Hotel Design Combines Art Deco and Nature Elements

This week's instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features an art deco inspired design for hotel rooms and public spaces by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Atellior.

Atellior was appointed by Starboard Hotels to design the interiors of the Hampton by Hilton Park Hotel Royal. The project scope involved the design of 164 rooms and all public spaces of the hotel. The specially commissioned furniture and artworks by local manufacturers and artisans contribute to a relaxed and stylish ambience. Atellior’s design respects the building’s heritage and imaginatively references its situation, while demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.

What was the client's brief? 

To create a contemporary and fresh hotel interior that made connection with the original Art Deco building and West London location. The client was particularly keen to create comfortable ground floor open lobby, bar and restaurant with guests relaxing, working, socialising, eating and drinking in the space throughout the day and late into the night.

What inspired the design of the project?

Inspiration for the design has been taken from the nearby Art Deco Park Royal tube station and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and are revealed in the stylish geometric and botanical touches found throughout the interiors.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

There was no particular hurdle that we would single out. Like all projects, there were challenges on site, when some things didn’t quite work out in line with the drawings and design intent. But we worked really close with the contractor to ensure that all hurdles were overcome successfully and without any detriment to the client and the end result.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The client specified an ‘open lobby’ and to achieve this Atellior’s innovative solution was to remove the loadbearing walls on the ground floor while retaining the historic façade. There was also the challenge of the ground floor windows, which, once the entire floor had been lowered for access, were now too high. As the façade was listed the windows could not be enlarged. To solve this issue, Atellior worked with Jackie Callingham, a local artist to create five backlit stained-glass panels which were mounted beneath the existing apertures, giving the illusion of larger windows and adding light and interest to the space.

Atellior is particularly proud of the accessible public restrooms, and in consultation with the client, it was agreed that rather than being an afterthought, these should be generously sized and pleasurable to use, with Tektura feature graffiti wallpapers in bold colours. Brass and sanitaryware by Hansgrohe and Vitra was carefully selected to showcase the best product design, including stylish grab rails by Hewi to aid accessibility.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We are really honoured to be shortlisted for the SBID Awards as they are a real benchmark of forward-thinking design within Interior Design industry. Even to be shortlisted is a huge accolade and recognition!

Questions answered by Una Barac, Executive Director, Atellior.

This week's instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features a design for hotel's exclusive spa suites by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Nielsen House.

The Gilpin Hotel, with a mix of luxury rooms, suites and detached lodges, sits in an idyllic location near Windermere in the heart of the English Lake District. Sarah Jane Nielsen of Nielsen House has worked on the interiors with the Gilpin’s owners for more than 25 years and the recent spa suites are the latest extension to the hotel’s portfolio. The project comprises five exclusive lodges, each designed as the ultimate retreat for two. Constructed from wood and glass, they are set in their own private space overlooking a tarn and are positioned to maximise the stunning Lakeland views. The five sanctuaries all have their own living space with a kitchen and dining area, master bedroom suite with spa with sauna, steam room, treatment room, a private sundeck with hot tub and a relaxing water feature within a growing natural wall. The interiors, created by Nielsen House, celebrate the beauty of the region’s native landscape, enabling guests to switch off and enjoy their surroundings, whilst at the same time providing the Gilpin’s owners with practical, durable solutions in a unique project designed to stand the test of time.

What was the client's brief? 

Our brief was to create the ultimate wow factor, ensuring a unique and memorable experience for Gilpin Hotel guests with suites that are not only beautiful in design but also extremely durable. But even more than that, to go further and ensure that the interiors we designed would make for a stay that was so special, they’d leave at the end of their visit, hoping to return, again and again.

What inspired the design of the project?

Both the Gilpin and our studio are located in the stunning landscape of the English Lake District – so our natural source of inspirational for the spa suites was the great outdoors, setting the perfect foundation for our own interpretation of the biophilic approach that we felt would best meet the client’s brief. Each lodge sits majestically within its own Lakeland fellscape with a Lakeland tarn stretching out in front of them and from any 360 degree viewpoint, you find yourself surrounded by the best of the Lake District. As designers who love the location we call home, we wanted the interiors of these suites to create a comforting and luxurious cocoon for Gilpin’s guests but also, very importantly, to reflect the splendour of what lies beyond.

Obviously in taking a biophilic approach that was at the heart of our brief, our intention was to bring as much of the indoors outdoors, and vice versa, because really, the two are interchangeable. So, we looked to generous amounts of glazing to fuse internal and external spaces, whilst keeping flooring levels flush throughout to create a seamless transition from one space to another. This extended to inside and outside the viewing balconies but also to every part within the suite that had direct access to the outdoors, from bedroom to treatment room to lounge and even to the bathing areas. So, it's very much a biophilic design in every sense of the word. 

