SPECIAL REPORTRADISSON BLU GAUTRAIN HOTEL

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RADISSON BLU GAUTRAIN HOTEL:SYMBOLISM IN DESIGN By Stacey Rowan

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Being spoilt for choice, guests can enjoy a

cocktail on the outdoor pool terrace.

Given the crucial nature of its locality, The

Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, located in the

heart of Sandton next to the Gautrain rail

station, bears symbolism in its design.

Based on the theme of a train station, the

concept of the hotel design is represented

through the many train-like design symbols

used within the hotel, with every element

‘talking to’, and giving reference of, the

Gautrain that faces opposite it.

“Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is designed ac-

cording to a train theme. The floor colours

with red levels and yellow levels symbolise

different train routes. The lines on the car-

pet represent a railway and at the end of

each corridor a picture of a train, subway or

a train station can be viewed. The room

numbers on the door are designed as a dig-

ital clock, similar to those in trains, and on

the 3rd floor next to the guest lift a different

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design, influenced by a subway, was used.

This all keeps in line with the Gautrain

theme and it promotes rapid link,” says Jes-

per Henriksen, General Manager, Radisson

Blu Gautrain Hotel.

For the architects – Tower Design Studio Ar-

chitects, led by Werner Alberts – the design

had to draw people in from the train station,

whilst capitalising on the idea of the inter-

national traveller who is used to the idea of

public transport.

Not only were the architects responsible for

creating this symbolic design, but interna-

tional interior designer Maria Vafiadis, of

MKV Design, also contributed to putting

this design concept on the fast track. Ac-

cording to Maria, the use of a local theme

should never be unoriginal. If it is, then the

hotel itself risks becoming just an imitation

of the Gautrain, failing to celebrate the

theme itself. Cleverly, MKV Design made

their design for the hotel reference trains,

but in the most subtle way. One example of

this entailed the parquet flooring, used ex-

tensively throughout the public areas using

an African teak, being laid in the manner of

railway tracks and sleepers instead of con-

ventional straight-laid planks.

The interior, with its elegant furniture, is

sophisticated, modern and avant-garde.

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SETTING A NEW ARCHITECTuRAL STANDARD IN THE SOuTH AFRICAN HOSPITALITY INDuSTRY

The five distinct brands under the prestig-

ious international Rezidor Hotel group

sport a unique style and feel – from world-

class luxury at Regent; a fashionable stay at

Hotel Missoni; cosy hospitality at Country

Inn and dynamic ambiance with Park Inn –

and the Radisson is no exception. From the

architecture with its classic, clean lines right

through to the trendy décor, the Radisson Blu

Gautrain Hotel, managed by Radisson Blu

Hotels & Resorts, sets a new architectural

standard in the South African hospitality in-

dustry.

Tower Design Studio Architects can take

ownership of this new achievement. The

brief given to the architects entailed de-

signing a high rise, mixed-use development

that could accommodate a hotel, a retail

component as well as office space. In order

for this to be achieved, the design had to be

flexible enough to accommodate all these

aspects, together with underground parking

garages.

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A central core (or rigid spine) within the

building was created, which is used to sup-

port structural columns which flow to the

perimeters. Due to budget limitations, pre-

cast panels for the exterior of the new hotel

were put in place. With all this structural

mass, and the building’s high density bulk,

the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel may be de-

scribed as masculine, bordering on impos-

ing. However, with the architectural design

of the hotel being of a simple, clean, mod-

ern and plain style, it creates for a contem-

porary feel, decreasing its heavy appear-

ance on its surroundings.

Another unique architectural feature of the

hotel is its roof space usage. Being both in

demand and in short supply in Johannes-

burg, roof space has become an architec-

tural trend. Cleverly, the Radisson Blu

Gautrain Hotel quickly followed this trend,

with its creation of ZAR, a funky new bar

venue, located on the top of the hotel.

It is through these achievements, amongst

many others, that the Radisson Blu Gautrain

Hotel has now set a new architectural stand-

ard in the hotel industry – all this being ac-

complished within two years, from design to

completion.

Sumptuous cuisine is provided for at the

up-market restaurants within the hotel.

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ORIGINAL INTERIOR, INTERNATIONAL BRAND

Even though the Radisson Blu Gautrain Ho-

tel belongs to the Rezidor Hotel group

(which holds similarities throughout its ho-

tels), it was important for MKV Design to

achieve interiors that are original and dis-

tinct. Through viewing the inside of the ho-

tel, with its glazed elements and flow of

public spaces, it is evident that the flow and

movement of the station areas is picked up

in the interior design. According to Maria

Vafiadis, the Radisson Blu Gautrain is so-

phisticated, modern and avant-garde. MKV

Designs used a monochromatic colour pal-

ette together with modern classic furniture,

which adds a distinctive elegance.

MKV Designs made sure that the new expe-

rience of this hotel had its own authentic

story; that it works as a hotel and that it has

its own “soul”.

The Radisson Blu Gautrain, although being

created from an international brand, with a

European perspective, had to still integrate

local South African culture and heritance

within it. This was achieved through placing

local artwork pieces within the hotel, which

were created entirely by local artists. The

‘proudly South African’ artwork, a mix of dif-

ferent media as well as conventional paint-

ings, aides in combing the international

brand with its local setting.

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FROM POLOKWANE TO SANDTON

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FROM POLOKWANE TO SANDTON

Lahom Clothing Concepts was established in 2005, its head office is in Polokwane at Standard Bank Square Cnr Thabo Mbeki and Hans Van Rensburg Street. South African men are fashion conscious, sophisticated and discerning when it comes to quality, image and style. We make sure that each master piece reflects every person's self image, lifestyle and personality.

We have 100% cotton shirts, super 120s to super 180s suits (fine wool) with drops 4, 6 and 8 and genuine leather shoes that fits every wearer like a made to measure.

