Inex October 2017

OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE 50 inex-online.com Download the Inex app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search ‘Inex-online’

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This month Inex talks to Emile Azan about his decision to become an interior designer

Garden Designer, Robin McAfee, shows Inex around London’s ultimate roof terrace

Inex takes a closer look at all the winners of the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards

Jonathan Mizzi unveils his first collection of furniture – the Awkward Series

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: SLVHCS ‘Project Legacy’, New Orleans, USA SLVHCS ‘Project Legacy’, New Orleans, USA © Sean Airhart/NBBJ © Sean Airhart/NBBJ

Photo Credit: SLVHCS ‘Project Legacy’, New Orleans, USA © Sean Airhart/NBBJ

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24 Editor: Rebecca Kemp rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com Editorial Assistant: Paige Smith paige@mixedmediainfo.com Digital Advertising: Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Michael Abrahams michael@mixedmediainfo.com Print Design Manager: Jack Witcomb jack@mixedmediainfo.com Digital Design Manager: David Perry david@mixedmediainfo.com Production Assistant: Sofia Franchi sofia@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts: Charlie Ivy charlie@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director: Sam Ball sam@mixedmediainfo.com Publisher: Mixed Media Information Pear Platt, Woodfalls Farm, Gravelly Way, Laddingford, Kent. ME18 6DA Tel: 01622 873229 Fax: 01622 320020 Terms and Conditions No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photography or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literacy, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearence or non publication of any advertisement.

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n the hospitality industry, the only thing that’s constant is change. Hoteliers world-wide need to continuously keep their eye on emerging trends to avoid disappointing guests and falling behind competitors. The priority no longer seems to lie in increasing the number of guests that hotels attract, but rather improving the experiences of guests to keep them coming back time and time again.

This month, the Independent Hotel Show returns to Olympia, London, with its two-day event, tailored to the needs of the independent and boutique hotelier. Covering a diverse mix of insight and advice to help build and grow a successful hotel business – from design and technology trends to mindfulness, the programme will cover the most relevant topics in the industry. Turn to page 48 to see what to expect from this year’s show.

As new technologies emerge, no hotel can afford to sit on the sidelines and in this month’s issue digital technology company, VDA, shares with Inex the latest type of technology systems that were installed in luxury boutique hotel, The Address, Dublin, on page 40.

Meanwhile, John Woolley, Managing Director of Hypnos Contract Beds, discusses the evolution of the hotel bedroom and how today’s hotels have turned every indulgence and convenience into a standard necessity. To find out more, turn to page 24.

Elsewhere in this issue, Inex rounds up the winners of this month’s prestigious Restaurant & Bar Design Awards on page 14 and takes a look at the ground-breaking dance pantheon, AHM, located in Beirut, Lebanon, on page 45.

22 Top left: A discussion on how today’s hotels have turned every indulgence and convenience into a standard necessity Cover: Jonathan Mizzi captures Bikram yoga’s ‘awkward’ pose in sculptural form with his range of tables Top: Soundtect explains why the use of acoustic sound absorbing panels is a life-saving option Above: A look at a London roof terrace that combines luxurious living with stunning panoramic views

I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget, you can also access all of Inex’s features and product inspiration at your fingertips via the magazine’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘Inex-online’ on the App Store or Google play.

Paige Paige Smith paige@mixedmediainfo.com Follow us on Twitter: @INEXonline Download the INEX app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'Inex-online'.

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5 CONTENTS

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OCTOBER DIARY

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INSIGHT After being made redundant from a publishing company, Emile Azan decided to retrain and become an interior designer. Here, he talks to Inex about taking the plunge into a totally new industry.

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INSPIRE This month Inex discovers the winners of the prestigious Restaurant & Bar Design Awards – a competition dedicated to the design of food and beverage spaces around the world.

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DOMESTIC FURNITURE Inex takes a look inside a home makeover by interior design studio, 10surdix, that combines industrial accents and Mid-Century accessories to create a truly stunning interior.

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EXRATED Garden Designer, Robin McAfee, talks Inex through his latest project – the conversion of the roof of a former town hall in Bermondsey, London. This ultimate roof terrace combines luxurious living with panoramic views of the city.

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BEDROOM John Woolley, Managing Director of Hypnos Contract Beds, discusses the evolution of the hotel bedroom and how today’s hotels have turned every indulgence and convenience into a standard necessity.

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EXPOSE Inex uncovers rising star and Furniture Designer, Jonathan Mizzi’s first collection – the Awkward Series – a new yogainspired range of tables.

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OFFICE DESIGN Mariann Wenckheim, Director at London-based strategic design consultancy 20.20 explains to Inex why it’s time for brands to start looking after their employees by pushing the limits of workplace design.

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STONE Premium quartz surfaces manufacture, Caesarstone, discusses the use of countertop must-have, quartz, in the high-end development Long & Waterson.

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CEILINGS & ACOUSTICS Soundtect discusses with Inex the best way to create a stunning design feature whilst addressing the noise with the use of acoustic sound absorbing panels.

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES Family-owned digital technology company, VDA, explains why it has been investing in the latest technology for hotels.

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INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION Architecture firm RG/A continues with its transformation of Beirut’s nightlife with the launch of AHM – a groundbreaking dance pantheon located in Beirut, Lebanon.

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THE INDEPENDENT HOTEL SHOW PREVIEW Inex looks at what to expect from this year’s show, which promises to unite the UK’s best independent hoteliers with more than 300 premium suppliers as well as offer valuable business advice and inspiration.

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Top: Located on the upcoming Beirut waterfront district, Inex takes a closer look AHM nightclub designed by RG/A Middle: A round up of all of this year’s winners of the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards Left: An indepth look at why employee

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experiences in the workplace matter

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Dutch Design Week Eindhoven, Netherlands 21-29 October Dutch Design Week (DDW) presents work and ideas of more than 2500 designers to more than 295,000 visitors. In more than 100 locations across the city, DDW organises and facilitates exhibitions, lectures, prize ceremonies, networking events, debates and festivities. ddw.nl

Designers’ Open Leipziger Messe, Germany 20-22 October For its 13th edition, the Designers’ Open is focusing not only on today’s trends and tomorrow’s crazes, but also on young designers. This is a trade fair for design, a communication forum for the industry and a platform for the distribution of individual products. designersopen.de

Affordable Art Fair Battersea, London 19-22 October You don’t need to be an experienced art collector, nor an expert in contemporary art to find a piece to fall in love with at the Affordable Art Fair. Discover a diverse and inspiring collection of original and contemporary paintings, editioned prints, photography and sculptures by household names and established artists, alongside emerging talent from the show’s specially curated Recent Graduates’ Exhibition. affordableartfair.com

RHS Autumn Garden Show RHS Lindley and RHS Lawrence Horticultural Halls, London 25-26 October The RHS Autumn Garden Show is set to become an end-of-season spectacle celebrating the beauty of ornamental and edible plants in the RHS Lindley and RHS Lawrence Horticultural Halls, London. The show will feature immersive learning, engaging speakers and seasonal plants and products. rhs.org.uk Grand Designs Birmingham Live NEC, Birmingham 11-15 October This show’s not just about bricks and mortar and, with this in mind, the Grand Interiors is the perfect place to discover some unique products from individual designers and see hundreds of items that are not readily available on the high street and if you’re looking for something a bit different, The Design Arcade is the place to be. granddesignslive.com

Adams Antiques Fairs The Royal Horticultural Halls, Lindley Hall 29 October The ‘Horti’ is the longest-running Sunday antiques fair in London, with traders coming from all over Europe and the UK. With dealers specialising in silver, ceramics and paintings amongst other items over 140 stands, the mix is truly eclectic. You’re sure to find something completely unique. adamsantiquesfairs.com

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8 INSIGHT

Now or never Emile Azan hasn’t always been an Interior Designer, in fact, it was only after he was made redundant from a publishing company that he decided to take the plunge and pursue his life-long love of interiors and architecture by retraining leading him to eventually set up his practice Chameleon Designs in 2005.

Can you please provide us with a description of your professional career?

Having had an interest in interiors and design for many years whilst working in publishing – which I did for 15 years – when I was made redundant I decided it was ‘now or never’, so I went back to college, KLC School of Design, and retrained as an interior designer. It was one of the best things I ever did. I worked for Designer, Simon Hamilton, for just over a year before starting on my own.

It was invaluable experience.

What inspired you to become an interior designer?

I had always had an interest in design and interiors and from my teens, playing around with moving furniture and looking at layouts of buildings. I guess I always had a creative side so when the opportunity came to retrain I took the plunge.

Who has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your career?

Interior designers are influenced and inspired by many people they have not personally worked with. But for me, Karim Rashid for his relentless drive; Rebecca Weir for her passion for lighting and her ability to harness and INEX-ONLINE.COM

maximise the creative potential of light, Zeev Aram, who introduced the British public to modern design and my BIID colleagues for establishing and bringing professional interior design to the forefront in the UK. How do you approach your projects?

I think back to what I’ve seen in my travels that may be relevant to this client. Or visit an art gallery or museum, or inspiring buildings or landscapes for inspiration.

