Lasting impression

There is an expectation when you travel to an exotic destination that your accommodation will provide an experience every bit as unique as the location. It's a concept that forms a key part of the design brief for many international hotel chains, including the Kempinski Hotel group, which has built its first property in Dubai.

Leonard Lee, Wilson Associates' design director on the Kempinski Hotel Dubai project, says that right from the outset, the five-star deluxe hotel was set to be a destination in itself particularly as it is attached to the United Arab Emirates' first indoor ski resort, and the largest retail outlet outside of North America.

Lee says the main concept behind the design was the need to engage the traveller's five senses.

"This was especially true of the lobby, which is the first space a guest walks into it also provides the last impression a guest takes with them when they leave. Consequently, we specified highly textured surfaces, water features and backlit panels to ensure the lobby fulfils this brief."

Lee says the long, narrow shape of the lobby and its soaring void made it a challenge to work with.

"Our first objective was to emphasise the height of the void. An illuminated glass bridge that spans the void on the third storey was added to help draw the eye upwards. We also provided staggered, suspended ceiling panels of varying lengths, some of which feature Indian rosewood. Concealed lighting enhances the floating effect."

Lee says that as well as creating a fluid movement on the ceiling, the panels turn down the walls vertically, to form consoles and display ledges.

Water also features throughout the lobby. A three-storey water wall was installed as a backdrop to the reception area. Jagged edges carved into the stone of the water wall create an irregular movement of the water, further enhancing both the sight and sound.

The circulation spaces and seating groups in the lobby are also defined by water features. Small infinity pools, raised 45cm above floor level, are positioned at the base of the columns.

The lobby incorporates a semi-private area designed for impromptu meetings. The space is highlighted by a large wall featuring contrasting squares of polished sandalwood and split-faced mocha cream stone.

"The contrast between the smooth and the rough textures helps to enliven the space," says Lee.

Contrasting textures also make a strong visual statement in the Ayurvedic Centre of Kerala spa, which blends elements of nature, such as water streams and waterfalls, stone floors, pebble tiles and silk wallcoverings. An illuminated wood veneer panel wraps around the wall and ceiling, enhancing the sense of serenity. The veneer panel is laminated between glass sheets.

"The veneer features a laser-etched floral pattern that is found widely in Kerala, India. This is a visual link to the Kerala origins of the Ayurvedic spa," says Lee.

In keeping with the need to provide a memorable hotel experience, the hospitality venues include the 1897 bar featured on the preceding pages.

"The bar, which was designed to attract both locals and expats, was conceived as a very intimate and sensual gathering place," says Lee. "The lighting is all indirect and can be controlled to create different moods. Purple was chosen for the colour scheme as it is predominantly a royal colour in the Middle East. To provide a sense of place, backlit decorative metal screens with a modernised Arabic pattern adorn the ceiling and walls. Indian rosewood accents feature on countertops and loose furniture."

The standard hotel bedrooms feature similar high-quality materials, including silk wallcoverings, walnut hardwood floors, and marble-walled bathrooms. Bed heads incorporate wood carving in subtle Arabic patterns, spray painted with a faux gold-leaf effect.

The hotel also has ski chalets, which offer a modern interpretation of a typical European chalet.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes