A journey through nature from the centre of Madrid
The natural wood veneers were the ideal material to evoke a sense of sophisticated luxury in the European debut of the Hyatt hotel chain
Project: Thompson Madrid.
Architects: López y Tena Arquitectos.
Products: Fibranatur Walnut and Fibranatur Oak Mesh.
Applications: Furniture, panelling, wardrobes, and doors.
Location and year: Madrid, 2022
THE KEY TO THE PROJECT:
"WORKING WITH NATURAL WOOD VENEERS ON TECHNICAL BOARD PROMOTES DIMENSIONAL STABILITY, PROVIDES LIGHTNESS, AND ALLOWS BETTER MATERIAL UTILISATION AT A LOWER COST."
PENÉLOPE TENA, ARCHITECT PARTNER AT LÓPEZ Y TENA ARQUITECTOS
Thompson Madrid is the first hotel of the luxury boutique Hyatt chain outside the United States. It is located in the Golden Mile of the Spanish capital and represents, in the words of the architects López y Tena Arquitectos, "a journey through nature by means of a positive intervention in the surrounding environment".
The choice of construction solutions and detailed conceptualisation were part of the success in achieving this boutique hospitality project. "Working with natural wood veneers on technical board promotes dimensional stability, provides lightness, and allows better material utilisation at a lower cost," explained the studio. Furniture, panelling, wardrobes, and doors were executed using Fibranatur Walnut and Oak Mesh.
In terms of conceptualisation, LYTA state that "projecting, designing, and merging two buildings into one" was the greatest challenge, along with developing a unique identity as it is the first hotel of the American brand in Spain. The old building on Montera Street was restructured and rehabilitated, while the building of the former Acteón cinemas was completely demolished and rebuilt.
Taking on both the architecture and the interior design facilitated, according to the studio, "a global vision of the work, as well as greater integration of the design and better control of costs and timelines, which gives harmony and authenticity to the final result," they conclude.
At López y Tena Arquitectos, the following five aspects are considered essential when undertaking a hospitality project:
1. Integrating architecture and interior design to fully realise the potential of the spaces.
2. Paying attention to detail and studying FOH and BOH flows (interior and exterior of the building).
3. Coordinating with the operations teams from the start of the design.
4. Creating attractive, well-lit, and intuitive spaces.
5. Optimising the relationships between cost, quality, efficiency, and timelines.
These five principles can be found in Thompson Madrid, where sophisticated luxury meets nature and exclusivity.
