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SPECIAL REPORTRADISSON BLU GAUTRAIN HOTEL
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RADISSON BLU GAUTRAIN HOTEL:SYMBOLISM IN DESIGN By Stacey Rowan
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Being spoilt for choice, guests can enjoy a
cocktail on the outdoor pool terrace.
Given the crucial nature of its locality, The
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, located in the
heart of Sandton next to the Gautrain rail
station, bears symbolism in its design.
Based on the theme of a train station, the
concept of the hotel design is represented
through the many train-like design symbols
used within the hotel, with every element
‘talking to’, and giving reference of, the
Gautrain that faces opposite it.
“Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is designed ac-
cording to a train theme. The floor colours
with red levels and yellow levels symbolise
different train routes. The lines on the car-
pet represent a railway and at the end of
each corridor a picture of a train, subway or
a train station can be viewed. The room
numbers on the door are designed as a dig-
ital clock, similar to those in trains, and on
the 3rd floor next to the guest lift a different
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design, influenced by a subway, was used.
This all keeps in line with the Gautrain
theme and it promotes rapid link,” says Jes-
per Henriksen, General Manager, Radisson
Blu Gautrain Hotel.
For the architects – Tower Design Studio Ar-
chitects, led by Werner Alberts – the design
had to draw people in from the train station,
whilst capitalising on the idea of the inter-
national traveller who is used to the idea of
public transport.
Not only were the architects responsible for
creating this symbolic design, but interna-
tional interior designer Maria Vafiadis, of
MKV Design, also contributed to putting
this design concept on the fast track. Ac-
cording to Maria, the use of a local theme
should never be unoriginal. If it is, then the
hotel itself risks becoming just an imitation
of the Gautrain, failing to celebrate the
theme itself. Cleverly, MKV Design made
their design for the hotel reference trains,
but in the most subtle way. One example of
this entailed the parquet flooring, used ex-
tensively throughout the public areas using
an African teak, being laid in the manner of
railway tracks and sleepers instead of con-
ventional straight-laid planks.
The interior, with its elegant furniture, is
sophisticated, modern and avant-garde.
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SETTING A NEW ARCHITECTuRAL STANDARD IN THE SOuTH AFRICAN HOSPITALITY INDuSTRY
The five distinct brands under the prestig-
ious international Rezidor Hotel group
sport a unique style and feel – from world-
class luxury at Regent; a fashionable stay at
Hotel Missoni; cosy hospitality at Country
Inn and dynamic ambiance with Park Inn –
and the Radisson is no exception. From the
architecture with its classic, clean lines right
through to the trendy décor, the Radisson Blu
Gautrain Hotel, managed by Radisson Blu
Hotels & Resorts, sets a new architectural
standard in the South African hospitality in-
dustry.
Tower Design Studio Architects can take
ownership of this new achievement. The
brief given to the architects entailed de-
signing a high rise, mixed-use development
that could accommodate a hotel, a retail
component as well as office space. In order
for this to be achieved, the design had to be
flexible enough to accommodate all these
aspects, together with underground parking
garages.
HQ Store: 150 West St CNR Maude St, Sandton Shop 16, Sandton Eye, CNR West & Rivonia Rd, Sandton
T: +27 11 384 5600 www.africanromance.com
EXCELLENT CUT DIAMONDS. AFRICA’S FRIST LUXURY
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A central core (or rigid spine) within the
building was created, which is used to sup-
port structural columns which flow to the
perimeters. Due to budget limitations, pre-
cast panels for the exterior of the new hotel
were put in place. With all this structural
mass, and the building’s high density bulk,
the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel may be de-
scribed as masculine, bordering on impos-
ing. However, with the architectural design
of the hotel being of a simple, clean, mod-
ern and plain style, it creates for a contem-
porary feel, decreasing its heavy appear-
ance on its surroundings.
Another unique architectural feature of the
hotel is its roof space usage. Being both in
demand and in short supply in Johannes-
burg, roof space has become an architec-
tural trend. Cleverly, the Radisson Blu
Gautrain Hotel quickly followed this trend,
with its creation of ZAR, a funky new bar
venue, located on the top of the hotel.
It is through these achievements, amongst
many others, that the Radisson Blu Gautrain
Hotel has now set a new architectural stand-
ard in the hotel industry – all this being ac-
complished within two years, from design to
completion.
