IDCON

DESIGN SPACES ARCHITECTURE ART LIFESTYLE

FEBRUARY 2014

BOLD INSPIRATIONS FUSION FLAVOURS 3Spices shows us that a little creativity is all it takes to make anything work.

NOSTALGIC NOTIONS Take a trip down memory lane at JamJar Diner which evokes all kinds of emotions and memories.

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— CONTENTS —

— nhow BERLIN HOTEL —

BOLD & BEAUTIFUL words / jade ang exterior images / Cem Guedes and Patricia Parinejad courtesy of nhow Berlin Hotel interior images / Lukas Roth courtesy of KARIM RASHID INC art / boon ting ting

Seemingly simple from the outside, the nhow Hotel Berlin’s interior is on the opposite end of the spectrum from its exterior as it is just brimming with Karim Rashid’s signature style.

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It has been said time and time again that we cannot judge a book by its cover and we feel that in the case of the nhow Hotel in Berlin, the ‘cover’ most definitely does not prepare one for what awaits on the inside. Designed by NP Tchoban Voss, the exterior is seemingly simple but a closer look reveals that the building has a stag-

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gered appearance with an extra piece stacked on top. Other than the random positioning of windows, the protruding bricks on the exterior walls also help create depth.

Upon stepping inside, travellers are transported to a whole different realm as the interior is the

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total opposite of its more serious exterior. Designed by renowned designer Karim Rashid, the nhow Hotel has Karim’s recognizable signature with the bold colours and textures as well as outstanding designs that take the breath away.

— nhow BERLIN HOTEL —

— nhow BERLIN HOTEL —

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“Upon stepping inside, travellers are transported to a whole different realm as the interior is the total opposite of its more serious exterior.”

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The spa area is decked up in bold colours but softened with curves of the furnishing.

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The flat screen television conceals behind a two way mirror which blends in seamlessly with the rest of the room.

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White gradient glass allow in natural light while still main taining privacy in the bathroom.

"NH Hotels is a large but really smart hotel chain. So when I created the nhow Hotel Berlin my objective was to create an original esoteric place (like Berlin itself ) yet still pragmatic and fitting into the NH standards. My concept was to engage technology, fluidity, to speak about music, about diversity about eclecticism, but most importantly about the next wave of Berlin. I tired to address all the needs that are intrinsic to living in a simpler less cluttered, more sensual environment. I always question whether the physical world is as experiential, as seductive, as connective, as inspiring, as personalizable, and customizable as the digital world. That is what I tried to achieve with nhow Hotel Berlin by making a space that coexists with the data-driven digital infostethic world," said Karim.

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— nhow BERLIN HOTEL —

— nhow BERLIN HOTEL —

Twilight colours and soft curves are widely used throughout the hotel, not just in the design but the furnishings as well which ensures there is a good flow from one space to another. Energetic patterns in the form of wallpaper and carpets carry guests through the hallways to the guest’s rooms and each floor features a different custom Digipop patterned elevator bank, making every moment entertaining.

Each of the 304 rooms at nhow Berlin offers a stimulating space that is experimental in design yet functional and comfortable as Karim thought of every detail to fulfil and create new fantasies. Rooms in the East Tower feature a sunrise/sunset colour scheme of warm golds and invigorating pinks while the West Tower rooms boast cooler shades of grey, blue and pink.

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The Break-out area is an open plan space flexible for different functions and decorated with Karim Rashid original backlit artwork, Murano made lamps and sculptural benches.

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Made of lacquered fiberglass and glass, the buffets serve breakfast and lunch and when not in use at night, act an art element.

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The omidirectional head made of gold lacquered fiberglass tops the bar creating a lavish statement.

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— nhow BERLIN HOTEL —

— nhow BERLIN HOTEL —

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07 A bold Digipop artwork takes the place of a conventional headboard, while the custom patterned flooring is made of printed recyclable wood laminate. When not in use, the flat screen television can be concealed behind a two way mirror which blends in seamlessly with the rest of the room. Over in the bathroom, the walls are white gradient glass which allows in natural light while still maintaining privacy.

The nhow Berlin suite is a two-level, 270sqm, suite which features a kitchen, dining room, working area, two living rooms, and three bathrooms. Designed as an event space, the suite boasts a baby grand piano, music instruments on hand, projectors, and flat screen TVs. The bedroom has another private living area with swivel TV that can be seen from bed or couch. Shaded in silver, pink, gray and blues, the walls are patterned to invoke waves of music.

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His and her sinks ensure that every one has their personal space in the bathroom.

