Congratulations to DesignAgency. The Toronto-based design firm has won two Hospitality Design Awards for its project Generator Barcelona. The project won in both the “Hotel (Midscale/Economy)” and “Public Spaces (Midscale/Economy)” categories. Hospitality Design magazine will celebrate the winners on Wed., June 4, at the Grand Hyatt in New York City
ABOUT GENERATOR BARCELONA
In Barcelona’s Gràcia district, a short walk from Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batlló apartments, Generator Barcelona marks not only the rebirth of a building, but also the emergence of the Generator brand. The interiors of the 1960s office building have been completely gutted and rebuilt in a way that demonstrates the tremendous creativity that is being invested in this brand and in each location. DesignAgency has collaborated with local architects, suppliers and artists, creating unique supergraphics, fantastic, unusual light fixtures and signature “G” sculptures.
As a flagship, Generator Barcelona combines both a hostel and a hotel. Similar to Barcelona itself, its interiors are a tapestry of layers and styles. Sleeping accommodations are simple and comfortable, and some offer private roof terraces with fantastic views of the city. The public areas encourage guests to hang out and mingle, in a series of lounges offering varied seating options and styles, establishing comfortable nooks and socially engaging experiences.
Entry through its main doors towards the left leads guests to the warm and energetic hotel lobby and a rear bar with a vibrant mix of textures and patterns including ornate Hungarian concrete floor tiles and earthy raw metals and woods. Floating above are 300+ lanterns inspired by Barcelona’s annual Festa Major de Gràcia by local artist Julie Plottier. The vibrant colours were inpsired by Barcelona’s energy and sunlight.
Towards the right of the entry is the hostel lobby with an internal pavilion that was inspired by Barcelona’s nautical history. Splayed, 23-foot-high wooden boards recall the ribs of a ship’s hull. It has also been dubbed “the Bird Cage,” an association accentuated by its three hanging loungers with neon-coloured accent pillows by Barcelona design company Woouf!
A feature staircase winds its way up through the Bird Cage to a glass-balconied mezzanine overlooking the hostel lobby. Here guests can relax in the library where the main attraction is a photobooth that enables them to take a spontaneous retro-style photo strip with friends, and to also upload the pictures to popular social media outlets. Alternatively, guests can entertain themselves with a selection of board games and other curiosities, or use the games room with a pool table, foosball table, loungers and Internet stations.
ABOUT DESIGNAGENCY
DesignAgency is an award-winning Toronto-based design consultancy. Managed by partners and longtime friends Allen Chan, Matt Davis and Anwar Mekhayech, the studio unites architectural, interior design, industrial design, branding and digital design expertise. With a local and international portfolio of projects working for leading companies, developers, restaurateurs, retailers and hoteliers, each client works directly with one or more of our partners, reflecting our belief that great design requires leadership, focus and commitment. Our success is rooted in our collaborative and consultative approach by which our multidisciplinary team of talented design professionals engage internally with the partners and clients, to craft innovative, custom designed spaces that help elevate the consumer experience. We embrace the full spectrum of design typologies and remain open to innovative ideas, technologies, and new creative design approaches that will enable us to bring the best solutions forward to our clients.
For more info, visit http://www.thedesignagency.ca/