CASE STUDY
“ The idea of Bucharest once being known as‘ Little Paris’ was a central theme that guided all aspects of this project,” says Ran Yanuv.“ It became our core vision, and the story that we focused on telling from the very beginning.”
Modern interpretations of neo-classical motifs wrap around a selection of bespoke Parisian furnishings, dressed in textiles inspired by Romanian culture, and brought to life through strategic applications of lighting and textures.
Luxurious accommodations steeped in a rich storyline With the history of the buildings encapsulating both residential and commercial functions, many of the original room layouts were retained as guest rooms marked by varying dimensions and unique shapes. In keeping with a French luxury brand being implemented within a Romanian city, Ran & Morris had to make a series of decisions as to which cultural elements would be included and highlighted in a balance that captured both essences.
In approaching the room design, the process was like conducting a workshop, including deep dives into core elements of Romanian culture that could be incorporated into the familiar five-star luxury that Sofitel is known for. From fabrics, to artwork, French design dominates the guest rooms, with Romanian culture captured through the inclusion of beautiful artistic headboards designed by local carpenters.
The spacious guest rooms feature vaulted ceilings nearly 4 meters high, with marble flooring in some, and parquet flooring in others. Embraced in the elegant design, French furniture provides luxurious comfort, selected in collaboration with Sofitel’ s network of suppliers.
A storybook ending With Sofitel Bucharest, the story-catching approach of Ran & Morris Creative Partnership has generated a remarkable transformation. Two heritage buildings have been reinterpreted in a unified new narrative, yet each has maintained its own architectural personality and cultural roots within a respectful, yet innovative design response.
Technical sheet Project: Sofitel Bucharest Location: Bucharest, Romania Building type: Two adjacent preserved neo-classical heritage buildings Period: Late 19th century & early 20th century Status: Design phase Design: Ran & Morris Creative Partnership Scope: Interior architecture, interior design, FF & E, concept development Client / Operator: Sofitel Photo credit: MOD Studio
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