P R E F A C E When we were approached to design our 1st project, New Majestic Hotel, in 2004, it was in the context of the “Experience Economy” that we attempted to find some fresh perspectives on “making room”, and forays into a brand new world of perception, re-invented ritual and sensory stimuli in the design of the New Majestic Hotel.
C O N T E N T 002
InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun
148
Vinero Winery and Hotel
008
Hotel Indigo Downtown LA
160
Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel, Tokyo
016
Nolinski
166
Hotel Excelsior Gallia
024
Nanxun Blossom Hill Boutique Hotel — Qiu Shu Li
176
Hotel Minho
032
Puro Hotel
186
Yasuragi
038
Apfelhotel
194
Hotel Not Hotel
046
Four Seasons Kyoto
204
Huis Ten Bosch Henn na Hotel
052
Cloud 7
210
W Guangzhou Hotel and Residences
058
Hotel Kanra Kyoto
216
ACE Hotel
062
citizenM Tower of London Hotel
222
PURO, Poznan
068
Milu Hotel, Florence
232
New Hotel, Athens, Greece
074
Hotel Amarin, Rovinj
240
citizenM Hotel Rotterdam, nl
The VUE Hotel, which just launched in Beijing by the Orange Hotels Group, is a new to market brand and a part of a new wave growing global phenomenon of locally-rooted boutique hospitality brands experiences, a global cultural phenomenon now finding roots in China. It aims to immerse its guests in authentic and bespoke experiences. “VUE” in French means “view” or “a way to see”; and VUE hotel aspires to present a fresh way of “seeing” hospitality design and experiences. VUE’s DNA upends conventional Chinese notions of hospitality and is defined by 4 core pillars: 1. Encourages Socializing; 2. Transcendence of culture; 3. Delightful & Whimsical; 4. Relaxed & Inviting.
080
Crystal Orange Hotel
250
Ibis Styles Hotel
084
Mondrian Doha
256
VUE Hotel
090
W Hotel London Leicester Square
270
Signiel Seoul at Lotte World Tower
Each bespoke VUE property will draw richly from the culture and heritage of its neighborhood, but yet always transcending it with a contemporary and whimsical twist. Unapologetically modern in its approach, the brand embodies the desires of the urbane traveller; creating comfortable and inviting social spaces that are paired with intriguing art and innovative cuisine.
098
Mira Moon
280
St. Regis Macao, Cotai Strip
102
Kameha Grand Zurich
288
Ultima
112
Hotel Vernet
296
Hotel Adriatic
120
Iniala Beach House
130
Jeju Stay BIUDA
304
CONTRIBUTORS
138
INK. Hotel Amsterdam
The spatial configuration and quality is something that we focused on, to maintain but also update this unique typology. Although very modern in attitude, the design of the hotel represents a new wave of Asian designers. From architect to installation artist, the entire team was local — stemming from the firm belief that because of our shared collective cultural base, the end design would be Singaporean in a fundamental way. We’ve entered the age of the Experience Economy. Here, universal and standardized design has been de-bunked and is now superseded by design that is unique, innovative and authentic. In this age, design clearly manifests its local context as well as the consumer’s demand for authentic experiences. Individualism dictates design choices whereas status quo is categorically rejected. Here, dollars are willingly traded for anecdote-worthy experiences. Evidently, this has evolved into a global phenomenon, and has been increasingly pronounced over the last decade, doubtlessly propagated by a continual deluge of an image-driven media and clans of globetrotting, style-conscious urban nomads. More than just thinking about trends, I think it is more important to think more upstream. I believe the core principles of Design are constant, but the outworking of these principles belongs to an ever-evolving continuum, always changing, never static. For example, I’m someone who needs a balance between the familiar and the unknown. Tipped one way or the other, I end up either utterly bored or overly exhausted. It’s important to keep forging new ground, and at the same time grapple with new creative challenges. Boutique hotel rooms can range from being very luxurious (see our Macalister Mansion Hotel in Penang) to being very edgy (See our latest VUE hotel in Beijing). Boutique hotels are different from normal luxury hotels in the way they define what luxe is. Old school luxe was more the “chandelier” and velvet luxe. New wave luxe is much more inventive and innovative, putting a premium on authenticity and craft!
