JOI-Design designed the interiors for Germany's first Capri located in Frankfurt. The studio created a modern concept for the extended-stay residences that would tap into the energetic pulse of the 24/7 lifestyle of its guests as well as the dynamic vibe of its location in the city's new urban district Europaviertel, which translates to European quarter.
Europe's second Capri by Fraser, the German flagship features 153 well-appointed studio and one-bedroom apartments skilfully conceived by the Hamburg studio to merge design with couture and art. The hotel residences have been furnished with elegant, high-quality materials in a manner that reflects the fashion-savvy confidence of the young cosmopolitan guests who will call them "home" while their work in financial, technological and cultural arenas requires that they live for a while in the business hub of Frankfurt.
JOI-Design has deconstructed the hallmarks of classical taste and rewoven these elements into contemporary forms that not only give the guestrooms a fresh, pleasing quirkiness; they also potentially inspire dwellers to think in creative, unrestricted ways. Traditional connotations with buttoned-down business attire present themselves as delicate embroidery with meticulous stitching; houndstooth and pinstripe patterns; and finely seamed leatherwork, all creatively tailored into furniture and accessories suggestive of catwalk-worthy fashion. Yet at the same time, nuanced shades of grey and white paint a soothing calm enlivened by bright citrus notes, resulting in the comfortable sense of feeling at home. Golden hues and high-style urban artwork bring a feeling of polished glamour while softer touches, such as the round area rug with abstract floral motifs, introduce residential cosiness for longer-stay guests.
Fully, yet discreetly, tech-enabled, the studio is kitted-out with a kitchen for guests who will live and work here for an extended period of time. Dining, working and dressing can all be accomplished at the clean white multifunctional table fitted with electrical charge points and an integrated mirror.
Following the sprightly palette of the bedrooms, the lobby has been designed with a cultured, upbeat tempo. Conceived as an open, welcoming "living room," guests can socialise with friends and colleagues, plug-into the workstations at the long communal table, and enjoy a quick bite from Delite, the "grab and go" area. Again, fashion meets art in unexpected and innovative ways, with bookshelves doubling as room dividers to subtly break-up the space into more intimate seeming nooks. Mirrored surfaces separate the walkways from the seating areas, yet also offer glimpses that draw viewers into the action, inviting them to linger.
Caprilicious restaurant is zoned to offer a range of seating options to accommodate those who desire a more intimate conversation as well as those gathering for a lively party. Overall, the feeling is like that of a comfortable coffeehouse, with groupings of low and high-backed seating, a long table with an eclectic assortment of chairs, and a self-service bar for tableware. Furniture, lighting and colours are deliberately mixed in diverse yet complementary styles to suggest the fun of relaxing in a friend's home.
The bar Drinx takes on a more fashion-conscious appeal. Bespoke wallcovering with an abstract monochromatic pattern brings a touch of femininity that balances the angular, geometric forms of the leather-lined bar and assorted seating. Again, options for a private tête à tête coexist alongside a double-sided sofa that helps zone the space. The deep saturated palette of petrol blues, rich greys and polished blacks is lifted by bursts of accent colours in the tinted glass cocktail tables and throw cushions. A softly backlit, leather-covered bar emanates a warm glow and, at night, a "constellation" of pendant lights stretching across the ceiling emulates the magical twinkle of the starry sky to cast an aura of atmospheric sophistication.
Photos: Simone Ahlers