Born and raised in The Netherlands, Eelco Böhtlingk spent the first two decades of his life living in both your typical idyllic Dutch village and the seriously design-cool city of Rotterdam.
His career in hospitality first started in The Netherlands, where he worked in various (Michelin awarded) fine dining restaurants. Next up was a degree in hotel management and the pursuit of new horizons and experience leading teams. He spent a decade living between the Middle East and Southeast Asia, managing F+B operations and opening hotels. Over the years, his career has given him the opportunity to live in Abu Dhabi, Langkawi, Bali, Bangkok, and Hong Kong, where he is currently based.
Eelco Böhtlingk joined the LIV Hospitality Design Awards Jury panel in 2020.
What has inspired you to work in the Design field?
At first, a passion for creating smarter hotel spaces for the associates that work in them. Passion is an overused word, but when working alongside over a hundred associates in your team who serve five times that number of guests daily, an efficiency compromise becomes an enormous burden over time. I wanted to become part of the solution; hence I joined the corporate office in my current role.
My focus then grew into ensuring that those efficiencies resulted in better put-together designs where all design disciplines coordinate. This is still a significant challenge today, achieving that holistic design where everything from aesthetics, acoustics, audio, lighting, operational efficiency, sustainability, and ultimately, purpose and creativity work together.
What are your primary responsibilities as Senior Director, Design Development Operations, Asia Pacific?
We have a broad responsibility. The most important one is to ensure that the hundred+ hotel projects that I am responsible for have compelling restaurant & bar concepts, functional public spaces, ergonomic back of house designs, and experiential interior design. I spend a lot of time ensuring that all design elements work towards a clear & united goal, from a comfortable chair to acoustic reverberation.
Element Hotels Asia Pacific – F&B Concept book
Moxy Hotels Asia Pacific – F&B Concept book
What are you working on at the moment, and do you have any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re able to tell us about?
Working with our wonderful team, I led brand design strategies for St. Regis, Courtyard by Marriott, Aloft Hotels, Moxy Hotels, and Element Hotels. From detailed design prototypes for select-service hotel brands to a highly detailed design guide for world-class St. Regis bars.
In addition, I am championing sustainable design solutions for our Asia Pacific continent. Sustainability is such an essential quality of the work that we do and, at the same time, an ambiguous one. I am bringing substance to this by working across all teams in our organization to help them integrate sustainability into their work.
The St. Regis Bar design guide
The St. Regis Bar Hong Kong
How do you integrate “Sustainability elements and process” when starting a project?
First off, sustainability, the environment, and what it does to marginalized communities worldwide is not only something I am personally deeply concerned about, but it is also deeply troubling to the hospitality industry as a whole. Ethical operators accept both this responsibility and opportunity. The hospitality industry offers experiences designed to make people feel better. On the other hand, the fact that this economic activity is also affecting our communities negatively is a troubling consequence. In terms of opportunities, almost everyone consumes hospitality experiences. We have the power to influence what visitors get exposed to and whether that has a lasting positive effect on the communities in which we operate.
The way I work with sustainability has mostly to do with the design & development of hotels. It starts with owner engagement, where we arm ourselves with compelling case studies to promote sustainable solutions and introduce a route to green certification and our standards to improve the sustainable quality of our work.
I help owners and design consultants make sense of the myriad of sustainable solutions out there during the design phase. Case in point; what might be sustainable in Hokkaido needs an entirely different approach in the Maldives. All angles are looked at, i.e. electrifying operations, renewables, circular construction, or waste management, while not compromising other qualities like space efficiency or guest experience. It’s an uphill battle, but seeing the scope of the work I do, the urgency of the climate crisis, and its human rights aspect, this must stay top of mind – both in my projects and when supporting our organization in implementing sustainable solutions.
Sustain – Sustainable Design Asia Pacific
What do you feel is the most challenging part of working in Hospitality – Restaurant Design today?
I feel that the manifested interests of business owners and consumers are growing further apart. With consumers taking a more active role in consumption and its ethics, business owners are not always ready to accept and shift design and development practices to anticipate this trend.
Another challenge would be an experiential restaurant or bar design. There seem to be too many moving parts in the complex F&B design discipline that most designers are not ready to integrate. Restaurants are incredibly dynamic, and the requirements are underestimated. Beyond what you see on a rendering, there is routing, comfort, service functionality, durability, acoustics, lighting, and temperature that guests will all appreciate over pure aesthetics. Yet, we are often disproportionately interested in space renderings.
Do you mind sharing what are your passions outside of the design world?
I feel best when in nature or at a restaurant – both at my doorstep here in Hong Kong or traveling to exotic places worldwide. I love participating in Burning Man, a yearly community event in Nevada, and other demanding and musical experiences. This year has been somewhat different, but locally here in Hong Kong, there are many stunning opportunities. Like collaborating with universities and mentees on various topics, including interior design, diversity & inclusion, and sustainability.
