, bathroom furniture, bathtubs, shower trays, wellness products and accessories: Duravit has everything you need to make life in
the bathroom a little more beautiful. More info at Duravit UK, Milton Keynes, Phone 0845 500 7787, Fax 0845 500 7786, info@uk.duravit.com,
www.duravit.co.uk
K
e
t
h
o
,

D
e
s
i
g
n

b
y

C
h
r
i
s
t
i
a
n

W
e
r
n
e
r
Duravit brings
the bathroom to life.
UK_X2_KT007_248x328mm.indd 1 11.08.11 15:41:30 Uhr Duravit X2.indd 1 13/09/2011 13:45
HOTEL REVIEW
59
HOTEL BEL-AIR
A
fter 24 months of refurbishment and
redesign, Hotel Bel-Air has reopened,
promising attention to detail in restoring the
beloved iconic elements of the hotel, while adding
contemporary touches.
Over the years, the hotel has played host to the
Hollywood elite and continues to be a favourite
celebrity hideaway. It has always been known for
its individuality, and great care was taken to keep
much of the hotels originality. Te familiar Spanish
Colonial architecture, vibrant in Bel-Air Pink
is still present, but a new generation of Bel-Air
aesthetics is refected through diferent design
themes seen throughout the hotel. Te glamorous
eras of the Tirties, Forties and Fifties have been
used as an inspiration, but conveyed in a fresh,
youthful and elegant manner.
Alexandra Champalimaud was commissioned
to set the design style of all guest rooms, spa and
lobby lounge, and great care was taken to keep
much of the hotels originality. Troughout the
process, insightful feedback from valued past guests
was taken into consideration when implementing
many of the hotels design changes.
Te hotel features 103 guest rooms and suites,
including 12 new accommodations built into the
hillside, ofering sweeping views of the canyon
through expansive and sliding glass walls. Te
experience is further embellished with outdoor
freplaces and spacious decks with private spa pools.
Seven individually designed speciality suites
include the Grace Kelly Suite, and a new
Presidential Suite combines indoor and outdoor
living space. Tis latter suite ofers private dining
for 10, a chef s kitchen, study, grand piano and
a private pool located within its own private
Spanish-style courtyard.
New to the hotel is a 1,115 sq m Spanish
Mission-style structure featuring a bell tower,
ftness studio, three unique loft-style guest rooms
Top, the spa reception
is intimate and stylishly
contemporary, with wood-lined
walls and a woven metal desk,
leading to an all white and blond
wood reception room. Above,
the Presidential Suites living
room has a working replace,
grand piano and a centrally
placed chandelier. Left, a loft
bedroom, designed by Alexandra
Champalimaud, is warm and
inviting in browns and taupe.
Previous page, the black and
ivory powder room references
an earlier era at the Bel-Air
X2018-013-BEL AIR ph.indd 59 11/04/2012 12:56
HOTEL REVIEW
60
Above, a marble-clad hearth
is anked by wine storage
cabinets in glass. Left, a patio for
one of the new Canyon rooms.
Below, the Bel-Airs Oak Bar
has a cosy lounge feel with dark
wood on a light herringbone
parquet oor
HOTEL BEL-AIR
with open foor plans, double-sided freplaces and
dramatically high ceilings, as well as a new spa set
across 385 sq m. Te renowned oval swimming
pool, a beloved element of Hotel Bel-Air for more
than 65 years, has retained its signature shape and
can be enjoyed in its familiar setting.
Rockwell Group redesigned the dining venues
and new additions to ofer expanded dining
opportunities that enhance both the indoor and
outdoor elements of the property. In the signature
restaurant, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
named after the master chef guests can feel close
to the gardens with the addition of an indoor/
outdoor patio. Private cabanas also ofer a diferent
way of dining and an opportunity to get closer
to nature by overlooking the Bel-Airs swan lake.
A marble-clad hearth fanked by tall wine
storage cabinets in glass creates a focal point for the
restaurant and act as separators between the public
and private dining areas.
Te hotels Oak Bar has retained its cosy lounge
feel with a simple mix of rich brown and dark
wood furniture, such as in the curved bar stools
upholstered in leather and the large, sturdy bar.
Te light wood parquet fooring sits well against
the darkness of the rest of the space.
Te Garden Ballroom can seat up to 250
guests and beautifully appointed terraces allow
the room to fow between the inside and out.
Te interiors are designed with soft tones to allow
specifc colour schemes to be accommodated
during specifc events.
Meanwhile, the signature Bel-Air swans
remained on the hotels lake during the
refurbishment work and reiterate the Hotel Bel-Airs
elegant theme. Tey now enjoy the clearest water,
thanks to the installation of a new circulation
pump, which will also save the city of Los Angeles
1.5 million US gallons of water a year.
J
I
M
M
Y

