Image Credit : Tony Lai
Project Overview
At the heart of Kowloon in Yau Ma Tei, is located the Maze Hotel, a boutique-hotel concept for the modern traveler.
Simple yet atmospheric, with timeless elements and a sense of home.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Hirsch Bedner and Associates Limited
Team
Flavio Patino
Project Brief
A new-built hotel in a 30-story building with about 60 rooms of only 100sf to 140sf size (10sqm to 13sqm), conceived to maximize the space for the guests’ experience and needs without sacrificing on style and comfort.
Project Innovation/Need
Maze Hotel is located on Nathan Road, the busiest street in Yau Ma Tei. Few blocks away, you will arrive at Shanghai Street, the center of the former Yau Ma Tei community. Goldsmiths, jewellery, copperware shop makers flourished on Shanghai Street in the 1970s and ’80s. Business began to dwindle during 1980s/90s, many shops have shut down during that period. Today only a few older residents recall its colorful past.
For many years many shops work unyielding hard making with their hands sophisticated and durable pieces and striving to keep alive the wisdom of past generation.
At the preliminary stage, the idea was to incorporate some timeless elements into the hotel design. With elements that respond to current aesthetic interest, the design evoke a feeling of closeness, of home.
The copper-colored metal finishes and wood finishes are used in combinations, warm and delicate. At the lobby, the original irregular-shaped wooden tabletop is retained, matched with curved metal table legs. The lighting fixture with craft-metal texture, presenting neat geometric lines. The whole space is simple yet atmospheric, just like the characteristics of Yau Ma Tei community.
The same concept has been applied in the design of the guest rooms, but with “addition and subtraction”. The fixtures and decorations are mainly wood, embellished with copper and leather ornaments. The hardware accessories are all in copper gold, which echoes the fixture. The vintage style sparks a feeling of nostalgia.
Design Challenge
The main challenge has been maximizing the guestroom space without sacrificing on style and comfort. In a room of only 100sf to 140sf size (10sqm to 13sqm), all functions are integrated and well defined for the guest use. Flexible, functional and adapt to modern traveler’s needs.
A wall to wall built in wood ledge with minibar, vanity, working desk, tv function, and an upper metal ledge for glasses, vanity products, books respectively.
All functions are integrated and well defined for the guest use.
Throw pillow on the bed area for a cushioned lounging and tv watching.
Under-bed storage for luggage, shoes, safe. Bed side table as luggage rack function, with concealed mini fridge and ceiling mounted hanging rod.
Natural wood and copper gold fixtures evoke a feeling of nostalgia of the sophisticated craftmanship of the old Yau Ma Tei, uplifting aesthetics and rejuvenating culture in the neighborhood.
Simple yet atmospheric, with timeless elements and a sense of home for the guests’ experience.
The lobby is conceived as well to maximize the space for the guests’ comfort and needs.
A reception corner for the check in, wall library, lounge, integrated internet and coffee station for guests use. A natural color palette enhanced with chevron pattern floor, copper metal fittings and custom furniture.
Sustainability
Local craftmanship and natural materials has been considered in the design process, from the original irregular shaped wooden tabletop retained at the lobby entrance to the natural wood veneer built in furniture at the rooms.
Interior Design - Hospitality & Entertainment
This award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
More Details