Seehof, Hubertus, Tofana @ Hotel et al N° The International Hotel & Property Awards 2018

GLOBAL - HOTEL UNDER 50 ROOMS

SEEHOF: A GARDEN ARCHITECTURE

BY NOA* NETWORK OF ARCHITECTURE Project Name: Seehof: A Garden Architecture Category: Hotel Under 50 Rooms Global Location: Natz-Schabs, Brixen, Southtyrol, Italy Date Completed: April 2017 Interior Designer: noa* network of architecture Architect: noa* network of architecture Construction Company: Oberegger OHG, Vahrn/Varna The Hotel Seehof is located on a high plateau near the village of Natz-Schabs/Naz-Sciaves near Brixen/Bressanone by the small natural lake “Flötscher Weiher”. The location in the middle of the mountains gives the hotel an alpine character with a Mediterranean flair. The main building is reminiscent of a stately residence in the countryside; Deep loggias, as open spaces, visually enlarge the suites and thus intensify the special connection with nature. The new rough, earth-coloured plaster combined with the new clear, horizontal wooden structure gives the hotel a noble appearance.

The new spa area with pool and sauna area connect structurally with the surrounding landscape and impressively opens up with its irregular potholes and pergolas through large panorama windows towards the lake. Directed views from the interior into the surrounding grounds, as well as inside open areas, so-called patios, concisely convey the feeling of being in a large park. The design of the outdoor areas also play an important role. A natural unity was created here, in which the space can be walked through on different paths. Contemplative dwellings are spread around the lakeshore.

The new interior design deals with the history of the area and incorporates it into the design: In 1958, Jakob Auer, grandfather of the land-owner, founded the so-called soil improvement consortium on the Natz-Schabs/Naz-Sciaves apple tree plateau, in order for the traditional cultivation of apple trees to be intensified. The widely used water pipes used at the time become an inspiration for the interior design. Copper pipes, which can be seen throughout the house, are consciously accentuated as a design element: in the bedrooms; the lamps, small tables, bathroom fittings and wardrobe hooks. In the spa-reception area pipes form an extraordinary view on the wall and ceiling.

Special attention and incorporation of natural materials from the surrounding environment, was a focus point in the interior design. Wood, linen, stone, braided furniture and accessories in combination with bright, discreet colours correspond to the natural concept of the new Seehof.

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THE STRAND YANGON

BY THE STRAND YANGON Project Name: The Strand Yangon Category: Hotel Under 50 Rooms Global Location: Yangon, Myanmar Date Completed: Latest renovation project was completed in November 2016 Interior Designer: P49 Deesign & Associates Co., Ltd. Architect: P49 Deesign & Associates Co., Ltd. Hotel Group: The Strand Yangon/GCP Hospitality The Strand Yangon was one of the first luxury colonial outposts to open in South East Asia, founded in 1901 by the famous hoteliers, the Sarkies brothers, and it remains one of the most architecturally beautiful landmarks in the region. In November 2016, The Strand Yangon entered a new era as it reopened after a six-month restoration project that saw the luxury heritage hotel ushered elegantly into the 21st century. Local artisans meticulously restored every original architectural detail of The Strand Yangon, from the teak panelling and antique bedsteads, to traditional Myanmar lacquer ware and marble flooring, whilst giving the hotel a complete upgrade and contemporary twist through the latest technology, a refreshed colour palette and subtle decorative details.

The colonial era was about comfort and grace; social gatherings and exploration; discovering new cultures and sharing ideas; collecting stories and sharing experiences from travels. The design team set about creating a beautiful setting for all this to happen. Yangon has an abundance of historically and architecturally significant buildings, over 180 at the last count, yet The Strand Yangon is the only such heritage building to operate as a hotel. The aim of the design concept was to preserve the personality and heritage of the Strand while creating Myanmar’s first true luxury urban resort. This meant keeping all the architectural details that makes the hotel so unique, while carrying out a complete facelift to return it to its former glory. The hotel wanted to create a space their guests wanted to be in, with a perfect balance of areas for social gatherings as well as quieter spots for seclusion seekers.

The hotel sits in a prime location in the heart of the colonial downtown of Yangon, and has a rich heritage and beautiful architecture, so the plans for the renovation project focused mainly on upgrading infrastructure, enhancing the colonial architectural details with subtle modern accents, creating strong gourmet culinary experiences and, longer term, becoming the country’s first luxury urban resort with the addition of a pool, spa and gardens in November 2017.

GLOBAL - SPA HOTEL

INTERCONTINENTAL DUBAI MARINA SPA

BY DRAW LINK GROUP Project Name: Intercontinental Dubai Marina Spa Category: Global - Spa Hotel Location: Dubai Marina, UAE Interior Designer: Draw Link Group Architect: NEB: National Engineering Bureau Hotel Group: IHG The Intercontinental Dubai Marina spa has six treatment suites divided into separate male and female areas and a suite for couples which has separate bathrooms. The spa also contains a luxurious Jacuzzi and multiple steam rooms for guests to truly relax in. The hotel also benefits from a fitness centre, where guests can use the cardio equipment and weights. There is also an outdoor pool which benefits from the most astounding view over the Dubai Marina. The use of raw materials, their texture, finishing and staging gives a sober and authentic character to the space. The chosen furniture is exclusively contemporary and visually minimalistic to avoid crowding the space which allows the materials to interact with the art and lighting.

