Crafting narratives through architecture and design in luxury hotels

The Iceland Parliament Hotel, a member of the Curio Collection by Hilton, recently opened its doors in the heart of Reykjavik. This hotel complex artfully merges history, cultural heritage, architectural splendor, and contemporary design.

When it comes to the ceramic coverings in this prestigious project, the Iris Ceramica Group brands, including Ariostea, FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti, Iris Ceramica, and SapienStone, were chosen to provide innovative, high-performance solutions known for their robustness, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.

Throughout the hotel, from the main floor to the opulent spa, guest room bathrooms, and lobby, the Iris Ceramica Group’s brands were selected to clad the newly connected buildings. This decision was made to cultivate intimate spaces that emanate a sense of harmony and a connection to nature, enveloping the entire hotel in a unique and sophisticated ambiance. It underscores the pivotal role of materials, their impact, and their color palettes in crafting an exceptional experience while honoring the history and character of the location.

The hotel stands as a multifaceted representation of the capital, offering an authentic and distinctive concept of upscale hospitality. The Curio Collection by Hilton strives to create hotels that narrate a story to visitors, seamlessly blending comfort and sophistication, curiosity and a sense of belonging, refinement and uniqueness. The Iceland Parliament Hotel, with its design and meticulous attention to detail that captures the essence of the locale and its deepest spirit, was conceived with this very purpose in mind.

Architecturally, the Iceland Parliament Hotel comprises seven buildings, some of which are new constructions seamlessly integrated with historically significant structures that hold immense cultural value for the local community. These include the former telecommunications headquarters, Iceland’s inaugural girls’ school, and Independence Hall, collectively forming a meaningful mosaic of the capital’s heritage.

As the Italian architect Paolo Gianfrancesco, partner of THG Arkitektar, the firm in charge of the whole project, explains, “this hotel has a complex yet interesting history. One of the greatest challenges was to combine different histories occurring all in the same place but in different eras. We had to make sure that every single piece of the story fitted into a fluid narration.”

The idea of eclecticism is evident in the interior furnishings, which meticulously strike a balance between warm and cool materials, matte and glossy finishes, while respecting the local design influences. A significant portion of the furnishings is handcrafted by skilled artisans, reflecting various and sometimes intentionally contrasting stylistic preferences.

Paolo Gianfrancesco continues, “with the Curio chain project, we designers were encouraged to tell an interesting and complex story, developing a unique and special design-in-the-design. We wanted to give the hotel a house-like character and, at the same time, offer guests a journey into the history of Iceland.”

The Iceland Parliament Hotel, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, encompasses a vast surface area of 14,500 square meters. This impressive project spanned seven years of construction, engaging nearly 70 companies and accommodating up to 150 workers daily, hailing from over ten different nationalities. The result is a luxurious hospitality establishment that serves as a tribute to the city of Reykjavik and its rich history.

Driven by a philosophy that seamlessly blends Icelandic aesthetics with contemporary refinement, the hotel was meticulously crafted to honor the breathtaking natural landscape of the island. It represents a harmonious fusion of the nation’s traditions and the most sophisticated furnishing and material solutions, in this case in partnership with the Italian Iris Ceramica Group, epitomizing the essence of Iceland’s heritage while exuding modern elegance.