*시티홀 호텔 리노베이션 프로젝트 [ Rare Architecture ] The Town Hall Hotel in London, UK

1910년부터 1937년까지 시청사로 사용되었던 건물을 새롭게 호텔로 리노베이션한 프로젝트 입니다.
잘려진 동측부분을 추가로 증축하면서 색다른 접합방식의 디자인양식을 보여주고 있습니다.
기존 건축물이 가지고 있는 디자인 텍스쳐에서 모티베이션한 패턴은
-알루미늄 패널에 건축가의 패턴북에서 발전시킨 패턴을 레이져 커팅을
이용하여 절삭 가공합니다. 그리고 내후성의 강도를 높이기 위해 분체도장을 합니다.-
기존양식을 재구성한 현대적 감각의 디자인으로 기존 구조물과 한치의 양보없이
같은 선상에서 만나 특정한 캐릭터를 만들어 냅니다.
-보통적으로 기존의 구조물과 만나는 재해석 또는 새로운 덧붙여지는 공간,외피들은
경계를 이루는 선,면 또는 메스로 구분하여 기존공간에 대하여
경계합니다. 하지만 이번과 같이 연속적으로 공간을 붙여 나가는
디자인 방식은 기존공간에 대한 철저한 분석을 통한 재해석으로 자신있는
건축가의 디자인 역량이 보여집니다.-
얼핏보기에는 다른듯하지만 곧 같은 볼륨으로 두개의 공간은 병합됩니다.
100년이라는 시간이 무색해지네요. 시대의 앞과 뒤를 흔적없이 이어 연속시키는 일련의 행위는
내부 인테리어에서도 잘 나타납니다. 클래식한 시청사의 디자인 양식을 이어가며 부분적으로
현대적인 디자인과 공간을 루즈하게 붙임으로써 1930년 속으로 들어갑니다.
클래식한 매력과 현대적인 감각의 재구성은
호텔의 캐릭터를 만듭니다. 또한 시대를 뛰어 넘는 공간의 병합을 만들어 내는 군요.

reviewed by SJ

This Edwardian Grade II listed building was erected in 1910 and then considerably extended in 1937. Now an 8,900sqm project, we can easily say that the East End has never seen anything like this before. The brief by Singaporean hotelier Peng Loh was to create a contemporary luxury hotel to sit sympathetically within the existing building (the old Bethnal Green Town Hall, at the heart of London’s burgeoning East End), restore it and also add to its volume with an extension. We’re not sure as to whether the extension fits in ‘sympathetically’ but rare architects certainly gave it their all. Rare architects Michel da Costa Gonçalves and Nathalie Rozencwajg saw the project as the building’s third age, after the 1910 and 1937 phases.

---

The Town Hall Hotel is wrapped entirely by a laser cut powder coated aluminium skin, no windows or doors are externally visible. This pattern, which clearly separates the extension from the existing construction, was selected from a pattern book developed by the architects especially for this project. The inspiration was derived from an original art deco feature in the Council Chamber, which makes the design process so much more meaningful and respectful to the buildings prior architectural elements. However, the architects from Rare did not stop there, as the pattern book also consisted of designs with a similar historical background regarding the radiator & air-condition covers together with wall panels and much more. This is an approach, which we are always admirable of and respect the process behind the finished product in greater depth. Suffice to say that with projects such as these, it is great to see architects taking a step back before moving forwards. With regards to the shape of the extension’s skin and roof, this was dictated by light and views that had to be maintained for neighbouring buildings.

Once inside, you get to see the combination of the complete restoration of the original detailing with the introduction of modern glazed partitions and loose furniture items. This restored detailing was realised by highly skilled craftsmen who brought the interiors back to their original glory. With features such as ornate moulded ceilings, wooden panelling, dado rails and decorative skirting, the constructive shell has such great importance that the ‘less permanent’ structures have been left simplistic and light in order to appreciate the historical surroundings. Glazing played a primal role in the interiors giving onlookers  the ability to see through all the existing spaces while at the same time creating an almost dropped like boxed element clearly dictating the language of the new build. The new solid partitions are solely white in colour and are only present where absolutely necessary in order to maintain the multitude of viewpoints.

In the bedrooms, the pod designs are custom made and strongly apparent raising the new structure from floor level to make the separation between old and new. These modules are simplistic with clean lines and a stark white pallet blending within the interior. The sizes of these 98 rooms may vary but the design philosophy is the same. The overall feeling you get as a guest is something very exclusive. By incorporating simplicity into the new features the guest feels privileged to be in a building with such character, which almost has a museum like effect. Now combine the adoration of a museum to a hotel bedroom and that’s where you have exclusivity.

from  cotemporist