SPECIAL REPORT RADISSON BLU GAUTRAIN HOTEL
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RADISSON BLU GAUTRAIN HOTEL: SYMBOLISM IN DESIGN By Stacey Rowan
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Being spoilt for choice, guests can enjoy a cocktail on the outdoor pool terrace.
Given the crucial nature of its locality, The
“Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is designed ac-
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, located in the
cording to a train theme. The floor colours
heart of Sandton next to the Gautrain rail
with red levels and yellow levels symbolise
station, bears symbolism in its design.
different train routes. The lines on the car-
Based on the theme of a train station, the
pet represent a railway and at the end of
concept of the hotel design is represented
each corridor a picture of a train, subway or
through the many train-like design symbols
a train station can be viewed. The room
used within the hotel, with every element
numbers on the door are designed as a dig-
‘talking to’, and giving reference of, the
ital clock, similar to those in trains, and on
Gautrain that faces opposite it.
the 3rd floor next to the guest lift a different
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design, influenced by a subway, was used.
MKV Design, also contributed to putting
This all keeps in line with the Gautrain
this design concept on the fast track. Ac-
theme and it promotes rapid link,� says Jes-
cording to Maria, the use of a local theme
per Henriksen, General Manager, Radisson
should never be unoriginal. If it is, then the
Blu Gautrain Hotel.
hotel itself risks becoming just an imitation of the Gautrain, failing to celebrate the
For the architects – Tower Design Studio Ar-
theme itself. Cleverly, MKV Design made
chitects, led by Werner Alberts – the design
their design for the hotel reference trains,
had to draw people in from the train station,
but in the most subtle way. One example of
whilst capitalising on the idea of the inter-
this entailed the parquet flooring, used ex-
national traveller who is used to the idea of
tensively throughout the public areas using
public transport.
an African teak, being laid in the manner of railway tracks and sleepers instead of con-
Not only were the architects responsible for creating this symbolic design, but international interior designer Maria Vafiadis, of The interior, with its elegant furniture, is sophisticated, modern and avant-garde.
ventional straight-laid planks.
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SETTING A NEW ARCHITECTuRAL STANDARD IN THE SOuTH AFRICAN HOSPITALITY INDuSTRY
through to the trendy décor, the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, managed by Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts, sets a new architectural standard in the South African hospitality industry. Tower Design Studio Architects can take ownership of this new achievement. The brief given to the architects entailed de-
The five distinct brands under the prestig-
signing a high rise, mixed-use development
ious international Rezidor Hotel group
that could accommodate a hotel, a retail
sport a unique style and feel – from world-
component as well as office space. In order
class luxury at Regent; a fashionable stay at
for this to be achieved, the design had to be
Hotel Missoni; cosy hospitality at Country
flexible enough to accommodate all these
Inn and dynamic ambiance with Park Inn –
aspects, together with underground parking
and the Radisson is no exception. From the
garages.
architecture with its classic, clean lines right
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A central core (or rigid spine) within the
demand and in short supply in Johannes-
building was created, which is used to sup-
burg, roof space has become an architec-
port structural columns which flow to the
tural trend. Cleverly, the Radisson Blu
perimeters. Due to budget limitations, pre-
Gautrain Hotel quickly followed this trend,
cast panels for the exterior of the new hotel
with its creation of ZAR, a funky new bar
were put in place. With all this structural
venue, located on the top of the hotel.
mass, and the building’s high density bulk, the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel may be de-
It is through these achievements, amongst
scribed as masculine, bordering on impos-
many others, that the Radisson Blu Gautrain
ing. However, with the architectural design
Hotel has now set a new architectural stand-
of the hotel being of a simple, clean, mod-
ard in the hotel industry – all this being ac-
ern and plain style, it creates for a contem-
complished within two years, from design to
porary feel, decreasing its heavy appear-
completion.
ance on its surroundings. Another unique architectural feature of the hotel is its roof space usage. Being both in
Sumptuous cuisine is provided for at the up-market restaurants within the hotel.
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ORIGINAL INTERIOR, INTERNATIONAL BRAND Even though the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel belongs to the Rezidor Hotel group (which holds similarities throughout its hotels), it was important for MKV Design to achieve interiors that are original and distinct. Through viewing the inside of the hotel, with its glazed elements and flow of public spaces, it is evident that the flow and movement of the station areas is picked up in the interior design. According to Maria Vafiadis, the Radisson Blu Gautrain is sophisticated, modern and avant-garde. MKV Designs used a monochromatic colour palette together with modern classic furniture, which adds a distinctive elegance. MKV Designs made sure that the new experience of this hotel had its own authentic story; that it works as a hotel and that it has its own “soul”. The Radisson Blu Gautrain, although being created from an international brand, with a European perspective, had to still integrate local South African culture and heritance within it. This was achieved through placing local artwork pieces within the hotel, which were created entirely by local artists. The ‘proudly South African’ artwork, a mix of different media as well as conventional paintings, aides in combing the international brand with its local setting.