Who is your favourite interior designer and why?

That is a hard one to pin down as there are so many different designers I admire, but being a member of the British Institute of Interior Design, I am always drawing inspiration from other members of the institute.

Top: Emile always had a creative side so when the opportunity came to retrain he took the plunge Above: Emile had always had an interest in design and interiors

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Would you say that you have a design style?

If so, how would you describe this style?

First and foremost, my clients drive my design style. At the end of the day, we have to design spaces for people to live in, so must always be mindful of them, their wants and wishes, but also the practicalities. I guess having grown up in the Caribbean I also have a love of colour and texture, so this always plays a part. I am also influenced by the environment, and we as designers have a responsibility for playing our part. One of the other factors I always look at is acoustics of a space; be it commercial or residential. So many modern designs ignore this factor, but with social spaces being important and a trend for open-plan living then this factor needs very much to be considered as well as layers of light.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge for today’s interior designers?

The hardest part of the job is, as you can imagine, getting clients in the first place. The digital age also brings a few new obstacles.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

My biggest accomplishment to date has been, I would like to think, being in practice after 14 years, having also weathered the bank crisis and the resulting economic downturns – all of which have been felt in the industry as a whole. On a work level, a barn conversion in France, which was a design-only project, working out the whole internal space and creating a wow-factor for a unique project. Sociable kitchens seem to be making more of an impact and having completed one recently, I am working on another, where lighting design is required more and more.

What has been your most notable project?

My most notable projects are the two I am currently working on, one which is another sociable kitchen space, but working with an architect and often looking at the internal flow, the lighting design and the positioning of the lighting circuits and kitchen units.

Secondly, two whole house designs, one that is a renovation, including a loft conversion. Kitchens and bathrooms as well as lighting design and a new-build which are blank spaces and adding in the kitchen and bathroom designs, plus the lighting and decoration.

Talk us through your concept for the Holly Cottage project The clients were struggling with the layout and feel for this room, which originally had been three rooms in a house dating back to the 1700s. The space was dark and lacked flow. Being an older property, there were also structural elements, which had to be considered and looked at, there were some damp problems and the wiring also needed to be reconfigured. The clients wanted a feature fireplace installed and, as they already had some lovely pieces of furniture, principally in the Art Deco style, these needed to be worked into the scheme. There was to be a nod towards this period and style, without being slavish to the Art Deco period, which would not have suited the style and period of the house.

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01 1. Emile believes designers have a responsibility to the environment when designing 2. Having grown up in the Caribbean, Emile has a love of colour and texture 3. Emile likes to uses his knowledge to guide his clients to think outside the box and lead them to something they may not have thought of previously 4. The brief from the client for this project was to create a sociable kitchen, combining the old kitchen with a separate dining room, creating a space for both cooking and entertaining

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How do you personally feel that you fulfilled the brief for the Holly Cottage project?

The solution was to create in essence three distinct zones in the room using furniture without dividing the room physically, a dining room end, a conversational area, and a TV/ fireplace zone. By moving certain pieces of furniture, the room can also work as a whole. The elements were tied together with the decoration, lighting and furniture. The room has now become cohesive, but also a relaxing and tranquil space to be in, which can be enjoyed for reading, relaxing and at the same time cosy, but also opened up for entertaining.

Have you witnessed any recurring requests from your clients?

Nearly all are spaces that don’t work for clients and their lifestyles. Usually they have a property, which they have lived in for a while or acquired and it just doesn’t work in terms of the flow and how they want to use the space.

It could be something as simple as altering door swings, moving walls that are non-structural, new storage and lighting.

1. The clients were struggling with the layout and feel for this room before Emile began the project 2. The solution for this brief was to create three distinct zones in the room using furniture without dividing the room physically 3. The elements in this room were tied together with the decoration, lighting and furniture 4. Emile believes finding a pathway into the industry is the biggest hurdle newly-qualified interior designers

Do you have a preferred colour palette that you enjoy working with?

I am not influenced by the everchanging seasonality of interiors, but always tend to work at the warmer end of the spectrum in terms of colour.

Can you please talk us through the brief that you received for the Dulwich kitchen project?

The brief from the client was to create a sociable kitchen, combining the old kitchen with a separate dining room, creating a space for both cooking and entertaining, offering the perfect backdrop for relaxed living, particularly as the client enjoyed cooking and entertaining at the same time. Getting the format right, however, was not as simple as just providing a table and chairs.

Logistically, this meant removing what in essence was the back wall of the house and opening up the space with an extension.

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How do you personally feel that you fulfilled this brief?

The most important thing was the clients were extremely happy with the end result.

The client often says that they don’t want to leave the space to go to work! It has become the main living space and as the clients regularly hold dinner parties, it also works on lots of levels, being a sociable space but also one that is hardwearing and practical.

The cooking and preparation areas are away from the entertaining space meaning the cooks can get on unhindered, but at the same time connected with their guests.

What do you believe is of utmost importance when it comes to the interior design?

First and foremost, it is listening to your clients, but using your knowledge to guide them. It is sometimes about thinking outside the box and offering a different solution and leading clients to something they may not have thought of buying answers the brief.

What advice would you offer to those that are considering a career in interior design?

Interior designers have to wear many hats, so as well as design, you need to get some business experience. It can be working for another designer or it can be working in a different industry and then transferring.

You have to be able to listen, as the biggest pitfall is not answering the client brief. You also have to have an eye for detail and be rigorous and detailed in how you work.

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What do you believe is the biggest challenge for newly-qualified interior designers?

Finding a pathway into the industry is the biggest hurdle. You need to gain experience either working in the industry in an associated area, like a supplier, or an associated field.

Do you have any favourite suppliers for your interior schemes?

Cork from Granorte – for its intrinsic acoustic, environmental and anti-bacterial properties, lights from Original BTC, for their reinvention of the potteries, and artisan skills, furniture from Ercol – still producing and designing in the UK and wool fabric from Abraham Moon and Sons, in amazing textures and colours and keeping British manufacturing in textiles. chameleondesignsinteriors.co.uk « INEX-ONLINE.COM

14 INSPIRE

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Inex rounds up the winners of this month’s prestigious Restaurant & Bar Design Awards The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, now in its ninth year, is a globally recognised competition dedicated to the design of food and beverage spaces.

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his covers every imaginable space, from ships to airports, museums to burger vans, and from revered Michelin-starred establishments to the fleeting dynamism of pop-ups.

The awards attract the world’s top designers, hospitality operators and judges from the UK and globally. Recent names include Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma, Foster & Partners, Stephen Alden, Gordon Ramsay, Tony Chambers (Editor in Chief, Wallpaper*), Alberto Alessi, Thomas Heatherwick and many more.

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The awards ceremony was held at London’s King’s Cross on the 5th October 2017. Judged by a panel of some of the most influential personalities in design, hospitality and lifestyle globally, this annual edition of the awards attracted 980 entries from the UK and 70 other countries.

The winners This year, The Penny Drop – a restaurant in Melbourne, Australia designed by Golden – and Westlight – a bar in New York, USA – designed by Studio Munge were crowned the Overall Winners of the 2017 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.

The Penny Drop began life as a little coffee pop-up in Box Hill, where hundreds of bleary-eyed commuters dropped by every morning to get their freshly prepared coffees. After seeing its customers’ enthusiasm for the brand and realising that there was a gap in the market for

02 a vibrant all-day eatery in Box Hill, the penny metaphorically dropped for the owners. Golden used a circular motif throughout the space in homage to the suburb’s Chinese history.

Today, The Penny Drop is a permanent 100-seater restaurant sitting on the ground floor of the newly-refurbished ATO building on Whitehorse Road. Designed

by Golden, the space effortlessly combines high ceilings and muted earthy tones to create a warm and inviting oasis – perfect for diners wanting to escape the daily Melbourne grind.

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06 1. This year, The Penny Drop won Best Overall Restaurant 2. After seeing its customers’ enthusiasm for the brand the penny metaphorically dropped for the owners 3. Golden used a circular motif throughout the space in homage to the suburb’s Chinese history 4. The Penny Drop began life as a little coffee pop-up 5. The Penny Drop is a permanent 100-seater restaurant 6. The space effortlessly combines high ceilings and muted earthy tones 7. The Penny Drop is fresh, colourful but tasteful

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“The Penny Drop is fresh, colourful but tasteful and has a good use of different materials that all interrelate to each other” Judge Scott Brown, company Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Hipgroup

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Westlight is a 22nd-floor rooftop bar from Chef Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group featuring sweeping views of New York City from atop The William Vale in Williamsburg. Studio Munge’s modernised industrial design connects international travellers and urbanites alike through glowing interiors that complement the spectacular open vistas overlooking Manhattan. Inspired

by Williamsburg’s eclectic diversity, Westlight has cultivated an intimate and uncontrived community of free-tinkers. Making the guest feel instantly at ease, the black iron, natural stones, warm leathers and sensual velvets cohabitate here in perfect harmony. Westlight is a bold yet graceful design statement that challenges stereotypes and successfully represents a new generation of thinking.