The soon to open Aloft Bali Kuta – adopting the Asia Pacific design prototype
Moxy Taichung Taiwan – adopting the Asia Pacific design prototype
People who have a good sense of taste in food appear to be becoming increasingly interested in architecture that makes sense.
Restaurants have a certain duality in terms of functionality. They must be able to strike a unique balance between privacy and social amenity. Dining, which was previously associated with home life, has seen a significant shift into the public realm due to the ever-increasing dynamics of work life.
This simply means that contemporary restaurant spaces and buildings have had to respond to the modern-day impetus to provide unique retreats from hectic city life for longer hours and for a significantly greater variety of occasions.
Boqueria Chicago – Winner in Interior Design Restaurant – Casual by studio Razavi architecture
Growth presents an interesting challenge for architects once a design has contributed to defining a brand. How does one maintain a brand’s established identity and familiarity while avoiding copying and pasting previous designs into a new location?
In Chicago, Boqueria is located in the West Loop, in the gentrifying Fulton-Randolf District, a former industrial and meatpacking neighborhood. The majority of new and old buildings have kept their industrial look, with large open floor plates and columns. Because the proportions of these spaces are predominantly horizontal, we chose to layer the information so that the overall design clearly understands how it is organized.
Wood and black tiles are the most common materials because they are reminiscent of the original Boqueria and because of the feelings they evoke. One develops a lovely patina over time, while the other provides a sense of permanence and security throughout the space.
All of the light fixtures were custom-designed to create a variety of lighting atmospheres while also serving as a reminder of Boqueria’s eclecticism.
Bondi Green– Winner in Interior Design Cocktail Bar by Run For The Hills
Bondi Green, a new all-day bar, restaurant, and alfresco café/bakery beside the peaceful waters of the Grand Union Canal in West London, needed a colorful but still pared-back, industrial-luxe design scheme. To let your imagination run wild with a Miami-inspired palette in an unadulterated celebration of tone and texture, experimenting with pattern clash and wow factor specialist surface finishes.
Creating zones and nooks in such a large, light-filled space with super high ceilings was one of our design challenges. The design of the venue’s massive hero bar, which had to include not one but two cocktail stations, a dedicated tank beer zone, a wine tasting section, a working, live bakery, and a dedicated pizza oven, was also a major scale challenge.
The end result is a design that puts colorful glamour front and center, with massive art and dramatic arches lit in an atmospheric way. Extrovert botanical and animal print fabrics make furniture pop. Planting and highly textured metallic specialist wall finishes help to divide the large space, which sparkles day and night with a perfectly placed ‘opening’ in the bar’s center, straight down the pizza oven’s barrel.
Follower Restaurant & Bar– Winner in Interior Design Brand New by YODEZEEN
The Soviet building is transformed into an Instagrammable restaurant by YODEZEEN. The Follower restaurant, one of Kyiv’s newest hospitality establishments, is envisioned as an eclectic, eccentric, and modern hangout for millennials who are obsessed with social media but never forget the benefits of social interaction.
YODEZEEN was tasked with two important tasks as designers: maximum preservation of the building’s historical past while also creating a restaurant space where visitors’ offline and online presence is strongly intertwined, a space that leaves no opportunity not to post it on social media.
Business owners increasingly recognize the impact of social media on their businesses in the current Internet era. So, in a commercial project like Follower, where we were trying to meet the needs of local businesses and create a space that perfectly suits generation Y, the design-for-Insta strategy is becoming increasingly important. The ultimate goal, of course, was to create a more appealing environment for customers», says Lead Architect Artem Zverev.
Citizen Public Market– Winner in Architectural Design Historic & Heritage by NCA Studio, Inc.
The food hall design evolved from the building’s rich history as the Citizen Publishing Company (1929), and it fosters an eclectic dining and entertainment atmosphere. The design team began developing the building’s design and designing tenant stalls in 2018, guiding the space into its next life.
The design concept incorporated existing Art Deco and Beaux-Arts architectural elements, elevating their level of craftsmanship and beauty. While working with all tenants to ensure the quality, craftsmanship, and honesty of materials created an inviting atmosphere, the design team continued these nuanced motifs. To complement a variety of cuisines, wood grains, marbled stone, and hand-crafted tiles were carefully chosen.
The project required highly specialized knowledge to navigate the city requirements and preserve its historical discourse within the local context. The team successfully navigated the complexities of a historic, unreinforced masonry building and the necessary permits required to operate a food hall that occupied two municipalities within Los Angeles County, all while maintaining the design integrity.
La Coquina cervecería– Winner in Architectural Design Restaurant – Theme by Doyle Collection Co. Ltd.
Shellfish dishes are the main menu at this Spanish restaurant. It is on the second floor of a newly constructed commercial building in Shibuya, Japan.
The Shellfish inspired the restaurant’s design identity. We translated this image into materials, patterns, and forms based on this inspiration. What’s more, by enhancing the Catalun’s details? We have created an extraordinary atmosphere, so-called the trinity of Shellfish, Spain, and Sea in Spain, thanks to a culture that is deeply connected to the sea.
