Philippe Starck and Foster + Partners combine to design JW Marriott's first Singapore hotel
Hotel giant JW Marriott has opened its first hotel in Singapore across several buildings brought to life by designer Philippe Starck and architects Foster + Partners.
The high-profile creative team have designed two new hotel blocks and restored three heritage buildings to create the 634-room Singapore South Beach hotel, which is located in close proximity to the city-state’s Marina Bay entertainment and business districts.
Contemporary architecture, restored heritage and a multi-million dollar collection of more than 30 works and installations have been combined to create a “multi-sensory cultural experience”.
The centrepiece of the hotel is the 520sq m (5,600sq ft) Grand Ballroom housed in the 1930s historic Drill Hall – the birthplace of the Singaporean armed forces – which features a dramatic Starck 'Forest of Light' installation of 11,520 lights hanging from the ceiling. The building, engineered by Arup, also includes a 280m-long (918ft) ribbon-like canopy inspired by the natural form and function of a tree. This floats across the entire structure to filter sunlight, solar glare and channel wind breezes into the public spaces.
Other facilities and amenities across the South Beach complex include 15 meeting rooms in Singapore’s former parliament building, a 24-hour fitness centre, two sky gardens, two outdoor pools and nine restaurants – including one by celebrity chef Akira Back offering modern Japanese cuisine with Korean influences.
Wellness offerings include a Spa by JW, set to open in the second quarter 2017, which is created “to demystify and reimagine the spa experience with treatments based on four benefit states.” It comprises 10 treatment rooms, including two private and two express treatment suites.
Artwork at the hotel includes a 7m (23ft) video wall installation by South Korean artist Lee Lee Nam – “which uses LED monitors as a canvas to create an artistic symphony” – and Gorilla, a reclaimed scrap metal sculpture at the hotel entrance by Turner Prize winner Iain Nuttin.
“We are thrilled to welcome discerning travellers to this design-led landmark in the hub of Singapore’s arts and culture district,” said Derek Flint, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach. “We look forward to enriching guests with a truly luxurious experience and showcasing the warm, intuitive service that is synonymous with the JW Marriott brand globally.”
It has been a productive few months for Starck, who has recently completed work on lifestyle hotel M Social Singapore, the SLS Brickell in Miami and the W Las Vegas, which he worked on with rock star Lenny Kravitz. He’s also announced his intention to create Villa M in Paris – a new leisure concept centred around wellness and healthy living.
Philippe Starck Foster + Partners JW Marriott Singapore Singapore South Beach Hotel Arup architecture design



Lenny Kravitz and Philippe Starck collaborate on 'cheekily luxurious' Las Vegas hotel
Philippe Starck's Miami hotel uses bespoke design to celebrate 'the memory of gesture'
Restaurants and a hotel to feature at Philippe Starck's tree-topped hub for healthy living
Philippe Starck emphasises need for playfulness with new Singapore hotel design
Philippe Starck designs 'new piece of heaven' with waterfront hotel and cafe in France
FEATURE: CLAD people – Philippe Starck - Designer


BIG's designs Prague concert hall to be vibrant centre of life

Mather & Co-designed Gretna Green Experience opens to the public

Project to save last major bellfoundry which cast bells for St Paul's and Washington National Cathedral

Perkins & Will reveals designs for net-zero sports and cultural centre in Toronto

World’s first living waterslides announced for Therme Manchester

Heatherwick reveals Volcano-inspired opera house designs for Hainan

Natural history museum planned for Abu Dhabi

Controversial London music venue, MSG Sphere, gets full planning permission

Clifford's Tower opens to the public after £5m redevelopment

Clifford's Tower opens to the public after £5m redevelopment

Glasgow's iconic Burrell Collection reopens after five-year, £68.5m revamp

SB Architects delivers Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Costa Rica with tree-house spa and private residences

Ole Scheeren designs vertical jungle resort complex in China

Designer Brian d’Souza launches Swell to create evocative soundscapes for physical environments

Basalt Architects create geothermal Forest Lagoon in the wilds of Iceland

Hot Pickle design £73m Guinness visitor attraction for Diageo in London

Amsterdam's new digital art centre Fabrique des Lumières will use tech to bring art alive

Pharrell Williams to launch tropical Bahamian beach resort

Banyan Tree curating solar-powered wellness retreat on private Mozambican island

Dubai Expo hits 10 million visits

Foster + Partners designs Dorchester Collection's first hotel in Middle East

Neil Jacobs reveals Six Senses Places concept for major cities

Orient Express returns to Italy after 46 years with six trains designed by Dimorestudio and new Rome hotel

400-year-old mineral spring will power Preidlhof’s €2m medicinal bath experience

Universal Beijing Resort reveals expansion plans for second phase

Pop-up stadium built with shipping containers opens ahead of 2022 World Cup

Playfulness will inspire Serenbe’s new wellness community, Spela

John McAslan + Partners-designed M7 cultural hub and museum opens in Doha

LPO Architects and GrecoDeco create vast subterranean wellness retreat for Oslo
