This boutique hotel offers a tranquil retreat away from the chaos of life and busy downtown Hong Kong. It is a world of tranquility for travelers that manifests the aesthetics and poetics of hidden beauty. The key feature that sets this boutique hotel apart from others is its rarity, namely an alternative understanding of the term. Designers forego exotic fabrics, furniture and decor and rely on high-quality materials and planned lighting accents to create a luxurious feel. Rather than luxury, they prefer the word “refinement,” a different kind of beauty.
High-quality materials with different properties characterize the character of the hotel - concrete, steel, brass, oak and wired glass. The challenge for the team was to emphasize the beauty of the materials and discover new design possibilities. This was done by exploring material textures with surface treatment techniques and the clever use of light.
Light is a universal design element that can influence the emotions of travelers of all cultures and genders. Either artificial or natural, it expresses the special properties of the materials: to reveal textures or cast shadows on certain places. In the reception hall, the grain of the white marble blends with the striped entrance gate to create a vibrant composition. The fiberglass concrete wall in the entrance corridor, with its nuances and contours, is highlighted by the indirect floor lighting.
The “rarity” and “refinement” were embodied through bespoke details. Craftsmanship quietly tells a story. The polished brass surfaces of the reception desk and bathroom shine like a mirror, while the rest is hardly used.
The entire design in the boutique hotel can be described as a path of development in a physical and psychological sense. The designers have prepared an exciting journey of discovery with fantastic scenes for visitors - from the arrival through the ceremonial entrance gate into the hallway, through the elevator, lobby and the quiet suites. When you finally reach your destination, you experience a surprise. The room initially appears empty, with a box taking center stage. It then turns out that it houses a desk with a cupboard and various accessories. By unfolding the spaces and details layer by layer, visitors are able to discover the hotel culture and hidden beauty.
Designer:Design Systems Ltd
Official website ofI HAD Hotel
