Contract - April 2013 - (Page 92)

HOSPITALITY CAROUSEL By Sheila Kim Photography Courtesy Das Stue HOSPITALITY Carousel Bar By Caroline Tiger Photography by Peter McManus PHOTOGRAPHY: TKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKTKKTKTKTKTK sources Das Stue Renovation breathes new life into historic New Orleans bar and lounge A former Danish embassy offers five-star accommodations, amenities, and animals Themed décor and blatant animal kitsch might be expected, even desired, in an American hotel situated next door to a zoo. But Das Stue is a boutique property that neighbors the Berlin Zoological Garden, and while Germany coined the term “kitsch,” it’s a country that boasts haute design and architecture devoid of such tawdriness—especially within its capital city. Thus, the collective behind Das Stue—Studio Urquiola, Axthelm+Rolvien Architekten, and LVG arquitectura— approached the project with a modern design sensibility, sparingly inserting tasteful references to the menagerie but ultimately creating an environment that is at once both welcoming and sophisticated. Das Stue—Danish for “living room”—alludes not only to a home’s social hub, but the building’s origin as the Royal Danish Embassy in 1940. Since then, the landmarked Johann Emil Schmidt structure changed hands a number of times, ultimately becoming this five-star hotel through a three-step process: Potsdam-based Axthelm+Rolvien restored historical details, renovated the interior architecture to accommodate rooms and amenities, and built an addition, all the while combining these elements into a cohesive package. Milan-based Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola designed the public space interiors, from appointing furnishings and art to specifying finishes. And LVG, also from Spain, provided final touches in the guestrooms and suites. A grand entrance Since the existing building’s curved stone façade naturally made an elegant hotel entrance, the architects and designers left most of its historical details intact. A portico marks the entry doors, which in turn give way to a stone lobby flanked by staircases and discreet concierge desks. It’s here where Urquiola first demonstrates her artistry of fusing together seemingly disparate characteristics: refinement, comfort, subtlety, and whimsy. Carpet lining the steps soften the classic stone staircases, while a rug in the center of the lobby achieves the same effect with a pebbly surface reminiscent of lizard skin. The reptilian A sea of bulb fixtures hangs above the centerpiece of the hotel’s lobby—a crocodile head sculpture by Parisian artist Quentin Garel. Housed within the original landmark building, the lobby features a direct view into the modern addition. 54 contractdesign.com APRIL 2013 Das stue (page 54) who Architect: Axthelm Architekten. Interior designers: Studio Urquiola; LVG arquitectura; GCA Arquitectos Asociados. Engineering: Happold Ingenieurbüro GmbH; J. Wolfferts, GmbH (HVAC); Elektro Beckhoff GmbH (electrical); VCN Ingeniería (telecommunication). Project management: Mace. Contractor: Wolf & Muller. Consultants: Berliner Ausbau GmbH (painting); BFTI (windows); DSH-Vidres Berni (glazing); Hering Bau (printed concrete); Schultz (stonework); Schwarz (floors); Timm (wood refurbishment); Veneo (drywall/plaster, floors). theme is repeated in a literally jaw-dropping sculpture—an openmouthed crocodile by Parisian artist Quentin Garel. And a sculptural installation of small bulb pendants hovers above the artwork. The lobby offers a unique vantage point: Behind the sculpture, windows and a square wall opening reveal the meeting point of the old and new buildings. Open sight lines allow guests to peer into the lounge spaces of the modern addition and, at the end of that axis, the occasional zoo critter strutting past a window behind the bar. Feeling right at home A comfy, residential vibe—albeit more upscale in some zones— dominates the lounge, dining, and general sitting areas throughout the hotel. Urquiola’s furniture designs coincide well with this relaxed sensibility. Her quilted and tufted armchairs and sofas, from Moroso and B&B Italia, mingle with a selection of saturated shag rugs and, now and then, animal sculptures in the lobby lounge. In the existing building’s generously sized stair landings, she complemented the pristine white-painted balustrades, wainscoting, and original parquet floors with cozy furniture groupings and bookshelves stocked with books on design and animals, as well as games to transform the stair into a three-story library and drawing room. In the property’s three Paco Perez restaurants, Urquiola uses slightly different formulas, but all impart the same cozy feel. The fine dining Cinco features booth tables but encourages communal dining at the center overlooking the show kitchen. Her Nub chairs for Andreu World—a sort of modernized Windsor-style chair—and a canopy of copper pots overhead manage to evoke a pantry setting. The Casual is a skylit, carpeted space outfitted mostly with her upholstered armchair and wingback designs. Finally, a private