When a new hotel makes the word ‘Design’ part of its name, it sets out making a very strong statement. This new-build hotel in the Czech Republic, filled as it is with contemporary conceptual art in addition to the inspired architecture and interiors, lives up to its name…

Architecture & Interior Design: Labor13

Design Hotel Miura, which recently opened in Celadna, Czech Republic, has been designed by Prague-based company LABOR13 to gratify art lovers, design and architectural fans as well as golf enthusiasts.

Located in between two 18-hole golf courses, in a valley in the midst of the picturesque Moravian Mountains, the hotel boasts an art collection featuring the work of British sculptor and Turner Prize winner Tony Cragg, controversial Damien Hirst, monumental Henry Moore and father of pop art Andy Warhol.

The architecture of the entire building is eye-catching, as the large, rectangular building sits in front of the picture-perfect mountains and amid the work of Czech sculptor, David Cerny. His oversized, mirrored sculptures of cuboid people, or ‘cubeople,’ sit on the roof, push against the side of the hotel, or are taking a dip in a water pool.

Predominantly made of concrete, corroding Corten steel and turquoise-coloured glass, the core of this impressive building is made of cembonite boards. Described as ‘a spaceship from another world’ the structure is divided into three parts, one of which appears to float. The idea behind this is to create a view through the hotel, so the design seems less intrusive in the breathtaking surroundings.

All of the hotel’s 44 guest rooms face south towards the golf course, and floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the views. Designed with sleek lines and even sleeker materials, the rooms feature furniture and fittings – most of which have been supplied by Amos Design – that indeed wouldn’t look out of place on the Starship Enterprise.

Freestanding basins positioned in the guest rooms make for an interesting focal point, and contemporary furniture made of plastic, canvas and metal, including fragmented rock-shaped side tables in stainless steel, continue the science-fiction vibe. A minimalist colour scheme in shades of grey, magenta, black and white can be seen throughout the guest rooms and continue through the hotel’s public spaces.

At the centre of the hotel is housed the main entrance, lobby and restaurant, all encased in yet more large glass sheets. These areas are smoothly connected by a concrete ramp, which has more than a passing resemblance to those seen in high-rise car parks.

The restaurant continues the minimalist colour scheme and adds dark-wood simplistic tables, dark-grey walls and seating, which feature accents of magenta. Artwork by Damien Hirst sits at one end of the restaurant and another of Cerny’s ‘cubeople’ graces the space, this time in the shape of a baby crawling on the ceiling.

Graphic elements were created by Czech design studio Side2. The project also involved other prominent figures of the Czech design world, including Vladimír Ambroz, Lucie Koldová and Jerry Koza, and companies Artemide, Bang&Olufsen, Moroso, B&B, Alias, KFF, Magis, Paola Lenti, Poliform and Vondom, with some of the furnishings designed exclusively for the hotel.