Hba Utilizes Technology to Design Newest Addition to Historic Holy City

HBA UTILIZES TECHNOLOGY TO DESIGN NEWEST ADDITION TO HISTORIC HOLY CITY, HYATT REGENCY MAKKAH, WITHOUT STEPPING FOOT ON THE SITE World’s Top Design Firm Draws from the Region’s Rich Legacy and Pilgrimage Destination’s Religious Needs to Complete Hotel Interiors

LOS ANGELES –Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the global leader in hospitality interior design and recently named 2014 Top Hospitality Design Firm by INTERIOR DESIGN, utilized state-of-the-art technology and the firm’s global reach to design the newest addition to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the Hyatt Regency Makkah, without stepping foot into the holy city. The distinctive new 647-room hotel, scheduled to open its doors in early 2015, is organized into two sleek 19-floor towers. As a first step in the design process, HBA enlisted expert advice and conducted extensive research to understand the specific needs and restrictions pertaining to the Muslim faith and Makkah’s most sacred siting.

HBA was tasked to design interiors that align with the orders of Islam, pay homage to the site and respect cultural considerations while accommodating the high demands of large waves of international seasonal travelers. With a direct site line to the Kabbah—the most sacred point in the city—the Hyatt Regency Makkah is designed as a welcoming respite for pilgrims, accommodating travelers who migrate to the holy city to pray. The 647-room hotel includes 19 junior suites, five executive suites and one presidential suite.

“It is difficult to design something that you will never see, but that is also the best part of what we do” said Calvin Dix, Senior Associate at HBA. “While delving into our research process, we realized that this project is as much a religious retreat as a hotel.” During the holy months of Ramadan and Haj, the hotel is at full occupancy and all travelers adhere to the same prayer and dining schedules. “The challenge was to create accommodations that maximize available occupancy as well as to design expansive restaurant spaces that allow for pilgrims to dine at the same time,” continues Calvin. “We utilized a zoning system in the design to bring a level of intimacy and a smaller scale to the sprawling public spaces during the off season. Another large challenge was to design around restrictions related to positioning of central hotel room features in relation to the Kabbah.”

The regulations of the Muslim faith dictate that the beds, water closets and bidets were not to face the Kabahh. The designers conducted a series of studies and schematic plans to design a solution for the 647 rooms that respects the religious guideline. With respect to pre-prayer rituals, the designers lowered the bathroom sinks in each guestroom to allow travelers to easily perform the vozo cleansing ritual. HBA was also able to work 24 hours a day by designing in its Los Angeles office, executing CAD drawings in the New Delhi office and sharing digital plans through electronic communications with the construction team in Jeddah.

Throughout the interiors, HBA lends inspiration from the region’s rich heritage to create a transformative environment designed for the modern traveler. The interiors respect traditions while looking to the future through a balance of traditional Islamic motifs and ornate patterns mixed with sleek materials, including bronze, wood and glass. Imagery of palm leafs and honey are applied in unexpected forms and materials throughout the property while custom lantern elements and architectural details allude to desert tents once found throughout the region.

The Hyatt Regency Makkah features a signature All Day Dining Room, inclusive of four distinct dining experiences; an Italian Restaurant; tea lounge and a Regency Club. HBA worked to incorporate imaginative touches rooted in Saudi Arabia’s culture to help guide a unique and authentic sense of place in the meandering public spaces.

Lobby Upon entry, guests are greeted by an ethereal neutral color scheme—accented by punches of colors—to create a feeling of respite. The grand scale of the two-story space sets the tone for visitors’ journey throughout the property. The lobby is anchored by two soaring water features that are flanked by limestone arches and columns. Throughout the space, fretted wood screens accent limestone columns reference traditional Islamic patterns. Beyond the dual concierge and registration desks, the dramatic spiral staircase draws one’s eye. A sleek contemporary encasing balances the traditional form while a custom chandelier drops to the first floor, allowing guest to interact with the glistening sculptural form as they ascend.

Dining Copper screens, cut in an abstract honey comb pattern, welcome guests into the All Day Dining Room. Beyond the entry, HBA designed food stations that emulate an open marketplace to create an intimate ambience in the overscaled space. Likewise, in the Italian Restaurant, the designers created varying levels of reveal and scale to bring life to the space. An open kitchen with electric pizza oven becomes the focal feature. Decorative screens divide two dining spaces that feature long community tables while two private dining areas are accessed via a sleek entry.

Guestrooms The design of the guest rooms pay homage to the guests who make the pilgrimage to Makkah to pray. References of traditional Islamic architecture are juxtaposed by contemporary textures and materials. Soft, sandy tones create a tranquil backdrop for light-filled rooms that are accentuated by the dramatic bed wall. The Junior Suite design continues to expand on the light and fresh color scheme with injections of gold and metallic accents while the Presidential Suite continues the evolution with deep cerulean tones. About HBA

World-renowned as the “Number 1 Hospitality Design Firm” (Interior Design) and honored in 2014 by the Gold Key Awards and in 2012 by the Hospitality Design, Perspective Awards, the Boutique Design Awards and the European Hotel Design Awards; HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, unveils the world’s most anticipated hotels, resorts, and spas. Leading the hospitality interior design industry since 1965, HBA remains keenly attuned to the pulse of changing industry trends governed by today's sophisticated traveler. The company’s international presence, depth of experience, and detailed industry knowledge enables them to identify interior design trends at their source, make definitive predictions about new directions and innovations, and influence design standards at a global level. HBA’s ultimate objective is to add value, raise standards and enhance the brand of a project's owner and operator.

HBA creates the signature look of traditional luxury brands, independent contemporary boutiques, urban resort spas, world-class residences, restaurants, casinos, and cruise ships. From continent to continent, each HBA interior is the result of a unique and sensitive response to location, architecture, and client vision. With over 1,000 designers around the globe in 16 offices and a recent expansion in Asia, HBA is a true global company with more than 75% of its employees now outside the United States. HBA’s international presence, combined with its extensive knowledge of the interior design industry, has facilitated the ability to rewrite the language of design with each new project.

For HBA in Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Melbourne, New Delhi, Dubai Moscow, Istanbul, Thailand and Manila, visit www.hba.com.