Double Tree by Hilton

Double Tree by Hilton  Addis Adaba, Ethiopia

Project Overview: As my first hospitality project at Bentel Associates International, I have been actively involved in the ongoing transformation of an existing skyscraper into a mixed-use building, specifically a hotel. My role has been to develop conceptual designs for the public areas, ensuring they align with the architectural design, client preferences, and the hotel brand's standards. Key Responsibilities: Conceptual Design: Created multiple iterations of design concepts for the public areas, adapting to changes in the architectural design and client preferences. Brand Adherence: Ensured that the designs complied with the specific brand standards of the hotel and the F&B brief outlined by Hilton. Client and Operator Collaboration: Worked closely with the client and hotel operator to ensure the designs met their expectations and requirements. Design Scope: Reception Area and Bar: Designed the ground floor reception area and attached bar to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. All-Day Dining Restaurant: Developed the design for the first-floor restaurant to provide a comfortable and versatile dining experience. Specialty Restaurant or Grill House: Created design concepts for a unique dining experience on the 17th floor. Rooftop Bar and Pool Area: Proposed two alternative designs for the rooftop bar and pool area to cater to different preferences. Project Status: The designs for the reception area, all-day dining restaurant, specialty restaurant, and rooftop bar and pool area have been approved by both the client and the hotel operator. These completed designs will be showcased in this project. Project Impact: This project demonstrates my ability to create innovative and functional hospitality designs that align with brand standards and client preferences. By contributing to the transformation of an existing skyscraper into a thriving hotel, I have played a significant role in shaping the urban landscape and providing a memorable guest experience.

Reception and Bar The reception and bar area makes use of brass, marble and backlit onyx as its main materials to create a feel of luxury and uses pops of colour, pattern, prints and botanicals true to the stay true to the region where the hotel is located. A major struggle with these areas were that the minimum ceiling height as per brand standard as the soffit above was already below the required height and the client does not want any services to be exposed. We had to work closely with the architectural team to find an innovative way to create vertical height and hide as many required services as possible.

The all-day dining features an open kitchen design and a buffet setup for breakfast service. As per local customs restaurant areas need to have a reception, bar and small lounge area at their entrance as it is normal to wait and have a drink for whomever might be joining you for a meal. The design carries through the use of marble and brass as materials to create a feel of luxury that the client requested and integrates mare botanicals and timbers to create a warmer more inviting atmosphere. (Renders below in Twinmotion: Left - Reception and show kitchen view          Right - Dining area view)

Speciality Restaurant Chambers Grill The conceptual design of the speciality restaurant was a described in the F&B brief as a moody and masculine experience that includes a grill bar in the centre of the restaurant from where all types of local meat dishes are prepared and served with a wide variety of wine to complement the dining experience. The space draws some inspiration form the rest of the botanical features in the hotel with a prominent display wall at the entrance created by a printed Kriskadecor chain link creatine the illusion of being in the woods form the moment you step out of the elevator into the reception. The rest of the restaurant is covered inspired by fire relating to the main grill showpiece feature reinforcing a concept of dining by fire in the woods in this luxury setting and playing off the masculine theme of the restaurant. The use of lighting design and creates a dark moody atmosphere and the red orange accent lights again reinforce the idea of fire in the concept. The materials and patterns again include marble, brass, and reflective surfaces to create a feel of luxury to appease the client's needs and the use of colours play into both the concept of ash and fire with whites, greys, blacks and browns and the slight greens and timber to reinforce the idea of the woods. The patterns bring in a pop of visual interest and bring the design back to the location the hotel is situated in play well on the local foods that are prepared in the restaurant.

Rooftop Bar & Pool The rooftop bar and pool area was requested to have the feel of a nightclub by the client and the F&B brief stated that it would be a venue for live Jazz and DJ sets. The design includes very rich and dark colours to stay true to the luxurious feel requested by the client and is offset and softened by the use of large-scale botanical patterns and on feature walls. The space again makes use of lighting design to create an atmosphere that is visible from every angle in the design.