No two shellfish are alike here, as evidenced by the keyword Shellfish, and by focusing on how they appear when accumulated, we have also designed from the visual appearance side as well as from the perspective of what it would be like to be a shellfish. Our ceiling design is a good example. We tried to capture the calming atmosphere by using lustrous tiles, patterns, and mirrors to depict the wavering water surface and light refraction seen when looking up from the ocean floor where the shellfish live. We used mosaic mirrors and sea anemones that resembled lightings to complement the scenery outside the restaurant.
It’s impossible to ignore the growing popularity of condominium living. These residences offer all of the benefits of a free-standing home while requiring far less maintenance, security, privacy, and luxurious amenities. It’s no surprise that their popularity has reached new heights.
These architectural designs have presented innovative and inspiring ways to improve occupant experience in a communal setting without compromising the built environment’s architectural beauty.
135 Jardins – Winner in Architectural Design Condominium by Reka Arquitetura
The 135 Jardins was designed with the goal of creating an iconic residential, commercial, and hospitality space that would stand out among the many other buildings in the area.
It was designed as a prism, with the apartment tower interconnecting with the base and retail area, in order to set it apart from competitors in the market. The housing units were designed in such a way that users can have complete freedom in designing their internal spaces, with a wide range of layouts and fully integrated living areas.
The project is located in Balneário Cambori, a city with massive urban infrastructure, dense population, and tourism as its main source of revenue. It has an excellent hotel chain, a diverse gastronomic structure and is conveniently located near some of the region’s most popular tourist attractions.
The project aims to be an extension of the city’s already-established gastronomic structure, with stores available for lease to restaurants and bars. The project was designed with natural materials in order to create warm, inviting, and hospitable environments, with the conceptual characteristic of living in a five-star hotel.
Amber Skye – Winner in Architectural Design Condominium by Mercurio Design Lab S.r.l.
Nestled close to the seashore, Amber Skye, a 22-storey, three-tower multi-residential development on the East Coast of Singapore, is masterfully crafted to resemble the infinite waves of the sea. The structure features a unique aesthetic facade with its balconies forming a wave-like pattern, complementing the oceanside atmosphere.
To minimise the sense of uniformity and emphasise individuality, there is a diversity of apartment types from the villa units on the lower floors to the apartments to the penthouses at the top of the property. Each unit is provided with private facilities – lift lobby, carpark, large garden, and a swimming pool. Moreover, each penthouse has a sky terrace sporting a private pool and overlooking Singapore’s downtown skyline, one of the best sights in the country.
The common amenities which include a large curvaceous swimming pool, gym, playgrounds, the aqua lounge and lush landscaping, take its cue from the wavy boundary wall to reflect the idea of a tropical seaside resort.
With a city and sea view and a design resonating the sea waves, Amber Skye offers residential owners a feel of being sheltered in an oasis within the urban chaos.
The Mill Westport – Winner in Architectural Design Condominium by The Visual Brand
The Mill is a high-end luxury residence with all of the features of a fine custom home. It combines the historic candle-wick Mill’s architecture with modern industrial features to create a one-of-a-kind residential complex in Westport, Connecticut. Residents will feel as if they are living in a 5-star hotel, with a gracious porte-cochere entrance, a doorman, and extensive public seating areas.
Beary High– Winner in Interior Design Condominium by SCA X KOD
This penthouse house belongs to a young couple who are Bearbrick toy collectors. As a result, the design story began with a platoon of space bears arriving on Earth and settling on top of a Tembusu tree in a vast rainforest.
The irregularly-shaped floor plan is carved in such a way that the entire space appears to be defined by the few families of volumetric forms that were injected, taking advantage of the penthouse’s high ceiling and using the Injecting Architecture methodology. The volume visually extends to the other side of the home, encasing the TV wall cabinet system in the Family area, thanks to the aluminum-clad spaceship bearbrick display cabinet. The three-light wells lightboxes that protrude into the living space through the curved ceiling are part of this family.
Austin Penthouse– Winner in Interior Design Condominium by Schoos Design, Inc.
The client desired a one-of-a-kind penthouse on the 34th floor, filled with art and life. The goal was to combine comfortable interiors with expansive views. Handmade Bubble Lights greet you as you walk in, creating a cloud-like effect in the living room. With hidden drawers and pop-up appliances, the kitchen to your right is attractive and clean. When you enter the master bedroom, you’ll notice two separate sitting areas, one for comfort and the other for taking in the view. Every room has carefully curated artwork, including a one-of-a-kind painting by Thomas Schools in the dining room.
At 16 years old, Helene Huang realized the magic of design and started to see it as a new language. Since she decided to study Architecture at the ArtCenter College of Design in California interested in the Environmental Design Department. Helene won the Emerging Interior Designer of the Year in Eating space prize at the First Edition of the LIV Hospitality Design Awards.
Could you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from?
Hi, I am Helene Huang, a human-centered spatial experience designer. I am from Foshan, Canton, China. I have interned in Penda Architecture and HBAarchitecture. Recently, I just gained my Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Design with distinction from ArtCenter College of Design.
