This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the pristine, paradise destination and beautifully designed luxury resort on the picturesque Vommuli Island in the Maldives. An island destination recognised and designed by four ecological zones, the beach, the jungle, the coastal and the lagoon area. In order to satisfy the client’s brief and also to fulfill the aspiration to create something truly unique, the exterior and interior design establishes a strong eco-awareness, expressed through a modern and contemporary architecture and interior design. Balanced by design elements which act as a respectful nod to the tradition, local culture, and the values of St Regis. The whole resort is emotionally and intellectually experienced and enjoyed, but with a profound awareness of the complex relationships of the eco systems being inhabited. Through the experience of each space and place, and the stories it tells, we hope to inspire our guests to understand more about themselves and the precious world we live in.
Company: WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design
Project: St Regis Maldives Vommuli Island
Project Location: Maldives
What was the client's brief?
To build a leading resort in the Maldives that will be sensitive to environmental issues but yet be a luxury resort destination that will justify the development expense without sacrificing superior guest experience.
What inspired the design of the project?
The inspiration for the interior design stems from the natural pristine beauty and ecology of the atoll and the desire to create eco-awareness to conserve and protect as much as possible the existing island. We think that nature itself is the source for design and not simply the man made world.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The toughest hurdles are logistics and associated time and costs issues to build in the middle of the ocean. The longer the time, the higher the costs and the greater the environmental damage. We worked hard to holistically control these issues and yet build with quality and precision.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Without doubt the highlight of the project was the opportunity to come so close to the raw elements of nature and the local culture. We are so delighted that upon completion our guests have a similar encounter that makes Maldives as a destination a real eye opener.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We entered SBID awards to seek recognition and exposure to the international design world as an endorsement of the highest calibre.
Questions answered by Wong Chiu Man, Managing Director of WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the proverbial bar for one of chef Vivek Singh’s latest additions to the Cinnamon brand family, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
WOWArchitects | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a lavish villa apartment in the coastal province of Southeast China which strives to harmonise people, space and nature by connecting the interior and exterior environments for the ultimate luxury vacation. A design which balances indoor and outdoor space; plays with light and shadow; combining neutral tones with dark accents; whilst juxtaposing decorative, oriental style elements with clean, modern lines and simple, yet sophisticated structures to incorporate themes of contemporary design, embody Southeast Asian craftsmanship and evoke a sense of exotic elegance.
Company: Daosheng Design Co.
Project: Poly Beiluo Villa C1 Apartment
Project Location: Guangdong, China
The Client's main hope was to create a luxurious villa apartment which generates a relaxing vacation environment which connects people with nature in a simple and well balanced way, embracing the relationship between people, space and nature.
What inspired the design of the Project?
As the project is close to the seaside, the sound of the sea breeze can be heard in the distance and the smell of salty water hangs in the air, so visitors instantly get the feeling of returning to nature. Combining a simple, neutral colour palette throughout to evoke a calm atmosphere, with dark accents of wood and marble on selected surfaces and furnishings helps to balance the neutrals to exude a deep natural flavor. The project abandons complex decorative lines, replaced by simple structures and neat styling, balanced with subtle inclusions of more exotic elements such as Thai inspired cushions and oriental ornamental features.
1.Using a small selection of simple, natural materials and a harmonious layout throughout the project to create a comfortable life between people and nature; people and space; and also between people and people. Striking a complimentary balance of each of these core components of space, nature and people was the main challenge. Each space needed to be in touch with nature, create communal areas for socialising, as well as spatial divisions for privacy, allowing visitors personal time to reflect and connect with nature.
2.Because the project is near the sea, selecting the right materials required careful consideration to prevent any corrosion from the salty atmosphere.
Seeing the careful marriage between indoor and outdoor, as architecture and garden combine to become an organic whole. Creating a space that will be in sincerity with Southeast Asia, through elements of solid wood and rattan to express and bring a heavy sense of culture, whilst incorporating themes of modern life with the essence of freshness and simplicity to reconcile the whole space and create a haven away from the hustle and bustle; returning to nature, inside and out. Every detail considered, even down to the white drapes hanging on the bed frame to give a therapeutic, dream-like vision of the gentle sea breeze fluttering as the space appears light, lazy and gorgeous. Also, seeing the play of light and shadow change room by room, so that each space transforms with the phasing of the day from dawn to dusk.
The SBID International Design Award is the World's leading design award and enjoys wide popularity in the design world at home and abroad. We participate in the SBID International Design Awards in the hope that our design can be seen and shared with more people, so that ideas can collide across the continents and inspire globally with beauty and design excellence.
Questions answered by YongMing He, Design Director at Daosheng Design
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a stunningly stylish SieMatic kitchen design in the opulent Alderley Edge, click here to see more.
Daosheng Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the refined and sustainable hotel experience with QO Amsterdam. The QO represents a departure from most hotels, at its heart is an ethos focused almost entirely on curating and working with the natural environment. Aiming to be one of the most sustainable hotels on the planet; at every stage of design, the environmental impact was considered the forefront of the decision making process. The building itself actually breathes, with exterior panels that automatically open and close to keep heat in and out to ensure as little power is required to heat the building! Conran&Partners were responsible for designing the QO's Guest Rooms, curated by the IHG Interior Design Department, to create a space that felt pure, clean, minimal yet timeless, luxurious and hugely appealing.
Company: Conran&Partners
Project: QO Amsterdam
Project Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
To create a hotel with a difference that provides contemporary luxury with a social and environmental conscience. The hotel is a ‘circular’ design that produces its own energy, grows its own plants and cares about its community. Our concept was to combine materials that bring a feeling of luxury with others that reflect the industrial spirit of the area, the building itself and the philosophy of the QO.
We looked at what luxury means today to develop what the guest would enjoy spatially – taking into account the amazing views through the full height windows and the size of the rooms available to us.
We overlaid this with research on natural, sustainable and local materials to bring in the context and make very conscious decisions about the materials we were using, for example using engineered brick for the bathroom enclosures, exposed concrete ceiling, and a local limestone for the vanity. Keeping the palate paired-back and natural helped to reflect the story. We wanted to be true to how the building is actually built. So we enhanced and celebrated what it’s made from. Then we brought them together within a space which we deliberately designed open-plan so you immediately experience the light and incredible views as you enter.
Tight timelines and restrictions in the layout and services – but challenges are opportunities in our view!
Working with a team passionate about the end result and having the opportunity to create a very modern version of luxury. For example, the rooms as a whole are all controlled by an innovative iPad control systems, and ingenious touches of hidden technology that make a stay surprising and effortless. By simply putting your foot out of bed, a gentle nightlight detects this movement and glows outside the bathroom to calmly direct you without the need for switches or buttons, or the risk of accidentally switching on the master switch in the middle of the night!
This project is very special with numerous passionate different parties involved working together to create a hotel that shows the industry that hospitality can be sustainable.
Questions answered by Tina Norden, Director at Conran&Partners
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the tranquil tearoom nestled amidst a verdant bamboo grove in Shenzhen, click here to see more.
The 2018 edition of the SBID International Design Awards is now officially open for entries! Click here to register or enter your project!
Conran&Partners | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a glamorous 5* Swiss resort with captivatingly panoramic views, uniquely positioned in Canton Nidwalden. Perched amidst a breathtaking backdrop of mountainous landscapes in the heart of Switzerland, the resort is strategically and seamlessly nestled beside the summit of mountain Bürgenstock. Taking full advantage of the profoundly awakening scenes bestowed by this scenic peninsula, the complex sits 874 m above sea level, surrounded almost in its entirety by the vast, deep-blue expanse of Lake Lucerne and winding Alpine foothills.
MKV Design took on this extraordinary project with the aim of creating a luxurious hotel resort which sits harmoniously with the serene natural landscapes that subsequently envelop this lavish retreat, where each uniquely tailored space brings about a synergy between the resort's guests and the encompassing natural environment. Maria Vafiadis, Managing Director at MKV Design, tells us more.
Company: MKV Design
Project: The Bürgenstock Resort
Project Location: Switzerland
For over 100 years, Bürgenstock was one of Europe’s most legendary resorts, the glamorous destination for celebrities, a place of immense design vision and a location that offered complete immersion into the natural world. Our task was to restore its iconic status by drawing on this inheritance to create a new legacy for the future. We achieved this by creating several of the resort’s highlights, including the Bürgenstock Hotel, the 108,000-square-foot Alpine Spa, The Palace Hotel and Conferences, The Grand Residence Suites and the Sharq Oriental Restaurant and Shisha Lounge. Our design provides a guest experience that is specific to each part with buildings that nevertheless create a homogeneous destination.
Our interior design concept celebrates the heritage of this iconic resort dating from the 19th and through the 20th Century from Belle Epoque to ‘Palm Springs’ in the 1950's, which helped to make the resort synonymous with glamour and sophistication. Nevertheless, the resort is very much designed with today’s high guest expectations in mind and is aimed at a geographically diverse clientele.
We also took inspiration from the resort’s unbeatable location atop the mountains overlooking Lake Lucerne. Meaningful engagement with the natural world is everything. In the Bürgenstock Hotel for example, the interior design is deliberately held in check to allow the natural world to be the star. Materials are natural, textural and local – stone from the mountains for instance – achieving a sense of uninterrupted transition from the world outside to the environment indoors.
The magnificence and sheer power of the natural terrain has informed the design of the spa, which has been dramatically extended by tunnelling through the mountain and adding a cantilevered glass box that is perched on the side of the mountain above the lake, offering visitors panoramic, bird’s eye views. From the 35°C outdoor infinity hydropool – one of three pools on site – where you can gaze across to Mount Pilatus, to the treatment rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the lake, the location takes centre stage with views that soothe the soul.
The Palace Hotel and Conferences has been reinvented as a synthesis of grand fin-de-siècle architecture and state-of-the-art interior design. It opened originally in 1903 and is a magnificent example of classical architecture. While working in line with all the principles of historic preservation, we have essentially created a new hotel. The ground floor public areas have been recreated as faithful interpretation of the original, while the function areas and guestroom levels above are contemporary in style.
We were entrusted with the review of the original architectural master-planning for the new Bürgenstock Hotel. When we design hotels, we want them to work from the inside out. This is the only way to ensure that the narrative will be coherent and the experience compelling. After careful consideration, we came up with the solution of a smaller footprint, creating an L-shaped building that is the hotel today, that not only achieved the most amazing views from all the guestrooms and public areas, but also made space for a large outside terrace which enhanced the visual connection with The Palace Hotel next door and created an outdoor route from the Piazza through the wonderful elevated garden walk that connects The Bürgenstock Hotel with the Palace Hotel.
For me, I would say The Bürgenstock Hotel and the Alpine Spa. All the hotel’s 102 guestrooms project the guest towards the view as soon as they open their door with a perfect flow of spaces from arrival through the lounge area to the bedroom and then on to the full height window with integrated seating. The bathrooms offer a similar flow towards the window where, in the luxury of a sunken double-size tub, guests can soak in wonder. Similarly, every step of the journey, from the entrance procession through the ethereal glowing rock face walls of the tunnel, to the breathtaking panoramas from the pool and zen-like experience of the relaxation areas, celebrates the wonder of nature and the wellbeing of both body and soul. Spas are frequently introverted but we wanted the Alpine Spa to be extraverted – or look outward – because of the magnificently calming and rejuvenating views.
SBID is one of the most highly respected awards schemes in the interior design industry. We value the calibre of the projects entered and take pride in having our work judged by such an esteemed panel.
Questions answered by Maria Vafiadis, Managing Director at MKV Design.
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week with London-based design & build company who transformed a Victorian building at King’s Cross Station into a remarkable, ultra-modern workspace, click here to see more.
MKV Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
However, even if you don't enter your project for an Award, we're always interested in sharing and celebrating impressive design projects from around the world. So much so that in every issue of our eSociety magazine we take a look at some of the most inspiring projects, from large-scale retail designs and global hotel projects to high-end luxury residential developments, to see how creativity in interior design is transforming the way we work and live our lives.
In this issue, we explored a new luxury destination nestled between Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Hotel Californian is idyllically placed in the Santa Barbara, coined the American Riviera for it's picturesque landscapes and Mediterranean climate. Designed by LA-based interior designer, Martyn Lawrence Bullard sensitively retained the façade of the original 1925 Hotel Californian, whilst incorporating the rich, eclectic vibrancy of traditional Mediterranean designs.
This 121 room seaside destination comprises of a rooftop pool, featuring panoramic views of the coastline. Brimming with Mediterranean influences and sultry Moroccan details, this project included the hotel's two restaurants and spa; the hotel's signature restaurant, Blackbird; the more casual dining option, the Goat Tree Cafe; and Spa Marjorelle, the hotel's resident luxury spa. Discover more about how Martyn Lawrence Bullard captured the authentic Moroccan character and imbued the essence of Marrakech throughout this stunning hotel design.
