Occupying a prominent corner plot on Bayswater Road to the North of Hyde Park, the 4-star hotel underwent an extensive renovation to the main entrance.

Key Challenges

– Curved curtain walling and glazing

– Structural glass rooflight and fins

– 3m cantilevered canopy that penetrates the weathering line to the glazing

The Brief

With an approach to lift the hotel to a 5-star rating, Neil Mathews Architects have designed a new main entrance to showcase the building.  Colorminium’s involvement in the scheme was to engineer and design a curved curtain wall screen with integral canopy that frames a projected reception area.  Having gone through several design revisions to maximise the value for the client, the final scheme was approved and detailed design underway.  Main contractor S&T Interiors bought Colorminium to the table to assist in working up the detailing and to ensure that the buildability sequence and interfacing with the structure and stone was understood.

Our Approach

A faceted primary steel frame is being installed as the base line structure for the curtain wall.  At ground floor level, the glazing is curved with a full length canopy that penetrates the weather line.  Above this, the curtain walling is faceted and projects at the roof line beyond the structure to mask the front of a plant room.  Integral expanded mesh will be glazed into the curtain wall at plant level to hide the louvre line.  Large projecting fins externally create a feature that runs around the stone reveal also.

Adjacent to the main entrance, punch hole unitised glazing modules in polished stainless steel finish are being designed to match existing glazing.

A double height atrium space within the reception is capped off by a large structural glass rooflight that gives a dramatic vista when entering the building.  Various design options are being pursued to ensure the framing is minimalised from below.

The Result

The end result is visually stunning and fitting for the clients aspirations.