MARCH | APRIL 2015
Urban Villa
David Rockwell
TriBeCa Penthouse
Grzywinski+Pons combine the best of boutique with the comforts of extended stay
The celebrated designer marks thirty years of hospitality design
Axel Vervoordt masterminds rough luxe living at Robert de Niro’s Greenwich Hotel
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Inside Sleeper MARCH | APRIL 2015
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Hotel Reviews
Features
Cover Story
046 Mandarin Oriental Bodrum
038 Meeting… David Rockwell Celebrating 30 years of Rockwell Group, David Rockwell offers insight into his intriguing legacy, covering the influence of theatre on his work and his first trip to New York City.
032 Urban Villa London NoHo Hotel Group has unveiled the inaugural Urban Villa – a new hospitality concept by Grzywinski+Pons aiming to bridge the gap between boutique hotel and extended stay. The group brings its alternative approach to hospitality to London’s Great West Quarter.
055 Ovolo Southside Hong Kong 062 Chiltern Firehouse London 071
InterCon Sydney Double Bay Sydney
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082 Le Cinq Codet Paris 091
J Plus Hotel by Yoo Hong Kong
Location Report New York 096 Introduction
143 Events Radical Innovation Award Since its launch eight years ago, the Radical Innovation Award has sought to discover the most innovative thinkers in the hospitality industry. Returning in 2015 with a new programme co-produced by Sleeper, the event also has a new host city in the form of New York.
098 Park Hyatt New York 106
TriBeCa Penthouse
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Sixty SoHo
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The Archer
Departments 016
Check In
018 Drawing Board 131
Business Centre Hotel Analyst
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Business Centre Top Hotel Projects
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Company Profile JANUS et Cie
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Product Profile Outdoor Furniture
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Product Feature Artificial Greenery
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Specifier
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Check Out
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Q UA D R AT L & C A P E L L A C O L L E C T I O N S
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SLEEPOVER ISTANBUL
EAST MEETS WEST 26-27 APRIL 2015 Sleepover is an invitation-only event for the innovators creating new hotel projects worldwide. This year’s event takes place in Istanbul, one of the world’s most dynamic cities for new hotel development. Guests will be accommodated at Mama Shelter, and will be amongst the first to experience the new Soho House Istanbul – an exclusive new venue in a converted palazzo overlooking the Golden Horn. We have created a programme of tours, talks and networking events that celebrate Istanbul’s unique position as a cultural crossroads where East-meets-West. You can find more information and apply for reservations via our website www.sleepoveristanbul.com
INVENTIVE EVENTS FOR HOTEL INNOVATORS
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Welcome
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he UK’s hospitality industry is undoubtedly a London-centric business. The thriving capital is where many of the nation’s (if not the world’s) leading design firms are based. It’s home to the vast majority of the country’s hotel stock. And it’s the gateway for overseas hotel brands looking to expand into Europe. Hardly a week goes by without a new project announcement, a planning approval, or an invitation to the city’s latest opening landing in Sleeper’s inbox. While the attraction of London is without question, an unlikely star is rising in the regions. Over the past 12 months, the northern city of Manchester has emerged as a hotbed for hotel development. In fact, according to data from STR Global, Manchester drives the pipeline in regional UK with more than 3,900 rooms under contract, more than anywhere else outside London. The city is known for its music scene, media links, sports clubs and transport connections; it is the third most visited city in the UK; and its economy is amongst the largest in England. Manchester is also notable for its architecture, ranging from Victorian through to contemporary. In recent years, abandoned warehouses left over from the industrial revolution have been converted to modern apartments or office space, while listed buildings have been turned into a vibrant bars and restaurants. Yet Manchester is just as suited to shiny newbuilds, as proven by the 2006 debut of Beetham Tower, the city’s first skyscraper, which houses Hilton Deansgate. Such diversity in architectural styles indicates that the city has something to suit a variety of hotel models and brands. As I write, the world’s first Hotel Football – a newbuild from GG Hospitality directors and former Manchester United teammates Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville – is celebrating its grand opening at Old Trafford. And hot on its tail will be Hotel Gotham, a 60-room property set in one of the city’s grandest listed buildings – a former bank designed by Edwin Lutyens. There’s a host of other projects in the pipeline too. Allied London has announced a 200-key event hotel in the former Granada headquarters building; there are plans for boutique accommodation in the historic Corn Exchange as part of a £30m redevelopment; and rumours surround a possible Yotel at Piccadilly Station. Furthermore, Giggs and Neville have gained planning consent for their second venture; and the proprietors of Eclectic Hotels are set to open King Street Townhouse this summer. Finally, InterContinental Hotels Group made headlines last month for its signing of Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites, both part of The University of Manchester’s new £1bn campus development at Oxford Road. Such transformational development in the city is particularly close to our hearts at Sleeper. And our offices. It’s great to see our home city garnering the attention it so deserves.
Catherine Martin | Editor 011
Guest Book
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DAVID ROCKWELL
JEAN-PHILIPPE NUEL
ROBERT DE NIRO
TARA BERNERD
“The ‘aha’ moment for me was when I realised that the same things I was interested in, which is design as a kind of hybrid storytelling element that connects you emotionally to a restaurant or a hotel, was the same driver a theatre director was looking for,” says David Rockwell as he talks through an impressive roster of hotel, restaurant and cultural projects on the 30 th anniversary of Rockwell Group.
French designer Jean-Philippe Nuel has transformed a former telephone exchange building in Paris’ once aristocratic 7th arrondissement into the 67-room Le Cinq Codet. Featuring locally inspired duplex guestrooms, the hotel adopts the style of a typical Parisian apartment, complete with original glass brickwork, books and art in abundance, and a tranquil courtyard at its heart.
A c tor - t u r n e d - ho t el - ow n e r Robert de Niro has added the TriBeCa Penthouse to his acclaimed Greenwich Hotel. de Niro and co-owner Ira Drukier sought out Axel Vervoordt to design the suite after hearing about his pioneering use of wabi-sabi, a collection of Japanese design principals. The simply decorated rooms feature weathered stone floors, humble wooden furniture and curtains made from linen.
The latest project from Tara Bernerd & Partners is Sixty Soho, the flagship of a new hotel group established by Jason Pomeranc and his brothers Michael and Lawrence, together with longstanding cohort Stephen Brandman. The collaboration marks the continuation of a close working relationship between Bernerd and Pomeranc, who previously teamed up on the launch of Belgraves in London and Thompson Chicago.
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DUBAI
LOS ANGELES
Project: W Los Angeles - Westwood Designer: Dawson Design Associates, Inc. Purchaser: Bray Whaler International
LONDON
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Simon Rawlings DAVID COLLINS STUDIO
Drawing on 16 years experience at David Collins Studio, Simon Rawlings brings together his industry favourites to create a feast for the senses.
Where are we? Kyoto, in the Gion district. How did you get here? We flew into Tokyo with Cathay Pacific – their service makes them stand out – we then hopped on the Shinkansen, just to indulge in the array of amazing Bento boxes. We rounded off the journey by bicycle from the station as Kyoto is one of the best cycling cities I have come across. Who’s at the concierge desk? The concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto recently went over-and-above to get hold of the exact car, in the exact colour that I was trying to source and had it delivered directly to me at the hotel to start a road trip. Park Hyatt Tokyo has a great source of dining knowledge and has never suggested a restaurant I have not loved. So a combination of the two would be ideal! Who are you sharing your room with? My wife of course! Too much of my time is spent travelling alone, so I relish every moment we get to travel together. Is there anything you would like waiting for you in your room on arrival? A lit fig-scented candle, iced sparkling water – lots of it – and fresh local fruit. Describe the hotel, your room and the view... The hotel is small, in an old historic space that has been extended with a modern glass intervention; the juxtaposition brings light into the dark spaces
giving them new life. The design is unobtrusive and unnoticeable. It has the feeling of luxury, the feeling of efficiency, and that every detail has been carefully considered. It has been designed from a guest perspective and has enough power sockets to use without moving furniture, a vanity big enough to spread out across, and lights that are warm in colour and dim with a simple switch. My room has a place to leave my luggage, open and unpacked, yet hidden away, a TV that works, lots of chilled water, a view from up high, and a terrace or windows that open. The hotel’s rooms are simple, with good quality fittings and a clear thinking behind their design, with all unnecessary statements stripped away. Who designed it? Pierre Chareau. He understood how to use interior spaces cleverly and designed around how the users operated within the functions of the rooms. He also used natural light so well, and really maximised its potential within interiors. What’s the restaurant / bar like? I love remote dining such as Miyamasou in Japan and Fäviken in Sweden, so my ideal hotel would feature a unique restaurant such as these. The bar would be the opposite; super glamorous, small, but exquisitely formed. Who are you dining with this evening? My wife; French designer Jean-Michel Frank; Ira Glass, host of This American Life, my podcast travel companion; comedian and actress Catherine Tate; and chef Alain Passard.
Who’s manning the stoves? Neil Borthwick of Merchant’s Tavern in London. He is brilliant and understands flavours, creating dishes with just the right amount of everything. And what’s on the menu? Starter: Sourdough from Pump Street Bakery with Lescure salted butter; shrimp cocktail, done really well is the best way to start a meal Main: Thai pomelo salad – spicy and refreshing – I eat this everyday in Bangkok; rib of beef, black and blue cooked on an open flame; truffle fries like the ones at our wedding; and Sashimi of any kind, except uni! Space for dessert? I don’t eat dessert so cheese, definitely cheese. I love Baron Bigod at the moment and always a chunk of aged Comté. And maybe a scoop of ice cream, any flavour in the brown colour spectrum, followed by fruit sorbet, papaya dipped in plum and chilli powder to finish. Would you like something to drink with that? Champagne Billecart-Salmon Rosé, San Pellegrino mineral water, Gamay of some variety, and finally an Allpress long black coffee. What’s playing on the iPod? Something local as a local music station gets me into the mood of where I am. I am so often in three countries a week so I love to get a feeling of where I am. Music can really make this happen, and immerses the senses into the culture.
Name: Simon Rawlings | Position: Creative Director | Company: David Collins Studio | www.www.davidcollins.com Notable hotel projects: The Apartment at The Connaught, London; The London NYC and West Hollywood; Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch; Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire.
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The South Beach SINGAPORE
Philippe Starck is to join Foster + Partners and Aedas in the design of a new mixed-use development in downtown Singapore. Strategically located on Beach Road bordering Singapore’s Central Business District, the joint venture between City Developments Ltd and IOI Group will seamlessly blend four historic buildings with two new towers featuring offices, luxury residences, retail spaces and a 654-room hotel. The complex is currently under construction and is slated to open later this year. With distinctive architecture by Foster + Partners and Aedas, The South Beach – complete with a state-of-the-art environmental canopy – has already won two Green Mark Platinum awards and is set to be the new defining structure on Singapore’s vibrant skyline. The architecture cleverly integrates the heritage site formerly comprising
three army blocks and the NCO Club, a favourite haunt for army, naval and air force officers. Starck has been enlisted to design the interiors of the hotel, which includes H.I.P. (Highly Individualised People and Places) guestrooms as well as 43 distinctive social spaces that cater to the need for being ‘alone together’. The hotel also offers 24 event spaces including meeting rooms for up to 12 people, and a ballroom equipped with an indoor prefunction area, outdoor terraces and a mezzanine floor. The ballroom accommodates up to 400 guests and is a unique social space to for mid-sized events. Other highlights include generously-sized bathrooms, two infinity pools, a 24-hour gym, dedicated ladies floors, one restaurant and three vibrant bars.
© Jewel Changi Airport Devt.
Yotel CHANGI AIRPORT SINGAPORE
Yotel has announced plans to operate a 130-cabin hotel at Jewel Changi Airport, a new lifestyle destination featuring indoor gardens, leisure attractions, food and beverage offerings and retail.
signature space-saving convertible bed, monsoon rain showers and techno-wall with flatscreen TV. The hotel will also have a Club Lounge overlooking the Forest Valley, a five-storey indoor garden filled with thousands of plants and trees. Hotel guests will have direct access to Jewel’s attractions – which include the Rain Vortex, expected to be the world’s tallest indoor waterfall – as well as aviation facilities such as early check-in and integrated multi-modal transport lounge. “We’re very excited to announce our second project in Singapore and our first Yotel airport hotel in Asia,” comments Hubert Viriot, CEO of Yotel. “This new addition will complement perfectly our Singapore City hotel due to open in 2017 on Orchard Road and is another milestone towards our objective to grow our brand across major cities and international airports globally.”
Due to open at the end of 2018, the mixed-use development from Jewel Changi Airport Trustee Pte Ltd (JCAT), is designed by worldrenowned architect Moshe Safdie, along with Benoy and local firm RSP. It features a distinctive dome-shaped façade of glass and steel and is set to become a visually stunning addition to the airport landscape. Redevelopment of the 3.5-hectare site at Terminal 1, formerly a car park, will increase handling capacity to 24 million passengers per annum and boost the city’s appeal as a stopover point. Located on the fourth floor of the structure, Yotel Changi Airport Singapore will feature 130 guestooms, each furnished with Yotel’s
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FABRIC, WALLPAPER, TRIMMINGS, FURNITURE & PAINT
CASCA DE TREVIRA
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Keemala PHUKET
A new all-villa resort in the rainforest of Kamala in Phuket, Thailand, is set to open in September offering a unique experience for travellers.
Communal areas including the lobby, pool, restaurant and spa are designed to take in views of the lush forest while the 38 individual villas honour the tribesmen. Seven Tree Pool Houses represent the ‘We-ha’ people who worshipped the universe and chose to live suspended from the trees, and the interwoven design of the eight Bird’s Nest Pool Villas is inspired by the ‘Rung-Nok’ community. There are also outdoor spaces for cycling, jogging, walking, meditation, yoga and massage therapies. The design has been carefully considered to protect the existing ecosystem and each space is an expansion of the surrounding landscape, making use of natural features such as mature trees, streams and waterfalls. A number of eco-sensitive processes, technologies and engineering systems, from waste management to water efficiency, are also incorporated.
Part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Keemala embraces a cultural philosophy that is very different to other resorts in Phuket, both in style and ethos. Designed by Thailand-based practice Architect Space with interiors by Pisud Design Company and landscaping by Stone Design & Contractor Co Ltd, the complex harnesses the history of fictitious ancient settlers and incorporates the story of four different clans: the ‘Pa-ta-pea’ (Earth), the ‘Khon-Jorn’ (Wanderers), the ‘We-ha’ (Sky), and the ‘Rung-Nok’ (Nest) people. Their way of life is infused in every touchpoint, from the architecture and design to the spa treatments, wellness programmes, gastronomic choices and activities.
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‘Always be ready to share your comfort zone’ Manutti’s secrets for better outdoor moments
The new Moon Island collection is designed by Gerd Couckhuyt and surprises with its playful concept: four ‘islands’ that can be combined and rearranged around a central coffee table or footrest. The design is simple and pure and gives your imagination plenty of space to explore: from an intimate lounge sofa to a large lounge island.
Discover more of Manutti’s secrets on manutti.com
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Paradise City SOUTH KOREA
South Korea’s first integrated gaming and entertainment resort – the WATG-designed Paradise City – has broken ground in a ceremony attended by 400 guests and stakeholders.
in the design of the country’s first integrated gaming/entertainment resort was a fascinating aspect to this project,” comments Sean SihYoung Jeon, Vice President, WATG. “Inspired by this vision, we created smooth transitions between the different resort zones to offer a unique integrated resort experience for visitors.” Robert Payan, Senior Vice President, WATG adds: “The building was designed to reflect a sense of timelessness, but with a modern energy vibe. Our approach was to design the core of the buildings with a classic influence, and then to introduce purely modern forms to give the structures a new vibrant energy.” Taking the lead on this project, WATG’s design office in Honolulu has been closely involved with the development of Korea’s gaming and resort industry over the past two decades, creating a number of landmark projects.
Slated to open in 2017, the resort is located in the International Business Center of Incheon International Airport. The project is being developed in a joint venture between Korean casino operator, Paradise Group, and Japanese entertainment group, Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc. Casinos, hotels, a luxury spa, theme park, shopping malls, restaurants and convention and exhibition halls are planned for the development, which will have seven distinct zones, each featuring its own unique experience. “To showcase Korea’s rich cultural, social, and commercial identity
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Trump International Hotel & Tower BAKU
Trump Hotel Collection has announced that the 189-key Trump International Hotel & Tower Baku will open in June 2015.
commercial areas of the building will serve both residents and guests. Amenities include a 1,409m2 spa with indoor swimming pools, 400m2 fitness centre, business centre, exclusive retail and a signature restaurant with a globally acclaimed restaurateur. F&B spaces are designed with an open kitchen, champagne bar, and garden rooms. The hotel’s expansive guestrooms, beginning at 60m2, will boast views of the city and Caspian Sea beyond with varying configurations as the form of the building curves upwards. “Trump International Hotel & Tower Baku exemplifies the marketleading design and location that our brand is known for,” comments Jim Petrus, Chief Operating Officer, Trump Hotel Collection. “As our prestigious hotel collection continues to grow strategically, we believe that Baku presents a tremendous opportunity with its dynamic expansion and thorough appreciation of quality and luxury.”
Located in the Nasimi District of Baku, Azerbaijan, the 33-storey tower has a distinctive silhouette resembling the mast of a sail in high seas. The development is set in 20,000m2 of land and surrounded by lush gardens, fountains and promenades. London-based practice Mixity Design is taking the lead on the design of the hotel, while construction is being carried out by Azerbaijani owner and developer Garant Holding. In addition, Servotel has provided consultancy services on various elements including vision development, concept determination, architect selection, project tracking and branding. With 72 ultra-luxury apartments and 189 hotel rooms, the
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DOCKS design Romero Vallejo www.gandiablasco.com
Interiors from Spain ATLANTA BARCELONA DOETINCHEM HONG KONG ISTANBUL LISBOA LOS ANGELES PORTO MADRID MIAMI NEW YORK OORDEGHEM ONTINYENT
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New World Hotel KOTA KINABALU
New World Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by Homesign Network to manage New World Kota Kinabalu Hotel, scheduled to open in 2018.
top three domestic tourism markets but Kota Kinabalu is also the fastest growing Malaysian state capital,” comments YB Datuk Teo Chee Kang JP, Minister of Special Tasks. Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, the parent company of New World Hotels & Resorts, adds: “Kota Kinabalu’s vibrancy and natural charm, as well as its easy accessibility from the key feeder markets of mainland China and Hong Kong, will set up New World Kota Kinabalu Hotel for success. We are very grateful to Homesign Network for the opportunity to introduce our modern Oriental hospitality to local residents, domestic and international travellers.” Including New World Kota Kinabalu, the group now has six projects in the pipeline in China including Shenyang (2016), Zhengzhou (2016), Langfang (2016), Foshan (2017), Qingyuan (2017) and Haikou (2019).
The brand will make its Malaysian debut in Skycity, a mixed-use development comprising the hotel, grade-A offices, a shopping mall and two towers of serviced suites. Located in Karamunsing near the city centre, the hotel is ideally located for both business and leisure. The hotel will occupy the top 16 floors of the tower, offering unobstructed views of the city, the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu. Facilities include two restaurants, a lobby bar and a sky bar, 3,883m2 event space, a sky pool, spa and gym. “Sabah is an ideal location for New World Hotels & Resorts to embark on its expansion into Malaysia – not only is it amongst the
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Fujita Kanko SEOUL
Fujita Kanko Inc., a leading Japanese hospitality group headquartered in Tokyo, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Korean real estate company Haesung Industrial Co Ltd, to open a hotel in Seoul.
Akira Segawa, Fujita Kanko’s President & CEO. “We are a Japanese tourism industry pioneer with a proud 59-year history and the most innovative and upscale properties in Japan. Our campaign to aggressively globalise our clientele and properties is the beginning of a new chapter for us. South Korea has been a top destination for Japanese travellers, but we intend to cater to an international clientele and will feature the cultures of both Japan and Korea.” In the past few years, Fujita Kanko has opened four overseas offices in Asia: Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Taipei, with the goal of increasing sales, marketing and business development efforts in the region. Fujita Kanko also plans to open the 970-room Hotel Gracery Shinjuku in April 2015, followed by Hotel Gracery Okinawa and Hotel Gracery Kyoto Teramachi in 2016.
Haesung Industrial will commence construction of the building this summer, and the hotel is expected to open in 2018. It will be the first overseas opening for Fujita Kanko since 2002, and marks the execution of a new expansion strategy. The 330-key hotel is located in the popular Myeongdong area in the heart of Seoul, the city’s hottest shopping district and main tourism hub with numerous restaurants and entertainment spots. “We are truly excited about opening our hotel in Seoul, which demonstrates our firm commitment to expansion in Asia,” comments
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Urban Villa LONDON
NoHo Hotel Group unveils the first Urban Villa – a new hospitality concept designed by Grzywinski+Pons to bridge the gap between boutique hotel and extended stay. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Grzywinski+Pons
T
he serviced apartment sector has witnessed healthy growth over the past few years, recording rises in RevPAR and occupancy and in some cases, outperforming the rest of the market. The UK is thought to be one of the strongest regions for growth and London in particular is expected to see a significant increase in supply. A proportion of that new supply comes from NoHo Hotel Group and its recently launched brand, Urban Villa. With the primary aim of combining the best of the lifestyle boutique hotel experience with the comforts of residential living, the 100-key all suite property opened its doors in January in London’s Great West Quarter, a regeneration project on the Great West Road commuter lifeline. The new venture is the brainchild of Eric Jafari and Andrew Fowler, who together have a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector. Jafari is the co-founder of Union Hanover Securities, BridgePoint Ventures and NoHo Hospitality Group and has overseen the equity investment and development of hotels, residences, student housing and hostels. Fowler meanwhile, brings 12 years of property market experience and is the former Director of Property Acquisition for StayCity, a role that apparently whet his appetite for hotel alternatives. NoHo (No Ordinary Hotel) encompasses Sarani Resorts, Urban Villa and Hoax Hostels, each founded on the philosophy that hospitality is about delivering memorable and meaningful cultural experiences without compromising comfort. And Jafari and Fowler are quite clear in their aspirations, seeking to create immersive social settings and design-led lodgings that don’t break the bank. “We decided to launch Urban Villa about three years ago,” explains Jafari. “We noticed a supply gap in both the boutique hotel
and extended stay space and decided to create the first hospitality product that merges the two concepts.” “We also felt that extended stay products were too corporate in their look, touch and feel,” adds Fowler. “We may work in the corporate environment but we like to disconnect ourselves from it when we leave work,” he continues. “This is one of the reasons we put the bar as the front desk, we wanted to remove the barrier of a typical reception.” The decision to remove the traditional reception was a deliberate one, inspired by the inns of old where the innkeeper doubles as the bartender and arriving guests are greeted with their room key along with a pint of their usual. At Urban Villa, staff serve as ambassadors, trained in every facet of hospitality from check-in to the art of creating a fine Old Fashioned. In fact, the entire experience is designed to be relaxed and informal, and achieving this was no easy feat. “We spent two years seeking the right architect,” explains Jafari. “We interviewed over fifty interior designers and architects globally before we chose Grzywinski+Pons. They were the only ones that had delivered the type of design ethos we were seeking, but more importantly took the time to understand our objectives before providing a design solution.” He continues: “They understood that it wasn’t just the design that we were seeking – it was a cultural experience from the moment that a consumer lays eyes on the website to the moment they leave our hotel. Finally, one of my biggest objectives was to deliver luxury to the masses and Grzywinski+Pons realised that the only way to achieve that was to design all of the FF&E bespoke and not charge us a premium. They were committed
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Above & Opposite: Furniture throughout the hotel is designed bespoke by Grzywinski with additional pieces supplied by JLF and Ligna
to the long game and in exchange, they have acquired a long-term client that has given them a number of other projects.” The New York-based practice, led by Matthew Grzywinski and Amador Pons – noted for their work on Manhattan’s Hotel on Rivington and The Nolitan – was tasked with bringing the concept to life. “Our brief was to bring a design-led bespoke hospitality feel to a product that is traditionally anything but,” explains Grzywinski, adding that a close working relationship with Jafari and Fowler was key. “They were very interested in the guest experience so it was our job to address that architecturally. They were also very hands-on with a parallel process, picking out craft beers and creating a cocktail list for example.” Indeed, the duo has been involved in every aspect of the development and the journey has been a very personal one. “We won’t provide anything to the consumer that we aren’t absolutely passionate about,” tells Jafari. “Every spirit, wine, toiletry, craft beer and song was selected through a very long and arduous assessment process. There isn’t a single item, or even a song, that we aren’t passionate about.” As such, the group seeks to be an authority on the anti-brand, stocking new spirits and supporting up-and-coming talent. This approach also applies to Urban Villa’s F&B offering. Boki Coffee Co., serving the acclaimed Allpress Coffee and T2 Tea, resides on the
open-plan ground floor and stocks a rotating selection of seasonal craft beers, fresh juices and organic meals. Meanwhile, Sour Diesel, Urban Villa’s lobby bar, features cocktails by Soulshakers as well as a curated selection of wines, spirits, and artisan aperitifs. The public areas cater to hotel guests, corporates from the surrounding businesses, and local residents, a demographic made up of young professionals who have moved away from the likes of Shoreditch and Hackney in search of larger, better value homes. It is a multi-purpose space that can be used for work and play, transforming from day to night with ease. “We chose a palette that is bright and welcoming yet robust and functional – an environment where it felt just as natural to ask for extra towels as it would to order a cocktail,” explains Grzywinski. “A series of communal tables and more private breakout spaces sit between screens and under ceiling rafts. We wanted to balance the abundant glazing and high ceilings with vertical breaks, warm and authentic materials, lush vegetation and texture. The space, while legible, light washed and convivial, is subtly apportioned into varying degrees of public and private space though void of any walls.” If the common areas are the ‘Urban’, the guestrooms are the ‘Villa’, described by Fowler as Manhattan loft living with touches of modern British luxury. “Villa is a word people associate with size and luxury,” he explains. “Units are larger than a typical hotel and the design
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Above: The public areas are multi-functional and can be used for work and play, transforming from day to night with ease
focuses towards comfort and sanctuary whilst adhering to our design ethos of less is more.” The quality of the fixtures and finishes are also suited to villa living. There is no veneer or MDF, only pure materials. Counter-tops are stone, floors are solid oak, and furniture is custom-made, again in solid wood. “In the guestrooms we had less latitude to reveal the bones of the building so we focused on designing custom furniture and a finish schedule that would be congruent with the public spaces,” elaborates Grzywinski. “It is also within the rooms that we wed the scope and amenities of an aparthotel with the aspirational feel of a design hotel.” The 100 guestrooms feature contemporary amenities such as a kitchenette, 50-inch Samsung Smart TV, Bluetooth radio, and complimentary super-fast WiFi. Artwork comes from Lazarides Editions, part of the world’s leading urban art gallery, and bathrooms are fitted with an oversized rainshower and Malin+Goetz toiletries. Guests are encouraged to treat their suite as an apartment, so spa treatments, gym equipment and personal training sessions can be
ordered to the room, and additional furniture is provided for those hosting a dinner party or private meeting. A favourite feature is undoubtedly the enclosed winter garden, which increases the guestroom footprint by a considerable margin. Sandwiched between the building’s dual skin, the space is furnished with loungers and greenery, and offers panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling glazing. The dual skin is an innovation by architects Assael, and provides significant environmental benefits: the outer skin creates an enclosure against noise pollution from Heathrow Airport and the adjacent dual carriageway, while the inner skin serves as a thermal barrier. Speaking at the hotel’s grand opening in January, Jafari confirmed that this is the first of many Urban Villas, with the next opening expected to be in Edinburgh. “Each Urban Villa will incorporate unique elements of the local culture and consumer demographic to ensure that each experience has its own identity,” concludes Jafari. “The core values and the service will be uniform but the design, F&B and cultural experience will reflect the needs of the local community.”
