A decade of design tracking the evolution of hospitality
Hong Kong, March 26, 2021 – Marking another chapter of wide-ranging brand strategy and design work for the hotel sector, Eight Partnership’s hospitality practice is looking back fondly at another productive period stretching from 2010 to 2020.
With over 35 projects delivered throughout the decade (click to view: www.eightpartnership.com), many stand out. In Beijing, Eight worked alongside Milanese designer Antonio Citterio and Japanese starchitect Tadao Ando to bring the first Bulgari hotel to the city in 2017, nested between a riverbank and a museum. Eight’s team created the bold and vibrant new Asai lifestyle brand for owners Dusit International, helping global nomads discover happening urban neighbourhoods with Bangkok’s Chinatown hosting the first property. In the Maldives, Eight worked alongside Pontiac Land to shape a cluster of four islands hosting three brands – Capella, Patina and Ritz-Carlton – into a progressive destination merging art, craftsmanship, community and an unflinching care for local culture and nature. The project, Fari Islands, is opening in 2021 and has involved Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, interior designer Andre Fu, Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, artist James Turrell and many more creative luminaries. In Clark and New Clark City in the Philippines, Eight designed the strategy and branding for next-gen integrated resorts Hann and Hann Lux, featuring brands from Accor (Mercure and Banyan Tree), Marriott (Marriott and The Luxury Collection) and more. In Karuizawa, Japan, Eight created and designed the Twin-line Hotel - from the ground up - a lifestyle hotel product unique to the area, in which Eight also led architecture and interior design.
Eight’s body of work in hospitality has tracked the changes that are reshaping the industry - the rise of design-led and social lifestyle hotels; the move away from standardised luxury network hotels towards singular, unique and bespoke hotels tailored to the history of a building or the character of a great neighbourhood; the emancipation of a more demanding traveller seeking access to quietude, purity, beauty, knowledge and time - a trend that is continuing unabated and even accelerating in the current context.
“With this vision in mind, we now embark on the next ten years of our journey”, says Chris Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight. “Using our passion for creative branding and thoughtful design we are here to help businesses and leaders shape the future of hospitality. We look forward to seeing you there.”