“Westlight has a beautiful use of light and way of incorporating and maximising the view. I love the use of different furniture and colours to define different areas.”

Judge Rainer Becker, Founder of Azumi

1. Westlight was crowned Best Overall Bar 2. Westlight is a 22nd-floor rooftop bar 3. Studio Munge’s modernised industrial design connects international travellers and urbanites alike 4. The interior complements the spectacular open vistas overlooking Manhattan 5. The bar features featuring sweeping views of New York City 6. Westlight has a beautiful use of light 7. The black iron, natural stones, warm leathers and sensual velvets cohabitate here in perfect harmony

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02 Another 35 category winners, including Best UK Winners – with Fucina winning Best Overall UK Restaurant and The Escapologist winning Best Overall UK Bar – were revealed at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards winners ceremony, which took place at London’s King’s Cross.

The theme for this year’s awards ceremony was ‘Soundscape’. Three Restaurant & Bar designers – SHH, Design Command and Haptic Architects – each created a cuttingedge space inspired by sound, with the spaces theatrically revealed on the night of the awards.

The awards ceremony was attended by over 700 of the UK and world’s best designers, and their clients responsible for the design of the most innovative food and beverage spaces. restaurantandbardesignawards.com « INEX-ONLINE.COM

1. Björk by Murman Architects, Leisure winner 2. JIS by The Wholedesign, Asia bar winner 3. Coppa Club by Inhouse Design, PopUp winner 4. LEXY by Dyer-Smith Frey, Nightclub winner 5. Fucina by Andy Martin Architecture, London Restaurant winner 6. Nelson’s Diner by Prosper, Fast/Casual winner 7. The Kitty Hawk by Russell Sage Studio, London Bar winner 8. Mi Chola by Davis Ink Murals & Graffiti winner 9. Piccolino by Hachem, Australia & Pacific restaurant winner 10. Colicci by Mizzi Studio, Outside winner

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Ion Glass specialise in bespoke architectural and structural glass installations for commercial, residential and heritage buildings

www.ionglass.co.uk

0345 658 9988 INEX-ONLINE.COM

20 DOMESTIC FURNITURE

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Paris is always a good idea Amongst the passion and inspiration of the city and following the aftermath of Maison & Objet’s Paris Design Week, somewhere in Clichy – in the ninth arrondissement of Paris – there is a stunning place that was the subject of a home makeover by interior design studio, 10surdix, and the finished result looks as if it has been taken straight out of a movie.

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s Audrey Hepburn famously said in the film ‘Sabrina’, “Paris is always a good idea” and this quote is more believable than ever now that we’re a little bit obsessed with that Parisian Je ne sais quoi after Maison & Objet in September.

Maison & Objet’s Paris Design Week is fast becoming the definitve cultural counterpoint that is raising the bar for design weeks across the world.

Overlapping the Maison & Objet Paris show and uniting the French and an increasingly international design community, the Paris Design Week city becomes immersed in promenades, cocktails, exhibitions INEX-ONLINE.COM

– culminating into the celebration of emerging talents and inspiration for many interior designers.

Monocles sideboard The French team from interior design studio 10surdix recently created an inspiring modern home filled with industrial accents and a Mid-Century sideboard ensuring that the interior of this abode is one that won’t be forgotten.

At the very centre of this scheme is the Monocles sideboard. This movie-inspired sideboard makes all the difference in the room. With dark walnut and gold-plated brass finishes, this Mid-Century piece can light up a room all by itself. The Monocles’

03 circles are engraved to the back and side of the unit, giving it extreme character and a high-end finished look. It is a perfect furniture piece for retro lovers or Mid-Century admirers, giving the knurling knobs on the drawers or the tapered legs.

The open-plan living of this remodelled home is very characteristic of industrial interiors. The more modern and slightly bohemian look of the overall appearance was achieved not only by Essential Home’s Monocles sideboard but also by DelightFULL’s minimalist Clark chandelier.

Deciding to use an oversized mirror simply placed against the wall was a clever way to convey a relaxed Parisian vibe in such a wide space as this living room. The concrete wall behind the television was given a special touch with the hand-painted flowers on the top.

The canopy between the master bedroom and the corridor was done especially for this sole purpose in the studio’s workshops near Paris. The wall fixtures are also bespoke pieces. essentialhome.eu «

21 DOMESTIC FURNITURE 1. Deciding to use an oversized mirror simply placed against the wall was a clever way to convey a relaxed Parisian vibe 2. 10surdix recently created an inspiring modern home filled with industrial accents and a Mid-Century sideboard 3. The finished result looks as if it has been taken straight out of a movie 4. The Monocles’ circles are engraved to the back and side of the unit, giving it extreme character 5. A perfect furniture piece for retro lovers or Mid-Century admirers 6. The open-plan living of this remodelled home is very characteristic of industrial interiors 7. The concrete wall behind the television was given a special touch with the handpainted flowers

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8. Somewhere in Clichy – in the ninth arrondissement of Paris – there is a stunning place that was the subject of a home makeover

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22 EXRATED

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London’s ultimate roof terrace Robin McAfee has converted the roof of a former town hall in Bermondsey into a roof terrace combining luxurious living with panoramic views of the city.

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he brief was to create a low-maintenance terrace that reflected the interior design of the home and would be a place where the client could socialise or relax after a long day.

Previously, the roof had been covered with plywood and astroturf. This combination holds water and the wood was rotting a few years after installation. There was no planting and the terrace felt exposed and unfriendly. McAfee chose to replace it with an ipe hardwood decking stained with a Sioo wood protector to accelerate the ageing process and create an even, silver-grey effect in weeks. The decking pattern has variation to create interest and demarcate different ‘rooms’ in the roof garden.

The garden is entered via a spiral staircase. LED strips on each step ensure safety and create a dramatic light sculpture. At the top of the steps there is a kitchen and bar area where you can pick up a glass of something refreshing and head on into the garden or chat to whoever is manning the BBQ. As well as a fridge and BBQ unit, the kitchen has a Quooker tap – providing permanent hot water so a quick cup of tea can be made all year round.

Under the sink is a battery-controlled irrigation system to water the plants. The Wi-Fi and Sonos sound system are based in another compartment which means the client can play their favourite music from a mobile phone through 360° speakers hidden around the garden.

From the kitchen area you move to the dining area – protected from sun and minor showers by parasols with heavy concrete bases to withstand the wind. It’s always worth thinking of sun when designing a roof terrace and INEX-ONLINE.COM

if building restrictions prevent a permanent structure then strong parasols are a great alternative.

Plugs around the garden allow discreet portable heaters to be placed nearby and extend usage of the garden in the evening. Portable LED lanterns can be moved around to where they are needed.

The ‘living room’ area is screened off by large planters that run across the centre of the terrace and around the back. These are fibreglass to remain lightweight and have a faux-lead finish. There is a huge L-shaped sofa here and views of the city of London are left unobstructed.

All the furnishings are waterproof.

Accent cushions prevent them from being too blocky and the colours complement the planting rather than dominate it. The waterproof carpet with matching pouffe finish the look and make it feel as comfortable and relaxing as a room inside.

The planting is largely Mediterranean with some grasses.

Mediterranean plants have silver leaves that reflect light and reduced

02 leaf temperature to cope with full sun. They are generally small and tough and can deal with wind. Olive trees, weeping rosemary and several varieties of lavender combine well together and create a strong theme.

Large rectangular blocks of Prunus lusitanica – a tough evergreen hedging shrub – provide privacy and a sense of enclosure. The colour scheme for the flowers is blue, white and purple. The flowering season begins early with Iris reticulata ‘J.S. Dijt’ bulbs emerging in February and continues all the way through until the last of the Verbena bonariensis ‘Lollipop’ finish flowering in November.

Robin McAfee has a degree in English literature and a diploma in garden design. He has a reputation for building gardens that are contemporary but not over formal.

He describes this job as: “A dream – I got to work with a friendly and creative client who cares about design and was supported by an excellent team of landscapers who delivered the vision”. robinmcafee.co.uk «

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1. The brief was to create a low-maintenance terrace that reflected the interior design of the home and would be a place where the client could socialise 2. McAfee chose to use an ipe hardwood decking stained with a Sioo wood protector to accelerate the ageing process and create an even, silver-grey effect in weeks 3. The colour scheme for the flowers is blue, white and purple 4. There is a huge L-shaped sofa here and views of the city of London are left unobstructed 5. The dining area is protected from sun and minor showers by parasols 6. The decking pattern has variation to create interest and demarcate different ‘rooms’ in the roof garden

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24 BEDROOM While leading hotel chains and brands have dominated the hospitality industry for decades, there can be no doubt that smaller, more niche boutique hotels, have emerged as a global phenomenon

The evolution of the bedroom

British bed manufacturer and Royal Warrant Holder, Hypnos, has been crafting bespoke, made-to-measure mattresses and beds for the finest homes, hotels, resorts and spas from around the world for over 100 years. John Woolley, Managing Director of Hypnos Contract Beds, discusses the evolution of the hotel bedroom and how today’s hotels have turned every indulgence and convenience into a standard necessity.

