This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the refurbishment of a historic hotel, located in Bristol, boasting 71 bedrooms and six suites. Offering spectacular views of the famous Grade I listed Clifton Suspension Bridge, the project aimed to enhance the unique character shaped by the architecture, history and location of the building as well as providing comfort, relaxation and a sense of luxury for guests to experience. Classic period features are retained yet interpreted in a contemporary manner to offer a unique twist on timeless interiors with an intriguing story inspired by the location’s history alongside the Hotel du Vin brand, with touches of irreverent British humour.
Company: Dexter Moren Associates
Project: The Avon Gorge Hotel
Project Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
Dexter Moren Associates were selected for the refurbishment and interior design of the Avon Gorge hotel, including the 72 bedrooms and 6 suites. The historic hotel, set above the site of a listed pump room and spa, first opened in 1898. Located in Bristol, it has spectacular views of the famous Grade I listed Clifton Suspension Bridge. The client, Hotel du Vin, requested a design that would enhance the unique character shaped by the architecture, history and location of the building that would also subtly incorporate the essence of the Hotel du Vin brand while giving the hotel an identity of its own. Bedrooms and suites should have a residential feel: comfortable, relaxing and luxurious. Classic existing features should be retained yet interpreted in a contemporary manner and provide a timeless interior and intriguing story.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The initial concept was inspired by the building itself and the surrounding areas: the intention being to bridge the old and the new, the brand story and the locale. Dexter Moren Associates took the central concept of wine inspired by the Hotel du Vin brand and looked at the factors involved in making it: nature, represented by flora and fauna such as local birds, and time. Inspiration came from the views of the Gorge, the history of the Clifton suspension bridge and modern Bristol city.
An understanding of the hotel’s clientele was of utmost importance to the design. Hotel guests include business travellers, meeting attendees and those on weekend getaways. The hotel is also popular as a wedding venue so it was also important that the guestrooms and suites were designed with this in mind.
Nine different schemes were designed for the guestrooms: six standard and three suites. Dark-coloured walls act as a backdrop for feature wall coverings and bright splashes of colour in headboards and upholstery. All metal work is in slick satin brass or matt black. The bathrooms have bright white metro tiles lifted by a flash of turquoise green. Many rooms feature a luxury roll top bath either in the room or ensuite; the Laurent Perrier suite has two baths within the bedroom, ideal as a bridal or honeymoon suite. Workable desks in all rooms lend themselves well to the business traveller while tourists will be charmed by the retention and highlighting of the original architecture. Lighting is used as a practical tool to enhance the guest experience - as the lighting changes so too do the focal points of each space. The inside of each wardrobe is painted a feature colour to add an element of surprise for guests. The pièce de résistance is the artwork adorning the walls. Beautiful classical paintings at first glance, upon closer inspection they reveal irreverent modern elements: a man dressed for a formal occasion holds an iPod; a well-dressed lady wears a heavy gold chain adorned with a dollar sign instead of more typical diamond or pearls. These give the rooms a finishing touch of quirky British humour to appeal to locals and tourists alike.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
In terms of designing it was a challenge to bridge the old with the new. The intent was to maintain existing features wherever possible in order to celebrate the building's history, and this created challenges along the way as they were discovered during opening up. The concept of time was translated by way of laying contemporary design over a classic backdrop.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Memorable moments include discovering original stained glass in the reception, grand stair and basement areas which we managed to restore and incorporate into our design. Another highlight was the successful opening of the White Lion Bar which has been received really well by the local residents.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
SBID Awards are prestigious, world renowned, and enable global recognition among our peers and the design industry as a whole. Recognition for the team on the project for their talent, passion and hard work.
Questions answered by Neil Andrew, interior designer and Partner of Dexter Moren Associates
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a modern-day luxury home that combines both old-school opulence and contemporary cosiness, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Dexter Moren Associates | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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.
What inspired the design of the Project?
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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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 grand refurbishment of the historic York Theatre Royal completed by De Matos Ryan.
