Cultural Wit and Elegance: Barceló Torre de Madrid Hotel Designed by Jaime Hayon

A core designer for one of our most beloved brands, Fritz Hansen, Spanish designer/artist Jamie Hayon recently redesigned the Barceló Torre de Madrid Hotel in his suitably humorous style.

Hotel Torre de Madrid. Photo © KlunderBie. Via Yatzer.

Jamie Hayon's work is infused with a recognizable characteristic humor that goes hand in hand with superior workmanship and artistic integrity. So, it's no surprise that when the Barceló Hotel group asked him to add his unique touch to the redesign of the Barceló Torre de Madrid Hotel the results would be exceptional: The 142-meter tall building was constructed in 1957 and nine of its thirty-four floors now house this ambitious hotel which has already become a modern landmark and a compliment to the arty Spanish metropolis it calls home.

Hotel Torre de Madrid. Photo © KlunderBie. Via Yatzer.

As a sort of "living canvas" of Jaime's art, each corner, wall and ceiling of the Torre Madrid bears his inventive stamp and beckons visitors to step into his creative world. The space as a whole is at once grand, sweeping and elegant, yet unpretentious, humorous and witty. Meanwhile, the minimal background of the building's structure - think pale pastel painted walls, white marble floors and an abundance of sunlight streaming through a plentiful collection of windows - allow the richly colored furnishings and décor elements to really stand out and do all the talking.

The tone for this unique hospitality experience is set from the get-go, as guests are greeted by the enormous sculpture of a black and white striped bear, welcomingly tipping his brass top hat to all who enter the lobby. As the artist's creative take on the bear and strawberry tree depicted on Madrid's coat of arms, those in-the-know are tipped off at what is to follow: a nod to the city's impressive historic past but presented from a completely modern and buoyant viewpoint.

Hotel Torre de Madrid. Photo © KlunderBie. Via Yatzer.

Unsurprisingly, hotel guests and city residents alike have adopted the elegant, window-walled bar - which boasts "possibly the tallest drinks cabinet in the city" - as their spot to see and be seen. The white and gold glazed ceramic sculptures that hang like giant ornaments over the white marble bar top and teal fabric barstools bear Jaime's "hand" and lend a celebratory air.

Other elements - such as the various architectural details which bring to mind Roman archways and Moorish influences; the brass "drawings" in the windows which feature various cultural emblems; and the art on the walls which Jaime commissioned from multimedia artists, Nienke Klunder and Wiglius de Bie, of KlunderBie - are all a direct reference to Spain's diverse and rich cultural heritage. However, these are presented in such a way as to perfectly harmonize with Jaime's artistic fingerprint which is also visible in all the furnishings and light fixtures throughout, the results of Jaime's collaboration with major design houses such as Cassin a, Gubi, Fritz Hansen, and BD Barcelona, among others.

Hotel Torre de Madrid. Photo © KlunderBie. Via Yatzer.[/caption] "I was fully dedicated to the creation of a very special and unique space that would represent a new vision of Spain, a vision far from the traditional aesthetic," the artist states. And from each fluidly curving sofa back, to the brass and gilded touches; and from the droll masks and clever sculptures poking around each and every corner, Jaime Hayon proves this dedication. Via Yatzer Among the subtle use of his iconic designs for Fritz Hansen, such as the Ro chair and Ikebana vase both by Fritz Hansen, Hayon also mixed in other Scandinavian design classics such as the Beetle chair and TS coffee table by Gubi, both designed by GamFratesi. Explore Jamie Hayon’s designs online. [caption id="attachment_3372" align="alignleft" width="600"]

Hotel Torre de Madrid. Photo © KlunderBie. Via Yatzer.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3373" align="alignleft" width="600"]