design et al are delighted to announce that Blue Sky Hospitality Ltd have been shortlisted for Bar/Club/Lounge – Europe Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2018.
ONDAS (vibes) is a conceptual art installation that also functions as an interactive social space where guests can be actors and spectators. Conceived as a “coffee to cocktail” destination, ONDAS’ design is inspired by the cultural life of the Gran Via; the historical theatres and cinemas, the pulse of Madrid’s past movida scene and the first national radio “Cadena SER” which has been broadcasting from across the street since 1926. Entering the hotel via the small historical doorway, guests are transported into a multi-stage set evoking the inside universe of a vintage radio forming the centre of the hotel. Blending classic design and elegant materials with a multitude of modernist touches and Pop art elements, ONDAS is a playful environment aimed at GenX and Millennials while being relevant to older generations of customers familiar with the heritage of Gran Via
A historical facade on the Gran Via with partially listed public areas. A compact footprint for a building originally used as offices, now converted into a 159 keys hotel. ONDAS is a new lifestyle brand being launched into the European market, with the express intent to place the guest as a modern explorer at the heart of the action. These were some of Sky Blue Hospitality’s parameters of the brief.
The concept is anchored by three pieces connecting to each other like a broadcast: a bar made of three individual “radio pods” of brass and walnut with a giant antenna stretching across the ceiling. A 25ft long sculptural seating bench stepping up on three levels with a (literal) red carpet and cushions inviting guests to work and socialise in whatever seating position they prefer. And finally a light and sound sculpture symbolising the Madroño (arbutus), emblematic Madrid tree, a light feature with speakers that broadcast sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves over the Indie Rock playlist.
ONDAS is a playful environment for the senses that juxtaposes eras: An Art Deco selfie booth, a 1950’s media studio, a post-modern sculptural seating bench blends with 19th, 20th and 21st century furnishing pulled together by a common colour palette of walnut, red, black, white and aged brass. ONDAS multi-layered aesthetics provide a story-telling stream that facilitates conversation and interactions with guests and the local community.
The design concept blends styles dating from the building inception almost 100 years ago until today, like successive waves of broadcast. As a consequence, ONDAS looks and feels like it could have always existed on site, slowly evolving with the times, yet the vibe is unmistakably modern with its hipster-looking staff, vermouth library, live DJ sets, cinematic props, creative mixology and gastro tapas.