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
What was the client’s brief?
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.
What inspired the design of the project?
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.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
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.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
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.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
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.
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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
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Stonehill & Taylor | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the eclectic London bar, Zebrano in the City. 4M Group aimed to merge the interior basic shell of this space with the exterior energy of the streets, highlighting the vibrant design scheme and the materials used to create the space as a unified whole. At the same time the environment makes free use of forms inspired by and representative of the natural world.
The interior design scheme is a combination of organic impulse and urban elegance. Starting completely from scratch, 4M Group worked with a range of recycled urban materials – wood, brick and steel – to create an area where the corrosion of metals reigns supreme, in a manner that creates a striking multi-dimensional sensory experience and sparks a conversation on sustainability. The grand metal doors were corroded for several weeks prior to installation. They were also both made out of reclaimed oak and were installed by local specialists.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Perparim Rama, CEO of 4M Group.
Company: 4M Group
Project: Zebrano in the City
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
The client wanted to create a multi-functional place, where you would arrive for afternoon drinks, eat fabulous food and continue the night downstairs with live music and performances. As a result, Zebrano in the City is brave and bold. It is different, and not afraid to show it. It is a restaurant that on many levels is not about the end result—it is also about the processes that occur in nature and a celebration of them. The space incorporates the rustication of materials, aging, movement flow, deterioration, explosion, force fields, and the transformation of energy into mass. It is about celebrating nature and the life of the materials as they are transformed though the processes of oxidation, aging, or maturing, and it is also about revealing the true nature of construction processes and how things are put together. Zebrano in the City is about exploration using all of the senses. It is about the unknown, about the search for the new and the love of surprise. It is about being true and open. The design may appear to be complex, but it is actually a result of the interaction of simple rules combined with the parameters that have created it. The design is ultimately about the path of least resistance, the energy, the flow. It is about celebrating explosion and what happens to the elements that are transformed as a result of these forces, it is about the transformation of energy into functional form, into mass.
Nature and the subconscious human mind are my two key inspirations. These two always coupled with and adapted to specific sites and contexts, programs, clients and budgets. The above are key parameters, but they are always different in different contexts, and as such the outcome is never the same. Zebrano in the city is an emergent outcome of the context related to the above parameters.
When you think of the two existing Zebrano Bars you cannot help but feel the explosion of fun in these places. They celebrate an explosion of energy and are filled with fun-loving people having a great time. This was the initial idea of explosion of energy, and we created the space by asking what the effect of this explosion would be once it was intertwined with materials and space.
When one discusses concepts which start with an abstract base or out-of-the-box thinking, one has to also surround oneself with like-minded people that have a passion for exploration and are excited about finding creative solutions to problems. Together, you must create a platform of collaboration where a problem is only a parameter for an interesting and innovative design, thus becoming a positive part of the process. In this respect I was very lucky to have clients such as Don, Cevat and Pauline, who were completely open and embraced the explorative and unknown. I was also lucky to have collaborators, staff, manufacturers who did not shy away from this challenge but plunged into the deep to help reveal the new and unknown. I believe that the result is truly explosive, exciting and unique.
Many of the interior furniture was manufactured abroad, in Kosova. We therefore had to send precise drawings and information and at the same time have people in the factory control the items locally. Having all of the fit together as one large puzzle was quite challenging, especially with the lighting sculptural components on the underground level.
Pulling it all together within a very limited budget and timeline - all to the client’s satisfaction. To see a client happy and pleased with the results at the end of a project, money simply cannot buy.
We recognise SBID's International Design Awards as a great platform to showcase and measure our latest interior design thinking and developments around various parts of the world. We also love the team behind it, and the event ceremony itself is a joy to be apart of.
Questions answered by Perparim Rama, CEO at 4M Group.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Siddharta Lounge, Dubai, click here to see more
Winners of the SBID Awards 2017 have now been announced! To find out more click here
4M Group | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Siddharta Lounge, Dubai. LW Design's ode to Buddhism through contemporary restaurant design. Utilising the aesthetics of spirituality to gain true design enlightenment.
Plants & trees are used to evoke feelings of relaxation and harmonise the interior and exterior spaces, which in turn compliments the extraordinary 360 degree views across Dubai Marina.
