Wallpaper* Design Awards 2011
Best new restaurant
Serie Architects has converted the former betting house of Mumbai's
Mahalaxmi racecourse into a spectacular space with a restaurant, bar and
a set of banquet rooms. Tote on the Turf's striking, high-ceilinged
design manages to respect its colonial past and reflect the forest of
rain trees that surrounds it. In the banquet halls and restaurant,
svelte metal beams spread to form an illuminated, tree-like canopy. In
the Lounge Bar, white columns rise, creating a series of 'trees' with
branches that connect to a faceted, wood-panelled ceiling. Have a drink
in the bar, which serves tapas-sized dishes from around the world, then
switch to the restaurant to sample the grills.
Mahalaxmi Race Course, Keshav Rao Khadye Marg, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai
Key features: A revamped racecourse betting house with a contemporary interior inspired by the leafy surroundings
Design Firm :www.serie.co.uk
Located in a peaceful corner of the Côte d'Azur, La Réserve is a world
away from the buzz of neighbouring Saint-Tropez. Architect Jean-Michel
Wilmotte's transformation of the 1970s structure has not diluted the
modernist magic of the original building. Wilmotte has simply
reconfigured it, and reclothed it in a sandier hue. The 16 suites and
seven regular rooms are superb; all have a terrace or a herb-filled
garden. The ochre and white interiors, with furniture by Hans Wegner,
Flexform and B&B Italia, among others, are designed around the
Mediterranean view - even the bathtubs look out to sea. But the hotel's
real trump card is its spa, which boasts 1,000 sq m of light-filled
space.
Chemin de la Quessine, Ramatuelle
Key features: A revamped modernist slab on the Côte d'Azur now housing airy, minimalist rooms, and a fabulous spa and restaurant, all with exceptional views of the Mediterranean
www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com
www.wilmotte.fr
Best Hotel Awards
Located in a peaceful corner of the Côte d'Azur, La Réserve is a world
away from the buzz of neighbouring Saint-Tropez. Architect Jean-Michel
Wilmotte's transformation of the 1970s structure has not diluted the
modernist magic of the original building. Wilmotte has simply
reconfigured it, and reclothed it in a sandier hue. The 16 suites and
seven regular rooms are superb; all have a terrace or a herb-filled
garden. The ochre and white interiors, with furniture by Hans Wegner,
Flexform and B&B Italia, among others, are designed around the
Mediterranean view - even the bathtubs look out to sea. But the hotel's
real trump card is its spa, which boasts 1,000 sq m of light-filled
space.
Chemin de la Quessine, RamatuelleKey features: A revamped modernist slab on the Côte d'Azur now housing airy, minimalist rooms, and a fabulous spa and restaurant, all with exceptional views of the Mediterranean
www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com
www.wilmotte.fr
Designer Of The Year
Thomas
Heatherwick tends to defy categorisation as a designer, as do his
works. His UK Pavilion for this year's Shanghai Expo, the truly
remarkable Seed Cathedral (see Best New Public Building), melds art and
architecture. His 'Spun' chair -- originally created in copper and
steel for Haunch of Venison using a metal spinning process that's
traditionally applied to drum-making, and then 'respun' in a rippled,
moulded plastic version for Magis -- looks more like an art installation
than a chair. And his 'Extrusions' collection of aluminium benches,
using aeronautical technology, is pure sculpture. Heatherwick Studio
'exists to make extraordinary projects happen'.Established: 1994
Based: London
Key projects 2010: UK Pavilion for Shanghai Expo; 'Spun' chairs for Haunch of Venison and Magis; 'Extrusions' benches; planning granted for the biomass-fuelled Teesside Power Station; design for a new London bus unveiled
