THE DRAWING BOARD


THE SEA HOTEL BAT YAM, ISRAEL


HBA London has released renderings of their vision for the design of The Sea Hotel in Bat Yam, Israel. The aim, says HBA London was to “create a destination that would celebrate its location by the sea, resonate with the drama of biblical inheritance, and connect with contemporary Israeli culture.”


Bat Yam, poetically translated from Hebrew as “the daughter of the sea”, is a rapidly developing artistic hub with three kilometres of seaside promenade, picturesque beaches, and up-and-coming galleries and restaurants. “The importance of the sea in the lives


of Jews can be traced to the earliest records in history,” explain HBA. “From fighting wars and battling storms to the story of the Israelites crossing of the Red Sea, it has symbolised God’s power to release them from


foreign bondage and lead them to triumph and liberation. Today, it continues to be a metaphor for truth, memory, knowledge and freedom.”


The inspiration of the sea has been woven into the hotel’s concept and re-imagined into a contemporary language. The design uses marine colours, patterns and textures from turquoise blue to jade green, and from sleek and glassy surfaces to those which are stormy and rippled. Bat Yam’s beaches and the beautifully oxidised traditional metalwork for which Israel is known have also influenced the hotel’s subtle palette of warm ivories and golden sands accented by rich marine hues. Natural finishes such as intricately striated sandstone wall and floor cladding, limed oak timber framing and hand-finished plaster columns provide a neutral background against which features such as translucent capiz shell


018 JULY / AUGUST 2012 WWW.SLEEPERMAGAZINE.COM


chandeliers hung above reception desks fitted with aquariums can come alive. Striking architectural focal points such as


soaring metal screens with fretwork inspired by sealife patterns are complemented by cosy vignettes ideal for both relaxing and socialising. “


Elements of luxury are layered throughout the décor bringing a sense of opulence to the hotel. In the lobby atrium, for example, guests will be captivated by a stunning, oversized art feature – a biblical narrative of the crossing of the Red Sea told through an abstractly styled screen that doubles as a dramatic backdrop. By combining such bold visual gestures with understated local touches and interpreting these through an original and contemporary lens, HBA London has cultivated a design it says will be “timeless and relevant for many years to come.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156