Inspired by the spiritual teacher, the Buddha, Siddharta Lounge in Grosvenor House offers an modern experience juxtaposed by nature. The interior is focused around a exotic, botanical theme. Eclectic accessories accentuate the concepts of Buddhism. The use of bi-folding doors creates a seamless transformation which allows the guests to experience the restaurant as both an indoor and outdoor space, where statement plants and lights create extra ambience for guests to soak up.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Sian Whitmore, Senior FF&E Designer at LW Design.
Company: LW Design
Project: Siddharta Lounge
Project Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The brief was to completely refurbish the restaurant inside & out and in doing so create a new generation of Siddharta Lounge for the Buddha Bar brand. We were tasked with maximising seating & views across Dubai Marina & the Arabian Gulf. We feel that we have achieved a truly integrated space blending the inside and outside space whilst creating something fresh, vibrant & exciting to stand out from the competition.
The Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher later became known as the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment, provides the main inspiration behind the new look Siddharta Lounge. Statement green walls and built-in planting throughout create a lush and vibrant ambience. Bi-folding doors open up the main restaurant and transform the space, seamlessly blurring the boundaries between the interior and exterior environment. Concrete graphic walls continue the botanical theme both inside and out, adding a more urban and edgy element to the design. Lighting plays a key role within the space to create drama and atmosphere and transform the venue from day to night. Eclectic accessories featuring rustic woven baskets and stone Buddha heads, accent furniture pieces and dip dyed macramé pendant lights add a handcrafted feel and a sense of travel to exotics climes. All of this comes together to create a truly tropical and relaxing vibe.
The main challenge of the refurbishment was the re-working of certain elements to follow the new design aesthetic. The other main challenge was down to time constraints. With a very short time frame to complete the refurbishment we had to be very mindful and selective about the availability of all items and materials specified.
The primary highlight of the project for us was having the opportunity and creative freedom to create a new hot spot in Dubai’s thriving social scene. We are able to drive the brand into a fresh new direction and as a result, witness its success within the competitive marketplace.
We recognise the SBID awards as amongst the top design awards in the industry celebrating design excellence. To be shortlisted together with other inspirational international projects is a privilege. It is a perfect opportunity for us to showcase our design capabilities and to introduce ourselves to the UK market having recently opened up a design branch in London.
Questions answered by Sian Whitmore, Senior FF&E Designer at LW Design.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Goddard Littlefair for their take on a One Stop Doctors, click here to see more
LW DESIGN | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Goddard Littlefair’s healthcare design project that uses modern aesthetics to create a true sense of wellbeing.
One Stop Doctors is a boundary-changing health and wellness clinic, which sets a new standard of excellence in the private healthcare sector and offers patients on-demand medical expertise, along with outpatient diagnostics, physiotherapy, dentistry and aesthetics. This is all available within a ‘one stop’ clinic, available from early morning to late evenings and weekends to fit with patients’ busy working lives. The brief was to create an environment that embodied the instant premium touch-points patients might expect from a high-end service environment, while communicating the calm, soothing and welcoming feel of an obviously patient-centric experience, so that there is as little stress as possible at every stage of the patient journey. The design emphasis maximises the contribution of the environment towards promoting a sense of wellbeing and creating confidence in the clinical excellence patients will experience.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Martin Goddard, Director & Co-Founder at Goddard Littlefair.
Company: Goddard Littlefair
Project: One Stop Doctors
The brief was to create an environment that embodied the instant premium touch-points you’d expect from a high-end service environment, whilst communicating the calm, soothing and welcoming feel of an obviously patient-centric experience, so there’d be as little stress as possible at every stage of the patient journey. The client was very keen to pull on our experience of premium spa and wellness centre design to achieve this.
‘We were not looking for the usual clinical healthcare design, but wanted a designer who could share our vision for creating an ambience that was relaxed, reassuring and tranquil, very comfortable and also aesthetically beautiful, but which still felt professional and reassuring to patients, so they know they are in the best possible care.’ - One Stop Doctors CEO, Ella Tracey
We began the project by researching the private sector healthcare market in terms of look and feel and found that most clinics so far had followed the American model, with a very cool and clinical treatment throughout. We wanted our emphasis to be different and for patients to experience a much higher level of design values, maximising the contribution of the environment towards creating a sense of well-being and confidence in the clinical excellence they’re going to encounter.
