Stories from our world of Design

Hot Hotels – Six of the Best from Woods Bagot

Hotels have never been hotter as travel and tourism comes roaring back. In a case of brilliant timing, the Woods Bagot design team has opened six new properties in Europe, Australia and the Middle East since early 2021, a portfolio featuring some of the world’s leading hotel brands. Momentum is strong with more properties, including a new Six Senses, on the drawing board. Find out what’s hot in the world of hotel design.

Woods Bagot to design Six Senses at Burnham Beeches

The proposed masterplan for Burnham Beeches has been revealed. Woods Bagot is lead architect and interior designer for the $100m project, a restoration and reinvention of the legendary Art Deco mansion and grounds in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne. Developed by Trenerry Consortium, it features Australia’s first Six Senses Resort and Spa, and includes a village square, different food and hospitality options, wellness retreat, pool house and guestrooms. See masterplan details.

Agile office for Twitter Singapore

Singapore’s vibrant culture and dynamic cityscape play a leading role in social media company Twitter’s new regional headquarters, designed by Woods Bagot mid-pandemic. “The space celebrates the diversity of Twitter as a global business and Singapore as a city with rich multi-culturalism, accessible to all and creating equality of experience,” says Singapore Studio lead Rosie Oliver. Learn more about Twitter’s Singapore workspace.

Reaching for the sky in Dubai

Construction has entered its final phase for the landmark 78-storey Uptown Tower in Dubai, on which Woods Bagot is acting as the Architectural and Interior Design Consultant. Interior work is well under way and the building is due to complete in early 2023. The soaring structure anchors the Uptown Dubai precinct and includes hundreds of apartments, a luxury hotel, retail and commercial space.  Read full story.

Collins Arch named ‘Best Tall Building’ at Chicago awards​​​​

The distinctive Collins Arch development in downtown Melbourne –a pair of tapered 164-meter towers connected by an elevated sky bridge– was named Best Tall Building, 100-199 Meters and the Best Tall Mixed-Use Building at the recent Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s (CTBUH) 2022 awards in Chicago. Designed by Woods Bagot and SHoP Architects, Collins Arch combines apartments, a new five-star hotel, office space and retail.  See project pictures and story.

Insight – How retail streets can regenerate our cities – China case study​​​​​​

Growing demand for next-generation retail streets across Asia speaks to their global potential. Retaining the open air, pedestrian-friendly appeal of their predecessors, these successors improve interdependency within a city through a carefully curated approach to different urban typologies. Read analysis and case study.

Spotlight – Elliott Sparsis, Convene​​​​​​

“Offices must be reimagined as a destination rather than a mere place of work”

Convene, the US-founded premium meetings, events, and workspace company, has opened its first international location in the iconic 22 Bishopsgate Tower, London. Designed by Woods Bagot, it reflects Convene’s focus on amenity, hospitality, and experience – giving users an elevated offer akin to that of a 5-star hotel. We recently sat down with Elliott Sparsis, Head of UK at Convene, to learn more. Read interview, see pix.