We live surrounded by buildings that often go unnoticed and are true works of art. Constructions are the result of a complex creation process in which, in addition, they have been developed in the artistic sense of their inventor, facing urban and spatial problems to adapt them to the time and place. Constructions that leave us speechless, are an open-air spectacle that Prix Versailles is responsible for rewarding each year, granting a set of awards that highlight the best contemporary achievements, from around the world, in the beautification and improvement of the environment. . Awards that are examples presented to the world, signs of exceptional architecture and design that overcome their limitations in several categories.
These are the 18 selected in the categories of shops, hotels and restaurants.
At number 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, Christian Dior inaugurated his maison on December 15, 1946: an elegant and simple place. A building with a neoclassical façade converted into a three-story space to pay tribute to the world of the designer. The staircase continues to be the backbone of the building and around it you can see the brand’s most iconic garments and accessories: exclusive pieces, rare creations, iconic bags, sumptuous dresses, original sketches, archival documents, photographs… Throughout thirteen themed rooms, visitors are invited to discover and dream about the Dior universe.
The luxury shopping center on Place Vendôme in Doha now houses the world’s largest single-story Hermès store. More than 600 square meters full of details inspired by the country and its historical monuments, with materials carefully selected specifically for the store. Light pours in through the double-height windows, highlighting the brilliance of the cream and white marble and stone, flecked with amber and earthy tones, and the wavy lines of the ceiling evoke the sand dunes of the nearby Khor Inland Sea. Al Udaid.
The store is located in Seongsu-dong, a very fashionable old industrial district in the city. Following in the footsteps of the house, it is inspired by the Dior store at 30 Montaigne in Paris. The space fuses French-style gardens with Korean nature, and features design elements such as floral details to highlight Dior’s love of flowers. At first glance, the boutique attracts attention with its façade that looks like a luminous glass showcase that goes from transparency to almost opacity depending on the time of day.
A former palace of the Dukes of Lafões built in 1755 with more than 7,000 m2 now reopens as a restaurant and bar. The Palácio do Grilo has more than 200 rooms to visit, and was rehabilitated to stay true to its origins, and at the same time transform it into a kind of museum, so only a few new custom-made pieces were added for the furniture and the decoration, and the rest they have kept as is to be displayed as an exhibition.
Strato Restaurant and Bar is located on the 40th floor of the Oakwood Premier Hotel, boasting 360-degree views of Melbourne’s unparalleled skyline and Port Phillip Bay. Darker tones and sophisticated styling combine with carefully designed lighting to minimize reflections from the 7-metre glass windows, thereby eliminating visual boundaries between the diner and the view, further enhancing the feeling of being among the clouds. The venue has two VIP areas: one between the main hall and the restaurant, and an exclusive dining space above the bar on Level 41 for special events.
Nestled in the desert, Khufu’s Restaurant emerges majestically in front of the pyramids of Mycerinus, Khafre and Cheops. A building of contemporary construction, made of sandstone that integrates perfectly with the eternal, almost seems to emerge from the surrounding sand. The neutral and earthy colors do not distract attention, in this way, the attention is focused on one of the most precious treasures in history, the majestic pyramids of Giza, which can be admired from a unique perspective.
The Ouirgane hotel is located above the Berber village of Imlil, about an hour from Marrakech. The owner, Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa, has filled the complex with objects that speak of Moroccan history, with geometric stained glass windows, carved doors, decorative bricks and inlaid frames. Composed of a restaurant, a bar and nine pavilions for guests, traditional Moroccan materials have been used in its construction: earth, bricks, painted wood, carved plaster and wooden lattices, taking as inspiration the fortifications of the kasbahs of southern Morocco. .
Five old country houses, between 300 and 500 square meters, have been renovated in the heart of the Niseko countryside. Each has its own private onsen and offers guests a respite from the daily hustle and bustle. The sober and elegant interiors combine kominka carpentry (without nails or screws) with antique and modern furniture and ceramics, contemporary paintings and sculptures from the private collection of Shouya Grigg, the owner, preserving the traditional image of a Japanese country house. The walls are made of clay and straw, and the interiors are simple and minimalist that invite you to relax.
Inspired by the nomadic nature of Nabataean architecture, the resort is made up of 47 tents and 7 independent villas that blend almost perfectly with the landscape. The interiors are minimalist and relaxing to enjoy the stunning views of the Ashar Valley. A quiet sanctuary in the desert that uses the colors of sand and terracotta that blend in with the area. The complex is protected from the sun by tarps that resemble traditional Bedouin homes. The pool is located in a natural crevice in the rocks, reminiscent of the wadis that appear at the foot of cliffs during periods of rain.