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ver the last 100 years some innovative hotels have helped pave the way for hotel bedrooms to evolve into modern accommodation marvels.

Because of their foresight and progressiveness, these groundbreaking properties have forever changed the future of the industry, enabling guests to expect and demand increasingly more.

Boutique look and feel While leading hotel chains and brands have dominated the hospitality industry for decades, there can be no doubt that smaller, more niche boutique hotels, have INEX-ONLINE.COM

emerged as a global phenomenon and will continue to set the tone when it comes to both style and experience for customers.

More and more hotel guests now want a truly special hospitality experience and stylish, decadent interiors come as standard as part of this. It is absolutely essential to have a statement piece in any luxury boutique bedroom design.

Designers are using headboards to incorporate colour and texture to a room while adding a sense of height and grandeur. For an elegant look, large-format winged headboards, which run all the way to the floor, are being incorporated to create a focal point and an elaborate space.

Increasingly, more consumers are trying to recreate the luxury boutique feel in their own bedrooms and adding a stylish designer headboard has become the perfect way to achieve this. A headboard can completely transform the look and feel of a bedroom, so designers are choosing decadent colours and fabrics, making the bed the focal point of the room. Pairing a designer headboard and bed base upholstered in matching fabric is perfect for recreating the boutique look in the home.

A sanctuary of calm Whether sleeping, lounging, working or watching TV, the bedroom has progressively become an extension of the living room in many households as consumers use this space as a sanctuary and escape. This now has to be emulated in hotel bedrooms as guests demand a home-from-home experience.

As any hotelier knows, creating the right environment and ambience for sleep are now vital factors in producing the best possible experience for guests who are continually on the go.

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26 BEDROOM

02

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03 When it comes to recreating this oasis of calm, designers today are looking to emulate a happy, restful space where busy hotel guests can relax and unwind. By using a palette of natural hues, designers are enhancing the sense of calm in hotel bedrooms. Cushions and throws are being introduced to add subtle accents of colour.

Getting a restful night’s sleep can often be difficult for guests, with noise, light and other outside influences having an effect. Designers are installing adjustable bedroom lighting to create a calming and restful environment which can help encourage guests to relax and wind down.

Today’s traveller is working more hours than ever before so it is essential that the bed offers the right type of support to ensure a restful night’s sleep. Mattresses containing natural materials are best to achieve this as they help to create a microclimate in and around the body, helping to manage and regulate sleep patterns and consumers are now more than ever, keen to understand the ‘science’ behind their great night’s sleep.

With this in mind, more and more hoteliers are looking to invest in beds that offer more than just comfort. They need to have that science behind the product to back up why they’ve chosen it. The use of pressure mapping to test out the durability and comfort of a mattress is on the rise in the hospitality market along with the need for more information around the make-up of a mattress.

Fillings and materials used to make the bed area now of INEX-ONLINE.COM

increasing interest, especially as consumers are now more ethicallyaware. This means they look for hotels featuring beds that have used sustainable products and ethical production methods in its creation.

Space-saving solutions Today’s hotel rooms are getting smaller. The size has decreased since the 1990s where the average hotel room size was over 350ft2 compared to 330ft2 today. Some are even smaller, measuring just 183ft2.

Therefore, space in any hotel room is a premium and considering both the creative and functional use is now more important than ever, designers are seeking to give guests everything they need in a compact space.

Lots of furniture in a room, for example, is not only overwhelming, but also an inefficient use of space.

Furniture that is multi-functional and custom designed to fit is on the increase. Designers are opting for beds with in-built storage, such as a

super-storage bed base, in a bid to free up space in the bedroom and create a relaxing haven.

The importance of tech In a competitive marketplace, hotels are increasingly recognising the importance of technology – the expectation for tech in the bedroom is on the rise and not something designers have been able to ignore.

50 to 100 years ago, hotels were seen as aspirational – they were what people wanted in their own homes. Whereas now, things have changed so quickly that people already have a great deal of tech in their own homes, so it’s extremely important that designers are ahead of the game.

From HD TVs, to high-speed internet access and MP3 docking stations, hotel rooms now offer it all. Designers have also had to incorporate lighting and climate control systems to allow guests to set these remotely to suit their changing moods.

27 BEDROOM

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05 RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) door lock for keyless entry to a hotel room and other areas of the hotel is becoming more popular in hotels across the world. New technology has also been developed to allow guests to use any brand of mobile phone to gain access to their hotel room, so they don’t have to worry about their keys at all.

What’s more, technology in the bedroom doesn’t have to be confined to electrical devices. Bed manufacturing technology has also developed in line with guest expectations, incorporating features that enhance the sleep experience such as moisture control and allergen and bedbug protection.

De-cluttering with practical ideas There is a growing demand from the hospitality sector today for versatile hotel rooms which can adapt to an increasing number of guests. Filling a room with two or three separate beds can look cluttered and uninviting – not the right look when trying to create a relaxing and harmonious environment.

By adding a sofa bed, such as those made by Hypnos, designers are creating a great storage solution as well as a multi-functional bedroom that is practical, stylish and includes comfortable additional seating. Furthermore, it’s giving hoteliers the opportunity to turn a guest suite into a family room when needed, meaning there’s the possibility they can generate additional revenue without having to find additional space or sacrificing the visual appeal of a room. hypnosbeds.com «

1. It is essential that the bed offers the right type of support to ensure a restful night’s sleep 2. More and more hoteliers are looking to invest in beds that offer more than just comfort 3. Whether sleeping, lounging, working or watching TV, the bedroom has progressively become an extension of the living room 4. A headboard can completely transform the look and feel of a bedroom, so designers are choosing decadent colours and fabrics

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5. Designers today are looking to emulate a happy, restful space where busy hotel guests can relax and unwind 6. More and more hotel guests now want a truly special hospitality experience 7. It is absolutely essential to have a statement piece in any luxury boutique bedroom design

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28 EXPOSE

The Awkward Series A new yoga-inspired range of tables – the Awkward Series – is the first collection of furniture designed by rising star Jonathan Mizzi.

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very so often a furniture design comes along that tears up the rule book with its uniqueness, exclusiveness and originality. The Awkward Table does just that.

The creation – and first collection – of award-winning Designer Jonathan Mizzi, whose eponymous studio has just been nominated for ‘Best Breakthrough Talent’ by FX no less, received its first public outing last month at Decorex International – the mecca for the world’s best interior designers.

Mizzi is known for projects spanning high-end design, architecture and art, for his futuristic techniques and now for the Awkward Series.

The line is made up of a limited edition range including an eightseater dining table, a two- to four-seater table and a coffee table.

The inspiration for the series comes from an unlikely source – yoga. Captivated by the perfect state of balance, strength and poise of Bikram yoga’s ‘awkward’ pose, Mizzi resolved to try and capture this in sculptural form. Added into the formal mix is Mizzi’s affinity with sci-fi and animation – as well as Art Deco and NeoFuturistic architectural design. With its graceful curves and fluid form, the table appears to be suspended in motion.

“The perfectly balanced legs are designed to loop around you,” explains Mizzi. “So much so that sitting at the head of the table becomes an immersive experience – you become one with the table.”

Not that the construction of said legs was without its problems.

Their continuous curving is not a natural way to support a surface, and in order to make the ‘tip-toeing’ design stable, Mizzi and his team spent months perfecting aluminium honeycomb and stainless steel internal structures. To enhance the impression of fluidity – but without loss of stability – glass fibre was chosen for the table’s body.

The exclusiveness of the Awkward Series is reinforced by the fact that each piece has its own mould. Users can also choose their own luxurious metallic finish – copper, gun metal, or gold – each sprayed with a unique liquid metal in a tinting technique used by Formula One cars. A gold finished coffee table was designed as a limited edition piece for the Decorex launch. The polished, reflective metal finishes enhance the table’s dynamic sculptural stance through crisp reflections and highlights. The Awkward Series proposes a dramatic metamorphosis of traditional table posture, making each of its tables an elegant centrepiece for eclectic spaces. mizzi.co.uk « Lighting/photography – Matthew McCormick Here: The inspiration for the series comes from an unlikely source – yoga Inset: The exclusiveness of the Awkward Series is reinforced by the fact that each piece has its own mould Top right: Captivated by the perfect state of balance, strength and poise of Bikram yoga’s ‘awkward’ pose, Mizzi resolved to try and capture this in sculptural form Right: In order to make the ‘tip-toeing’ design stable, Mizzi and his team spent months perfecting aluminium honeycomb and stainless steel internal structures

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29 EXPOSE

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30 OFFICE DESIGN

Why employee experiences in the workplace matter Much time is devoted to enhancing customer journeys, so surely it’s time for brands to start looking after their biggest fans – their employees. With the likes of Google, Facebook and Airbnb pushing the limits of workplace design, other companies are seeing the value of investing in team journeys too. Mariann Wenckheim, Director at London-based strategic design consultancy 20.20, explains further.

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n recent years, we’ve seen how brands have perfected the art of the customer journey, creating legions of loyal fans in the process. Engaging with the people who vote with their money and broadcast their experiences is vital for commercial success – and, unsurprisingly, businesses invest heavily in customer touchpoints like stores, websites and social media channels.

