Hotel Icon

Hotel Icon is a 262 room ‘teaching’ hotel for Hong Kong Polytechnic University, situated in the major tourist area of Kowloon. The education concept called for some innovative design solutions. The hotel uses the principle of Yin-Yang to resolve its planning and materiality.

The hotel uses the principle of Yin-Yang to resolve its planning and materiality. Curve forms and furniture are used to resolve the hard rectilinear form. A green wall designed by Patrick Blanc softens the granite clad wall specified by the building architect. The typical guestroom also uses an unusual curved shower to bring a point of departure from conventional design.

The entrance portal and oversized back bar counter to the lobby bar, is created using the fast disappearing, but ubiquitous, Hong Kong element of sliding folding steel gates with punched hole patterns and evoke fond memories in many local patrons. The glass lift tower displays the graphic work of a local artist incorporating Chinese character forms.

The timber clad, suspended spiral staircase at the entrance echoes the sculptural form of the lobby seating, constructed locally using simple plywood forms and internal lighting.The ‘silver box’ ballroom uses a custom designed prismatic glass crystal ceiling feature instead of conventional chandelier.

A 30ft high “box” for gym area and outdoor pool with spectacular Hong Kong view. Use of student photography in the guestroom lobbies. A teaching restaurant serves guests as well as teaching staff has an atmosphere which crosses hospitality and academia.