HOTEL REVIEW
ABOVE: Graven Images also designed the meeting and events spaces specifying carpets from Brintons and Series 7 stacking chairs from Republic of Fritz Hansen
Creative Director Jim Hamilton. “We had a DNA to work from but wanted to make sure what we did in Chicago was different to the Radisson Blus in Europe.” Hamilton’s approach to the project was from the perspective of the customer and their journey through the public spaces, what he calls “socially interactive orientation”. An awkward footprint took some careful planning with Loewenberg Architects to make it easy for guests to navigate their way around, but the resulting layout is a refreshing change. Check- in is located to the left of the main entrance, with a lounge area, Martini Bar, and the Filini Bar leading off from a central “internal street”. This ensures that the all-important first impression, and lasting impression is of the interiors.
While Hamilton’s inspiration came from the city itself, he delved deeper than most to
uncover “indigenous qualities” that could be incorporated without being too literal. “Chicago has a heavy design influence but we steered away from the obvious and looked at the things that are under people’s feet,” he enthuses. For example, a pattern used in the cast iron floor tiles seen in the lobby’s internal street came from Hamilton’s observations throughout the city during the course of the two-year project. “The grates we had seen protecting the trees serve a fairly functional purpose but are actually really beautiful,” he explains. “Another of the things I took lots of photos of was the shadows created by cars passing over the steel bridges. This became the backbone for the carpets,” he adds. “What really resonated was the fact that Chicago has a lot of heavy engineering.” As such, pre-cast polished concrete has been used extensively on the floor; a reclaimed
100 MAY / JUNE 2012
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brick wall with skyscraper-shaped openings has been built to break down the volume; and the use of steel recalls the city’s reputation as the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. “If you throw those materials together without seeing the place you think it’s going to be a concrete jungle,” Hamilton exclaims, “but I think the warmth we’ve managed to achieve is unexpected.” Much of this warmth comes from a rich palette of materials. A wall-to-wall screen of interconnected Egyptian brass medallions, produced by Randa Fahmy, hangs in front of a mirror to dramatic effect. Set within is a 50ft linear fireplace, thought to be the longest in America. Underfoot, an oversized handmade rug features an abstract aerial depiction of Chicago, as imagined and drawn by Hamilton, while brick lights within the wall are based on the city’s lights seen from the air.
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