New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 35/02C | Page 46

a fabulous events space and reconstructed the
tarmac over the top of it,” says Lubrano.
And in turn, another of the hotel’s out-there
surprises is parked on that same stretch of tarmac
– a gleaming Lockheed Constellation. This is now
grounded in its role as a hotel cocktail lounge.
With the original flight centre lovingly restored –
with a retro split-flap arrival screen commissioned
and touches like the terminal clock retained in their
original glory – the new underground conference
space and the hotel rooms themselves all take on
the same almost flamboyant 1960s design flavour.
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The conference room is furnished in the same
Chili Pepper Red seen in the original terminal while
the feature ceiling is also very much of that time.
The hotel’s ultra-quiet, Sixties-inspired guest
rooms feature Saarinen-designed Mid-century
Modern Knoll furnishings (the architect had been
involved with furniture design early in his career,
including pieces made by Knoll), martini bars,
vintage rotary phones and gleaming terrazzo-tiled
bathrooms with Hollywood-style vanities.
One decidedly modern feature of the hotel is that
it is self-powered via an off-grid cogeneration plant.
Above:Bon appétit! The Paris
Café by Jean-Georges serves up
breakfast, lunch and dinner —
as well as amazing views.