The Hotel Maximilian, a building originally dating from the 1920's, had been renovated in the early period of transition from communism in Prague as a 3 star hotel of a very comfortable, but undistinguished standard.

After 8 years of successful business and an established reputation, standards in Prague had risen steeply and a 'face lift' for the hotel was required.

The brief was simple. For a relatively small investment, to change the existing hotel into a design hotel, giving guests a higher degree of comfort on the one hand and design quality on the other so that the unique impression of Prague's architectural legacy would be an integral part of the experience for both an occasional or returning visitor.

The first and main area to be altered was the reception. With its very high ceiling and tall windows and doors, the reception is the introduction to the new common parts.

The main feature of the reception is the backlit yellow onyx wall, with two desks in walnut and black lacquer in the foreground. This is a small gesture to the ambience of the '20's, a time of transition between Art Deco and Modernism. The same theme continues throughout the two guest salons, library and smoker's room, the breakfast room with its new glass extension overlooking the landscaped courtyard, and the bedrooms.

Apart from the walnut veneer, black gloss lacquer and onyx, there are other references incorporated into the overall design: blue bed throws, red and purple chairs in the library, and Eileen Gray red on the tables. The furniture also reflects the period from the origin of the building, for example Eileen Gray chairs from La Maison de Verre by Pierre Chareau, in Paris, which was also a source of inspiration. Graphics by Czech artists of the era are exhibited throughout the hotel, on loan from the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague.

www.maximilianhotel.com
Completed 2006
Photo: Richard Bryant/ Arcaid