Boutique Design - October 2018 - 92

ALISTAIR THOMANN
GENERATOR

PROJECT
PARTICIPANTS
MAMA SHELTER BELGRADE
CLIENT
ABD d.o.o. (owned by
Ashtrom Group)
DESIGN FIRM
Mama Shelter
ARCHITECT/GENERAL
CONTRACTOR
Pro Aspekt
MAMA SHELTER PRAGUE
CLIENT
Parkhotel Holesovice s.r.o
DESIGN FIRM
Mama Shelter
PARK INN BY RADISSON
AMSTERDAM CITY WEST
CLIENT
DYDL
OPERATOR
Radisson Hospitality AB
8

boutiquedesign.com october 2018

ARCHITECT/GENERAL
CONTRACTOR
ZZDP Architecten
ACCESSORIES
Umbra

BATH
Dolphin Solutions
Geesa
GROHE
Vipp
CEILING TREATMENTS
Barrisol
BASWAphon
FLOORING
Altro
Halbmond
FURNITURE
BoConcept
Brunner
Della Rovere
Huppe
Leland
Raynor
Redi
Slide

8 At Generator Miami, principles of
luxury yacht and residential design
mixed with lower-cost materials
resulted in laid-back comfort with
an urban edge.

9 There's nothing hostile
about the private guestrooms in the hybrid hostel.
Generator Miami.

styles rather than preconceived ideas of how a space should be
used. For example, the "pillow room" conservatory looking onto
the pool has cushions scattered around low tables so guests can
relax on the floor in comfort. By using design as a tool for reinvention, Generator proves it is certainly a force to be reckoned with.
It turns out being "caught" in the middle isn't a bad thing after
all. Increased investment in designers' brain-power and creative
processes-rather than off-the-shelf products-opens up possibilities for reinventing brands without greater expense and
making mid-tier territory a sexy address. 

LAMINATES
Resposal
LIGHTING
Artemide
Bo Concept
Fontana Arte
Hera
Slide
PANIC BARS
Xinnix Door Systems
SOLID SURFACING
LG Hi-Macs
WALL TREATMENTS
Espero Sonica
Marburg
GENERATOR MIAMI
CLIENT
Queensgate Investments
DESIGN FIRM
Argent Design

C O U R T E S Y O F O F G E N E R AT O R M I A M I ( G E N E R AT O R M I A M I ) ; C O U R T E S Y O F G E N E R AT O R ( T H O M A N N )

double the brand's usual ratio of private accommodations-also a
market-driven nod to the property's prime Collins Avenue location.
Alastair Thomann, ceo of Generator, explains the decision
was influenced by South Beach's upmarket visitors and that the
mix may change as the property evolves. His diverse background,
which includes stints with hotel chains such as Radisson
Edwardian and Pentahotels as well as accounting giant Arthur
Andersen (until it imploded with the Enron scandal), informs his
holistic viewpoint on what works, what doesn't and how long the
company should wait to find out the difference. It's this kind of
flexible thinking about everything from development to operations to design that has and still does distinguish Generator from
some of the hidebound brands that cloned thousands of select
service and mid-tier hotels around the globe.
A 40-something, Thomann has become a master at harnessing
the power of cross-currents. He doesn't see any problem with introducing more professionalism to the hostel sector while maintaining his company's youthful culture. He has a $320 million war
chest for development-a healthy sum even in the context of an
intercontinental growth plan.
Change for its own sake isn't his style. You'll still see Generator
punching above its weight by using interior design to elevate the
brand's landscape. As a case in point, says Thomann, Generator
commissioned London-based Argent Design not only because its
Miami studio brought intimate local knowledge, but also because
their pitch took a different angle than conventional hotel
designers. The team's translation of the thought-processes and
materials they use when designing exclusive yachts, jets and residences for the lower-budget, yet beautiful, 1940 heritage building of
the Generator Miami injected elements that speak to people's life-

DESIGN FIRM
Karim Rashid Inc.

http://www.boutiquedesign.com

Boutique Design - October 2018

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