Goddard Littlefair took, renowned for work on entire hotel renovations, was responsible for the schemes of the reception and lobby, the double height ground floor cafe bar, rooftop restaurant, the UK’s First BiBo restaurant by Michelin starred chef Dani García and the bedroom refurbishment. The Mondrian Shoreditch was refreshed in line with the upbeat and individual spirit of the Mondrian brand which give guests a flavour of the local area. The studio’s design research delved deep into the history of the area and the characters that create the colourful social fabric of Shoreditch. The interiors take inspiration from Art and Literature, including the traditional nursery rhyme ‘Oranges and Lemons’ – due to the hotel’s proximity to the rhymes story. This influence was interpreted into the design of the interior in many different elements from lighting to materiality. Art and personal expression colliding with east London vibrancy were key design steers.
The reception and lobby have reflective finishes with significant artwork installations for guests to discover, typical of the Mondrian design portfolio. Behind the reception, a circular neon art piece reflects off the bronze mirror while at high level, large scale gilded glass panels created by Studio Peascod depict a rising copper sun. Goddard Littlefair retained the hotel’s original patterned floor and juxtaposed this with a concrete desk, pattina walls and reflective surfaces to create an illusion of space. Expanding on this, a homage to well-known installation artist Yayoi Kusama, Goddard Littlefair created a fully mirrored room with globe lights encircling giving projecting an image of seeing infinitely creating an intense and effective single image.
The café bar and rooftop spaces link together whilst having a distinct narrative, drawing upon the rich history of east London. Throughout the reception lobby and across the ground floor to Christina’s Shoreditch Cafe bar, a pendant light fitting was designed as a contemporary interpretation of the gas lanterns that were used as local streetlights. Increased in scale and stacked in multiple tiers, the lanterns run through the centre of the spaces, drawing guests from the external lobby to the new bar area. This piece along with a reception area pendant and bespoke floor lamp are produced by Hoad & More.
Experienced in restaurant and bar design, Goddard Littlefair’s had strong design ideas for the BiBo restaurant. Located on the lower ground floor, BiBo is a theatrical yet urban space. Globe lights cascade down the stairs leading to the impressive restaurant space. Striving to brighten the space, the studio infused the design scheme with a light and natural colour palette. Adding movement, an installation of ceramic fish by Scabetti suspended from the ceiling swim through the room, celebrating Dani Garcia’s love of travel. Polished copper walls and rafts bounce around light and have dramatic oversized hanging rattan pendant lights. Over the central island bar a statement mirrored raft and oversized globe light are housed within a copper rod structure, a nod to the hot air balloon which features in other BiBo restaurants globally.
