Project Description

Project overview Situated in the heart of the bustling shopping street in Orchard, Hilton Singapore Orchard is designed for the urban travelers in mind. This hotel is a restoration and conversion project that took over the pre-existing hotel, Mandarin Orchard. The design brief was to create a contemporary Hotel product that could relate to the locality and the origins of Orchard Road while capturing the modern retail context in the vicinity. Akin to most renovation works, there are commonly lots of structural and space limitations to take into consideration as compared to a new building. The studio re-looked into the existing plan, shaped the hotel’s design language, and redefined the experience right from the guest’s arrival to the guestrooms. Paying homage to Orchard Road’s agricultural heritage, "The Orchard Trail" was adopted as the overarching concept. Structured architectural lines, derived from the vertical and horizontal lines of the trail, layered with refined natural elements and tones set as a foundation for our design approach. This clean line-work brings the urban structural language into the space giving a modern contemporary touch to establish a contrasting identity to its previous modern classical look. Considering the sensory experience, soft natural light, refined wood texture, and the accent of sage form a grounded base of tranquillity away from the buzzing street below. The public and the guestrooms spaces within are themed The Elements(Reception), The Conservatory(Lobby lounge), The Shed(Lobby bar), The Foliage (Guestrooms), The Smart Oasis (Meeting Facilities), and The Seed Treasure (Presidential Suite), expanding the orchard trail experience throughout the whole property. Public Spaces Prior to the renovation, the reception and the lobby space are located in a transitional open area with a double volume ceiling. To create a more intimate and multisensory experience, the studio has relocated the reception and lobby lounge into two separate spaces. Guests would first arrive at the reception for check-in and walk through a corridor before arriving at the lobby lounge. Upon entering the lift lobby, the guest would arrive at the reception on the fifth level. Screened by a pillar and four vertical panels, two stand-alone bronze featured lighting stood as a divider between the lift lobby and an inviting communal seating space. This forms a sizable yet intimate space before the reception. Walking over the side of the screen, the reception sits adjacent to the wall at the far end of the space. This new location for the reception allowed the hotel guest to be received in a more secluded and private space. Attributing to the trail elements, dark wood panels with sleek linework are reflected on the reception desk while sculpted wood accented with sage sets a backdrop. In the middle of the reception space, an auburn hue cushion accented against the soft grey sofa with a grey-washed rug sitting beneath. This muted shade softens up the entire reception in contrast to the dark wood and sage around it. Following the walkway, we would arrive at the lobby lounge, GingerLily. The New Heart of the Hotel, A high-tea space during the day and a lobby bar at the night, the outer sitting space of the lobby lounge is conceptualized as a glasshouse to allow natural light to stream in while the inner space replicates the mood of a dark shed for night bar activities. Envisioned as a glasshouse with ample daylight, the outer sitting space of the lobby lounge was converted from a reception space to a lounging corner. The studio took advantage of the double-height ceiling of the pre-existing lobby to create a light and airy space for guests to enjoy a drink while people-watching. The inner seating area resembles a modern barn with a lower ceiling height, creating an intimate space for socializing and mingling. Meeting spaces Occupying over two thousand square metres, the event and meeting facilities, the Smart Oasis, are reconfigured from a pre-existing carpark space. Envisioned as an interconnected village, the business meeting facilities share a communal breakout lounge with an open pantry and courtyard. The Business meeting and event facilities were meticulously refurbished to blend seamlessly with the elements of nature. A barrisol stretched ceiling provides smooth and measured lighting, nurturing the natural moss miniscape at the centre of interlinked meeting facilities. Surrounding the courtyard is an open pantry and lounge seating, followed by interlinked meeting spaces of varied sizes. This unparalleled connectivity allows flexibility and comfort in interaction, enabling Hilton Singapore Orchard to provide cutting-edge MICE services in a holistic business environment. The key challenge was to explore the possibilities of maximizing the low ceiling height of 2.55m, the existing structure of shear walls and columns of the pre-existing carpark while incorporating comfort, functionality and style for business guests in the meeting space. Through careful consideration of the new-age business guest purpose, the studio has re-imaged the next generation of meeting spaces through the Smart Oasis. Presidential suite Dark timber flooring greets guests into the Presidential Suite, whilst light rugs tinted with sage wash framed the individual living spaces. Prior to the renovation, the living space is an open area with a dining and a living area in a linear fashion. The studio introduced a study and a reading niche to instill sensory interest and intimate corners within the expansive living area. Entering the living, a curved back sofa sits gracefully in the middle as a centrepiece dividing the dining and the living. To the left, a white marble dining top accompanying leather upholstered chair lies beneath the round droplets feature lighting atop. Taking reference to cardamom, clove, pepper, and nutmeg seeds, the living space inherited a deep natural palette initiating a grounded character. In front of the curved sofa, a contrasting combination of brown leather stools, a deep green velvet couch, and a light grey curved back chaise create an alluring atmosphere before the marble slab feature wall. A wood-paneled room accent with auburn leather chairs forms the study behind the marble screen. Curved vaulted ceiling is introduced above to soften the dark and masculine tone presenting gentleness within. Contrary to the living space, light muted tones are applied against the sleek and defined lines in the bedroom. Gentle curves are applied at the edges of the room, creating a continuity of the visual language from the living. Minimal line-work of plantation-inspired graphic hang above the neutral-toned headboard. Beside the bed sits the bathtub with an exposed curved edge extending the softness into the bathroom. On the whole, the Presidential Suite encapsulates the authentic journey of the origin of life presenting the most precious and unpretentious Seed Treasure. Guestrooms In the guestrooms, the studio did away with traditional built-in elements in favour of loose furniture and fixtures, allowing a modular design that gives flexibility to guests in using the space. Both soft angles and structured linearity are introduced in the loose and built-in furniture, lending an air of sophistication while creating spatial harmony. The bathrooms are designed with reflective black walls inspired by fashion retail stores, exuding an air of luxury. A consistent design language pervades the entire property, and through its spirit, the new Hilton Singapore Orchard tells a tale of history and regeneration – bridging the past and the present, providing the guests a multisensory experience.