The minimalist white façade of the newly built Warszauer Hotel designed by INDO Architekci stands on a narrow plot among the intimate, historic buildings of Krakow's Kazimierz district in Poland.
The front facade of the Warszauer Hotel was made of Corian. Indo Architects gave it a three-dimensional structure that references to the divisions and rhythms of the adjacent façades. On the other hand, it is very contemporary, drawing attention not only to its shape but also to its striking texture. The exterior "announces" the interior, which is a true feast for the eyes. Both were carefully designed by the owner herself, Marta Gajewska who devoted her heart and soul to the project and paid great attention to every detail.
Upon entering, a bespoke steel piece of furniture greets the visitors. The floor is made of polished terrazzo, and, on the walls, large-format marble spreads across the reception back wall. The deep black wooden ceiling, which dominates the interior, pays tribute to traditional architectural solutions. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that all the wooden parts have been finished in a traditional Japanese way − they were burned and reinforced by this unique process.
The idea for the hotel started with a simple need. Marta, the owner, felt a great longing for a stylish and cosmopolitan breakfast place in Krakow. However, as she accidentally discovered the narrow plot pressed between the synagogue and the neighboring tenement, some unexpected solutions came to her mind. It turned out that it would be possible to receive a building permission for a relatively high building there. This is just a brief summary of the story because this complex process took six years to complete. To underline its local character, the hotel's name was inspired by the name of the street, where it stands. Jonatan Warszauer, born in 1820, was a doctor, philanthropist and a prominent social figure in Krakow.
The Warszauer hotel evokes the feeling of being in a small art gallery. The guests are surrounded by carefully selected furniture and objects from GUBI, &tradition, MENU, CASSINA, Marcel Breuer, NORR 11, and works by a Polish artist Tomasz Opaliski. He was invited to create 35 special paintings for Warszauer, bringing a unique final touch to the interiors.
It is highly possible that "Brzask", his crafted wooden sculpture located in the dining space, may become the iconic image of the Warszauer. It is there that the breakfast is served at an elegant, massive, wooden table, surrounded by carefully selected design objects. It gives the place the cocooning effect, crucial for those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the Kazimierz Square.
All of the hotel's ten rooms are spacious, bright, light, and yet gratifying. It is thanks to the quality of the materials and careful workmanship that the guests can be certain to arrive in an intimate space − the sanctuary of a second home.
