Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport

BRIEF: An existing hotel in bad condition was purchased by our clients and required a complete overhaul inside and out. Create a distinctively unique NZ boutique hotel encompassing the ideals of the Naumi brand: playful, unexpected, sexy, youthful and considered, was the first key directive. The second was to create a hotel like no other in the NZ market - a truly exhilarating experience and a feast for all senses, with “absolutely no white!”. The old Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland-Airport required an entire re-fit, from adding a new front to the building and signage, to reception, bar, lounges and restaurant areas through to the bedrooms. Boasting 193 rooms, King, Queen Doubles, Blush Rooms and 2 Suites. All designs are unique to the particular layouts, with 5 different colour ways and 2 bespoke Suites. Common areas include a revised reception, dining, bar, buffet, lounge, 2 entry alcoves, 4 conference rooms, gym, corridors and way finding, and a crew lounge that were meticulously considered and re-fitted. Concept: We took inspiration from the Tui, a uniquely native bird to NZ. The first in the dawn chorus, last at dusk, often singing during the day while other birds are silent. Their beautiful melodies are heard before they are seen. Seeming like quite an ordinary black bird when seen from a distance, on closer inspection in daylight they are an array of shimmering metallic-greens, blue, purple and bronze accents. Behind their neck is a lacy array of filament-like feathers, while the throat sports white feather tufts, all of which completes a very unusual and brilliant display. We proposed conceptually to use the visual features and character of the Tui as inspiration for the design. The striking bird boasts rich deep colours, and just as they form a gradient of colour from the top of the bird to the bottom, we used this as a progressive gradient of colour from the entry through to each room. First impressions of the common spaces are emerald greens, jewel blues, and magenta splashes. Gold and feathered features form accents; from the dazzling layered 24 carat-gold leaf canvas 'feathers' on the wall behind the reception to gold disks mounted on the wall in the bar, they highlight and offset the beauty of the rich pallette. Progressing down the corridors, walls are monochromatic like the first impression of the Tui. Graphic black and grey arrows with colour pops to the carpet are used as wayfinding. Entering the rooms, colour and energy greet you like a melodious birdsong. The bird's plumage inspired a subtle motif used throughout, layered timber shingles in the lounge, and bedroom bedheads, layered gold 'feathers' on the reception wall (a bespoke art piece) gold feather disk artwork, and the feather like tiles in the bathrooms. The array of colours in the hotel nod to the bright and joyful playfulness and cheekiness of the Tui. Approach: The existing hotel had ‘evolved’ over a period of time, with different blocks being built in the 50’s, 80’s and 90’s. The Hotel entry, reception, dining, bar and lounge areas all required reconfiguration, to create a stronger impact and better flow. These were then linked into 4 refurbished conference rooms, gym, outdoor, pool and landscaped areas, together with the upgraded guest rooms and circulation routes. Challenges: Old buildings have their trials, Naumi had many! Including; internal re-build of all guest room bathrooms and services ducts, re-roofing, new services throughout the hotel, up-graded fire rating, and having to re-build the double height glazed front of the hotel. All carried out and staged while the hotel continued trading throughout the entire build process (it was no mean feat!) Innovation and Creativity: The two suites, 'Ziggy' and 'Dotty' are features of their own, each with a personality inspired by Missoni and Yayoi Kusama. Their designs are an energetic assault on the senses. Layers of pattern, colour & texture create spaces that instantly scream celebration! Art plays a central role throughout the hotel, with a gallery of works embellishing the hotel. Commissioned artists include Belynda Henry, who captured the NZ landscape beautifully (her art was fashioned into the incredible bedroom rugs); Judi Bagust’s whimsical brush strokes are reminiscent of the Tui's birdsong and used in the main dining area and bedrooms. Ny Art Dept. created multiple pieces, including the gold feather reception installation, hand painted Suite wallpaper & the gold disc bar installation. Carmel Vanderhoven interpreted Missoni’s style into abstract artworks above the bed in 'Ziggy' Suite. Since reopening the hotel as Naumi, significant gains have been shown on all key financial measurements & feedback metrics. Guest feedback is now 95% positive, compared to 30% under its previous brand, room rates have increased 42% & occupancy is sitting above 90%.