Ryse opens in Seoul creative quarter
Ryse, a new hotel inspired by Korean landscapes both urban and rural, has opened its doors in Seoul’s Hongdae creative quarter. Designed by London-based studio Michaelis Boyd, the project is seeking to become a cultural and lifestyle hub for visitors and the surrounding community alike, enticing guests with bold interiors and an artistic undercurrent throughout public spaces, amenities and guestrooms.
Situated within a Steven Song-designed building and catering for travellers and professionals in equal measure, the hotel features open lobby space, a rooftop area, triple-height entrance space and a print lounge.
Introducing guests to the scheme is a striking centrepiece–a lift core clad in monolith concrete slabs in different textures that contrasts with the cut and polished marble lobby. Defined by a mixture of rough, raw materials and luxury detailing the lobby features a pink resin floor reflecting the energy of the neighbourhood, whilst statement artwork looms from an elliptical hole in the ceiling. The floor further acts as a reflective pool as daylight passes through the space.Bespoke concrete steps which double as seating are positioned directly beneath this circular installation, separating the lobby from a raised café area, whilst additional furnishings include modular sofa systems in shades of pink and green.
The check-in and print lounge, meanwhile, have been designed to suggest a grand curated gallery in red and gold colourways, with art pieces reflecting the history of Hongdae. A long brass mesh curtain has been woven vertically through the space to form individual zones and a sense of transparency. The space is split in the middle by the elliptical void looking down to the entrance lobby, with a sculptural concrete staircase circling the perimeter and leading up to the fourth floor. Rich red carpet is contrasted with polished concrete flooring and exposed ceilings, with tan and brown leather bespoke furniture tying the scheme together.
Guestrooms above feature a natural colour palette with green and blue accents, as well as materials including tanned leather, dark timber and grey felt. The main concept for the guestrooms was the deconstruction of the typical corridor and bathroom box entrance, with Michaelis Boyd designing a permeable wall that is expressed in different ways across different room types. An open wardrobe and glass-enclosed bathroom seeks to make the rooms seem larger and open, whilst conveying the feeling that the whole room is one fluid space.
The scheme further features a bespoke powder coated metal frame and timber fronted storage unit, which divides the bathrooms and the bedrooms. Custom systems also accommodate the safe and mini bar, whilst custom headboards appear in leather and felt fabric. Transparent screens separate the sleeping area from the bathroom without visually obstructing the view around the space, while sliding mirrored doors and blinds provide privacy.
Ryse is a member of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, a chain of independently owned luxury hotels.
