Ephemeral Grid: A Journey of Intersecting Lines
Amidst unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic & multiple lockdowns, our architectural team embarked on a remarkable endeavor—the creation of an iconic hotel. Our canvas spanned 3 countries, yet our connection transcended borders, weaving a tale of resilience & creativity.
The Grid Unveiled: Our inspiration? A grid, a network of intersecting lines symbolizing both order & possibility. Just as travelers' paths crisscross, our design celebrates these serendipitous encounters. Each square & rectangle within the grid holds a memory waiting to be etched into the hotel's story.
Interior Elegance: The brand DNA guided us. We envisioned a space where guests would find solace & inspiration. Furniture, wall cladding, carpets, tile patterns—all aligned with the grid. Ambient lights cast gentle glows, while bold accents punctuate the monochromatic canvas.
The Journey: As guests traverse the hotel, they encounter the grid at every turn, a symbol of exploration, a silent companion. The main color theme—sleek black—exudes sophistication, with occasional bursts of intensity. Materials & textures play their part, adding depth to the narrative.
Situated right next to MVM Dome and Groupama Arena Hotel, Tribe Budapest Stadium was not designed as an ordinary hotel. It’s a special place, completely following TRIBE design brief, created for design driven people, who like to travel, enjoy comfortable beds, late breakfasts, delicious coffee and finish the day enjoying spectacular views over Budapest in the rooftop bar.
The project itself took place under very special conditions, during world pandemic and several lock downs, where the whole communication was limited to video conferences rather than a physical presence. Architects worked from two different countries, the site was in the third one. This made the whole procedure of the hotel project even more special and challenging. Despite that fact, final look of the hotel is almost the same as the concept visualizations.
After studying the brand DNA, AKSL architects proposed the concept of the interior design with an idea of the grid, a network of lines that cross each other to form a series of squares or rectangles, but on the same time speak about order, crossroads and elegance. The concept was born out of the idea of like-minded hotel visitors that cross their paths when visiting the hotel. Let it be planned or random encounters, the social point of view is very important for good functionality of a lifestyle hotel. The idea was probably born out of strong longing for such kind of gatherings. The hotel wants to feel as home where guests can feel comfortable and on the same time meet, share their ideas and have good time. Designing large, modern and innovative living zones were key focus of the design.
With understanding the importance of the first impression when entering the hotel, attention is paid to the sequences of guest journey through the space, creating spatial focal points and point of interests. Essence of the grid is presented in different occasions-entrance lobby is a double height space, which hosts the magnificent 3-dimensional grid, light work from FLOS, designed by Michael Anastassiades. Wall ceramics is square and grid is presented in contrasting grouts. Lift lobbies and corridors have a custom made carpet with a grid that defines the look and invites you to continue journey in the 7th and 8th floor.
The hotel ground floor has an open plan where different programs are intertwined, giving the feeling of luxury and comfortability and are all equipped with designer’s furniture, custom made furniture designed by AKSL architects, custom carpets and curated decor and artwork. Every corner allows people to interact and gather or to find a privacy to connect to a zoom meeting
Issues of practicality from a guest perspective were obviously addressed especially in the hotel rooms, which were designed rationally, with an aspect of providing all required functions, but additionally giving a guest the feeling of the affordable luxury and elegance. Despite the small size of bathrooms, the use of marble-textured ceramics and the contrast of black stripe on the wall, creates an elegant and sophisticated touch together with black accents and accessories.
Looking from an operator perspective, issues of practicality were addressed via taking into account all needed facilities, combining them together in a smart, multifunctional way, at the same time creating feeling of endless open spaces, staying sophisticated, cosy and modern. Each operator's wish is probably to keep alive hotel's public spaces during the whole day. One of the best examples was positioning an open kitchen in the heart of F&B area, where the guest can interact with the kitchen staff. All day dinning is an area with several seating typologies so it addresses different types of guests. F&B area is directly connected to MICE area where 2 smaller boardrooms and a bigger ballroom are available to hotel and extern users as well. Hotel has five meeting rooms with access to outdoor terrace and a stylish break out zone that can double as a breakfast area in morning, ideal for meetings, conferences and events. Obviously seen, multi-usage of the space keeps the ground floor vivid 24/7.