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The toughest hurdle for our team to overcome during this project was the need for durability in suites made for spa pampering. For example, all products and installations included had to be stain-proof to be able to withstand the type of treatments delivered. With water comes water ingress which can often pose a problem, so it was crucial that we allowed for that so that we were able to use, without fear of future damage, the quantity of finishes specified, all of which had to be able to deal with whatever is thrown at it. Treatment oil is probably the most challenging consideration in creating luxury in a lounge and bedroom suite - but we were able to find solutions overall that both our team and the client were happy with.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Our team's highlight for the project was definitely the installation of a large-scale feature design in a wet area; a first for us. We are immensely proud of a double shower room that epitomises our Lakeland theme, with large digital images of ferns and Lakeland greenery adorning the walls to really capture the great outdoors ambience; eye-catching and stunning but yet practical, with all being totally waterproof. With state-of-the-art showers and shower valves, everything used within that bathroom was completely watertight. We've never had a similar design to that kind of scale before, and so it was a great pleasure for us to be able to achieve that in collaboration with the manufacturers and to an excellent build quality too.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The Covid pandemic directly and indirectly prompted us to enter the SBID awards this year. We truly believe that the Gilpin spa suites are second to none but we were unable to mark their launch at the time because they were completed just as the outbreak of COVID started to hit. Entering and being shortlisted for a SBID award gives us a focus for celebration – but we hope that through our entry, we are also able to inspire others to take a biophilic approach. As the pandemic has dug deeper, many of us have felt a strong need to embrace nature and we hope that in sharing our project story, others will find ways, through good design, to make those reconnections.

Similarly, the increase in Lakes staycations, driven in part by Covid, has been important for us to also just show what we could achieve here in the Lake District. We have found that our client base has opened up in Europe and into the rest of the world, so the standard and quality of our design has to be world-class. We set ourselves the highest of professional standards and through the SBID awards, we hope to promote the message that, based here in the Lake District, whether it’s a private residential project or a comprehensive commercial brief, our capabilities are gold standard.

Questions answered by Sarah Jane Nielsen, Lead Project Designer and Founder, Nielsen House.

This week's instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features a hotel design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, PLD Paul Liu Design Consultants.

Located in Shanghai’s seaside district Fengxian, this new urban oasis hotel offers warm and welcoming luxury experiences for the body and mind in Hangzhou Bay. The sense of design creativity is carried throughout the experiences one has at the hotel, unveiling layer after layer.

Dining options at JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Fengxian include three distinctive restaurants and a bar. The overall design of all-day dining outlet JW Kitchen is modern and clean-lined where show kitchens are distributed around the restaurant, strongly expressing the hotel's unique identity. Fine dining restaurant Yan Xuan, with 15 luxurious dining rooms for private events, has an elegant design with upscale detailing, while each private room has its own unique design elements. Signature restaurant Shanghai Crab & Co. offers a casual and maritime overall feel. Earth tones indicate the down-to-earth nature of a Mediterranean meal, while pastels and cool colours create a more upscale seaside atmosphere.

What was the client's brief? 

The brief was to design a new contemporary JW Marriott-branded hotel, inspired by the principles of mindfulness to allow guests to focus on feeling whole - present in mind, nourished in body and revitalized in spirit. To enable the hotel design to articulate Marriott’s international luxury portfolio brand strategy, philosophy and globally consistent image.

What inspired the design of the project?

JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Fengxian was designed with an architectural point of view and a focus on authentic materials and space shaping. Millwork, tactile materials, thoughtful details, lighting, and furnishings all contribute to the design concept in a holistic way, reflective of the property's unique sense of place.

The hotel's style narrative was inspired by its natural surroundings and Jinhai Lake, with its exterior resembling the legendary bird Roc, from the fable of “Roc hopping into the sea”. The design elements incorporate natural materials such as wood and marble in undulating, curvilinear forms that reflect the waves of the nearby East Sea. The hotel’s 265 guestrooms and suites offer luxurious comfort in restful shades of sable and blue, echoing the beaches and sea with clean modern lines and every thoughtful amenity for guests' comfort and convenience. Inspiration stems from the simple beauty of the natural world. In addition to visual design elements, guests experience nature in a tactile way through carefully-curated sensory experiences.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

With nearly 45000 sqm design area, the hotel design process was very sophisticated and functional, involving planning, schematic design, developed design and construction documentations stages. Due to the diversity of functions within a hotel building, a large number of specialists like architects, structural engineers, lighting, signage, AV consultants, contractors, suppliers were involved and required to coordinate with during each critical design stage. The design had to meet the requirement of Marriott’s international brand strategy while take the owner’s operational, budget, timely and aesthetic requirements into consideration.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The project was highly recognized by the hotel management groups and the owner. Special attention was paid to hotel’s spatial relationships to ensure that spaces were used efficiently. The most efficient space planning solutions were given by the designer to make use of each corner to create more interesting spatial sequence, to keep a minimum amount of circulation and service space and also to give the guest a greater connection to the site and enhance the sense of privacy.

It became a sophisticated and luxurious sanctuary designed to let guests relax and rediscover a sense of balance in mind and body, as well as a convenient gateway to Shanghai and nearby cities.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID International Design Awards are recognized as the most prestigious interior design awards in the world. Winning the SBID International Design Award would be a high achievement.

Questions answered by Bo Liu, Founder & Chairman, PLD.

With a commitment to recognising professional excellence across interior design and championing the growth of the creative industries, the SBID International Design Awards bestowed its annual accolade for Master of Design to Kit Kemp MBE - renowned interior designer, Founder and Creative Director of Firmdale Hotels & Kit Kemp Design Studio for her significant contributions in raising the profile of the profession.

Over the years Kit Kemp has carved herself an internationally-acclaimed reputation, not only for her unique approach to hotel interiors, but also as a successful textiles, fragrance and homewares designer, author and a highly-respected champion of British art, craft and sculpture.

The Kit Kemp Design Studio is celebrated for its individual and original approach to hotel and residential design, with colourful and detailed storytelling which celebrates craft and captures the imagination. As the creative force behind Firmdale Hotels since 1985, the brand now has ten properties, with eight hotels in London including the Ham Yard Hotel, Soho Hotel, Covent Garden Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Haymarket Hotel, Number Sixteen Hotel, Dorset Square Hotel and Knightsbridge Hotel, as well as two in New York, The Whitby Hotel and Crosby Street Hotel.

Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, Founder & CEO of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) comments, "We wanted to present Kit with this exclusive accolade to acknowledge her work as trailblazer in interior design. Bringing colour and pattern back into the forefront, Kit Kemp has forged a trend in the brave path she has trodden which serves as great inspiration to the professional community - not only for interior designers, but product manufacturers too!"

The SBID Awards strives to empower design industry talent to exhibit their creative work and celebrate their achievements on its global stage, as a testament to the incredible outcomes that can be accomplished through the power of good design and quality craftsmanship.

Click here to explore the full line-up of this year’s SBID Awards winners across Interior Design, Product Design and Fit Out.

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

With proud roots in Hong Kong since 1928, The Peninsula has been synonymous with refined Asian tastes and experiences, and an icon in the world of travel and hospitality.

Crosstec Group share the delight of unveiling The Peninsula Boutique & Café, designed by Conran Design Group - a newly opened retail space and a dining destination in one of the Peninsula hotels in Hong Kong. It celebrates the finest gourmet ingredients and dining experiences that reflect the legendary hotel’s reputation for excellence.

"It was a memorable journey for our CROSSTEC team, starting from design development to the final renovation fit out. The project features the work of extraordinary craftsmanship and partnership from various parties."

The Peninsula invites guests to try their delicious culinary creations and beverages, accompanied with the famed Peninsula customer service, before exploring books on design, travel and culture by renowned French luxury publisher Assouline.

The guest experiences at the hotel will be enhanced not only by the premium food and stylish gifts they will find at the Boutique, but also by the design that is so unique to the place it is bound to become a tourist destination in itself.

Crosstec team believes that the visitors will be able to enjoy the exclusive and immersive dining experience at The Peninsula Boutique & Café and they congratulate the Peninsula on the grand opening.

The green oak building tradition of the Hogg family forms the inspiration behind Rachel McLane's crafted designs in the new 40-bedroom Sandburn Hall Hotel in the Yorkshire countryside.

Design-led and built to a country-style specification, the 1,000-acre Sandburn Hall estate was developed by the late Mike Hogg seven miles from York. The new adjoining hotel complements what is already one of North Yorkshire’s leading golf, wedding, events and business venues.

The Rachel McLane team's design expertise is evident throughout the new hotel's range of 40 double and twin rooms all with dressing areas, including larger family, luxury and accessible rooms, and two luxury suites. They also all come with handcrafted built-in case goods. "We wanted the signature and family rooms to be fun, a bit urban and industrial where the raw richness of exposed brickwork and soft leather combine with cool-toned sawn grey oak flooring and built-in bespoke joinery."

"The biggest challenge was the length of time it took from creating the fixtures and fittings specification to fulfiling the initial design with Covid-19 a constant hindrance. We found that not only were some products unavailable, but more than one company had ceased trading."

Despite the challenges of a long project Rachel says that the team has loved working on Sandburn Hall Hotel: "The client is a pleasure to work for, they appreciate high-quality workmanship, attention to detail, and above all understand the value of design and the difference having a designer on board makes to a project.

"It's also lovely being local to a project as you feel like you are contributing towards the good of the local area."