Lahom Clothing Concepts is a long awaited gift for Gauteng , visit us at Sandton Eye Cnr Rivonia and West Street.

Shop no 11A, Standard Bank Square , C/o Thabo Mbeki & Hans Van Ransburg, Polokwane 015-295 5099. & Shop no 17 , Sandton Eye , Cnr Rivonia and West, Sandton 011-783 3294 082 883 4396. beglobal@ webmail.co.za

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SPOILT FOR CHOICE WITH WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES

With all the world-class amenities that the

Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel offers – includ-

ing a fitness centre; cocktail lounge; bou-

tique retail emporium; up-market restau-

rants; haute couture clothing boutiques; a

relaxing spa; trendy hair salons and ZAR,

guests are spoilt for choice. With sumptu-

ous cuisine provided by Central One Bar &

Restaurant and cocktails by the outdoor

pool terrace, in addition to all of the other

offerings, guests needn’t leave the hotel.

Visitors are ‘spoilt for choice’ because “…

We’re a multipurpose building with a variety

of options under one roof,” says Jesper.

For those just wanting to relax in their

rooms, 216 – Maria Vafiadis designed – con-

temporary rooms, all with breathtaking

views over Sandton, are available. “We have

a penthouse, standard rooms, business

class rooms, a junior suite and a corner suite

available.” Modern amenities such as free

high-speed wireless Internet are available

within the rooms. Not forgetting a break-

fast buffet after a good nights rest.

For those on business time, the Radisson

Blu Gautrain Hotel offers its business visi-

tors versatile conference spaces, seating up

to 235 delegates, and state-of-the-art meet-

ing facilities which include free high speed

internet and the latest audio-visual equip-

ment. This hotel provides for both business

and leisure.

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SHOP WITH FuLL WALLETS

Not only is the hotel a success in itself, but,

equally important, the retail arcade, within

the hotel complex, has proven to be a suc-

cess as a high end brand in its own right.

The shopping arcade, consisting of stores

that range from exclusive coffee shops to

high end luxury goods stores, is a crucial

aspect of the whole architectural design.

Like the hotel, the arcade was also de-

signed with the ‘train’ theme in mind. The

entrance of the shops sits directly oppo-

site the road from the station, and as such,

the high end stores had to appeal to inter-

national travellers who wanted to shop in

a hurry. Fundamentally, the shopping space,

in terms of design, had to echo that of the

hotel – to create a cohesive whole.

Guests can now shop with full wallets using

ATM’s, within the hotel, supplied by ATM

SOLuTIONS, the proud preferred ATM sup-

plier of choice. More and more South Afri-

can hotels and hospitality groups are install-

ing ATMS due to the safe, convenient and

instant access to cash they provide for the

hotel’s guests. Aside from the convenience

of cash, their ATMs add value to any loca-

tion, like the Radisson, as they are designed

and manufactured to be visually appealing.

ATM Solutions, leaders in ATM operation

and deployment, installs bank branded

ATMS for eight of Southern Africa’s largest

banks and has been in the industry for over

216 Maria Vafiadis designed

contemporary rooms, with

breathtaking views of Sandton

are available.

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NEW ATM Corporate Ad\P.indd 1 2010/08/18 2:31 PM

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ten years deploying over 4000 off-premise

ATMs to date, which are supported through

a dedicated network of service centres and

technicians throughout the region.

EASY REACH

Apart from these fantastic amenities, the

hotel’s prime location, situated on Rivonia

Road, allows guests to enjoy visiting Sand-

ton City, multinational corporations, Nelson

Mandela Square, the Sandton International

Convention Centre, Gautrain Station, vari-

ous shopping upmarket shopping malls and

the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, all of

which are in walking distance.

In addition, departing from the O.R. Tambo

International Airport and travelling by

Gautrain at speeds of up to 160 km/h, visi-

tors to the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel will

take only 15 minutes from the airport to

reach the hotel’s doorstep. This is another

factor that makes the hotel unique from any

other hotel with the hotel group.

NEW ATM Corporate Ad\P.indd 1 2010/08/18 2:31 PM

The outdoor terrace and pool with a view

of surrounding Johannesburg.

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“YES I CAN!”

As part of the Rezidor Hotel Group, guests

to the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel not only

enjoy all that the hotel has to offer architec-

turally, but they are also assured of impec-

cable treatment and attention based on the

Group’s worldwide “Yes, I can!” service ex-

cellence philosophy.

“Yes I Can!, the service culture that has be-

come a way of life to those that work there,

has built service excellence within the Rezi-

dor Hotel Group and has been proven to

successfully contribute to a proactive, crea-

tive service performance and to higher

guest satisfaction. This makes Radisson, in

terms of its service, different from any oth-

er hotel. As Jesper mentioned: “Yes I Can!”

embodies the vision and philosophy of

Radisson SAS – being the cornerstone of the

hotel’s commitment to building one-on-one

relationships with our guests and a personal

unique service approach. The ‘H.E.A.R.T. of

Radisson SAS’ underlines the approach that

it all comes from positive attitude and from

the heart – being the abbreviation for Host,

Engaged, Always, Responsibility and Team-

work.’ All in all, the hotel offers excellence,

both in the spheres of excellence and in ar-

chitecture.

When considering the response from guests

who have stayed at the hotel, Jesper con-

cludes: “There has been a positive response

from guests who find the new age accom-

modation vibrant; the location convenient

and the service to be excellent, of which we

pride ourselves for.”

RIGHT: The red carpet colour, combined with its

straight lines, represent a train route - another

feature contributing to the symbolism in

design.

LEFT: Artwork pieces, by local artists, are placed

throughout the hotel, integrating South African

culture and heritance into the hotel.

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