Read this feature →
This feature originally appeared in the Portfolio section within Volume 7 Issue 1 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
Click here to read the full issue or see more inspiring projects in the Portfolio section, here.
Andrew Davies, Design Director at YTM Group explains how technology is challenging hotel design teams in new ways.
In recent times the focus of hotel design has shifted towards what will make a statement online. The need to create spaces that photograph well, showcase something new and exceed expectations has never been greater. The ever-growing popularity of social media platforms and review sites is making it possible for guests to analyse and appraise almost every aspect of a hotel before they stay, so no room or space can afford to look anything other than outstanding.
In the 21st century, one thing that guests love to see is the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. As a result, the challenge we often find ourselves presented with, is the demand to deliver an end product that utilises digital tools without compromising on the aesthetic or comfort of the surroundings to ultimately, strike a balance between beneficial tech and unnecessary gimmicks. Finding this balance can be a powerful tool in generating positive reviews and word of mouth, both online and in person.
Innovation with purpose
Whether it's across public spaces or in the privacy of a hotel room, the temptation among hoteliers is to expect that every new gadget and gizmo in the marketplace be integrated. Yet the temptation to overload on tech can also detract from a guest’s stay. To deliver a true experience, we know that hotel guests need to be connected to a room – not via wireless technology – but through their senses. Lost in a screen, they may all too easily miss the pleasing curves of a four-poster bed, the soft feel of an upholstered chair and even the smell of a carefully placed diffuser. It is important to acknowledge that we remember with all of our senses. Repeat business and particularly referrals can only be acquired by bringing guests into the present and making them appreciate their surroundings.
This, of course, is not to say that technology does not have a place in supporting the guest experience. On the contrary, giving guests control over the ambient temperature and lighting through “Smart” equipment to accommodate their needs can heighten their sense of well being. The challenge however, is always to integrate technology seamlessly into a room, supporting the overall experience and making a stay more restful rather than overpowering it.
All too often it becomes possible to overlook the primary purpose of a hotel bedroom: to sleep. A hotel bedroom should work hardest to support rest and recovery. Few people will book the same hotel twice if they do not wake feeling refreshed, energised and ready to face the day ahead after their first stay. With this in mind, we know that digital devices are accountable for poor sleep. Many studies have shown that screen time before bed disrupts the sleep cycle. While it would be unwise not to accommodate laptop or mobile device usage in a bedroom, there are things that can be done even in smaller rooms to divide spaces and help differentiate between rest and activity space. A guest may not consciously note the positioning of a sofa, bookcase or cabinet between desk and bed, but subconsciously this can make a very real difference to the enjoyment of their stay.
It can be particularly tempting to pack as much new tech as possible into the pubic spaces of a hotel. Gymnasiums, pools, spas, restaurants, bars, workspaces and lobbies can all sport smart technology in abundance. But here, too, it is important to incorporate digital aids with a delicate touch. It might be manufacturing a reception desk that accommodates a slim tablet device into the work-surface or crafting fitted furniture to house television screens or even self-service machines. We can embrace these advances and use them to create greater subtlety rather than let technology become the statement piece.
The terrifying (but exciting) prospect for design teams is that the progression of technology and the way consumers appraise hotels is ever-changing. So we, as designers, can never stand still - it's what keeps us on our toes from day to day!
Andrew Davies, Design Director at YTM Hotel Furniture.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features Ultima a spectacular luxury clubhouse that uses decadent lines and curves inspired by it's hillside location overlooking a remarkable view of the famous Victoria Harbour.
The designers were tasked with imagining a clubhouse for a leading local developer as part of a package that also included standard provisions for lift lobbies, bathroom and kitchens in the six tower complex and adjacent houses. The clubhouse, a three storey, 3,995 square metre space, is situated in the podium below the towers. The programme encompassed front of house areas including a lobby, fitness centre, spa, indoor ball court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, library, bar, billiards room, private dining rooms and all supporting back of house areas. The clubhouse’s position on a hill in southeast Kowloon commands unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong island beyond.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Mathew Lui, Partner of Hirsch Bedner Associates Hong Kong about this exceptional project.
Company: HBA
Project: Ultima
Project Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
What was the client’s brief?