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A bold Digipop artwork takes the place of a conventional headboard, while the custom patterned flooring is made of printed recyclable wood laminate.

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Twilight colours and soft curves are widely used throughout the hotel, not just in the design but the furnishings as well.

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Energetic patterns in the form of wallpaper and carpets carry guests through the hallways to the guest’s rooms.

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— HAUTE LIST —

Klassically KARIM 01 02 03

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words / jade ang images / courtesy of karim rashid inc. layout / boon ting ting

www.karimrashid.com

Known to be bold and adventurous when it comes to design, Egyptian designer extraordinaire, Karim Rashid's designs certainly leave an impression. Here is a selection of works from the man himself.

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SCEYE Kar OXFORD Shift Koil Tableware ASUS Eee PC Seashell

Fyi. ..

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Kari this m will b ei co cha ming Ju n Kuala nce to m ne so d Lumpu o r eet him n't mis s in p erso a n!

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The sma lle can do w st spla s to s pruc onders h of co lo w e up an i hether ur nter it's your moo ior or lift d.

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SILICONEZONE Dish Rack SYDNEY D Spring Rainboot Collection MENU Knowledge in the Brain Bookend ALESSI Jak Watch SANCAL Float sofa

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— TRENDS / DESIGN —

— TRENDS / DESIGN —

Opulent Ottawa

The OTTAWA collection is the very first collection designed by Karim Rashid in collaboration with the company since joining the BoConcept family. The collection is designed in honour of the formative years of Karim's design career, when he first studied design in Ottawa, Canada.

edited by / jade ang photos / bo concept layout / boon ting ting

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Kari mw il this com l be in K ing J uala the un Lu cha nce e so do mpur n't to m pers eet hi miss m in on!

It seems like Karim Rashid was destined to become a designer. From a very young age, he was obsessed with drawing and it even seemed like he drew before he spoke. “My father is a painter, an artist, and he was also a set designer for television. So I remember being five years old in London, and he would take me sketching. We would go sketch churches. I remember drawing hundreds of churches at the age of five. Every church in London, I think. It was both a little bit in my

DNA, but also behaviourally watching my father,” explains Karim.

At the age of seven, he moved to Canada, where he had the chance to go to EXPO 67 which had a profound effect on him. At this point, he realised that drawing can translate into 3D, and you can actually build physical worlds. '‘That’s why I started to get interested in this idea of - first of all invention, second of all technology and third of all shaping our physical world.'

SENSUAL MINIMALISM The functionality of his designs is essential, but at the same time Karim wants to move people with his designs: 'Of course, you concentrate on the matter of the object and through this it becomes relatively minimal. But at the same time, there should be a sense of humanity. Something soft that touches you and makes you feel at ease. That is sensual minimalism.' A truly unique example of this is the Ottawa dining chair that has a beautiful leaf-shape that invites you to sit down. Once seated, you will discover that the chair is not only characteristic in its look but also in comfort. www.karimrashid.com / www.boconcept.com

Simple yet bold and stunning at the same time, find out what inspired the Ottawa collection by Karim Rashid.

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— TRENDS / DESIGN —

The OTTAWA collection is the very first collection designed by Karim Rashid in collaboration with the company since joining the BoConcept family. The collection is designed in honour of the formative years of Karim's design career, when he first studied design in Ottawa, Canada.

It seems like Karim Rashid was destined to become a designer. From a very young age, he was obsessed with drawing and it even seemed like he drew before he spoke. “My father is a painter, an artist, and he was also a set designer for television. So I remember being five years old in London, and he would take me sketching. We would go sketch churches. I remember drawing hundreds of churches at the age of five. Every church in London, I think. It was both a little bit in my

DNA, but also behaviourally watching my father,” explains Karim.

At the age of seven, he moved to Canada, where he had the chance to go to EXPO 67 which had a profound effect on him. At this point, he realised that drawing can translate into 3D, and you can actually build physical worlds. '‘That’s why I started to get interested in this idea of - first of all invention, second of all technology and third of all shaping our physical world.'

SENSUAL MINIMALISM The functionality of his designs is essential, but at the same time Karim wants to move people with his designs: 'Of course, you concentrate on the matter of the object and through this it becomes relatively minimal. But at the same time, there should be a sense of humanity. Something soft that touches you and makes you feel at ease. That is sensual minimalism.' A truly unique example of this is the Ottawa dining chair that has a beautiful leaf-shape that invites you to sit down. Once seated, you will discover that the chair is not only characteristic in its look but also in comfort. www.karimrashid.com / www.boconcept.com

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