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 100 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | Gym | www.urbanvilla.com Owner: Union Hanover | Developer: Union Hanover Securities | Investors: EquityBridge Asset Management, Standard Life, Coutts | Operator: NoHo Hotel Group | Architecture: Assael | Interior Design: Grzywinski+Pons | Main Contractor: Barratt | Procurement: Benjamin West
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MEETING
David Rockwell As he celebrates 30 years of hospitality design, David Rockwell talks of his legacy so far. Words: Giovanna Dunmall | Photography: Courtesy of Rockwell Group
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remember my first visit to New York City as a 12-year-old,” recalls David Rockwell as we meet in New York for the launch of his second monograph ‘What If…?’, marking 30 years of his design studio. “We went to the theatre and a restaurant. I was stunned by the sense of multiple communities that existed in these spaces. How music, storytelling, dance and design connected everyone together in the theatre. And how the restaurant did the same.” Those early memories clearly had an impact. Rockwell grew up in New Jersey and Mexico and was raised by his mother, a vaudeville performer, after his father died when he was only three. He founded his design and architecture practice in New York in 1984 and some thirty years later, the 150-strong studio has three offices around the world and an increasing array of international projects. His love of theatre, narrative and storytelling is still at the core of everything the firm does however, with immersive environments and elements of performance a key fixture of his output. For the first 15 years of Rockwell Group’s existence his interest in theatre was academic. “I thought theatre was an interesting analogy for ideas that we put forward in architecture,” he says. “The aha moment for me was when I realised that the same things I was interested in, which is design as a kind of hybrid storytelling element that connects you emotionally to a restaurant or a hotel, was the same driver a theatre director was looking for.” Rockwell has since balanced a truly impressive roster of cultural, restaurant and hotel projects – “I think choosing where you want to stay is a little bit like picking a fantasy,” he quips – with regular
theatre and set design work (his much lauded sets for hit musical Kinky Boots head to London in September). His practice’s prolific CV also includes a series of self-initiated pro-bono projects such as the Imagination Playground – an innovative, colourful and portable playground concept – and harder-to-pigeonhole jobs such as the JetBlue terminal at JFK airport – where Rockwell hired choreographer Jerry Mitchell to transform the airport experience – and the NeueHouse shared workspace and members’ club in NYC’s Flatiron district (the second opens in LA in spring and the third in London later this year). The W New York was the studio’s first major hospitality project and was indicative of its comprehensive and transformative approach. “The W was done at a time [1998] when there was a male dominance in the boutique hotel world,” explains Rockwell, later adding that he doesn’t quite know what boutique hotel means and that it is an overused term. “It was all about darker colours and night-time and I felt like there was an opportunity to create a hotel where you could feel better when you left than when you got there.” Rockwell and his team set themselves the brief of creating a hotel that had a sense of lightness and energy throughout the day but didn’t feel like a nightclub. “It had a very successful bar that felt a lot like a nightclub but that was off to one side,” he says. The practice has worked on subsequent W Hotels in Paris, Vieques and Singapore. More recently his firm designed the first Andaz resort, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Hawaii, and Virgin’s first ever hotel. A Rockwell Europe project led by Managing and Creative Director Diego
“I think choosing where you want to stay is a little bit like picking a fantasy.”
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This Page & Opposite: Rockwell’s love of theatre, narrative and storytelling is still at the core of every project including Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec (above), The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (opposite top), and Tao Downtown in New York (opposite bottom)
Gronda, the Virgin hotel in Chicago offers a flexible and thoughtful visitor experience, down to the smallest detail – a headboard with lower lumbar support and corner seat on the edge of the bed anyone? Yes please! Details are still top secret but Rockwell and his team are currently working with Ian Schrager on a new Edition in one of New York’s most iconic landmark locations, the 1909 Clock Tower, which forms part of the Met Life Tower complex. Also on the boards is the landmark redevelopment of London’s Battersea Power Station, which is being restored and converted into a mixed-use complex. Working with Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Rockwell Group is designing the lobby and atrium in the Boiler House, as well as a separate market space. Common to all Rockwell hospitality projects, however different they may appear, is the way they are imbued with a powerful character and theatricality as well as a strong design sensibility. Rockwell likes to create a rich back story for each project and celebrate a design’s power to transform a space and the feelings people have within it. A good example is the first ever Nobu restaurant that opened in Tribeca in 1994 where Rockwell used riverbed stone walls for the first time. Now they are a mainstay of Asian fusion dining design. 19 years on and some twenty Rockwell-designed Nobu restaurants later the studio designed the first Nobu hotel in Las Vegas’ Caesar Palace.
“The design grew out of a dialogue with Nobu,” explains Rockwell, “but we didn’t ask him what he wanted things to look like. We asked him what he would want to offer guests to eat or drink as soon as they arrived. If you can take these small little moments into account in the design you have a shot at creating something that is surprising and wonderful.” Other Nobu hotels designed by the group are following this year in such diverse locations as Manila, Doha, Miami and Riyadh. The 192-seat Doha restaurant, part of the Four Seasons Hotel, is the studio’s first newbuild, freestanding Nobu in the world and promises something special. Elliptical ribbons of river stone capped with bronze accents form the exterior of the structure – resembling a coiled shell – creating three-tiered levels which also house a sushi counter, private dining rooms and a rooftop lounge. Hotels have changed over the decades admits Rockwell, they have become more layered and complex. But he is loath to speak of trends and movements. “I probably fall in the camp of those that think by the time someone makes a declaration it’s already over,” he grins. He believes it’s just as useful for designers to focus on how things have stayed the same as on how things have changed. “Designers tend to think they have invented things wholly out of their creative fabric,” he says. “I am always interested in a deep sense of history.” When he speaks of the leather-wrapped handles on the dramatic
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Above: Rockwell is involved in the landmark redevelopment of London’s Battersea Power Station, which is being restored and converted into a mixed-use complex
18ft-tall woven walnut doors – “pure theatre by the way, they invite you into a different world” – and leather-clad columns and balustrades of the Chambers Hotel – a building he designed from the ground up in midtown Manhattan in 2000, he adds a historic reference. “To me this is an idea that tracks back to Carlo Scarpa and things I saw in Verona.” Designers can get stuck on the idea of something having to be timeless, but Rockwell believes ‘standing the test of time’ and ‘timeless’ are two very different beasts. “Timeless is often a codeword for ‘totally safe’ and ‘let’s take no creative risks’,” he says. “I think it’s about knowing there is precedence to everything and researching it, and then figuring out where you are going to take some creative risk.” He pauses, then adds: “I think there is a joy in trying new things.” And indeed Rockwell Group is not only renowned for blending disciplines; it has also become justly known for its clever use of technology. “We didn’t wake up one day and say we want to put technology into our hotels,” says Rockwell. It was after creating a
dazzling entrance installation at the 2008 Venice Biennale that “looked at movies as building blocks” that Rockwell realised the group should do something with the expanded technology capability it had acquired. “I had this great little team and I started to recognise that technology is a way to connect people and something we could start to embed in projects,” he says. The in-house LAB was born, a department dedicated to creative problem solving and researching how humans interact with technology. The LAB has designed everything from interactive wine bars for Alain Ducasse to virtual aquariums for children’s hospital waiting rooms. Its most visible contribution to a Rockwell hospitality project so far has probably been its stunning kinetic installation in the main lobby of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in 2010. Faced with an existing building and a stark lobby filled with eight giant columns, the decision was made to “think about the space as a fluid art base and use technology as a way to refresh that”. Rockwell warms to his theme. “We based it on the idea that Las Vegas always sounds
“Part of the future that we are excited about is creating chances for a hotel to have changeable context so that there’s always something fresh and new.”
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Left: Chefs Club, located in the landmark Puck Building in Lower Manhattan, offers diners an inside look at the action in the kitchen Below: Rockwell designed Le Sam Bar at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec as part of its multimillion dollar refurbishment Bottom: NeueHouse is a shared workspace and members’ club in NYC’s Flatiron district
© Nikolas Koenig
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Above: The 192-seat Doha restaurant, part of the Four Seasons Hotel, is the studio’s first newbuild, freestanding Nobu in the world. Elliptical ribbons of river stone capped with bronze accents form the exterior of the structure and resemble a coiled shell
better than it really is. Once you create a building that’s a pyramid, every time you go back you are stuck with that pyramid. Part of the future that we are excited about is creating chances for a hotel to have changeable context so that there’s always something fresh and new.” The lobby’s columns were accordingly wrapped with mirrors and some 400 LCD screens showing immersive and customisable digital content. Tracking software was added so that the ‘walls’ could interact with guests. “If you are sitting there waiting and a bunch of people walk by, the bubbles will follow those people,” says Shawn Sullivan, a partner at Rockwell Group and lead designer on many of its hospitality projects. A mirrored ceiling and polished terrazzo floor give the space a dramatic three-dimensional effect. “When the system’s off it’s a hall of mirrors or a Vegas version of Versailles,” he continues. “When it is turned on it looks magical. And every time I go, it’s different.” Both Rockwell and Sullivan believe technology should not be used for technology’s sake. “We are almost past the point where people are so in love with technology that it needs to be celebrated in and of itself,” says Rockwell. “In Yotel for instance, the beds go from being a sofa to a bed at the touch of a button, and the button is a large button with two positions,” he pauses for effect, “up or down.” Sullivan, who was named as Rockwell Group’s first partner in
2013 and heads up his own 50-person studio within the practice, agrees. “The LAB is one of my favourite things we have here” he says, but almost in the same breath adds that “there’s no need to crowd projects with technology”. When it’s not a gimmick but it enhances the experience, or when it solves something operational, then it’s fantastic and something clients get very excited about, he believes. “And having a group in-house, instead of a consultant who comes in and does it, means it has a lot more heart and soul,” says Sullivan. Transformable public areas are also part of a research project Rockwell Group is currently carrying out for Marriott, looking at the psychology and behaviour of future travellers and how these so-called millennial consumers like to share their lives, or how they approach brands and use space when they travel. As a result of this research, the practice is designing a series of versatile and original guest experiences for the hotel group in North America. They can say little more right now but it looks to be a major and exciting project. “Every architect wants to create something permanent,” says Rockwell before he has to go. “But one of the things I have learned from theatre, is that sometimes things that are fleeting can have the most powerful impact in terms of your memories.” We’re back to theatre, his first and enduring love and the principle protagonist in all his hotels.
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Boston by Chelsom – Edition 24
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Mandarin Oriental BODRUM
Antonio Citterio redefines Mediterranean luxury with Mandarin Oriental’s Turkish debut. Words: Eileen Keribar | Photography: Š George Apostolidis
Above & Opposite: The reception boasts custom, oversized woven light fixtures while a suspended stair leads guests to an array of indoor and outdoor public areas adorned with custom-designed furnishings and carefully selected pieces from Roda, Flexform, B&B Italia, Poliform, Kettal, Gloster, Arper and Vitra
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or decades, the Mediterranean has played host to the archetypal European summer holiday with its wide range of laid-back cultures and countless resorts suiting every taste. Nightlife aficionados flock to Ibiza, romantics retreat to Santorini, gourmets delight in Corsica, and the crème-de-la-crème revel in the glamorous scene of the Côte d’Azur. A relative neophyte to the Mediterranean holiday hit list, Turkey’s Riviera, and in particular Bodrum, has rapidly gained a reputation as a distinguished destination – and its most ambitious newcomer sets out to both redefine Mediterranean luxury and evolve its predominately urban brand. The southwestern Turkish coast lures travellers with its sunsoaked beaches, historic ruins, and striking limestone peninsulas extending into the brilliant cerulean waters of the Aegean. With its rocky coastline creating countless dramatic bays, the 44km-long Bodrum Peninsula itself is both ruggedly beautiful and increasingly chic. Between its celebrity fans, superyachts, and growing number of high-end hotels, it has been dubbed the Saint-Tropez of Turkey. Paving the way for the next generation of luxury in the Mediterranean, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum eschews the image of boutique hotels and grande dame resorts from the turn of the century
that have, to-date, defined high-end resorts in this region. Catering to discerning guests trained in the likes of Indian Ocean luxury – with its exclusivity, indulgent pampering, and intimate contact with nature – this new addition fuses these elements into the ultimate European retreat. “Our vision for the design was to develop a new luxury resort design language, sophisticated and contemporary and yet intimately connected to its natural Mediterranean setting,” explains Javier Hortal, Mandarin Oriental’s Regional Director of Technical Services. Marking the group’s debut in Turkey, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum is located on a 60-hectare waterfront site offering panoramic views over one of its most exclusive bays, Cennet Koyu (Paradise Bay). Built on landscaped tiers tumbling towards the sea, immersed in ancient olive groves and surrounded by a pine forest, the property’s one million plants and 10,000 olive trees truly allow the resort to indulge in its surrounding nature. “Our goal was to support Bodrum, accelerating its mission to reach its well-deserved position as one of the world’s leading luxury resort destinations in the world 12-months-a-year,” expresses Vedat Asçı, founder of owner and developer Astas Holding. “When I first saw the land, I knew it had all the potential to
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Above: Clean furniture lines combine with wooden wall panelling and floors, cream-coloured rugs and woven leather headboards, creating a serene sense of luxury while taking full advantage of the resort’s outstanding vistas
be home to a fabulous luxury landmark in the Mediterranean, as it carried all the attributes of what Bodrum is famous for: eternal blue, lush green, beautiful weather and air quality. It is our loyalty to the site’s nature and energy that make it the success our guests experience today.” With a masterplan by WATG and architecture developed by GAD Architecture in collaboration with Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel & Partners, the design was developed to create a sequence of flexible spaces that seamlessly transition from indoor to outdoor, one where the natural elements of daylight, water and landscape play a fundamental part in the guest experience. UK-based practice Scape Design Associates was responsible for the landscaping of the resort, creating spa gardens, sweeping terraces and private escapes for the apartments and villas. The main lobby building sits astride a hillside spur surrounded by terraces of olive trees, while stone paths lead through the stepped landscape to the amenities and beach. Each built facility has its own individually crafted setting. The main pool deck, for example, benefits from tiered infinity-edged pools and the tranquil spa garden offers a tea lounge surrounded by water. According to Scape, the planting palette – comprising large pine
and olive trees combined with a ground layer of seasonal colour and fragrance – was specifically selected to help blend the building forms into the landscape. The resort’s low-rise architecture combines simple and contemporary Asian lines with crafted feature elements. The reception boasts custom, oversized woven light fixtures and a monumental suspended stair leads guests to an array of indoor and outdoor public areas, adorned with exquisite local art pieces and a combination of custom-designed furnishings and carefully selected pieces from the likes of Flexform, B&B Italia, Kettal, Gloster, Arper and Vitra. Design elements blend Mandarin Oriental’s Far Eastern heritage with the local architectural vernacular. Natural materials such as wood, local stone and ceramics are employed extensively throughout the property, with unique applications representative of the group’s exacting attention to detail. Famed designer Antonio Citterio, with the support of Istanbulbased Metex Design, has crafted the resort’s 109 guestrooms and suites – the largest on offer in Bodrum – with restrained elegance. Clean furniture lines combine with wooden wall panelling and floors, cream-coloured rugs and woven leather headboards, creating a serene sense of luxury while taking full advantage of the resort’s outstanding
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Above: Natural materials such as wood, local stone and ceramics are employed extensively throughout the property, including the beachside Olive Garden
vistas. Stylish linear bathrooms are adjacent to a generous walk-in dressing area and offer heated marble floors and freestanding custom Agape tubs. Apaiser’s Lunar Stone Bathtubs feature in the Oriental and Mandarin Villas and all rooms have either outside terraces or balconies, the majority with plunge pools and outdoor showers. Not to be left in the shadow of Bodrum’s increasingly vibrant dining and nightlife scene, the team called on celebrity chefs and nightlife connoisseurs to create a range of international epicurean and entertainment experiences. With a staggering selection of ten restaurants and bars, F&B destinations include sophisticated Japanese at Kurochan, elevated yet authentic Italian at Assagio, casual Turkish at the beachside Olive Garden, and the spectacularly jet-set, over-water Juju Bar @M2, operated in collaboration with Istanbul’s famed Babylon nightclub. Built into the hillside, the resort’s sprawling 2,700m2 spa offers unparalleled seclusion overlooking the cascading landscape. With
heat and water therapies including hammams with private scrub rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and vitality pools, and a seductive relaxation area, the spa is primed for year-round repose. Of the 12 treatment rooms, particular standouts are two outdoor treatment cabanas, a couple’s spa suite and the expansive VIP spa suite ‘Orkide’ that would render any seasoned spa-goer speechless. Unique to Bodrum, the property boasts two private sandy beaches with cabanas nestled into the landscape along meandering pathways for ultimate privacy. Leisure facilities are rounded out with an array of pools set into the verdant hills, a vast fitness area, water sports centre, basketball and tennis courts and 8km jogging path. Notwithstanding the many amenities, the property is so greatly over-scaled to the number of guests it hosts that it remains an exclusive, private experience that feels more as if you’re sharing it with the humming cicadas than with other vacationers – a true luxury.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 109 guestrooms | 8 restaurants | 2 bars | 2,700m2 spa | 622m2 events space | www.mandarinoriental.com Owner / Developer: Astas Holding | Operator: Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group | Masterplan: WATG | Architecture: GAD | Interior Design: Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel & Partners (lead designer), Metex Design (local designer) | Fit-out Contractors: MOB (public areas), AHK (guestrooms), Europim (spa)
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The Fine Art of Hospitality
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Saia dining chair, ‘Tower’ table and ‘Pavilion’ by Varaschin
Suppliers of contemporary lighting, interior and exterior furniture collections t +44 (0)161 926 9398 e sales@ps-interiors.co.uk w www.ps-interiors.co.uk
Ovolo Southside HONG KONG
Taking cues from its industrial past, Hong Kong’s first warehouse-turned-hotel opens in the up-and-coming district of Wong Chuk Hang with interiors by KplusK Associates. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: © Graham Uden
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hile the conversion of vacant office space, derelict factories and abandoned warehouses may be commonplace in the US and Europe, developers in Asia have a penchant for the sprawling mixed-use complexes and shiny new skyscrapers that rise out of the ground on a seemingly daily basis. Yet there’s a wave of new hotels making use of the region’s neglected buildings, the latest of which is said to be Hong Kong’s first warehouse-turned-hotel. Ovolo Southside opened last October in Wong Chuk Hang, a revitalised town on the south side of Hong Kong Island. With 162 guestrooms and variety of public spaces including a restaurant,
signature lounge, rooftop bar and dedicated gallery, the hotel occupies the shell of a former warehouse built in 1976. Like many adaptive re-use projects, the development has played a significant role in transforming a previously lifeless industrial district into a vibrant neighbourhood, in this case, a hub for the arts. Contemporary galleries, furniture showrooms and offices of major fashion brands now occupy the workshops and warehouses, and there are further developments to come with a shopping mall and better transport links currently under construction. A member of Design Hotels, Ovolo Southside is the fifth Hong
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Above: Poured concrete, burnished wood and exposed brickwork form the backdrop to the public spaces
Kong opening for Ovolo Hotels, with existing properties in Central, West Kowloon and Aberdeen Harbour. Since the group was established in 2002, founder and CEO Girish Jhunjhnuwala has built a portfolio of hotels and serviced apartments and has recently led the brand’s expansion in Australia. Explains Chief Operating Officer, Dirk Dalichau: “In 2011, Ovolo made the leap from serviced apartment to hotel owner-operator. Ovolo Southside represents the next phase in our company’s evolution, from boutique to established mid-size hotelier.” He continues: “At 162-keys, not only is Ovolo Southside our largest hotel to-date, but it also the first where we can present our take on the full hospitality experience with a restaurant, rooftop bar, and conference and event spaces all planned into the same property.” Working closely with Ovolo, local firm KplusK Associates was responsible for the design of the hotel, which has recently been shortlisted for an Asia Hotel Design Award. “We are a highly detailoriented client that will go through limitless design revisions until the position of each power socket and light switch is perfect for our guests,” says Dalichau. “This required many consultations for how to smartly fit-out a warehouse into a functioning upscale hotel, while delivering on Ovolo’s brand experience. “Every Ovolo Hotel has its own individual design story through
distinctive interiors that interpret the surrounding neighbourhood and infuse our modern style into the original character of each building,” he continues. “We wanted to capture the revolution from industry to artistry by integrating raw industrial elements into our interiors and creating distinctive social spaces that are filled with engaging street art from local and international artists.” And this is evident from the outset. In a departure from the conventional hotel lobby, arriving guests enter via Ovolo’s vast event space. Located in the former garage of the warehouse, G.I.G. has retained its original truck turntable, now a centerpiece for the room and the ultimate rotating stage. With an 18-metre projection wall and state-of-the-art sound system, the multimedia space provides an inspiring setting for private parties, gallery events, fashion shows and product launches. Check-in takes place up on the third floor at LO Lounge, a social hub and signature feature of all Ovolo Hotels. Poured concrete, burnished wood and exposed brickwork form the backdrop to the space, while a feature wall of incandescent light bulbs sits behind a reception desk constructed from a series of restored hydraulic platforms. Metal tables and industrial-style lighting complete the look, and a snooker table, DJ spot and variety of seating options ensure the lounge is in use 24/7.
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Above: Steel water pipes, foil-clad air conditioning ducts and track lighting overhead reference the hotel’s industrial past
The F&B offering continues with Cirqle – Ovolo’s all-day dining restaurant featuring an open kitchen and expansive outdoor terrace – and Above, a vibrant rooftop bar rich in street art. The open-air terrace is well positioned to take in the wall-sized mural depicting a revolutionary Chinese uprising to one side, and views of the lush surroundings to the other. Upstairs past a neon ‘Made in Hong Kong’ sign, Above Above is a private garden where colourful chairs sit on an artificial grass surface. In keeping with Wong Chuk Hang, art plays an important role in the hotel. KplusK Associates enlisted the talents of a number of artists to create edgy street art in both the public spaces and guestrooms. “We engaged two graffiti crews to work on the building,” explains Paul Kember, Director and Senior Architect. “One from Los Angeles, Cyrcle, whose work adorns the top-floor bar and rooftop garden. The other, a local Hong Kong team, Parents Parents, who were commissioned to enliven the guestroom corridors.” The hotel façade has also been given its own identity. “The building externally has been renovated as a piece of urban camouflage,” he continues. “Its old windows have been replaced with full-height glazing to maximise light and views out, and the building’s skin is doused in a razzle dazzle paint effect redolent of a First World War battle cruiser.”
