A GROUNDBREAKING HOTEL WITH THE TAGLINE “ANYTHING BUT STANDARD” THAT DEVIATES ITSELF FROM THE NORM OF MOST HOTEL CHAINS, BY WHICH INTEGRATING ART, MUSIC, FASHION, AND DESIGN TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN FEEL LIKE THEMSELVES IN THEIR OWN WAYS
TEXT: PRATCHAYAPOL LERTWICHA
PHOTO: KETSIREE WONGWAN EXCEPT AS NOTED
(For Thai, press here)
The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, is located inside the visually spectacular and towering box-shaped structure of the Mahanakorn building, where reflective glass covers the entirety of the structure, from the base to the top, with protruding and recessed cube-like masses. The hotel is designed to be almost the polar opposite of the structure that houses it. Curved lines are found everywhere, from elements of interior architecture to furniture and décor items. The straightforward geometric form of the glass envelope and building, it appears, does nothing to limit the fun The Standard seeks to deliver. It corresponds with what Jaime Hayon, the Spanish designer behind the design of the project, told art4d: “Diversity, vibrancy, and fun sit at the heart of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon.”
Photo courtesy of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon
The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is a flagship of The Standard Hotels chain in Asia, noted for its distinctive fusion of art, music, fashion, and design into its guests’ staying and traveling experiences. As a brand, The Standard positions itself as a meeting place for both travelers and residents of Bangkok. The hotel hosts a variety of activities and never intends to be the type of place where visitors come to stay for the night and then leave. Design wise, it deviates itself from the norm of most hotel chains, where the brand guidebook would usually provide all of the criteria that must be strictly followed. The Standard’s concentration is on the location, and it is never reluctant to branch out. The tagline “Anything but standard” and the emblem, which is the word “The Standard” written upside down, symbolizes their rebellious character.
(Left) Jaime Hayon (Right) Verena Haller | Photo courtesy of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon
The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon features 155 rooms, along with the hotel’s restaurant and tearoom, and common areas where guests and visitors can unwind. There are several reasons why The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon location is unique. Not only does it sit inside Bangkok’s tallest skyscraper, the Mahanakhon Building, but the Silom district in which it is located is recognized for its bustling energy, places to visit during the day, and dynamic nightlife. The neighborhood is also a center that connects to other parts of Bangkok via public transit systems. The vibrant vibe that brilliantly resonates with the energetic and sleepless Bangkok is undeniably perceptible at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. It results in a design that embraces the brand’s and the city’s unapologetic character, as executed by The Standard Hotels’ in-house design team, led by Verena Haller, Chief Design Officer, and Jaime Hayon, the Spanish designer whose whimsical and incredibly charming work is being hyped up by the global design community. “Bangkok is a melting pot of all sorts of different cultures.” “It’s important to let that play within the design,” said Jaime Hayon about the design concept of the project.
The first zone that every hotel visitor will encounter is the green, verdant reception area on the first level, which is home to a variety of tree species with a terrazzo floor that complements the flora’s lines and silhouette. Hanging high above the ground are rattan pendants of various shapes made by local artisans. It’s a calm and relaxing welcome, and the setting offers a dramatic contrast to the frantic traffic outside. “We are bringing the green to the building in order to create an ‘Urban Sanctuary,’” explained Jaime.
The elevator at the hotel’s lobby on the fourth floor is accessible through the reception area. The dimly illuminated elevator is encased in an infinity mirror, providing a surreal, unending reflection. The electronic music is audibly clear, unlike the conventional elevator music we’re used to. Rather than being on an elevator ride, it feels like we’re about to open a door to a different dimension. In no time, the elevator doors open to the bright yellow lobby, designed to look like a medium-sized living room. The décor exudes 1945-1969 or Mid-Century Modern aesthetics, with clean lines and dramatic form and color accents. The area is furnished with furniture designed specifically for the project by Jaime Hayon. They’re one-of-a-kind, with curved lines and corners and no sharp edges.
The Parlor, located next to the lobby, is a large space designed to accommodate both hotel guests and visitors. Apart from being a place where individuals can relax or enjoy a comforting meal, The Parlor also hosts a variety of activities, such as cocktail parties and live DJ performances. One can say that The Parlor is the beating heart of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. The presence of lush greenery adds a visually peaceful vibe to the space and contrasts wonderfully with the colorful furniture, while the presence of vibrant red, yellow, and blue hues makes the space even livelier. “The parlor is the beautiful green space,” noted Verena about the design of this particular zone of the hotel. “It captures you not just from the design itself, but also from the landscape with beautiful chairs, the bookshelf with lots of components is an interpretation of Bangkok’s flea market, showing that Bangkok is the melting pot of cultures.”
The tearoom, “Tease,” is located farther inside The Parlor and is one of the most photographed spots in the hotel, according to the hotel’s employees. The tearoom is distinguished by the black and white graphic patterns that adorn the chairs, walls, and even the ceiling. Josef Hoffmann, a legendary Austrian designer who co-founded the art movement Vienna Secession, which is notable for its use of black and white patterns and geometric forms, was the inspiration behind the design of this zone.The stunning patterns compensate for the room’s absence of color, giving the tearoom all the attraction it needs.
The American-style steakhouse, The Standard Grill, is located one floor above The Parlor. In addition to the menu, which is based on the original The Standard Grill in New York, the Bangkok branch’s décor incorporates elements from the New York branch, such as the warmth of the dark earth tone wood finishing, the arched ceiling, and the floor clad with little copper-colored penny coins. The branch in The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon features smoother lines and a blend of the hotel’s design character, which comprises of the Mid-Century Modern arch and curvature.
The retro style design of the hotel rooms is rich with visually appealing, warm color tones. While the color scheme is less intense than other parts of the hotel, furniture in vibrant colors are used to make the room more lively and dynamic. Fun ornamental touches, such as the happy face clothes racks, are hidden in some of the rooms. A sense of humor appears to be an omnipresent element here, whether it’s the signage in front of the room informing of the longest route to the elevator (the shorter route is also provided for those who don’t want to take the longer walk), or the sign of the women’s restroom, where the male logo has a white maker drawing a skirt on it.
“Not only the interior design, we are responsible for the experience of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon,” Verena remarked. Their design does not end only with interior decoration, but also encompasses other components, such as the brightly colored staff uniforms co-designed by Fah Chak WO+MAN, which coincide with the decoration of each zone of the hotel. Many of the uniform details reflect The Standard’s whimsical nature, such as the reception staff at The Standard Grill wearing an orange dress with the shoulder straps attached to the skirt’s hem, giving the appearance that the dress is worn upside down. The belt on the female lobby staff’s costume is worn as a choker instead of at the waist. The vest worn by the valet employees is inspired by that of a taxi motorcycle, playfully incorporating one of the iconic trademarks that Bangkok is known for.
Above all, according to Verena, the diversity and fun in the design of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is derived from the desire to create a space where people can feel like themselves, not just guests or visitors to a hotel. “We allow all these different elements to collide and come together in the best way. It is a place where there is something for everyone, and they will feel comfortable and unique in their own way. We also created a stage for our employees to feel comfortable in. We have given them a comfortable uniform that makes them feel really proud, and we allow them to be themselves. This is another layer of the entire design.” It’s this unapologetic embrace of diversity that sits at the very core of the spirit of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon.