BackCase Study
An iconic Oslo hotel turned into an ecological landmark
Metropolis Arkitektur & Design AS / Mellbye Arkitektur Interiør AS
Location
Oslo (Norway)
Contractor
SBA Entreprenør and LS Entreprenør
Material
Dekton / Silestone
Application
Bathrooms, rooms, buffet and reception.
Architecture/Design
Metropolis Arkitektur & Design AS / Mellbye Arkitektur Interiør AS
End date
2022
Color
Soke / Charcoal Soapstone, White Storm
Photography
Yvonne Wilhelmsen
Situated 350 metres above sea level, with breathtaking views of Oslo and Nordmarka, the iconic Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel is a destination in itself. It occupies a historic ‘dragon style’ building, the oldest part of which was built by the architect Balthazar Lange in 1894. The wooden coffered ceilings and dragon heads from the Viking age are preserved on the façade, creating a dialogue with the contemporary features incorporated in the last major renovation. This is not the first time, as the building has been renovated several times throughout its history and used as a hotel and, at one point, as a sanatorium.
Following a refurbishment by Metropolis Arkitektur & Design AS/Mellbye Arkitektur Interiør AS, the hotel now houses 376 renovated rooms and common areas designed to offer a unique guest experience. With an investment of NOK 280 million, the refurbishment has covered a total area of 31,000 m².
An ecological approach
Cosentino materials have certainly played a significant role in this huge investment, not only for their aesthetic appeal, but also for their seamless integration into the sustainable approach of the revamped hotel. Everything has been carefully planned to ensure that the resort meets the requirements of the Norwegian ecolabel, from the use of renewable energies to the reduction of water consumption, a sustainable supply of food, beverages and disposable items, as well as eco-labelled products and materials.
Cosentino has a lot to offer in this regard, which is one of the reasons why designers choose its surfaces. And more specifically, Dekton, which is a carbon-neutral surface throughout its life cycle. In addition, it has advanced technical properties such as high resistance to UV rays, stains, scratches and sudden changes in temperature.
Elegance in shades of grey
‘We know from experience that Dekton is a material that stands the test of time very well,’ says interior architect Hans Christian E. Thomassen from Metropolis Arkitektur & Design AS. This is what prompted his team to select the innovative surface for both the buffet and reception areas of this hotel.
In both cases, the colour chosen was Soke, a soothing and elegant grey inspired by classic cement floors. Its realistic veining creates a relaxed visual effect across a range of grey tones, demonstrating its versatility for different applications such as the reception counter, buffet bar and restaurant tables.
Silestone for the hotel rooms
The renovated hotel rooms also feature Cosentino surfaces. Dekton Soke can be found in some furniture details, while Silestone is used in the bathrooms, providing high strength and durability. Specifically, two iconic Silestone colours combine to make for welcoming and refined spaces with countertops and washbasins in the deep bluish grey of Charcoal Soapstone, and the bright and pure White Storm.
‘Cosentino is proud to be part of Scandic Holmenkollen Park,’ says Oskar Peterson, managing director of Cosentino Norway. ‘This historic hotel has been renovated for the future, and we are pleased to be able to supply materials that will remain just as beautiful year after year, even when exposed to heavy use over a long period of time’.
