Following the reopening of Four Seasons Hotel Doha last month after expansive renovations, we caught up with world-renowned interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon to discuss how he has reshaped the property into an unmatched luxury retreat at the heart of Qatar’s capital city.
How did you first get involved in the project?
I have worked with Four Seasons on several projects before, including Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and the iconic Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. With Four Seasons Hotel Doha, I admired the interesting architecture of the existing building, which was done by an architect who knows Four Seasons well. I wanted to bring a new modern dimension to the hotel, enhancing the guest experience with uplifting design elements and imparting a refreshed feel without destroying the previous work.
What was the inspiration behind the new interior design scheme?
We were inspired by the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces in Doha. Doha is where nature meets with man, a unique city in the Middle East that sits on the beach overlooking the Arabian Gulf, yet also exists as a developed cosmopolitan hub. In the public areas, verdant shades were used to give the feeling of a flourishing garden full of life. In the guestrooms, a spectrum of blues and beiges were implemented, ranging from rich to pale, reflecting the colours of Doha, a place where sea, sand, sky and earth collide. Additionally, touches of Middle Eastern influences can be noted throughout the redesign to reflect its Qatari heritage.
Which materials were used to bring the project to life?
In spaces such as the Seasons Tea Lounge, we used marble for the floors, with a layout inspired by zelliges, or Islamic mosaic tile work. The pared back flooring was layered with cashmere patterned fabrics and silk cushions on oriental sofas, accompanied by openwork tea tables, paying homage to Middle Eastern influences. In the same spirit, mother-of-pearl inserts were used discreetly in bookcases and bathrooms across the guestrooms and suites, as well as worked wood and brass hardware in the doors. In other areas like the Seasons Tea Lounge Winter Garden and Arabica, contemporary materials such as glass and lacquered brass were used to achieve a sense of modernity.
What did you set out to achieve with each of the new F&B spaces?
With the new Winter Garden at Seasons Tea Lounge, the goal was to bridge indoor and outdoor spaces. In Doha, guests usually prefer to stay inside, however we set out to create an opportunity for guests to venture outdoors and enjoy the views of the Gulf and the fresh air. We paid particular attention to the design of the Tea Lounge as we wanted to make it a place for every guest, giving it varying atmospheres by using both light and dark colour schemes throughout. With Arabica, we wanted to achieve a contemporary overhaul of the space, a grand two-storey conservatory, by implementing a neutral and calming colour scheme, with features such as tessellated marble and rich upholstery across the soft furnishings.
Did you face any major challenges when renovating the property?
We wanted to honour the proportions and spacing of the public areas and guestrooms, whilst bringing a contemporary feel to everything, and so keeping many of the existing elements of the hotel did pose a challenge. We overcame this by refreshing some of the classical furniture and introducing modern forms and materials. For example, we designed a new Winter Garden with glass and metal, connecting to the Tea Lounge, incorporating the new architecture by facilitating a link between the indoor and outdoor terrace. We also added new pieces of artwork from the owner’s original collection to the existing collection displayed around the property, mainly consisting of Qatari artists. Another challenge was elevating the guest experience within the suites. Here, we added some built-in features and walk-in dressing areas to extend a more residential feel, as well as discreetly integrating energy efficient technologies such as automated curtains and lighting systems, and temperature management preservation technology within the newly installed windows.
