While India's Park Hotel group has forged a reputation over its 44-year history for boutique luxury establishments, its brazenly sculptural, 270-room hotel in Hyderabad is the first it has built from scratch. Priya Paul, who heads the hotel group as part of her family's conglomerate, Apeejay Surrendra, wanted to make a bold architectural statement in the center of the city on a tight site (2¼ acres) that exemplifies the dualities of India: It is across the street from a busy, noisy railroad station, but overlooks the serene Hussain Sagar Lake.
Although Hyderabad, in southern India, is known as a software development hub, Paul felt the design should express the city's centuries-old tradition of crafted jewelry associated with its pre-Independence Nizam rulers. “She considers jewelry making the essence of Hyderabad,” says Roger Duffy, of Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM)'s New York office, the architect for the hotel. Similarly, the client suggested to the architects that the building's opulent interiors reflect the contributions of local artisans and artists.
You have 0 complimentary articles remaining.
Unlimited access + premium benefits for as low as $1.99/month.