Author: noiza

To create an atmosphere that brings out the best in a space in a truly unique way, Purho conceives and models precious objects with the skill of the master glass blowers of Murano. The Suite creates a unique atmosphere with the precious value of Purho objects, that add a touch of class to any environment.

Here below you can read the interview with Andrea Dotto, CEO and Founder at Purho, one of the companies that collaborated with Beltrami on the Suite project.

Is It true that Purho has developed collections designed for a wide range of environments including living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms?
Purho has a collection that can adapt to different environments, just as we offer different colour options. Colour is a particular feature of Murano glass. Moreover, we are focusing increasingly on a “tailor-made” approach, using glass and fabrics together. This makes it possible to produce objects, accessories and lamps to complement any type of environment. Items can be made in a range of shapes and colours to add distinction to a furnished area.

Glass is a dynamic and highly variable material. How does it adapt to the different needs of clients?
The ability and skill of master glassmakers make various solutions possible, with products in sizes and shapes that meet each client’s needs. We can create objects and lamps of different sizes and in a variety of colours, so that a client’s requirements are always met. We can create bespoke chandeliers and suggest various solutions to match the client’s plans.
We are limited to some extent in not employing industrial production methods, but the advantage of craft production is adaptability.

What are the objects and values that distinguish Purho from traditional glassware producers in the Venice Lagoon?
Purho was formed with the idea of producing a contemporary collection based on the venerable tradition of Murano glassware, but reinterpreting its classic theme in a modern key. The designers we work with have developed products with a fresh new emotional appeal.
The Kastle collection makes very modern use of geometric forms, and the new Magus lamp is a unique, winning combination of glass, brass and rich velvets. Our objective is to create a limited-edition collection of objects and accessories, enabling clients to acquire unique and valuable pieces.

The marble in the Suite is a material that covers surfaces with a timeless lapidary elegance, to become the barycentre of the space, adding a noble touch. The Suite is a space in which the material qualities elements defines and dignifies the environment.

Here below you can read the interview with Alessandro Vrech from Marmi Vrech, one of the companies that collaborated with Beltrami on the Suite project.

When marble is present in a space it acts as a focal point. How well does it harmonise with items around it?
Marble inevitably becomes a focal point; it has a personality, presence and versatility that define the space it occupies. I would like to go back to where we began, with the concept of materiality. What can be more material than stone? Philosophy treats matter and spirit as opposites, but the Stoics of ancient Greece regarded matter as a passive principle acted upon by the divine principle, which shapes and animates it. I find this perspective exceedingly attractive.

On a mundane level it mirrors human inventiveness – the design and craftsmanship that transform a piece of marble into a higher form of matter embodying its creator’s spirit.

Marble can engage discreetly with items around it without dominating them, or it can insist on setting the tone of its surrounding space. But it always defines the space it occupies. We enjoy combining marble with other elements; in Miami we are creating flooring for a Spa, with every tile specially designed in a mixture of marble and wood. We have also combined marble with steel, or with brass profiles, replacing its classical aura with a trendier, more contemporary feel.

How well does Marmi Vrech adapt to contemporary aesthetics?
I’m very interested in this subject, because marble has always been associated with classicism, for obvious reasons. But marble can be used in completely contemporary settings: as a monochrome floor, for instance, or one with discreet veining using large, ungrouted, 90 x 90 cm tiles. It provides a unique glassy surface for the clean lines of items of contemporary furniture and makes a fantastic impact. Next year we intend to invite young architects and designers to training modules at our in-house Academy at Marmi Vrech, in order to raise awareness of marble and encourage its use in contemporary design. We hope to be joined by important figures who use marble in this way in their projects. We know some really excellent ones.

As a specific example of the contemporary use of marble, I might mention one of our clients, Moroso, with their Diesel Home collection. Renzo Rosso uses marble in a very contemporary manner for them.

What are the main uses of marble in the luxury hospitality sector?
Interior designers and decorators can use it in a variety of ways – for flooring (classical or otherwise) and panelling, or in furnishing accessories. In bar tops, vanity units, lamps and accessories – the possibilities are endless. As we’re discussing hospitality, may I mention that for almost 60 years our company has been emphasising the importance of appropriate surface treatments where marble is subjected to heavy use, as in hotels and cruise ships. To preserve marble’s timeless beauty, it needs to be treated for protection against staining and degradation by impurities and/or humidity, and to prevent slipperiness in reception areas, showers and humid areas such as bathrooms, spas, and pool surrounds.

Beltrami interviewed Michela De Biaggi, Rooms Division Manager of the deluxe Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, and Head of the Shiseido SPA in Milan.

Can you talk about the Hotel Gallia’s history and principal assets, the redevelopment work carried out by the architect Marco Piva, and the hotel’s luxury suites?

For me the Gallia is “home”: I started working here in 1990, and my love and passion for this magnificent establishment have remained constant ever since.
The Excelsior Hotel Gallia offers refinement, superior service, and an authentic travel experience in the heart of the up-and-coming Porta Nuova district.
It has been an iconic Milan landmark ever since it opened in 1932.

A detailed programme of renovation work was launched in 2010 to restore it to its original splendour and provide strategic expansion. Both aspects of the project perfectly combined contemporary taste with the hotel’s original Belle Époque style of architecture.
The renovation and interior design work were conferred to the multi-award winning Marco Piva architectural studio of Milan.
Piva also planned a unique collection of more than 500 works of art specially for the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, including sculptures, paintings and photographs.