C
O
H
R
S
S
E
N
A
L
E
N

L
I
N

P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
P
H
Y
X2018-013-BEL AIR ph.indd 60 11/04/2012 12:57
Global Supplier of Quality
Contract Lighting to the
Worldwide Hospitality Market
DESIGN
|
QUALITY
|
SERVICE
|
BUDGET
|
BESPOKE
Everything you would expect from Chelsom.
Your perfect lighting partner
Chelsom Limited, Heritage House, Clifton Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, UK, FY4 4QA
Tel: +44 (0) 1253 831406 Fax: +44 (0) 1253 698098
Email: marketing@chelsom.co.uk Web: www.chelsom.co.uk
X2 Chelsom ad:B08-54-57/Campana/pm/sd2/ta 31/5/11 15:30 Page 1
HOTEL REVIEW PUBLIC CHICAGO
62
Public
X2018-014-PUBLIC ph.indd 1 19/04/2012 09:32
HOTEL REVIEW PUBLIC CHICAGO
63
P
ublic Chicago is a gently modernised version
of the fabled 285-room Chicago institution,
the Ambassador East, built in 1926. In its
heyday this esteemed hotel and its world-renowned
restaurant, the Pump Room, played host to a
multitude of celebrities, including Tina Turner,
David Bowie and Frank Sinatra who even had
his own booth.
Te new incarnation stays true to the original
ideas, with a restrained and classically cool
approach to design. But a mix of modern and
classic pieces in unexpected combinations gives
the hotel the look of a home flled with personal
possessions gathered over a lifetime.
Located in the heart of the historic and exclusive
Gold Coast district of Chicago, the hotels entrance
is distinguished with a custom-made antique
bronze canopy restored to its original glory and
illuminated with marquee lights.
Inspired by sculptures from artist Anish Kapoor
(of Millennium Parks Cloud Gate, aka the Bean,
fame), the reception desk is made of oversized,
mirrored, stainless-steel cubes. Te lobby has
a communal table (a Schrager signature) where
guests can sit with friends over cofee or use one
of the iMacs to check emails.
Te Pump Room with more than 300 framed
photographs of celebrity guests lining the walls and
ceiling of the restaurants entrance refects
a modern version of the old Pump Room, and
boasts dark-stained, cerused rift-cut oak fooring,
seating with accents of moss green velvet, silks and
Italian leather.
Te sunken dining area features bespoke half-
round banquettes with bleached oak tabletops
Chicago
THE FABLED CHICAGO HOTEL
AMBASSADOR EAST IS
REINCARNATED IN ONE OF IAN
SCHRAGERS LATEST FORAYS
INTO THE HOTEL SECTOR, PUBLIC.
MUCH OF THE CELEBRITY-
ATTRACTING CHARACTER HAS
BEEN RETAINED, WITH THE ADDED
ZING OF CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

