design Studio holloway lee has reimagined the interiors of the Puro Hotel poznanPoland is integrating natural materials, contemporary furnishings and locally sourced art to create “a layer of history”.
Drawing on Poznań’s cultural and craft heritage, the studio aimed to capture the city’s identity by weaving historical influences into the new design of the hotel, which first opened its doors in 2014.
“We took inspiration from Poznan’s craft heritage, from the streamlined forms and luxurious carriage interiors of trains produced in local factories at the beginning of the twentieth century, to the experimental glassware of the 1970s.” holloway lee co-founder Alex Holloway told Dezeen.
“The aim was to create a layer of history that could be enjoyed by business travelers, tourists and locals.”
Holloway Lee transformed the existing ground floor and guest rooms, introducing site-specific designs to create a unique guest experience.
The reception area has a curved desk made of burnt red glazed tiles and set on limestone planks. A handmade rug beneath incorporates patterns and textures inspired by the nearby Old Market Square, while a pendant light hung above adds a contemporary touch.
As a nod to Poznań’s industrial history, a partition wall in the lounge is punctuated by a large circular brass cutout that echoes the design language of high-speed trains produced in factories around Poznań at the beginning of the 20th century. Refers.
The lounge offers a mix of versatile seating options, including the studio’s T4 chairs in collaboration with the furniture brand UmaSwedish design company foggia2 sofas and a large co-working table with inlay wood accents.
A palette of natural materials, including solid oak, leather and glossy porcelain, enhances the feeling of warmth and homeliness throughout the space.
This material palette extends to the hotel’s curated art collection, developed in collaboration with Puro’s art director, Gosia Jankowska. The integration of local artistry was a key feature of the hotel’s new design, which showcased the works of local artists, many of whom are associated with the University of Poznań.
“The creation of the artwork was the result of working closely with Puro’s art director Gosia Jankowska, who manages the hotel’s growing art collection,” said project designer Gray Grierson. “All the artworks on display are connected to Poznań and add an unexpected textural dimension to the space.”
Local craftsmanship is celebrated through distinctive decorative elements such as stained glass windows for a private living room, which Holloway Lee developed in collaboration with a local manufacturer. Riwal Ceramica i Szkło,
The design of the windows was inspired by the art nouveau style and traditional crown glass of Poznan’s historic townhouses.
The hotel’s restaurant continues this theme, with leather dining chairs and long banquettes that nod to the interiors of rail carriages built in Poznań during the 1920s and 1930s.
To create a change of spaces as guests navigate the hotel, the corridors become darker than the rest of the interiors with earthy red colors and dim lighting, allowing guests to pick up on the lobby made of scattered light limestone. Let’s guide for.
Outside the rooms, each guest room number was individually molded and glazed by a ceramic maker Rival Ceramica and SzkloInside, Holloway Lee introduced a simple color palette layered with soft textiles to create a feeling of home.
Guest rooms feature green datum with round wooden beading, while a gradient shower inspired by Polish glass homeware is the main focus of the glass bathroom.
“There are moments of liveliness that stand out from the natural palette,” Holloway said. “In the guest rooms, we introduced a vibrant gradient in the shower glass inspired by historic Polish pressed glass homeware.”
The suites offer upscale touches, like carved limestone side tables to complement the curvature of the fabric headboards and bathrooms equipped with green tiles and matching marble sinks.
Holloway Lee is an interior design studio founded in 2018 by Alex Holloway and Na Lee.
Other recent projects by the studio include Apartment with a fish and chip shop-inspired kitchen and a 1970s inspired advertising agency office,
photography is by Pion Studio,
