Studio Moren was part of the team that secured planning consent on behalf of Frogmore and C1 Capital for one of London’s largest new hotel projects - a 905-room hotel for Hilton replacing the existing 404-room Hilton London Olympia on Kensington High Street, London.
Working with Elliott Wood, Applied Energy, Phil Allen Design, DP9 and Gardner Theobold, the design which retains part of the existing structure on site, is sustainability and biodiversity led. The concept offers an innovative flexible hotel room model which allows multiple connecting rooms to meet guest requirements and changing seasonal demand.
Project Partner, Herbert Lui, said: “The proposed hotel takes inspiration from the mansion blocks that are a typology that feature strongly throughout the royal borough and the design of the façades are a contemporary interpretation of the mansion block. The use of red brick is an appropriate choice on the hotel along the Kensington High Street frontage, transitioning to buff tonality in response to the terraces along the side roads. A strong repetition of windows together with light stone base, surrounds, and banding in a contemporary manner further accentuate and reflect the local character. The scalloped facia to the upper floor façades brings a sense of movement and creates a dynamic roofscape. Proposed engraved stone panels draw inspiration from the metal work of the historic Olympia London roof structure, adding subtle embellishments to the façade design.”
The existing hotel's three buildings will remain intact while prioritizing accessibility and guest experience. To minimize carbon emissions and maximize energy efficiency, we chose to incorporate the concrete structure of the largest component. The roof garden will not only benefit the environment but also enhance the urban landscape with lush greenery.
Project Architect, Teodoro Mastrantonio, added: “This approach will provide privacy for hotel guests within bedrooms and enhance the site’s biodiversity credentials and adding natural elements to the neighbours’ gardens by way of bee bricks and bird nests in the flank walls."
Dexter Moren, Founding Partner of Studio Moren said, “This is an exciting and ambitious project that will help regenerate this part of the borough. Together with the completion of the Olympia London Masterplan’ which will attract an estimated 12 million visitors per year, the new hotel will be a key contributor to the vibrancy of the area. It is an opportunity to give this hotel a much-needed facelift, enhance its sustainability credentials, marking the gateway into Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.”
The planning committee report praised the proposal, stating that the development would positively contribute to the surrounding townscape through its architectural design and urban form.