INTERIOR DESIGN: IAN SCHRAGER AND
ANDA ANDREI
Public
X2018-014-PUBLIC ph.indd 2 19/04/2012 09:33
HOTEL REVIEW
65
PUBLIC CHICAGO
on bronze bases, and pays tribute to the seating
that used to be seen in the Ambassador East. A
specially commissioned interactive light installation
by Milans Dimore Studio, made up of 500
individually cast-resin orbs of diferent sizes and
fnishes, is suspended from cast iron pipes (see
opening page), causing quite a stir among guests.
Te Living Room is a welcoming area, with
more unexpected pairings of furniture. It also
features high ceilings, original wood wall panelling,
and a natural limestone and coloured-concrete
foor. Tis soaring space is flled with an eclectic
mix of antiques and accessories, such as a giant
antique train clock, large back-lit mirrors, custom
sofas decorated with silk cushions, and a light
installation, created from the Pump Rooms original
chandeliers, in the entrance.
Each of the hotels 285 guest rooms is
individually furnished and decorated in a
monochromatic palate. Te beds are inspired
by Schragers own bed at home, designed
by British designer, John Pawson, and each is
decorated with oversized throw blankets, which
drape to the foor.
More rift-cut bleached oak has been used
to create wall panelling which presents a soft
backdrop for a series of stacked cubes used for
storage and adjustable bedside lamps, also
inspired by those in Schragers home.
Each room features a specially curated collection
of black and white postcards picturing iconic
Chicago jazz musicians and local personalities,
and framed photographs by French fashion
photographer and music video director Jean-
Baptiste Mondino hanging on the walls.
Sofas in natural linen, leather upholstered
Tonet chairs accessorised with sheepskin throws,
classic black steel Luso lamps, and integrated black
steel desks also feature in the rooms.
Te guest bathrooms house Greek Tassos
marble mosaic foors, Corian sinks and custom-
etched shelves, accented with blue and white
ceramic pieces inspired by Delft porcelain.
Previous page, the sunken
Pump Rooms dining space has
half-round leather banquettes
and features a bespoke light
installation by Dimore Studio,
Milan. Left, the Pump Room
bar, with a glowing pearlescent
nish to the curved, scooped
out back wall. Bottom, the lobby
features the Schrager communal
table and a vast, oor-to-ceiling
antique mirror
X2018-014-PUBLIC ph.indd 3 19/04/2012 09:33
RUCH one-arm sofa with table. Design: Inga Semp.
ligne-roset-contracts.com
HOTEL REVIEW
67
ECCLESTON SQUARE HOTEL
STEP BACK IN TIME IN THIS
ELEGANT LISTED GEORGIAN
TERRACE ... BUT KEEP BANG UP
TO DATE WITH ITS GRACEFUL
BUT CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
FEATURES AND A VERITABLE
BARRAGE OF GADGETS AND HUGE
PLASMA TVs IN EVERY ROOM...
ARCHITECTURE: WOODS BAGOT
INTERIOR DESIGN: WOODS BAGOT
AND OLIVIA BRYNE
W
hen arriving at the Eccleston Square
Hotel, housed in a Grade II listed
Georgian terrace built around an elegant
city square, it would be easy to think you were
stepping into an old-fashioned city residence.
But instead, a hotel equipped with state-of-the-
art gadgets welcomes you in via a modern lobby
with a monochromatic palette, sleek leather and
upholstered furniture, herringbone patterned foor
tiles and a black glass chandelier.
Situated in fashionable Belgravia and
surrounded by chic boutiques, galleries and myriad
super-stylish bars and restaurants, it has been
labelled Londons most high-tech hotel due to its
cutting-edge technology in every room. Owner and
designer Olivia Bryne recently reopened the hotel
after a 6.5m refurbishment, with a good share
of the cash being spent on the latest gadgets.4
L
o
n
d
o
n
Square Hotel
Eccleston
X2018-015-ECCLESTON ph.indd 67 11/04/2012 13:00
HOTEL REVIEW
68
Previous page, the guest
rooms in this Georgian square
hotel bristle with gadgets,
including a shower screen that
becomes opaque at the touch of
a button (also this page, top left.
Top right, a huge TV screen can
be watched from contemporary
style arm chairs, with plenty
of wine on hand from the
double-storey wine store. Left,
contemporary elegance is the
order of the day in the Eccleston
Square Hotel high-ceilinged
restaurant, furnished with a
chandelier, glass side lamps and
club chairs in brown
ECCLESTON SQUARE HOTEL
Each of the 39 guest rooms features the latest
iPad, a 46in HD 3D TVs and Blu-ray players.
Te iPad can be used for almost anything from
ordering room service to booking a session with a
personal trainer. A smartphone app is also being
designed so guests can make bookings for the hotel
while on the move.
Alongside the ultra-modern gadgets though,
the spaces display plenty of modern interior-design
touches. A muted palette of greys, taupe and cream
makes a ftting backdrop for the sleek lines and
simple shapes of the furniture.
Each guest room features an electronically
adjustable 12,000 bed from Swedish bed
manufacturer Hstens maker of the worlds
best beds, or so its advertising goes. Not to be left
out, the marble bathrooms are equally high-tech.
Te showers are ftted with high-pressure rainfall
showers and a smart glass wall protects guests
modesty by turning opaque at the touch
of a button. A fat-screen TV is incorporated into
the bathroom mirrors to ensure guests dont miss
the days headlines while brushing their teeth
Original high ceilings and large windows
are admirable features throughout the building,
including the public areas, such as the drawing
room where black Murano glass chandeliers and
furnishings by Promemoria add a contemporary
counterpoint.
Positioned on the ground foor, the hotels
restaurant Bistrot on the Square is decorated in
muted greys, white and black, and plays host to
a striking feature freplace. Contemporary leather
and wood-panelled walls work together and soft
lighting from grand, crystal chandeliers gives the
space an elegant and refned feel.
Tis hotel is all about fnishing touches, and
what better fnishing touch than a mock-croc-lined
lift installed with six TV screens?
X2018-015-ECCLESTON ph.indd 68 11/04/2012 13:00
Calm
Unique
Loud
Pure
Your rug, your style, your way
Call 01562 743 747 Visit www.crucial-trading.com
Expression is Crucial
www.blueprintceramics.com
T
E
0121 268 3240
info@blueprintceramics.com
BluePrint and
DTile, together
we tile the world!
HOTEL REVIEW BUDGET HOTELS
71
N
ews that Ab Rogers is designing a new room
design concept for Travelodge is proof, if it
were needed, of the increasing sophistication
and activity in the booming budget hotel market.
Tis area is one of the few winners of the fallout
from the prolonged economic gloom, ofering
value for money that appeals to both cash-strapped
private travellers and business travellers needing
to justify every penny of their expenses.
Compared with the USA and elsewhere in
Europe, UK budget hotels have historically
accounted for a relatively small chunk of the sector.
According to hospitality specialist TRI Hospitality
Consulting, while budget hotels represent
approximately just 21 per cent of the sector, they
account for 33 per cent of all those in the pipeline
and 65 per cent of those actually in construction,
refecting the reality that developers fnd it far easier
to raise money for limited rather than full-service
hotels in the present economic climate.
But this growth easily predates the recession,
and is part of a huge, decade-long boom in the
hotel sector, particularly in London, which has seen
sustained growth in room provision, from the ultra
luxury of Te Savoy and the Corinthia right down
to the 20 bed, shower and nothing-much-else-
unless-you-pay-extra-for-it model.
Te budget end has carved out a larger niche
by venturing into seaside areas previously the
domain of B&Bs, and by prominent advertising
and heavy price promotion. Tis, according to
TRI deputy managing director David J Bailey,
stimulated leisure demand in a new market such
The price
is right
as white-van man who wouldnt normally consider
staying in a hotel.