Then it was all about the idea of a journey, with seamless transitional environments helping the patient to progress through the spaces, decompressing them to be ready for the clinical areas. For example, the welcoming entry lobby area is more akin to a hotel or spa reception and features a sophisticated design treatment using art, texture and drama to give a real sense of arrival. The mood is welcoming and warm with respect for the architecture and full advantage taken of the natural light coming in from the courtyard. Semi-private areas beyond such as waiting areas or corridors feature a natural palette with softer colours, whilst the private areas – the consultation, treatment, dentistry and scanning rooms - also have a lighter palette. This series of colour transitions subliminally signals the patient’s movement from the welcome of arrival to a cooler feel for consultation and cooler feel still for clinical treatments.
Working with healthcare specification requirements and trying to integrate the medical equipment and required medical materials so they would not look too rigid, but at the same time maintained the high level of professionalism on offer.
There were two really. One was the pleasure of introducing art into the scheme using natural shapes and textures, so that the striking art pieces are properly integrated into the design. The second one was some time after the end of the project and finding out how well staff and patients were reacting to the space:
‘We are absolutely delighted with the finished product. Staff, visitors and patients alike are so impressed with the elegance of the design and the attention to detail, but also appreciate the feeling of warmth and comfort that it creates.’ - One Stop Doctors CEO, Ella Tracey
As well as naturally respecting the industry standing of the SBID, it’s also a real pleasure to have your designs recognised and admired by your peers.
Questions answered by Martin Goddard, Director & Co-Founder at Goddard Littlefair.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with G-Art Design for the Shanghai Zhihui CIFI Square Modeling Finance Office, click here to see more
Goddard Littlefair | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the verdant, boutique-style project by G-Art Design for financial services offices in Shanghai, bringing a breath of fresh air to the workplace and putting foliage at the forefront of interior design.
The idea behind this project was to create a workplace with a focus on offering innovative financial services. The designer wanted to give employees the feeling of working inside a boutique hotel-style space; they achieved this by blending clean, modern design with lush foliage, creating a personalised workplace designed to be a breath of fresh air. During the planning stages, the architect took advantage of the building design to draw natural light from the exterior into the space while capitalising on the spectacular views of the lush landscaping outside. Existing internal concrete partitions were removed and instead areas are now separated with glass so the interior consists of a series of ‘bubbles’. Stepping from the lift, visitors face an open reception while the functional areas include a lobby bar, boardroom, three-screen conference room, working section one, VIP club, a water bar, oxygen chamber for staff, working section two and the CEO’s office.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Kim Huang, General Manager & Design Director of G-Art Design International about this refreshing office design project.
Company: G-Art Design International
Project: Shanghai Zhihui CIFI Square Modeling Finance Office
Project Location: Shanghai, China
With innovative financial enterprises being the intended customers, the designer proposes the idea of “working in my boutique hotel guestroom”, which aims to create a fashionable and elegant office space with strong sense of design by incorporating style and distinguished quality with the user-friendly experience endowed by a boutique hotel.
The design is led by the concept of incorporating outdoor landscapes with a pleasant working environment. Instead of a traditional LOGO wall, a penetrating glass box comes into sight as customers enter the office foyer exposing the vibrant and elegantly earthy interior as they get their first glimpse into the office space. The front desk is located on the right side of the reception hall. It is made up of antique copper brushed stainless steel, Shangri-La marble, and wood veneer with Eucalyptus ripple finish to carry the natural, outdoor theme throughout. The feature wall is created by crystal blocks in varied thickness. Meanwhile, the lighting at the back helps to reinforce an artistic conception of Chinese landscape painting.
The office area at the foyer is comprised of several transparent glass boxes, which is designed to provide separated yet continuous space. The upper and lower borders of the glasses are made up of LED light strips which appear to be very delicate. The dark ceiling above the public area is made up of transparent acrylic punched plates. The dimensions of the punched holes have been designed to match those of the lighting fixtures, the spray system, as well as the smoke detectors, air-conditioners and the air outlet of the fresh air system. All devices are integrated with the new material to reinforce the unity of the ceiling. Implementation of these features required meticulous planning, seamless attention to detail and accuracy to achieve the desired finish without compromising on the integrity of the design.
The acrylic light slices at the chamfer of the ceiling, as well as its exquisite inlaying process with antique copper brushed stainless steel, brings a sense of future science and technology to the space. The half-height TV system is well integrated with the plant wall at the back. This space is of great significance which on one hand features the service concept of boutique office area, and on the other hand, advocates the humanistic spirit of providing a holistic, human-oriented office environment.
SBID hosts a considerable number of international awards and has been firmly established as one of the most prestigious design events in the industry in terms of status and specifications.Winning the SBID International Design Awards is a great achievement and an honour for global designers.
