Boutique Design - December 2018 - 48

2 0 18 G O L D K E Y AWA R D S

BEST GUESTROOM UPSCALE
SOURCES
OWNER: ICONINK, Toronto;
OPERATOR: Loews Hotels
& Co., New York; DESIGN
FIRM: Studio Munge, Toronto:
Alessandro Munge, principal;
Mehari Manna Seare, project
manager; Riko Gunawan and
Stephanie Kruschen, designers;
Maged Salib, technologist;
Kristan Klassen, procurement
manager; Enrico Passeri,
industrial designer; ARCHITECT:
Wallman Architects, Toronto;
PURCHASING COMPANY:
Studio Munge, Toronto;
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
SKYGRiD, Toronto; DESIGN
CONSULTANTS: GZ Art Co.,
Toronto (art consulting);
Lightbrigade (lighting), Toronto;
ARCHITECTURAL MATERALS:
Citywide Door + Hardware;
Doorland Group; ART &
ACCESSORIES: GZ Art Co.;
Jeff Goodman Studios; AUDIO/
VISUAL & ELECTRONICS:
Williams HVAC; BATH & SPA:
Aquabrass; FABRICS: Anthony
Mellon; Threadcount Textile &
Design; Westport Manufacturing;
FLOORCOVERINGS:
Advance Tile and Hardwood;
Ciot; Vifloor Canada Ltd.;
FURNITURE: Stellar Works;
Stylex; Viriato Hotel Concept;
LIGHTING: Lightform;
Preciosa Lighting; Tom Dixon;
MIRRORS: Accura Glass;
SIGNAGE: Forward Signs;
SURFACING MATERIALS: Ciot;
WALLCOVERINGS: Metro
Wallcoverings Inc.

BISHA HOTEL & RESIDENCES
TORONTO

DESIGN FIRM: Studio Munge, Toronto
THE COMMISSION: Craft a decadent bolthole for the world's coolest trav-

elers; make sure any guest or guest of a guest feels like a jetsetter just by
opening the door. Make sure the exclusivity relies on self-selection, rather than
fame, fortune or Insta followers. Position the 96 guestrooms as hotspots for any
fantasy guests can dream up, from pop culture (Andy Warhol served as a muse
for the hotel) to popping a cork (a bar cart doubles as a focal point and party
starter). "The interiors invite guests to shine brighter than the stars themselves," says Alessandro Munge, principal, Studio Munge. No, that's not ego, just
a crucial point on the need today's cool kids have to feel aspirational.
THE CHARRETTE: Keep the edge in every major piece of art and furniture
in the room. Since no two rooms have the same art or FF&E and there are
multiple layouts, the few elements common to all rooms had to be not only
custom but memorable enough not to seem quotidian next to poppy photos
of models or celebrities. "Think about a 9-foot rotating TV stand framed in
48

boutiquedesign.com DECEMBER 2018

smooth leather that, when turned off, doubles as a black chrome mirror," says
Munge. "Or an en-suite with an exaggerated three-paneled mirror for an optimized dose of vanity and subversive graphic prints hanging over an ellipse
shaped porcelain tub."
THE CHALLENGE: Delays in construction added years to the timeframe of
the project. So, Munge and his team had to go back to the drawing board on
the color palette. By leaving the walls white and using a patterned carpet in
cool shades, they helped to future-proof the shell of the rooms, leaving them
free to add in more of-the-moment pieces.
THE COOL STUFF: Interacting with what's in the room unveils tantalizing
visual discoveries. Unpacking? The moment guests open the sapphire blue
wardrobe with its succession of routed ovals across the double door front,
they'll be greeted by the merlot shelves within. Mirrors over each bed are
antiqued, creating an artistic, rather than literal, reflection.
THE CARRY-OUT: It's time for a serious rethink of what the musts are in guest-

rooms and how rigid the standards really are for what they should look like.
Yes, a bed or beds and bathroom are non-negotiable. Beyond that though, who
says you can't use dark blue as a neutral? Munge carries the shade across bed
frames, drapes and art, among other elements.

BR ANDON BARRÉ

WINNER

http://www.boutiquedesign.com

Boutique Design - December 2018

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