THE BRIEF
The brief to imagenius interiors was to conceptualise the interior design for a new luxury boutique hotel, to provide an estimated budget for the project design and consultancy and detailing of fees relating to the services provided. The position of the hotel in the market is to compete with the best in Cape Town, citing Ellerman house and the Mount Nelson as examples of competitors. The brief from the architect was to bring elegance and luxury to the design spaces. The architecture is modern and clean lined. The elegance of the buildings- with dark interior and exterior was compared to an elegant black yacht. design references provided showed simple yet elegant interiors on a dark canvas, brought to life with splashes of colour. Our client was specific that they were looking for unique and memorable design that makes an impact on the senses, whilst remaining mindful of the budget.
LOOK AND FEEL
A unique design that maximises the incredible views, where the hero is it’s location. It is contemporary, clean lined and simple. It is peaceful yet impressive. It demands attention yet fits in to its environment. It is a clever design, a blank canvas into which we are very excited to breathe life. We want to tell a story, to showcase consideredand inspired design. To enhance the design that has been created and collaborate on creating a unique and exceptional guest experience. We are honoured to share our vision with you in this presentation. Please bear in mind that these are concept renders.
THE DESIGN INSPIRATION
A sense of place. The lodge is set in a unique and spectacular position between majestic 12 apostles and the vast Atlantic ocean with its golden beaches and rocky coves
We drew inspiration from this palette in terms of colours, materials and textures.
CONCEPTUALISATION OF PROJECT
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE CONCEPTUALISATION
SUITE 1 CONCEPTUALISATION
THE DESIGN STORY
THE STORY OF THE YANZI – A PROMISE TO RETURN To tell the story of the Yanzi (Swallows) we propose the installation of 4 artworks through the hotel. The central flock would be in the lobby, coming through to the dining room, with an installation in the bar. Finally a flock of birds in the triple volume entrance on Victoria Road. These artworks would bring light and movement into all of these areas as they fly through the space on their journey, in the same way as our guests enjoy the space before they continue on their journey. The works tell the story of the Swallows and their annual migrations. The tiny birds, some weighing less than 20g undertake epic journeys – some more than 6000 miles every year – to find a home in the summer sun. A Promise to Return comprises three key elements: Wood, plexiglass and brass. Each element depicts a key element of the migration and has a special story to tell. The wood and brass deconstructed compass points relate to the inherent navigation systems built into the Yanzi’s DNA. These birds have followed magnetic compass points innate and as old as time immemorial. Humanity has assigned co-ordinates and directions – numbers and symbols which allow us to classify and reference – breaking down nature to a distinct trajectory. However, the swallows are not dictated to by this rigid system of north, south, east and west. They stray from these reference points, with outshoots and flight paths depicted by the brass rods. These flights of fancy cannot be plotted as a line of certainty from Point A to Point B. Rather, they are dynamic and ever-changing, based on the will and whim of each bird and the environmental conditions experienced along the journey. This shows the fluid nature of flight, an aerial dance of dips and dives. The wooden birds symbolise the Yanzi and their relationships with trees. Trees offer the swallows a place to rest and reconnect. Here, they roost, feed and mate – primal elements of survival that transcends species. The trees are sentinels in the landscape, standing silent, but always willing to play host and home to the Yanzi. The birds cut from grey plexiglass represent the birds of the here and now. Their dark forms dance through the skies, like shadows on the wing. Aerial silhouettes performing ballet in blue skies. The plexiglass is slightly see-through, indicating the delicate, almost paper-like nature of these tiny birds. So delicate yet can survive a journey that not many would survive. The birds laser cut from transparent plexiglass are open to interpretation. Perhaps these are the birds who have been before – memories of summers past. Maybe these are the souls of the birds that did not make their arduous journey. Or possibly these are the birds of here and now, darting through the air at breakneck speed, affording us just a fleeting glimpse before we blink and they have vanished. Whatever your impression, these transparent shapes hint at the ethereal nature of the Yanzi – transitory, fleeting, almost imaginary – but always with a Promise to Return.
THREADS THAT BIND US
In our global world more and more we realise that there are connections between all of us “threads that bind us”. Our connections are important and we look for meaning in our lives and experiences. This has become even more important to us given times we are living in. We celebrate the work of our local designers and embrace iconic international design. We know that our guests understand and appreciate good design and art, they are well travelled, they are well read and they appreciate beautiful things. We propose to commission local artists to create work around our stories, inspired by the colour palette of the ocean and sunsets and they will in turn add their stories. Each artist will add to the threads that form the fabric of the design. And so the threads will bind us and the design evolves. We aim in our design aesthetic to create these threads, to create a place that sparks conversation and interest. It is a place that people hear about, talk about, travel across the world to visit. It is exciting yet peaceful, relaxing yet stimulating, a place that delights the senses, calms the mind and stays in the heart. A place to return.