Questions answered by Kim Huang, General Manager & Design Director at G-Art Design.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with HMKM for the launch of Robinsons, click here to see more
G-Art Design International | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the prodigious and monumentally ambitious project of introducing the Robinsons department store to one of the most alluring cities of the Middle East and distinguished shopping destinations of the United Arab Emirates.
Iconic Singapore department store Robinsons made its debut in the Middle East in Spring 2017 with the launch of a spectacular 200,000 square foot store at Dubai Festival City —the first of a collection of stores to follow in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). HMKM drew inspiration from Robinsons’ roots — in particular, from Singapore’s lush terrain and contemporary architecture. That dynamic runs through every aspect of the design, starting with dramatic facades which blend vertical gardens by renowned French botanist Patrick Blanc, animated screens and interlacing lines of timber and polished brass. Built around a series of spectacular hero experiences, the store’s design creates a distinctive new identity for Robinsons in the Middle East, celebrating its rich Singaporean heritage while looking firmly to the future.
Company: HMKM
Project: Robinsons
To create a store of inspirations! The aim was to build the largest department store in the region, at 200,000 sqft. with 600 local, regional and international brands. The first of a collection of stores to follow in the GCC. Robinsons was to offer three magnificent floors of contemporary and designer fashion, food, art and culture experiences. From 90 exclusive brands to a number of multi-tiered premium services, guests will delight in an immersive journey making each visit more enchanting than the last. Almost 160 years after it was first established, iconic Singapore department store Robinsons will arrive in the Middle East with the launch of a spectacular store of inspiration at Dubai Festival City.
HMKM’s vision draws its inspiration from Robinsons’ roots — in particular, from Singapore’s blend of green landscapes and edgy contemporary architecture — to produce a scheme founded on the notion of a future landscape. That dynamic runs through every aspect of the design, starting with a series of dramatic external and internal facades which blend large-scale animated screens with sinuous, interlacing lines of timber, bronze anodised aluminium and polished brass, alongside the large-scale vertical garden walls and columns by world renowned visionary botanist designer, Patrick Blanc. Throughout the interior, contemporary forms and digital elements are balanced with warm materials and lush planting.
How do you create a 200,000 sqft new department store in a unique and inspiring way? The answer was to employ a boutique design approach to the whole store design providing bespoke backdrops to the 600 brands, 90 of which are exclusive to Robinsons and including the first John Lewis to the region. A rich palette of materials and craftsmanship were employed throughout the store. For example in Menswear, the department is centred on a central pavilion defined by a slatted oak ceiling raft and fleshed out with herringbone leather panelled walls, end-grain oak flooring, warm lacquers and dark metal frames. In Beauty, the department presents a studio-style make-up zone framed in shimmering metal, centred under a bespoke geometric light installation and floored in honed Palissandro Classico and Kalliston marbles. Fragrance gets a softer feel, with rich marble and brass textures, soft Deco chandeliers and plush seating. In designing and planning the store, significant areas are dedicated to exceptional customer service including specialist tailoring suites for male and female local dress; bespoke printing, a cobbler, and personal shopping.
Realising the Boutique design to each of the category departments within a store of this size. Built around a series of spectacular hero experiences, its design creates an immediate, distinctive new identity for Robinsons within the Middle East, reflecting and celebrating its rich Singaporean heritage whilst looking ahead firmly to the future.
We are exceptionally proud to have been part of this well executed Robinsons store in the Middle East. The SBID awards, in particular the retail category, reflects the quality and prestige befitting this project.
Questions answered by Paul Digby, Creative Director at HMKM.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Portview Fit-Out for Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, click here to see more
HMKM | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an insightful and gallery-esque re-imagination of interior design and visual merchandising for high-end retail spaces. Portview Fit-Out was assigned with the task of implementing the new flagship store design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.
Harvey Nichols is one of the world’s leading luxury retailers, renowned for its exclusive edit of the most prestigious brands across womenswear, menswear, accessories, beauty, food and wine. In 2015, an ambitious overhaul of the iconic flagship store in London’s Knightsbridge began with the Menswear department and in 2016, the Beauty department. Portview Fit-Out transformed the interior design of the two departments to enhance the overall shopping environment for style savvy, London shoppers. The Menswear department moved away from the traditional shop-in-shop format to become a collection of specialised boutiques where rooms are treated as a gallery of installations. The Beauty lounge features 221 brands and includes a fragrance space with a selection of over 75 scents.
