DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: The owners wanted us to design a business hotel with its tasteful blend of contemporary and chic décor. The hotel that would offer guests impeccable service and warm hospitality in an enviable location. Owners also wanted to have various dining options for local patrons as well. Taking advantage of available space and going vertical immerged the concept of Simple yet Elegant.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: Emphasis was given on the optimum utilization of space and the vertical connection was established via elevators and staircases designed at the extreme ends. The circulation of Guest and the service areas were planned keeping in mind that there will not be crossing at any point. Spilt levels were introduced in design to take advantage of most of the available space.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: The concept evolution started in year 2008. There was lot of exchange of ideas and possible alternatives were worked out to come up with the most suitable and practical solution. Construction started in 2009 and the project got operational in 2013.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
: Hospitality design is a team work. We were appointed as principal Architects and Designers. Mr. Masafumi Sanada, director of M-Style inc. from Japan was appointed to design interior spaces in collaboration with us.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pune is centrally located in the heart of automobile and industrial belt that houses manufacturing units including Tata Motors Bajaj Auto and Eaton. With its strategic location the hotel also provides easy access to business districts such as Chakan Hinjewadi IT Park and Talegaon which houses Mercedes Benz JCB Infosys Wipro and more. Exclusively for corporate travelers amenities include a 24 hour business center with flexible meeting space and complimentary Wi Fi. Leisure visitors enjoy the multiple entertainment and shopping districts nearby.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
: Major Clientele being corporates from the neighboring IT and Industrial Hub the owners wanted to create a business hotel with multiple F and B outlets catering to elite guests from neighboring area. The key factor was to design an outlet, which will attract the local patrons as well. Taking advantage of the clientele profile and utilizing space to its optimum was the main criteria while going back to the drawing board. Elegance through simplicity is the most unique aspect of the design.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
: The site had a small hotel of fifty rooms that was to be retained. New hotel was to be designed and constructed in an open plot behind the existing hotel. After the completion of new hotel existing hotel was to be demolished. Restriction of site dimensions imposed vertical movement and the planning of services was the ultimate challenge. We had no choice but to go for double basement to incorporate back of the house and services areas and the Lap pool was designed as a rooftop feature.