I have been studied abroad in France, the United States, and Japan. Growing up in a multi-cultural environment, I see design as a language to create meaningful connections. So, if design is a language, empathy would be the grammar — to create a bridge of understanding, honesty, and empowerment.
How did you discover your passion for Design and decided to study at Artcenter College of Design?
I started to realize the magic of design at the age of 16 when I exchanged to France. However, from all the cultural and language barriers, I felt disconnected. What grounded me back is going to the theaters. Actors perform and sing with no language, but everyone understands totally.
Therefore, I see design as a new language – a visual language that breaks physical and social boundaries and creates meaningful connections for people with different cultures, generations, and points of view. This is how I discovered my passion for design.
I decided to study at ArtCenter College of Design because of their high reputation of “professionalism” and the spatial approach of their Environmental Design Department – to fuse elements of architecture, interior design and furniture design to focus on the total spatial experience.
What kind of questions do you ask before beginning designing “ Dim. Boutique Restaurant for Dim-sum? What piece of information is of utmost value?
I started to choose the food served in the restaurant – that is, dim-sum. I asked myself: How might we bring the essence of authentic dim sum experience from Cantonese culture?
The answer for me is the freshness of the rainy atmosphere from Canton, various delicious dim-sum windows as a feast for the eyes, and the unexpected dim sum cart coming to your table.
Since my goal is to create new social connections under the pandemic, I also asked: how might we elevate the intimacy for a group of customers while maintaining social distance for different groups of people?
Then, I asked: How might we introduce and explain various dim-sums in an elegant way to Los Angeles foodies who have little knowledge of dim-sum? How might we reinvent the experience of dim-sum cart?
My approach is to create a hologram dim-sum hallway as an exhibition and a menu wall. I also recreated the floor pattern as if clouds and fogs in traditional Chinese ink painting and use the copper inlay pattern as the trail for floating dim-sum boats.
I value the unique experience and sequence the most. I aim to provide a staged dining experience that can be revealed layer by layer. Foodies will be welcomed by the rainy facade, which introduced them to the humid Cantonese atmosphere. While foodies can learn about various dim-sum on the dim-sum wall, projected bamboo grows as they order. When the day is finished, a bamboo forest will be created by all the customers of the day.
Dim. Boutique Restaurant for Dim-sum
What do you see as the strengths of your winning project and what does this award mean to you personally?
I think my strengths would be creating an innovative immersive sitting experience and renovating a cultural dining experience in a poetic way. When foodies sit down at the sunken booths, they are surrounded by copper inlay patterns of the floor, as if surrounded by clouds. Lowering their eye levels and using low floor lights and candles on the tables creates a new dining experience and brings intimacy to a group of customers.
This award means a lot to me because I have a dream of hospitality design. I use design as a tool to create honest connections to my audience and I have spent days and nights creating the innovated, elevated and poetic dim-sum experience with Dim. Boutique Restaurant. LIV Design Award gives me strong confidence to further chase my dream in hospitality design and create new experiences!
Dim. Boutique Restaurant for Dim-sum
How do you think your own culture and environment have shaped your personal and professional creative vision?
I think my own culture, Cantonese culture is the ultimate reason to inspire me to create a boutique restaurant for dim-dum. Waiting for a dim-sum cart with hundreds of bamboo steamers to come to the table is one of my best childhood memory!
The pragmatic and down-to-earth quality of Cantonese culture has deeply inspired me to be an honest and non-pretentious designer. Growing up with two mother languages, both Cantonese and Mandarin shaped my interest in languages and inspired me to study new languages like English, French, and Japanese. Also, overcoming all the cultural and language barriers taught me the power of empathy — it will always be my lens to approach a new challenge and my ultimate design goal.
More information on Dim. Boutique Restaurant for Dim-sum.
When it comes to architecture, visual design engages, exhilarates, and inspires. It has an almost indescribable quality that embodies design ingenuity, a sense of place, and, most importantly, imagination.
Our six inspiring properties, however, aren’t just meant to be admired from afar. It’s not just about creating an icon; it’s also about creating a space where the audience can immerse themselves in the experience.
Ettan – Winner in Architectural Design Restaurant– Brasserie by Schoos Design, Inc.
The goal was to create an upscale restaurant that was also comfortable enough for people to visit several times a month. Our goal was to evoke the senses through color, texture, and pattern while remaining true to Indian culture’s deep-rooted heritage. The colors and textures of indigo allude to how the original textiles were dyed and processed generations ago. The combination of these elements and more refined details results in a space that is both sophisticated and welcoming.
A dramatic blue entryway serves as a transition from the downtown pedestrian alley to the vintage-inspired interiors. Random patterned blue and white tiles surround a hand-carved wood door painted a deep indigo blue on all sides (including the floor). An eclectic collection of light fixtures, ranging from brass Indian drops to crystal chandeliers, illuminates the path ahead.