The developer already had a flagship residential property on Hong Kong Island, and intended for this development to be its flagship Kowloon residence. The lead designer, who grew up visiting the site when it was formerly a low rise hill village, was intimately familiar with its orientation and panoramic views. Unusually for a project of this calibre, the developer had no brief for the designer; instead, architectural renderings were provided and the designer had to come up with the programme based on their experience with residential developments. As the building’s architecture included curves and aerodynamic-like details, the yacht concept became all the more relevant to the design scheme.
As the designer was also responsible for the property’s standard provisions, and the clubhouse's targeted market would be high net worth individuals, whose children may be attending boarding school overseas. The children’s play area was therefore reduced; instead, an indoor ball court for teens returning for holidays was designed with vibrant colours. Hip hop culture was kept in mind to appeal to that particular demographic. The F&B components were styled to flow between pre-dining lounges, bars and private rooms, allowing for a whole evening of entertainment which is an extension of hosting parties at home. The designer felt that residents would regard health and wellness as a priority, and ample square footage was devoted to a well-equipped gym and two pools along with a spa, which ladies could enjoy alone, with friends or as a group.
In response to the site, the theme tying together the different aspects of the programme was inspired by luxury yachts and the former colony’s English roots. It took advantage of the double height volume on the ground floor by creating a central “crown-like” structure embellished with crisscrossed chrome lattice upon glass back-lit for an incandescent glow. A circular planned library below offers plush seating, while upstairs is dominated by an onyx back-lit whiskey bar. Each subsequent area was given its own distinct identity to appeal to different target demographic and user types. For example, the billiards room was designed as a “gentleman’s retreat” and references the glamour of James Bond films, with mirrored panelling that in theory could hide a sophisticated arsenal of pool cues. Overall, the clubhouse’s design reflects an aspirational lifestyle akin to a five star hotel.
As the designer developed the overall programme as well as the interior design, a major challenge was determining the hierarchy of spaces. In order to maximise efficiency and eventual usage, each area had to be proportional to the overall project size and scope. It was the first project that this designer was responsible for an entire residential complex, and another challenge was to consider a script for how to sell the residences through the interiors. The clubhouse had to be imbued with the look and feel of a value added component to the unit’s selling price, while also reflecting the developer’s brand as a stylish home builder that employs top materials and fine craftsmanship. An intricate network of perceived value with hardware and software alongside an enviable address had to be conveyed through the interior design.
Many new residential developments in Hong Kong offer on-site clubhouses with nondescript design and a standard programme. The results are that some rooms are under-utilised, while others are booked solid throughout the year. With this project, the designer came up with the programme with different intended users in mind. The goal was to ensure that every corner of the clubhouse was functional and appealing to the property owners’ various family members. Each area has its own personality while at the same time there is a logical, efficient progression of spaces.
Using curved lines, extensive use of wood such as Ziricote, textured glass, tinted mirrors, and stone contributed to the nautical aesthetic that form the core of the clubhouse’s design. Yet a novel approach was to embellish that core with self-contained areas that reference the energy of a Nike shop for the ball court, the tongue-in-cheek reference of a Double Zero film for the billiards room, and a Gucci café chic for the VIP dining rooms. Each special area with its own take on a concept helps provide a more immersive experience for the user, underscoring memorable story-lines for the spaces. The clubhouse’s strong narrative concepts led to its eventual design solution.
Winning an SBID International Design Award is truly a high achievement; the Awards are assessed by a technical panel, a public vote and a panel of leading industry experts, who look for outstanding examples of technical content and aesthetic creativity. It is a great acknowledgment of hard work and expertise.
Questions answered by Mathew Lui, Partner of Hirsch Bedner Associates Hong Kong.
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week with the artful restaurant Alkimia click here to see more
Entries were received, finalists deliberated and the winners of the SBID International Design Awards 2017 have been announced! Click here to see the full list.
HBA | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the re-development of DeVere Tortworth Court Hotel, a historic Gothic mansion which is located within a scenic parkland on the Cotswold Edge, beside the Severn Valley and close to Bristol.
Tortworth Court is an elegant and sophisticated hotel surrounded by enchanting scenery located just outside of Bristol and dating back to the 11th Century. Over the past 12 months the hotel has undergone a lavish refurbishment as part of the DeVere property refurbishment programme. Virtual Resolution has been working alongside DeVerve and its design/development teams to visualise the proposals for Tortworth Court, Wokefield Estate, Latimer Estate and Wotton House. This project was particularly challenging due to the listed nature of parts of the building, the complex ceilings, bookcases and fireplaces required detailed modelling. The CGI’s & 360-degree views created within 3Ds Max, Vray & Photoshop have been used not only to inform guests of the re-development, but also assist the design team and management specify fittings and fixtures that would enhance this beautiful building.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Tim Power, Director of Virtual Resolution about this outstanding CGI & Visualisation project.