The interiors recall the Milan lifestyle and timeless elegance of the Art Deco period, when Italy’s best designers and craftsmen, including Poltrona Frau, Cassina, B&B, and Busnelli, produced unique items of furniture, some designed exclusively for the hotel.
Lighting dominates the hotel’s spaces throughout. Guests are greeted at the entrance by a spectacular 30 metre high Murano glass chandelier made by De Majo, a cascade of 180 cylinders of light illuminating all seven flights of the historic staircase. The entire project revolves around the use of aluminium, glass and marble.
The Excelsior Hotel Gallia consists of two main buildings: the historic Art Deco building and the modern steel and glass wing.

How many rooms are there?

The new Excelsior Hotel Gallia has 182 luxury rooms and 53 suites for guests. They include the Katara Royal Suite and the Presidential Gallia Suite.

The Katara Royal Suite is the epitome of luxury and elegance: it’s the largest presidential suite in Italy, over 1,000 square metres in area. It’s on the seventh floor and has 4 bedrooms, a meeting room, two furnished balconies and a private spa with a circular hot tub for 10 people. The Gallia Presidential Suite is in the historic part of the Hotel and enjoys an incredible panoramic view of Milan’s monumental Central Station.

But the Gallia is not just rooms… For discerning palates, we have the Terrazza Gallia Restaurant and the Terrazza Gallia Rooftop Bar on the seventh floor.
Terrazza Gallia is a versatile and glamorous venue with a distinctive and innovative restaurant benefiting from the skill of the Lebano brothers and special advice from the Cerea brothers, the three Michelin stars of the “Da Vittorio” restaurant in Brusaporto. The unique view of Milan’s monumental Central Station and the nearby Pirelli skyscraper designed by Giò Ponti makes it ideal for a very exclusive and restful pause.

But what would a luxury hotel be without a SPA to help you relax and restore some harmony to your life?
We have been working with the Shiseido brand since 2015, and now operate the only Shiseido spa in Italy. This makes us even more exclusive.
Shiseido has over 140 years of history behind it, and we share a great past based on important values and service to guests.
The spa occupies 1,000 square metres on 2 levels with lots of natural light, a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, 2 relaxation areas, saunas, Turkish baths, ice fountains and a gym area equipped with Artis by Technogym equipment: balm for the eyes, soul and body!

Can you describe your job?

I am responsible for all reception departments, including Front Office, Concierge Services and Guest Relations, as well as Housekeeping and the SPA. I aim to give maximum satisfaction to our guests, exceeding their expectations.
I work with the Executive Team to meet company objectives. I manage and facilitate relationships between departments and coordinate various internal activities, including some training programmes. I also perform quality control every day and ensure that company standards are being maintained.

And which aspect do you enjoy most?

What I enjoy most is personal interaction with colleagues and Clients.
As far as colleagues are concerned, I believe that people are a company’s most precious asset and should be listened to and treated with respect. I believe that improving company morale by motivating workers and satisfying their personal and family needs increases productivity and efficiency.
Paying attention to people’s needs enhances the company’s brand image by making it a more attractive place to work, so that it attracts and retains talented and professional people.
With regard to Clients, all I can say is: they are my lifeblood and my inspiration!

What does Service mean to you and how is the concept of Hospitality interpreted at the Gallia?

Every time one of us meets and interacts with a Client, no matter who we are or how long the contact lasts, we help to create what we call “a moment of truth”. Each staff member has an important place in the organisation. Sometimes a word or a feeling, or a response from the guest, can be enough to turn an everyday encounter into something special. The Staff’s emotional intelligence is fundamental in allowing us to interpret and, above all, to reinterpret our concept of Hospitality.

How has the luxury hotel sector been changing in recent years?

Hotel clients’ needs and requirements are continually changing. Guests have become very knowledgeable, and know exactly what to ask for and what to expect from hotels and brands. The concept of luxury is also changing: our clients now seek authenticity.
Their main concern is quality of life and personal well-being. They want time to themselves, but are also looking for a total experience.

Why do guests return to the Gallia rather than another hotel; what do they find here that they can’t find elsewhere?

Clients return because they seek simplicity and freedom, but in an exclusive context. Gallia is notable for two characteristics: genuineness and authenticity.
Personally, I believe that authentic things are ones that have a future as well as a past. The Gallia respects the tradition it has inherited but it shouldn’t just try to recreate the past. Things that stick in the memory come from the stimulation of various senses. Guests are always looking for special venues, events that they can enjoy and hotels that offer something out of the ordinary. Our guests are looking for creativity, connection and regeneration… and they can find it all here!

What’s the message of Made in Italy?

In two words? Craftsmanship and quality.

In your view, what is the mark of a great hotel?

The people who work in it.
The human factor is, and always will be, the most important aspect of a service organisation.

Held in the right hand, unfolded a little, and then placed delicately on the knees, a cloth napkin is the distinctive sign of a well laid table, sure to be quickly noticed by diners.

However, modern lifestyles pose a challenge to the precious fabric napkin that symbolises utmost respect for guests.

But we should remember that the cloth napkin is on the table to be used, not just as a decoration. We know how useful it is whenever we decide to take a sip of water or wine. At an elegant table, who wishes to see glasses smeared with the imprint of lips?

It was used in the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and remains an indispensable item to this day. And as the world around us changes, isn’t is possible that an ancient and natural act like wiping our lips with a soft cloth napkin can make us feel better? It is surely a question of style.

In the digital age, can we still use our hands? Even touching a fabric to feel its quality and make a choice is an important action.

On november 6 -10 we shall be glad to welcome you at Equip’Hotel Paris, Porte de Versailles, the most important trade show highlighting the trends and innovations in the hospitality business. We will create an evocative environment where you will discover that the true Made in Italy is in our artisans’ hands.

See you at Equip’Hotel in Paris!