Intourist Hotel, Baku

9 May 2016

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

Intourist Hotel

MKV Design created a hotel offering the glamour and sophistication of Baku’s original Intourist Hotel.

How were you commissioned?:
We were introduced by the hotel architects, ReardonSmith

What was the brief from the client and how much were they involved?:
The client wished to create a hotel that offered the glamour and sophistication of Baku's original Intourist Hotel, translated into a 21st Century context

Intourist Hotel

How did the brief affect the materials and design choices?:
The heyday of the original hotel was in the mid 20th Century so we created recurring geometric patterns that celebrate this era of design. The reception desks establish glamour from the outset with their silver metallic high glass lacquer. We used antiqued brass that glimmers in the lighting and modern crystal pendants. In the guestrooms, a feature wall is covered with crystal embossed wallpaper, highly veined woods, precious marbles, deep coloured velvets and leathers, and strong contrast in the colours contribute to the richness of the scheme.

Intourist Hotel

How did your previous experience help you with this project?:
Most of our work is in the luxury international hotel sector and over the years we have developed an instinct, you might say a sixth sense, for this type of project. We know how to combine materials and lighting to the greatest effect, when to be bold with form and colour and when to be restrained and we understand what it takes to design a hotel for operational success.

Intourist Hotel

Can you explain the layout of the project:
The footprint was quite constrained and we needed to create a number of experiential options in the ground floor public areas. So, our layout flows as a sequence from the entrance lobby through a library area to the lounge, then the bar and finally the restaurant. Throughout this sequence, we were careful to allow glimpses through to the next area while also making sure that each space felt cosy and intimate.

Intourist Hotel

What problems or challenges did you face?:
There were no significant problems, just the challenge of successfully planning the interiors within the building envelope, which is a quite normal challenge in urban hotel developments.

Intourist Hotel

What do you feel were the most unusual design elements of the project?:
We introduced a stunning green forest marble wall at one point in the ground floor sequence. This acts as the backdrop to the lounge on one side and, on the other, as the side wall to the bar. I also think guests will remember the recurring fretwork screens and the translation of what might have just been a corridor between reception and lounge into a library with book-lined shelves and elegant, intimate reading rooms on each side

Intourist Hotel

How do you think this project is pushing design forward? What makes it special?:
This is Baku's only luxury boutique hotel. Its intimate spaces and thoughtful detailing make it quite special.

Intourist Hotel

Please provide details of product names and suppliers where possible.:

Guestrooms & Suites

Ulster carpets
MOB furniture
B&B italia
Portocco Spa
La Fibule
Flos UK ltd
Laufen
Nourison Carpet Europe
Abbott & Boyd
Attelan Italia
Boco do lobo
Porada
Roche Bobois
Gervasoni
Paola Lenti SRL
Dedon
Pedrali
Decca Uk
Designers Guild
Very wood / IFA
Meiridiani SPL
Frandsen Group
Porta Romana
Artemide
Gubi A/S

Public areas

Swedese mobler
Etel Interiors
Amy Somerville
SDA Decoration
Piet Boon Zone
Ligne Roset Hotels & contract
B&B Italia
Walter Knoll
Munna Design
Delightfull
Cattelan Italia
Matteograssi
Sans Souci

Photography: Michael Franke

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