The 162 guestrooms across six different categories continue the industrial feel. “The building’s interior has been conceived as a utilitarian loft environment with high raw plaster ceilings, exposed services and industrial grilles,” adds Kember, likening the materials used to steel workbenches and rusting toolboxes. Exposed brickwork, artwork fashioned from remnants of corrugated iron, and a bespoke sofa with rust belt frame reference the industrial past, as do steel water pipes, foil-clad air conditioning ducts and track lighting overhead. Typical amenities are hidden away in heavy-duty storage units, and high-tech dimmers have been discounted in favour of simple on/off factory switches. Modern interventions come in the form of Apple TV and 3D Smart TVs in every room, a thoughtfully provided universal adaptor, and complimentary WiFi, not only within the hotel but access to 11,000 internet hotspots across the city. In fact, Ovolo prides itself on the added extras it offer guests, such as complimentary breakfast, filtered water, happy hour drinks, a free minibar replenished daily, and selfservice laundry. This ‘effortless living’ concept is set to benefit more and more travellers as Ovolo eyes global expansion. 2014 marked a significant milestone for the group with the acquisition of BLUE Sydney and Hotel 1888 in Sydney – both of which are currently being rebranded
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Left: Parents Parents have animated the hotel’s corridors with graphic motifs and stenciled messages Bottom Left: Arriving guests enter via Ovolo’s vast event space. Located in the former garage of the warehouse, G.I.G. has retained its original truck turntable, now a centerpiece for the room and the ultimate rotating stage
as Ovolo Hotels – and Oaks on Lonsdale in Melbourne. And there’s more to come for the group. “The future is bright for Ovolo,” believes Dalichau. “We plan to expand aggressively in hot urban centres, first in Australia where we’ve acquired three new hotels, and then we will consider opportunities further afield in Asia, Europe and the USA.” He concludes: “We are evolving our brand identity and marketing communications to be able to scale to this next level of growth. “Last year we worked with renowned creative firm Alchemy Asia to develop a new structure that establishes Ovolo Hotels as a collection of individually branded properties that function as independent neighbourhood hotspots under our mother brand. This new direction and tagline – ‘There’s something happening here’ – is easily understood by our target audience and can be easily applied to our future Ovolo destinations.”
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 162 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | Gym | 1 event space, 1 meeting room | www.ovolohotels.com Owner / Operator: Ovolo Hotels | Architecture & Interior Design: KplusK Associates | Procurement Consultant: Procurement Services Asia Ltd Lighting Consultant: Double Vision | Audio Visual Consultant: Nexus Technologies Ltd
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Chiltern Firehouse LONDON
André Balazs has crafted a narrative comprising history, luxury, integrity and celebrity, for his dramatic entrance to the London hotel scene. Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Tim Clinch
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ndré Balazs has often compared the creation of his hotels to movie productions. He is the auteur who chooses the location, sets the stage, and assembles the cast. His guests are the stars, and there has been no shortage of Hollywood style glamour at Chiltern Firehouse since its launch last year. In its first few months of opening, the waiting list for a reservation at its restaurant was the stuff newspaper columns were made of. Barely a night went past without a celebrity sighting making the gossip pages of the following day’s tabloids. Traversing the PR firewall that had been carefully constructed around Balazs’ latest confection was a process akin to securing an interview with an A-list movie star. Once inside, gaining access to the ‘secret’ hotel residents’ bar was a challenge up there with getting into the inner sanctum VIP area at the Academy Awards. Several months later, once the glare of the paparazzi bulbs had faded, we returned for a more considered assessment of this latest Balazs blockbuster. As with the best films, it’s one that bears repeated viewing. One where, once you’ve ceased being mesmerised by the leading lights, you can admire the subtleties of the cinematography, scripting and mise-en-scène. If Balazs is the director of the Firehouse picture show, its producer is Harry Handelsman – the Manhattan Loft Corporation developer who kickstarted the reinvention of King’s Cross with his restoration of another Gothic landmark, George Gilbert Scott’s St. Pancras Hotel. The Manchester Square Fire Station, as it was originally known, was designed by Robert Pearsall for the Metropolitan Board of
Works. Completed in 1879, the station followed the creation of the first publicly funded fire brigade, set up after repeated fires across the capital over the preceding centuries. Art scholar Nikolaus Pevsner has described it as the best surviving Gothic example of its type. It was eventually decommissioned in 2005 and Handelsman was one of several developers approached by The Portman Estate to assess its viability. “I looked at the building and thought it was amazing,” he says. “Marylebone was this fabulous location that didn’t really have a pull but there was a beautiful empty building no-one really knew what to do with. These red brick buildings are one of the nicest blocks in London in my view,” says Handelsman. Initial plans for MWB to open a Hotel du Vin or Malmaison on the site fizzled out and a mutual friend suggested Handelsman give Balazs a call. “I said to him, André you might have lost the jewels [in reference to a site Balazs had earlier been linked with for a Standard Hotel] but I think I’ve found the gem. He came back to London and he loved it too.” So began the long, complex process of its conversion to a hotel. Key members of the cast assembled by Balazs to work alongside his in-house team included David Archer of Archer Humphryes Architects, who had worked on previous Balazs projects, and Studio Ko – Parisian based designers whose work at L’Heure Bleue in Morocco had caught his eye. Archer Humphryes pored over Pearsall’s original drawings before
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Above: Original features have been retained in the restaurant, including a fireman’s pole which provides the centrepiece to one of the hottest tables
deciding on their architectural approach: “The reinstatement of the original Portland stone façade was a pivotal architectural decision, deploying modern methodologies to resolve the exuberant Gothic style,” says Archer. “This involved the application of new fluid ogee arches, carved rosettes, articulated gabled buttresses, fluted columns and a crenellated parapet.” A new five-storey tower containing four hotel suites and the ground-floor bar seamlessly joins with the existing building to ensure the character of the site was retained. The tour de force of the new architecture is a prominent gable end, facing Chiltern Street, complete with a cathedral window featuring inset carved stone trefoil motifs. Bricks are handmade to imperial dimensions, aligning with existing coursing and bonded with precise vertical joints. Steel windows have Portland stone frames and include nine square fanlights with rotated ribbed glass insets. The ground floor restaurant is housed in the original appliance shed, with a conference and meeting room in the former laddershed and a lobby in the recreation room. The station courtyard has been retained and repaved to provide a generous outdoor area for the bar and restaurant. A private dining area is at the rear, below a newly glazed roof. Archer Humphryes say they conceived the interior experience as sitting somewhere between ‘museum’ and ‘theatre’. “Public areas of
the hotel are ornamental and luxurious, with every element designed to enhance the wellbeing and pleasure of the hotel guests. The walls of the conservatory bar are wrapped in bathed honey hues of onyx, cradled below a ceiling of basket panels lined with gilded gold frames. Handwoven Indian jute ceiling panels are a key feature of the restaurant, while in the reception we have deployed dramatic straw panels with powerful single lines of colour interwoven to form a visually strong abstracted pattern.” Studio KO were primarily responsible for the interior design of the restaurant, occupying the original carriage house. The design is a melange of original features – shuttered doors, cast-iron columns, scuffed floor tiles, and the fireman’s pole (now the centrepiece of one of the most prized tables) – with subtle new interventions such as leather clad banquettes, vintage rugs and globe pendant lighting. These visual aspects are but one element of Balazs’ careful composition of different layers. If Chiltern were in contention for the Oscars, it wouldn’t just be for the set design. The sound editing is pitch perfect. That jute ceiling, reminiscent of firehose material, does a wonderful job of addressing any acoustic issues in this buzziest of restaurants. Lighting – by Arnold Chan of Isometrix – is supremely flattering to the room and diners alike. Table linens, cutlery and glassware are placed with an art director’s attention to detail.
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Left: Architects Archer Humphryes have seamlessly added a new five-storey tower to the existing Fire Station buildings. The reinstatement of the original Portland stone façade, using modern methods to resolve the exuberant Gothic style, drove the architecture. Albion Stone supplied approximately 23m³of ‘Jordans Basebed’ Portland stone for the project in the form of detailed gothic-style plinths, window surrounds, and copings
Above: The restaurant at Chiltern Firehouse features an Indian jute fabric ceiling, cast iron pillars, and original tiled floors still bearing the scuffmarks from the iron-wheeled carriages that were stationed here
It’s perhaps a shame in all of this that the food doesn’t get the billing it deserves. Such is the high-wattage celebrity glare of the restaurant that the kitchen, run by Nuno Mendes – formerly of Viajante at the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green – risks being relegated to the role of film set caterer, though signature dishes such as crab doughnuts and chargrilled Iberico pork and are worthy of star status in their own right. And although Handelsman acknowledges this is essentially “an F&B operation with rooms attached” it would be remiss to ignore the guestrooms, which are understated and sophisticated, combining mirrored oval tables, light grey marble bathrooms, varnished mahogany furniture and fine Pierre Frey fabrics. The furnishings by the likes of PTT Design, Spratlings and Garden Link, and lighting fixtures from CTO, Vaughan and Heathfield amongst others, were
procured, as was the FF&E throughout the hotel, by Chris Garrod Global, working in close harmony with Balazs’ in-house team. The rooms are undoubtedly luxurious yet they are also curiously modest – anonymous even, like the ‘Somewhere’ of the Chateau Marmont as depicted in Sofia Coppola’s film exploring the ennui of the lives of the rich and famous. Handelsman admits a few more rooms would have been nice, and says there may be opportunities in nearby buildings – though the Firehouse’s arrival has pushed up rents in Marylebone significantly. “It’s been an exciting journey and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved,” says Handelsman, surveying the room. “As a developer I like to introduce something different, to bring interest and buzz to an a location. This has been good for London, it’s a real addition to the city’s status as an international destination.”
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 26 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | www.chilternfirehouse.com Owner / Developer: André Balazs Properties and Manhattan Loft Corporation | Architecture: Archer Humphryes Architects | Interior Design: Studio KO Lighting Design: Isometrix | FF&E Procurement: Chris Garrod Global | Main Contractor: Knight Harwood | Project Management: Baqus
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InterContinental Sydney Double Bay SYDNEY
Based on the concept of retain and re-use, Bates Smart has transformed a former playground of the rich and famous into an elegant bayside retreat. Words: Mandi Keighran | Photography: Courtesy of InterContinental Sydney Double Bay / Bates Smart
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he Ritz-Carlton in Double Bay, a leafy bayside suburb in Sydney’s East, was the hotel du jour during its heyday in the nineties. Throughout the decade, the mock-Georgian building served as a decadent playground for the rich and famous. Elton John, Madonna, and Tom Cruise partied here, several US presidents were guests, and it’s where INXS frontman Michael Hutchence died in 1997. But by 2007, the party was over. Following a stint as the Stamford Plaza, the building became unoccupied and succumbed to disrepair. In November last year, however, Royal Hotels and InterContinental succeeded in bringing the hotel back to life with a
grand AUD$25m makeover undertaken by Australian architecture and interiors firm, Bates Smart. “The building had gone to rack-and-ruin and was being used for all sorts of things, including rave parties,” explains Brenton Smith, a director at Bates Smart and project leader on the InterContinental Double Bay. “The bones of it, however, were still very good.” Following the acquisition of the site by Royal Hotels in 2012, Bates Smart won a design competition based on their concept of ‘retain and re-use’. “There was beautiful marble and quality timber panelling throughout the hotel,” continues Smith, “so, we tried to use
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Above: The light-filled, marine-inspired interior takes inspiration from the history and harbour-side location of Double Bay Opposite: The glamour called for by the client’s brief is found in the gin-themed Stillery bar and the Stockroom restaurant
the existing fabric of the building and amplify it.” Midway through the process, InterContinental was brought in as the operator and their brief – including the brand’s colour palette – had to be incorporated into the design scheme. “The owners wanted it to be rich and colourful, with a sense of grandeur,” says Brenton. “We had to take that and ensure it was relevant to the area.” So, gone is the inward-facing aspect of the hotel along with the dated palette of peach and apricot; replaced by a light-filled, marine-inspired interior that takes inspiration from the history and harbour-side location of Double Bay. While Bates Smart has effectively interwoven the two briefs to create a unified outcome, the InterContinental branding is predominantly contained in the rooms. Here, the graphic customdesigned carpets make use of the InterContinental colour palette of cool blue tones. The room interiors are simple, fresh and relaxed, serving as a backdrop to views over the bay, the leafy village, or the European-style internal courtyard, which is for the exclusive use of InterContinental Club members. The bathrooms – all polished marble and chrome – reflect the ‘retain and re-use’ principle. “It’s beautiful Calacatta marble, so it was all about cleaning the bathrooms up and putting in new tapware and
fasciae,” says Smith. “They’re gorgeous bathrooms, and even if we were doing a newbuild today we would put something like this in.” The glamour called for by the client’s brief is found throughout the lobby and the three F&B venues – the gin-themed Stillery bar, the Stockroom restaurant, and a spectacular rooftop lounge and pool bar. The lobby is an understated space that uses theatrical lighting to great effect and gives the ‘retain and re-use’ principle a playful twist, with the original phone boxes transformed into internet points. Perhaps surprisingly, it’s Stillery bar, not the lobby, which sits at the heart of the hotel. The opulent bar has open access to the first floor lobby and aims to draw in both guests and the local community. Woven leather screens help to break up the large space, and the bayside location is recognised in the rigging-inspired custom lighting, marine-style shelving behind the bar, and the soft blue colour palette. The most impressive embodiment of the marine theme, however, is the 160kg chandelier over the stairwell between Stillery and the lobby, designed by Bates Smart and inspired by yachts on the harbour. “We needed something with volume that was also quite delicate,” says Smith. “It moves in the breeze and connects the bar and reception, giving a bit of sparkle without being too over the top.” In contrast, Stockroom references the farming legacy of Double
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Above: Bates Smart has transformed the rooftop into a Mediterranean-inspired urban oasis with poolside lounge and bar
Bay, which was pastoral land from the 1820s to the mid-1950s when a tramline was built to connect the suburb to the city. The menu is all about fresh, local produce, and the dining area – which includes a private dining space for up to 20 – has a much warmer palette than Stillery and features specially commissioned photographs of the local area. One of the challenges here was to create a space that would cater for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while still feeling intimate – a challenge Bates Smart overcame by using a variety of seating arrangements. The real jewel in the crown of the new hotel, however, is undoubtedly the rooftop bar area and infinity splash pool. Previously an under-utilised space featuring a tiny gym and dingy pool, Bates Smart has transformed the rooftop into a Mediterranean-inspired urban oasis. “It’s not a big space, but we’ve maximised it,” says Smith. “It has an intimacy about it.” Managing the local community’s expectations in relation to the rooftop was one of the more difficult operational tasks faced by
the hotel. “It’s the pièce de résistance in terms of design and we want to give our guests priority, but ensure that we are still part of the community,” says Jasmine Cook, Communications Manager at the hotel. The solution was found in opening the space to anyone from 8am to midday, and then implementing a minimum spend in the afternoon and evening. “We’re trying to ensure that the space is exclusive, without ostracising people.” In terms of work to the base building, there was little to be done. Bates Smart increased the number of apertures along the street-facing wall in Stillery, flooding the space with natural light, and added several new coffers to partially correct the original asymmetry of the building, which is in stark contrast to its Georgian inspiration. “We wanted this to be a building everyone could use,” concludes Cook. “This hotel has been such a part of the history of this suburb and there’s a real emotional investment by the locals.” In fact, so great is the community interest in the hotel’s second-coming that the first months were booked out largely by locals on staycations.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 140 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | 7 event spaces | www.intercontinental.com/doublebay Owner: Royal Hotels Australia | Operator: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts | Architecture & Interior Design: Bates Smart | Lighting Design: Electrolight Project Manager: EDM | Builder: Isis | BCA Consultant: Philip Chun | Structural Engineer: TTW
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W BOGOTÁ
Studio Gaia looks to the legend of El Dorado in its designs for W’s Colombian debut, which also serves as a catalyst for the development of the city. Words: Aaron Millar | Photography: Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts
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hen Spanish explorers reached South America in the early 16th century they heard rumours of a tribe that lived high in the Colombian Andes who would paint their chiefs in gold and bathe them in the waters of Lake Guatavita. From this, the legend of El Dorado was born – the lost city of gold. Those treasures may have never been found, but at the new W Hotel, in Bogotá, they’ve come pretty close. Five years in the making, the 168-room, 17-storey newbuild is a collaboration between Starwood Hotels & Resort’s well-established luxury brand W, Latin American hotel developers Terranum, and
New York designers Studio Gaia, whose other recent projects include W Hotels in Seoul, Shanghai and Mexico City. But the backdrop to the build is larger than the hotel industry. 12 years ago such a project would have been unthinkable, but rapid improvements to security in the country have resulted in a booming economy, a flourishing creative scene and a sense of optimism for the future that is tangible on the streets. “That’s why the W brand connects so well with Bogotá,” General Manager Ian Ciappara believes. “We’re about what’s new and next, and this city is what’s new and next.”
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Above & Opposite: Bright yellow and gold accents feature throughout the public spaces in the W Lounge, Market Kitchen and the spa pool
“Everything in the design is about creating the sensuality of discovery,” Acevedo explains. Walking from the Market Kitchen restaurant to the Living Room, W’s take on the traditional hotel lobby is a disorientating descent through a dark corridor – with ceiling lighting reminiscent of mining tunnels, another of Colombia’s emblematic industries – into a dazzling eruption of bright white flooring, light sheers and spirals of hanging golden string. “We wanted guests to find the light at the end of each tunnel,” Acevedo says. “The gold in each unique area of the project.” Similarly, guest floor corridors are almost pitch black, barely lit by a decorative golden spiral, but that darkness is absolved completely as the door opens to polished white rooms, with bright yellow and gold accents, retro modern furniture and smoothed plastic surfaces. The El Dorado theme is brought out further in the rooms with a unique over-bed awning, an idea lifted from the most prize possession of the city’s Museo del Oro: a priceless golden replica of the canopied raft used in the Lake Guatavita ceremonies. Indeed, look closely and hints of El Dorado’s shimmering lost city are found throughout the hotel. In golden mosaics on the walls of the open plan guestroom en-suites; on decorative screens in the destination bar that seem to drip from the ceiling like sheets of golden rain and, perhaps most impressively of all, in the waters of the spa, where gold leaf embedded inside the pool glimmers in
Although initially aimed at the MICE market, which is already thriving in the capital, W Bogotá may have early market advantage when it comes to leisure travellers too. Reports indicate that 2014 tourist numbers are set to double from the previous year, and last summer the airline Avianca reinstated the first direct London to Bogotá flight in over ten years, with other carriers now following suit. Positioning within the city is good too. Across the street is trendy Usaquen, the hippest and most affluent area of the capital. While annexed to the building is 800m2 of meeting and convention space available for guest use. But, as with all W’s, design is the hotel’s standout feature. “There’s nothing like the W Bogotá right now in our country,” explains Laura Acevedo, Terranum’s Director of Interior Design. “We wanted to create a space where the energy of the city – this movement of music, fashion, food, design and creativity that’s happening right now in Bogotá – could come together as one.” As a brand, W is known for fusing its contemporary New York roots with a design narrative inspired by the cultural and historical influences of each hotel’s destination country. In Bogotá, Studio Gaia went back to the legend of El Dorado, but as is typical in the W ethos, nothing is literal: you’ll find no ancient artefacts or pictures of indigenous cultures here. Instead the search itself becomes the main theme.
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This Page: Hints of El Dorado’s shimmering lost city are found throughout the hotel, including on decorative screens in the destination bar that seem to drip from the ceiling like sheets of golden rain
stark counterpoint to the black tile surround. Flowers too, another of Colombia’s most precious exports, are a subtle but ever present visual motif. The restaurant is laid out like the leaves of the locally grown calla lily, each cluster of tables shaped like one of its petals. Look up in the Living Room and what at first glance are just abstracted golden shapes, slowly becomes a bouquet of flowers as if seen in silhouette. “We wanted to create the experience of mystery,” Acevedo continues. “To allow our guests to discover things for themselves.” But one of the discoveries guests will be most surprised about is the city itself and that, Acevedo explains, is also one of the ambitions for the project. “We used to be closed to the world, but with this project we’re opening our doors again.” And, according to Ciappara, the hotel’s success hinges on strengths already well established by the brand – “attention to detail, an element of surprise and intelligent design.” A formula that has proved itself to be true gold indeed.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 168 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | Spa, hydrotherapy pool, gym | Ballroom, 5 meeting rooms | www.whotels.com/bogota Owner / Developer: Terranum Hotels | Operator: Starwood Hotels & Resorts | Architecture: Terranum Arquitectura | Interior Design: Studio Gaia
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Le Cinq Codet PARIS
A residential-style development in the “low-key” 7th arrondissement, Le Cinq Codet embodies understated style with its incomplete design and artwork in abundance. Words: Molly Dolan | Photography: Courtesy of Le Cinq Codet
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urrounded by seven-storey Hausmannian Parisian apartments complete with wrought iron balconettes, Le Cinq Codet blends seamlessly into the urban landscape, so much so that it adopts its simplistic address its name. Originally designed as a telephone exchange building in the 1930s, Jean-Philippe Nuel took on the challenge to transform the industrial space with verve, deploying his wealth of knowledge to create a truly unique project. The building retains many of its original characteristics to this day, with the glass block windows still in use on the central staircase. Offering description, Nuel, founder of Agence Nuel, comments: “It has huge height on each floor, which we have used to develop the concept of two levels in most guestrooms.” Meanwhile a fourth floor was added, housing the hotel’s lavish suites and offering breathtaking views across Paris. The vast height of each level was very much a functional ploy when built, as technical telephone servers were held in the now plush, luxury spaces.
Previous Page: Designed to be a natural extension of the central patio, with the same atmosphere lingering, the lounge bar is an allencompassing area This Page: In-keeping with local apartment styles, guestrooms span two levels Opposite Page: Guestrooms are furnished with round, corner sofas, Nuel-designed tables and furniture by Tom Dixon and Patricia Urquiola
Once an aristocratic district, the 7 th arrondissement is often billed as the home of the Parisian upper class, after French nobles relocated to the less populated area in the 17th century from nearby Marais. L’Hôtel National des Invalides is located just a short stroll away, with the golden dome visible from guestrooms and suites, offering a glimpse of glamour over the rooftops. Upon entering the building, a light and contemporary reception area greets visiting guests. An Elisabeth Garouste-designed armchair – one of only ten in the world – takes pride of place, adding to the exclusivity of Le Cinq Codet. Accompanying pieces designed by Nuel himself adorn the space, including the fascinating black, sleek concierge desk. Created solely for the hotel, many of the pieces will go on to create a small collection between Nuel and French brand Ligne Roset, while other furniture throughout the hotel has been designed by Paola Lenti, Patricia Urquiola and Tom Dixon. Littered with books and artwork propped against walls, the design teeters on the edge of appearing incomplete, with the tranquil look adding to the relaxed, homely atmosphere. Artwork from reputable artists, as well as upand-coming names such as Caroline Touzet and
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Above: The hotel reception is littered with books and artwork propped against walls, adding to the relaxed atmosphere
Cyril Destrade-Léveillé, rests unhung, as it would be at home when deciding where to pierce a wall and hang it permanently. “No less than 400 artworks are on display,” explains Nuel, with the number of books totalling around the 100 mark. Titles such as Elliott Erwitt’s ‘Paris’ span the wooden shelves, inviting guests to read and relax. Nuel describes the public spaces as being relatively scarce in order to promote the feel of local apartments, with limited shared areas and importance placed upon private living. That being said, the open reception offers areas to relax and read, while the hotel’s restaurant provides a sociable alternative. Importance is placed on the guestrooms which, again, are designed to be homely, unpretentious and welcoming. “This is domestic style language that has mutated. Things are taken a step further,” illustrates Nuel when talking about the refined simplicity of the guestrooms. Mimicking the local style, most guestrooms span two levels, creating a true duplex-apartment feel, possibly even capturing the spirit of a very orderly artist’s studio. With 29 room types of a total 67 guestrooms, Nuel and team were granted a sense of freedom to create quirky spaces, where guests are invited to make the room their own. The agency welcomed the flexibility as it allowed them to deviate from the limiting cookie-
cutter approach. The design motive centres on relaxation, with a freestanding bathtub located in the upstairs bedroom area, separate from the more functional shower space, and offering an unobstructed view across the neighbouring rooftops. Corner sofas extend to the base of the staircase, imploring guests to unwind and utilise any area for relaxation, as the steps with integrated lighting can be used as informal seating. Nuel demonstrates this when taking a seat to to talk passionately about the structured design of this particular, unique guestroom. Another seat replaces the traditional luggage rack, which has been omitted to allow for a more homely feel. Round lines of the Nuel-created table, made using linen fabric resin stand and smoked glass top, respond to the lines of the architectural chandelier above. Four stand-out suites with landscaped balconies feature bespoke loungers and private Jacuzzi’s offering view of the magnificent 300year old Invalides Dome. Meanwhile on the other side, the expansive suites embrace the views of surrounding rooftops and gardens, with a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the not-so-far distance. With natural light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the arrangement of each suite allows for multiple customisation possibilities, with sliding doors allowing areas to reunite or separate.
