Michaelis Boyd were commissioned to create a bold design vision within the newly built RYSE Hotel in Seoul, Korea. As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the hotel aims to act as a cultural force and a lifestyle hub with the design inspired by the beauty of the Korean landscape and the alternative, youthful character of the neighbourhood in which the hotel is situated. It was important for our clients that the first impression offered to hotel guests was impactful. For the ground floor entrance, the design team drew on inspiration from the natural Korean landscape to create a striking feature at the centre of the triple-height space; a lift clad in monolithic concrete slabs of different textures that contrasts with the perfectly cut and polished marble lobby area. Bespoke concrete stepped seating with timber top cladding and decorative cushions are positioned directly beneath the circular void installation which separates the lobby area from the raised café area. Additional seating is spread throughout the space with modular sofa systems in shades of pink and green to compliment the floor design. The large glass windows at ground floor level provide a view of the passing pedestrians outside. Guestrooms feature a natural colour palette with green and blue accents, combined with materials including tanned leather, dark timber and grey felt. The main concept for the rooms was to break down the typical ‘corridor and bathroom’ box at the entrance to a hotel room. We achieved this by designing a permeable wall that is expressed in different ways across different room types. The open wardrobe and glass enclosed bathrooms make the rooms feel larger and more open giving the feeling that the whole room is one fluid space. The sophisticated and highly functional design scheme features a bespoke powder-coated metal framed and timber fronted storage unit which divides the bathrooms and the bedrooms. Bespoke systems accommodate the safe and mini bar and provide shelving solutions and enclosed storage space. Custom headboards have also been created in leather and felt fabric.