Te market is maturing and we will be getting
close to that point where the market will become
saturated, although were not there yet. says Bailey,
who expects increasing segmentation within this
part of the market. Teres certainly scope for more
innovation to come.
Yet the term budget is a misleading and relative
term. Talk to anyone in that part of the market
and theyll say they prefer the terms afordable,at
the value end, or limited service rather than a
defnition of price. And while this does include
the ultra low-priced, sometimes windowless room
ofered by easyHotels and others, it also includes
brands such as Hampton by Hilton and Holiday
Inn Express where, depending on demand and
location, you can easily be paying 100+ a night,
helping to push up average price in the sector
to 50.33 (2010, HotStats and Hotel Analyst).
Trow afordable luxury into the mix in the form
of citizenM, the Dutch brand soon coming to
London, and you get an idea of quite how broad
the budget/afordable market is.
Location is, as ever, massively important for
hoteliers, and right now London, a popular
international travel destination made more
afordable by the depreciation of sterling, is
a desirable location for foreign brands to target.
As well as citizenM, the Malaysian-owned chain
Tune is among several overseas chains venturing or
looking to get into the UK market. Tere are also
home-grown brands, such as new venture umi.
Tere are a lot of brands that want to come into
London, says Dexter Moren, whose architecture
and design practice Dexter Moren Associates is
working with several brands hoping to establish
themselves in the capital as well as many of the
established afordable chains. Yet the big players
in terms of room numbers remain Travelodge
and Premier Inn, which between them have more
than half the market share, followed by Holiday
Inn Express, and have both announced further
expansion plans. Travelodge aims to have 1,000
hotels in the UK by 2020.
With their fxed room concepts and service
ofers, budget hotels can present a consistency that
old-style B&Bs lacked, says Moren, though this also
means less design individuality and often a limited
street presence, with hotels often located above retail
units. In this sector, the brand is quite specifc in
terms of room design so there isnt scope for interior
designers to change that. Te only area with more
design impact is the public areas, says Moren.
Budget travellers wont want to pay extra for
high design and will be primarily concerned with
a good bed, shower and convenient location. But
in a busy and increasingly crowded market, design
can be an important diferential.
And with the economy showing no signs
of a fast recovery, maybe more of those in the
afordable market will, like Travelodge, look
to quality designers to make their product not
only cheap and cheerful but desirable too
in the face of increasing competition for the
travellers pound.4
Hampton by Hilton sits at the
top end of the hotels pitched at
the affordable market. It has
eight hotels in the UK, with plans
to open a further ve by the end
of next year
GOOD HOTEL DESIGN IS NOT
LIMITED TO THE HIGH-END
AND LUXURY SECTOR OF THE
HOSPITALITY MARKET. PAMELA
BUXTON HAS A LOOK AT THE
LATEST CROP OF HOTELS THAT
ARE EMPLOYING LEADING
DESIGNERS AND SOPHISTICATED
DESIGN TO CREATE EVEN MORE
TEMPTING OFFERS FOR THE
PRICE-CONSCIOUS
X2018-016-BUDGET HOTELS ph2.indd 1 19/04/2012 09:36
When style meets comfort
info@vincentsheppard.com | WWW.vincentsheppard.com
Southern Ocean Lodge Kangaroo Island Photographer George Apostolidis
adv engeland sept 2010.indd 1 26/08/10 11:14
HOTEL REVIEW
73
BUDGET HOTELS
citizenM
Design: Concrete
Architectural Associates
Is there such a thing as affordable luxury? citizenM, the
Dutch brand planning opening three new hotels
in London, thinks so.
It dipped its toe into the UK market in Glasgow, where
rooms in the 198-bed hotel are priced 49 to 139. Not
exactly rock bottom but very cheap for the high-design
aesthetic that comes with it: Vitra, no less, is ofcial
furniture partner for the brand, which is specically aimed
at people who value modern design.
The designers responsible for this concept are from
Concrete Architectural Associates, the Amsterdam-based
company also responsible for the interior of the design
-award-winning W London in Leicester Square (also
featured in this issue of X2).
The citizenM philosophy is affordable luxury for the
people, it says, with low pricing yet a perfect bed, brilliant
shower, and a great lobby where you can mingle if you
want to. Rooms include a super-king-size bed, free wi-,
wall-to-wall window, desk, global plug system, luxury
linen for bed and bath, and electronic window blinds.
Technology is an important part of the offer. Receptions
have automated check-ins that give guests a key card
when they input their name and email address, although
ambassadors are always on hand to help. In the room,
mood pads developed with Philips allow the guest to
control everything from lights to sounds, all saved for the
next time they visit.
Unlike many budget brands, citizenM offers a 24-hour
cafeteria and appealing lobby. The Glasgow citizenM also
features societyM, a club room with meeting and screening
facilities, which opened in June. This includes furniture
by Vitra, Tom Dixon and Satelliet, pendant lighting by
Moooi and Tom Dixon and printed carpets by Concrete
Architectural Designs.
citizenMs forthcoming London hotels include new-
builds at Bankside and Tower Hill, all factory built except
for the lobbies. These are part of a 20-hotel roll out across
Europe and in New York.
TUNE
Design: GTA Associates & Occa
Malaysian-owned Tune Hotels has recently entered the UK market, offering value accommodation with like many in this
sector an online, airline-style booking system with the cheapest prices to those who book early. It has worked with GTA
Associates for its global design but has commissioned Edinburgh-based hotel specialist Occa to tweak its product
to suit the local market while staying true to its core ve principles of 5* bed, Power Shower, good location, cleanliness,
and 24-hour security.
Its vibrant and young. Youre not paying much money but you feel that youre getting more. It almost goes a step
above budget, says Wendy Clark, studio director of Occa. Weve slightly modernised the Malaysian version. This had
a wall-art mural in every room but weve created a feature wallcovering with a digital print and specied Amtico ooring
throughout the bedrooms. Its very fresh, bright and light a fun brand.
Occa also modied the fold-down desks in the 11 sq m bedrooms, which all have free-standing beds, an open hanging
unit with shelf and mirror, and a bedside table in glass. TV, air conditioning, wi- and towels are available at an optional
extra charge. In the public areas Occa focuses on the Tune redo, creating a contemporary, sweeping reception desk in red
Corian on a Porcelanosa-tiled lobby.
The next Tune opens shortly at Paddington.
Our approach is simple, a single design for our rooms that can either be replicated for consistency globally or altered
slightly to t compliance or culture locally, says a Tune spokeswoman.
Citizen M hotels is partnered
with Vitra, which among other
pieces has supplied its Cone
Chairs and Heart Cone chairs,
shown top
A 5* bed, mirror, glass
bedside table and safe all
come as standard in Tune
hotels, with the design of each
tweaked to reect its location
Start preparing to win!
www.fxdesignawards.co.uk
Categories:
Projects:
Leisure or Entertainment Venue
Museum or Exhibition Space
Workspace Environment
Public Space Schemes
Bar or Restaurant
Lighting Design
Public Sector
Retail Space
Hotel
Products:
Public, Leisure or Offce Furniture
2012 Product of the Year
Workplace Seating
Lighting Product
Surfaces
Special Awards:
Interior Design Practice of the Year
Breakthrough Talent of the Year
Lifetime Contribution to Design
Product Designer of the Year
Awards night:
22 November 2012
To enter:

For queries contact:
Maarja Pehk on +44 (0)7825 544 193
or email entries@fxdesignawards.co.uk
Deadline for entries:
20 July 2012
To reserve your table or seats go to:
or email fxawards@btinternet.com or
contact Tony Thompson on
+44 (0)7803 148 194
FXA-X2-lhp.indd 1 03/05/2012 11:23
HOTEL REVIEW
75
BUDGET HOTELS
umi
Design: James Burrell
Among the big players are smaller outts such as new hotel
group umi, which hopes to open ve more UK units by
the end of the year by linking up in partnership with hotels
keen to taken on the umi brand.
When I created the umi brand I felt a lot of the budget
brands were just about price. For us, its about the service
that goes with it, says umi founder Steve Lowry, who says
umi staff will offer friendly and knowledgeable service.
He feels that is more important now that people spend
so much of their time interacting with technology. Some
of our guests many not have spoken to someone face-to-
face all day. So when they are spoken to, they are far more
aware of what is good and bad service, he says.
umi hotels will offer rooms, the umi brand and booking
system but with a avour of their location by working with
local design students and artists so that hoteliers can put
their individual stamp on the property. In Brighton, for
example, the rooms have large quotes on the walls.
A lot of big brand hotels all look the same. We want
to be fun. You can create a brand through service and
touchpoints were talking to a scent company about
having a scent for a umi hotel as you walk in.
umi is currently working with architect James Burrell on
concept designs for a new London hotel to add to its rst
venture in the capital, a 117-room site in Notting Hill.
Premier Inn
Design: RDD and others
Premier Inns owner Whitbread plans to increase its number of hotel rooms by nearly 50 per cent in
the next ve years. Its priorities are consistency of quality, value and location, with hotels aimed at both
leisure and business travellers alike.
The look we aim to achieve with Premier Inn is one that is modern and contemporary and portrays
what a superior budget-hotel brand should offer its customers, says Whitbread product manager Sarah
Simpson. Durability is also important, and Whitbread has also been introducing lo-o shower heads and
low-energy light bulbs to reduce energy consumption. It works with external designers, including RDD.
We have a regular refurb programme so new elements that can be easily installed. Such as paint
colours, curtains and carpet are often introduced into our rooms throughout this cycle, but larger items
such as furniture are replaced on a less frequent basis, so a key element of the design process is ensuring
that these items can stand the test of time and not look dated, says Simpson.One of the newest Premier
Inn locations is Stratford, East London a 267-bed hotel at the Westeld shopping centre.
Modern and contemporary
is the look that Whitbread, owner
of the Premier Inn chain, aims to
achieve with its hotels
Local design students and
artists assisted in the interior
design of the umi hotel in
Brighton, with quotations being
added to the wall in this bedroom
PRODUCTS
76
Lano Flooring Solutions
As a preferred supplier for AB Hotels, Lano Flooring Solutions was called upon to provide
carpet throughout the 194-bedroom Colchester Five Lakes Resort. Working closely with
AB Hotels and Richard Daniels Design to develop a suitable ooring scheme, Lano Flooring
Solutions manufactured and supplied carpet for guestrooms, corridors and public areas, varying
construction and wear quality to provide maximum value from the 5,000 sq m of carpet required.
00800 5266 5266
www.lano.com
Hansgrohe
Raindance Select Showerpipe
360 features high quality nishes,
elegant soft curves and understated
luxury. Multi-functional shower
pleasure is provided by the 360mm
shoulder-width overhead shower,
which delivers voluminous, aerated
AirPower rain and the 150mm
wide hand shower with ergomimic
handle and 'select' button to click
between three spray models from
gentle rain to whirling massage.
The Showerpipe is controlled by
the Ecostat Select thermostat.
The wide top is made from quality
safety glass through which large,
easy-to-understand symbols
for controlling water ow and
temperature can be clearly viewed.
01372 465 655
www.hansgrohe.co.uk
NCS Colour
Identify colour in seconds with the NCS Colour Scan. It has a database of 1,950 NCS colours
you can use to specify paint, glass, ooring and many other products internationally. It reads
the closest NCS reference of any surface regardless of ambient light, for colour matching and
colour scheming. Displays LRV, RGB and CMYK values and page where the colour can be
found in the NCS Index. The NCS Colour Scan measures areas 2-8 mm for small and multi
coloured patterns. It has a memory of 100 scans to which voice or text tags can be added.
01491 411717
www.ncscolour.co.uk
Kaldewei
The future is now, as Kaldewei
installs Classic Duo Oval Wide in
the innovative 4-star Berlin hotel.
The Classic Duo Oval Wide from
Kaldewei, the European market
leader for baths and shower
trays, features in 45 of the hotel
bathrooms. With its puristic
design lines and comfortably
wide rim, the product adds to the
hotels impressive ambience for
their discerning customers.
0800 840 9770
info@kaldewei-uk.com
Methven
Methven offers premium-quality
showers and tapware for hotels,
and its award-winning range
of Satinjet showers have
been designed for optimum
performance. While conventional
showers use single jets of water
producing a narrow, needle-like
spray, a Satinjet shower uses
twin jets of water that collide,
producing thousands of tiny
droplets that feel soft enough for
the face, yet invigorating enough
for the entire body, delivering a
shower with lower water ows
without compromising on luxury.
0800 195 1602
www.methven.com
Morgan
The Lima Collection, designed by Morgan Design Director Katerina Zachariades, is light and
playful. Dining, small lounge and large lounge chairs have a shaped seat cushion and timber
back. The seat has a generous depth and over-sized dimensions which draw the eye and invite
the user to upholstered comfort. Constructed in three elements, base, seat and back, Lima
offers natural timber combined with a painted nish.
01243 371 111
www.morganfurniture.co.uk
X2018-PRODUCTS.indd 1 12/04/2012 10:19
PRODUCTS
77
Roca
Rocas Showerbasin provides
a complete compact bathroom
solution for applications
where space is at a premium.
Showerbasin comprises slim line
shower column, shower panels,
anti slip shower tray, external
drying platform, storage unit,
wall-mounted tap, built in mirror,
demister and lights. The glass
shower panels are treated with
Rocas special 'Maxiclean' which
repels limescale helping them
to dry faster and stay cleaner.
In addition the useful storage
cabinet also has a special coating
making it highly resistant to
humidity.
01530 830080
www.roca.com
Wilton Carpets
Tufted and woven carpets from
Wilton Carpets Commercial now
adorn the bedrooms and corridors
of accommodation facilities
at the Craneld Management
Development Centre. Following
on from a previous installation
of woven axminster within the
Craneld site, designs from the
FastTrack axminster collection
were specied in a durable
nine-row construction and in a
high performance 80% wool 20%
nylon mix.
sales@wiltoncarpets.com
Junckers
Single Stave Blocks are a more
contemporary take on the much-
loved parquet oor. Junckers
have updated this classic look
to offer all the benets of a
new, solid hardwood oor no
draughts through gaps, no marks,
very easy to maintain and will last
a lifetime with all the charm and
character of an aged oor. Solid
Oak planks have been laid in a
traditional herringbone pattern
have been treated with Junckers
Black Oil a nishing product
originally developed for a Danish
fashion brand, to give the oor an
antique feel.
01376 534 700
www.junckers.co.uk
Formica Group
Formica Group has announced an exciting new addition to its product portfolio with VIVIX,
an innovative exterior lightweight rainscreen cladding solution. VIVIX consists of solid
phenolic, engineered exterior faade panels with decorative surfaces on both sides. It can clad
a building or complement existing building exteriors, and can easily be cut to express a variety
of design concepts. VIVIX panels are also impact, abrasion and weather resistant.
+44 (0) 207 831 2225
michellep@thinktank.org.uk
Bellissimo
Concave curves have reached the UK market thanks to Bellissimo, who have launched a range
of concave curved options in 50 colours and woodgrains. These are complemented by a
comprehensive series of S-shapes. Concave doors are ideal for softening corners and creating
beautiful peninsular units. Bellissimos latest initiative releases a huge choice of matt and gloss
solid colours and woodgrains in two radius options and two door heights.
01772 696959
warnock.ktw@btconnect.com
Polyrey
Polyreys Origine Premier woodgrain laminate range offers a choice of material for creating
exotic looks without using protected timbers. The range is manufactured using raw material from
sustainable sources. Offering 41 laminates, Origine Premier covers all major woodgrain species
with dcors available in sheet size 3070x1320mm, which can be ordered in IMO and M1 grade.
01923 202700
www.polyrey.com
X2018-PRODUCTS.indd 2 12/04/2012 10:19
PRODUCTS
78
Axminster Carpets Commercial
Bespoke woven carpet from has helped to transform the interior of Readings BJs Bingo, as the
venue underwent a complete transformation to create a luxurious environment for over 1,000
players. Abstract Design specied some 2,100 sq m of woven Axminster carpet in a durable 80%
wool 20% nylon construction and an intrepid contemporary design, equipping the main auditorium,
new chatroom and AWP areas with a long-lasting, comfortable and striking oor covering.
01297 630630
commercial@axminster-carpets.co.uk
Polyor
Polyor has raised the bar in
heavy-duty safety vinyl ooring
by launching Polysafe Hydro
Evolve, a highly decorative, raised
emboss oorcovering designed
to combat slip risk in continually
wet and barefoot areas. Eight
attractive, multi-colour chip
decorations dene this new range
and feature a subtle blend of slip
resistant aggregates.
0161 767 1111
www.polyor.com
CD (UK) Ltd
The recently refurbished
Corinthian Club in Glasgow
contains a range of specially
designed furniture and ttings
fabricated in white Corian by
Rearo Laminates Ltd, supplied
by CD (UK) Ltd. Features include
the booths in the main bar areas
where the Corian was specially
moulded and engraved, as well
as tables, bar counters and a
vemetre banqueting table.
0113 201 2240
www.cdukltd.co.uk
IDS
Clic-Wall is the new innovative wall panelling product exclusively available in the UK from
surface materials distributor IDS. Featuring the patented Uniclic system, the panels are easy to
install on either a timber or metal frame which provid asmooth nish. Clic-Wall panelling offers
a hygienic, durable and scratch resistant surface. PEFC certied.
08457 298 298
www.idsurfaces.co.uk
Dedon
An over-sized birds nest
offering a secluded, suspended
sanctuary and unusual meeting
place, Nestrest from Dedon can
be suspended or used with its
optional rotating base. Occupants
are cocooned in luxury,
surrounded by cleverly woven
weatherproof Dedon bre which
allows them to see out but stay
out of sight of those outside. With
a weight capacity of 625 kg, its
two-metre diameter allows room
for sharing. Its the perfect place
for relaxation, meditation and
open-air conversations.
01279 816001
www.leisureplan.co.uk
Interbar
Long established as the UKs leading commercial bar design and construction company,
Interbar works with many of the nest hotels and leisure operators. Through design,
consultation, project management, and construction of bars and bar areas, they mix expert
technical skills with aesthetic excellence to create functional, beautiful bars for their worldwide
client base.When only the best will do, call Interbar for a private consultation.
0845 271 3216
www.interbar.co.uk
X2018-PRODUCTS.indd 3 12/04/2012 10:20
PRODUCTS
79
Polyrey
For fashionable and functional washroom areas, laminate manufacturer Polyrey has the answer
with its brand new Cubicle & Washroom collection, being launched in January 2012. The
48-strong palette of laminate nishes includes 14 brand new designs that collectively cover all
the bases for bright primary colours, stone abstracts, graphic prints and luxurious woodgrains,
offering extensive design freedom for projects including hotels, leisure centres, restaurants,
pubs, ofces and schools.
01923 202700
polyrey.uk@polyrey.com
RAK Ceramics
RAK Ceramics has launched its
new range of Listello decorative
glass and porcelain tile borders.
Designed to co-ordinate with
RAKs popular Lounge tile and
slab collection, the borders can be
used to create stylish, decorative
features on both walls and oors.
Six designs are included as part of
the new Listello range, and each
border measures 30x 4.9cm.
01730 237850
www.rakceramics.co.uk
Hamilton Litestat
Decorative electrical wiring
accessories and lighting controls
manufacturer Hamilton Litestat
has supplied a unique
tablemounted media and power
outlet for the impressive new Park
Plaza Westminster Bridge hotels
1,021 contemporary bedrooms
and suites. The bespoke product
was designed by Hamiltons team
of experts, who worked closely
with the hotels architects to
ensure that the nal product met
the aesthetic, engineering and
safety requirements of one of
Londons largest hotels.
01747 860088
www.hamilton-litestat.com
Hstens
What makes a hotel stand out? The dcor? The service? But what will make a lasting
impression on your guests, ensuring they return time after time?Waking after a night of quality,
restorative sleep on the worlds most luxurious and comfortable beds is a priceless experience
they will never forget. Hstens beds are what guests' dreams are made of.
020 7723 2925
www.hastenswestend.com
Wilton Carpets
A beautiful botanical print carpet
from Wilton Carpets Commercial
now covers the oor of The
Three Bears bar and restaurant in
Stockport, giving the interior of
the pub a modern and welcoming
feel. As part of the redesign of The
Three Bears interiors scheme,
Frederic Robinsons Brewery
commissioned a design practice
to create a classic, timeless interior
for the bar and restaurant. Using
a collection of oral illustrations to
inspire the carpet design, the brief
was to move away from the usual
small-scale oral prints and instead
use a contemporary large-scale
oral pattern to give The Three
Bears a distinctly modern feel.
01722 746000
sales@wiltoncarpets.com
Laufen
Winner of the prestigious 2011 Red Dot design award, the Palace range from Laufen centres
around the countertop washbasin which can be cut to t snugly into any bathroom layout. An
open storage area so often seen in hotel bathrooms can be created with a ceramic shelf under
the washbasin for convenient storage of towels and toiletries. As with many Laufen collections,
Palace includes matching WCs, washbasins, baths, taps and furniture. In short, the Palace
range offers 5-star design at an extremely competitive price point.
01530 510007
www.laufen.co.uk
X2018-PRODUCTS.indd 4 17/04/2012 09:34
PRODUCTS
80
Longden
Representing unsurpassed quality
craftsmanship, the Longden
range of hardwood doorsets
affords specifers the highest
joinery standards, with the
performance levels needed to
meet todays strict criteria - and
Longdens Churchill security
doorset offering is no different.
Providing the perfect blend of the
highest protection and security,
with the bespoke design freedom
speciers have come to expect
from Longden, the Churchill
doorset adds a sense of quality
and elegance to contemporary
air or traditional splendour.
www.longdendoors.co.uk
Khrs
Khrs has introduced a stunning
new collection of authentically
aged wood oors to its Supreme
range. Crafted from sustainable
rustic oak, the new Da Capo
collection includes six rugged
one-strip oak oors. Each
design is brushed, handscraped,
bevelled and smoked to achieve a
distinct vintage look, while natural
oil prenishes give a spectrum of
shades, from the limewashed Oak
Indossati to the knotty, nut-toned
Oak Sparuto.
023 9245 3045
sales@kahrs.com
Kaldewei
The "Superplan Plus" has been added to the popular Superplan range and has one particular
new design characteristic: a round ush-tting waste cover made of coloured steel enamel
to match the tray which blends smoothly with no edges to trip over. The Superplan Plus is
available in a choice of colours and twelve sizes.
0800 840 9770
www.kaldewei.com
Lano Flooring Solutions
Lano Flooring Solutions has gone to Innity and beyond with the launch of a brand new
carpet for commercial and hospitality environments. Made from durable and easy-to-maintain
spun nylon bre, Innity brings lasting looks in a printed graphic design available in nine
colours, with a palette selected to meet the demands of a wide range of interiors. This range is
supported by Lanos reliable delivery and excellent after sales care.
00800 5266 5266
marketing@lano.com
RAK Ceramics
RAK Ceramics Paradox oor tiles have been installed throughout the glamorous Bijou Bar
at the Radisson Edwardian Heathrow Hotel. The tiles, which have a semi-polished metallic
nish, were chosen to reect the stunning contemporary design, while providing exceptional
durability and strength in the high-trafc area. Suitable for wall and oor application, RAKs
Paradox Collection is available in a range formats.
01730 237850
www.rakceramics.co.uk
Junckers
Junckers Black Oak Boulevard is
a remarkably rich and very dark
oor, made of solid hardwood
Oak. Black Oak offers a walnut
aesthetic, with the additional
benets of being stronger, less
costly and easier to source
than other ooring. Black Oak
is ammonia fumed, with dark
colouration that will withstand
wear and tear. It can also be
sanded and resealed without
losing its good looks.
01376 534 700
www.junckers.co.uk
X2018-PRODUCTS.indd 5 12/04/2012 10:21
Longden | 55 Parkwood Road | Shefeld | South Yorkshire | S3 8AH
Tel: 0114 270 6330 | Email: enquiries@longdendoors.co.uk
Web: www.longdendoors.co.uk/b048
LONGDEN DOORS ADD
