The words “local” and “artisanal” might be among the buzziest catchphrases in hospitality design, but that doesn’t mean every take on them is the same. When Antonio Obrador, the guiding hand behind Cap Rocat, turned his attention to the design for Madrid’s 78-key Hotel Urso (Rocat’s sister hotel), he knew he wanted to reference the locale and preserve some of the detailing in the early-20th-century structure, but he also wanted a contemporary feel.
“The philosophy is to work with local artisans and craftsmen as much as possible to enhance the identity of the building and as a form of respect for local traditions,” Obrador said. “It is about incorporating products that better reflect the setting of the hotel without sacrificing quality or the need to create a product with its own personality.”
Obrador used local talent to restore the original ironwork in the building and the original elevator. Other items are replicas, such as the wallpaper in the lobby. Neutral-toned furniture in the public spaces helps modernize the look.
For the guestrooms, Obrador used geometric shapes like a four-poster bed in some of the guestrooms and squared-off lines to the furniture in other guestrooms for an effortless style.
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