Company: Portview, Universal Fit-Out Specialists
Project: Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge
The brief was to turn tradition on its head and, quite literally, think outside the box by moving away from the typical “shop-in-shop” format that is more commonly associated with department stores. We then applied “controlled disruption” to create a space that is effortlessly innovative and alluring.
We worked closely with designers Virgile + Partners to bend the rules of modern design and deliver an awe-inspiring interior that is the absolute expression of contemporary luxury. From creating a collection of specialised boutiques in the two-storey Menswear department; where rooms are treated as a gallery of eclectic art installations, to the new open floor design in the Beauty Lounge; which nurtures ease and creativity in equal measure, we delivered an exceptional interior that has redefined the shopping experience.
A project of this size and scale is always met with challenges. In this case, two existing load-bearing walls measuring 600 millimetres wide needed to be removed using a jacking system to open the space up and create a sense of fluidity. This required installing a large steel frame to support the five storeys above, which proved to be a challenge due to the phased renovation of each section giving us very limited space to manoeuvre in. As always, we rose to the challenge to enable the successful completion of the interior design of this ambitious project on time.
For the menswear department, we loved applying the design principles of ‘controlled disruption’ to juxtapose traditional, luxury fabrics with more architectural, textured materials. This includes 5,200 egg cups, pebble dash, stained plywood in sculpted 3D patterns, brick slips, and slate roofing tiles, to create a sense of movement and add visual weight. Working with unconventional materials was a great experience and the completed look is exceptional.
We know that the design and fit-out of Harvey Nichols’ Menswear and Beauty Lounge departments in Knightsbridge is world class and it deserves to be recognised on a global scale. Projects that are shortlisted for the SBID International Design Awards are the best in the industry and often set the precedent for future design trends to follow. The new interior of Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, is no exception as it delivers a new hallmark in luxury department store design that has never been seen before. That’s why we entered the SBID International Design Awards and are delighted to be shortlisted.
Questions answered by Simon Campbell, Managing Director at Portview Fit-Out.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with March & White for the Devonshire Club, click here to see more
Portview Fit-Out | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Devonshire Club, a sophisticated and opulently feminine interpretation of a private members' club set in the illustrious heart of the U.K, which has been imaginatively conceived by March & White's creative London-based design team.
When commissioned to create Devonshire Club in the heart of The City of London, the design team eschewed the clichés of masculinity that are almost mandatory in the culture of private members’ club. Opting instead for a confident, feminine and creative muse, they composed a place that feels invigorating, exciting and chic. Devonshire Club’s interior has been developed through the layering of mid-century influence. A 1950s-inspired architectural base is layered with the softer femininity of fashion design, incorporating its glamorous pattern, texture and colour. This process has successively produced a unique series of spaces, each with their own character yet subtly connected to the next.
Company: March & White
Project: Devonshire Club, London
Our clients philosophy for Devonshire Club was to create an elegant interior design scheme for an iconic members’ club and hotel destination for London’s city elite; a glamorous and subtly feminine space which confidently speaks of creativity and sophistication.
Devonshire Club’s interior was developed through the layering of mid-century influence. We created a 50’s inspired architectural base and layered this with the softer femininity of fashion design, incorporating its glamorous pattern, texture and colour. This process enabled us to successively produce a unique series of spaces each with their own character yet subtly connected to the next.
We passionately studied the instinctive elegance of Italian design heritage. From Gio Ponti’s breath-taking pattern work, the purity of Carlo Scapa’s detailing and through to the beautiful intricate moulded ceilings of Milan’s Villa Necchi. These timeless signifiers of sophisticated elegance inspired us as we composed an interior which is entirely unique and fresh.
A private members club has a complex purpose and by adding to this 70 hotel suites above for the use of members, the logistics, functionality and performance for the Club as a whole required scientific analysis. Aesthetically, each room, each space of the club, needed to have a sense of the unique whilst being an episode in a larger, entire, piece. We very much enjoyed the challenge of bringing these elements together, so much so that with the thrill of seeing and experiencing the result of the process, any challenges seem to fade.
As always there are many, many highlights to an interior design project of this scale and status but a few in particular would have to include the commitment to bespoke craft throughout the Club which makes it truly unique and defines the March & White signature. We worked closely with the Italian textile house Nattier, developing bespoke rugs, fabrics and wallcoverings, involving exhaustive rounds of sampling to ensure the perfect outcome for the Club. We also worked with the exceptional Murano glass specialists Seguso, who helped us create the incredible and totally bespoke chandelier for the Club’s reception entrance. Both of these processes produced amazing and rewarding results.