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Above: The patio is central to the hotel, offering a sanctuary from the city
Each bedroom features a king size bed with panoramic views, a grand sofa and brass totem lighting with antique bronze finish. The en suite bathroom is strategically placed, enjoying views of the terrace and city beyond. Oak walls line the space, complemented by simplistic monochrome tiling, while the signature freestanding bathtub sits in front of the bay window. Originality continues through the contemporary design of the hotel corridors. The split-level guestroom top floor imposes on the corridor space at ceiling level, with Nuel using this to create a spectacle by adding lighting to the unusual feature. Corbelling creates a singular geometry, reinforced by the graphics of Béatrice Grandjean and soft lighting. Although large parts of the corridor design come as a result of the guestroom architecture, Nuel was keen for the spaces to remain unique, “like no other hotel corridor I’ve seen before”. Central to the hotel is the patio, with copious greenery offering guests a sanctuary from the City of Light. “The courtyard is a very important part of the project,” states Nuel. “At night it is magical
with the lighting.” A select number of guestrooms offer views onto the green space. Designed to be a natural extension of the patio, with the same atmosphere lingering, the lounge bar is an all-encompassing area. “The doors retract, making it one fluid space in the summer time,” illustrates Nuel. With the fireplace taking centre stage, it is only natural to incorporate more bookshelves into this focal point. The ambiance embodies that of a studio loft, with 1930s-inspired black and green sofas standing alongside pierced steel screens. The entire home-from-home design comes to a head with the breakfast space. The re-invented concept sees breakfast served around a small island-table, with the chef acting as head of the household, cooking to order just a few steps away. Guest meals are then completed using ingredients dispersed around the kitchen. The project was a relatively quick one for Nuel, taking two and half years in total. Unfortunately, this time saw the passing of Eric Chabeur, architect to the project, whose team at Cabinet Millet Chabeur fulfilled his vision.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 67 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Spa | www.le5codet.com Owner / Operator: CHG Codet | Architecture: Cabinet Millet Chabeur | Interior Design: Agence Nuel | Lighting Design: Distylight
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J Plus Hotel by Yoo HONG KONG
Philippe Starck’s first hotel in Asia gets a new look courtesy of his protégés at Yoo Studio. Words: Catherine Martin | Photography: Courtesy of Yoo Hotels & Resorts
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n 2004, Hong Kong’s first boutique hotel opened to critical acclaim. As Philippe Starck’s first foray into Asia, it has attracted scores of design savvy travellers over the years, picking up a number of accolades along the way. A decade on, new openings in the city’s boutique and lifestyle sector are frequent, competition is fierce and the pressure is on to keep up with new arrivals. The latest to be given a fresh lease of life is J Plus Hotel by Yoo. The property has been the subject of a HK$10 million rebrand and refurbishment, having been inaugurated into the Yoo Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Keeping with the Starck connection, its
new identity comes courtesy of Yoo Studio, also part of Yoo Limited, the residential and hospitality design firm founded by Starck and international property entrepreneur John Hitchcox in 1999. Overseen by Yoo Studio’s Creative Director Mark Davison and Senior Designer Gustav Szabo, the makeover – described as a celebration of ‘Urban Renaissance’ – is evident both inside and out. Architectural detailing has been added to the previously featureless façade through the somewhat unconventional method of spraypainting to dramatic effect. Peeking out from behind the ‘curtain’, a large-scale Renaissance-style portrait by Graffiti4Hire greets arriving
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Above: Imported European furniture combines with a chaotic yet complementary mix of texture, colour and pattern, adding a new layer to Starck’s original designs
guests and appropriately heralds the hotel’s rebirth. Perhaps it’s also a nod to nearby Wan Chai, a revitalised district that is fast becoming a hub for Chinese arts and culture. Continuing the art theme, the hotel has recently announced it is to run a series of pop-up art exhibitions throughout the year, partnering with like-minded art organisations and galleries to engage Hong Kong’s creative audience. “J Plus Hotel by Yoo was the first Hong Kong hotel to introduce a street art twist to the exterior of its building to promote a unique artistic element in this dynamic city,” explains General Manager Vivian Chau. “We are now excited to launch this dedicated new exhibition space where our guests can enjoy an exclusive opportunity to view and appreciate works by artists from all over the world.” Inside, the street art twist can be seen in rugs featuring scrawls of graffiti, and ceiling stickers that echo the artistry of the hotel’s exterior. In the lobby, imported European furniture combines with a chaotic yet complementary mix of texture, colour and pattern, adding a new layer to Starck’s original designs. Furniture classics such as Fratelli Boffi’s hooded Babette sit alongside playful additions that include Jake Phipps’ bronze Shell Stool, a laughing Buddha perch, sculptured
gold hand seat, and quirky wheelbarrow chair. A sofa produced in the traditional French style – typical of Starck’s projects – is upholstered in paint-splattered fabric, designed and manufactured by Timorous Beasties. Similarly, three portraits by Minehart, ‘vandalised’ by artist and self-titled ‘image thief’ Chad Wys, further convey the playfulness of the lobby’s décor. Local elements have also been integrated through the addition of yellow, orange and red framed panels set in the glazed façade, each inscribed with Chinese motifs of coins, dragons and bamboo, introduced as symbols of good fortune. Lighting is intentionally subdued to allow illumination from the city’s bustling streets and famed neon signage to filter in. The industrialstyle multi-spotlight Dear Ingo Chandelier designed by Ron Arad for Moooi is the main light source, together with ten cocoon-shaped cut crystal pendants hanging over the pantry. Here, continental breakfast, afternoon cakes and evening wine are complimentary, and tea, coffee, water and juices are available throughout the day. While there’s no full-service restaurant on site, the hotel’s Causeway Bay location means dining options are plentiful. Other facilities include an openair terrace overlooking the street below, a gym, self-service laundry,
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This Page: Architectural detailing has been added to the previously featureless façade through the somewhat unconventional method of spraypainting to dramatic effect. Peeking out from behind the ‘curtain’, a Renaissance-style portrait by Graffiti4Hire greets arriving guests and appropriately heralds the hotel’s rebirth
a penthouse function room, and an eclectic exhibition space known as Art@JPlushk. Guestrooms have also been refreshed. The 32 studios and 24 suites are decorated in one of four vibrant schemes suitably named Dreamy Pink, Tangerine Joy, Sunshine Yellow or Tranquil Blue. Colour is applied to rugs, soft furnishings and alcoves, adding interest to the otherwise white backdrop. And of course, Starck’s influence is ever-present through trademark accessories, detail and styling. The 780ft2 suites are more city apartment than hotel room, each featuring an open-plan living area with dining table and workspace as well as a fully-equipped kitchenette and separate bedroom. Even the hotel’s entry category is a generous 380ft2. J Plus is the latest addition to Yoo Hotels & Resorts under the direction of CEO Marco Nijhof. With ambitious growth plans, the group has recently announced the opening of its first luxury resort residence in the Philippines, Aqua Boracay by Yoo, due for completion in Winter 2015. Following this, Yoo2 Botafogo will open in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a 115-key Yoo Collection resort designed by Jade Jagger is slated to open in Bali’s Lepang district in 2016.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 56 guestrooms | Penthouse function space | www.jplushongkong.com Developer: CSI Properties Limited | Operator: Yoo Hotels & Resorts | Interior Design: Yoo Studio | Graffiti Artist: Graffiti4hire
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NEW YORK New York is the city that never sleeps, and certainly its hotel industry shows no sign of resting up as the relentless pace of hotel development continues. Words: Molly Dolan
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Further north in midtown, the Baccarat Hotel will be clad in the brand’s crystal from outside-in when it opens opposite the Museum of Modern Art in March. But perhaps the most eagerly anticipated opening is Ian Schrager’s New York Edition, set to grace the historic Clock Tower on Madison Avenue in the city’s Flatiron district. Another Edition Hotel is planned for Times Square further down the line, whilst Schrager is also working on a combined residential and hotel property at 215 Chrystie St, designed by Pritzker Prizewinning architects Herzog & de Meuron. Joining a flurry of other new properties in the area, Riff Hotel Downton will open early next year near Battery Park City and the Manhattan waterfront. The unique, musically themed hotel will be a second for the brand in New York, building on the success of Riff Hotel Chelsea, which opened in 2014. The frenzied development of new hotels is not limited to Manhattan. Districts such as Brooklyn, Queens and Harlem are also getting in on the act. One landmark project, with an opening set for June 2016, is Cambria Suites Hotel, Harlem. The hotel will be part of a Danforth Development Partners project, consisting of commercial and residential towers built above the historic Victoria Theater. The site will house a cultural arts centre, retail spaces, apartments and the 210-key hotel. Further afield, Hotel Indigo Flushing will open in 2016. The Queens hotel will include 147 guestrooms and follow the brand’s 290-key Lower Eastside property opening at the end of 2015. A third Hotel Indigo will open in 2016 in the form of a 192-key venture on Maiden Lane. Resting in the heart of the Downtown district, it will be part of developments connecting Lower Manhattan with New Jersey and the rest of the city. Its developers may be showing no signs of resting up, but visitors to the city will have no shortage of options when it comes to finding somewhere to bed down in the city that never sleeps.
nly Dubai and London have more hotel projects in the pipeline than New York according to Top Hotel Projects. And it is the second most active city in terms of new room supply – the 67 hotels in development representing more than 20,000 new guestrooms. With 54.3 million visitors in 2013 alone, and occupancy rates sitting way above the national average at 88.3%, New York’s hospitality sector continues to grow, with innovative independent hotels and big branded boxes alike proliferating across the city. For several years, new hotel openings were concentrated around downtown New York in districts such as Soho, Nolita and Tribeca. New pockets of activity have emerged over the past two- to threeyears, notably around midtown. On 57th Street Park Hyatt’s New York flagship opened in August 2014, neighbouring the recently opened Viceroy and The Quin. 57th Street is also set to be home to South American brand Fasano with its inaugural hotel in the city. Times Square has recently welcomed innovative brand citizenM, who are also opening a new hotel on the Lower East Side in early 2016. Also in Times Square, The Knickerbocker Hotel joins The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio in February 2016. Close by, the city’s Garment District has also been attracting the attentions of hotel investors, with new independent properties such as Refinery Hotel and Archer Hotel joining the existing hotels from big brands such as DoubleTree by Hilton and Wyndham. It was the creation of the NoMad district, kickstarted by the opening of Ace New York and the NoMad itself that put midtown back on the map for hotel development. Having recently launched in Chicago, Virgin Hotels is to break ground on a new NoMad hotel this year, with opening slated for 2017. The project will be overseen by owner and developer Lam Group which is also set to develop the Starwood-operated Aloft Hotel Midtown, with a projected opening of late 2016.
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Courtesy of 215 Chrystie
Above: Opening in 2016, Schrager’s 215 Chrystie will reside in downtown Manhattan, combining residential and hotel space to house 370 guestrooms Right: Located in Times Square as of February 2015, The Knickerbocker Hotel joins The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio Below: VOA Architecture has been enlisted as the architect and interior designer to oversee the development of the new Virgin Hotel in the NoMad district, alongside the in-house design team
Š 2014 HayesDavidson
Courtesy of The Knickerbocker
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Park Hyatt NEW YORK
Yabu Pushelberg has created a hotel inspired by the most illustrious residences of New York’s Upper East Side within the Christian de Portzamparc-designed One57 building overlooking Central Park. Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Patrick Messina
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hen Hurricane Sandy ripped through New York in October 2012, one of the most widely reported effects was its impact on the crane at One57 – a mixed-use building by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Christian de Portzamparc. Such was Sandy’s force the crane snapped in two, with a boom bystanders mistook for a thunderclap – an event captured on videophones and relayed by news channels worldwide. It was just the latest setback for Extell Development Corporation, whose plans for a soaring tower overlooking Central Park had undergone many iterations following de Portzamparc’s initial commission in 2005, before construction finally started in 2009, just as the effects of the economic crisis began to bite. Nevertheless, Extell were able to pursue their plans for the highest residential tower in New York, also accommodating Park Hyatt’s new flagship hotel. The L-shaped footprint of the site provided the main thrust of de Portzamparc’s design, which addressed the structural requirements of a markedly elongated tower, the city’s alignment regulations and specific air rights considerations. “The tower turns towards Central Park as if in tribute,” says de Portzamparc of the completed building. “The southern façade is structured into vertical bands of glass in two contrasting colours. Appearing the same from the inside, they express the energy of a waterfall in New York’s vertical landscape, linking each unit of
volume via curved transitional surfaces. The east and west façades resemble the aleatory aesthetic of my Le Monde and Nantes projects, with their Gustav Klimt-like pixelation that fluctuates with the constantly changing light exposure.” Entering the Park Hyatt New York today instills an immediate sense of calm and respite from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. Yabu Pushelberg’s interior design is inspired by New York’s most illustrious Upper East Side homes. Signature elements are tastefully layered with modern materials, curated artworks and custom furnishings. Incredibly, this is the fi rst newly built fi ve-star to open in Manhattan in over a decade. Its location on 57th Street, directly opposite Carnegie Hall, a short walk from Central Park, places it on the same block as two other recent additions to the New York hotel scene – Viceroy and The Quin. “This hotel, as any great hotel, reflects the culture of the place,” say Yabu Pushelberg. “It is designed to act as a social centre, a gathering place, and attract a myriad of different people. There was careful consideration given to what that means, and how it is manifested in the physical environment. Art installations by US and New York-based artists reinforce a notion of style and confidence that is ‘of New York’.” Public areas are divided into a series of intimate, linked rooms,
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Above: The Spa Lounge is part of a breathtaking three-storey eyrie atop the hotel where walls are wrapped in watercolour painted canvas Opposite: In the Nalai Spa, the indoor pool is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and blue and gold striped Alexis Azure stone walls
while light wells and terraces allow natural light to fi lter into the hotel. Guests enter through oversized custom bronze doors into a double-height lobby with expressive architectural finishes. Wrapped in honed silvery-veined stone, cool grey stone floors and watercolour-inspired rugs, the entry is punctuated by champagne metal screens in a signature hexagonal motif found throughout the hotel. Toward the end of the lobby, a striking sculptural stair curves up to the second level, fitted against a glass backdrop that encloses a verdant garden beyond. Above, an intimate courtyard-like salon is framed by champagnecoloured metal screens. Richly textured collections of furniture, lamps and pillows in warm neutral tones provide a gathering place between meeting rooms and event spaces. The meeting rooms are more like private dining spaces than corporate boardrooms, their upholstered chairs, chandeliers and concealed equipment lending a residential feel. On the same level, the cube-shaped ballroom features floor-toceiling windows with soft drapery covering one side of the room while the other three walls are clad in back-lit onyx in an irregular Mondrian-esque pattern, providing a backdrop to the bespoke chandelier made up of geometric translucent panels and metal
details. The focal point of the room is a three-panelled back-painted mirror etched with an intricate tree-pattern. Stepping out from the elevator on the third level, guests spill into the Living Room – a lobby lounge and bar, blended together as one extended salon. The double-height space is delineated by tall metal screens between varied seating groups of layered soft furnishings. The bar itself is two steps down, intentionally dropped to expand the perspective and highlight the view out to 57th Street and Carnegie Hall. Discreetly tucked behind the elevators, the concierge and reception area features a modern faceted black table-height desk, set against classic tailored sofas and lamps in the business salon opposite. The Back Room at One57 restaurant is a 97-cover American grill, led – as are the rest of the hotel’s culinary operations – by Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault. Here, end-grain wood floors add warmth to walls clad in blue and gold striped Alexis Azure stone, softened by rose-coloured glass screens. Warm wood tables and coffee-coloured leather chairs are contrasted by embossed black leather banquettes curving around the perimeter of the room, creating cosy nooks. Rich dark drapery is interlaced with gold threads, mimicking the shimmer in the stone walls.
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Above: Guestrooms offer a procession of spaces divided by etched glass screens. Bathrooms feature Apaiser bathtubs
The feeling of tranquil escape from the urban surroundings is most keenly felt in Spa Nalai – a breathtaking, light-flooded threestorey eyrie on the 25th floor, taking its name from the word for ‘serenity’ in the language of the Lenape people who resided here long before the fi rst skyscraper was built. Features include a steam room, hydrotherapy hot tub, private changing rooms and an indoor swimming pool with underwater speakers playing an exclusive soundtrack from Carnegie Hall. A grand double-height space wrapped in blue and gold striped Alexis Azure stone, the pool is fl anked on one side by floor-toceiling windows. At night, a custom lantern-like chandelier casts a warm glow throughout the pool, refl ecting off the water and gold-flecked stone walls. Stone slab flooring carries through to the spa lounge and reception area where walls are wrapped in watercolour-painted canvas. Bespoke rugs evoke a cloud-dappled sky. A sculptural geometric light installation suspended from the ceiling is fi nished in
the same champagne coloured metal as the reception lobby screens. Starting at 44m 2 the guestrooms at Park Hyatt New York are amongst the largest in Manhattan. Each comprises a series of chambers, with dedicated spaces for sleeping, dressing, resting and working, defi ned by architectural screens and custom walnut millwork. Eclectic furniture and silvery-stone flooring are softened by powder blue area rugs with a subtle brush stroke pattern. Entry through a short corridor leads to a hand-crafted trunk set against a bespoke multi-faceted screen that allows for a glimpse through to the room beyond. Turning the corner, a freestanding lacquer pantry is adorned with one of a series of handpainted designs, fl anked by double pocket doors leading to the expansive bathroom and a custom wardrobe on the other side. The generously proportioned bathroom takes full advantage of natural light spilling through from the adjacent guestroom. The overall feeling is one of sophisticated luxury, a port where hotel guests can fi nd shelter from the storm that is midtown Manhattan.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 210 guestrooms | 2 restaurants | 1 bars | Spa, Gym & Indoor Pool www.newyork.park.hyatt.com Developer: Extell Owner / Operator: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts | Design Architect: Atelier Christian de Portzamparc | Executive Architect: SLCE Architects Interior Design: Yabu Pushelberg | Lighting Design: Tillotson Design Associates | FF&E Procurement: Parker International | Art Consultant: Art & Advisory
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www.deirdredyson.com
TriBeCa Penthouse at The Greenwich Hotel NEW YORK
Robert de Niro and Ira Drukier unveil the latest addition to their acclaimed hotel: an unusual, minimalist suite masterminded by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt. Words: Dan Stapleton | Photography: Š Nikolas Koenig
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igh above the cobblestone streets of TriBeCa in Manhattan, atop the red-brick Greenwich Hotel, is a split-level penthouse that is poised to redefine luxury accommodation in New York City. Although the suite costs US$15,000 per night plus taxes, the interior is far from showy. Instead, the simply decorated rooms feature weathered stone floors, humble wooden furniture, and curtains made from linen. Skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a series of fireplaces provide illumination. Cool and neutral tones are used throughout. The TriBeCa Penthouse may not boast the kind of creature comforts that traditional luxury travellers are accustomed to, but according to its designer, Axel Vervoordt, the suite offers something even more valuable: genuine peace. “We wanted to create a refuge,” he explains. “Staying here is about finding tranquility in the midst of the noise of New York.” Vervoordt is the latest in a series of high-profile architects and designers to work on an interior space at The Greenwich. Grayling Design and Samantha Crasco designed the original hotel, while David Rockwell can be credited for the N. Moore Penthouse. The hotel’s principal owners, actor Robert de Niro and philanthropist
Ira Drukier, sought Vervoordt out after hearing about his pioneering use of wabi-sabi, a collection of Japanese design principals that runs counter to Western notions of beauty. “Wabi-sabi is many things, and it’s very hard to find words to explain it all,” Vervoordt explains. “But it is concerned with the beauty of simplicity and imperfection. It is about finding a solution in earth and nature – believing that we, as humans, are servants of nature. Above all, it is a language that gives interior peace.” Drukier elaborates: “Wabi-sabi is a summary, developed over thousands of years of what feels good and what doesn’t. Sometimes, you can walk into a room that has a diagonal wall or some other feature that makes you feel very uncomfortable in the space. Other times, when you walk into a room, it just feels right: the size of the windows is correct, the height of the ceiling fits, the materials are in harmony. Why it feels good, I can’t tell you, but there’s no question that it works.” Over a period of several years, Vervoordt and his creative partner, architect Tatsuro ‘Taro’ Miki, meticulously constructed the penthouse on top of the seven-storey hotel, adhering not only to the principles of wabi-sabi but also to the strict conditions put in place by the
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This Page: Vervoordt used earth from upstate New York to create plaster for the interior walls Previous Page: The 630m2 penthouse comprises three distinct living spaces plus three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a leafy bi-level terrace with entertaining areas and a heated spa pool
city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. All those involved agreed that the penthouse should harmonise both with the existing hotel and with the surrounding neighbourhood, once an industrial hub. de Niro, who has an interest in a number of hotels, explains: “Despite the Japanese aspect, Axel respected the New York feel of the hotel. He wasn’t imposing something else. And he used materials that were already in New York, like pilings from the old piers on the Hudson River. He did bring in artisans from Europe to do certain things, like the walls, but the main idea was to make sure that New York materials stayed in New York.” Accordingly, Vervoordt used old wooden tabletops from the farmer’s market at Union Square for the bedroom ceilings; earth from upstate New York to create plaster for the interior walls; and copper roofing material from a centuries-old local building for the outdoor light fixtures. With the exception of
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Above: The simply decorated rooms feature weathered stone floors, humble wooden furniture, and curtains made from linen. Cool and neutral tones are used throughout and a series of fireplaces provide illumination
a few key pieces, all the antique stone and wood in the suite was sourced from the New York area. The 630m2 penthouse comprises three distinct living spaces (including a large dining area with a full chef’s kitchen), plus three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a leafy bi-level terrace with entertaining areas and a heated spa pool. Each room is a different size and shape – the low-lit third bedroom, for example, is long and skinny, whilst the drawing room is a perfect cube. Vervoordt and Miki agonised over the floor plan, making changes as the project progressed in order to strengthen the spirit of wabisabi. “The dimensions were critical,” says Drukier. “If Axel and Taro decided to lower a ceiling by two inches, that meant we also had to reduce the width of the room by some fraction of that and the length of the room by another fraction of that. In most construction projects, a few inches doesn’t matter very much. But Axel and Taro decided that certain dimensions were absolutely essential, so we adhered to
that. Bob [de Niro] and I decided to commit to this style, and we wanted to do whatever was necessary to make it work.” The finished penthouse has quite a different feel to the 88 guestrooms below, which draw on more conventional European and northern African influences. But a few of the luxe amenities that have made The Greenwich so popular since it opened in 2008 are present in the suite: the beds are by Duxiana of Sweden, the toiletries come from New York apothecary Red Flower, and the mini-bar is stuffed with cult US snacks such as Twizzlers and Uncle Jerry’s pretzels. Drukier says the penthouse offers guests an experience – a feeling – rather than simply a collection of upscale features and fixtures. “Some people react well to that,” he says, “and some people feel uncomfortable and prefer a more traditional setup, which is fine. But many of the people who have stayed in the space so far have actually called Axel to see if he can work with them in their own homes. I think that is a powerful endorsement.”