Romeo’s Motel & Diner – Winner in Architectural Design Renovation by Concept Hotel Group
Lost highways, express romance, a coast-to-coast road trip in a Mustang, and an endless number of cinematographic sequences shot in motels and diners across the United States These are the inspirations for Concept Hotel Group’s new hotel, Romeo’s Motel & Diner. In summer 2020, the Group’s sixth hotel, which has revolutionized Ibizan accommodation, will open its doors.
The hotel’s interior design, once again by the Ilmiodesign studio, transports us to the classic landscapes of American road movies from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, with a nod to the era’s iconic love motels, and finished with the stylish design details that have become Concept Hotel Group’s hallmarks.
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island – Winner in Architectural Design Resort – Luxury category By dwp
DWP finished the renovation of the Lobby & Public Areas, F&B, including the first W All Specialty Dining, GARAGE, and the WET Deck to deliver this second W Hotel developed by DWP in the Middle East and the biggest W Hotel in the world to life.
The refurbishment of W Abu Dhabi is in response to its surroundings. The W Insider concept is brought to life through a curated design approach based on research and creative interpretation.
As the team investigated the historical, physical, and social context of the UAE capital, it became clear that it is a place of fascinating juxtapositions and contrasts. As a vibrant, modern city rich in ancient cultural traditions, it defies preconceived notions and skepticism.
On the basis of these findings, a multi-layered concept centered on the theme of Mirage was created. The diverse elements that make up Abu Dhabi today were drawn upon for inspiration, ranging from centuries-old Bedouin customs and the country’s natural attributes to the city’s modern face and the wealth it is known for. As a result of the renovation, the hotel now has a strong sense of place that celebrates Abu Dhabi and provides a truly unforgettable W experience.
Hotel Devi Ratn – Winner in Architectural Design Hotel – Boutique by Designers Group
Devi Ratn tells the story of Jaipur, India’s heritage-rich city while fusing it with an extraterrestrial design vision, with the scenic Aravalli Hills as a backdrop.
The entire hotel, which spans 20 acres, exemplifies bold, big, and captivating with subtle regional nuances. The project had to have its own identity and design language because it was part of Taj Hotels’ new line of boutique spaces called SeleQtion by IHCL. The hotel’s central theme is Ratn (Jewel).
This can be seen in the gleaming ceiling design and lighting elements, the vibrant hues with a composition of vibrant décor items, furniture configurations, and customized soft furnishings that depict Rajasthani culture.
The Mughal architecture-inspired landscaping adds to the space’s regal feel. The all-day dining restaurant Vyom, which is part of the boutique hotel, is a hidden gem that offers seating arrangements with clear views of the Aravalli hills. The team decided to keep the structure’s authenticity by not interfering with the civil work, resulting in a harmonious blend of heritage architecture and intricate interiors.
Torno Subito – Winner in Interior Design Restaurant – Fine Dining by Bishop Design By Paul Bishop
Torno Subito is a visual tribute to Massimo Bottura, the world’s number one chef and 3-star Michelin holder. The chef is known for his passion, creativity, and eccentric sense of style with this venture. He saw a unique opportunity to recreate his childhood memories through intelligent design and innovative food.
The interiors were supposed to bring fantasy to life by reflecting Massimo’s fondness for the past in a seductive way. The film was to play a major role throughout, with Fellini films serving as inspiration. The goal of the venue was to combine design, food, and influences from the golden era into a seamless offering.
Massimo wanted his restaurant to have a nostalgic feel to it, reflecting his innovative approach to food. His tradition in evolution sentiments enticed the design direction to take the best of the past and carry it forward into the future.
Designhotel Laurichhof – Winner in Interior Design Hotel – Boutique by Seidel+Architekten
The Laurichhof was designed to be a hotel as diverse as its guests, inspiring as a showroom, and cozy as a particularly lovely home away from home. The design hotel’s interior is like a lookbook, showcasing not only rooms but also entire stories. The 27 different suites’ high-quality furnishings and designer furniture are expertly stage-managed to surprise and inspire guests, transporting them into fully functional fantasy lands.
From the taps to the sockets, the rooms have been meticulously designed. What stands out the most is that guests immediately notice the positive impact of the atmosphere created, with an improvement in their personal well-being as they go about their daily routines.
All of these features are complemented by a concept that makes the hotel unique in the world: hotel guests can take home not just individual pieces of furniture, but entire ensembles or rooms, after thoroughly appreciating and trying out the furnishings during their stay. Interior designers complete the concept by advising them on planning and optimizing a room’s functional and emotional assets.
In order to understand our country’s history, historic structures must be preserved. It is also an environmentally friendly practice. Historic preservation is essentially a repurposing of existing structures. By incorporating good ventilation, long-lasting materials, and spatial relationships, existing structures can often be made more energy-efficient.
The following are the LIV winners in Interior Design Historic and Heritage for their architectural visions that have elevated the context of restoring historic properties to new heights.
Fraser Suites Hamburg by JOI-Design IAD joehnk+partner.