While customer experience is at the heart of every strong brand, we also need to consider the people behind these experiences. After all, they are the ones who give it the authenticity and transparency it needs to be loved and admired.

Dedicated teams pour every ounce of energy into their work, revelling in the sense of ownership and achievement it brings. They are powerful brand ambassadors, so let’s INEX-ONLINE.COM

treat them with the same respect we have finally granted customers.

Just as brands have embraced the customer-centric approach, I believe it’s time to think about employee journeys. Drawing inspiration from retail and leisure, companies of all sizes and from all sectors are seeing the benefits of creating engaging experiences in workplaces too, as we found when we undertook a major project for a global pharmaceutical company last year.

The brief was to design an environment that encouraged chance encounters between coworkers and nurtured creativity and collaboration in a diverse community of very smart – and rational – scientists.

Lessons from retail When talking about workplace trends, the word that comes up time and again is ‘agile’. As leases get shorter, technology gets more portable and hours become more flexible, employers are increasingly turning traditional office formats on their head.

Just as retailers ask us to design fixtures and layouts that can be adapted, whether for daytime shopping, events or future vision, this brief asked us to consider multi-purpose spaces that can comfortably and cleverly accommodate a variety of work tasks.

31 OFFICE DESIGN SLATE

Above left: Drawing inspiration from retail and leisure, companies of all sizes and from all sectors are seeing the benefits of creating engaging experiences in workplaces Above: 20.20 balanced enclosed zones for quiet concentration and

To achieve this, we balanced enclosed zones for quiet concentration and private calls with open social spaces and areas for collaborative teamwork and meetings. The result was a vibrant and efficient eco-system that supports everyday activities, while also being future-proof and able to accommodate growth.

Within the office, we introduced ‘working neighbourhoods’ to ensure the resources a team needs are always close to hand. Planning the adjacencies and sight-lines of these neighbourhoods was a similar process to zoning in large retail outlets – the idea was to develop distinct, yet connected areas for people to work and interact.

We also looked at how we could make best use of natural light and acoustics, as well as the way people move around the office, to create destination spaces with the right atmosphere for the type of work being undertaken.

private calls with open social spaces and areas for collaborative teamwork and meetings Left: When talking about workplace trends, the word that comes up time and again is ‘agile’

Lessons from leisure The most accomplished business leaders know that keeping their team motivated is crucial for success, so providing an environment where people feel engaged and connected to their role is less about rational management and more about emotional storytelling.

We know from our work with sports clubs and their fanatical followers that helping people feel like they belong through design is the best way to drive and reward loyalty.

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32 OFFICE DESIGN

Inspiring the workforce could simply come down to writing the brand vision on the wall, though in most cases it requires a little more imagination. Key to nurturing a sense of pride and belonging is finding a way to express and live the company brand values and personality throughout the space.

Encouraging teams to embrace and explore the brand for every working day of the year requires a subtle but no less rigorous approach to storytelling – however, this does not need to be lofty or even brand-led.

In fact, it can be as simple as sharing current work and progress with each other, and for the pharmaceutical team meant celebrating their inventions. As such, we designed a much-loved kinetic installation, which looks a little like the old-fashioned penny spinners, to give people a space and a ceremony to gather round and acknowledge team contributions when a project reached a given milestone.

People-led As we approach a leisure or hospitality design project, the first thing we do is talk to the people who actually use the space. As we observe the flows, and listen to customers and colleagues about their hopes and frustrations, we are challenged to come up with more creative solutions.

It was these thought processes that guided the workspace project too. During a workshop with the pharma business, we asked the scientists and professionals to walk in the shoes of others who would use their building. By imagining themselves as colleagues, visitors, cleaners, clients or students, our scientists were able to express new needs for their space, enriching the design brief for each touchpoint with a new layer of depth and clarity.

Not only do the neighbourhoods we designed take everyday activities into account, they also respond to INEX-ONLINE.COM

different personalities in the office. Open-plan spaces are not popular with everyone, even if they are open to collaboration and chance encounters.

After interviewing the chemists, for instance, we discovered that they find great inspiration in nature, so we made sure to incorporate as many natural materials and green features as possible. The process of involving the whole team in our design process means that, in the future, the working protocols of the space will continue to evolve naturally.

Overall, this is a space that feels intuitive and familiar in a way that means managers do not need to articulate explicit rules, for example, we installed perch seating in the phone booths so people naturally do not linger there for long.

Final thoughts Providing a place for scientific collaboration was the focus of this project, and having a positive commercial impact on the business was paramount.

Developing a positive office culture means more than offering a pool table, a bowl of complimentary bananas or a gym membership.

Having a motivated workforce that feels connected to the brand is about supporting loyal teams who want to deliver great work, both on their own and on the brand’s behalf.

As with retail and hospitality, workplace demands are incredibly complex and they need to engage, inspire, inform, enable, support and enrich at every touchpoint.

By developing a responsive space, sharing stories and removing barriers between colleagues, the scientists we worked alongside now feel more connected to each other, their work, the company and their space every day of the week.

The team, i.e. the most loyal advocates from within, reported that their space had become instrumental to building trust with new clients and winning new business.

20.20.co.uk ÂŤ

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So, whether your desired look is to ‘blend in’ and disappear, or to be an eye-catching feature, Hamilton has it covered.

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34 STONE

Quartz surfaces - the new high-end choice?

Over the last 20 years, natural stone surfaces have landed in more and more kitchen designs – from granite to marble, soapstone to concrete – these types of surfaces have become a prevalent choice among designers but now there’s a new countertop must-have on the design scene: engineered quartz.

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Above: The apartments offer the option of premium quartz worktops, splashbacks and vanities in beautifully contrasting colours Below: Unlike stone, engineered quartz countertops offer an array of other design possibilities

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ombining the best qualities of laminate and stone, as well as boasting its own special features, has ensured that the use of quartz countertops has truly grown in popularity – especially in high-end developments.

The new Long & Waterson development, which will showcase 119 stunning one-, two- and three-bed apartments offers the option of premium quartz worktops, splashbacks and vanities in beautifully contrasting colours.

The project is the result of an exciting collaboration between the developer’s London and New York design teams; drawing the best inspiration from both cities’ way of life into character-filled apartments.

Unlike stone, engineered quartz countertops offer an array of other design possibilities. Because it’s more flexible to work with and is held in place using glue and epoxy rather than screws, quartz can be used on larger vertical surfaces like kitchen splashbacks, without the fissures and seams that are often all too visible with natural stone.

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36 STONE

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03 In contrast to other types of stone countertops, quartz is durable as it resists staining or corrosion from cooking oils, liquids and most household cleaning products meaning there is no need for regular resealing of the surface.

Although some quartz countertops are actually made of quarried slabs of the natural stone, a high percentage are man-made, formed by combining the new engineered material created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 90 to 95% ground natural quartz with between 5 to 10% polymer resins. This forms a super-hard, granite-like, low-maintainance natural stone-look countertop that is available in an array of colours. The appearance of the quartz countertop depends on how the quartz is ground – if it is coarsely ground, the quartz produces a flecked appearance, whereas a finely ground quartz produces a much smoother look.

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04 Steven Gibbs, Commercial Manager at Caesarstone, says: “As a global leader in solid quartz surfaces renowned for having the best colours in the industry, Caesarstone is completely at home in this development alongside fellow premium brands such as Miele and Poliform Varenna that carry a great synergy with our product. We are confident that as soon as prospective buyers step into the striking show apartments they will conjure up visions of happy and sociable mealtimes with friends and family in the kitchen and dining areas. We look forward to much success with our partners Long & Waterson.”

Lior Rabinovitz, Chief Operating Officer at Long & Waterson, comments: “Our architect team chose Caesarstone for this project as it is globally-recognised as a pioneering and innovative surface brand, often pushing design boundaries with its colours and designer collaborations. The surfaces are incredibly hard-wearing and renowned for their durability. We specified Organic White and Vanilla Noir as they’ll provide the striking first impression our clients expect when purchasing an apartment of this calibre.” caesarstone.co.uk «

37 STONE

02 1: A high percentage of quartz countertops are man-made, formed by combining the new engineered material created through a manufacturing process 2: Mixing approximately 90 to 95% ground natural quartz with between 5 to 10% polymer resins forms a super-hard, granite-like, low-maintainance natural stone-look countertop 3: In contrast to other types of stone countertops, quartz is durable as it resists staining or corrosion from cooking oils, liquids and most household cleaning products

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4: Some quartz countertops are actually made of quarried slabs of the natural stone 5: Caesarstone is completely at home in this development alongside fellow premium brands 6: The appearance of the quartz countertop depends on how the quartz is ground – if it is coarsely ground, the quartz produces a flecked appearance, whereas a finely ground quartz produces a much smoother look

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7: Caesarstone is globallyrecognised as a pioneering and innovative surface brand, often pushing design boundaries with its colours and designer collaborations

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38 CEILINGS & ACOUSTICS

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A focal point that will be remembered long after the noise has gone Noise significantly impacts our experiences in any indoor environment such as hotels, restaurants, workplaces, recording studios, and, of course, our very own private sanctuaries; our homes. To control noise and give ourselves the pleasure of no echo, no reflection sound that muddles amplified speech and music, the use of acoustic sound absorbing panels is indeed a life-saving option.

