Design Research Studio, under creative direction of Tom Dixon, and in partnership with Morgans Hotel Group, announces the redevelopment of Sea Containers House to Mondrian London, a new hotel from the group due to open in early 2014.

Situated on the banks of The River Thames, Sea Containers House holds a striking presence between the OXO Tower and Blackfriars Bridge. This is the first hotel for Design Research Studio and a new London venture for Morgans Hotel Group, also marking the first collaboration between the British interior design practice and the American hotel group.

The Building
Built in the 1970’s, the 14-floor, Sea Containers House was designed by the American architect, Warren Platner, creator of Windows on the World. Platner’s work, including cruise liners he also designed, acted as significant inspiration for the interior design of Sea Containers House while his furniture is featured in exclusive suites within the hotel.

Originally built as a luxury hotel, the building’s brief was never fulfilled and it instead remained occupied by offices. Among these was a shipping company ‘Sea Container’ from which the building now draws its name.

This maritime history and the Anglo-American relationship between Design Research Studio and Morgans Hotel Group, form the design inspiration for the project.

The Design
The hotel will embody the elegance of a transatlantic 1920’s liner combined with a healthy dose of 1980s post-modernism reference.

The main lobby will feature a giant, external and internal, copper clad wall inspired by the hull of a ship, running from outside the building and glamorously leading guests to the entrance hall within. The vast, 1500 m2, ground floor area includes 2 river-side restaurants and a breakfast bar.

Building on the extensive metal finishes already found in the building, a network of brass work will run throughout the hotel, feeding out to every corner, edging each bedroom door and eventually morphing into an oversized cocktail bar.

The hotel’s 360 bedrooms will be furnished with custom designed furniture from Design Research Studio featuring rich colour palettes contrasted against standout metallic pieces which will follow the theme embraced throughout.

Corridors will be smart and sleek, to create nostalgia for the cabins of a cruise liner. While bathrooms will draw on marine engineering featuring robust, exposed bolts with doors referencing the water-tight quality usually found on board a ship.

A roof-top bar will be edged with glass boasting views of the North and South of the city inspired by the top deck of a cruise liner. Designed with references to an ornate Art Deco-period ballroom, the bar will feature a custom-designed, statement lighting installation, adding an element of sophisticated glamour to the space.

Drawing from the signature colours of the Morgans ‘Agua’ brand, the spa architecture will graduate from white through to darker shades to encourage relaxation and calmly leading guests towards an exclusively designed secret water feature.  The spa aims to create a feeling of under-water tranquillity, taking inspiration from the cocooning nature of a submarine.

A 61-seater screening room, to be used for TV and film premiers, will continue the maritime theme using bold blue colours. The hotel will also feature a series of flexible break out and meeting rooms.

Design Research Studio is an architectural interior design practice specializing in high concept interiors, large scale installations and architectural design. Based in London and under the creative direction Tom Dixon, the team realises a full and developed narrative to each project; whether in retail, hospitality or corporate interiors.