The VUE brand provides a welcome counter point to both the Chinese traditional luxury hotel and the bland international 5 star hotel. In the short time it’s been opened, the response has been very positive and I think it’s because the Chinese (or China-based) consumer is much more open minded and receptive to other definitions of high end life style experiences. They are looking for authenticity and innovation.
Colin Seah Founder Director Ministry of Design Pte Ltd
Location: Beijing, China
InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun
The design concept of the hotel was inspired by the hexagonal diamond element in the building facade. Through the analysis of the formation of diamond, which is made from constantly refining of rough stone; the design adopted the cutting and luster characteristics of diamond to shape the space. This concept is throughout the architectural plan layout and every elevation detail. Each detail is a story; a stylish and avant-garde space scene is created by the atmosphere of lighting, stylish furniture and exquisite artworks.
CCD intended to create a "New Yuppies" style hotel. It is "new" for that typical Yuppies symbolizes the pursuit for positive, confident, calm, gentle and fashionable life, with main colors of black, white and grey. CCD's New Yuppies for InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun stuck to the pursuing of fashion trend, but the color is not only black, white and grey; gemstone blue is acting as the main color to create an avant-garde atmosphere of future and technology.
Design Agency: CCD/ Cheng Chung Design (HK) Area: 30,000 square meters Main Materials: Resin Board, Paint Board, Stone, Bronze, Leather, Cloth 002
003
Location: Palma, Spain
Puro Hotel
Puro is an iconic 22 room boutique hotel located in the heart of La Lonja, in the historical centre of Palma. Adapting itself to the different existing buildings, the hotel has an irregular configuration. The refurbishment project by OHLAB takes advantage of that complexity as a potential tool to generate unexpected and unique spaces where each room is different from each other. The project solves every room with individualized and unique layouts and solutions. The selection of natural and local materials emphasizing the Mediterranean essence has been very
important. Another important focus has been the conception of the bathrooms as spaces for pleasure, spacious and integrated with the bedrooms, with generous, sculptural and freestanding bathtubs placed in the bedrooms just as another piece of furniture. The artist Pedro Oliver has work closely with OHLAB producing a special pictorial work for this project, a series of unique custom made mural paintings strategically placed in each room.
Design Agency: OHLAB Designers: Paloma Hernaiz, Jaime Oliver, Rebeca Lavín, José Allona, Amaia Barazar, Rosa Fuentes, Silvia Morais, Manuela Sánchez Project Management: Paloma Hernaiz, Jaime Oliver (architects), Jorge Ramón (quantity surveyor) Client: Puro Hotel Photography: José Hevia 032
033
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hotel Not Hotel Hotel Not Hotel is or isn’t a hotel in Amsterdam. It is because you can sleep there, it isn’t because it doesn’t exactly resemble a normal hotel. Central to its identity are the rooms and the relaxed atmosphere. Guests are invited to sleep in a restored antique tram cart, a Spanish villa, or in one of the secret Bookcase rooms to name a few. The rooms come with communal bathroom facilities, some have a bathroom inside. Every guest sleeps on a comfortable hotel bed in a minimalistic interior. The building and the many cosy seating areas however
tend to make people leave their rooms and interact with each other. The staff can always help you find your way around town, as they are locals. The people behind Hotel Not Hotel are Bruno Bont and Tijmen Receveur. Bruno has experience as an entrepreneur in several types of businesses, while Tijmen did get a taste of the hotel business before embarking on this adventure. Bruno and Tijmen want to offer visitors a different kind of headquarters from
Designers: Arno Coenen and IRIS, Luuk van den broek, Sander Wassink, Kim Haagen, Daan Brandenburg, Jelle Mastenbroek 194
195
PURO, Poznan
Location: Poznań, Poland
Following successful openings in both Wroclaw and Krakow, Managing Director of PURO hotels, Rune Askevold, approached Blacksheep to work on their biggest hotel to date, PURO Poznan.
As home to Poland's design university and just an hour's drive to Berlin, the location of Poznan allowed the design team to push the boundaries of the PURO experience even further and deliver a fresh and fun look that’s fitting with the local demographic.
Design Agency: Blacksheep Design Director: Paul Wainwright 222
223
Acknowledgements We would like to thank all the designers and companies who made significant contributions to the compilation of this book. Without them, this project would not have been possible. We would also like to thank many others whose names did not appear on the credits, but made specific input and support for the project from beginning to end.
Future Editions If you would like to contribute to the next edition of Artpower, please email us your details to: artpower@artpower.com.cn