April 16 2013

Graven Images have completed work on a new Radisson Blu hotel at the Mall of America, Minnesota; their second project for the hotel chain following completion of the Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago.

Dominated by a feature Krion wall, a porcelain like sculptural expanse across two storeys, the interior work is designed to ‘shelter’ bars and restaurants from lobby spaces where nest hanging loungers from Dedon hang 40ft from the ceiling.

Further design cues are taken from the system of ‘skyways’ which criss-cross downtown Minneapolis, designed to shelter pedestrians from winters worst excesses, and the use of a giant rug which abstracts the Minnesotan landscape when viewed from above.

An entrance courtyard is intended to draw some of the 40m shoppers who pass through the adjoining mall annually, something which project designer Jim Hamilton drew particular inspiration from: “It made me think of fireflies, with their use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. When it turns from day to night, the second floor lobby lighting artificially illuminates the tiny windows to the street, bringing the fireflies to life.”

Strong links to both Scotland and Scandinavia are reflected in work displayed in the hotel gallery, which include a number of pieces by Paisley born John Byrne, an oblique reference to local pop star Prince whose Paisley Park Records company employed the Paisley pattern motif as its symbol.

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