ParkRoyal on Pickering

The ParkRoyal on Pickering is the building in the middle. Concrete layers and green at the bottom, above which you see some high pillars on which the hotel towers rest.

A better view of the layered cake floors below with all the greenery.

The large colored pots contain plants. Cute, right, all the different colors? And do you also see the green overhanging ‘platforms’?

Such unusual architecture! I decided there and then that I would go back there to check it out.

It took me a while to follow up on that, but one day my friend Sabine, fellow-photographer (only much better;-)), and I met up for lunch at the ParkRoyal hotel.

Ground level around the entrance and lobby. Spacious, green, water, wood. Nice.

My photographer-friend Sabine.

The lunch was ok, but our main reason was to have a closer look at the architectural features of the hotel, outside and in.

I had never seen a green-tea-chocolate fountain before. Looks cool!

I have to admit that my pictures do not do justice to the building.

This has to do with two things: 1. the light (the weather and the hour) and 2. we did not have access to the whole hotel.

I have seen pictures from others online who were able and allowed to take pictures from every level and angle and then you really see the beauty of the hotel.

Anyway, my pictures will have to do;-).

The hotel is designed by the Singaporean architects from WOHA.
The ParkRoyal lies next to a park, which inspired the architects to create a ‘hotel-as-park’.

This means that there are lots of plants and greenery on the outside, even on e.g. the 10th floor. A vertical garden, so to speak.

Sustainability was also an important factor. Greenery on the outside cools of the ‘sunny’ side of the hotel and rainwater is lead in such a way that it waters the plants, to give some examples.

Let’s start our tour on ground level.

I love the organic forms of the concrete and that it is built up in thin layers. It reminds me of a huge layered cake, cut in rounded, irregular shapes. The softness and green of the plants creates an interesting contrast with the greys and hardness of the concrete, don’t you think?

When we go inside, to the lobby area, the organic shapes of the concrete come back in the weird shapes of the wood, the cut outs in the ceiling, revealing mirrored material, and in the patterns in the carpet.

I find it beautiful and exciting. Normally I am not per se a big fan of using ‘natural materials’. As in scandinavian design. Often too clean and boring for my taste. But here, wood and even concrete are used in very original ways, I must say.

Now let’s head over to the fifth floor.

The pool area is quite spectacular. It is wide, open, high and green. It’s like a small city park of 300 meters long.

The views on downtown are great. And the bird-cage cabanas are real eye-catchers.

Some are ‘hanging’ in the air! Well, not really, but it looks that way.

They are detached, reachable by a small walkway.

Inside they are fully cushioned, making for a great place to relax and lounge in an intimate ambiance.

The see-through material provides dimmed light and nice, muffled views of the city. Cosy! Would not mind spending a day here with my husband, my iPad and some yummie cocktails and munchies;-)!

I have not seen any of the rooms and never stayed in this hotel, but from an esthetic and architectural standpoint I find it a success!

(Check out this url for more info and pictures.)

What do you think? Do you like the look of this hotel? Have you stayed there? How was that?