KCR Summer 2024 Magazine FINAL 1 - Flipbook - Page 32
Interview: WI International CEO Paul Wise
& Founder of International Furniture Design
Firm Hospitality Projects
WI International CEO Paul Wise & Founder of International
Furniture Design Firm Hospitality Projects talks on the New
Mandarin Oriental London.
The second Mandarin Oriental hotel in London stands on Mayfair9s
Hanover Square, in a building that9s unmistakably modern. Designed by
the internationally renowned Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP),
the acclaimed architects behind some of the world9s most iconic buildings and highly prized residences.
The building is inspired by the past and looking to the future, with its
façade9s strips of red brick, paying architectural tribute to its setting.
As expected, it9s both stylish and ultra-luxe, its aesthetics showing a
distinct East Asian innuence and its comforts elevated to match one of
London9s wealthiest quarters. The building contains more residences
than rooms and suites.
Thomas Juul-Hansen9s interiors were drafted in to work on the residential interior concepts. Their design complements the architectural
identity of the building, drawing in from the natural light that noods in
from the noor-to-ceiling windows and the Juliet balconies. The ottings
are bespoke, designed to maximise the potential of the apartments, and
include folding panelled doors that conceal the kitchen cabinets, and a
custom-made centrepiece of a stone kitchen island that drapes into a
dining banquette.
Studio Indigo were commissioned to work alongside Hospitality Projects on the interiors of the hotel which included 50 hotel suites, luxury
penthouses and over 30 apartments. The brief was to keep its atmosphere luxuriously sedate; with hotel rooms that included hand-painted
wallpaper and bespoke furniture and joinery throughout manufactured
and designed by the Hospitality Projects team based out of London.
Golds and creams are prominent colours inside the hotel as a sense of
exuberance nows throughout. Materials have been used to mirror this
luxurious feel and expensive marbles are paired with ornate woods and
fabrics to elevate the guest9s experience.
Hospitality Projects then worked collaboratively with Tokyo based
design agency Curiosity on all of the public spaces.
The Spa is a work of art with natural timber onishes and soft warm
curves in every space. Every piece of furniture was custom made and
hand crafted using the onest materials.
The front of house corridors have bespoke luxury carpets inset into
timber noors that are complemented by large reception counters made
from marble, exotic woods, and leather panelling.
Even a custom company emblem fan, has been designed by Vivienne
Westwood which hangs in the entrance.
The onal part was to design furniture for the restaurants and bars. As
you make your way down the ming green marble staircase to a glass top
conservatory you discover a modern Japanese kitchen by chef Akira
Back which includes a Korean chef9s table, elegant lounge bar with various pops of colour and warm lighting working harmoniously to create
an atmosphere that makes you just want to relax with an old fashion.
Hospitality Projects is part of the WI International Group of companies,
founded in 2017. Since that time, we have worked on several global
hotel projects providing bespoke furniture for some of the world9s most
prestigious brands including Mandarin Oriental, The Dorchester, Soho
House, Nobu and the Arts Club.
In 2019 we took on our orst luxury private residential project in New
York for one of our HNW hotel clients. The team were asked to design
and manufacture bespoke furniture and joinery working alongside
leading interior designer Robert Couturier at the prestigious 432 Park
Avenue. This was quite a seminal moment in terms of company growth.
It was our orst step into the luxury residences sector bridging real estate
and hospitality. Fast forward to today and we have been part of some
of the most prestigious private residential projects including the most
expensive penthouse on London9s Park Lane, ove-story townhouse on
Grosvenor Square, Chateaux in the South of France and villas in the
Bahamas and Antigua.
The next Chapter is the introduction of our own product range, BANCCI. Working alongside Creative Director Steven Blaess, the collection
is about simplioed luxury. Natural materials and textures shape the
designs that transition and now through indoor and outdoor spaces to
create a harmony and purpose.
The collection already features within spaces of the Mandarin Oriental
Mayfair, with chairs and tables showcased in the residential suites and
private penthouses.
I9m looking forward to seeing the next collection being designed in
collaboration with some of the world9s best designers.