Sumptuous cuisine is provided for at the
up-market restaurants within the hotel.
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ORIGINAL INTERIOR, INTERNATIONAL BRAND
Even though the Radisson Blu Gautrain Ho-
tel belongs to the Rezidor Hotel group
(which holds similarities throughout its ho-
tels), it was important for MKV Design to
achieve interiors that are original and dis-
tinct. Through viewing the inside of the ho-
tel, with its glazed elements and flow of
public spaces, it is evident that the flow and
movement of the station areas is picked up
in the interior design. According to Maria
Vafiadis, the Radisson Blu Gautrain is so-
phisticated, modern and avant-garde. MKV
Designs used a monochromatic colour pal-
ette together with modern classic furniture,
which adds a distinctive elegance.
MKV Designs made sure that the new expe-
rience of this hotel had its own authentic
story; that it works as a hotel and that it has
its own “soul”.
The Radisson Blu Gautrain, although being
created from an international brand, with a
European perspective, had to still integrate
local South African culture and heritance
within it. This was achieved through placing
local artwork pieces within the hotel, which
were created entirely by local artists. The
‘proudly South African’ artwork, a mix of dif-
ferent media as well as conventional paint-
ings, aides in combing the international
brand with its local setting.
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Gu
ests
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o r
elax
in s
tyle
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.
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FROM POLOKWANE TO SANDTON
Lahom Clothing Concepts was established in 2005, its head office is in Polokwane at Standard Bank Square Cnr Thabo Mbeki and Hans Van Rensburg Street. South African men are fashion conscious, sophisticated and discerning when it comes to quality, image and style. We make sure that each master piece reflects every person's self image, lifestyle and personality.
We have 100% cotton shirts, super 120s to super 180s suits (fine wool) with drops 4, 6 and 8 and genuine leather shoes that fits every wearer like a made to measure.
Lahom Clothing Concepts is a long awaited gift for Gauteng , visit us at Sandton Eye Cnr Rivonia and West Street.
Shop no 11A, Standard Bank Square , C/o Thabo Mbeki & Hans Van Ransburg, Polokwane 015-295 5099. & Shop no 17 , Sandton Eye , Cnr Rivonia and West, Sandton 011-783 3294 082 883 4396. beglobal@ webmail.co.za
Tel/Fax:Tel/Fax: Cell: Email:
LAHOMClothing Concepts
R
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FROM POLOKWANE TO SANDTON
Lahom Clothing Concepts was established in 2005, its head office is in Polokwane at Standard Bank Square Cnr Thabo Mbeki and Hans Van Rensburg Street. South African men are fashion conscious, sophisticated and discerning when it comes to quality, image and style. We make sure that each master piece reflects every person's self image, lifestyle and personality.
We have 100% cotton shirts, super 120s to super 180s suits (fine wool) with drops 4, 6 and 8 and genuine leather shoes that fits every wearer like a made to measure.
Lahom Clothing Concepts is a long awaited gift for Gauteng , visit us at Sandton Eye Cnr Rivonia and West Street.
Shop no 11A, Standard Bank Square , C/o Thabo Mbeki & Hans Van Ransburg, Polokwane 015-295 5099. & Shop no 17 , Sandton Eye , Cnr Rivonia and West, Sandton 011-783 3294 082 883 4396. beglobal@ webmail.co.za
Tel/Fax:Tel/Fax: Cell: Email:
LAHOMClothing Concepts
R
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SPOILT FOR CHOICE WITH WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES
With all the world-class amenities that the
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel offers – includ-
ing a fitness centre; cocktail lounge; bou-
tique retail emporium; up-market restau-
rants; haute couture clothing boutiques; a
relaxing spa; trendy hair salons and ZAR,
guests are spoilt for choice. With sumptu-
ous cuisine provided by Central One Bar &
Restaurant and cocktails by the outdoor
pool terrace, in addition to all of the other
offerings, guests needn’t leave the hotel.
Visitors are ‘spoilt for choice’ because “…
We’re a multipurpose building with a variety
of options under one roof,” says Jesper.
For those just wanting to relax in their
rooms, 216 – Maria Vafiadis designed – con-
temporary rooms, all with breathtaking
views over Sandton, are available. “We have
a penthouse, standard rooms, business
class rooms, a junior suite and a corner suite
available.” Modern amenities such as free
high-speed wireless Internet are available
within the rooms. Not forgetting a break-
fast buffet after a good nights rest.
