The first new build in Mayfair for over a decade, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair sees Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners create a contemporary statement, while drawing a connection to the heritage architecture of its locale. The result is a modern yet elegant townscape façade, clad with burnt red brick “baguettes”, inspired by the Georgian terraces that surround the hotel. A Vierendeel structure, among the first in the UK, gives the interior wide spans and few interruptions, setting the scene for an interior design concept that embraces expanse to create moments of awe and wonder.
Inside, the guestrooms, suites and residences were imagined by Studio Indigo, with the public spaces by Tokyo-based studio Curiosity. Combined, their concepts draw Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage together with nature-inspired local references to create a distinct East-meets-West identity, using colour, lighting schemes and scale to great atmospheric effect.
Czech-based luxury lighting design company Preciosa brings three centuries of glassmaking heritage together with modern technology to its projects, with nearly all its manufacturing done by hand under one roof in Crystal Valley. For Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, Preciosa collaborated with Clivedale company and their in-house team on a lighting display not only to accentuate key design features, but to transform how a guest feels within the space, shaping the atmosphere and subliminal journey. The brief was that it had to feel organic, rooted in the natural elements Curiosity had used throughout the hotel, while connecting the main entrance with the reception. Václav Och, the Preciosa designer on the project, chose earth as the guiding element.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Hotel Designs.