We very much admire the work of SBID and would feel honoured to receive one of their awards. We are also very proud of our design for Devonshire Club and feel SBID is the perfect place to showcase our work at the Club.
Questions answered by Harriet Liley, Senior Interior Designer at March & White.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Muza Lab for Kanuhura Resort, Click Here
Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table, Click Here
March & White | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the dream-like Kanuhura Resort, an island retreat situated in Lhaviyani Atoll, the Maldives, a true paradise for free-spirited travellers.
Inspired by the concept of 'gypsy jet-setters' or 'gypsetters' a term coined by Muza Lab - the project focused on pulling inspiration from these two concepts. Combining the free-spirited lifestyle of 'gypsies' with the decadence and the spontaneity of 'the jet set-life.'
“We found inspiration in the legends, culture and natural world of the islands – their stories, colours and sculptural forms. By bringing these influences into the experience of Kanuhura, we have created a sense of free-spirited timelessness and well being where guests can escape from their normal lives and find a place to create their own special memories with family and friends.” Inge Moore
Muza Lab completely redesigned and reimagined the private island resort breathing new life and spirit into the holiday retreat.
“The concept of luxury is changing,” says Moore. “Luxury is now about what you get to feel inside rather than what you have to show off. As designers, this means it’s our thought process that sparks these feelings, and that really excites me. So with Kanuhura, we loved translating the values that bring happiness to sophisticated, well-travelled ‘gypsetters’ into experiences designed to elevate their sophisticated, free-spirited souls.”
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab about this spectacular project.
Company: Muza Lab
Project: Kanuhura Resort, Maldives
Project Location: The Maldives
We were presented with the opportunity to redesign every existing area of Kanuhura Maldives as well as to introduce new spaces, working from the big picture though to every minor detail, from creating larger guestrooms and renovating the F&B outlets, to amenities such as crockery, picnic baskets and uniform collections for the staff.
We wanted to create something different from the usual luxury hotel offering in the Maldives, something that was bohemian, colourful and laid-back. Our inspiration for this was the word “gypset” – describing a lifestyle that combines the unconventionality of the gypsy with the sophistication and speed of the jetsetter.
We always like to tell stories through our design and, in this case, we were spoilt for choice! Extraordinary legends, fascinating cultural traditions and the stunning natural world of the islands gave us so many ideas that we could weave together, taking their forms and palette into different spaces and bringing them to life with an authentic sense of place.
The inspiration for the arrival area, for example, is the black and white sarong of the local Boduberu performers who showcase tales of heroism, satire and romance. The island kitchen A Mano, which translates as “touched by the hand”, embraces all that is handmade and natural, with lime washed timbers, local stones, woven fabrics and eclectic handmade ceramics. In Bottega Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar, fiery reds and corals mingle with sandy pinks, yellows and bright blues in a celebration of the colours of the Indian Ocean.
With the guestrooms & suites, we wanted to showcase the phenomenal panoramas, whilst bringing elements of the landscape into the design through material and colour choice. The Palm Houses take their palette from the surrounding palm trees and their position on the beach means that they benefit from uninterrupted views towards the ocean. The Shell Houses are raised over the Indian Ocean with exteriors inspired by the traditional local dwellings. Each of their outdoor courtyards has a bath so that guests can bathe under the stars whilst the terraces feature nets with large fluffy cushions suspended over the turquoise water, allowing sophisticated castaways a very private and luxurious connection with nature.
As the resort is so remote, the logistics of getting all the materials and products we needed on site was probably the toughest hurdle. We also had to bear the humid climate in mind when making each design choice. Everything used needed to be hard-wearing to combat the sun, sea and tropical rain, yet also beautiful. Striking the balance between the two was imperative to create a luxury oasis that could stand the test of time.
The best thing about the project was actually the same as what we found hardest – the location. It was such a fabulous place to work and whilst it could be a hassle, it was worth it.
SBID International Design Awards are widely considered to be one of the top schemes in the industry. It is important for us to compete against leading studios worldwide and the calibre of projects entered is always high.
Questions answered by Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with Studio Proof for the NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Click Here
Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table Click Here
Muza Lab | 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.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with II BY IV DESIGN's Residences of 488 University Avenue Click Here
Studio Proof | SBID International Design Awards 2017
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