World-leading hospitality designers Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) has announced the opening of two exciting hotel and two residential projects in 2020.
Reflecting DMA’s design philosophy, the 2020 openings are both beautiful and functional with their inspiration rooted in individual neighbourhood stories to ensure each property is authentic, timeless and unique.
GRAINGER Built to Rent PROJECTS DMA was commissioned by Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed professional landlord, to help design the amenity spaces in a number of its rental schemes. As part of this partnership, DMA is developing a set of brand standards to be rolled out across the Grainger portfolio.
DMA’s hospitality experience gives them a clear and creative understanding of how to create flexible communal spaces that people want to spend time in and that encourage interaction between residents. From the styling to the material choice, DMA is an expert in layering to create the right impact.
1. Millet Place | Pontoon Docks, East London
This 154-home Build to Rent project is located on the doorstep of Pontoon Docks DLR station.
Drawing inspiration from the local area’s colourful past and bustling present, the interior design reflects the transition from old to new, encompassing the natural agricultural history, creative atelier workshops and raw materials such as recycled glass, rope and natural timbers.
Industrial elements for partitioning spaces are used throughout the scheme not only to pay homage to the past, but also to create intimate nooks to relax in, with focal points deliberately positioned to encourage interaction between residents. A double-height atrium links the open ground floor entrance to the first- floor amenity space. Feature rope artwork and an industrial staircase encourage guests up to the amenity space that bridges the two apartment blocks. Residents can enter a fully equipped gym and yoga studio on one side of the amenity space, or book out a cosy screening room, lounge or dining room on the other to entertain friends.
2. Solstice Apartments | Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes
Much like the city itself, the property design has been inspired by the sun’s paths and energy lines. The colour palette across the public spaces is inspired by the summer solstice, making reference to the changing hues of light that emanate from the sun throughout the day.
Residents are welcomed by a highly polished brass reception desk, feature hanging pendants and bold signage. On the mezzanine floor, there is space for co- working or lounging with feature joinery throughout making the spaces feel well-considered and flexible, encouraging residents to meet and chat to each other. Bold feature wall coverings, curated artwork, wall lights and cork clad lifts create a warm atmosphere, designed to stand out in an industrialised city. The downstairs gym is an active frontage onto the street.
HOTEL PROJECTS
1. Mövenpick Hotel Villa Pamphilli | Rome
Due to open in Q2 2020, the hotel renovation captures the surrounding architecture, location and climate conveying it through the use of warm tones and a mix of soft and hard forms set against striking patterns. This creates the contemporary edge to make this a unique urban resort in Rome.
A pastel palette of peach, pink and green has been adopted through the hard finishes and soft furnishings. Overscale patterns in the front of house design reconnect the long linear spaces acting as an informal wayfinding for guests. The rigidity of the existing travertine column grid is punctuated by multi-functional banquettes, creating relaxed informal areas of seating that easily adapt for work and leisure.
The pastel tones in the restaurant are grounded by rich earthy terracotta shades with accents of natural stone and timber to bring warmth and authenticity. Planting is used throughout to echo and connect to the rich foliage of the vast terrace gardens within the grounds. DMA relocated the previously underutilised existing bar at the end of the hotel and brought it to the forefront of the hotel to reactive the lobby space and ensure optimum accessibility to hotel guests, local residents and passers-by. The lobby lounge now wraps around the bar to ensure maximum views of the terraced gardens and surrounding park can be enjoyed by all. A new destination rooftop has been created through the reformatting and removal of existing suites to allow for uninterrupted panoramic views across the hills of the Roman countryside.
The guestrooms, influenced by the legendary Italian designer Gio Ponti, are composed of mint green and grey colour blocking to the walls punctuated by the geometric lines of the slatted headboard. Curved joinery in burgundy lacquer and glass are accentuated with brass detailing. The bathrooms are transformed with the replacement of underused baths to walk in showers, bespoke vanities sit on fresh green terrazzo flooring with newly retiled walls and black brassware accents.
2. Malmaison | York
DMA has undertaken the full interior design services for the refurbishment and extension of Malmaison, York. Inspired by brutalist architecture and celebrating the vibrancy of the sixties, the scheme optimises the space to create 150 guestrooms and suites, a ground floor reception and lobby lounge, gym and spa, signature bar and restaurant, and rooftop bar.
In-keeping with the brutalist architecture, the project sensitively retains ten levels of concrete floorplates, façade and waffle ceilings. Within the guestrooms, dark stained maple millwork sits on dark grey marble tiling. Recycled coconut shell marmoluem lined walls meet part height glazing and amber tinted glass shower enclosures, and tan leather upholstery is punctuated with black metalwork and bronze accents. Yves Klein blue and burnt orange – key colours of the sixties – are playfully used in the bathrooms and artwork, whilst bold geometric patterns are applied in the wallcovering and fabrics to further bolster the link to the brutalist nature of the architecture.
The new single storey rear extension with Crittall glazed façade and central clerestory will be home to the dedicated Malmaison ‘Work and Play’ facility, linked to the retained building with bookable meeting pods, dedicated meeting rooms, conference rooms and ballroom with extensive breakout areas, self-service kitchenettes, bar and a Starbucks café.
A dedicated lift will take guests directly to the new rooftop bar, spanning the entirety of the top floor and boasting views of the York skyline, York Minster and the River Ouse.