Virserius Studio have been shortlisted for Lobby/Public Areas Award (Global) in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2020.
The concept of this project revolves around fictional character “Arthur”. The design recreates Arthur’s estate and garden, decorated with collections obtained during his extensive world travels. He takes great pride in these collections and wants to share the stories behind his eclectic possessions.
From the moment guests arrive they are transported into Arthur’s unique world. The lobby boasts ceilings 3 stories high with beautiful gem tones. To scale down the height and create a more intimate setting, Virserius Studio created grand custom light pieces, cascading abstract birdcages representing those Arthur collected during his North African excursions. In the lobby are tiered terraces with amphitheatre seating, which may be cordoned off for private gatherings if desired.
For the bar and lounge, Virserius Studio created a larger space providing seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living, allowing guests to socialise and wander about freely as they would have at Arthur’s estate. His global sensibility is on full display, curated with one-of-a-kind pieces throughout.
Arthur’s collections are varied and eclectic – he is a true renaissance man. His den, inspired by the Middle Eastern folktale, One Thousand and One Nights, represents his many travels. The den includes art designed by Virserius Studio and commissioned by a local artist to paint onto the ceiling. The intimate seating arrangements include tufted pieces with traditional and bohemian touches, with flowers on the ceiling taken from the garden itself and Arthur’s collection of butterflies that he wishes to share.
The client objective was to cater to a different guest clientele, a crowd full of flair and sophistication. This was achieved by designing a space that reveals this new guest experience bit by bit, versus having it apparent upon entry. Guests are welcomed by curved slats on the wall that caress and invite; tying into the curves on the stairs in the lobby, leading to the mezzanine that also soften the space. The design is rich and elegant, with elements of surprise that were also functional and could cater to different audiences.
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