Company: Virtual Resolution
Project: DeVere Tortworth Court Hotel
Project Location: Britsol, United Kingdom
We have worked on a wide range of projects with the Principal Hotel group to support a major UK wide refurbishment programme. Our CGIs and 360 degree views have helped bring to life proposed multi-million pound refurbishments at a number of their properties.
For this project DeVere’s design and development team partnered with us to visualise their proposals to transform Tortworth Court in the Cotswolds. Each image was to be used as part of the design, sign off and public engagement process and therefore had to accurately portray the internal and external design teams’ aspirations.
Each view clearly visualised the proposed fittings and fixtures as well as showcasing exactly how each detail integrated with the existing buildings and complemented the features that would be retained. We were commissioned to create stunning visuals that accurately represented the design proposals for the mansion house, including its guest suites, bathrooms, main bar, function rooms, meeting rooms and exceptional Victorian conservatory, The Orangery.
The inspiration for this tasteful refurbishment was to maximise the essence of a grand English Country Estate, rooted in tradition but with a contemporary and eclectic approach. The space would reflect the grand traditions of Great Britain and the country manor house, with a modern feel that combined comfort and style with grace and character.
Tortworth Court is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion and the complex ceilings, bookcases and fireplaces required detailed modelling. The building has some stunning features and our challenge was to portray these accurately and to scale in each of our visualisations, whilst showing how the contemporary design elements would work seamlessly with these assets to create an impressive overall impact.
The design team at DeVere Hotels had truly great vision and it was a real privilege to work alongside them to bring their ideas to life. The whole Virtual Resolution team found this an inspiring project to work on and we enjoyed playing our part in creating a series of great images which have now been turned into reality.
We do some fantastic work that regularly pushes boundaries and exceeds client expectations. We rarely shout about it but in the case of Tortworth Court we felt the project was a perfect example of how CGI and visualisation can be used effectively to create a more experiential approach to marketing and interior design.
Questions answered by Tim Power, Director at Virtual Resolution.
Virtual Resolution | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire features a design project with particular grandeur. Stonehill & Taylor upheld a traditional design scheme sympathetic to the historically Federalist architecture as they crafted a hotel suite fit for royalty - or in this case, a Presidential audience.
Located on the 14th floor and newly expanded to 4,000 square-feet, the Presidential Suite features historic accents and elegant furnishings, as well as an array of artwork ranging from pastoral landscapes to Chinoiserie accent pieces. Immediately upon entrance to the space, the grand entry hallway sets the tone for the suite, with floors elaborately patterned in three types of marble. This exits dramatically into the rotunda, a bright, 12-foot-high octagonal dome that opens to the reception, fitness room, and master bedroom entryway. The living room area features gold, rich red, and pewter details with a baby grand piano as the focal point, while the bedrooms have a palette of powder blue, cream and taupe. The master bedroom leads to a spacious bathroom haven that features a steam shower and the only freestanding tub in the hotel.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Vince Stroop, Principal with Stonehill & Taylor.
Company: Stonehill & Taylor
Project: InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel - Presidential Suite
Project Location: New York, United States
In 2012, Stonehill & Taylor came on board to manage the architecture and interior design of room 702 of the InterContinental New York Barclay hotel. Because the hotel has been renovated multiple times throughout the years, its style was often mismatched. Our brief was to strip the hotel back to its original intention, following a Federalist style of architecture and interior design. More specifically, we wanted to create flourishes in the Presidential Suite to distinguish it from the rest of the hotel—as a result, you’ll see lots of symmetry, millwork detailing, and the layering of materials like marble and stone.
The hotel was originally built in 1926 when there was a revival of the Federalist period. We sought to return to these design principles. Take for example, the Presidential Suite’s grand entry hallway. It features a classic floor pattern created using three types of Italian marble and leads to a dramatic rotunda featuring an 11-foot-high octagonal dome and acts as the centre point of the suite which opens to several of the other main spaces.
The Presidential Suite is heavily used by world dignitaries and demanded the latest in technology and high security standards—it required a separate HVAC system, shatter-proof glass, bulletproof wall construction, and sound-proofing—which was tricky to reconcile with the classic nature and traditional style of the design brief.