York Theatre Royal received a significant re-development by De Matos Ryan in 2016, dramatically transforming the theatre’s spaces and visitor experience. The theatre has occupied the site since 1744 and has since under gone several alterations over the years, including the construction of a new foyer, a vaulted concrete pavilion built alongside the original building by Patrick Gwynne in 1967. The redevelopment of the Grade II* listed building unlocks the full potential of a complex site that had developed incrementally over 270 years. It has created additional space the theatre urgently needed in order to appeal to and engage a wider community, bring more people into the building and create the opportunity to increase revenue, enabling it to be more financially resilient in the future.
Company: De Matos Ryan
Project: York Theatre Royal
Project Location: York, England.
York Theatre Royal was founded in 1744 and is one of the UK’s oldest producing theatres, serving audiences of all ages and welcoming over 200,000 visitors each year.
The buildings are Grade II* listed and a wonderful patchwork of periods starting with the Georgians and culminating in 1968 with a Patrick Gwynne Modernist glass and concrete vaulted foyer extension.
The project needed to unlock the full potential of a complex Grade II* listed site that had been developed incrementally over 270 years with the aim to engage a wider community, bring more people into the building, ensuring increased revenue, enabling York Theatre Royal to be more financially resilient in the future.
What inspired the design of the project?
We focused on three fundamental actions. Firstly, to improve the customer experience by creating the conditions for a better welcome, improved access and enhancing the audience experience in the main auditorium by increasing the rake of the seating to improve sight lines.
Secondly, to create the context for a sustainable business by making a more commercial front of house, but also, by making efficiency savings through backstage technical and storage upgrades, there was an aspiration to reduce operational costs and improve safety.
Thirdly, to improve the scope for creative output by creating the conditions for a wider scope of artistic possibilities by expanding the potential of the staging and improving acoustic separation between the main spaces in the theatre.
We applied the '7 lenses', a strategy we have developed at De Matos Ryan to scrutinise the benefit of every intervention and make a judgement about what to prioritise.
All aspects of the building - the front of house and auditorium - have been improved with a new contemporary language that binds all periods together without stifling them, bringing a sense of cohesion to the whole site. The most demonstrable changes are within the Front of House spaces with the glazing of the Victorian colonnade. Occupied by the café it gives an animated face to the street akin to a storefront.
The toughest hurdle was the discovery of archaeology below the stalls and new foyer that was of greater significance than previously anticipated. This added to an already tight construction programme as more time was required to properly record the findings. The Georgians had built their theatre on top of the foundations of the 13th century medieval Hospital of St Peters. From extensive archive research, we had overlaid the plans of each historic period in order to understand how the theatre had evolved and, as such, we knew where the medieval column bases would be if we dug down. What we had not anticipated is that the Georgians had left this ground absolutely intact. The ability to sift through the layers of fine deposits between these columns and walls, over such a large city centre area gave the community a unique insight into their past.
We entered the project in the category of Public Space Design because the project demonstrates successfully how the public sector should be operating under increasing financial constraints. The public sector needs to review and upgrade its assets and capital investment architectural interventions need to be considered more carefully through the lenses of resilience and sustainability. Our careful and strategic upgrade of York Theatre Royal has created a more welcoming space, which is used by all members of the community – not just theatre goers - at all times of the day. It demonstrates how culture can operate as an intersection for people to meet and help to cement a community and develop a strong sense of place in our increasingly homogeneous cities.
Questions answered by Angus Morrogh Ryan, Director of De Matos Ryan.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with the opulent Cumberland Art Gallery, Hampton Court Palace click here to see more
De Matos Ryan| SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire features the remarkable design of the Cumberland Art Gallery Suite located within the grandeur of Hampton Court Palace.
The Cumberland Art Gallery is a dedicated space that allows visitors to view artworks from the Royal Collection in a stunning setting, which reflects the Palace’s history as a destination for the work of artists such as Holbein, Caravaggio and Gainsborough. The Gallery occupies a newly restored suite of rooms designed by William Kent in the 1730s as private apartments for the Duke of Cumberland.
