Characterized by tradition, enriched by materiality and inspired by contemporary life; the architecture and interior design studio Ica Studio has converted the listed Horwood House Hotel. We entered the newly invented interior…
Located on 38 acres of beautiful English grounds in Buckinghamshire, Horwood House Hotel is a Grade II listed mansion built in 1911 by renowned architect Detmar Blow. The estate has a rich history that spans several centuries and was built on the site of an old farmhouse, Old Horwood. However, the building is best known as the birthplace of the famous gardener Percy Thrower. The house, the water lily pond and the Pytheas Gardens provide a truly beautiful setting and were an inspiration for the new interior design of the renovation of the mansion.
Ica Studio has been commissioned by ZIZ Properties to remodel the common areas and bed & breakfasts of this historic property. The transformation journey stretched over two years, as a result of which the hotel remained partially in operation. The studio has reinvented the original bricks and mortar in a new collection of guest-centric spaces, while ensuring that the original features of the building are not only preserved, but celebrated.
“Ica Studio delivered a transformative design for the hotel that helped reposition Horwood House as a opulence leisure destination,” said Karim Kassam, founder of ZIZ Hospitality. “It was an overriding goal when I appointed Ica Studio as the architects and interior designers for the project. From the date to where we are today, they worked exactly to the end and the feedback so far is fantastic!”
The design process required a fine balance between beautiful historic interiors and more modern extension areas. Careful intervention has ensured that the listed areas meet both operational requirements and planning requirements. More modern extension areas seamlessly continue the appearance and flow of the original mansion, while the design remains appropriate in a more contemporary setting. The transformation of Horwood House from top to bottom included the listed mansion with suites, bedrooms, reception, lounges, reception and meeting rooms, private dining rooms and a new restaurant and bar, as well as the design of a new spa.
The colour palette channels opulence and calm light with subtle grey, green and gold accents – all supported by the carpet, which has been custom–made by one of the UK’s top producers, Oriental Weavers Hospitality. Entering the mansion reveals a living room-a magnificent but devoted event space, ideal for weddings and parties. The room, overlaid with rich textures of buttoned leather, textured cashmere and velvet prints, evokes elegance and opulence and will be the backdrop for many happy occasions in the coming years.
Thanks to the cooperation with the leading lighting designers Imagine Global and Lightique, the lighting installation throughout the hotel offers several focal points. Iconic chandeliers have been carefully peppered into the mansion, inspired by the traditional lighting of the 19th century heritage. A remarkable piece hangs over the characteristic staircase of the mansion – this dramatic three-tiered chandelier is made of steel with a veneered surface and features smooth, ribbed glass tubes.
Guests of the Horwood House have the opportunity to explore some fascinating aspects of the history of the mansion through works of art specially commissioned by Indigo Art. an allusion to 1911, the year of construction of the mansion as we know it today, and to the milestones of that time, such as the coronation of King George v and Queen Mary, as well as the publication of “the Secret Garden” and works by the famous poet DH Lawrence.
