Stepping into Mondrian Doha begins the first chapter of a wonderful story that unfolds around every turn Marcel Wanders
Folk tales of One Thousand and One Nights inspire Marcel Wanders’ lavish Qatar hotel
T The hotel is shaped to resemble a falcon – Qatar’s national bird
he famous Middle Eastern
skylight, with a Peony Tiffany
folk tales of One Thousand and
Lamp pattern printed across it.
One Nights are the inspiration for a lavish dome-topped
hotel opening in Doha, Qatar.
which in turn mirrors the modern
Local practice South West
reality of Doha – the Qatari capital
Architecture and Dutch interior
that has grown immeasurably over
designer Marcel Wanders
the past few years, transforming
– working in the region for the
itself from a modest fishing
first time – have collaborated to
village into a global visionary
create the “fantasy-like” Doha
capital,” said sbe in a statement.
Mondrian for hotel operator sbe. Design features are inspired by
Wanders added: “Stories connect us to our history, our culture
the local patterns, ornate Arabic
and to each other. Stepping into
writing and historic souks syn-
Mondrian Doha begins the first
onymous with famous traditional
chapter of a wonderful story that
tales from The Arabian Nights.
unfolds around every turn.
The hotel’s public spaces feature
“Conceptually, we have married
patterned carpets, ornate stained
local culture with a modern design
glass, intricate mosaic tiling and
aesthetic. While many themes are
full mosaic walls, giant columns
collectively layered throughout the
decorated with golden eggs and a
hotel, each individual space tells
‘tree of life’ comprised of flowers.
its own tale. Guests may therefore
The centrepiece of the 270-room
have many different experiences
hotel is a dramatic spiral staircase
and weave for themselves a
in the lobby atrium, designed
collection of stories to share.”
as if it ascends into the sky. Guest rooms are divided into
IMAGES: SBE AND MARCEL WANDERS
CLAD mag 2017 ISSUE 2
“The hotel is the embodiment of Arabia through a modern lens,
Additional facilities include an entertainment floor with a
five categories, but each contains
nightclub, rooftop pool and skybar,
its own Swarovski crystal chan-
a huge spa, and a vast wedding
delier and custom-built furniture
ballroom, which brides can
“designed to mirror the desert.”
enter inside a 24k gold sculpted
The building itself is shaped like a falcon, in reference to Qatar’s national bird. It is topped by a large stained glass domed
caged elevator. Eight restaurants and bars will also feature. Doha Mondrian will open in September 2017.
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