With architects and designers Purcell, Hoare Lea Lighting developed a scheme to illuminate the paintings while minimising impact on the sensitive building fabric. Hoare Lea CGI combined its expertise in the niche area of accurate lighting visualisation with a mastery of 3D-modelling and physically-based rendering tools, such as 3ds Max and Vray, to create photo-realistic visuals. The resulting visualisations (created without the benefit of CAD drawings) accurately represented the final, relit Gallery and proved highly effective in communicating design ideas and showing how the Gallery would look.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Simon Dove, Associate at Hoare Lea & Karam Bhamra, Principal CGI Designer of Hoare Lea.
Company: Hoare Lea
Project: Cumberland Art Gallery Suite
Project Location: Hampton Court Palace, England.
The Cumberland Gallery at Hampton Court Palace is a dedicated space for artworks from the Royal Collection. It enables visitors to view the artworks in a stunning gallery setting, which reflects the palace’s history as a destination for the work of artists, such as Holbein, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Bassano and Gainsborough. The Gallery occupies a newly restored suite of rooms designed by the architect William Kent in the 1730s, as private apartments for George II’s son, William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland.
The brief given to architects Purcell and the lighting design team at Hoare Lea was to return the Cumberland Suite as closely as possible to Kent’s original scheme. Historic Royal Palaces wanted to create a dedicated space to highlight some of the works of the Royal Collection, and to use Art as the lens through which to understand the royal history, stories and material culture of the Palace.
With architects and designers Purcell, Hoare Lea developed a scheme to illuminate the paintings, while minimising impact on the sensitive building fabric.
While remaining faithful to the architecture and finishes, the intent was for the environment to have the feel of a gallery, and the lighting immediately announces that this is a different type of space. Picture rails supply power to LED spotlights, which highlight the paintings. Although, Tungsten has often been used in gallery settings, the quality of the white light now produced by LEDs, together with benefits, such as energy efficiency, small size, high-colour rendering of 95+, warm colour temperature, ease of dimming and the lack of ultraviolet light created, made LED an ideal choice.
The look of each fitting was carefully considered to ensure the scheme complemented the space during the day, as well as enhancing it at night. These fittings, developed in favour of the traditional linear picture lights usually specified in heritage buildings, give a contemporary elegance to the rooms.
To incorporate flexibility, achieve the precise lux levels required, and create the desired visual impression, individual dimming control of every fitting was important. Simon Dove, Associate, Hoare Lea explains: ‘It was a key requirement to dim each luminaire from within the space, rather than from a remote location or via a complex lighting control system.”
Understanding the heritage of the space, while creating a contemporary solution, was crucial. Simon Dove explains, ‘Working within a listed building such as Hampton Court inevitably presented challenges, and mock-ups were used to explore the implications of introducing light fittings and to communicate design ideas.’ For lighting designers, one of the biggest challenges is to communicate the lit impression of their proposed designs, and this is where our use of specialist visualisation came in. Hoare Lea CGI combined its expertise in the niche area of accurate lighting visualisation, with a mastery of 3D-modelling and physically-based rendering tools (such as 3ds Max and Vray) to create photo-realistic visuals. The resulting visualisations accurately represented the final, relit Gallery and proved highly effective in communicating design ideas.
In terms of hurdles we faced for the visualisation of the project - there were no existing plans, drawings or models of the Cumberland Suite. A survey was carried out to obtain basic room dimensions, but this did not include any of the bespoke, heavily ornate detailing present in each room. Producing accurate and realistic 3D scenes to give as true a representation as possible of the proposed refurbishment - including new paint, material finishes, furnishings, artworks and of course the lighting scheme – was a challenge.
The only option was to build our 3D models from reference photographs, which we took on-site. Every room has a different feature ceiling design and none of it was simple! Making sure we captured and modelled all the necessary detail was a difficult and time-consuming task – but well worth it when you consider the realism of the final result.
‘The lighting was carefully designed to provide beautiful illumination of the paintings using the latest LED technology, but minimising the impact on the sensitive building fabric. The result greatly enhances the artwork and the room’s architectural features.’
The Historic Royal Palaces team we worked with know the spaces intimately, so for them to commend the accuracy of our visualisations was very satisfying. The positive feedback Hoare Lea received regarding how valuable the visuals proved in communicating the design proposals was unanimous across the team.
We had followed the SBID Awards Visualisation category but had not previously submitted our work. This time we thought we would give it a shot as the Cumberland Suite project seemed very different to the visualisation projects usually entered. We felt its uniqueness and the way the lighting design and visualisation worked together to play such an integral role in the project delivery, deserved recognition.
Winning an SBID International Design Award is a real achievement as the Awards are regarded as one of the highest accolades of interior design excellence.
Commenting on the award win Karam Bhamra of Hoare Lea said: “It means a lot to us to have the quality of our work recognised by the judges. We didn’t think we would win as this is the first time we have entered the SBID Awards and the standard in the category is really high… we are absolutely delighted!”
Questions answered by Simon Dove, Associate, Hoare Lea & Karam Bhamra, Principal CGI Designer, Hoare Lea.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel's decadent Presidential Suite click here to see more
Hoare Lea| 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
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Studio Proof | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the inspiring Belmond Andean Explorer. Muza Lab has exquisitely re-imagined the slow travel experience through their design of South America's first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer in Peru, which launched on the rails May 2017. Working closely with Belmond to compliment the brand’s heritage for properties that are at one with nature, the studio has harmoniously woven cultural connections with inspirations from the idyllic surroundings, creating a detailed backdrop for the breathtaking spectacle of the Peruvian Andes.
“We design journeys and with Belmond Andean Explorer, we have distilled the romance, nostalgia and freedom of the train voyage. The train is a place of transition where time seems to slow down between the departure and the arrival. Our vision was to design somewhere to ponder and dream, a space where the beauty of the land can infuse the soul.”
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab.
Company: Muza Lab
Project: Belmond Andean Explorer
Project Location: Peru
For South America's first luxury sleeper train, Belmond Andean Explorer, Belmond gave us the brief to design a new, unparalleled level of experience that complements the brand’s heritage for properties that sit at one with nature. Our response was to create a one-of-a-kind immersion into Peru’s culture, landscape and crafts that gives passengers a contemporary, re-imagined way to enjoy the beauty of slow travel and create memories they will cherish forever.
Our vision was to distil the romance, nostalgia and freedom of the train voyage through an interior design that taps into the journey’s dreamlike sense of suspended time, an experience where moments seem to slow down. We harmoniously wove cultural connections with inspirations from the surroundings to create a detailed backdrop for the breathtaking Andes mountains.
Soft, neutral tones create an open, airy feel that allows the amazing vistas to take centre stage, while beautifully crafted furnishings reflect Peru’s heritage and natural bounty. Palettes, textures and patterns were chosen to create a sense of calm, a counterpoint to the vibrant panorama outside and a place of transition where travellers can ponder, dream and explore new horizons as the beauty of the land infuses their souls.
In the Observation Car, guests can enjoy nearly 360-degree views, either leaning against the scrolled balcony rails or relaxing on the central round seat. Inside, the bar is furnished with traditional embossed leather chairs and cosy sofas. The elegant Piano Bar Car offers a more formal ambience with a corner bar at one end facing an impressive grand piano at the other, and a palette of refined grey tweed with splashes of cornflower blue and golden yellow. The spa is formed of three treatment rooms painted a soothing shade of white to inspire a sense of stillness and relaxation as the colourful landscape whirs past.
Pale shades of taupe and cream enhance the two Dining Cars’ open spaciousness, and rich, cognac-toned leather chairs bring a substantial feel. One carriage also features a library as well as a boutique shop with original, handcrafted items from each destination along the route. Divider screens between seating groups have been refreshed with white macramé that replaces the inset timber panels.
Carrying up to 48 passengers, the Sleeper Cabins have been designed with all the sumptuous amenities guests expect from a luxury experience. Select nostalgic elements of the original train have been restored or added as emblems of the golden age of train travel. Brass room keys were forged into the shape of the Chakana Cross, one of the most enduring shamanic symbols of Incan civilisation and the train’s official crest.
