A breathtaking view over Doha

Qatar’s powerful economic growth continues, driven by large-scale investment in major infrastructure projects, tourism and sport. This seemingly unstoppable growth is reflected in the construction of impressive towers that dominate the skyline of the capital Doha and the redevelopment of recently-built hotels to adapt them to the increasingly demanding requirements of their elite clientele. The 5 star Kempinski Residences & Suites is typical of these trends, opened in the square-plan tower (62 floors and 270 metres high) built by Alfardan Group Qatar in the business district. The interior design project (concept, construction details, design co-ordination, artistic management, furnishings and finishing) was assigned to the Italian firm Peia Associati, which placed emphasis on the integration of luxury, European style and local traditions in the residence’s public areas, in the 370 suites of different sizes and the vast 1050 square metre spaces of the Duplex Sky Villa opened on the 61st and 62nd floors. Only five years later these two floors have once again been remodelled by Peia Associati (a project completed in 2015) and converted from a hyper-luxurious suite into a fascinating Sky Lounge Bar with a breathtaking view over Doha. The approach taken by the design is different for the two levels on the 61st and 62nd floors. The lower level, open to the public, is an internal space with double-height ceilings designed as a venue for events, with a quieter lounge area next to the glass façade. The interplay of contrasts has been produced by the use of simple colours, shapes and materials (including the ceramic tiling used throughout). These serve as a backdrop for the moving images projected onto the white surface of the large wall. When combined with the indirect multi-coloured lighting, these features all merge together to create the space’s unique atmosphere. The flooring materials used in the Sky Lounge are Granitogres porcelain panels from Casalgrande Padana’s Architecture collection (chosen in a Black colour with natural finish) and from the Unicolore collection (black with a gloss finish). They were laid throughout in a random pattern that alternates matt and glossy surfaces. In contrast, Bamboo, a special series of the Pietre Native collection, has been used as wall covering for the lounge, the spiral staircase, the corridors and bathrooms. Created specially for this project, they consist of rounded strips of black glazed porcelain with a glossy finish. At the higher floor level, a private VIP area has been created in the Skybox, a transparent glass « box » that overhangs and looks out onto the double-height internal space while also facing outwards. It serves as an architectural and visual connection between the elegant atmosphere of the 62nd floor and the trendy space of the 61st. The design guidelines for the Skybox were dictated by the need for luxury, intimacy, colour and warmth in order to obtain a comfortable environment for business negotiations. Classic, convivial colours abound combined with warm, hidden lighting and simple modern lines. The finishings, furnishings and objets d’art all combine to create a warm and welcoming ambience in this familiar space while at the same time conveying an unmistakable sense of style and refinement.