Hotels & Restaurants
With so much construction in this part of the Middle East in recent years, it’s not surprising that we are seeing the world’s most talented architects and designers plying their trade in either Dubai or the United Arab Emirates. That said, it’s still relatively infrequent that we see a new building with both interior and exterior so stunning and innovative that the design world sits up and takes notice. That’s very much the case with The Yas Hotel. continue
Posted by keren at 10 March, 2010
The new restaurant in the eye of modern design lovers and travelers is Muzedechanga (meaning “Change at the museum” in Turkish) in Istanbul, Turkey. Situated in the lush gardens of Sakip Sabanci Museum this mid-century style was designed by the award winning Autoban Design Team; with custom made furniture the owners wanted the restaurant to “evoke the feelings of their parents homes in the 60’s and 70’s” with touches of mid 20th century interiors and Scandinavian design.
Posted by Chelsea Latimer at 10 March, 2010
Boutique hotels are certainly for a specific type of traveler; the one who enjoys the style, the glitz, the individually designed rooms and so on….Well Mine Hotel in Buenos Aires is finding a way to connect to even more travelers by blending the chic designs and atmosphere of a boutique hotel as well as creating a hotel that “feels like home” according to the owners Mercelo and Paula Kohen.
Posted by Chelsea Latimer at 9 March, 2010
As a designer, you have to respect what McDonald’s has done for its fast food restaurants from a hospitality design perspective. The brightly colored, plastic-laden, family-friendly interiors were more practical and functional than they were stylish or commendable, but served a purpose by offering their loyal customer basis consistency right across the world. That said, as I sit back late on a Friday evening reviewing the news from the week that was, I came across something that put me in a position I never thought, not in a million years, I would be in – I am reviewing the latest remodeling of some of McDonald’s branches. continue
Posted by keren at 5 March, 2010
One of the hottest new restaurants in São Paulo, Brazil, is the design award winning, KAA, designed by Sao Paulo’s own Arthur de Mattos Casas of Studio Arthur Casas Architecture and Design. The modern oasis is more of a sanctuary with natural elements, water and lush greenery than a trendy restaurant.
Posted by Chelsea Latimer at 4 March, 2010
CURIOSITY inc., Japan based architecture firm, has designed the main lobby and two restaurants, ‘Cafe in the park’ and ‘The dining’, in the Ana Crown Plaza Osaka hotel. The color scheme is warm and the designs are meant to complement the character of osaka, using glass, metal and stone to achieve a minimalist aesthetic.
Posted by keren at 26 February, 2010
We love this hotel, which is located in Lapland, Finland, it is a unique and funky design that has taken a traditional snow theme of igloos and added some creativity to provide a different kind of stay experience. We applaud design and creativity that goes out on a limb like this, it makes for a novel and unique experience and is a refreshing change from the seemingly endless supply of bland chain hotels.
Posted by keren at 25 February, 2010
Intriguingly named interior architecture firm Blacksheep recently created an equally intriguing design for London’s pan-Asian bar/restaurant Inamo, and the concept goes way beyond aesthetics.
Posted by Holly McWhorter at 22 February, 2010
With modern design, often comes an austere or cold atmosphere- Ohtel in Wellington, New Zealand is taking mid-century modern design, 20th-century vintage design classics and has created a quirky, playful setting. Vintage furniture, ceramics and clocks from the 1950’s & 1960’s are scattered throughout adding accents to the retro-vibe. To add to the comfortable vibe, the owner used clocks from his personal collection that include Scandinavian and international names. It isn’t just the interior décor that reflects the modern style, but the exterior pops against the harbor side location.
Posted by Chelsea Latimer at 19 February, 2010
It doesn’t happen often that I’m inspired to sit down and enjoy a meal at a fast food restaurant. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the drive-thru was invented to avoid the harsh lighting and generally depressing sterile gray hue that blankets most fast food joints. Well, Fast food has had a little “design facelift” at WakuWaku. The chain opened it’s first modern designed restaurant in Hamburg, Germany and is changing our minds about “driving thru!” Not only is the design chic and classy, a far cry from grabbing a table at McDonald’s, it’s also doing good things for the environment.
Posted by Chelsea Latimer at 17 February, 2010