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 88 guestrooms, 3 penthouses | 1 restaurant | 1 bar | Spa | www.thegreenwichhotel.com Owners: Robert de Niro, Ira Drukier, Raphael de Niro, Richard Born | Architecture: Tatsuro Miki | Interior Design: Axel Vervoordt
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Sixty SOHO
Tara Bernerd & Partners have matched mid-century furnishings with bespoke and vintage elements to create a modern classic in downtown New York. Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Adrian Gaut
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s Sleeper arrives at Sixty, its co-owner Jason Pomeranc and interior designer Tara Bernerd are busy overseeing the final touches of the hotel’s redesign. Pomeranc is directing the installation of artwork above the stairwell, Bernerd evaluating the furniture layout as she explains how she has handled the multimillion dollar renovation of the former 60 Thompson hotel – which was a pioneer amongst the boutique hotels that have proliferated throughout downtown New York since it opened in 2001. “The lobby used to have these huge curtains so you couldn’t see outside,” she describes. “We’ve replaced the windows with steel frames and swung the layout around so everything faces towards that quintessential New York view.” It’s clear that Bernerd, founder of Tara Bernerd & Partners, and Pomeranc, who co-owns the hotel with his brothers Michael and Laurence, and longstanding cohort Stephen Brandman, have a close working relationship. Having first met on childhood holidays in Europe, they worked together on the launch of Belgraves in London and then the Thompson Chicago – though these hotels are no longer owned by Pomeranc since most of the former Thompson Hotels
Above: The Lobby features a large bespoke rug by Vanghent of Belgium with a mixture of mid-century vintage and custom-made furnishings Opposite Page: Steel door frames and geometric floor tiles with cowhide rugs provide the backdrop to The Gordon Bar
portfolio is now part of Commune Hotels (formed from a 2011 merger between Thompson Hotels and Joie de Vivre). Pomeranc and his partners exited Commune Hotels in 2013, retaining ownership of a clutch of hotels – three in New York, one in LA, which have now been rebranded as Sixty Hotels. SIXTY SoHo (their caps) is the first hotel to emerge as a result, with the relaunch of the Nautilus in Miami following in early 2015, and a further hotel in Montreal also in the pipeline. “The vision was to create an approachable hotel that combines bohemian chic and modern sophistication,” says Pomeranc. “Sixty Soho will be a stylish, residential environment for our guests seeking an exclusive urban retreat. We strive to be cultural story-tellers through art, design, experiences and service that will welcome, excite and inspire.” The interiors convey Bernerd’s house style of informal, approachable luxury with an edge. Warmth and atmosphere are created through the use of rich texture and bold colour, while metal, concrete and ceramic finishes add an industrial aesthetic. Bernerd says her aim was to create a home-from-home, bringing European influences into the melting pot of modern-day Manhattan, citing Pierre Chareau’s Maison d’Verre as a particular influence. The residential feel is evident from the discreet entrance, featuring custom iron fencing, framing a landscaped entryway with café-style
seating, through to the lobby where rich velvets and grey wood panelling act as a backdrop to art pieces created and curated by popular British artist, Harland Miller. The space is punctuated by a selection of mid-century, bespoke and contemporary furniture. An eclectic mix of rugs (by Pampa Leather, Vanghent of Belgium and Brintons) are combined with brass light fittings, American walnut coffee tables, and deep, comfy armchairs. The curated selection of design books and vintage table lamps add to the feeling this is not a hotel lobby, but the pied-a-terre of a New York friend. In The Gordon Bar, a Divided Lands coffee table from Studio Roeper in charred oak and etched zinc provides a centrepiece, flanked by David Linley sofas and bookended by Baker Furniture’s Frisco benches. The steel lattice window frames are typical of downtown New York. Geometric tiles and cowhide rugs adorn the floors. A ‘Green Room’ with a vertical garden living wall at each end is available for private functions. The 97 guestrooms are appointed with planked timber floors combined with caramel leather furnishings and blue mohair accents. Dark timber slatted blinds, a bespoke bar cabinet and a desk in petrol blue lacquer with tan leather inserts. Artist Harland Miller has produced a series of mixed media sketches and texts, displayed as triptychs. Even the door and furniture handles, by House of Eroju, have been carefully specified for their tactile feel and visual impact.
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Above: Guestrooms feature desks in petrol blue lacquer, planked timber floors and blue mohair accents
In-room amenities include terrycloth robes, towels and bed linens by Sferra and toiletries by REN. The three Sixty suites feature separate, spacious, living rooms and French-balconies. The hotel’s two crowning glories are Sixty Loft, an 1,800ft2 duplex penthouse with living room, two marble bathrooms and a private balcony; and Above Sixty, a members only rooftop terrace and bar overlooking the local neighbourhood. It’s a neighbourhood Pomeranc has seen change dramatically since Sixty Thompson first opened its doors at the turn of the century. “We knew the district had potential but I don’t think any of us realised just how much it would change,” he says. And downtown New York is continuing to evolve. “In the beginning it was the creative class, the funseekers. Now it’s more of a psychographic than an age demographic, as the baby boomer generation gets older they dont want to feel old. The expansion of the whole High Line corridor is bringing a sophisticated clientele – both from a demographic and a simple wealth perspective – to the downtown area.”
Just as this district of New York has changed significantly in the past 15 years, so too have guest expectations: “Its fun to see how the industry has evolved over that period,” adds Pomeranc. “Chic has a different meaning today. It’s not determined by luxury brands, its determined by independence. That’s why people are experimenting in their choices. The combination and balance between aesthetic and service has got closer and closer – just as you want more casual elegance in design you also want it in service engagement.” For Bernerd, the chance to work with Pomeranc on a New York hotel was the realisation of a long held ambition: “Our previous experience working together gave us a headstart. New York is not a stranger to me, I’d always hoped to have the right opportunity here. Our philosophies work together and it was a very natural evolution coming to New York and having the chance to make it real.” The next phase in the evolution of Sixty Soho will be the opening of Sessanta – a new casual Italian dining venue from New York restaurateur John McDonald with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 97 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | www.sixtyhotels.com/soho Owner / Operator: Sixty Hotels | Interior Design: Tara Bernerd & Partners | Project Management: JBS Project Management Lighting Designer: Lighting Workshop | Procurement: Willie Landau Interiors
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Creating Unique Guest Experiences Kotor Bay, Montenegro Competition design for a stunning ďŹ ve-star hotel and serviced apartment complex next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor Old Town at the foot of the Limestone Mountains. The Old Town itself was built between the 12th and 14th centuries in the shelter of the dominant and overhanging mountains at the head of the bay. Today the medieval street pattern and Venetian and Byzantine inuenced stone architecture is well preserved. It has long been a popular tourist destination and in more recent times, a haven for large cruise liners that swamp the surrounding buildings with their high-gloss modernity.
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The Archer NEW YORK
Glen & Company have been inspired by the strong-shouldered forms of American fashion for this mid-block boutique in Manhattan’s Garment District. Words: Matt Turner | Photography: © Eric Laignel
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number of new hotel launches in recent years have been hooked around an imaginary character to define the property’s branding, guest profile, design scheme and modus operandi. For The Beaumont in Mayfair, Jeremy King created the backstory of Jimmy Beaumont, an American mid-Westerner who tired of prohibition during his tenure as General Manager of The Carlyle in New York, and returned to London, where he’d been posted during the war, to open his eponymous 1926 hotel. The fictional proprietor of Sir Albert in Amsterdam is a modern aristocrat with sophisticated taste in food and culture. At the Zetter Townhouse, it was Great
Aunt Wilhelmina – an eccentric and well-travelled distant relative of owners Mark Sainsbury and Michael Benyan who provided the muse for their eclectically furnished cocktail lounge and the rooms above. No doubt Archer, the character this New York Garment District hotel is named for, would get on famously with Jimmy, Albert and Wilhelmina. An art-loving storyteller, adventurer, connoisseur and consummate host, his personality is captured in a deck of cards backed with etiquette tips collected on his travels. As Archer himself says, “These reminders are more than fun notes to guests; they are core to how Archer’s inner circle, the hotel staff, operates. The deck is
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Above: The lobby features a work entitled ‘Image Object Sunday 2 September 2012 8:10pm’ by artist Artie Vierkant alongside Chesterfield sofas and butcherblock tiled flooring Opposite: The collage of fabrics overhanging the restaurant was created from samples collected by designer Glen Coben over the years
considered an addendum to the employee handbook.” Staff hand out ‘Class Act’ cards to reward acts of kindness or courtesy by residents, and arriving guests receive a $10 ‘Destination Joker’ redeemable in the bar, restaurant or against future stays – a neat way of capturing the service ethos of the hotel, and conveying it to guests. The Garment District location of this 22-storey, 180-guestroom newbuild hotel has played a central role in the property’s design, with the neighbourhood’s heritage playing out through industrial touches such as exposed brick, steel and butcher-block tiled flooring. Archer’s restaurant, David Burke fabrick, carries this theme through with its vibrant collage of colourful fabrics hanging overhead, high ceilings and wood reclaimed from a 1770’s barn. Peter Poon Architects and Glen Coben of Glen & Company, were behind the architectural direction and design of the hotel, including the restaurant and the rooftop bar. “These mid-block projects are like a Rubik’s Cube,” says Glen Coben of their approach to the space planning. Maximising the number of guestrooms, whilst ensuring the restaurant tenant had a street facing entrance and a direct connection to the street, has required clever placement of elevator cores and stairwells. The lobby is set back from the sidewalk, with a small al fresco area out front. “Usually the restaurant is behind the elevator core,” continues
Coben. “Here, we wanted the first thing guests to see to be the fireplace and the kitchen, to encourage a welcoming, residential ambience. We’ve created a sense of intimacy, so guests feel they have stepped away from the city.” An atmosphere of domesticity pervades the public areas, where curated artworks are mixed with Chesterfield sofas, and bright pops of yellow and red contrast with the muted backdrop. The open-plan layout, with the reception to the left of the entrance and the Bugatti bar on the right, makes the most of the tight ground floor footprint. Coben says he was conscious not to reference the Garment District location too overtly: “It’s more about the architectural structure – the strong shouldered bones of the building are similar to what you would find in American fashion brands such as Brooks Brothers or Ralph Lauren.” Any specific references to the clothing industry are subtly woven into the design. Look carefully and you may notice a vintage Singer on a plinth overlooking the bar, or sewing machine legs to the communal table in the dining room. The patio features ‘Oracle’ a dress sculpture by Thea Lanzisero, one of many pieces curated for the hotel by Manhattan-based art consultant Deborah Goodman Davis. Guestrooms follow a quartet of design schemes differentiated by custom drapery, headboards, ottomans, throw pillows and blankets.
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Left: Kalisher was responsible for the framing and display of the photography on display in the restaurant, which was sourced from a variety of New York galleries and agents. Restoration Hardware supplied the chandelier. Dining tables are by Carolina Table, with chairs by The Chair Factory
The Archer rooms, corner accommodations on the upper levels, have wood floors and exposed brick walls. Archer’s Den, one signature and slightly larger room, has some unique touches such as tufted sectional sofa, a large walk-in shower and a collection of Archer’s favourite books and quirky finds to set it slightly apart from the others. The custom-designed furniture in the guestrooms, by Bryan Ashley, has been carefully thought through to maximise the use of space. The platform bed offers drawers beneath it, the wall sconces double as reading lights and the tufted-leather ottoman serves as a table. Many products were sourced locally: lights were made in Brooklyn, millwork hails from Queens, and custom upholstered furniture from a neighbouring Westchester town. “A lot of the materials were brought in to ground the hotel in its neighbourhood context,” says Coben. And there’s no mistaking the location of the hotel from rooftop bar Spyglass, with its panoramic Manhattan vistas, and up-close view of the Empire State Building. The Archer was developed by LodgeWorks LP., a hotel development and management company with a portfolio of owned, franchised or managed branded hotels. As well as two more New York hotels (a Hampton Inn in Brooklyn and a Hyatt Place in Yonkers) it is also developing two further Archer hotels in Austin and Napa.
EXPRESS CHECKOUT: 180 guestrooms | 1 restaurant | 2 bars | www.archerhotel.com Owner / Operator: LodgeWorks LP | Architecture: Peter Poon Architects | Interior Design: Glen & Company | Purchasing Firm: PMG | General Contractor: Flintlock Construction Services | Structural Engineering: GACE | Kitchen: Jacobs Doland Beer | Millwork: Knossos Furniture Design
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You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have. —Maya Angelou
"Untitled" by David Winton © Kalisher
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Successful design and model diversity The design is characterised by its minimalist ultra-slim, edgeless look and integrated valve cover that lies flush with the surface of the shower floor. The valve cover in White is supplied with the unit, it is also optionally available in matt Chrome and chrome plated. The valve is constructed to be very efficient with a capacity of 51 litres of water per minute. There is a choice of 31 models, each available with edge heights of 15 mm and 48 mm and in two finishes, making a total of 124 alternatives. This allows a great degree of design freedom and provides options for every shower area. For more information visit: www.villeroy-boch.com
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Lifestyle brands flourish Just a few months into 2015 and the hotel sector has already seen a slew of new brands launched, with more to come. Many of the new launches are promised in the boutique or lifestyle sectors, further stretching the meaning of words, as far as the major hotel groups are concerned. Hyatt has been among those off to an early start, with Hyatt Centric, which will launch this summer in more than 15 hotels, through a combination of conversions of open properties and previously signed pipeline projects. Hyatt Centric is targeting a group defined as Modern Explorers. “From listening to our guests, we learned there was an opportunity to better meet the needs of this large group of travellers,” said Hyatt chief executive Mark Hoplamazian. “These travellers are looking for a cosmopolitan vibe in the centre of the action, so we worked to test various elements in real time, in real hotels over the past two years. Hyatt Centric is the culmination of that work.” “The new Hyatt Centric brand will further strengthen the overall Hyatt brand portfolio and expand our opportunities to work with world-class developers and operators. We are delighted to expand our offerings in the lifestyle segment and believe that the Hyatt Centric brand will be embraced by Modern Explorers and redefine its category, just as all the brands we’ve
introduced over the past eight years have succeeded in doing.” Hyatt Centric is quite clear about what Modern Explorers want – and they’re not the clichéd Millennials, but a multigenerational group who view their hotel as more than a place to stay. “Modern Explorers are truly a savvy, curious group,” said Kristine Rose, vice president of brands at Hyatt. “Their expectations are simple, but their standards are high and they want their experience to be intuitive and smart. They want options and all the must-haves from a full service hotel but without any fuss or complications. We believe Hyatt Centric hotels will deliver on our guests’ desire for experiential travel while inspiring them to go out and explore. From the eclectic and fun hotel design to colleagues who are explorers themselves, the Hyatt Centric brand will be the perfect launch pad for our guests to start their experience, whether for business or pleasure, within the destination.” Following on is Langham Hotels from Hong Kong, whose luxury properties are well known in the market. Also starting with the letter C is their new Cordis brand. Said Langham chief executive Robert Warman: “We saw the need to create a collection of international upscale hotels and resorts that will deliver what our guests desire: personalised and efficient services, seamless technology, and authentic experiences in the best locations around the world.” “Each Cordis hotel will be individual in style, architecture
and design, all of which will be reflective of its location and culture, and tailored to the requirements of our guests, from the corporate travellers to honeymooners to multi-generational families.” “Ultimately, it’s all about the devotion to our guests’ wellbeing during their stay with us. That will be interpreted through our service values and special offerings such as expansive meeting facilities, exciting restaurant social concepts, comprehensive kids’ programmes, and tailored neighbourhood excursions.” “For example, Cordis Hong Kong, due to welcome its first guests in May 2015, is vibrant, modern, and will feature familyfriendly facilities and amenities that will complement its bustling neighbourhood.” Langham says it has letters of intent signed that will see eight Cordis hotels opened in seven cities, within the next three years, including five in China, Bali and Colombo. Gateway cities in Europe and the USA will be next on the list. At US brand Loews, plans are afoot to grow an affiliate brand similar to Marriott’s Autograph. The OE Collection will look to sign up independent hotels, smaller properties with 150 rooms or less that have a less corporate look than the parent brand. A first deal has been inked with Bisha Hotel in Toronto. “It’s a logical extension of our brand,” said Loews chief executive Paul Whetsell. “It’s not a license or franchise – we will be the operator. It’s a strict management vehicle
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versus traditional Loews hotels, which are typically developed through acquisitions and joint ventures. It’s an interesting play – five or six years ago we had Kimpton, Morgans and W. Now Hilton and Best Western are coming into the space, which is a reflection of what the consumer is looking for today.” OE stands for Original Experiences, apparently. Also upcoming is new brand Proper Hotels. Developed by the former chief executive of Viceroy, Brad Korzen, Proper will launch in late 2015 in San Francisco, with Texas and Hollywood following. His aim is to hark back to the days of grand hotels. Said Korzen: “Back in the late 19th and early 20th century, every great city had a grand hotel. These hotels were as much a part of the city’s identity as its monuments and museums.” “They were destinations for travellers and gathering places for locals. They were where things happened. Although times have changed, we love what these old world institutions stood for and we think it’s a great time to expand on their legacy.” For now, Proper is focused on expanding across US markets. HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): There are signs that the simplistic concentration on Millennials, Gen X and Gen Y is being replaced by a more finessed look at today’s hotel customer. Defining people by their age is now starting to look old hat: Generator Hostels says their customers are “young at
heart” rather than actually young – and they could be staying in a W hotel the next week, if they fancy something more highbrow. Similarly, Accor boss Sébastien Bazin says he invested in trendy French brand Mama Shelter after staying there himself – and not feeling like a fish out of water. For the larger hotel groups, the desire must be to create a portfolio of brands that feeds this desire to be corporate one day, informal at the weekend; all are connected to the same loyalty programme, and hopefully will meet the guest’s differing needs. But the proliferation of brands risks confusing the customer. And it gives greater opportunities for the behaviour of the younger generation – as noted by research studies – to be less concerned about brand loyalty. Hilton is heading for a dozen brands in the market; the others look to be following suit. Over at IHG, while new brand Even Hotels has been added, the new regional brand Hualuxe is about to start rolling out in China, designed around a regional culture. The coming months will tell whether this revised approach delivers.
Brands bite back at OTAs The brands struck back at accusations they were being outdated by the rise of the online travel agents at the Hogan Lovells/ CBRE conference.
The global operators are fighting against the commoditisation of hotel rooms by leveraging their loyalty schemes as well as taking advantage of the many chances they have to digitally engage with their guests. Graham Dodd, development director, UK & Ireland, Hilton Worldwide, acknowledged: “We have to sell where customers want to buy – OTAs are part of that story. There’s no hiding place any more – we have to give customers what they want, which is flexibility and value. But if we can engage with clients early on we can do well and we have lots of opportunities to engage digitally with people – more than the OTAs.” Todd Shallan, director of asset management at KSL Capital Partners, added: “The OTAs look at everything as a commodity. We have to fight that, but how do we differentiate? It’s not just price – there has to be the ability to get the customer to look at your hotel and what it does. Your own website carries much more information than an OTA does.” Dodd drew attention to the role that the operators could play in terms of their relationships with the OTAs, where they had more negotiating power than an individual hotel would, commenting: “Our relationship with the OTAs is very strong. It’s also important that owners must challenge the brands as to what they’re doing with the OTAs”. Brian McCarthy, managing director at Valor Hospitality Europe, was happy to let the brands
act on behalf of his properties adding that they saw “13% of our business through OTAs, but we think we can do better embracing the brands”. He added: “When you sign up to a brand you don’t just sign up to the brand name, but the whole package – technology, loyalty and so on.” There was a voice of dissent from Terri Scriven, industry head of travel at Google, who warned that hotels were doing a poor job with mobile, while OTAs were doing better: “You can’t shy away from it.” She also pointed to the OTAs “doing more brand-building with TV ads. They want to be less dependent on Google”, suggesting that the hotel brands would continue to be under pressure for recognition against the OTAs in the eye of the consumer. While there was acceptance amongst the panellists of the role of the OTAs in hotel distribution, Hotel Analyst editorial director Andrew Sangster, chairing the panel, raised the issue of peer-topeer networking platforms such as Airbnb, which were bringing not only new distribution, but new supply into the market. Dodd described Airbnb as most likely “just incremental demand – it’s not affecting us”, with Shallan agreeing, adding: “There is still growth in hotels despite Airbnb – where are those guests coming from?” He cautioned that it would be “interesting to see what will happen in a downturn with Airbnb”. There was a consensus that more should be done to legislate the sharing economy, with Shallan
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commenting: “I would like to see level playing field. There’s room for everyone to play, but I want to see more regulation and taxation for Airbnb.” Earlier in the day Brian Reeves, founder & CEO of Goppar Digital, had attempted to debunk the idea that hotel operators could not compete with the marketing spend of the OTAs, estimating that, for every room sold on booking.com, the OTA had spent USD11.50, well within the operators’ means. He instead pointed to simple changes that hotels could make to their own websites to shift them from “telling a story” to selling more effectively, such as using the “persuasion” techniques seen on booking.com, where consumers are told that a limited number of rooms are available at a certain price. Reeves said that some hotels were unwilling to use such mercenary tactics. If hotels want to take some of the power back from the OTAs before their brands become entrenched in the consumers’ minds, now would be the time to position themselves as salesmen as well as hosts. HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): The revelation that OTAs spend USD11.50 on promotion for every room they sell puts into perspective the effort hotel groups ought to be making to promote their product imaginatively. Sure, loyalty programmes are one effective way to take the consumer away from the OTA and its price-driven sales process, but they are not the only one, and perhaps creative marketing
spend needs to be pointed in new directions. While the battle for the internet customer seems to have been won by the OTAs, there are always new fronts, from metasearch to social media. Apps may or may not be the answer, but are being tried out, as more consumers move to mobile as the platform for picking up information. One thing is clear, if hotel groups are shy about trying to sell their products themselves online, there are plenty of others who will do it more effectively for them, for a fee. Meanwhile, little has been heard about the success – or otherwise – of Roomkey.com, the hotel industry’s collaborative effort to create a brilliant booking website that would give the OTAs a run for their money.
Auction site adds hotels Online real estate website Auction. com has set up a new division focusing on hotels. The platform sold 76 hotels last year, including full-service Holiday Inns, Marriott Courtyards, Hampton Inns and Suites. The site promises sellers a maximum 90 day sales process. At the time of press it was promoting 17 hotels for sale across the US, including properties under IHG, Choice and Hilton flags. The group, which was founded in 2007, has sold over USD26bn in residential and commercial real estate assets. It said that hotel sellers using the site last year had included
UK Politicians lay out election promises
RLJ Lodging Trust, Westmont Hospitality, Peachtree Hotel Group, Liberty Group, Garrison and Linchris Hotel Corp. Monte Koch, vice chairman and co-founder, said: “We’ve decided to focus resources on the hospitality sector, and have assembled a team of industry specialists to meet the unique needs of buyers, sellers and brokers in this segment. This team is made up of hotel industry veterans who are laser-focused on hospitality real estate and truly understand the opportunities, challenges and nuances of transacting hotel properties.” Managing director and hotel broker Anthony Falor added: “Hospitality is a truly unique subset of commercial real estate that attracts an incredibly diverse group of buyers, and Auction.com has attracted buyers from more than 100 countries worldwide. “I have personally used the Auction.com platform with tremendous success on the majority of my transactions over the past 24 months. I want to encourage more brokers to work with Auction. com as a partner, and utilise our platform as a way to enhance and grow their business.” As the company’s explanatory video says: “Change is coming to real estate and it’s about time. Auction.com brings a much-needed dose of innovation and automation, which means better, faster more transparent deals for everyone.” With the company claiming that the old way of selling real estate was going, going, gone, could it be so long agents?
Local authorities in London have raised the prospect of introducing a bed tax as a way of raising funds to support local services. The idea is among several tax and spending options being floated, as the UK gears up for a general election in May 2015. After a five year term of coalition government, which has pursued an austerity mantra to bring the UK out of recession, the UK parties will be fighting individually for votes ahead of the election. And as a result, differences in taxation policies are beginning to be revealed. Commentators are suggesting the election will be the most unpredictable in a century, with neither the Conservatives nor Labour likely to win an overall majority. Smaller parties, such as the Scottish Nationalists or UK Independence Party could then hold the balance of power in brokering a leading coalition. According to analysts at Deutsche Bank, there may be no upside for investors. “Whatever its composition, the next government is likely to face the political need to accelerate fiscal tightening. This will take place in a very different context from that of the last five years, when austerity was accompanied by exceptionally accommodative monetary policy.” Should the Conservatives emerge with the upper hand, a harsher and faster fiscal tightening is expected. There is also the prospect of a
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referendum being called on EU membership, further destabilising business outlooks. The need for fiscal austerity comes from the current government’s failure to deliver on its promise to eliminate the deficit. Though reduced significantly since 2010, it still represents more than 2.5% of GDP and will need to be reduced further during the next term. Should the Conservatives influence the next government, their strategy will be to continue to cut expenditure. Labour have already hinted at tax rises, including higher personal and corporate taxes, and a “mansion tax” on the sale of valuable homes. As a result, the hospitality sector can expect few favours. Reductions in VAT rates are likely to remain off the agenda, and the incoming regime is likely to cling to other revenue sources – such as Air Passenger Duty – wherever possible. And the search for new, soft targets for revenue raising – such as tourists – will likely be stepped up. The latest corner to mention the bed tax is a local authority in north London. The borough of Camden has floated the idea of a GBP1 per night levy, as a way to help pay for local amenities. And it is canvassing other London boroughs to see if there is wider support for the move. “The money would be used to keep our streets clean and maintain and improve the public realm,” said Camden’s cabinet member for finance Theo Blackwell. “Currently these budgets face a 20% cut.” Labour party shadow minister Sadiq Khan backed the idea last summer, suggesting a London pilot.
