Novotel in St. Petersburg
The project involves the reconstruction of the lobby and restaurant of the Novotel hotel, located in the heart of St. Petersburg, near the Moskovsky railway station. The design was carried out in strict accordance with the standards of the Accor Hotels network, to which Novotel belongs. It was also necessary to preserve the existing zoning at the time of reconstruction. A graphic concept was developed as part of the tender, which was subsequently implemented with only minor changes during the process. The goal was to create a unique image and transform the business hotel into a focal point for guests of the Northern capital and locals alike, resulting in the introduction of a range of interesting items into the interior that became its hallmark. This notably includes a giant yellow dove figure, now essential for any photoshoot, which was present in the tender project and was later revealed to be a symbol of the Accor Hotels network.
Special requirements from Accor for the hotel reception desk—transparent and open—were considered by the architects. This led to the creation of a flying yellow structure, which alongside the “dove,” became one of the distinctive elements of the project.
The lobby is the main part of the space that visitors notice while at the reception desk. Apart from the layout of the zones, the lobby’s column shapes were preserved, and some furniture was reupholstered with special fire-resistant textiles. Large black ceiling lights with gold interior finishes were custom-made according to the bureau’s drawings, as were the ceiling grilles, vertical slats in the restaurant, illuminated glass profiles on the walls, and part of the equipment and furniture for the bar—such as illuminated bottle-shaped racks that also serve a zoning function (the restaurant’s interior was not part of the project). The creation of the PLAY area, intended for gaming consoles, was one of Accor’s mandatory requirements. All colors and materials used in the project were dictated by the Novotel brand book.
When selecting furniture, preference was given to well-known brands that the bureau frequently collaborates with: +Halle, Hay, Arper, Walter Knoll, among others. The floor lamps used were the Tripod model by Santa & Cole. The original finish of the oval columns was replaced with a more functional and aesthetic white tile of small format, which beautifully reflects light and creates the illusion of a smooth surface due to its size.
The creation of the PLAY area, intended for gaming consoles, was one of Accor’s mandatory requirements. All colors and materials used in the project were dictated by the client’s brand book.