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oundtect has just launched a new ceiling product which will be presented at the Surface Design Show in Islington from February 7 to 9th to create a stunning design feature whilst addressing the noise experienced in rooms as the result of sound bouncing off ceilings, floors and other hard surfaces.

Soundtect offers a solution but offering a highly attractive and efficient range of design-led acoustic panels which sit perfectly in any environment.

Designers and architects alike take great care to provide their clients with a visually appealing space made of glass, marble, brick, wood, metal, granite and other hard surfaces but overlook the impact the selected materials will have on a rooms noise levels.

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For restaurant projects, besides inventive dishes and an aweinspiring decor, sound ambience is often the most direct factor impacting a customer’s experience while out for a meal. As guests assemble in a restaurant with no sound-proof design, their voices will begin to carry. Given that only a mere 5% of the echoes produced in the room can be absorbed by hard, reflective surfaces, the remaining 95% will continue to carry through the space, creating an unpleasant

background noise that pushes conversations to raise up and causes feelings of discomfort and strain to guests.

This problem can be solved through adding sound absorption, and by installing acoustic panels the design doesn’t need to be compromised.

Of course, the layout of a room may not cater for the addition of acoustic panels, especially if there is a lack of wall space. Open-plan areas and glass partitioned rooms create

39 CEILINGS & ACOUSTICS

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04 a hive of reverberation and lack of privacy, but this doesn’t mean they can’t be treated.

In fact, the ceiling being the largest expanse of flat reflective area, is the prime location for the addition of acoustic panels and in many cases the only available space to do so.

The beauty of the acoustic solutions Soundtect offers is that they allow the reverberation treatment to be very much a part of the design and in many cases the feature in an otherwise understated concept.

It is really easy to create a mix of minimal calm with a sound absorbing focal point that will be remembered long after the noise has gone. soundtect.com «

1: Soundtect has just launched a new ceiling product 2: The product creates a stunning design feature whilst addressing the noise experienced in rooms 3: Designers take great care to provide their clients with a visually appealing space of hard surfaces but overlook the impact the selected materials will have on a rooms noise levels 4: Given that only 5% of the echoes produced in the room can be absorbed by hard, reflective surfaces, the remaining 95% will continue to carry through the space 5: By installing acoustic panels the design doesn’t need to be compromised

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40 NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Investing in the very latest technology VDA is a family-owned company based in Italy. Formed over 35 years ago, the company began providing in-room controls and TV systems. Now in its 14th year in Ireland, much has evolved in the company as digital technology has progressed.

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DA’s latest project was with the luxury boutique hotel The Address, the newest of the McGettigan Hotels in Dublin.

Warren Edwards, General Manager for VDA Ireland, explains: “The Address is a new hotel by Brian and Ciaran McGettigan, sitting adjacent to the North Star Hotel in Dublin.

Our brief was to design technology with simple and clear controls that add to the luxurious guest experience that the McGettigan’s wished to create in their new property.”

Although The Address and The North Star Hotels will share a new and specially designed reception area, The Address has its own lift to allow guests to access their rooms. As such, in order to meet the unique requirements of this new hotel, VDA created a system specifically to meet that brief.

Warren says: “We designed a keycard which allows the guests of The INEX-ONLINE.COM

Address to access the lift, the doors to the corridors of their rooms, as well as access their own particular room – all from the one key-card designed by VDA.” VDA has developed technology which enhances the guest experience as well as providing cost-saving solutions for hotels.

The technology VDA designed at The Address had such an impact on their guests that reviews such as the below mentioned were shared on TripAdvisor; “…the hotel was very new, lift access was only allowable with our room key.

We were on the fifth floor, rooms are very modern – touch buttons for lights and curtains. Wi-Fi was accessed through the TV with our unique code”.

And another from an American guest, “We spent eight nights at this hotel and would recommend it. It was new with a nice TV bed and bathroom. Cool features like automated lights and curtains”.

The type of systems that VDA installs also can include the controls for electric curtains, which can open and close automatically. Warren explains: “In a south-facing room, for example, the curtains can close automatically when the guest is out of the room, to keep the room cool, but also to save furnishings and upholstery from sun damage. These curtains can also be started and stopped at any point using the TV remote or Ipad. The TV remote also controls the lighting, room temperature and can be used to order in-room services as well as look up local attractions by way of an app installed on the TV. The guest’s mobile and tablet devices can also be used to access this app and avail of the simple to use in-room controls.”

VDA has been investing in the very latest technology that will allow guests to download their key card onto their mobile phone. This makes the guest experience easy and convenient, as they can have access to their room using their mobile phone as their key-card.

Top: VDA has developed technology which enhances the guest experience as well as providing cost-saving solutions for hotels Above: VDA has been investing in the very latest technology that will allow guests to download their key card onto their mobile phone

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42 NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Another feature of the in-room technology which VDA has brought to The Address is the suitable lighting from bed to bathroom.

Warren continues: “We installed PIR sensors so that when guests are in bed, instead of having to turn the lights on to go to the bathroom, a low-wattage light switches on under the bed automatically and lights the way to the bathroom. This enhances comfort and convenience for the guests, them not having to switch on a bright light during the night in order to locate bathroom, and thus also not disturbing their partner.”

VDA has increased its presence in the Irish market, servicing over 65 hotels and 9000 rooms. Another recent addition to the Irish portfolio is the 28-room extension to the Dylan Hotel in Dublin. VDA is also a global company and recently secured a contract with MGM Grand in Macau, China for a 2500-bedroomed hotel.

VDA also is the technology providers to the ‘Hub’ by Premier Inn, it supplies in-room controls to the ALT Hotel group, where its equipment is installed into pod-constructed rooms in Poland, shipped out and erected in Canada.

However, the company continues to develop its services to the hospitality industry by expanding its digital signage for hotels which includes; signage for reception areas, meeting rooms, events as well as F&B service areas. The company has also expanded its support services to the Dublin region.

As VDA’s presence within the Irish hospitality market grows, it is reassuring to know that its attention to its customers’ needs remain as personal as ever. vdauk.com «

Here: The company continues to develop its services to the hospitality industry by expanding its digital signage for hotels which includes; signage for reception areas, meeting rooms, events as well as F&B service areas

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45 INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION

Escaping from reality Architecture firm RG/A is continuing with its transformation of Beirut’s nightlife with the launch of AHM – a ground-breaking dance pantheon located in Beirut, Lebanon.

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46 INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION

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nchored on the upcoming Waterfront District, the new nightclub is situated on 1200m2 of reclaimed land and features a temple-like open top design that aims to reignite the imagination of the city’s club-goers.

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding Mediterranean Sea, mast-like structures and linear lighting dominate the space, mirroring the formation of a ship on the sea and referring to Lebanon’s seafaring ancestors, who would embark on journeys that took them to the “ends of the Earth”.

A circular focal point remains a constant within the space, emulating the iconic rising sun or a full moon and drawing eyes to the neighbouring cityscape outside. The vertical components play with light and provide a wayfaring sense of nostalgia and openness.

Other design elements within the club can adapt to the rolling itinerary of themed nights, allowing adventurers to immerse themselves in an alternative voyage on each visit and create their own story within their minds.

A trip to AHM allows visitors to escape reality and create a narrative that only they will experience. It is this that distinguishes it from the usual nightlife experience; it is not about being seen, it is about creating their own interpretation of their surroundings.

Commenting on the new project, Founder Rabih Geha, states: “AHM took three months from conception to completion, it was a challenging journey and a thrill watching the project set sail on opening night!”.

In a long-term bid to metamorphose Beirut’s current nightlife set-up, Geha explores authentic ways of telling a project’s story to bring in an experience that lasts forever.

Known for its ability to weave architectural tales, RG/A has previously designed nightclub settings for Off and On, Uberhaus and most recently, Pre Beirut. rabihgeha.com « INEX-ONLINE.COM

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1: Architecture firm RG/A is continuing with its transformation of Beirut’s nightlife with the launch of AHM 2: The new nightclub is situated on 1200m2 of reclaimed land 3: A circular focal point remains a constant within the space, emulating the iconic rising sun or a full moon 4: Mast-like structures and linear lighting dominate the space, mirroring the formation of a ship on the sea 5: The nightclub features a temple-like open top design that aims to reignite the imagination of the city’s club-goers 6: Other design elements within the club can adapt to the rolling itinerary of themed nights 7: The vertical components play with light and provide a wayfaring sense of nostalgia and openness 8: The nightclub draws inspiration from the surrounding Mediterranean Sea

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48 THE INDEPENDENT HOTEL SHOW PREVIEW Left: Tailored to the needs of the independent and boutique hotelier, all the sessions cover a diverse mix of insight and advice Below: The show will host an extensive array of seminars, workshops and keynote sessions on its dedicated stages

The Independent Hotel Show returns The Independent Hotel Show, presented by James Hallam Hospitality & Leisure, returns to Olympia, London, on Tuesday 17th October where it will unite the UK’s best independent hoteliers with more than 300 premium suppliers as well as offer valuable business advice and inspiration.