Art reigns everywhere through different forms starting from gigantic sculptures to the barely noticeable engravings and paintings. The choice of light fittings is not only done for their performances but also for their ability to furnish space and embellish it as well. Some of them seem more likely to be art installations than light fittings.

Indeed, calligraphy is engraved to bring an Arabic touch to the space which is enhanced by lights. In addition to simple forms that characterise the design of this room, the choice of materials is focused on an original register which seek an uncommon material effect such as matte. The key aspect of the project was the challenge of introducing natural light into the interior of the building, to create volumetric space reflecting the concept of elegance and grandiosity. The process was to cut out ceiling and wall sections, the result was astonishing, the natural light reduced the required artificial light and created a more pleasant atmosphere for guests. Draw Link Group adopted a contemporary, simple and minimalist design for a 5-star hotel spa whilst maintaining the comfort and the functionality.

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HOTEL HUBERTUS NOA* NETWORK OF ARCHITECTURE Project Name: Hotel Hubertus Category: Global - Spa Hotel Location: Valdaora/Olang, Southtyrol, Italy Date Completed: May 2016 Interior Designer: noa* network of architecture Architect: noa* network of architecture Construction Company: Kargruber-Stoll The Hotel Hubertus is located in Valdaora, at the foot of the famous ski and hiking area Kronplatz in the Puster Valley at an altitude of about 1350 m. The family establishment was generously enhanced and enlarged by noa* network of architecture with 16 new suites, a new kitchen with restaurants and “Stuben”, an entrance area with lobby, reception and wine cellar and a fitness and a relaxation room with panoramic terraces. The new 25-metre-long sky pool, functioning as a connector between old and new, is the highlight of this project and underlines the essence of this comprehensive renovation and renewal project.

The position of the sky pool, which floats 12 m above the ground, at its extreme edge, gives the swimmer the feeling of floating – weightlessly between heaven and earth. This impression is further reinforced by the glass front and a glazed window on the bottom of the pool. The new pool, which imposingly rests in-between the two accommodation wings, seems like a floating rock, come to rest at the site, overlooking the valley. Without any visible boarders, a width of 5 metres, a length of 25 metres and a depth of 1,30 metres the over 17 m cantilevering pool is completely unique.

The new rooms in the annexe with their glazed front and east facing-balcony allow for natural lighting. Contemporary stoves introduced in the guest rooms create a living room style atmosphere, while debarked wooden room dividers create a link to the exterior and its facade. The curves of the balcony follow the main theme of the fluid gesture, which through the conversion and new construction stands in a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. By creating a unified, rhythmically alternating façade with native larch tree trunks noa* network of architecture connects “old and new” in a consistent manner.

The homogeneous appearance, following the natural topography of the area, creates the theatrical base for the design of the new, cantilevering pool, which thrones between the old and new accommodation wings, floating between heaven and earth.

HOTEL TOFANA

BY NOA* NETWORK OF ARCHITECTURE Project Name: Hotel Tofana Category: Hotel Under 50 Rooms Europe Location: St. Kassian – Val Badia, Southtyrol, Italy Date Completed: December 2016 Interior Designer: noa* network of architecture Architect: noa* network of architecture Construction Company: Gasser Paul GmbH In the demolition and reconstruction of the Hotel Tofana in St. Kassian / S. Cassiano in Badia Valley, Italy, the surrounding mountain range served as inspiration for the new architecture and interior design. The concept of the new “Explorer’s Home” transfers the athletic spirit of the owner’s family to the entire building. Günther and Verena Frena’s enthusiasm for sport played a decisive role in the design of the new hotel. The dynamic personality of the owners has led the new Tofana to adapt to these two athletic powerhouses: the “mountain” becomes an abstract conceptual inspiration for the entire architecture.

Various lounges and restaurants can be found on the ground floor, always following the alternating natural landscape of the

Badia Valley: furniture and sofas in blue, green, and brown tones suggest alpine meadows, biotopes, moss forests or rock caves.

From the “Base Station” - the reception with gondola – takes you up to the “hut cabins”, further over the rocks to the summit of snow and ice creating the relaxation area with a view of the Dolomites. The natural experience becomes the main theme of the entire design. The furnishing is flexible, the details are thought through down to the smallest detail and made by local artisans.

The harmonious materiality of the house is based on local sustainable elements such as larch wood, linen fabric, natural stone walls and large, light-flooded glazing. Hammocks, swings, poufs, couches, cushions, posters and words weave through the spaces, underlining the genuine character of the house.

The outer silhouette is aesthetically pleasing with its unique scenic entourage and reflects the shape of a tree-lined mountain peak. The hotel acts de facto as a “base camp” for the guest. The building becomes an integral part of the surrounding natural backdrops, whereby the compact building with its irregular, asymmetrically designed shape and the many edges acts like an upwards tapering rock formation.

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