Golden A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design Goes to 249 Design Hotel Hospitality Building by Alberto Torres

The Work

Project

249 Design Hotel Hospitality Building

Function

Hospitality Building

Category

Architecture, Building and Structure Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture

Colors

Light Steel Blue, Cornflower Blue, Black, Steel Blue and Saddle Brown

Images

5

Client

249 Design Hotel

The Recognition

Laureate

Alberto Torres

Country

Brazil

Recognition

Golden A' Design Award

Edition

2023 - 2024

Design ID

#152626

Credits

Team

Torres Arquitetos, Marcio Verza and BRS Sul

Image Credits

Michel Luís dos Santos

Design Details

Unique Properties

The 249 Design Hotel project was developed from the search for dialogue between contemporary architecture and the vernacular architecture of the city of Gramado, bringing an integration approach between the existing and the new. The result was a retrofit that worked with materiality as an integrator of everything. Through materials that the building had a unique shape and that the new blended harmoniously with the existing

Inspiration

The 249 Design Hotel is a retrofit in which we sought to design an architecture that would be kind to the city of Gramado, seeking inspiration from the German vernacular architecture that predominates the region. The city of Gramado is considered one of the most touristy in the country and is considered a "piece" of Europe in Brazil. Therefore, the project sought to unite the contemporary and the existing through materiality and respect for the local characteristics

Research

The project started from a depth analysis of the existing building, the terrain conditions such as solar orientation, interesting visuals and an understanding of the character of the Gramado region. Next, we looked for architectural references that conveyed the same feeling we wanted to convey: a sober and contemporary building, yet comfortable and pleasant for users

Challenge

The challenge was to find an architecture that could combine the client's needs, the requirements of the city's legislation and the building already existing on the site, since the project is a retrofit. To do this, we sought to explore as much as possible of what the land had to offer. The hotel's foyer sought to be an extension of the external area, through the use of the same material. The fact of dealing with an existing construction implied important decisions regarding how the expansions requested by the client would be carried out. From this, it was decided to use steel elements that generate less interference and logistics

Realization and Technology

For the project, we chose materials common to the Gramado city region. The structural technique chosen was the use of steel as the main element, something that is not very suitable for the location, however, due to the agility of construction, it was chosen. In terms of materiality, we chose to use wood and stone as the main striking external coverings, as they are widely used in Gramado's architecture. The external steel frames that mark the side facades are painted black, in order to communicate with the hotel lobby, which is made up of large glass and steel panels, marking the centrality and access of the project.

Operation and Interaction

The volume of the building is marked by three distinct blocks. The first one on the left is the existing hotel building that was transformed into the common areas for guest use. The central block is marked by a large triple-height glass and steel frame that marks the hotel's foyer and is responsible for the connection between the common areas and the new suites, a connection that is made using steel bridges. The third and final block is marked by steel beems that resemble half-timbering, frames that are the bedroom´s balconies and wooden brises.

Project Duration and Location

The project is located in the tourist city of Gramado, in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The project is currently finalized

Specifications

The 249 Design Hotel consists in a retrofit project in the city of Gramado that altered and expanded the old existing inn, adding a new reception volume and a new section of suites with balconies. The existing hotel had a total area of 318m² and 10 suites, with the expansion, the total area became 1106m² and 31 suites. The intervention from the beginning was intended to bring contemporary language in a respectful and harmonious way to the tourist city of Gramado, which has as its identity the German colonial architectural style. This was done through the use of universal and pure materials that managed to connect the two historical points

Keywords

Torres Arquitetos, 249 Design Hotel, Brazil, Gramado