dining area within Cinco seats up to 22 on Nub chairs and pillow-covered banquettes, though the real draw is its direct views of the zoo’s ostriches. contract Blacksmith: Seidel. what Accessories: Guaxs; Des Pots. Bath fixtures and accessories: Cosmic; Dornbracht; Mutina; Noken; Porcelanosa; Vola. Carpet/rugs: J&T; BCN Rugs; Milliken. Doors: Ohning & Co.; Viriato Hotel Concept; Dorma (hardware, accessories). Doors: Viriato Hotel Concept; Ohning & Co GmbH. Drapery: Gastón y Daniela; Viriato Hotel Concept. Fabric: Kvadrat (cushions). Furniture: Andreu World; B&B Italia; Branco sobre Branco; De Padova; Kettal; Koi; La Fibule; Ligne Roset; Mater; Mobles 114; Molteni; Moroso; Pols Potten; Viccarbe; Vitra. Kitchen equip- Since Antonio Monteleone opened his eponymous hotel in 1886, three generations have made their mark on the family-owned property in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Bill Monteleone, Antonio’s grandson, wanted the update and expansion of the renowned Carousel Bar to be the crowning jewel of his own legacy. He hired San Francisco–based Puccini Group to fulfill his vision of consolidating the hotel’s two restaurants and underutilized lounge into one unique, beautiful restaurant with a contiguous, enlarged bar and lounge that restores the merry-go-round to its former glory. Puccini’s design team, lead by Robert Polacek and Lindsay Broad, researched New Orleans, looking specifically into the time period when the Monteleone opened and the subsequent years. Though the hotel’s architecture, lobby, and guestrooms smack of an imposing 19thcentury neoclassical grandeur, the designers honed in on a different feel for the food and beverage areas. They discovered the revolving bar wasn’t built until 1949, and the current carousel top dates back to 1992. Earlier incarnations of the bar and lounge hosted famous actors and starlets frequenting America’s first motion picture theater, which opened nearby in the 1890s. In between, Jazz Age entertainers like Louis Prima played there. This colorful narrative led to Puccini’s scheme for the bar and lounge based on a modern interpretation of Jazz Age New Orleans. “We wanted to use textures, colors, and pattern to evoke emotions tied to the feeling of the Jazz era,” says Broad, “to link to this idea of childlike fun and a quirky sense of humor.” The renovated lounge with a view to the Carousel Bar itself. The overall look was the refreshed space was inspired by Jazz Age New Orleans. Dummy text here The plan was more contemporary than what Monteleone and the hotel initially had in mind, but they soon came on board. During their 60 contractdesign.com APRIL 2013 ment: Garcia Casademont; Kaeltro. Housewares: Ludesma & Vega; Rivolta; Robbe and Berking; Verbellen; Villeroy & Boch. Lighting: Brokis; Catellani & Smith; Flos; Lambert; Marset; Metalarte; Santa & Cole; Tom Dixon; Vibia. Mattresses: Ergomed. Signage: Signes Imatge i Comunicació SL. Spa equipment: Technogym; Erdmann. carousel Bar (page 62) who Interior designer: Puccini Group. Interior design project team: Lindsay Broad; Robert Polacek; Derrick Prodigalidad; Ashley Wilkins; Addy Williams. Architect: SCNZ Architects. contract Purchasing agent: Martin Stringfellow Associates. Contractor: F.H. Myers Construction Corporation. Millwork: Vigilant Woodworks (wine cabinet). what Accessories/artwork: Binka Rigava; Bronia Sawyer; HG Art; Roost; West Elm. Casegoods: Samuelson Furniture. Fabric: Donghia; Maxwell Fabrics; Norbar Fabrics; Osborne & Little; Romo; Schwimmer Drapery. Leathers: Cortina Leathers; Keleen Leathers; Optima Leathers; Tiger Imports; Townsend Leather. Lighting: Arteriors Contract; Century Furniture; Circa Lighting; Fine Art Lamps; HB Lighting; Ochre; Plantation Home. Metal ideas & information To advertise in Contract magazine’s Ideas & Information section, contact Vito salvatore t: 646.654.4576 f: 646.654.4919 email: vsalvatore@contractdesign.com The look you want, even faster. To advertise in Contract magazine’s Ideas & Information section, contact Vito salvatore 3M™ Wall and Acoustic Panels featuring DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes offer 500 designs to choose from and unlimited creativity – just what you’d expect from 3M Architectural Markets. Visit 3MArchitecturalMarkets.com to learn more. t: 646.654.4576 f: 646.654.4919 email: vsalvatore@contractdesign.com select No. 165 at contractDesign.com/readerservice 92 contractdesign.com april 2013 http://www.contractdesign.com http://www.contractdesign.com http://www.3MArchitecturalMarkets.com http://www.3MArchitecturalMarkets.com http://www.ContractDesign.com/readerservice http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - April 2013

Contract - April 2013
Contents
Editorial
Industry News
Columnist: How Young Practitioners Can Present Themselves As Leaders
Product Focus: Rugs the Right Way
Product Focus: Sitting Pretty
Product Focus: Basking in the Sun
Product Briefs: Hospitality
Das Stue
Carousel Bar
Andaz Amsterdam
W Seattle
Jelsomino
Designers Select: Hospitality
Sources
Ad Index
Installation

Contract - April 2013