This hotel is located very close to the United Nations Complex and deeply rooted in political history. Bill Clinton even ran his 1992 Presidential campaign from its very address. The real excitement however, is that former President Barack Obama has stayed in the Presidential Suite both before and after restoration and former Vice President Joe Biden was the first to occupy the suite post-renovation. Our involvement with the hotel and the suite was a labour of love, and it’s thrilling to think that it’s used and appreciated by leaders from around the world.
We entered the competition to bring recognition to this project and to offer the SBID audience a window in to the hotel’s design. The wider public may not have the opportunity to visit the hotel, but through this competition, they can get a glimpse of what it would be like to stay in the Presidential Suite.
Questions answered by Vince Stroop, Principal with Stonehill & Taylor.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Zebrano in the City click here to see more
Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table, click here
Stonehill & Taylor | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, located in Amsterdam and overlooking the legendary Dam Square.
The Grand Café, housed within the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky has been imaginatively revived by Studio Proof, along with the hotel’s other food and beverage offerings and public spaces. Elegant and contemporary but also designed clearly within the style and tradition of noble European cafés, the venue is three times the size of its previous iteration and has been sectioned into three adjoining areas, each accommodating different dining experiences. A fully glazed pantry housing enticing patisserie displays stands by the entrance, surrounded by compact booths. The next space in the enfilade is dominated by a magnificent seafood counter dressed with a white carrara marble top and custom lamps, and framed at each end by a floor-to-ceiling champagne wall. The far end is balanced with a floor-to-ceiling display of fine teas and sharing tables, with bespoke pendant lights hang throughout to articulate the space and capture the attention of passers-by.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with David Morris, Creative Director of Studio Proof.
Company: Studio Proof
Project: NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam
Project Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Studio Proof was tasked with the redesign of all public areas and food and beverage venues within the legendary Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky. This was the first full refurbishment of the hotel for nearly half a century and called for the designers to rationalise the space to make sense of the 50-plus individual buildings that had been absorbed into the property since 1865. NH had just launched their new luxury NH Collection brand and so this was the first manifestation of it. Relevance to the brand and its colours were very much part of the client’s focus and we had to skilfully steer that alongside the sensitivities needed in this historic and much-loved hotel.
We were inspired by the history of the hotel, the story of the original owner, and the fantastic location. We wanted to tastefully update the spaces to combine cosmopolitan style with subtle references to the hotel’s heyday – the glamorous 1920s – to achieve interiors fit for the highest quality within the NH brand. The Grand Café is stylish and modern whilst also in keeping with the traditions of noble European cafes; we wanted to make the most of its stunning views across Dam Square and did so by adding more large windows and tripling its size so that it now spans one side of the hotel. The White Room is the oldest restaurant building in Amsterdam, protected by Dutch Monumental regulations, and called for a sensitive touch, whereas the Tailor Bar is a brand new venue whose more light-hearted décor is inspired by Wilhelm Krasnapolsky who started his working life as a tailor.
To be honest, it was simply getting 85% of our design ideas built. So much was invested into removing unexpected amounts of asbestos, inputting extra steel work to hold up the fragile houses that form the hotel (56 of them and some 500 years old), and the sheer quantity of steel needed to remodel the public spaces, it meant that the fit-out budget was really challenged. What we achieved with the budget we had and the building conditions we inherited was nothing short of a miracle, and stands as testament to the whole design team’s fortitude and perseverance. Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is now a credible and stylish ambassador of the NH Collection brand values and it has been really fulfilling to see this design come to fruition.
To be honest, it was simply getting 85% of our design ideas built. So much had to be invested into unforeseen enabling works and introducing extra steel work to hold up the fragile houses that form the hotel (56 of them and some 500 years old) as well as the sheer quantity of steel needed to remodel the public spaces, it meant that the design budget constrained. The final achievement is testament to the whole design team’s resourceful pragmatism. Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is now a credible and stylish ambassador of the NH Collection brand and it warms our hearts to see our design come to fruition.
I thought it would be interesting to take part in an international and prestigious contest known all over the world as The SBID International Design Awards; moreover I knew it could be also a good way to get in touch with other design professionals, to keep informed on the news and to be part of the SBID society.
Questions answered by David Morris, Creative Director of Studio Proof.
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Studio Proof | SBID International Design Awards 2017
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