Architectural treasures should be restored rather than destroyed. When Hamburg’s historic tax office was converted into Germany’s first Fraser Suites, selected design details were preserved, highlighting the protected 1910 landmark’s past: 100-year-old Art Deco floor tiles were a pleasant surprise, while restored 1950s corridor pendant lights allude to the previous extensive renovation. The former legal building’s imposing, awe-inspiring architecture is softened by playful floral and geometric patterns, while it takes inspiration from the Roaring Twenties adds inviting elegance.
White Elephant Palm Beach by Elkus Manfredi Architects
Designers were able to reimagine the four-story hotel, adding 13 rooms and 19 suites while maintaining the historic structure’s integrity.
The design evokes a gracious, opulent setting that is intimate in scale. A black-and-white awning and black trim contrast with a contemporary white stucco finish highlighting classic architecture, in addition to basic structural repairs and preservation. Designers also updated the historic structure, such as hiding cables behind the original scalloped balcony railings and adding a simple glass addition to the top.
The project uses layers of textures, patterns, and a museum-quality art collection pop against a palette of soft, warm, and cool neutrals in the interiors, evoking traditional Palm Beach elegance. Historical details, such as an original fireplace that was restored, relocated, and reinstalled to maintain the building’s center axis, were also preserved and incorporated into the design. Built in the 1920s and designated a landmark in 1980, the White Elephant Palm Beach asserts a fresh interpretation of Mediterranean revival architecture.
Hotel Paso del Norte by Kobi Karp Architecture
The historic property’s restoration pays homage to the hotel’s history by restoring its original name, Hotel Paso del Norte.
The redesign, inspired by the existing structure’s striking, historic architecture, emphasizes local materials to create a rich traditional ambiance with burnished metals such as brass and copper, leather, and rough wood to balance it out.
Visitors arrive at the reception area, which is highlighted by the stained-glass dome and ornate plaster details surrounding it. A ballroom, a pool lounge, a full-service spa, and a gym are all part of the 10th-floor rooftop’s restoration. The bar adjacent to the rooftop terrace has been expanded to include views of the Franklin Mountains, Rio Grande, and Mexican border.
The historic building, which was completed in 1912, was originally a 10-story hotel with 195 rooms, but when a 17-story building was built adjacent to the existing hotel in 1986, the room count was increased to 356.
BlueBlood Steakhouse by Liberty Group
One of North America’s largest castles, Casa Loma, was once Canada’s largest residence, measuring over 64,000 square feet. The castle, which was built in 1914 by financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt (1859-1939), has become one of Toronto’s most imposing symbols of the city’s illustrious past. BlueBlood Steakhouse is found inside Toronto’s majestic castle, Casa Loma, which offers a refined dining experience in an upscale setting.
With a juxtaposition of the classic heritage architecture, unique heirloom antiques, and modern art pieces by Warhol, Mr. Brainwash, and Salvador Dali, this one-of-a-kind space offers a modern and edgy feel. The menu features various cuts of the finest beef from around the world, fresh seafood, and extensive international spirits, giving it a modern twist on the classic steakhouse.
Don Alfonso 1890 at Casa Loma by Liberty Group
Diners at Don Alfonso Casa Loma will be surrounded by the award-winning Casa Loma Gardens team’s creations, including an incredible floral exhibition that will serve as the room’s backdrop.
Nadia Di Donato, LEG’s VP and creative director, is the brains behind this one-of-a-kind space. She was instrumental in developing unique design approaches for each of the Liberty Group properties. She’s established the company’s facilities as the most creatively themed venues in Toronto and Miami, and was recently shortlisted for restaurant design by design et al and its prestigious 2020 International Hotel and Property Awards for Don Alfonso 1890 and its other Casa Loma restaurants.
Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto has won a slew of national and international awards and accolades since its inception, including Gambero Rosso’s ‘Best New Restaurant in the World’ and Tre Forchette (3 Forks), La Liste’s Best Italian Restaurant in Canada, and in the Top Ten of Restaurants in Canada, Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, the DiRoNA – Distinguished Restaurants of North America, and OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in Canada.
With his love of natural and rustic materials, Yongquan Yang found the inspiration to design ‘An Introduction of the Unique Bamboo Lodge’ from the natural beauty of the city of Yibin and its neighboring bamboo forest. Winning the 2020 Interior Design of the Year – Living Space award, Yongquan shares with us his passion for design.
Could you tell us a little about your professional journey?
This year is my 11th year in the design industry. I feel like I’m just getting started and have developed my own design ideas. I love natural and rustic materials and I am fond of architectural design, cherishing things, and learning from nature as a design concept. In my opinion, a house is a world!
I think design is creation; every design is a creation, and every design is a world. My design philosophy is natural, rustic, and environmentally friendly; I try not to destroy but respect nature, which is why I like natural materials. I still hold to a belief of one thought, one space, one world.
How/when did you discover that you wanted to work in design?
I have enjoyed painting since I was a child and I studied art throughout high school. When the time came to choose a subject for University, I thought for a long time and finally chose to study design. This is my ideal career.
What led you to build a lodge with bamboo as the main material?
