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There are two ways to make tea. One way involves you heating water in a cup in the microwave then adding the tea. The second way involves you heating water in a kettle—but not any kettle, this one was chosen for its design and sentimental value; then you take out a jar of fluffy, loose leaf tea, inhaling the fragrance, and measuring it out into the steeper slowly, and intentionally. You wait for the signs of steam escaping the spout and you know the water is ready. The first way is fast and efficient and provides you with tea, the second method takes a longer amount of time to prepare, but it gives you tea and an experience.
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This concept makes the act of preparing necessities special. To call something a ritual reinforces the idea of slowing down, focusing, and appreciating.
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LOCATION Site determination, justification and analysis with a focus on climate, site relations, and amenities
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CLIENT INFORMATION
CONCEPT
Hotel developer, client profiles, community relationships, and employee information
Development of statements, and imagery which will influence the design of the hotel
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FEATURES & ACCOMODATIONS Floorplans, guest rooms, amenities, and features of the hotel
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CITY By going to Marrakech, one is transported to a time of purposeful actions. Marrakech is a colorful, enchanting city that seamlessly blends a past time with a contemporary one. It is something of a memory, yet just as culturally relevant as some of the West’s most popular cities. With these ideas in mind, the concept of preserving ritual will drive the design. The hotel will reinforce this concept through spaces that promote the ceremonies of sleeping, bathing, eating, and drinking. The best time to travel to Marrakech is in the spring, from mid-March until May. The average temperature is 84 °F (29 °C), with the coldest month being January seeing temperatures of 55 °F (13 °C).
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CULTURE The official language is Arabic, but many people speak Amazigh, a Berber language, and French; English can typically be found in tourist areas. Moroccans are generally linked to the Berber tribes of Northern Africa, an indigenous people. Majority of the residents in the city is Muslim, though they are a relatively liberal Muslim country, and Islam is the main religion. Their primary industry is tourism, along with rock mining, leather goods, textiles, and arts and crafts—they are known for woodcrafts with intricate and sophisticated patterns painted on.
CONTEXT Marrakech is the result of cultural influences from North Africa, the Mediterranean, France, India, Italy, and Sweden. The styles seen throughout this city are considered a living legacy, one of an architectural revolution. The forbidden representation of animate forms has led to elaborate patterns of stars, geometric shapes, abstract plant forms, and arabesques becoming popular.
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LOCAL FEATURES
Culture
Culture
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Jardin Majorelle
This museum, which has been referred to as “the jewel in the crown of the French couturier’s Moroccan legacy,” is the first fashion museum in Africa. This title has boosted the Marrakech reputation as a cultural hotspot. On display are not only the garments by Yves Saint Laurent, but also a conservation of extraordinary collections of pieces from the Berber Museum at the Jardin Majorelle.
It took French painter Jacques Majorelle forty years of passion and dedication to create this enchanting garden in the heart of the city. Jardin Majorelle is one of the most visited sites in Morocco; be soothed and enchanted by the harmony of its luxurious and vivid exotic plant imagery. This garden offers a clam retreat near, yet so far, from the bustling city.
41 m / 136 feet (1 minute walk)
150 m / 492 feet (2 minute walk)
Local Attraction
Koutoubia Mosque Located in the southwest medina quarter of Marrakech, this mosque has inspired the architectural style of many other buildings in the area. This still active mosque is the largest in Marrakech and is free to tour. 3.1 km / 1.9 miles (9 minutes by taxi)
Local Attraction
Local Attraction
Les Bains De Marrakech
Souk Market
Kader Boufraine, a Frenchman of Moroccan origin dreamed of building a place where he would recreate the friendly atmosphere that existed at this childhood hammam; Les Bains gives a new look to the traditional hammam by integrating contemporary influences. This spa mixes a traditional hammam with a private spa experience.
When visiting Morocco, one of the most exciting and enjoyable cultural activities is shopping in the souk market. They are the ideal amalgam of color, energy, and vibrance—and there isn’t anything that isn’t sold: perfumes, spices, bags, clothes, baskets, carpets, shoes, the list goes on. 3.3 km /2 miles (10 minutes by taxi)
4.5 km / 2.8 miles (27 minutes by walking / train)
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Marrakech, Morocco, Africa
Hotel location
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31.642894, -8.003319
Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Marrakech 40000, Morocco This location was selected for its proximity to contemporary and traditional attractions. Located about 30 minutes outside of the Medina, the old gated area of Marrakech where the souks are located, Hotel Ritual is in a moderately quiet area of the town. 7
clie nt infor m at ion: de velo pe r
WHO WE ARE We offer only experiences of exceptional quality—our objective is to create objectives of enduring value using superior design and finishes and supporting them with a deeply instilled ethic of personalized service. This allows Four Seasons to satisfy the needs and tastes of our customers, and to maintain our position as a premier luxury hospitality company
BELIEFS Four Seasons believes in the idea of recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one, and treating everyone the way they would like to be treated themselves. Our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime, as life is richer when you are given the opportunity to connect to the people and world around you.
The key to our success, is our people. We believe each of us needs a sense of dignity, pride, and satisfaction in what we do. Since satisfying our guests depends on the united efforts of many, we are most effective when we work together cooperatively, respecting each other’s contribution and importance.
BEHAVIORS We demonstrate our beliefs most meaningfully in the way we treat each other and by the example we set for one another. In all of our interactions with our guests, customers, business associates, and colleagues, we seek to deal with others as we would have them deal with us.
