Architecture always takes inspiration from fantasies and the latest example is the Maison Heler hotel in Metz, France. Designed by Philippe Starck, this 9-storey hotel is topped with a 19th century Lorraine house that gives it a truly unique look as if it is floating above the city. This monolithic building has 104 rooms and suites, two restaurants and bars, and event spaces.
The hotel architecture has a poetic influence as it narrates Starck’s imaginary story of a man whose house shifted from the earth to the sky. “Maison Heler is a game on uprooted roots,” explains Starck. “A symbolic construction of Lorraine whose historical identities create an inspiring intermediate state, where the houses and their fortress-like allure served as the central soil for this project and the surreal story of its owner Manfred Heler.”
The storytelling through design is not only limited to the exterior but also carried throughout the interior spaces. The restaurant on the ground floor is Manfred’s gift to his imaginary lover Rose. Starck imagined this space as a charming white room with touches of pink around the bar. Furniture in carbon tones, a giant origami airplane hanging from the ceiling, and photos of surprising, poetic inventions from Manfred’s workshop are some other cool highlights. The restaurant opens onto a large terrace and is surrounded by a beautiful garden with trees.
From the 2nd to the 8th floor, the hotel has rooms and suites that evoke luxury with expansive marble panels and sliding mirrors. These comfortable spaces are enriched by the softness of plush carpets and the warmth of natural leather armchairs. There are also five private lounges and dining rooms dedicated to conferences, seminars, and other private gathering events.
Also Read: Whimsical Hobbit House in California Celebrates Nature With Its Organic Architecture
On the top floor, Starck has conceived a family dining room to share warm and convivial moments with loved ones. This space is characterized by wooden and leather furniture and warm lighting. The central columns are adorned with textured green embossed leather, while the walls are covered in terracotta tiles and stacks of logs. Multidisciplinary artist Ara Starck has created 19 stained glass windows for this unique space. From here, guests can enjoy the terrace and gardens and admire the historic Fort Queuleu, the Centre Pompidou, the Cathédrale Saint-Etienne, and views of Metz city.
Furthermore, guests can find whimsical objects, such as crystal hammers, plaster anvils, double-ended axes, inverted rocking chairs, collectibles, photographs, and sculptures in the display cases, which can be taken home as souvenirs. If you wish to book a room in the hotel, the pricing starts from €170 (about $185) from Maison Heler official website.
Via: Hypebeast
Follow Homecrux on Google News!
