special report: hotels
25
adding to their good service an authentic ‘narra- tive’ linked to the city and the region where they are to create a true destination, not only for busi- ness but also for pleasure. Part of Guildford’s her- itage is its link to the literary community. Not only does it play host to its famous book festival it is also the source of many writers. For me, it is important to look into the city’s heritage and as such one writer in particular stood out for me; Lewis Carol. This is why I based my theme for this project as ‘Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups.’ “As such it is easy to make sense of some of
the key aspects of my design, for example, the giant bookshelf with its zigzagging artistic ladder on the triple height wall of the lobby. But the most emblematic item is the ‘watch tower’ in the middle of the lobby that doubles up as a meeting point and resting place. It is in fact a big
Makassar ebony cube placed near the giant bookshelf and houses a seating area and a ‘busi- ness centre’ above it, which you access through a secret staircase. This ‘business centre’ is more of a fun place to work but also to watch the passing by of visitors and ‘spy’ on people’s behaviours without being seen. This is another playful element that adds to the theatricality of the place and the interaction of the guests with the objects surrounding them. “For me, a hotel is a theatre of many lives
passing by, marking people and creating encoun- ters. Travel opens up opportunities, thoughts and somehow makes one live an ephemeral urban (or rural) nomadic life, which one does not have every day. It is like a role in a play. The guests are the actors on the stage that we have created in the lobby here in Guildford.
“Another justification of the choice of the
theatre scene is in fact the presence of the new performance art centre close by the Guildford Hotel. Therefore, the hotel becomes the back stage of this big building nearby and intellectually connected to it.”
Architect : Rabih Hage Gym equipment: Technogym Main contractor: Galliford M&E: – N G Bailey Flooring/mosaics tiling: Walton Ceramics of Knightsbridge
Bathroom fittings: Porcelanosa (toilets)/ Duravit (sinks)/Hansgrohe (taps)
Technology: Dell Computers In-room entertainment: Samsung (televisions) Fire suppliers: Chubb
enq. 153
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