While not official party policy, he noted in a published article: “We could tailor a tourism contribution that works for the tourism industry, doesn’t penalise local people and has the sole purpose of improving and promoting the city.” The move was previously suggested in a report prepared for the UK government, in 2007; and again in a 2012 report for the London mayor. While criticised as being regressive, other European capitals including Paris, Barcelona and Berlin are now raising funds this way, making the issue less contentious. In addition, all UK local authorities are being driven by central government to slash their expenditure, forcing them to search for alternative revenues. However, currently local authorities have no legislative power to introduce a levy. Another taxation issue that has annoyed the hospitality sector for some time is the UK’s airport departure tax, named Air Passenger Duty. The charge hits all departing passengers, and studies suggest costs more in lost business to the UK, than it raises for the government. Originally introduced with the claim it was an environmental tax, the charge has several tariffs set according to distance of flight. The government has recently announced it will trim rates for the furthest destinations from April, reducing the cost for visitors from China, India and Brazil. The Scottish government will soon be granted
its own powers to set rates, and has promised it will first substantially cut the tax, and hopes to abolish it altogether. Should it achieve this, the pressure will be on for the British government to review its attitude further. And weakening the hospitality sector’s arguments for softer taxation treatment are the UK’s visitor numbers. Tourism body VisitBritain is predicting inbound tourism spend will rise 4.5% in 2015 to GBP22.2bn. “Tourism will continue to be one of the country’s major export earners with VisitBritain playing a critical role in its success.” said VisitBritain chief executive Sally Balcombe. “One of our priorities for 2015 will be to inspire international visits to the nations and regions and showcase Britain’s magnificent countryside. Our GREAT campaign continues to produce results and generated at least £1.8 billion from inbound visitors in its first three years, creating economic value and jobs across Britain’s tourism businesses.”
coalition means that extreme policy ideas generally get watered down. Whoever clambers to the top of the greasy pole of power, their ambitions will be constrained by the need to trim the deficit further. So tax cuts are unlikely, and some modest tax rises could be in prospect. Already as the recession mindset starts to recede and profits start to improve, corporate taxes are being increased and concessions removed. All of which means the hospitality sector can expect little practical help from government. What it can expect – at least compared with many other economies around the globe – is relatively little fundamental change in the way the country is run. Compare that with threats from Greece and other parts of Europe to split up the Eurozone, and worries about deflation taking hold within it. In contrast, the UK’s inherent stability is good for foreign investment and, in an increasingly uncertain world, great for encouraging foreign visitors. Throw in cheaper travel costs, thanks to falling oil prices, and VisitBritain’s numbers for 2015 start to look conservative.
HA Perspective (by Chris Bown): The balance of political power in the UK is shifting away from the Conservatives and Labour, who took turns to run the country over the last few decades. The current coalition partners are none too keen to work together again – though the odds are there will be another power sharing group taking control. And
HA Perspective (by Andrew Sangster): It is ironic given how hard the British Hospitality Association has been campaigning to see taxes on the industry reduced that if anything, the push is to increase taxes.
Hotel bed taxes are seemingly an easy win for local politicians as the people paying them are not usually constituents. The fact that imposing them damages jobs and prosperity is overlooked by voters relieved that they are not having to directly put their own hands in their pockets to pay for services. A bed tax is not an inherently bad idea if the money were ring-fenced to be used for tourism promotion alone. But the vague talk of funding services means the bulk of the money would no doubt be diverted into the general pot with little left over for marketing. This raises the question of whether the industry should make its own proposals to fund tourism marketing from properly hypothecated funds. The sell to the government would be to forget the existing grant for tourism but leave us alone to get on with creating jobs and prosperity. Rather than turning up at party political conferences waving placards of ministers’ faces like a disgruntled trade union, the industry can engage in a positive manner. It is not money from government the industry needs but sensible regulation to help it grow even more effectively. It is time the industry focused on being able to bend government ministers’ ears in their offices rather than shouting at the ministers from the streets.
Hotel Analyst is the news analysis service for those involved with financing hotel property or hotel operating companies. For more information and to subscribe visit: www.hotelanalyst.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 8870 6388
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CLAYBROOK - Ad layout (Sleeper magazine).pdf
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Asia Report Despite a slowdown in economic growth, China continues to lead Asia’s hotel development pipeline, topping the charts in both the first class and upscale segments.
PIPELINE OVERVIEW
1,279
333,747
1. China 594 PROJECTS 179,769 ROOMS 2. India
209 PROJECTS 38,017 ROOMS 3. Indonesia
111 PROJECTS 22,419 ROOMS
66 PROJECTS 12,707 ROOMS
4. Thailand
7. Philippines 33 PROJECTS 10,993 ROOMS
5. Malaysia 52 PROJECTS 13,204 ROOMS
8. South Korea 22 PROJECTS 9,185 ROOMS
6. Vietnam
42 PROJECTS 12,271 ROOMS
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9. Singapore
18 PROJECTS 5,205 ROOMS
10. Sri Lanka 17 PROJECTS 3,972 ROOMS
HOTEL PROJECTS BY YEAR OF OPENING
441
387
222
118
111
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
2015
2016
2017
2018 & later
Unknown
HOTEL PROJECTS BY STATUS
HOTEL PROJECTS BY CATEGORY FIRST CLASS | UPSCALE | MIDSCALE
LUXURY | UPPER UPSCALE
1,208
474 PROJECTS
805 PROJECTS
105,551 ROOMS
228,196 ROOMS
TOP COUNTRIES FIRST CLASS
58
13
TOP CITIES
LUXURY
TOTAL
FIRST CLASS
LUXURY
TOTAL
Projects
Rooms
Projects
Rooms
Projects
Rooms
Projects
Rooms
Projects
Rooms
Projects
Rooms
1. China
133
34,233
461
145,536
594
179,769
1. Riyadh
18
3,366
26
6,438
44
9,804
2. India
105
16,753
104
21,264
209
38,017
2. Shanghai
7
2,010
26
7,831
33
9,841
3. Indonesia
65
13,262
46
9,157
111
22,419
3. Jakarta
17
3,352
12
3,044
29
6,396
4. Thailand
31
5,695
35
7,012
66
12,707
4. Chengdu
9
2,083
18
5,492
27
7,575
5. Malaysia
26
6,527
26
6,677
52
13,204
5. Sanya
2
260
24
14,090
26
14,350
6. Vietnam
16
4,116
26
8,155
42
12,271
6. Mumbai
8
1,708
16
3,388
24
5,096
7. Philippines
13
3,139
20
7,854
33
10,993
7. Bali
11
1,939
13
2,140
24
4,079
8. South Korea
16
6,230
6
2,955
22
9,185
8. Chongqing
4
920
16
3,393
20
4,313
9. Singapore
10
3,009
8
2,196
18
5,205
9. Beijing
6
783
13
3,012
19
3,795
10. Sri Lanka
6
975
11
2,997
17
3,972
10. Phuket
10
1,921
8
1,473
18
3,394
Top Hotel Projects is an online database of all major hotel projects, refurbishments and extensions worldwide. For more information and to subscribe visit: www.tophotelprojects.com or call +49 4261 4140 0
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STEP INSIDE DESIGN
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Awards
Singapore 4–6 November 2015
Step onto the world stage Award entries open 29 February - 24 April
WAF is your gateway to global recognition Every year, Architects from over 40 countries are inspired and celebrated by the live judging of finalists in 32 categories, culminating in the announcement of World Building of the Year.
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READY FOR A RENDEZVOUS?
WWW.MAISON-OBJET.COM
info@safisalons.fr SAFI AMERICAS LLC ORGANISATION, A COMPANY BELONGING TO SAFI SALONS FRANçAIS ET INTERNATIONAUX. SAFI, A SUBSIDIARY OF ATELIERS D’ART DE FRANCE AND REED EXPOSITIONS FRANCE trade only / image © Pidjoe, Getty Images / design © be-poles
MO AMERICAS 15 – Sleeper Magazine – 236X275MM – 05.02.2015.indd 1
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Event Diary & News 2-4 MAR
10-14 MAR
10-13 MAR
12 MAR
International Hotel Investment Forum
Berlin www.berlinconference.com ISH Frankfurt www.ish.messefrankfurt.com Maison & Objet Asia Singapore www.maison-objet.com Asia Hotel Design Awards Singapore www.asiahoteldesignawards.com
13-15 MAR
13-16 MAR
In Bed With Designers Singapore www.inbedwithdesigners.com IFFS/Hospitality 360 Singapore
14-19 APR
26-27 APR
www.iffs.com.sg 18-19 MAR
14-19 APR
HICAP Update Singapore www.hicapconference.com Salone del Mobile Milan www.salonemilano.it
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27-28 APR
28-30 APR
Designjunction Milan www.thedesignjunction.co.uk Sleepover Istanbul www.sleepoveristanbul.co.uk CHRIS Miami www.chrisconference.com HOLA Miami www.holaconference.com
10-13 MAR
Maison Goes Global
Stone Specialists
28-30 APR
THE NATURAL STONE SHOW
MAISON & OBJET ASIA
Returning for 2015, The Natural Stone Show will feature over 200 suppliers of stone, tile, slab and block from around the world. As the showcase event for the UK stone industry, the exhibition will highlight the versatility of stone as a design material for use in floorcoverings to bathrooms. The Natural Stone Show also includes a full conference programme, providing insight for design professionals. www.stoneshow.co.uk
14-19 APR
Maison & Objet is set to return to Singapore for its second edition from 10-13 March 2015. This year, the event will feature an expanded selection of highend products by prestigious brands and designers in the industry. Furthermore, the same spirit and creativity that characterises the established Parisian event will continue, with the salon bringing together arts, trends and new sources of inspiration. “At Maison & Objet Asia, we are committed to being a unique platform that brings together a wide offering of brands together with a large diversity of visitors. These visitors range from interior designers to architects, from property developers to hotel and restaurant owners,” comments Philippe Brocart,
10-15 MAR
Managing Director at Maison & Objet. “In 2014, we had 13,700+ visitors. We are working towards increasing the number of exhibitors and visitors.” To reinforce their commitment to the region, the Maison & Objet Asia team conducted a pre-show tour to the cities of Jakarta, Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing in order to source leading Asian brands while expanding the show’s reach. 2015 marks an important milestone for Maison & Objet, as it celebrated its 20 th anniversary in Paris in January, and will launch the fi rst Maison & Objet Americas in Miami Beach, which will take place from 12-15 May 2015. www.maison-objet.com
Celebrating Design IFFS / SINGAPLURAL
As IFFS evolves and matures, it stays true to its calling to meld design with the furniture business. In all these years, design has been and remains the focus of the event’s plans and execution, providing direction and injecting life to the show each year. While the show traditionally devotes an entire gallery to design, audiences can expect a novel approach to celebrating design at IFFS 2015. Also worth anticipating are installations exclusively crafted for the show. The best design elements from the multi-faceted creative spectrum – advertising, architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, as well as interior, furniture, graphic and fashion design will also be showcased at SingaPlural, which runs alongside IFFS. Both are held in conjunction with the 32nd ASEAN Furniture Show, The Décor Show 2015 and Hospitality 360°. www.iffs.com.sg / www.singaplural.com
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New Design District DESIGNJUNCTION MILAN Designjunction will return to Milan for its fourth edition and the launch of the new San Babila Design Quarter. Taking over the Casa dell’Opera Nazionale Balila, a derelict school and former theatre, the show will present an edited selection of more than 30 global brands with Tom Dixon making a headline presentation. The district will unite a variety of showrooms, with designjunction positioned at the centre. Visitors can expect both new and established international brands alongside pop-up shops, installations and eateries. www.thedesignjunction.co.uk
The UK Stone Industry Event
28 - 30 April 2015
Be inspired for your hotel project... Choose from 200 leading stone providers from around the world supplying tiles, slabs and cut-to-size materials in limestone, granite, marble, sandstone, travertine, slate or quartz. Discover future design trends and get ahead of the market with all the latest stone finishes and product lines.
Learn about award winning projects at the Natural Stone Awards Gallery. Benefit from free specialist advice on sourcing and selecting stone within the Stone Federation Village and Conservation feature areas.
Access CPD from 25 free seminars at the Natural Stone & Building Conservation Conference including the RIBA assessed one-day workshop on Tuesday 28 April Adding Value with stone: aesthetics, performance and heritage.
Download your free Event App now Register for your complimentary ticket at
www.stoneshow.co.uk #stoneshow2015
t: +44 (0)115 945 3889 e: stoneshow@qmj.co.uk
The Natural Stone Show 2015 is a Natural Stone Specialist event & part of the QMJ Group
Radical Innovation SEARCHING FOR THE NEXT BIG HOTEL CONCEPT
As Sleeper joins Radical Innovation in its search for the next big hotel concept, the competition’s founder John Hardy explains his vision for 2015.
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ohn Hardy now realises that he bumped into an early version of Airbnb back in 2008. It was the year the now well-known brand was in its infancy. Sometimes, it’s easier to recognise trends in retrospect. Since the Radical Innovation Award launched eight years ago, Hardy and a jury of industry experts have sought to discover the brightest thinkers in hospitality operations and design. The standalone event is designed to foster conversation on the future of the hotel guest experience from a design, operations and development perspective. Over the years, the use of drones, empty storage containers, reclaimed urban spaces and natural resources have been explored, and in 2014, nearly 100 submissions were received as entrants from 28 countries took inspiration from trends and technologies that are impacting the world. For 2015, the competition brings new partnerships that will increase its presence internationally, furthering its legacy of discovering talent. With a new host city and a dedicated afternoon of programming, Radical Innovation will re-launch with a programme co-produced by Sleeper. The event is scheduled to take place on 30 September at the New Museum in New York, a growing institution that stands for innovative thinking. The competition is now open for both professional and student entries, each of which will be rated on feasibility and innovation. Once the jury has selected its finalists, top contestants will be flown to New York where they take to the stage to present their hotel concept in front of a live audience of industry influencers. At the end of the evening, one grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and the opportunity to have their idea incubated by the jury. The event will be supported by founding sponsor Global Allies, and media partner Architizer.
responsible for number one. We have a jury of top names in hospitality who stick with us year after year because the inspiration that comes out of working with our contestants is unrivalled. What is your dream for Radical Innovation? It’s always been to challenge what the hotel can be from a design and operations perspective. I am driven by the thought that ideas can come from anywhere. In recent years, we’re starting to see its legacy take shape in real time. The world has an appetite for innovation now and many are more open to taking risks. We’re currently involved with projects in Paris and Seattle that were inspired by this competition. What are you looking for this year? We love the element of surprise but we do like concepts that solve real-world problems. The more real it is, the more feasible. We’re really looking for the next big industry shift. We want you to author that nagging concept that’s been in the back of your head. The one that you know would be great but the world may not be ready for it yet. We are. Who’s involved? Our jury is top notch. I am joined by Michael Medzigian, CEO and Director, Carey Watermark Investors; Jena Thornton, Managing Director, Eagle Rock Ventures; Simon Turner, President, Global Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; James Woods, COO, The Bowls; Wing T. Chao, Founding Principal, Wing T. Chao Architects; and Claude Amar, President, The John Hardy Group International. Do you have any tips for potential entrants? Those who advance in the competition have a clear and compelling idea that’s expressed both visually and verbally. Think about your concept from the guest’s perspective. We require that you’ve thought about the guestroom and the check-in experience. It’s easy to forget the ‘why’ when you’re developing a novel experience. Create a concept that serves the guest and you’ll stand out.
John Hardy, CEO of The John Hardy Group and founder of the Radical Innovation Award explains his vision for 2015. How many truly new ideas do you see each year? Maybe twenty. That’s the best part about this competition, the vivid and imaginative ideas that we get to see. It’s really hard to debate our submissions down to three or four but luckily the audience is
Professionals and students can enter online until 31 March 2015. www.radicalinnovationaward.com
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Above: The winner of Radical Innovation 2014 was the Green Air Hotel by Studio Twist Right: John Hardy, CEO, The John Hardy Group and founder of the Radical Innovation Award Far Right: Hotel 2020 by Code Design Studio was runner up in 2014 Below: S_Lot by Natalie Kwee and Caio Barboza received an honourable mention Below Right: The winners in the student category were Evelyn Choy and Evelyn Hartojo for Sky Lofts
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Platinum Sponsors
HOTEL SUMMIT 2015 Gold Sponsors
Where the industry meets
Silver Sponsors
May 20 and 21 2015, Montcalm Marble Arch Hotel, London W1H 7TA Europe’s only international b2b conference for the boutique and lifestyle hotel sectors.
This year’s conference and exhibition will be the biggest and best yet and includes: Cocktail reception • Tour of Shoreditch boutique hotels • Numerous networking opportunities Stellar international speaker lineup • Speed business card swap
Supporting Partners
Speakers confirmed to date include: Philipp Weghmann, EVP, Preferred Hotel Group • Henrietta Green, partner, Green & Holland Conrad Smith, managing director, Reardon Smith Architects • Karen Fewell, director, Digital Blonde Sophie Michell, executive chef, Belgraves Hotel • Jonathan Segal, ceo, The ONE Group Ciaran Fahy, chief executive, hotels division, Ellerman Investments • David Taylor, GM London Edition Chris Burgess, head of sustainability, Considerate Hoteliers • Nick Reiner, associate director, EPR Architects Catherine Martin, editor, Sleeper Magazine • Christof Hoffmann, CEO, 25hours hotels Josh Wyatt, investment director, Patron Capital • Julie Fawcett, managing director, Qbic Hotels Dan Brod, co-owner, The Beckford Arms and Talbot Inn • Charles Human, CEO, HVS London Rafael Bejerano, director, AB Hotels • Grace Leo, VP, Reignwood Investments UK Cody Bradshaw, SVP, head of European hotels, Starwood Capital Group • Brad Wilson, president, Ace Hotel Group Robert Barclay Cook, hotel consultant • Ramesh Arora, MD / VP marketing, The Montcalm Hotels Collection
Media Partners
Dale Hipsh, VP hotel and casino operations development, Hard Rock International Stuart Procter, managing director, GG Hospitality • Timothy Griffin, brand director, Hoxton Hotels Al Gosling, CEO, The Extreme Sports Company • Michael Achenbaum, president, Gansevoort Hotel Group Robin Hutson, chairman and CEO, Lime Wood Group and Home Grown Hotels Ltd
For more information and to buy tickets visit www.boutiquehotelsummit.com For sponsorship, speaker or exhibition stand enquiries email info@boutiquehotelsummit.com @BoHoNews | #BoHoSummit
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Sleep 24-25 NOVEMBER 2015
Europe’s leading hotel design event announces a new theme for its 2015 features as top industry names sign up to take part.
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leep 2014 was widely hailed as the best yet: increased the evening drinks reception on the first day. The judges this year visitor numbers, a more international following, a highwill be Javier Hortal, Director of Technical Services at Mandarin level conference and a sizzling afterparty were just some of Oriental; Katy Ghahremani, Partner at Make Architects; and Erik the achievements. For many though, the abiding memory was the Nissen Johansen, founder and Creative Director of Stylt Trampoli – experiential element of the show, which included full-scale room the firm behind last year’s inspiring bar concept. sets, a brand new modular hotel concept, the unveiling of the next Win or not however, the designers find their effort well-rewarded. generation Snoozebox, the opportunity to try out the latest in 3D 2014 runner-up NoChintz says: “It was a really positive experience. modelling, an ‘outdoor’ roof terrace, and when it all got too much, As a result of our Sleep Set, we have been invited to meet a number the chance to re-energize in mycocoon. of potential clients, we have been appointed Hardly surprising then that Sleep on a new project and are at pitch stage on is launching the 2015 event with an another.” announcement of its plans for the Sleep Set For the winners, SKM Design, the and Sleep Bar. These two greatly enjoyed recognition has had a great impact on and hugely inspirational features are curated business. Managing Director Sanjay K afresh each year and challenge design firms Mistry comments: “We’ve met designers, to create spaces that push boundaries architects and people from different hotel and explore new thinking, materials and chains – and that was exactly what we technologies. wanted.” This year, the theme is ‘Wonder Tale’ The Sleep Bar will also be harnessing the and the challenge is to design a guestroom power of storytelling with Conran+Partners Tina Norden, Conran+Partners that draws on the essence of fairytales and confirmed as its designer. “We are very folklore from around the world. Designers excited to be part of Sleep this year and the are invited to create their own story, which, topic of fairytale is already inspiring us,” just like a fairytale, reflects on the human condition while playing says Project Director Tina Norden. “The level of creativity has been with perceptions and assumptions to engage and nurture the guest in set high over the years, so we have to do something really special. new ways. Areen Design will be one of this year’s participants. “The Having created over 80 bars and restaurants we have some amount Sleep Set offers us an exciting and invigorating creative challenge,” of training, but it is new and challenging every time.” says Andrew Linwood, Head of Hotel Design at Areen. “We’re Sleep, the meeting place for hotel architects, designers, operators, absolutely delighted to be involved for the first time and will respond developers and suppliers as well as industry influencers and to the brief with the balance of flair and functionality we bring to disruptors, will take place at the Business Design Centre, Islington, all our projects.” London. The event will include a curated exhibition of some 150 The Sleep Set is organised as a competition and the process is as manufacturers and artisans as well as installations, a conference intense as it is passionate. The sets are visited and reviewed in person combining topical panel discussions with celebrity keynotes, and a by a judging panel, before each designer is given the opportunity wide range of networking opportunities. to present their concept on stage. The winner is announced during www.thesleepevent.com
“We are very excited to be part of Sleep this year and the topic of fairytale is already inspiring us.”
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This Page: A first for Heimtextil, the Theme Park attraction presented trend forecasts and installations compiled by renowned design agencies from around the world. As part of the Trend Table process, designers developed a global vision of upcoming styles for 2015/16.
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Heimtextil 14-17 JANUARY 2015
Heimtextil places emphasis on international scope, pioneering innovations and the latest industry trends. As the hospitality industry continues to grow in strength, as does its presence at this all-encompassing textile event. Words: Molly Dolan
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he success of this year’s Heimtextil acted not only as an in a more comprehensive way,” explains Anne Marie Commandeur indicator of the show’s strength and necessity in the industry, of Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, of the Theme Park concept. Responsible but of the increasingly positive outlook for the current for this year’s trend forecasts, Commandeur worked with renowned economic climate. The new Theme Park attraction offered ideas for design agencies from six countries as part of a Trend Table, innovative hospitality features, while exclusive guided tours with big developing a global vision of upcoming styles. Months in the making, industry names garnered attention. Commandeur comments on the result: “The Theme Park proved to A 3% increase in visitor numbers brings the total of trade visitors be a valuable source of inspiration for many. In particular, visitors to more than 68,000 for 2015, along with a rise in international took advantage of the chance to speak with the designers working in line with an increase of international visitors to 68%. “This has and exhibiting in the Theme Park. Architects were fascinated by the been the most successful Heimtextil for proportions and the design of the rooms, many years and means we have not only and how exhibitor products could be used extended our lead as the world’s most as part of the architecture. Buyers had the important event for home and contract opportunity to look through a selection of textiles, but can also confirm the positive 1,500 innovative fabrics that were spread outlook for the economic climate,” explains around the entire Theme Park.” Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive The popular highlight presented a variety Board at Messe Frankfurt. “The significant of trend forecasts, centring around core increase in the number of affluent buyers themes of Sensory, Mixology, Discovery once again demonstrates the high power of and Memory. In addition, the Material attraction exercised by our exhibitors and Gallery, Colour Pavilion and Technology their products.” Lab all attracted significant interest, Detlef Braun, Messe Frankfurt The 2015 fair saw a particularly large demonstrating themed installations and 3D
“The significant increase in the number of affluent buyers demonstrates the high power of attraction exercised by exhibitors and their products.”
increase in the number of visitors from the UK, Italy, Spain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, as well as Japan and the USA. There was also a marked increase in the level of internationality. Trade visitor, Patric Gehlaus comments: “Heimtextil is characterised by the large number of international companies taking part, and the high quality of the products on show. At present, much revolves around the subjects of sustainability. Ethnic design and pastel shades are set to be a major trend this year.” Trends were the main priority at the Theme Park, a new attraction at the heart of the fair. “The aim of Heimtextil was to show the trends
printers making carpets, an innovation set to revolutionise the industry. In the hospitality sector of the show, a remarkable seven-metre high foot spa was available for visitor-use, demonstrating alternative possibilities for hotels. Talks at the show included young designers presenting ideas about the coming generation of design, while Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk, Director of JOI-Design and Henning Weiss, Chief Development Officer at 25hours Hotels headed guided tours of the fair. Product launches saw new collections and installations from Arte, Graham & Brown, Harlequin, Newmor and Skai. www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com
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Looking for Hotel Projects in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central & South America? We have the FF&E Projects and the people behind them
May 7-10 2015
Latin America’s Leading Hotel Designers Forum
BOND Events has been organizing highly focused one-to-one meetings forums since 2004, for the world’s largest architecture and interior design firms.
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, Resort and Spa Cancun, Mexico
In association with
Grania Chesterton Event Director BONDdiseñotel USA T: +1 704 248 7945 UK T: +44 20 8432 3466 E: gc@bondevents.com
designjunction edit Milan 14–19 April 2015 Via Pietro Mascagni 6 Milan 20122
The leading design destination Register now to visit thedesignjunction.co.uk
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In partnership with
Part of
24/02/2015 13:39
Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel | Pierre-Yves Rochon | Thierry Favatier ihg paris 1.indd 1
18/02/2015 16:59
JANUS et Cie JANICE FELDMAN LEADS THE “BR AND TO HAVE”
From modest beginnings, JANUS et Cie has built a global empire, supplying to the world’s most prestigious hotel projects. Words: Molly Dolan
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ynonymous with design leadership and pioneering innovations in the residential, contract and hospitality sectors, JANUS et Cie has built on its reputation for quality for over 35 years. The outdoor furniture manufacturer has continuously expanded on its North American base, collaborating with world-renowned designers and ensuring that the company’s name is always on people’s lips. Founded by Janice Feldman in 1978 at a time when outdoor furniture amounted to little more than basic, functional patio pieces sold at local hardware stores, the company took a leap that has paid off ten-fold. “While much has changed for the company, we still adhere to the same doctrine that Janice Feldman set in place,” explains Soren Clausen, Senior Vice President of International Operations. “The principles of innovative design, flawless execution and lasting quality are still intact.”