Scotland’s very first YOTEL, centrally located in Edinburgh’s bustling Queen Street, perfectly combines contemporary modern interiors with the classic design of the city’s famous Old Town architecture. Its playful ‘cabin’ style rooms feature bathrooms using a bespoke solution and innovative solid surface material Surfex® exclusively from Roca.

With 'renew, repurpose and replenish' at the heart of her work, award-winning interior design consultant and SBID Accredited Designer, Rachel McLane has just completed the Bike & Boot – Scarborough’s newest hotel. As well as the design and fit-out of the 65 bedrooms, Rachel's Yorkshire-based designers have created eye-catching common areas including the bar, residents’ lounge, film club and restaurant.

"We were fortunate with the Bike & Boot as the building was once a row of Georgian terrace houses and retains much of the original architecture. Even now, the envelope of the building remains true to its heritage," said Rachel, who heads up a close-knit team of specialist designers experienced in concept design, design detailing and space planning for the hotel, residential, retail and leisure industries.

"It made no commercial sense to strip back and re-plaster the walls. Rather than hiding the faded grandeur of the original building, we have worked with it and given it a new lease of life."

Striving to be local as far as possible, Rachel employed craftsmen and suppliers from the area who were passionate about harnessing their skills to revitalise this once grand feature of the Scarborough seafront. This work has included bespoke case goods, re-upholstering furniture, sourcing local photographs for bedroom doors, creating graphic blinds using original railway poster designs and producing wall mounts featuring bicycle seats and handlebars instead of the traditional taxidermy heads. Other bespoke items in the hotel on Cliff Bridge Terrace include clocks made of brightly coloured bicycle bells and flip flops.  Bespoke lighting was created from old bike wheels and crates, and a bespoke handle for the residents’ lounge is based on the ampersand between the 'Bike' and 'Boot'.

"If you have been walking or cycling all day, you want to be able to relax and feel at home," said Rachel. "The team sourced the bar furniture with that in mind - some of it was new and some of it was pre-loved and repurposed. An old chair can be upholstered by a skilled tradesman, and by choosing fabric of the right quality and design, the result looks great and provides the luxury of comfort.

"Renew, repurpose and replenish is an ethos at the heart of our work. I believe in avoiding sending things to landfill or bonfires whenever possible, and I am glad to say we have done our little bit with some of the bar and restaurant furniture at The Bike & Boot. This has also helped to reduce our carbon footprint in shipping in new products," added Rachel, who worked on the concept of the Bike & Boot for two years with its directors Simon Kershaw and Simon Rhatigan, and for the last nine months with the local refurbishment contractor Infiniti Roofing & Construction.

About the Author

Rachel McLane developed a wealth of experience designing for the retail sector for eight years in London and York before setting up her practice, Rachel McLane Ltd specialising in the design of interiors for professional clients with commercial interests.

If you'd like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more. 

Project of the Week

This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a hotel public space redesign. Virserius Studio completed the second phase of the redesign of the Renaissance Paris La Défense in Summer 2018. This involved a partial renovation of the lobby, removing the existing executive lounge, and creating a destination restaurant. Virserius Studio took into consideration the owner’s concerns by blending of older existing elements like the classical towers while incorporating more contemporary design elements. The aim was for the hotel to not just be for guests but for it to be a place the public in this busy section of Paris can incorporate into their busy day, whether it’s grabbing a coffee from the brasserie kiosk or a glass of wine on the way home or meeting on important matters during the day.

SBID Awards Category: Hotel Public Space Sponsored by Viva Lagoon

Practice: Virserius Studio

Project: Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel

Location: Paris, France

What was the client's brief? 

The brief for the project was to reflect the La Défense neighborhood and its surroundings through carefully curated art and lighting.  This involved a partial renovation of the lobby, removing the existing executive lounge, and creating a destination restaurant. We wanted the hotel to not just be for guests but for it to be a place the public in this busy section of Paris can incorporate into their busy day, whether it’s grabbing a coffee from the brasserie kiosk or a glass of wine on the way home, or meeting on important matters during the day.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

First, we wanted to pay homage to the art and fashion of Paris. However, we wanted to add elements reflecting the landscape of the beautiful French countryside, located not too far away.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Renaissance Paris La Défense belongs to 3 political districts, which presented a logistical and construction challenge. We had to file permits in each district; some were liberal, and some were more lenient. There were many stakeholders, complicating the process.

What was your highlight of the project?

Light sculpture that spans 3 floors, focal point 50 ft, visible from everywhere, custom designed by V/S to connect all three floors to penetrate all three level. It’s handblown glass representing algae, but more like snowflake or flower.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

A design excellence award distinction from SBID is one of the most prestigious a firm can receive in this industry. With each completed project, we want to present our work to a jury of peers, and recognition is always appreciated.

Questions answered by Therese Virserius, Founder and Lead Designer at Virserius Studio.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's hotel design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a residential design making use of its surrounding nature, click here to see more.