Yibin is one of the earliest and oldest cities on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and was called “Bo, “Rongzhou” and “Xuzhou”, which is well-known as “Southwest Half Wall Ancient Rong State”.
The first time I arrived in Yibin I was drawn to the bamboo covering the hills and I was even more impressed when I visited the magnificent verdant momentum of the famous bamboo forest in southern Sichuan. From this point in time, I developed the idea of building a world of bamboo in “Southwest Half Wall Ancient Rong State”. A world where I could make a pot of tea over bamboo charcoal, appreciating each of the ten virtues of tea, while listening to the arrival of the wind and admiring the beauty of the bamboo waves, rising and falling. I believed this would be wonderful!
An Introduction of the Unique Bamboo Lodge
What was most important for you when planning this project? What were the biggest challenges you and your team faced?
“Source” is the root of all things and the root source of No.10 Bamboo Lodge is, unsurprisingly, bamboo. I spent a year investigating the bamboo industry, both in China and also in some foreign bamboo industries. I discovered and researched other buildings made of raw bamboo, at home and abroad, and learned no one had made a whole space with bamboo as the sole decorative material. Therefore, I accepted the challenge: to create a world made solely of bamboo and sought out breakthrough applications for the material, hoping to encourage further use: with its strength, ability to swiftly regenerate, and environmentally-friendly applications.
Throughout the design and construction processes, the hardest problems to solve were the issues of mildew, corrosion prevention, and insect growth on bamboo; it took two years to study and solve these problems.
Where do you get your motivation and inspiration for your work?
Following a career in design is perfect for me; it has always been my favorite discipline, and having the opportunity to persistently work in design makes me very happy, while also providing a great sense of achievement. My inspiration comes from my adherence to traditional Chinese culture and my understanding of interior space. For interior design, I have the drive to solve the problems of function and space, rather than simply decorate.
An Introduction of the Unique Bamboo Lodge
What are you working on now? What is in the pipeline for you?
I am still engaged in design, which makes my life more meaningful. I hope that through my design work, I can continue to contribute to this industry and create solutions for clients, making people happy.
Lastly, what would be your best advice to young talented interior designers?
Design is creation and each creation is unique. As designers, we must consider environmental protection and nature, ensuring we are ecologically friendly, avoiding destroying nature at all costs. What interior design needs is to solve the problems of function and space, not simply decoration.
More information on An Introduction of the Unique Bamboo Lodge
The program is one of the most highly anticipated acknowledgments in the Hospitality Architectural and Interior Design industry.
LIV Hospitality Design Awards is open to architects and interior designers around the world who have created incredible projects in Hospitality. The LIV Awards program is an inclusive platform, pursuing exceptional projects within the living and eating spaces, from co-living, boutique hotels to beach resorts, from fine dining restaurants, lounges to pop-up bars.
Winning the LIV Hospitality Design Awards is an exciting opportunity for both established and new talented designers, architects, owners, operators, and students.
The program will close on March 18th, 2022.
From Malaysia, Edwin Khai Vun Ho studied Architecture at the University of Newcastle in Australia; he has recently won the “Emerging Architect of the Year” prize for his project Farewell to Life. Concerned with the loneliness of the end-of-life, his design brings back families and life in auspices.
Could you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from?
I grew up in a small town in Tawau, Malaysia, and then crossed the border to attend Taylor’s University for my undergraduate. I earned my first degree in architecture and spent one year working at 29 Design in Malaysia.
How did you discover your passion for Design and decided to study at the University of Newcastle, Australia?
My interest in architecture developed during my foundation year at the university, where I realized that architecture could change or give a better environment to people. I believe the role of the architect extends beyond designing a building itself but to benefit the people and the surrounding. To achieve that, I decided to continue my education in a different country, gaining experience from another culture as well as practicing in the field. This has helped me sharpen my design skills and prepare me to take a role in shaping better living conditions for society.
What was your design process when working on “Farewell to Life”? What did you want to achieve?
“Farewell to Life” was my final year thesis project. My concern with architecture is dealing with the idea of loneliness through death and the process of the end-of-life.
By bringing people together, by bringing the families in, but not isolating them, where people feel connected to their family or feel connected to the place in order to combat the idea of loneliness to death which is by nature is a very lonely, isolated process. This led me to create a kitchen and dining room in a hospice so that families could come and cook together, rather than just sit around the bed and watch their sick loved one. This was my original idea when I started to develop architectural responses as to why it is important and how all the problems associated with loneliness can be solved.
In order to promote health, well-being needs are associated with fulfillment, quality of life, and psychological health. People prefer to be in a place where food is served, helping to develop relationship bonds. Living in a natural environment is also therapeutic, simultaneously creating an intimate sense of feeling protected.
Farewell to Life
Farewell to Life
Can you please share with us what becoming the winner of the “Emerging Architect of the Year” prize means to you?