Very much the heart of the brand, Janice Feldman is President and CEO of JANUS et Cie. A leader in the industry, Feldman is a trained artist and interior designer, schooled in graphic arts and industrial design, making her a force to be reckoned with – and allowing us an insight into how the company has seen such exceptional growth in recent years. Not only does Feldman have the technical skills to act as a foundation for the international brand, her business abilities and visionary approach to sustainability and material development have led to her being championed as an innovator of exceptional design. And rightly so. Starting as a humble showroom, JANUS et Cie’s roots are firmly planted in California. To this day, Feldman plays a fundamental role, creating countless award-winning collections and orchestrating collaborations with other visionary designers. This scrupulous
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Previous Page: Janice Feldman, President and CEO, founded JANUS et Cie in 1978 and continues to play an integral role in the company’s activities Opposite (top): The recently opened Singapore showroom sits on Beach Road, neighbouring the celebrated Raffles Hotel Bottom: The Quadratl range is at the core of The Master Aluminium Series, a collaboration with Orlando Diaz-Azcuy
continues Clausen. “It is a high growth economy and its progressive attention to detail has resulted in the company growing way beyond government is very business friendly. I am certain that Singapore will its North American base and expanding to other continents, including only continue growing its regional, as well as global importance.” Asia. “Janice Feldman’s mission to provide superb furnishing to the Always excelling in its field, JANUS et Cie also has a number of global design community has resulted in our current presence on support and development functions in Singapore, underpinning its every continent except Antarctica. We have realised the importance of expansion plans. These include product development, and the crucial adapting to the fast-paced global environment” comments Clausen. quality management. JANUS et Cie has worked on a multitude of hotel projects, The stringent level of high quality is assured by the brand from varying from The Standard High Line in New York, to European product conception through to the Hotel Design of the Year 2013, JANUS et Cie warranty. This level of The Alpina Gstaad. The company’s quality is also maintained through expansion comes as clients adopt a more international approach, the brand’s design collaborations, opting to source designers, of which Feldman has orchestrated specifiers and other specialist plenty. Providing pioneering, fresh staff from around the world. This ideas, collaborations can often merging of design-nations has provide the je ne sais quoi to a Soren Clausen, JANUS et Cie resulted in manufacturers adapting collection, especially when each
“I am certain that Singapore will only continue growing its regional, as well as global, importance.”
to stay ahead of the ever-changing industry. Clausen elaborates: “For example, on a hotel project, the design may be handled in the US, while the hotel operator is based in Europe, the property in Dubai and the owner in Asia. We must be able to connect with our clients across multiple regions and time zones.” The biggest news for JANUS et Cie of late has been the opening of its Singapore showroom, which will act as a flagship on the continent. Situated on Beach Road, neighbouring the celebrated Raffles Hotel in Marina Bay, the showroom aims to attract designers and specifiers from across the region. “Singapore is an amazingly innovative market and was an ideal location for us to open our first flagship showroom in Asia,” explains Clausen. Strategically placed, the showroom reaps the benefits of Singapore’s international connections. “Singapore is a perfect hub for our business in Asia and beyond,”
designer is carefully selected based on Feldman’s knowledge. “Each designer and firm we work with sees design through a unique lens,” states Clausen. “It is always exciting to collaborate with these inspiring visionaries to develop an individual concept into an eloquent collection that our clients can relate to.” Demonstrating the importance of alliances, the company has a wealth of externally-designed collections, including ranges from Gabellini Sheppard, Michael Vanderbyl and Paola Navone. Feldman recently collaborated with Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, creating the upcoming The Masters Aluminium Series, which is as grand as it sounds. Clausen describes the impeccably crafted solid aluminium products: “The Masters Aluminium Series is being well received and is one of Janice’s most personal projects to-date.” He adds: The pieces are inspired by their mutual admiration of Josef Hoffman,
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Above: The Tiempo collection is a result of collaboration with Jorge Pensi Design Studio and is customisable with a choice of over 200 textiles
and distinguished by their shared the Hoffman reference provides a full meticulous attention to detail.” circle connection, as JANUS et Cie’s The collection signifies a new era distinctive topiary tree found in each in fine metal furniture, with intricate showroom takes inspiration directly design, craftsmanship and detail. The from the golden leaf globe that sits Soren Clausen, JANUS et Cie first instalment in the series features the atop the Secession Building in Vienna. Quadratl, Sash, Artemis and Capella According to Diaz-Azcuy, each element lines, with JANUS et Cie adding new in the collection is a masterpiece, and and existing collections in the near future. “Orlando Diaz-Azcuy is the design is layered with meaning. one of the most prolific interior architecture and furniture designers The growing nature of JANUS et Cie’s business has enabled it to of our time,” comments Feldman. “In The Series, we have recast the act as a one-stop-supplier to both new clients and existing, with the world of luxury metal furnishings.” company now offering a full-service design resource. “We often end “When we finally met, we vowed to create something that had up furnishing all areas of the entire hotel,” explains Clausen, “from never before been done. During the development of Orlando’s the lobby and restaurants to public areas and balconies, supplying beautiful designs, I found myself inspired to integrate a few of my furniture, textiles and accessories.” own pieces into these collections. Our mutual aim has always been Speaking of the exciting pipeline, Clausen concludes: “We are to inspire industry and craft at its finest,” says Feldman. working on several hospitality projects in almost all parts of the At the core of the first group of collections is Quadratl, inspired world, ranging from small boutique hotels to large, mixed-use by the aforementioned Vienna Secession co-founder Josef Hoffman, developments.” more specifically one of his prints, owned by Diaz-Azcuy. For Feldman, www.janusetcie.com
“It is always exciting to collaborate with these inspiring visionaries.”
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DIM TO WARM
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Ideal for creating a cool refreshing atmosphere during the day, or for helping your guests unwind in warm and welcoming surroundings come evening time - the full suite of Dim to Warm LEDs is an exciting addition to the MEGAMAN速 range.
Outdoor Furniture & Accessories D E S I G N R E T U R N S T O C E N T R E S TAG E
The outdoor furniture sector has seen significant development in the past few years, with technology allowing designers and manufacturers to oppose the stereotypical view of furniture that is more function than style.
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s the innovation of outdoor fabrics continues to progress, padding, all enveloped by Hanes, a water-resistant, breathable design has been allowed to return to the forefront. In past polypropylene-based non-woven material. This allows the worry to trend forecasts, hotels saw the amalgamation of indoor and be taken away from outdoor use, enabling users to focus solely on outdoor spaces, with designs typical of a hotel restaurant spilling relaxation. out onto patio areas and outdoor terraces. This is still very much With the technical complications taken care of, the development the case, as fibres and materials continue to develop, allowing use of design sees neutral tones make a strong return, and naturalistic almost anywhere. references peak. Earthy hues and muted palettes grace the fabrics, One useful development comes in the form of material specialist while solid materials adopt pale tones, such as white-stained wood Skai’s nano-profile coating. Applicable to numerous surfaces, the and powder-coated colour frames. coating has been specifically designed for use in demanding outdoor They say that trends always make a return at some point or another, locations, withstanding extreme weather conditions and general and this season’s Kettal ranges, set to be launched in Milan this wear and tear. Going one step further, the April consolidate this theory. The Kettal brand’s Cool Colors technology involves Basket chair is a re-edition of a 1950s using colour pigments that, as the name design by Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, made would suggest, reflect up to 80% of UV applicable for outdoor use by the artificial radiation, maintaining a cool surface. fibres and teak frame. The chair’s cushion The heating of the upholstery material fabrics are available in four neutral colour Jorge Pensi for JANUS et Cie is reduced by up to 20%, remaining combinations and utilise eight Hallingdal approximately 15 degrees cooler than fabrics by Kvadrat. other generic textiles. Also championing wood-based designs, JANUS et Cie has teamed But not all furniture is made entirely of material, so what about up with designer Jorge Pensi for the Tiempo range. Utilising premium the frame that holds this all together? JANUS et Cie’s wide portfolio solid teak and innovative teak veneer, the collection builds on the utilises specially developed timber – alongside rust-free metals – aptly increasing use of textiles outdoors. “Our aim is to always excite as named JANUSwood. The Ecolignus wood, which can be found in the many senses as possible,” explains Pensi. “In Tiempo, we got there Serenna and Landscape collections, creates a direct connection with by challenging the usual logic, using as few resources as possible nature while being durable and sustainable. to create something that is at once exotic and refined, solid with a Outdoor brand Dedon has developed cushions you can leave feeling of lightness.” outside, employing advanced textile technology processes alongside With no sign of technology slowing in any aspect of design, the Teflon sprayed materials, making the product both splash- and UVline between what is and isn’t suitable for outdoor use will continue resistant. Meanwhile the cushions feature a foam core with synthetic to blur.
“Our aim is to excited as many senses as possible.”
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MINOTTI Aston The Aston Cord Outdoor collection comes with a pewter colour polyester-painted metal frame, specially treated for exterior use, as are the padded cushions which are covered in waterproof fabric. Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni, the seats feature an exclusive Minotti Studio laser-cut geometric design, adding to the exclusivity and quality of the piece. www.minotti.com
GLOSTER Bells Two bells joined together make up the shape of Gloster’s small side table. The organic, fluid lines offer an eye-catching design for outdoor spaces. Designed by Henrik Pedersen, the Bells tables form an elegant shape and are made from aluminium and teak, with the wood featuring a buffed fi nish. www.gloster.com
EXPORMIM Lapala
VINCENT SHEPPARD Roxanne
Expormim has made an effort to recover the braided chair, typical of Mediterranean lifestyle by re-editing the seating collection Lapala, a former classic by Lievore Altherr Molina Studio conceived in 1998. Designed for patios and terraces with charm, where borders are diluted and domestic spaces are extended. The fi nishes provide high performance weather resistance due to the woven nautical rope on a painted stainless steel frame, both customisable.
Roxanne and Roy Cocoon are the latest additions to the Vincent’s Garden collection by Vincent Sheppard. The chairs are inspired by the known sun design of earlier times with a contemporary twist. The result is stylish seats that are made from recyclable resin for total waterproofi ng. The elegant frame of galvanised steel underlines the grace of this collection.
www.expormim.es
www.vincentsheppard.com
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ROYAL BOTANIA Vigor Vigor combines modern simplicity with the timeless appeal of wood, creating a collection that will not date. A visual trademark comes in the form of the dovetail joint, with rough teak and mahogany top beams jointed to aluminium base frames. The Vigor Modular Lounge is comprised of low base units, providing a platform for customisation with cushions, back and side rests. The aluminium base is available in the original white, plus black and sand fi nishes. www.royalbotania.com
SUMMIT FURNITURE Linley Additions Phase II of the Linley for Summit collection has been revealed, including an adjustable chaise longue, a dining side chair and table. Made from the fi nest plantation-grown teak, a sustainable resource and Summit hallmark, the collection illustrates the ongoing synergy between British design house Linley and Summit. The company’s track record of collaborations with distinguished American and European designers to create handcrafted furniture has resulted in award-winning designs. www.summitfurniture.com
TUUCI Dual Cantilever Classic
TRIBU Tosca
The Plantation Max Dual Cantilever Classic is art and engineering, resulting in a double parasol providing shade from one unit. Featuring a 4:1 tandem-retrieving crank system, the Dual Cantilever is simple to operate. Its solo crank gently glides open both shades, offering a clear passage and uninterrupted ambience. It is designed with an ultra strong aluminiummilled fulcrum and automatic telescoping mast to allow the canopy to close effortlessly.
The Tosca collection is a result of a collaboration with Italian designer Monica Armani, characterised by soft, curved design and oversied braiding. Simultaneously warm and inviting, stylish and intriguing, the subdued natural colours emphasise the feeling of discreet luxury. The collection consists of a clubchair, sofas, daybed, lounger, coffee tables, armchair and dining table with an oval, ceramic top. www.tribu.com
www.tuuci.com
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Tosca collection by Monica Armani An outdoor collection that is simultaneously warm and inviting. Stylish and intriguing. Upholstered with an innovative, extra-wide water-resistant braiding, that is soft to the touch. Natural tones enhance the feeling of discrete luxury.
www.tribu.com - Belgium
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DEDON Swingrest French-Romanian designer Daniel Pouzet has extended the established Swingrest lounger concept to include smaller, more intimate pieces with the same charm and attention to detail. Each addition to the collection shares the original organic curves, basketlike construction and Dedon fibre in Chalk or Natural, allowing the product to be tailored to users needs. Designed for one, SwingMe is a hanging single-seater with a wraparound backrest, shaped and fitted for a spacious comfort zone. Meanwhile, a standing version, the Swingrest Lounge Chair, comes with an elegant rotating base. www.dedon.de
GARPA Porto Playing with contrasts, new developments in classic dining furniture for outdoor spaces combines warm colours with linear shapes at Garpa. The contrast continues with sturdy metals contrasting soft fabrics, and familiar forms with unusal details. The clear lines of the Porto chairs in stainless steel harmonise with the muted Taupe tones of the polymer mesh and armrests. www.garpa.com
HEVENINGHAM The Collection PROTOCOL Aikana Aikana comprises a system of furniture elements, including seating, tables and accessories in aluminium and fabrics. The range can be supplied in individual pieces, or as a modular system, featuring armchairs, sofas and chaise longues. Accessories can also be added, such as parasols, drink stands and shelves, making it the complete contemporary package for outdoor spaces. www.protocoluk.com
Designed by Annie Eadie, The Hevenigham Collection is custom-made in the UK, with only the highest quality materials used throughout. The stylish, elegant iron furniture is hot-zinc and powder coated, ensuring that the fi nished product is both luxurious and highly durable. Designs include elegant dining sets, chaise longue, armchairs and tables in a variety of sizes, bar stools, Versailles tubs and swing sets. www.heveningham.co.uk
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reddot award 2014 winner
Nautica swing chair designed by MUT Design W Barcelona*****
Interiors from Spain
+34 962 295 146 www.expormim.es
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FORBES GROUP Buffet-Rite Buffet-Rite is a heat resistant, waterproof removable top that fits over existing tables, providing a wipe-clean laminate surface that protects the existing surface. Available in either Dura Silver or Italian Marble fi nish, the cover is non-porous and resistant to stains, resulting in the need for minimal upkeep. The Silcra cover is held in place under the table legs, providing a taut, updated silhouette. www.forbesgroup.eu
EXTETA Montecarlo Characterised by its design versatility, technological innovation and quality, the Montecarlo collection is a seating system with all the functions of a textile interior sofa. The soul of the product is constructed entirely from nautical cell rubbers, giving the sofa a light but extremely strong structure, and coated with a material that is breathable yet water repellent. The Montecarlo collection is coated with liners, available in a wide selection of outdoor fabrics with a timely colour range. www.exteta.it
“Today’s world demands options for smaller areas, such as a cozy outdoor bistro” – JANUS et Cie VITRA Panton Chair
KETTAL Objects
Vitra has launched a special edition of the Panton Chair for spring, alongside a Junior version. Available for a limited time, the chair will be produced in three colours including Summer Green, Aqua Turquoise and Citron. The yellow components of the Summer Green shade aim to catch the eye, as well as blend harmoniously into the landscape. When used in outdoors, additives prevent the colours from fading due to UV radiation.
Kettal Objects is a range of outdoor decoration products consisting of a sideboard with aluminium or wood doors, room divider, floor lamp with Porotex or aluminium screen, round auxiliary table with central foot and a tray. The collection is designed by Kettal Design Studio and available in 27 colours. Kettal has also launched puffs and planters with cord in five colours, oil lamp and fi re pit by Emiliana Design Studio. A mat designed by Patricia Urquiola, available in four colours, completes the collection.
www.vitra.com
www.kettal.com
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INTERIORS FROM SPAIN
outdoor furniture
SHOWROOMS KETTAL LONDON: 567 Kings Road. London SW6 2 EB. T. (44) 20 7371 5170. MIAMI: 147 Miracle Mile. Coral Gables, Florida. T. (1) 786 552 90 22. PARIS: 80, Blvd Malesherbes. T. (33) 01 43 59 51 44. BARCELONA: Arag贸n 316. T. (34) 93 488 10 80. MARBELLA: Ctra C谩diz. Km 179. T. (34) 952 77 89 89. HEAD OFFICE KETTAL / CONTRACT: Arag贸n 316. 08009 Barcelona. Spain. T. (34) 93 487 90 90.
www.kettal.com
EXTREMIS Walrus For years, Extremis has aimed to pioneer the merging of indoor and outdoor spaces, blurring the boundaries of what can be used as outdoor furniture. Named after the mammal whose thick, smooth skin defies water, wind and heavy weather, the Walrus sofa combines materials to create a functional, aesthetically pleasing product. With a wipe-clean exterior, the sofa features hardwearing material that does not absorb water or attract dirt, but causes water to drain away fast. The quality and durability makes the product suitable for outdoor use year-round. www.extremis.be
SKAI Neptun Now available in a variety of new colours, outdoor collection Skai Neptun offers upholstery material resistant to all weather conditions. With new colours for the grains Skai Neptun Caleri and Skai Neptun Pescara, the possibilities are broadened. The four trend colours aqua, birch, curry and lime have been added to the palette of Skai Neptun Caleri, while Neptun Pescara has an additional nine colours. Nano-coating makes the tough material resistant to dirt, weather and saltwater, making the surface ideal for outdoor spaces. www.skai.com
PS INTERIORS Saia
PEDRALI Volt
The Saia chair and Tower table combine elegance and modernity, partnered perfectly for leisure dining. The chair offers style and comfort; enhanced by soft clean lines that adapt to the body, with the back and armrest forming one perfect shell that is ergonomically designed to offer maximum comfort. Meanwhile, the Tower table is both elegant and versatile, with its aesthetics characterised by the powder-coated pyramid shaped base. Available in white, mocha, grey and cyan.
Designed by Claudio Dondoli and Marco Pocci, the Volt barstool presents volume and defi ned lines as a result of advanced technologies and research. The compact size and ergonomic shape ensures functionality and comfort, while the footrest on three sides grants stackability. Made from polypropylene injected with gas air moulding and reinforced by glass fibres, the Volt barstool is available in white, black, red, anthracite grey, beige, yellow and blue.
www.ps-interiors.co.uk
www.pedrali.it
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M O D E R N C O L L E C T I O N by Brian Kane Monterey
Los Angeles
SUMMITFURNITURE.com
San Francisco
London
Monaco
UMBROSA The Spectra Double The latest model to the Spectra collection, The Spectra Double offers an endless variety of positions. The stunning shade combines the beauty of the flat design with the functionality of the fan system. The aluminium frame alongside glass fibre ribs make it strong and maintenance-free. The Spectra Double is an answer to the search for a bigger, yet refi ned shade solution. The collection is now available in 10 models in 19 different colours and fabrics. www.umbrosa.be
GAZE BURVILL Splash Lounge Collection Made with steam-bent oak, providing outstanding strength, the fumed oak frame of the Splash Lounge Collection borrows the aesthetic of the original Splash Collection. The new versatile, modular concept is comprised of five units with a more relaxed, deeper seat with thicker cushion contrasts. Pieces from the collection come with Sunbrella canvas white cushions with quickdry foam and outdoor fabric. www.gazeburvill.com
BOQA Acapulco
JANUS ET CIE Niche
Boqa furniture was specified for Hotel Nala, Innsbruck, Austria to add to the contemporary spirit of the 1950s hotel. With a terrace overlooking the surrounding moutains, the feng shui-designed furniture aims to add to the peaceful atmosphere, with the classical Acapulco chair offering a light and comfortable solution.
The Niche seating collection provides relaxed refi nement, with dedication to design. Named for the cutout design feature in the back of the chair, the collection features the ecofriendly JanusFiber. Along with the stacking Side Chair, Niche offers several seating options including armchair, armless counter stool, armless barstool, lounge chair, ottoman and chaise longue.
www.boqadesign.com
www.janusetcie.com
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ROY COCOON
Indoor and outdoor legendary seating comfort www.vincentsheppard.com
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AKULA LIVING Loft With bold, contemporary design combined with strong, clean lines, the Loft collection from Akula takes indoor comfort alfresco. Quick dry foam is covered with Textilene while resting on a powder coated aluminium frame for durable, light and comfortable sitting. Akula operates a vertical company, ensuring that every detail of the process, from design through to manufacturing and delivery, is completed in-house. www.akulaliving.com
ALLERMUIR Tonina Inspired by fluid shapes in nature and created by Italian design duo Claudio Dondoli and Marco Pocci, Tonina is manufactured using cutting edge technology to create a product which is simple, yet strong. The stackable, 99% recyclable chair combines contemporary design with comfort and durability. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the chair is available in a palette of six vibrant, complementary colours. www.thesenatorgroup.com
“Simple and pure design gives your imagination plenty of room to wander” – Manutti
PORCELANOSA GROUP Park-Ker MANUTTI Moon Island Designed by Gerd Couckhuyt, the new Moon Island collection presents a concept of four islands, combined around a central coffee table or footrest. The design is simple and pure, allowing customisation from a lounge sofa to a large lounge island. The removable covers are available in neutral white and sand tones, while the technical composition of the materials guarantees maximum comfort year round. www.manutti.com
A highly valued option for flooring material, ceramic parquet provides several advantages over traditional wood parquet flooring, while retaining the original appearance of wood. Ceramic parquet is highly resistant to wear, with its surface fi nish also unaffected by the sun. The low porosity makes the material idea for wet areas, while Porcelanosa also manufactures an anti-slip surface, making the product ideal for outdoor use in almost any weather. www.porcelanosa.com
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shade luxury See TUUCI Shade Luxury at iSaloni - Pav. 10, Stand nr. C08 www.tuuci.com
150216TUC-Sleeper Ad v4.indd 1
t. +31 13 522 0471
e. info@tuuci.eu
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Artificial Greenery DESIGN GOES GREEN
Greenery takes over as hotels revert back to the solace of nature to enrich design and provide an alternative talking point. Words: Molly Dolan
I
t has long been accepted that plants have a beneficial physical and psychological effect on people, with the colour green typically being associated with harmony and trust. Nature often has a calming effect on people, yet the inclusion of living walls in hospitality environments can prove both costly and challenging, with the need for specialist horticultural skills and monitoring multiple times per year. These walls also entail many complications (and benefits, albeit) associated with regular planting such as maintenance, need for natural daylight and messy installation process. That being said, a small number of hotel projects do opt for
this route, as demonstrated by the Living Wall at The Rubens at the Palace in London. The 350m2 living wall contains a total of 10,000 herbaceous plants, making it the largest in the city. However, the complex process of living walls is not a necessity, thanks to innovative technological developments and the acknowledgement from greenery suppliers that their industry is evolving. Studies have also shown that people associate beautifully landscaped areas with a higher quality of life, causing guests to relate the interior of a hotel with the utmost quality and fulfilling experience. Research aside, there is the sheer visual impact of entering a hotel public space, and being
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Opposite Page (Top): The trend for artificial greenery also applies to outdoor spaces seeking a lowmaintenance garden-effect Bottom Left: The Silk Forest supplies various types of greenery, all inherently fire retardant Bottom Right: Floriture is unique in the fact that it has been run as a fresh flower business for ten years, opting to specialise in faux flowers and greenery four years ago
met by an imposing wall of artificial greenery that does not appear “Vistagreen is a brand new concept in artificial vertical greenery, artificial at all. “A green vista is proven to both calm and revitalise with a breathtaking visual palette of luxurious plant coverage the human spirit, and the same beneficial responses are created with designed to reflect naturalistic growing patterns, suited for any artificial planting,” explains Dawn Latham, Sales Design Manager interior or exterior application.” at Vistagreen. Meanwhile, Floriture believe that the design aspect of greenery One of the many benefits associated with artificial greenery is of high importance. “Our aim is to change the perception of comes in the form of safety, namely fire retardancy. “We specialise artificial flowers and greenery by creating stunning bespoke floral in inherently fire retardant (IFR) planting, where the foliage has a sculptures,” states Alex Whitfield, Managing Director of Floriture. fire retardant incorporated into the manmade fibres at the polymer “Our products are handcrafted by trained florists, which means that stage,” says Graham Aldred, Managing Director at Silk Forest. “At they are designed to look good 24/7.” Floriture is unique in the fact one time, the only way to achieve this was to apply chemicals to that it has been run as a fresh flower business for ten years, opting the surface. However, the chemicals used tend to attract dirt, which to specialise in faux flowers and greenery four years ago. “All of our when cleaned removes the chemicals as well. IFR can be cleaned as hospitality clients use our bespoke service. It allows them to have a many times as you like and will still be feature display that fits both the brand fire retardant.” and the interior décor,” illustrates The trend for greenery applies not Whitfield. only to indoor spaces, but also outdoor As with all aspects of interior design, areas seeking a low maintenance garden a bespoke product is highly sought effect. With temperamental weather after. “It’s not always about what is conditions, standards vary between popular, it’s about us understanding interior and exterior greenery, as Aldred and conveying the ethos and message explains: “The other range that we offer of the venue with the products and is inherently UV inhibited exterior grade services that we provide,” Aldred foliage, meaning you can use artificial agrees. “Whether we’re working Dawn Latham, Vistagreen planting outside. UV is the component directly with the customer or with of sunlight that causes materials, their designer, what matters is that we including artificial foliage, to fade. make their spaces exactly what they Hence the very strange, bright blues and want them to be.” oranges that ordinary plastic foliage turns over a short time. Spraying Another benefit, echoed by all in this specialist field, is the financial interior foliage doesn’t make it exterior quality!” one. Often, artificial greenery requires a one-off cost followed by “The other aspect is the exterior standard,” continues Aldred. “For manageable upkeep, as opposed to the ongoing contracts required a plant to last outside, it needs to be resilient enough to withstand for living plant installations. “The initial costs are higher, but longer the weather; wind, rain, temperature variation. Exterior grade means term costs and disruption are much less,” assures Aldred. that plastic and fabrics are harder wearing and thicker, while the wire Speaking of the incorporation of plants into mainstream design, at the core helping to keep shape is also of a heavier, thicker grade.” Aldred concludes: “In the final analysis, plants – real or artificial – are Referring to the complications often associated with these greenery there to create ambience. They are as much part of the experience projects, Latham elaborates: “The current trend for vertical green as a well-made chair, a comfortable bed or an excellent waiter. It’s wall planting looks fantastic, but it can be very difficult and expensive about how it makes a guest feel about where they are staying. If they to realise and maintain. Beautiful, expensive real plants can fail due feel right, they will return.” to incompatibility with the environment, limited light levels, lack of With designers increasingly progressing down alternative routes irrigation, poor maintenance or even pest infestation. for that stand-out feature, what is next for the use of nature in design?