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Ritual by Four Seasons, a one of a kind boutique hotel located in Marrakech, prioritizes community relations and guest interactions like never before. With an emphasis on how guests use different spaces, this hotel was designed with the goal of creating intention within the built environment.
GUESTS This boutique hotel’s target audience is the vacationer—whether it’s a solo venture, a romantic getaway, or a group of friends, Ritual Hotel offers the ideal experiential trip. A guest at our hotel will be transported to a place where time is slowed, and little actions gain meaning again. Purposely placed away from the bustling energy of the Medina, guests can enjoy quiet within a city. Restaurants around the area provide traditional Moroccan, French, and Italian cuisine, just a walking distance away—not to mention the Moroccan restaurant located within the hotel. After a long day, guests can return to their rooms, which have been outfitted with materials specifically chosen to calm and create comfort.
STAFF Front and back of house staff will be made up primarily of locals, and some employees who have chosen to work at this boutique hotel from abroad. In Morocco, it is most respectful to allow men to pour the tea to guests, so only men will work in the tea room; in all other locations in the hotel, men and women will both work.
LOCALS Levels 1 and 2 will be open for non-guest access. The tea room on level 1 is open air and provides an excellent opportunity to create a new retail space in this area and create a unique experience for guests. The restaurant, located behind the tea room, will serve contemporary Moroccan food. The bar, located on the second level, will be primarily used by guests of the hotel and nonMuslims living in Marrakech.
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RITUAL By going to Marrakech, one is transported to a time of purposeful actions. Marrakech is a colorful, enchanting city that seamlessly blends a past time with a contemporary one. It is something of a memory, yet just as culturally relevant as some of the West’s most popular cities. With these ideas in mind, the concept of preserving ritual will drive the design. The hotel will reinforce this concept through spaces that promote the ceremonies of bathing, eating, and drinking.
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While Marrakech is home to many traditions, this concept looks at three main rituals:
TEA Hospitality is shown to guests by serving steaminghot mint tea; it is the national drink of Morocco. Traditionally, the tea is made from Chinese gunpowder green tea, lots of dried or fresh mint, and sugar to taste. It is poured from standing height into a glass below, an elegant gesture which aerates the tea and releases the aroma throughout the room. This tea can be served with every meal throughout the day. There is a saying about this tea: “The first glass is as bitter as life, the second is as strong as love, the third is as soothing as death.” In the hotel, this ritual will be represented through an open air tea room on the first level.
BATHING Hammam is a traditional bathing and cleansing ritual; for most Moroccans, the hammam is a social event that occurs regularly—rooted in the Islamic tradition of cleansing ablutions. This communal activity involves entering a steam room to open the pores, cleansing the skin with olive-oil based black soap and scrubbing with a traditional Kessa glove, and finally immersing yourself in cold water. These hammams are typically located near bakeries to conserve energy by sharing heat. In the hotel, this ritual will be represented in the King suite bathroom with tub.
FOOD Moroccan’s schedule their days, and meals, around the five calls of prayer—thus, there are five daily meals: early breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, tea and bread, and dinner. Circular flat bread is a traditional food Moroccan that girls learn how to bake at a young age; it’s integral to all meals and snacks. Tagine, a meal eaten for lunch and dinner, is a thick stew of vegetables with some meat added to the middle. The dish is served on a single dish on the table, as Moroccan meals are a communal affair. Many people believe in “Al Baraka,” which refers to a spiritual energy that occurs when families join to eat. Instead of using utensils, this meal is eaten by scooping it up with bread. In the hotel, this ritual will be represented through the restaurant on the first level
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LEVEL 1 Upon entering the hotel, the scent of mint and green tea flood your senses. The open-air tea room makes up the front half of the first level—this space creates an opportunity for reflection and slow actions. Past the tea room is the restaurant which will serve modern Moroccan food on communal, table-based platters. In this area, the brass railed staircase is the final place the guest’s eye will rest before ascending to the second level.
RESTAURANT (THE TABLE) TEA ROOM & RETAIL (THREE GLASSES) CONCIERGE BACK OF HOUSE
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THREE GLASSES TEA ROOM This tea room presents the opportunity for one to be visually connected to the inside whilst inside, sipping on tea and indulging on fruits. The seating is a combination of plush and structured, offering guests different possible postures. To the far end of the tea room is a retail store where patrons can buy tea pots, glasses, and Chinese gunpowder green tea.
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LEVEL 2 The second level is where guests can check into their room. The first sightline is the reception desk, followed by the large array of plush seating in the lobby. Large windows flood the space with natural light and create captivating views into the local gardens at night. Beyond the lobby is the bar and lounge, a quaint room with low seating and a sense of gathering.
BAR (APRĂˆS LE JARDIN) RECEPTION & LOBBY STAFF AREAS BACK OF HOUSE
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LEVELS 3-8 These levels feature three room sizes: standard, junior, and king suite. The standard rooms have either one king bed or two queen beds. The junior suite has a king bed and small lounge area. The king suite features a balcony, living area, private king bedroom, and bathroom with a separate tub. Rooms are designed with inspiration from traditional Moroccan materials, French art deco, and some contemporary touches.
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KING SUITE The King Suite features a large balcony, full living room, private bedroom, and luxurious bathtub. The corner location allows for ideal views of the city. Each of these suites enjoys art deco dĂŠcor, with traditional Moroccan touches. The bedroom incorporates neutral colors with teal and metallic touches creating a calm, yet visually stimulating space.
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