Guests can also relax in style at the lobby bar. 9>
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SPOILT FOR CHOICE WITH WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES
For those just wanting to relax in their rooms, 216 – Maria Vafiadis designed – contemporary rooms, all with breathtaking views over Sandton, are available. “We have a penthouse, standard rooms, business
With all the world-class amenities that the
class rooms, a junior suite and a corner suite
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel offers – includ-
available.” Modern amenities such as free
ing a fitness centre; cocktail lounge; bou-
high-speed wireless Internet are available
tique retail emporium; up-market restau-
within the rooms. Not forgetting a break-
rants; haute couture clothing boutiques; a
fast buffet after a good nights rest.
relaxing spa; trendy hair salons and ZAR, guests are spoilt for choice. With sumptu-
For those on business time, the Radisson
ous cuisine provided by Central One Bar &
Blu Gautrain Hotel offers its business visi-
Restaurant and cocktails by the outdoor
tors versatile conference spaces, seating up
pool terrace, in addition to all of the other
to 235 delegates, and state-of-the-art meet-
offerings, guests needn’t leave the hotel.
ing facilities which include free high speed internet and the latest audio-visual equip-
Visitors are ‘spoilt for choice’ because “…
ment. This hotel provides for both business
We’re a multipurpose building with a variety
and leisure.
of options under one roof,” says Jesper.
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216 Maria Vafiadis designed contemporary rooms, with breathtaking views of Sandton are available.
SHOP WITH FuLL WALLETS Not only is the hotel a success in itself, but, equally important, the retail arcade, within the hotel complex, has proven to be a success as a high end brand in its own right. The shopping arcade, consisting of stores that range from exclusive coffee shops to high end luxury goods stores, is a crucial aspect of the whole architectural design. Like the hotel, the arcade was also designed with the ‘train’ theme in mind. The entrance of the shops sits directly opposite the road from the station, and as such, the high end stores had to appeal to international travellers who wanted to shop in
a hurry. Fundamentally, the shopping space, in terms of design, had to echo that of the hotel – to create a cohesive whole. Guests can now shop with full wallets using ATM’s, within the hotel, supplied by ATM SOLuTIONS, the proud preferred ATM supplier of choice. More and more South African hotels and hospitality groups are installing ATMS due to the safe, convenient and instant access to cash they provide for the hotel’s guests. Aside from the convenience of cash, their ATMs add value to any location, like the Radisson, as they are designed and manufactured to be visually appealing. ATM Solutions, leaders in ATM operation and deployment, installs bank branded ATMS for eight of Southern Africa’s largest banks and has been in the industry for over
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ten years deploying over 4000 off-premise
In addition, departing from the O.R. Tambo
ATMs to date, which are supported through
International Airport and travelling by
a dedicated network of service centres and
Gautrain at speeds of up to 160 km/h, visi-
technicians throughout the region.
tors to the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel will take only 15 minutes from the airport to
EASY REACH
reach the hotel’s doorstep. This is another
Apart from these fantastic amenities, the
other hotel with the hotel group.
factor that makes the hotel unique from any
hotel’s prime location, situated on Rivonia Road, allows guests to enjoy visiting Sandton City, multinational corporations, Nelson Mandela Square, the Sandton International Convention Centre, Gautrain Station, various shopping upmarket shopping malls and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, all of which are in walking distance.
The outdoor terrace and pool with a view of surrounding Johannesburg.
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“YES I CAN!” As part of the Rezidor Hotel Group, guests to the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel not only enjoy all that the hotel has to offer architecturally, but they are also assured of impeccable treatment and attention based on the Group’s worldwide “Yes, I can!” service excellence philosophy. “Yes I Can!, the service culture that has become a way of life to those that work there, has built service excellence within the Rezidor Hotel Group and has been proven to successfully contribute to a proactive, creative service performance and to higher guest satisfaction. This makes Radisson, in terms of its service, different from any other hotel. As Jesper mentioned: “Yes I Can!” embodies the vision and philosophy of Radisson SAS – being the cornerstone of the hotel’s commitment to building one-on-one relationships with our guests and a personal
unique service approach. The ‘H.E.A.R.T. of Radisson SAS’ underlines the approach that it all comes from positive attitude and from the heart – being the abbreviation for Host, Engaged, Always, Responsibility and Teamwork.’ All in all, the hotel offers excellence, both in the spheres of excellence and in architecture. When considering the response from guests who have stayed at the hotel, Jesper concludes: “There has been a positive response from guests who find the new age accommodation vibrant; the location convenient and the service to be excellent, of which we pride ourselves for.” RIGHT: The red carpet colour, combined with its straight lines, represent a train route - another feature contributing to the symbolism in design. LEFT: Artwork pieces, by local artists, are placed throughout the hotel, integrating South African culture and heritance into the hotel.
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