“The current trend for vertical green wall planting looks fantastic, but it can be very difficult and expensive to realise and maintain.”
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Specifier P R O D U C T S & S E R V I C E S F O R H O S P I TA L I T Y D E S I G N
AXOR BY HANSGROHE Axor Starck V Axor, the designer brand of Hansgrohe, has introduced the latest incarnation of its revolutionary washbasin mixer, Axor Starck V. First launched in April 2014, the brand’s fi rst transparent mixer was brought to life in collaboration with Philippe Starck. As well as the chrome and high-gloss white, Axor Starck V is available in 12 other fi nishes including brushed nickel. From September, the brand will also offer two new versions of the glass spout – diamond and bevel cuts. Alternatively, the removable spout will be available in porcelain. The new versions were unveiled to Sleeper at an exclusive event at Hansgrohe’s global headquarters (more overleaf).
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GLOBAL PRODUCT LAUNCH
GLOBAL PRODUCT LAUNCH
Hansgrohe
Duravit
Sleeper was invited to a special preview at Hansgrohe’s global headquarters in Schiltach, in Germany’s Black Forest, to sample the manufacturer’s latest product launches fi rsthand. Philippe and Richard Grohe, along with new CEO Thorsten Klapproth, were on hand to unveil the new collections and reveal strong performance for the previous year, particularly in their global projects business. Highlights included the new Axor Citterio E collection and Axor Universal Accessories range developed in collaboration with Antonio Citterio; the Rainmaker Select range (pictured) featuring three spray modes for an individualised shower experience; and the Talis Select, a mixer that is now available with Select technology that allows the flow of water to be turned on and off by the press of a button. All products will be shown at ISH in Frankfurt from 10-14 March. In addition to its new product ranges, Hansgrohe also launched iSpecify, a tool for architects, interior designers, and bathroom planners that allows for easy, fast, and efficient project specifications. Via a navigation bar on the homepage, the user has the option to begin planning, either by browsing through a selection of global project references for inspiration, or by searching for specific products. The programme is able to suggest a selection of suitable Axor or Hansgrohe products, complete with technical data and dimensional drawings. The tool can be accessed at ispecify.hansgrohe.com.
Around 1,200 people from more than 30 countries flocked to the Duravit Design Centre in Hornberg in February for an exclusive preview of its new products due to be launched at ISH. The event area on the ground floor was transformed into a stage for a multimedia show – complete with singer and body percussionists – to convey the “More Individuality. More comfort. More you.” motto that characterises this year’s collections. The focus was on 11 new products that use practical innovations and technology to add value to the bathroom in that way enhances the quality of life of their users. Highlights include Paiova 5 by EOOS, a five-sided bathtub with two different backrest slopes; the Stonetto shower tray made using DuraSolid Q, a material that has the look and feel of stone; and Cape Cod, a collection inspired by the US peninsula of the same name. The consoles with shelves boast a timelessly modern design and make use of the contrast between the floor-standing frame in smooth chrome and four wood fi nishes. The Vintage Oak version appeals thanks to its solid quality and distinctive look, which features a visible irregular edge that makes each item of furniture unique. The collection was designed by Philippe Starck, who also conceived ME by Starck (pictured), a minimalist range for private and public areas. The Duravit Design Days take place every two years, offering an exclusive preview of the manufacturer’s new products ahead of ISH, the world’s largest trade fair for sanitaryware, heating and air-conditioning technology. www.duravit.com
www.hansgrohe.com
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In order to become the number one in the world you have to play unlimited, you have to win on all surfaces indoors and out. For this reason, Dekton aspires to always be at the edge It is the number one option for indoor kitchens and bathrooms and outdoor surfaces of all kinds. Its physical features make it resistant, durable, aesthetic and versatile.
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Interiors from Spain COSENTINO UK- CENTRAL OFFICES AND LONDON CENTRE Unit 10 Bartley Point/ Osborn Way/ Hook/ Hampshire/ RG27 9GX/ HQ: info.uk@cosentino.com
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DE LA ESPADA Shaker
GERVASONI Brick
COLEBROOK BOSSON SAUNDERS Cubert
Neri & Hu has designed a number of new pieces in collaboration with De La Espada, including Shaker dining table and chair, and the Frame collection. Inspired by the simple, utilitarian approach of the movement after which they are named, Shaker is available in a variety of colours and fi nishes. Meanwhile, Frame consists of a bed and sofa system supported by a clear wooden frame structure.
Designed by Paola Navone, the Brick collection centres on earthy tones and nature. Brick tables with natural hand carved Wrightia trunk sections, storage units in natural or lacquered American walnut, and chairs with handwoven grey rawhide take centre stage. The Brick 36 table features a polished trunk base, with a round top in waxed iron plate.
www.delaespada.com
www.gervasoni1882.it
Colebrook Bosson Saunders has announced the launch of Cubert, the new personal light with integrated power and personal charging. The sleek design features two mains sockets and two USB power outlets for charging electronic devices. At 300mm tall, Cubert provides impressive light coverage via high efficiency, long-life LED, with a four-stage dimmable touch activated switch and just a 80x80mm footprint. Extremely versatile, the product can be used in reception areas, and also as a bedside light. www.colebrookbossonsaunders.com
APAISER KH by Apaiser Australian bathware manufacturer Apaiser has collaborated with interior designer Kelly Hoppen to create a new design-led collection; Kelly Hoppen by Apaiser. Inspired by Asian culture, the new range includes layered designs resembling the lotus flower in the form of Harmony; Origami, inspired by the intricate Japanese art; and Bande, originally based on the Obi, a sash used in traditional Japanese dress. Formulated with optimum performance in mind using reclaimed sustainable marble as its core, each piece has minimal impact on the environment, yet does not compromise on quality. www.apaiser.com
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©FLC/ ADAGP
A Classic Shows One’s Colours LS 990 in Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier colours As a worldwide exclusive, JUNG is offering its timeless LS 990 range of classic switches in the 63 original Les Couleurs® Le Corbusier colours. To convey their stunning depth of colour, the switches are hand painted in a special procedure. Experience the diversity at www.jung.de/les-couleurs
ALBRECHT JUNG GMBH & CO. KG | P.O. Box 1320 | 58569 Schalksmühle | Germany Phone: +49 2355 806158 | Fax: +49 2355 806370 | E-mail: mail.vka@jung.de | www.jung.de/en For sales contacts in your country please see: www.jung-salescontact.com
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ASTRO Kashima
FALPER Level45
BRINTONS CARPETS Arenzano
Astro has upgraded the popular Kashima wall light to LED and refi ned its construction to give extra-fi ne edge detail. The addition of a diffuser ensures glare-free, flattering illumination. The luminate offers stand-out colour rendering on the face, making it an ideal partner for a mirror. With its striking form, splash-proof Kashima provides a strong feature in almost any space.
Level45 by Falper features products perfectly balanced in shape and size, now featuring bathtubs in opaque Ceramilux. Unique and timeless shapes accentuated by a matte surface create an elegant and sophisticated result. Designed by Naghi Habib, the Level45 Matt Ceramilux makes use of the innovative Ceramilux material with its soft-touch effect. Reminiscent of natural stone, the bathtub is UV resistant, 100% recyclable and extremely durable.
The result of a collaboration between Brintons Carpets and designer Virginia Langley, Arenzano provides a fresh and naturally harmonious colour palette, while featuring strong emphasis on organic design. Inspiration stems from the wild elements of nature, including exotic birds, patterns in stone and animal skin textures. Some patterns are influenced by Italian designers such as Versace, while others have been created with contemporary multi-layering and toning impressions. Combined, the designs form a sense of versatility and diversity.
www.astrolighting.co.uk
www.falper.it
www.brintons.net
KALISHER Artwork With most concertina pieces featuring two images, Kalisher has introduced a new artwork design featuring three images in one piece. The idea was inspired after Creative Director Helen Kalisher saw a vintage piece in an historic Savannah home. Kalisher is owned and run by artists, with new art concepts launched regularly. www.kalisher.com
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TOM RAFFIELD May Coffee Table Made from sustainably sourced English Oak, Tom Raffield’s May Coffee Table and Chelsea Chair are just two examples of the stunning yet practical furniture pieces from the designer’s collection for interiors. Inspired by nature and shaped by steam, Raffield’s designs are made using low-tech and ecologically sound steam-bending methods in his workshop in Cornwall, England. www.tomraffield.com
MAXALTO BY B&B ITALIA Solatium The new Solatium seating system from Maxalto includes 140 different elements featuring several sizes softened by precious, elegant details. Numerous configurations are possible, playing on the double depth of the components, such as linear sofas with chaise longue terminal elements, dynamic corner sofas with armrests and backs of different heights, and lastly ottomans. The frame is emphasised by metal profi les with bronzed nickel or black chrome fi nish, while seat covers and cushions are available in a range of leathers or fabrics. Completing the system, small tables and consoles in various shapes combine for an exclusive look. www.bebitalia.com
AQUAMASS Stone One Glossy Spugnato Designed by Juan Pablo Chipiron, the Stone bathtub was created in 2000. Today, the Stone is an icon that remains the benchmark of bathroom design and has been celebrated for its 15th anniversary with the launch of 15 new, limited edition designs. The special editions are the work of Isabelle Periquet, who used a number of innovative concepts to recreate the bathtub. www.aquamass.com
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BELGRAVIA - AN OUTSTANDING BRASSWARE COLLECTION As the UK’s leading bathroom design specialists, we’re passionate about quality, design and attention to detail. We understand the importance of flexible, reliable and affordable options and make it our priority to find you the best solution. To find out more call 0845 873 8840 or visit www.crosswater.co.uk
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FENDI CASA Serengeti Table
LEFROY BROOKS 1010
DEIRDRE DYSON Illusion
Minimal features take centre stage with the Serengeti Table. Refi ned design is showcased as the leg entirely built up to the tabletop stands out, in line with the continuity of the forms. The top is fi nely upholstered in rich leather with visible seaming, also featuring a discrete, near-invisible compartment. Macassar Ebony and zebra wood feature in a diamond design or leather upholstery for tops and structure.
Launching at ISH, the 1010 range from Lefroy Brooks consists of industrial machine-age British taps inspired by the 1010 British Standard, which was established in 1920 to create a single engineering discipline throughout the British Empire. With an edgy, industrial feel, the taps are available in oil-rubbed bronze, among other more standard colours. Additional new products include a range of mid-century baths, Dupont lacquer panelled taps from the Art Deco era, and a series of marble washstands with solid brass legs.
Comprising nine fresh designs, Deirdre Dyson’s 2015 Illusion collection features an interplay between linear and graphic forms. Providing the hand-knotted makers with a difficult task, each completed design appears deceptively simple. Colour grading is used in many directions and opposing paths, resulting in a contrast from light to dark, shadows and optical illusions. Each carpet is bespoke, available in wool or a combination of wool and silk, with over 2,000 colours on offer.
www.luxurylivinggroup.com
www.deirdredyson.com
www.lefroybrooks.co.uk
VICAIMA Portaro Interior door specialist Vicaima has provided its Portaro product for the Meyerhold Opera Paris Hotel, complete in quarter cut walnut veneer with a sunrise effect and matte fi nish. Inspired by the hotel’s 1930s charm, the product includes adjustable frame and accessories in one single piece and provides fi re resistance and acoustic insulation. The carefully designed doors enable the balance between contemporary furniture and antique décor to be maintained in this Parisian location. www.vicaima.com
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HERITAGE COLLECTION Newton Table The Newton Table has a striking linear design, with an impressive top featuring an upholstered, flared profi le. Galuchat printed leather covers the top, with stitches giving the surface a sense of dynamism. The matte-effect top contrasts with the lacquer-fi nished base. www.luxurylivinggroup.com
ANDRIANNA SHAMARIS Malibu Resin Collection The new Malibu Resin Collection table from Andrianna Shamaris has modern stained black walnut legs with a handmade resin coated top. The top can be matte or polished, and can also have a flat fi nish or movement. The table is available in any style or colour, making it adaptable and ideal for bespoke designs. www.andriannashamarisinc.com
TON Moritz Designed by Kai Stania, Moritz is made from manually sanded oak wood and upholstered with fi ne, natural leather. Pocket springs in the seat guarantee comfort and ensure durability through extended use, while the ergonomics are tested meticulously by Ton. The Moritz set is composed of an armchair, a lounge armchair, a chair and bar stool. www.ton.eu
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A New Celebration of Hotel Design for Asia Sleeper Magazine would like to congratulate the nominees and winners of the inaugural Asia Hotel Design Awards and to thank all our sponsors and supporters See you next year! www.asiahoteldesignawards.com Organised By
Awards Sponsors
Official Partner
Event Supporter
Headline Sponsor
Music By
Patron
Media Partners
Event Partners logo with the camera icon
© Nick Ingram
CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
Illumination Works
Bette
The Beaumont
Cheval Three Quays
Luxury five-star Mayfair hotel, The Beaumont is the fi rst hotel by Corbin & King, situated in an historic 1926 building overlooking Brown Hart Gardens. Illumination Works was tasked with the challenging project of creating a lighting scheme that appeared to have been designed for the original building in the 1920s while still developing a concept befitting of a 21st century luxury hotel. Specific rules from the operator included no recessed downlights in any public spaces, resulting in surface mounted spotlights used for lighting art in the lobby and tables in the restaurant and bar. Other lighting was concealed into coves and furniture pieces, or derived from the period light fittings throughout the hotel. This combination of functional lighting in guestrooms and discreet detailing in public spaces blends to create one cohesive atmosphere. The latest lighting technologies were used, subtly, to give each space the required light levels while also taking into consideration energy conservation, lamp-life and maintenance, warmth, atmosphere, and colour temperature matching from room to room.
German bathroom manufacturer Bette has provided the bathtubs and washbasins for the luxurious Cheval Three Quays development. The riverside project offers unparalleled views of the river Thames, the Tower of London and City Hall and comprises 159 studio, one-, two-, three-bed and penthouse apartments. The architectural design was led by 3DReid, with Forme UK responsible for the interiors. The luxurious bathrooms feature either BetteStarlet or BetteOcean baths, selected in different shape and size options for each guestroom. Made from enamelled steel, the bath’s BetteGlaze surface has exceptional light-reflecting qualities, is highly durable and has a 30-year warranty. Selected bathrooms also feature the BetteWave washbasins, which are in enamelled steel to complement the baths. The washbasins are available as counter-top, built-in and wall-mounted options, with some featuring the washbasin built in to Bette’s luxurious real wood veneer plinth furniture, complete with high-gloss drawer units. www.bette.co.uk
www.illuminationworks.com
194
CATCHPOLE & RYE KENT ENGLAND
EXCLUSIVE Showrooms London
Chelsea Walk 282-284 Fulham Road SW10 9EW T. +44 (0)207 351 0940 sales@catchpoleandrye.com
LUXURY
BATHROOMS Showrooms & Workshops Kent
Saracens Dairy Pluckley Road Pluckley TN27 0SA T. +44 (0)1233 840 840 www.catchpoleandrye.com
DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT OF LUXURY INTERIOR ACCESSORIES HOTELS • YACHTS • INTERIOR DESIGNERS • PRIVATE CLIENTS
We will be attending The European Hotel Design Awards on the 25th November and Sleep Event on 26th November. If you would like to meet to discuss your requirements please contact us on 01434 604 181 or studio1@cubbins.co.uk
www.cubbins.co.uk
Mattresses made by hand from natural, sustainable and organic materials info@naturalmat.co.uk
www.naturalmathotel.co.uk
01392 877 247
Furniture | Fabrics | Equipment for meetings and dining
Because first impressions count t: +44 (0) 1568 616638 e: info@forbesgroup.eu www.forbesgroup.eu
Club Lounge 39, One Canada Square, London
Finest artificial Green Walls suitable for interior and exterior surfaces
British design
Handmade in Europe
Easy and quick to install
+ 44(0) 20 73851020
info@vistagreen.com
WWW.VISTAGREEN.COM
sleeperv2_Layout 1 12/02/2015 07:20 Page 1
Exceptional quality furniture for your outdoor space...
The leading magazine for hotel design, development and architecture.
At Akula we’ve combined a fully vertical operation with over 100 years’ expertise to create exceptional furniture collections which are specifically designed for the contract market.
Subscribers benefit from: Previews of the most exciting projects breaking ground
We supply the world’s top hotels and restaurants, because we are able to provide;
Reviews of new hotels opening worldwide In-depth interviews with leading hoteliers, interior designers and architects
aA fully vertical, international operation
delivering exceptional furniture worldwide.
Coverage of exhibitions and conferences for the hotel industry
a5 year industry leading warranty. aSmall management team allowing quick decisions and customer support. aContemporary design and flexibility. aCompetitive pricing structure.
Exclusive updates of Sleeper’s events including Sleepover, European Hotel Design Awards and Asia Hotel Design Awards
International hotels and restaurants can buy from us with complete confidence - that’s what makes Akula different.
www.sleepermagazine.com/subscribe/ • For more information contact subscriptions@mondiale.co.uk
A CLEAR REFLECTION WITH demista™ Though many of us may prefer a fuzzy vision of ourselves first thing in the morning, having a mist free mirror must surely be an advantage for shaving, applying make up or styling hair. Once a demista™ heated mirror pad is installed, you will always have a clear view, no matter how steamed up the bathroom may be. For product information contact: Tel 01923 866600 Email sales@demista.co.uk Web www.demista.co.uk
www.akulaliving.com info@akulaliving.com +44(0) 1937 862 705
BurgessEvosa_Sleeper_206x120_DEC14.indd 1
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The best hotels demand the best quality, that’s why they’ve specified Waterbury bathroom accessories for over 30 years.
UK TEL 44 (0) 121 333 6062
SALES@WATERBURY.CO.UK
EUROPE TEL +49 (0) 8823 938 4906
WWW.WATERBURY.CO.UK
ANTHONY@WATERBURY.CO.UK
Advertising Index AHDA
193
EE Smith Contracts Ltd
187
Pedrali
015
Akula Furniture Ltd
198
Ege
025
Porcelanosa
031
Albrecht Jung GmbH & Co KG
185
Encompass
175
PS Interiors
054
Alger International
013
EPR Architects Ltd
119
Roca
087
Aliseo GmbH
053
Expormim
167
Sanipex Group
061
Allermuir Ltd
070
Forbes Group
197
Shaw Contract Group
029
Altfield Ltd
076
Gandia Blasco
027
Sleep
095
Apaiser
081
Harlequin
037
Sleepover Istanbul
Astro Lighting Ltd
002
HD Expo
138
Summit Furniture Inc
B&B Italia
204
HI Design
Beaulieu International Group
120
Illumination Works
BONDdise単otel
152
Interface Europe Ltd
Boutique Hotel Summit
148
JANUS et Cie
Burgess Furniture Ltd
199
JL Furnishings
111
Catchpole & Rye
195
Johnson Tiles
089
Chelsom Lighting Ltd
045
Kalisher
Claybrook Interiors Ltd
135
Crosswater
171
The Heveningham Collection
059
069
The Natural Stone Show
145
130
The Silk Forest
198
Ton
093
Tribu Furniture
165
Tuuci Europe BV
176
127
Ulster Carpets
154
Kettal
169
Ultrafabrics Europe Ltd
075
189
Lasvit
051
Umbrosa NV
163
Consentino
183
Lefroy Brooks
065
Viacaima Ltd
191
Cubbins
196
Ligne Roset
010
Villeroy & Boch AG
Macmaster Design
090
Vincent Sheppard
173
Dedon
006 & 007
139 & 141
008 & 009
004 & 005
128 & 129
Deirdre Dyson
105
Maison & Objet Miami
142
Vista Green
197
Demista
198
Manutti
023
WAF
140
Designjunction Milan
153
Minotti SpA
113
Warisan
160
Dixon Turner Wallcovering Ltd
180
Naturalmat
196
Waterbury
199
Duravit
203
Neonlite International Ltd
159
Zoffany
021
200
M R . L I G H T 1 1
Q U AY S I D E
.
W I L L I A M
SLEEPER SHOWCASE
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L I M I T E D
M O R R I S
WA Y
.
LO N D O N
.
S W 6
2 U Z
W W W. M R L I G H T. C O . U K S A L E S @ M R L I G H T. C O . U K Capital Garden Products are the UK’s experts in outdoor antique and contemporary finishes. Our extensive range of quality planters and troughs are made in glass fibre to truly withstand the test of time and can be custom made to meet every need. T: +44 (0)1580 201092 E: sales@capital-garden.com www. capital-garden.com
Outdoor furniture and Planters Outer Eden Trading Ltd Tugby Orchards Tugby, Leicestershire LE7 9WE
TEL. 0207 352 7525
TRADE SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT M O N D AY T O F R I D AY 1 0 . 3 0 A M
>
6.00 PM
C L O S E D S AT U R D AY A N D S U N D AY
Matki Swadling Invincible thermostatic showers, available in Chrome and elegant Nickel and Antique Gold finishes.
07961443407
01 4 5 4 3 2 2 8 8 8 | W W W. M AT K I . C O. U K
Ringofenstraße 3 A D-53424 Remagen-Kripp
fon: +49 (0)26 42-9 07 88-30 fax: +49 (0)26 42-9 07 88-32
info@acrylic-couture.com www.acrylic-couture.com
Architectural Vision Panels For Doors & Walls
Providers of luxury leather Door Hardware for over 15 years.
LIGHTING
Manufacturer & Distributors of Fine Lighting
Download new catalogues at elsteadlighting.com
www.houseoferoju.com info@houseoferoju.com • Tel: 0207 738 9374
North 4 Design Ltd Tel : 0208 885 4404
www.north4.com
The Photon Space INTELLIGENT LODGINGS
In our modern lives we spend too much time indoors, despite the fact that scientific research shows that daylight has profound benefits for our health, mood and productivity. As such, The Photon Project – a collaborative of leading minds in glass architecture, ophthalmology research, engineering, design and innovation – has come up with a revolutionary way to let the benefits of natural light in. The Photon Space is a new hospitality and wellbeing experience that combines the latest in all-glass technology with sophisticated design. Constructed entirely from intelligent glass, the 45m2 suite provides 360-degree views of the surrounding area and incorporates
a double bedroom, sitting room, integrated kitchen and bathroom. The structure is the first of its kind to address issues such as stress, low energy and jet-lag by allowing natural daylight into the space to balance essential body rhythms and using nano-technology to darken the glass when required for privacy and sleeping. The Photon Space is a modular construction with an integrated steel sub-frame so can be built in around four weeks in virtually any location with minimal impact on the local environment. The suites are designed as an alternative accommodation option for a range of hospitality destinations such as spas, health retreats and hotels.
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ME BY STARCK
JUST ADD YOU.
ME by Starck. Sleek lines, iconic shapes, pure aesthetics, sustainability and durability. An ideal, adaptable design that emphasizes your unique personality. More information available at duravit.co.uk and duravit.me.
pc studio - photo fabrizio bergamo
Mirto design Antonio Citterio. www.bebitalia.com B&B Italia Store London, SW3 2AS - 250 Brompton Road - T. 020 7591 8111 - info.bromptonroad@bebitalia.com UK Agent: Keith De La Plain - T. +44 786 0419670 keith@keithdelaplain.com
Milan Design Week: April 14th/19th 2015 - B&B Italia Store Milano: via Durini, 14
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