Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Aldgate in East London, Leman Locke is a contemporary hotel designed by Grzywinski+Pons, comprising 168 rooms. This project offered the architects an opportunity to explore the fusion of hotel and residential elements, catering to the needs of modern, nomadic professionals who seek a blend of boutique hotel luxury and the comforts of home during their travels.
Bridging Two Worlds: Hotel and Residential
With a focus on catering to young, creative professionals, Leman Locke was conceived as a space that seamlessly combines the ambiance of a boutique hotel with the convenience of an extended stay option. The design ethos aimed to capture the aspirational allure of a hotel stay while offering the familiarity and warmth of a home, regardless of the duration of the guest’s visit.
Designing Within Constraints: A Tower Setting
One of the challenges faced by the architects was the integration of Leman Locke within a newly constructed tower, limiting the ability to rely on the building’s architecture to define the interior spaces. However, this constraint provided an opportunity for intervention, allowing the team to prioritize light, warmth, and texture in the design of key areas such as the reception and café-bar space.
Customized Comfort: Bespoke Furniture Design
In a bid to create a unique and harmonious aesthetic, Grzywinski+Pons meticulously designed nearly all the furniture within the rooms, including sofas, beds, and light fixtures. The emphasis was not only on aesthetics but also on maximizing functionality and optimizing space. Unlike conventional micro-residential products, Leman Locke aimed to offer guests a hassle-free experience, avoiding cumbersome furniture transformations often associated with compact living spaces.
Material Innovation: Viroc Cement Bonded Particle Board
As part of the interior finish, Viroc Cement Bonded Particle Board was strategically employed on walls and soffits. Not only does this material offer durability and functionality, but it also seamlessly integrates different spaces within the hotel, bridging the gap between finished areas and exposed concrete structures.
Grzywinski+Pons’ meticulous attention to detail and innovative design solutions have transformed Leman Locke into a sanctuary where guests can experience the best of both worlds: the luxury of a boutique hotel and the comfort of home.
