Image Credit : Gareth Gardner
Project Overview
The first full public area refurbishment of the Hilton Hotel, Budapest, since it first opened in the late 1970s, encompassing all the principal public areas: reception, lounge, lobby bar and executive lounge, as well as three sample bedroom treatments and linking corridor area.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Martin Goddard - Director
Kristy Unger - Associate Director
Jana Novakovic - FF&E Designer
Valentina Vagnoni - Senior Designer
Project Brief
From a business point of view, the existing hotel was mostly used by large tour parties from the States and the Far East and was a popular destination on the conference circuit.
The brief was to maintain this appeal, but also to appeal to more transient leisure guests, who were increasing in numbers as the appeal of the old, Buda side of the city (which is split by the River Danube into 'Buda' and 'Pest') continues to grow for a new generation of tourists, with a burgeoning new restaurant scene in the area and a number of boutique hotels.
Project Innovation/Need
The hotel was originally designed and constructed in the late 70s by the Danubius Hotels & Spa Co, then a state-run entity and was built around and partly incorporates both a 13th-century Dominican cloister and the baroque façade of a 16th- century Jesuit College.
The hotel was in major need of an upgrade and the designers spent considerable time at the beginning of the project ensuring that they understood both the client vision and the existing and potential customer demographic.
The client was keen to express strong links to the city itself, so whilst the overall concept and positioning was 'contemporary classic', with a luxury, layered treatment, Goddard Littlefair also sought to incorporate the work of local artists and makers throughout to ensure a uniquely Budapest feel, integrated with quality touch-points to reassure international customers they are in safe Hilton hands.
Design Challenge
All works were to be phased, so that the hotel could stay open throughout, which presented major challenges to the scheduling, especially in areas where there were larger layout changes.
To aid circulation, for example, group check-in was moved to the other side of the reception space and is now located against the left-hand wall. Three small reception desks have replaced the single, monolithic former desk to prevent bottlenecks.
To overcome an existing floor level change immediately beyond this area, a series of bulky ramps was removed and replaced by a hoist, used now both for wheelchair access and in order to aid deliveries to the lobby bar, located directly behind.
Historic and listed fabric was highly unusually mixed in this project, from the 1970s hotel to the 13th –century Dominican cloister and 16th-century Jesuit College façade. Maintenance of important views, real historic sensitivity and the protection of original and untouchable building fabric all presented design challenges.
Sustainability
As well as working with and around the hotel’s historic fabric, the new design reflects its location through the integration of the work of local artists and craftspeople, with materials and furniture created for longevity of use and robust usage.
The existing floorplate was maintained wherever possible.
The facade was re-insulated to ensure better energy conservation.
All new light fittings are energy-efficient.
Interior Design - Hospitality
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.
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