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reative thinking, dynamic approaches, the latest trends and industry issues will be shared and discussed on the Business Stage, the Innovation Stage and in The Sanctuary, where over 100 professionals from all pillars of the luxury, boutique hotel industry will speak in more than 30 seminars.

The two-day event is the luxury and boutique hotel sector’s most comprehensive business event and is bursting with ideas on how to design, enhance and market independent luxury hotels.

Tailored to the needs of the independent and boutique hotelier, all the sessions cover a diverse mix of insight and advice to help build and grow a successful hotel business. From marketing support and recruitment, to Brexit and AI, as well as design and technology trends, the programme will cover the most relevant topics in the industry.

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A key trend in the sector is mindfulness. In The Sanctuary, the new Gymnasium for the Mind by Shape supported by Technogym will incorporate mindfulness and wellbeing in a workshop area where guests will be encouraged to remove shoes and coats, sit on gym balls and exercise their brains in an unusual setting. Workshop topics will include design, artificial intelligence, cyber crime prevention and spas for men.

Leather effects draw on an old-school boxing gym feel, mixed with brass details whilst Farrow and Ball’s Hague Blue casts a lux feel across the space.

The show’s ‘state of the industry’ address features vital intel on the health of the hospitality sector. Hotel expert George Titlow presents a data-driven visual presentation, with both an insightful review of 2017 and essential forecasts for the year ahead.

The show will also host an extensive array of seminars, workshops and keynote sessions on its dedicated stages, and will provide great networking opportunities with industry experts.

Below is a small selection of what to expect.

Thought leader forum George Titlow hosts a panel featuring some of the event’s finest hospitality minds, as they interpret the over-arching trends from this show’s in-house expert’s landmark presentation. In these fast-paced times, do guests want to get away from it all, or do they crave experiences and stimulation? Find out here.

Power couples: owners and operators Owners aren’t always operators too – many hotel success stories include a driven, savvy entrepreneur working alongside an experienced hospitality professional.

Representatives from both roles talk candidly about how to help these complex, but promising, working relationships fulfil their dazzling potential.

The perfect hotel bedroom report Earlier this year, The Independent Hotel Show canvassed thousands of industry influencers and prosumer guests on the subject of their ideal hotel room. Find out who finally wins the battle of soft versus hard mattresses and much, much more in this game-changing survey.

The tech brief Find out all you need to know about this notoriously fastpaced part of your business. The session will concentrate on how to integrate new technology into your existing systems – rather than ripping out the wires and starting over – plus we’ll take a look at some of the more surprising developments, like the trend for retro gadgets and militant ‘no Wi-Fi’ zones. independenthotelshow.co.uk «

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50 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Both CPDs offer double points and meet the RIBA core curriculum subjects of Designing and Building it and Engineering and Compliance

Earn double points with two new CPDs from Rockfon

Rockfon has used its knowledge and technical expertise to create two informative and enjoyable RIBA-accredited CPDs designed to explain the unique benefits of stone wool acoustic ceiling and wall solutions, their suitability for all indoor environments and the design freedom that can be achieved.

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oth CPDs offer double points and meet the RIBA core curriculum subjects of Designing and Building it: design, construction, technology and Engineering and Compliance: legal, regulatory, statutory frameworks and processes.

The CPDs have been very well received with an excellent response as one architect at a major firm expressed: “My colleagues and I were impressed with the CPD from Rockfon. We loved the discussion on architecture and how we can achieve the best performance results without having to compromise on the aesthetics.

Rockfon really understands our needs and challenges when it comes to acoustics and design.”

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‘CPD: Interior Acoustic Surfaces for Monolithic Architecture’ is a must for all architects and designers involved in monolithic building designs.

Traditionally, to achieve good acoustics a tiled, suspended ceiling would be installed. But now, there is no need to compromise on the aesthetic appearance of your project as monolithic systems made from naturallyoccurring stone wool, can achieve Class A sound absorption and also a totally smooth and seamless surface.

Topics covered: What is monolithic architecture?

Designing for both the eyes and the ears Traditional ways of achieving monolithic acoustic finishes Today’s modern, monolithic solution to achieve great aesthetics and acoustics The unique benefits of stone wool monolithic acoustic ceiling and walls

The creative options available for any commercial or residential project that requires a smooth and elegant monolithic surface with outstanding sound absorption for acoustic comfort.

CPD: Natural Benefits of Stone Wool for Acoustic Ceilings and Walls explains how to create beautiful, healthy spaces which protect people from unwanted noise and the spread of fire while making a valuable contribution towards a sustainable future.

Rockfon manufactures a comprehensive range of acoustic solutions including ceiling tiles, baffles, wall absorbers and islands, all made from a 100% stone wool core.

The benefits include: Superior design, aesthetics and ease of installation Exceptional fire resistance and acoustic characteristics Dimensional stability, even in up to 100% relative humidity Non-hygroscopic surface prevents harmful microorganisms 100% recyclable – Rockfon upcycle too, reducing waste.

CPD seminars are presented by one of the Rockfon team who is happy to share their knowledge and experience to answer any questions and offer advice. The seminars are held in the architect’s office, last 45 minutes and a lunch buffet is provided. Everyone who attends receives a certificate of CPD attainment. rockfoncpd@m-spring.com « rockfon.co.uk « 0800 389 0314 «

51 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

First collection from Baranska Design Baranska Design is well known in Europe for its artistic glass installations and is acknowledged as a design leader in the production of fused glass surfaces, commercial water features and decorative lighting found in residential and commercial buildings, hotels, restaurants and bars.

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or many years, Edyta Baranska has worked closely with interior designers and architects in the hospitality, commercial and residential sectors, and has drawn on these experiences to realise a new product platform of unique and functional glass furniture and accessories.

In this first collection we see no less than 25 bold designs that show us a

Lexe seating collection fuses classic with contemporary A fusion of classic and contemporary design is successfully brought to life in a striking upholstered seating collection from Lyndon by Boss Design. Boasting armchair and sofa options, Lexe is a classic piece that is designed to add luxury and panache to both traditional and modern interiors throughout hospitality and corporate settings. The slimline Lexe provides designers and specifiers with tremendous scope and choice. Available as a compact sofa, large sofa, and matching armchair, it can be upholstered in any fabric or leather and comes with either a European Oak or American Black Walnut under frame. lyndon.co.uk 01242 584897

completely new way to mix textures and colours into glass using high-temperature fusing technology. The collection consists of coffee/occasional tables, wall art, mirrors, bowls and lighting to provide designers with a family of products with coordinating colours and effects.

The designs are a culmination of 18 months of research and development not only in the composition and colourways possible, but also in the methods needed to create these designs when fusing two or more layers of glass together and combining that with metal oxides, paints and textures under varying degrees of high temperature.

Using metal oxides creates a far-ranging palette of polychromatic effects and bubbles within the layers of glass, and is prevalent throughout the collection. This fusion of natural pigments bring to life the designs and further enhances the moulded textures in the lower layer of glass, as seen in the vibrant and intense Big Blue! In Moon Shadow, the careful use of oxides and paints creates a representation of the moon and in Quiet Lake, the liberal use of green and blue oxides mimics that of a natural lagoon.

Fusing multiple layers of glass a feel of depth and solidity, and in Gold River Baranska have fused three of together to create a wonderful 3D effect that accentuates the texture/ impression placed into the lower layer of glass during the kilning process. baranskadesign.com « +48 606 605 006 « studio@baranska.pl «

Christopher Hyde Lighting goes contemporary Christopher Hyde Lighting, a leading London lighting specialist, is celebrating a relaunch. The company’s range of products has been updated, bringing a fresh perspective to the proud heritage of the longestablished brand. A new contemporary range of handmade Italian chandeliers, pendants and table lamps will be available in a variety of different finishes. These new ranges will complement the popular traditional collections familiar to Christopher Hyde Lighting’s customers. The new range includes the ‘San Francisco’ table lamp with its purple and black crystal base.

This contemporary piece will add an edge to any timeless interior. christopherhyde.com 0207 351 0863 INEX-ONLINE.COM

52 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Terrazzo floor installation blends heritage with modernity According to the National Federation of Terrazzo, Marble and Mosaic Specialists, the popularity and specification of terrazzo as colourful and high-performance flooring is growing.

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pokesman Brian James comments: “A good example is the new terrazzo floor laid in the reception and lift lobby areas of the Grade II Listed One King William Street development in London which provides an impressive welcome for visitors.”

“Our design intent was to use terrazzo for its robust and hard-wearing performance but also because it is a visually interesting material,” explained Ben Leach of architect practice AAMM. “The grey-white tone chip of the terrazzo with flecks of Thassos and Giallo Siena suitably reflects the palette of materials and colours used throughout.”