A TOUCH OF CLASS TO EVERY HOTEL
Our doors have graced some of the UKs nest hotels for well over a hundred years
and are ideal for any exclusive hotel, whether city chic or comfortable country retreat.
Longdens manufacturing excellence has been the choice of prestigious hotels such as
Lime Wood in the New Forest, Coworth Park Country House Hotel in Sunningdale,
Whitley Hall Hotel in Shefeld and Londons Connaught and Stafford Hotels.
To nd out more about how Longdens solid timber designer doors
can transform the look of your hotel, please call or email us today.
The revolutionary Roca Showerbasin provides a complete compact
bathroom solution for applications where space is at a premium.
Showerbasin comprises slim line shower column, shower panels, anti slip
shower tray, external drying platform, storage unit, wall-mounted tap, built
in mirror, demister and lights. The glass shower panels come with the
special Roca 'Maxiclean' treatment, allowing them to dry faster and stay
cleaner by repelling limescale. In addition the storage cabinet also has a
special coating making it highly resistant to humidity.
T: 01530 830080
Showerbasin from Roca
T: 01638 500338 F: 05603 419105 W: WWW.ARCHITECTURALTEXTILES.CO.UK
ARCHITECTURAL TEXTILES LTD
Architectural Textiles Ltd, Shardelows Farm House, New England Lane, Cowlinge, Suffolk CB8 9HP
Imagine your walls dripping with high gloss lacquer with a vertical texture! New from
PHILLIP JEFFRIES this LACQUERED STRI wallcovering is embossed with a vertical stri
pattern that is virtually seamless. Too luxurious not to fall in love with, the LACQUERED
STRI is conveniently matched with coordinating solids.
x2issue17 30/11/11 09:05 Page 81
MY FAVOURITE HOTEL ONE ALDWYCH
27 82
O
ne Aldwych and I go way back. I went to
the ofcial press opening in the summer
of 1998. Taken with the grand entrance
space, I, along with friends, started frequenting the
rather excellent (then martini-based) cocktail bar in
the lobby (funnily enough called the Lobby Bar).
Ten I got married there on my wifes 40th birthday
and now every year you can fnd us celebrating
these events with another stylishly made and served
sherbert. We also pop in throughout the year and
its the perfect place to relax after having pirouetted
around the ice at the Christmas rink in the nearby
Somerset House. One Aldwych is our understated,
stylish haven from the hustle and bustle of central
London and nearby Covent Garden.
Te Lobby Bar (pictured right) is the focus as
you walk in, with the reception tucked around
the corner. Apart from one very large sculpture of
a man in a boat, the bar is always dominated by
an exquisite, not to say gargantuan, pair of fower
displays atop two Perspex columns worth popping
in for these alone. So, you get the picture; I like this
place, and I havent taken you further than 10m
from the front door yet.
One Aldwych is about quiet luxury, theres no
brash bling or glitz. Te interiors by Mary Fox
Linton are sleek and clearly contemporary, without
shouting OTT modern design. Equally, the staf
also strike the right balance they are professional,
friendly and ever-helpful, without tipping over
into obsequious.
Te classical-styled building with its very high-
ceilinged lobby was originally built as the ofces
of the Morning Post newspaper and opened in
1907. Interestingly it was designed by Mews and
Davis, an Anglo-French architecture practice also
responsible for the Ritz hotels in both London and
FAVOURITE HOTEL? THERES
NO CONTEST FOR JOHNNY
TUCKER, WHOSE HISTORY WITH
ONE ALDWYCH IN LONDON (AND
ITS COCKTAILS) GO WAY BACK...
INTERIORS: MARY FOX LINTON
ARCHITECT: MEWES AND DAVIS (1907)
One
Aldwych
London
Paris, among others. As a hotel it now has
105 rooms and suites (and more on one of those
in a minute). It also has an art collection of some
350 pieces, and the mens toilet on the lower ground
foor is worth a visit for the astronaut collage...
On a mezzanine overlooking the Lobby Bar is the
frst of two restaurants, Indigo, which feeds of the
buzzing atmosphere of the foor below. Te second
and main restaurant, Axis, dishes up a modern
British menu and at weekends theres a package
for a meal here and a movie in the hotels very
comfortable screening room.
Te only times Ive stayed have been on
special occasions, and this time we pushed the boat
out the metaphorical one, rather than the Lobby
Bar sculpture and went for the Dome Suite. If
you look at the building from the outside, perhaps
youve just been to see the Lion King at the Lyceum,
youll see a verdigris dome.
Beneath that is the circular dining room
of the Dome Suite. Tis sits beyond the large
living area (pictured above) and separate, similarly
spacious, bedroom; all very generous spaces
for central London.
Elsewhere in One Aldwych youll also fnd a
mosaiced, 18m-long swimming pool, complete
with underwater music, plus the requisite spa and
gym facilities. Ive never actually availed myself
of these, always instead feeling the lure of the Lobby
Bar and if Ive got one bone to pick with this
hotel, then its that my favourite cocktail, the violet
martini, is no longer on the list. Tat said, just ask
and theyll make it for you anyway, and I suggest
you do sometime soon.
Johnny Tucker is the editor of the architecture
magazine, Blueprint
X2018-017-MY FAV HOTEL ph.indd 1 11/04/2012 13:05
Urban Danish Design
since 1952
Unique customised interior collection
Modern design furniture at all price levels
Professional, experienced service
Fast track delivery
Great margin opportunities
Tel. 0845 605 0565 Email. enquiries.uk@boconcept.co.uk
www.boconcept.co.uk
Marie in Paris
Since
new
collection
in town
L ONDON
Fabric walling | Upholstery | Bespoke furniture | Home accessories

X2 Issue 18

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Descrição original:

Título original

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

X2 Issue 18

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

W LONDON RADISSON BLU AQUA PUBLIC LIME WOOD BEL-AIR

pr|vate res|denoe south west franoe

INNOVATIVE BUILDING SOLUTIONS

Você também pode gostar