HBA Los Angeles designers drew inspiration from Glendale’s vibrant diversity, the city’s innovative and creative industries and its geographical intersection among its neighbors to offer a microcosm of the city with pockets of discovery throughout the hotel, much like the city of Los Angeles itself.
“The design of The Glenmark was inspired by the locale’s history and in this case, the locale’s needs,” said HBA Los Angeles Associate Valeria Lassalle, who led the interior design of The Glenmark. “We always research our location at the beginning of every project to give each design its own personality and also its own ground. For The Glenmark, we were inspired by the area’s iconic landmarks, like the Grand Central Air Terminal, that in the past helped establish this suburb, and its mesmerizing mountains surrounding the rooftop. Additionally, we were compelled by the local art scene and its progressive attitude, its diversity and the influx of creativity emerging from the many design studios in the area.”
Thoughtful public spaces and amenities, 85 artfully designed guestrooms, signature restaurant Olia, Mila Rooftop, Olia Coffee Café, a lobby bar, and 7,900 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting & event space mold The Glenmark Hotel into a true community that is a hidden Los Angeles hideaway.
“What made this concept and design process unique was the clear F&B program the hotel wanted to integrate into its surroundings in a genuine way, forming a true community and playing an active role in preserving the city’s essence,” Lassalle said. “We worked hand in hand with our branding division, HBA DNA, as well as the F&B and ownership teams to provide an atmosphere that would feel inviting to the neighboring residents and families, not just the travelers staying in the hotel. We worked to create a bit of a separation between the lobby reception and lobby bar from the restaurant and coffee program that would welcome visitors from the streets in addition to hotel guests. The environment created is earthy with a refined look, yet casual for families to feel comfortable eating at on a weeknight. I clearly remember this being described as ‘having nice comfortable seating but with finishes where a kid could possibly wipe their hand on and not destroy the piece.’ The rooftop also looked to provide a gathering spot where neighbors could enjoy, from a different altitude, the gorgeous mountainous landscape they have in their backyard.”
A casual-chic aesthetic is juxtaposed with architectural gestures and playful, impactful art by local artists to create sophisticated yet approachable environments with comfortable and stimulating moments.
The lobby serves as the epicenter of energy, bathed in natural light and with visual surprises to entice all who enter. A gallery wall of rotating artwork flanks one side of the voluminous space while wood slats wrap from floor to ceiling on the other, defining the lobby bar and reception areas. Sculptural lighting, accent furnishings and decorative elements combine with custom rugs and inviting seating groups for a relaxed, residential feel.
“The lobby lounge space includes a large white wall adorned with multiple colorful graphic art pieces, all by local artists. This wall was intentionally designed to showcase the creativeness and uniqueness that make Glendale the tight-knit community it is and allowing The Glenmark to be a platform for the local arts,” Lassalle noted.
In the guestrooms, tailored detailing and mixed materials are realized in a neutral color palette of white, taupe and warm browns. An intricate geometric installation composed of rich dark tilework acts as a backdrop behind the headboard while a large-scale wall mural makes a bold statement and adds a splash of color. Streamlined technology and state-of-the-art connectivity in the guestrooms and throughout the hotel allow guests to plugin and get to work and unplug when it’s time to relax.
“My design direction always starts from the conceptualization of the location,” Lassalle said. “Will it be earthy and soft or bold and full of contrast? Inspiration gets drawn from materials, textures and colors that relate to the concept, along with the atmosphere I want to cultivate. I often find inspiration in images and objects by which I have previously been captivated. Often, I save these in a personal file or search for them in books or magazines, or online. I get in a mindset in which I start to hunt for visuals that will push my ideas forward or help support a vision.”
https://www.myinspiredesign.com/
Tags: Tribute Portfolio Hotel