There weren’t really any hurdles, but we did commit to creating a genuine, heartfelt experience of Peruvian culture versus a pastiche. Nearly everything has been locally sourced, supporting the local community while reducing the project’s carbon footprint. Finishes have been renewed where possible, and re-purposed materials contribute authenticity and environmental responsibility. For example, in the Observation Car, the round central seat is covered in fabrics from traditional dresses sourced by Muza at a Cusco market, and passementerie on the roman blinds is from antique Incan fabrics. The result is a welcoming spirit that feels real and honest. In addition, the design allows for furniture and accessories to be securely affixed due to the train’s movements.
The Belmond Andean Explorer travels through one of Earth’s most beautiful countries, a destination on many people’s bucket-list of places to explore. To get an understanding of Peru’s culture, we visited several Belmond properties in Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley and researched its amazing landscape as well as the textiles and textures of Peruvian arts and crafts. It was a magical experience and, with so much beautiful inspiration, truly a designer’s dream project.
The SBID International Design Awards elevate the stature of the interior design industry by highlighting exceptional talent, passion and expertise across the globe. Participating in the competition strengthens our reputation as imaginative leaders creating some of the world’s most exciting designs.
Questions answered by Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with 'Peace Palace' Click Here
Muza Lab | SBID International Design Awards 2017
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features MKV Design's glorious renovation and extension of Hôtel Royal Savoy, Lausanne, Switzerland. Drawing on the Art Nouveau heritage of the original property while redesigning the spaces in the old building, aiming to delight today’s international travellers and local guests. By contrast, the new wing is resolutely modern in style with smart, streamlined interiors. Throughout, luxury has been taken to a new level with elegant new guest rooms, magnificent suites and captivating public areas while connection to the hotel gardens as well as the city has been restated with ingeniously created views at both ground level and from the rooftops.
SBID had the opportunity to speak with Maria Vafiadis, Founder and Managing Director of MKV Design.
Company: MKV Design
Project: Hôtel Royal Savoy
Project Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Hotel Royal Savoy was once one of Lausanne’s Grandes Dames but was closed and in disrepair when the project began. The vision was to reinvent the legend, taking design cues from the old building but essentially creating a new hotel. In the process, the footprint of the hotel was virtually doubled with the addition of a new wing.
The concept of the classic grand hotel is particularly Swiss and design inspiration was found in the hotel’s beautiful gardens, its quintessentially Swiss views of Lake Geneva, the Art Nouveau heritage, whispers of history and the owner’s private art collection.
The new plan takes guests on a journey through distinctive spaces, each one heralded by a custom-designed decorative screen. From the classical arrival hall onto the lounge where a grand double-height space is revived as a glamorous showpiece with dramatic lighting and new furniture that hints at Art Nouveau. There are new plaster mouldings, in a style similar to the original, while elegant hand stencilling replicates earlier decoration to the walls. The bar is the next stage, looking towards a new glazed extension and the sudden vista of the gardens. To one side, the walkway, which may be fully opened-up to the sunshine, flows through the garden to the new building.
In reality, there weren’t any great hurdles in this project. We’re used to reinventing Grand Dames for the next generation and always find them a great joy and privilege to work on as we relish the research and sensitive considerations that this kind of project involves.
The spa was a certainly a highlight for us. The boldly contemporary design means that it is completely unlike anything else that Lausanne has to offer and it is thrilling to see how well it is being received by both hotel guests and local people. It was also a real pleasure to be able to work with some of the original elements of the hotel such as a historical wall mural depicting a rural idyll, which was relocated from the entrance lobby to the restaurant, as well as antiques and artwork from the owner’s personal collection.
Further to this, the team relished the opportunity to create guestrooms in both the new and heritage buildings that made the most of the spectacular views over Lake Geneva and the beautiful hotel gardens. The opening up of the rear of the original building with the glazed extension and terraces continues this connection between indoor and out.
SBID is one of the most highly respected awards schemes in the 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, Founder and Managing Director of MKV Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with JHP Design, click Here
Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now open and accepting submissions, to find out more and enter Click Here.
MKV Design | SBID International Design Awards 2016
Photography by Robert Miller.
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