Working with an existing building with varying build-ups, it was critical that different thicknesses could be used for the different applications as needed. This required continual review of sizes as site conditions were uncovered during construction. In addition, the requirement of a luxurious inlay in the reception area of two-tone triangular tiles tested skills in design, fabrication and installation.

The installation itself was completed by another NFTMMS member, TRI Contracting. “We won the business as a result of assisting the architects in

Friends of the Earth: creating a positive workplace Environmental campaigning charity, Friends of the Earth, has brought its brand identity to life through the design of its new London-based office space. Interface’s biophilia-inspired Urban Retreat collection was used throughout the office space to mimic elements of nature. The collection offers 11 dynamic modular flooring products, ranging from refined textures to broad organic forms to create an illusion of the natural world. The carpet tiles were utilised in the open-plan office space and represent different aspects of the environment, ranging from textured grass to sandy deserts. interface.com 01274 690690 INEX-ONLINE.COM

specification, samples and advice and competing in the tender costs,” explained TRI’s Brian Connor. “We supplied and installed factory-finish terrazzo tiles to all lift lobbies over seven floors and the bespoke terrazzo pattern tile to main reception.”

The NFTMMS represents companies who wish to maintain and improve the standards of craftsmanship and technical control on which the industry depends. It includes companies involved in terrazzo, mosaic, marble, granite, limestone and quartz and NFTMMS members freely offer technical advice and assistance with specifications. nftmms.co.uk « 0845 609 0050 « bjames@nftmms.org «

Why choose reclaimed wood?

Reclaimed wood will bring character to any interior. It comes with an embedded history and does not conform to a perfect design.

It has indentations, naturally-aged colouring and other scars of wear and tear, however, it holds great visual individuality that will inevitably be admired by anyone who sees it. Chaunceys has a longstanding heritage of supplying the best quality reclaimed materials paired with unparalleled service to both trade and retail customers.

To promote this, it has tailored a catalogue to showcase a sample of its ‘specialist’ reclaimed cladding and flooring options, sourced from all over Europe. As reclaimed wood becomes more available, choosing it can be very ecologically beneficial. chauncey.co.uk 0117 971 3131

53 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Bushboard to exhibit Nuance at Sleep 2017 Bushboard will be at this year’s hotel design event Sleep to showcase its outstanding Nuance bathroom wall panelling.

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ushboard, now part of the Wilsonart Group, and one of the UK’s leading producers of laminate worksurfaces, is exhibiting at the London Design Centre at Sleep.

Jo Gilhooly, Marketing Director for Bushboard, explained: “Sleep has gathered pace over the last few years and is now the must-go-to-show for specification and inspiration in hotels and the hospitality sector. It’s the ideal platform for us to showcase Nuance, a compelling range of bathroom panelling products. Our aim is to change attitudes to what is an unquestionable alternative to tiling with a product that offers stunning design advantages and real savings on installation time, money and ongoing maintenance.”

Nuance panels are manufactured using a patented core that is 100% impervious to water so there is never any danger of warping, peeling or leaking. The panels can be used for walls, around the bath or basin, inside a shower enclosure or to create a true wetroom. Because there is no need for trims or extrusions, Nuance panels present a sleek, seam-free look that is especially effective in smaller bathrooms. The panelling is easy to clean too – no grout lines to attract grime, limescale and mould. All that is needed is a wipe down with a damp cloth and mild detergent.

The Nuance range is supported by a full-colour brochure that shows the range of patterns and finishes available and has detailed plans on how to create different looks including hotel style, a family bathroom and a wetroom. The panels come with a 15-year guarantee and matching laminate worktops are available to complete the look. bushboard.co.uk « 01933 232242 « worktops@bushboard.co.uk «

Bright and beautiful Bloc flooring brings colour to architect’s office

Knightsbridge Furniture presents Bebop and Alfie Knightsbridge has been designing and manufacturing quality British contract furniture for almost 80 years. Bebop is a range of modular seating and booths designed to give the greatest flexibility when selecting furniture to meet any exacting need.

Bebop was designed by international award-winning Furniture Designer David Fox. The Bebop booth and study bays are designed to allow for occasional meetings giving both privacy and comfort, whilst the simple curves of sectional seating is designed to display comfort. Alfie is a striking lounge chair that features angular lines complemented with a masculine finish making it the perfect standalone feature for a meeting room or breakout space. knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk 01274 731900

Eye-catching Bloc solid colour vinyl flooring from commercial flooring specialist Polyflor was recently installed in the refurbished office of Ashworth Parkes Architects in Cambridge. Bloc PUR in the bright yellow Lemon Punch design was selected to add a pop of bold colour to the modern, minimalist office space at Ashworth Parkes Architects’ HQ. The subtler Studio Grey shade from the Bloc collection was used for an upstairs meeting area. Bloc PUR is a vibrant collection of solid colour sheet flooring in a broad spectrum of 16 enticing shades, with a fully pigmented, homogeneous 0.7mm wear layer of pure colour. polyflor.com 0161 767 1111 INEX-ONLINE.COM

54 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Modern Moorish style New from the London Basin Company, the Isabella basin is a stylish modern take on traditional Moorish designs.

Made in pale blue porcelain with a smooth satin finish, its distinctive flower shape is richly embellished with an intricate design of flowers and gemstones in amethyst purple and blue topaz.

London Basin Company’s richly decorated porcelain basins make perfect accent pieces for bathrooms and cloakrooms. Interior Designer Anna Callis, Founder of the company, draws inspiration from her travels, creating her own modern interpretations of traditional Oriental and Middle Eastern patterns.

Every basin is a one-off, hand-finished and generously sized. londonbasincompany.com 0208 749 1267

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Skipton Building Society brings wellbeing to the workplace When Skipton Building Society embarked on the refurbishment of its head office in Skipton, North Yorkshire, it put the wellbeing of its staff firmly on the agenda. With the help of Boss Design, the headquarters has been transformed to provide a multi-functional space. Myriad modular seating by Komac plays a central part in the communal atrium breakout space. Marnie low-back lounge chairs and mobile Portal technology units by Boss Design feature throughout The atrium. For the new formal meeting rooms, Boss Design’s Deploy tables complete with power and data facilities present a highly flexible layout that suits a range of meeting scenarios. Accompanying these are Boss Design’s Trinetic task chairs. bossdesign.com 0207 253 0364

55 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Osmo transforms a garden shed from drab to fab Gone are the days a garden shed was a simple space for tools, paints and varnishes clad with worn, damp wood. Many homeowners are making the lowly garden shed an external feature in its own right. Country Colour offers an opaque, satin wood finish for exterior wood. The range promises premium durability and a rich colour, hiding the natural colour and grain of the wood yet maintaining the wood’s natural texture. The solution not only rejuvenates the wood, but leaves it protected against the unpredictable British weather. Requiring only two coats, it can be applied using a roller or brush and has an approximate drying time of eight to 10 hours. osmouk.com 01296 481220

Seven hotel projects shortlisted for the European AHEAD Awards 2017 – include Kaldewei bathroom solutions The AHEAD awards – of which Kaldewei is a proud sponsor of – recognises exceptional hospitality experience and design which are synonymous with outstanding international hotel architecture. Among the contenders are seven hotel projects featuring baths or shower surfaces made from superior steel enamel from German specialist, Kaldewei.

London, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands were among the locations for these very different shortlisted hotels, but all celebrated creativity, innovation and excellence. kaldewei.com +49 2382 785 210

Iconic Awards 2017: GROHE wins nine awards GROHE has been announced as the winner of nine coveted awards in the categories ‘Product’, ‘Communication’ and ‘Architecture’ in the Iconic Awards. The GROHE Blue Home water system, the Concetto Professional kitchen tap and the Euphoria 260 shower head each won a ‘Best of Best’ Iconic Award 2017 in the ‘Product’ category. GROHE also won an Iconic Awards for its Lineare and Essence Professional tap collections, the concealed shower control element SmartControl Concealed and GROHE Sense and Sense Guard. GROHE has received an Iconic Award in the ‘Architecture’ category for its impressive booth at ISH 2017 in Frankfurt am Main and received an Iconic Award in the ‘Communication’ category. grohe.co.uk 0871 200 3414

Polyflor achieves a BES 6001 ‘Excellent’ rating Polyflor, a UK-leading commercial and residential vinyl flooring specialist, has become the only flooring manufacturer to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating for BES 6001 certification, a standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products as certified by the BRE. After being the first flooring manufacturer to obtain BES 6001 certification in 2015 with a ‘Very Good’ rating, Polyflor has further improved responsible sourcing procedures at its Whitefield and Riverside manufacturing facilities to successfully achieve the highest possible ‘Excellent’ rating. Polyflor remains the only floorcovering manufacturer to obtain the BES 6001 standard. This third-party audited certification gives independent assurance that Polyflor’s products are manufactured conforming to the highest responsible sourcing standards. polyflor.com 0161 767 1111 INEX-ONLINE.COM

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Inex-online.com Interior and exterior design inspiration

The comprehensive online specification portal for interior and exterior design professionals. Inex takes visitors on a virtual journey, inspiring the design community with the latest news, on-trend products and high-profile interviews.

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