Cultural heritage meets contemporary architecture – blending seemingly contrasting influences, the Milan-based architecture and design studio Lissoni & Partners has created an impressive ensemble combining timeless splendour with all the vibrancy of a modern metropolis.
The exclusive 5-star hotel, named after the Austrian Archduchess Maria Dorothea von Württemberg who, together with her husband Palatine Joseph, played an important role in forging Budapest’s cultural history, is part of the prestigious Marriott Autograph Collection. Featuring undercounter washbasins from the Villeroy & Boch Architectura collection, the washing areas harmoniously reflect the design themes of the different room categories. Undercounter washbasins have an almost unparalleled ability to integrate in very diverse interior styles. They also pair perfectly with fine materials such as natural stone or terrazzo – making them an ideal choice for hotel projects.
Cultural heritage and contemporary elements
The architectural and interior design concept for the Dorothea Hotel is the work of the internationally renowned Lissoni & Partners architecture and design studio from Milan. The studio’s past projects include the AP House in Milan, the Shangri-La Shougang Park in Beijing and the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach.
The architectural concept developed by Lissoni & Partners is based on respectful restoration of existing buildings to modern day standards. The merger of three adjacent buildings from different style eras, with varying heights, facades and courtyards, has resulted in a new complex housing exclusive private apartments as well as the Dorothea Hotel: the listed Weber building, constructed in Neorenaissance style between 1871 and 1873, was previously the headquarters of the United Budapest Metropolitan Savings Bank. The Art Nouveau style Mahart building, constructed between 1910 and 1913, was the head offices of the former royal Hungarian River and Sea Shipping company and is also listed. The third component is the Art Deco Münnich building from 1937.
The roofs of the individual buildings have been redesigned as a new, publicly accessible piano nobile. Inside the building complex, three small areas have been combined to create a single spacious internal city-facing courtyard with a covered garden. To bring natural light into the interior, the courtyard facades are completely glazed and are protected by continuous balconies and vertical wooden features.
The interior design continues the theme of past and present with a blend of existing and new elements. The statement staircase in the reception area has been retained and treated to a contemporary upgrade with large concrete reliefs featuring traditional Hungarian decorations. In the lobby, an impressive wall consisting of hundreds of pyrogranite tiles, designed exclusively for the Dorothea Hotel by the renowned Hungarian ceramic manufacturer Zslonay, is another eye-catching feature. Each pyrogranite tile is handmade and glazed in a fresh shade of blue – as a modern interpretation of the traditional Zsolnay tiles. A series of 499 photos by the art and fashion photographer Zoltán Tombor, whose works combine typical Hungarian values with humorous details, inject additional creative accents into the interior design.
Contemporary elements meet traditional charm in the guest rooms and bathrooms
The guest rooms are divided into two design categories: “Contemporary” rooms boasting a clear, modern design and “Heritage” rooms with neo-Renaissance style windows, cornices and traditional furnishings. The doors of the Heritage rooms feature portraits of women from the 1800s, the originals of which are displayed in the Hungarian National Gallery.
Reflecting the design and colour themes of the bedrooms, the modern bathrooms range from elegant and light to stately and dark. The washing areas are decorated with terrazzo tiles and feature undercounter washbasins from the Villeroy & Boch complete Architectura bathroom collection, with large functional basins and clear contours that integrate discreetly in the overall aesthetics. Architectura’s timeless-puristic design and clear focus on current market needs offer planning and architectural offices professional design solutions for all kinds of projects on every conceivable scale.
The washbasins are complemented by wall-mounted toilets from the Avento series. The compact, light-looking toilets are fitted with the rimless DirectFlush technology.
Villeroy & Boch sanitary ceramic in the gastronomy and event area too
Beyond the guest bathrooms, items from Villeroy & Boch bathroom collections have also been selected for the bathrooms in the hotel’s gastronomy and event area. As well as undercounter washbasins and urinals from the Architectura series and Avento toilets, the installations include round surface-mounted washbasins from the Collaro collection with delicate contours and a linear design that coordinate perfectly in the contemporary sanitary areas.