W Hotels Worldwide unveiled a new “Extreme Wow Suite,” designed by Jouin Manku, the architectural firm of Paris-based designer Patrick Jouin and his associate Sanjit Manku. An interpretation of the conventional hotel Presidential Suite, the “Extreme Wow Suite” has been a part of W Hotels vernacular since the brand was founded in 1998. To further emphasize the importance of innovation and design, W Hotels engaged Jouin Manku to design a forward-looking, innovative lifestyle experience created in a three-dimensional installation. The “Extreme Wow Suite” will be unveiled this week at the Instituto Tomie Ohtake in Sao Paolo, Brazil as part of a special touring exhibition entitled “Le Paris de Patrick Jouin.”
The W Hotels “Extreme Wow Suite” will be featured in the context of an art museum, providing a work-of-art-in-progress feel, as opposed to a polished model room. The installation is draft-like in that certain elements are refined and reworked to a sophisticated finish, emphasized by the use of color, lighting, texture and materials, while others remain in development, outlined softly in white, giving the impression of a three-dimensional sketch or an evolving project in motion.
As “The Year of France in Brazil” celebrations continue this year, Jouin has been asked to exhibit his designs at the launch in Sao Paulo. The event will include a rich and diverse sample of Jouin’s projects over the past 10 years, including more than 150 objects from 50 different projects created in collaboration with manufacturers and designers all over the world. “Le Paris de Patrick Jouin” will run from July 29 to Sept. 27, 2009, at the Instituto Tomie Ohtake, a non-profit organization showcasing visual arts, architecture and design. The exhibition will then travel to soon-to-be-announced key international destinations in Europe and Asia.
W Hotels will soon debut in South America with the opening of W Santiago, slated to open this August. Developed by The Territoria Group and with interiors by international designer Tony Chi, W Santiago will feature a Whiskey Blue, from nightlife entrepreneurs Rande Gerber and Scott Gerber; signature W lounge experience; Osaka, featuring a menu of Peruvian-Asian cuisine by Chef Ciro Watanabe; NoSo and Terrasur, Mediterranean restaurants by Chef Jean-Paul Bondoux; a Tea Library; a lively Wine Bar; and W Hotels The Store, W’s hotel gift shop. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.