{"id":417627,"date":"2025-09-12T05:15:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T05:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/417627\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T05:15:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T05:15:23","slug":"hyde-london-city-by-studio-moren","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/417627\/","title":{"rendered":"Hyde London City by Studio Moren"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Studio<\/p>\n

Studio Moren\u2019s body of work has been shortlisted for this year\u2019s\u00a0AYAs<\/a>, as the practice was named a finalist for\u00a0Retail and Leisure Architect of the Year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this series,\u00a0we take a look at one of the team\u2019s entry projects and ask the firm\u2019s associate, Ed Murray, to break down some of the biggest specification challenges that needed to be overcome.<\/p>\n

\"Studio<\/p>\n

What were the key requirements of the client\u2019s brief? How did you meet these both through design and specification?<\/p>\n

The client\u2019s brief for Hyde London City was to revitalise the historic building \u2013 originally completed in 1874 by Evans Cronk and notable as the first hotel in London to feature electric lighting \u2013 into an immersive, design-led lifestyle destination. Most recently used as an office with meeting rooms and an executive business lounge, the building required a complete transformation that respected its heritage while embracing Hyde\u2019s bold and playful brand identity.<\/p>\n

Key objectives included creating distinctive food and beverage spaces to attract local footfall, optimising guestroom layouts within a constrained footprint and embedding strong sustainability principles throughout. Our design response celebrated the building\u2019s architectural character, layering in contemporary elements to deliver a cohesive and vibrant guest experience. Specification choices combined high-impact aesthetics \u2013 rich textures, bold colour palettes and statement lighting \u2013 with durable, practical materials to meet the demands of high occupancy and operational efficiency.<\/p>\n

\"Studio<\/p>\n

What were the biggest specification challenges on the project and how were these overcome?<\/p>\n

The biggest specification challenge was the integration of a new extension built over the existing lightwell, which allowed us to add three rooms per floor, a net gain of 21 keys.<\/p>\n

This required carefully integrating new structure and services within a highly constrained footprint, ensuring compliance with planning and heritage constraints.<\/p>\n

From a specification perspective, it meant developing lightweight construction solutions to minimise structural loading on the existing fabric and basement foundations. This included coordinating acoustic and fire performance with a new steel frame effectively cantilevered off the existing building, and selecting finishes and glazing that balanced visual impact with thermal efficiency.<\/p>\n

Close collaboration with the structural engineer Elliott Wood, MEP consultants, Hoare Lea and a number of specialist-subcontractors was key to achieving this without compromising the bold design vision for the new spaces.<\/p>\n

\"Studio<\/p>\n

What are the three biggest specification considerations for the project type? How did these specifically apply to your project?<\/p>\n

For an urban lifestyle hotel like Hyde London City, the three key specification considerations are:<\/p>\n