Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie is now open and the critical voices have quickly turned into a cheering orchestra. The world of architecture agrees – Herzog & de Meuron has created a masterpiece. But not only the quality of the building from the outside is what people notice. The transparent façade also caters for special moments inside. The floor-to-ceiling windows especially in the bathrooms in the Westin Hotel offer unparalleled views over the busy port life. The hotel designer Tassilo Bost with his compelling concept has laid the foundation for guests to have an unforgettable experience in the bathrooms.

The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg opened its doors at the beginning of the year after a ten-year construction period. The renowned Swiss office Herzog & de Meuron has created a new landmark together with Hochtief, the general contractor. To get into this imposing building, an 80-metre long curving escalator takes visitors to the plaza that is 37 metres higher up. The square connects the two parts of the building from where hotel guests and concert-goers can appreciate a breathtaking view of the Hafencity area. Thanks to the internationally renowned acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, the 2,100 visitors to the large concert hall can enjoy a unique sound experience.

In a world that is getting ever louder, people are increasingly looking for more peaceful moments. Hotels especially have to combine the contrasting poles of “openness” and “privacy” to ensure guests feel comfortable. Bathrooms play a special role in this. Located right next to the façade, the panoramic bathrooms in the Westin Hotel are perfectly placed to fulfil the wish for a unique experience as well as the desire for privacy. The sublimity of the location ensures guests will be able to enjoy a high level of luxury. Where the port and town meet on the river Elbe is exactly where the hidden view opens up new perspectives.

Digitisation, individualisation, globalisation – the new generation of travellers has high demands. Hotels have to be able to combine expectations on technical excellence with the desire for surprises in such a way that guests feel at home all over the world and want to come back. These diverse requirements place huge demands on hotel architecture and design. Hotels with a public as well as private coolness factor are popular – like the Westin that surprises its guests with a unique bathroom concept. Hotel designer Tassilo Bost is confident, “These kinds of experiences can trigger an “addiction” – a strong desire to return to this place.”

In an age of permanent visibility, time-outs are a luxury good. The desire to slo w down is growing. A challenge especially for hotels. Anyone who can strike the balance between exciting products and comforting habits is in vogue. Naturalness and authenticity in architecture and design are in demand – as is uniqueness. Villeroy & Boch the bathroom expert supports these conceptual and design trends in the hotel industry by providing innovative products. As an expert in well-being, the traditional company from Mettlach underlines Tassilo Bost’s (the hotel designer) radical bathroom concept in the new Westin Hotel in Hamburg with products from the Architectura and Loop & Friends collections.

The Westin Hamburg opens its sixth hotel in Germany in November 2016. It stretches over 21 floors in the former Kaiserspeicher warehouse and the new glass building. The Berlin interior designer Tassilo Bost has added a perfect blend of modern and timeless understated design elements to the 205 rooms and 39 suites. The unusual concept includes placing bathrooms right next to the façade and having floor-to-ceiling windows to replace typical hotel pictures.