I am very honored to receive such a valuable award. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for my work. I worked my hardest to be here, but someone always outperformed me. In retrospect, I have experienced a number of hurdles, but each one has only strengthened me. I think winning this prize is a good thing; I gained the courage to push myself and improve my performance at each step. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to make a special mention of my tutors Peter and Rebecca who have been my mentors throughout my thesis and guide me to drive the design process and find better solutions.
What are you working on now? When will you finish your study?
I graduated with my master’s degree recently. I am currently working as a freelancer for several projects. I know many graduates have been impacted by the pandemic in job hunting, and I was no exception. I hope to continue working as a freelancer, looking after small-scale projects that keep me moving forward to achieve my goal and gain more experience in architecture practice.
What can we wish you for in the future?
I hope this recognition can become a helpful connection to my future career.
Farewell to Life – More Information
Founders of Minarc, Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdottir and Tryggvi Thorsteinsson have settled in Santa Monica in California; far from their native Iceland. Top winners of the first edition of the LIV Hospitality Design Awards; Erla and Tryggvi shared with us their connection to nature and guiding design principles.
Could you tell us a little about your professional journey? Where are you from?
Prior to settling in Santa Monica, Southern California, we grew up surrounded by the striking beauty and distinct realities of the Icelandic countryside. This upbringing fostered within us a deep-seated love and profound respect for nature, coupled with a highly focused and beautifully pragmatic approach to our life’s work: Always do better.
What was the project design brief for “Northern Lights Bar at ION Adventure Hotel”?
The most important focus of this project was to take full advantage of the connection to nature.
What was most important for you when planning this project?
Incorporating the atmosphere and creating a mood of integration, not interruption, was most important. There may be no better way for the modern adventurer to relax and enjoy Iceland’s natural beauty, while viewing the otherworldly phenomenon known as the aurora borealis, than from the bar and lounge named for nature’s ethereal light show – the Northern Lights bar and lounge at the Ion Hotel.
Perched atop a series of high-seat pillars in the midst of a remote lava field where Mount Hengill and Thingvellir National Park converge, with its double-height floor to ceiling windows, it offers unobstructed views of the breathtaking Lake Thingvallavatn and, when conditions are just right, the intensely vivid dancing lights of the north.
The modest decor of the Northern Lights bar and lounge, with its use of natural light and panoramic views, creates a sense of harmony with the world outside. There are no boundaries between the modern adventurer and the many wonders of this mystical place we call Iceland.
Northern Lights Bar at ION Adventure Hotel
Northern Lights Bar at ION Adventure Hotel
What were the biggest challenges you and your team faced? Can you tell us more about the logistics when building the property?
Designing and building on protected land presents its own challenges. Working on a remote property calls for innovative solutions for material deliveries and installation, without disturbing the natural graded land. Prefabricated panels were created off-site and delivered, having to keep in mind the size of the panels needed was limited by our delivery options.
Can you please share with us what winning the “Architectural Design of the Year” prize means to you?
We are truly honored and humbled to be recognized for this award. We are proud of this project and thank you for your continued support.
In general, what is your guiding design principle?
We derive inspiration from the unassuming, austere beauty and otherworldly natural features of our native Iceland, the land of fire and ice. An appreciation for the absence of barriers and respect for open and integrated spaces are key elements of each project.
Throughout our career, we strive to have a continuous dedication to improving the environment and our communities, by bringing innovative ideas forward with a clear connection to sustainability, through employing innovative materials and technologies, while adhering to sustainable practices and design standards. Through this approach we are able to provide a healthy environment, offering natural light and space that flows.
What are you working on now? What is in the pipeline for you?
We always focus on our companies and striving towards a better future of building. Minarc Group is a collective group of subsidiaries that bring thoughtful, modern design to an international landscape. We pride ourselves in being trailblazers in the creative minimalism movement, by continuing to craft spaces that not only bring the outdoors in, but inspire intentional living and conscious lifestyles. Under the umbrella of Minarc Group, our studio comprises Minarc, mnmMOD Plús Hús and ERLA Construction, which seamlessly translates into a holistic, environmentally aware approach, perfectly tailored to the needs of our clientele.
mnmMOD is our prefabricated panel system that provides the structure and insulation (replacing traditional wood framing), which you can clad with any exterior and interior finish you want. Using mnmMOD speeds up the building process and, in the long run, you’ll save on energy bills and maintenance since mnmMOD panels don’t mold, support fire, get termites, or warp. Utilizing prefabricated panels also allows for a minimization of waste on the construction site.
Plús Hús is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) design service that offers a simple, efficient, multi-purpose structure designed to let anyone add an environmentally responsible space to their property.
ERLA Construction is our full-service general contracting firm. Our values are founded on integrity, dedication to clientele, and an unconditional commitment to the highest quality in the implementation of projects. By forging relationships based on teamwork and smooth project execution, we hope to offer a unique hands-on approach resulting in the success of our projects and continuously strive to be a forerunner in the interest of sustainability.
What can we wish you for in the future?
Health, happiness, and a successful future continuing doing what we love.
Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdottir and Tryggvi Thorsteinsson photo credit: Asta Kristjans
