Slavic warmth under Russian ice

Facing St. John the Baptist’s cathedral on the bank of the Iset river, the Hyatt Regency hotel in Ekaterinburg is a tall all-glass curved volume, like a huge block of ice housing warm accommodations, in a striking contrast which reflects the region’s strong character.
Its interior design is an assertion of modernity and wellbeing combined with reverent references to the city’s cultural roots.

Entering the hotel, the clients are immediately confronted with true Slavic soul, alternatively rugged and sophisticated, wild and hearty, represented through modern transpositions of emblematic themes taken from Russia and the Urals. Spaces and details evoke colorful images of forests and hunting, lavish and frenzied parties, warm isbas, eighteenth-century refined homes, creations of suprematist visionaries, Ural crystals, mist over frozen lakes, the luminous gold of icons. All this references are subtly implemented and staged in every space through materials or forms.

The rooms are organized in a flowing seamless composition of concentric alcoves resembling protective birch barks and enhancing the contrast between the warm inside and the cold outside.

In all the hallways, gilded walls evoke an atmosphere of mystery and refinement.
On the 20th floor, the swimming pool, spa and lounge occupy a wonderful panoramic view conjuring up visions of haze, clouds and hot water springs steaming in cold lands.

The restaurants, the entrance hall and the bar pick up on these themes with furniture design and signage, which uses a special typography derived from ancient Russian. And reading lamps in the shape of adjustable golden nuggets shed the same Slavic spirit.

The Hyatt Regency in Ekaterinburg is a perfect illustration of VPdesign’s vision and approach in interior architecture for hotels: a global design bringing together function, beauty and culture.