Detail english 2015-11-12

622 Health and Leisure 2015 ¥ 6 ∂
Sculptural seating forms a dramatic centrepiece
Quick-change act
Developed from an idea by architect and
designer Yasmine Mahmoudieh, and from
the conversion of the historic rooms in
Palazzo Spina in the heart of Rimini, Italy,
the Augeo Art Space is described as a
unique concept which blends contemporary
art with the world of wellness. The Latin term
augeo means ‘to increase’ and ‘to grow’ but
also ‘to strengthen’ and ‘to fill with goods’.
Correspondingly, this space is dedicated to
personal enrichment, inner growth and meditation,
and is designed to welcome guests
from all over the world for exclusive events.
It is divided into two spaces, an art gallery
and a spa, and visitors’ first sight is of a
‘functional sculpture’ made of Hi-Macs®
solid surface material from LG Hausys. Beginning
on the right-hand side of the entrance,
the structure then transforms into a
seating area which continues along the
perimeter of the room and winds its way
through the arched spaces, finally becoming
a reception area and bar.
Its thermoplastic capability means the structure
creates the illusion of a single, continuous
form, giving the sinuous appearance
envisaged by the designer, who has exploited
curved lines in many of her installations.
The smooth, non-porous surface is
said to be highly stain-resistant and easy to
clean, maintain and repair. The white surfaces
will also be used as screens for digital
art projects.
The floor has been deliberately ‘dirtied’ by
the shades in the cement, which is designed
to echo the colours found in a typical
Italian courtyard, and the lighting is mainly
indirect for a gentle effect, with strip lighting
at the foot of some walls making them appear
to ‘float’. Behind the reception a staircase
leads down to the massage, treatment,
fitness and spa areas.
Here darker shades have been used, inviting
guests to relax and meditate. Large
slabs of black stone, high-end urban finishings
and precious mosaics give a luxurious,
contemporary look, which is enhanced by
top-of-the-range taps, fittings and an electronic
rain shower system. In contrast, the
fitness room, equipped with the latest generation
machines, is a surprise of simple,
coloured lights to give the room more depth
and movement.
¥ LG Hausys
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1892 704074
www.himacs.eu
At the Hilton Hotel in the US city of Minneapolis,
DI-NOC Architectural Finishes from
3M have been used to refresh 2,200 internal
doors and 1,600 closet shelves, at an estimated
saving over replacement of around
$1,000,000. When renewing selected furniture
in guest rooms the self-adhesive vinyl
film, chosen to complement existing finishes,
was used to update the doors and, at
60-90 minutes per door, this created minimum
disruption and downtime. It is durable
enough to handle guest room traffic and the
work can be done without removing the
doors, which were major factors.
At the other end of the scale, finishes from
the DI-NOC range were used to create new
interior wall signage in a refurb project at
healthcare and life insurance provider
PruHealth following its rebranding as Vitality
(below). Developed as a cost-effective design
solution for interior and exterior new
build and/or refurbishment projects, the finishes
comprise over 700 self-adhesive vinyl
films designed to replicate the appearance
and feel of traditional materials.
¥ 3M Commercial Graphics
United Kingdom
+44 (0)800 121 4739
www.3M.co.uk