Madrid-based design studio Brime Robbins has teamed up with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to envision Spain’s second InterContinental outpost, opening its doors in Barcelona’s Montjuic district in October 2021.
With Catalonian culture and heritage in mind, the firm has told a compelling story from start to finish, synthesising local traditions, brand values and forward-thinking design into a complete guest experience – all while maintaining its core design pillar of ‘making the global local’ and incorporating bespoke items such as furniture, lighting and rugs throughout.
Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted with a revamped check-in experience. What was once a more standard reception is now a grand covered porch complete with chic wooden consoles, small lights and a gallery of ocean-blue art niches. And just as Mediterranean balconies frame the view of the sea, guests here have an over-scaled window seat framing the view of the bar and lounge beyond.
The use of integrated art is something very particular to many of Brime Robbins projects too, as the studio believes it should not be an afterthought or space filler, but rather an integral part of the design from the very start. Art pieces fit into the interior design puzzle and enhance the space as an extension of the floors, walls or ceilings. A seven-metre-tall map of the city envelopes the grand staircase like metal Spanish lace, and Catalan ceramics pose in silhouette as a double-height screen between the restaurant and café lounge. The art pieces also depict various elements of Barcelona, a story that is present in every corner of the hotel. Brime Robbins made a conscious decision to work with local suppliers, manufacturers and designers throughout the project, informing the hotel guests of cultural heritage and sense of place.
In a nod to its coastal destination meanwhile, the Mediterranean Sea has inspired both hues and pattern, as well as the project’s overall architecture. From suelos hidráulicos in Catalan kitchens to el panot on the Barcelona street sidewalks, all flooring patterns were inspired by city itself. Ocher and terracotta, walnut and grey-stained wood lattice, and an obvious use of Mediterranean azure tones characterise the 273 guestrooms and public areas, inviting guests to connect with the sea, the port and feel the essence of the streets beneath their feet. The Presidential Suite and 17 Junior Suites meanwhile are exponent of modern luxury and InterContinental life, with spaces where guests can relax, unwind and indulge after a long day in the hustle and bustle of the city.
The F&B experience at Intercontinental Barcelona will also be bold and thematic, with areas given Catalan names like characters in a biographical movie. Above the bar Gebre, which translates as ‘frost’ in Catalan, is a large bottle display glows with panels of translucent glass and polished metal, while specialty lighting suspends like carved ice cubes over white marble countertops, and residential touches in leather add luxury and comfort.
At Arrel, meaning ‘roots’ in the local language, the bulb of the design is rooted in shape. A large, enchanting aged-wood screen with intertwining lattice mimics the namesake and encompasses diners, while a glass ribbon light feature snakes above their heads – the entire space feels at once in keeping with the past but with a fresh look to the future.
Quirat, Catalan for ‘carat’, represents the purity and richness of the elements that make up the earth. An exclusive dining room by reservation only, it was designed with gemstones and geological geometries in mind. Custom textured glass and metal private dining walls are the octagonal backdrop to inlay floors and diamond-like chandeliers, and the heavy use of glistening materials makes guests feel as if they have walked right into a life-sized geode.