For those on business time, the Radisson
Blu Gautrain Hotel offers its business visi-
tors versatile conference spaces, seating up
to 235 delegates, and state-of-the-art meet-
ing facilities which include free high speed
internet and the latest audio-visual equip-
ment. This hotel provides for both business
and leisure.
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SHOP WITH FuLL WALLETS
Not only is the hotel a success in itself, but,
equally important, the retail arcade, within
the hotel complex, has proven to be a suc-
cess as a high end brand in its own right.
The shopping arcade, consisting of stores
that range from exclusive coffee shops to
high end luxury goods stores, is a crucial
aspect of the whole architectural design.
Like the hotel, the arcade was also de-
signed with the ‘train’ theme in mind. The
entrance of the shops sits directly oppo-
site the road from the station, and as such,
the high end stores had to appeal to inter-
national travellers who wanted to shop in
a hurry. Fundamentally, the shopping space,
in terms of design, had to echo that of the
hotel – to create a cohesive whole.
Guests can now shop with full wallets using
ATM’s, within the hotel, supplied by ATM
SOLuTIONS, the proud preferred ATM sup-
plier of choice. More and more South Afri-
can hotels and hospitality groups are install-
ing ATMS due to the safe, convenient and
instant access to cash they provide for the
hotel’s guests. Aside from the convenience
of cash, their ATMs add value to any loca-
tion, like the Radisson, as they are designed
and manufactured to be visually appealing.
ATM Solutions, leaders in ATM operation
and deployment, installs bank branded
ATMS for eight of Southern Africa’s largest
banks and has been in the industry for over
216 Maria Vafiadis designed
contemporary rooms, with
breathtaking views of Sandton
are available.
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ten years deploying over 4000 off-premise
ATMs to date, which are supported through
a dedicated network of service centres and
technicians throughout the region.
EASY REACH
Apart from these fantastic amenities, the
hotel’s prime location, situated on Rivonia
Road, allows guests to enjoy visiting Sand-
ton City, multinational corporations, Nelson
Mandela Square, the Sandton International
Convention Centre, Gautrain Station, vari-
ous shopping upmarket shopping malls and
the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, all of
which are in walking distance.
In addition, departing from the O.R. Tambo
International Airport and travelling by
Gautrain at speeds of up to 160 km/h, visi-
tors to the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel will
take only 15 minutes from the airport to
reach the hotel’s doorstep. This is another
factor that makes the hotel unique from any
other hotel with the hotel group.
NEW ATM Corporate Ad\P.indd 1 2010/08/18 2:31 PM
The outdoor terrace and pool with a view
of surrounding Johannesburg.
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“YES I CAN!”
As part of the Rezidor Hotel Group, guests
to the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel not only
enjoy all that the hotel has to offer architec-
turally, but they are also assured of impec-
cable treatment and attention based on the
Group’s worldwide “Yes, I can!” service ex-
cellence philosophy.
“Yes I Can!, the service culture that has be-
come a way of life to those that work there,
has built service excellence within the Rezi-
dor Hotel Group and has been proven to
successfully contribute to a proactive, crea-
tive service performance and to higher
guest satisfaction. This makes Radisson, in
terms of its service, different from any oth-
er hotel. As Jesper mentioned: “Yes I Can!”
embodies the vision and philosophy of
Radisson SAS – being the cornerstone of the
hotel’s commitment to building one-on-one
relationships with our guests and a personal
unique service approach. The ‘H.E.A.R.T. of
Radisson SAS’ underlines the approach that
it all comes from positive attitude and from
the heart – being the abbreviation for Host,
Engaged, Always, Responsibility and Team-
work.’ All in all, the hotel offers excellence,
both in the spheres of excellence and in ar-
chitecture.
When considering the response from guests
who have stayed at the hotel, Jesper con-
cludes: “There has been a positive response
from guests who find the new age accom-
modation vibrant; the location convenient
and the service to be excellent, of which we
pride ourselves for.”
RIGHT: The red carpet colour, combined with its
straight lines, represent a train route - another
feature contributing to the symbolism in
design.
LEFT: Artwork pieces, by local artists, are placed
throughout the hotel, integrating South African
culture and heritance into the hotel.
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