Transit Studio, the London-based design practice known for its sensitive and context-rich approach, has completed two transformative new hospitality projects at Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa, set along the Catalan coast south of Barcelona.
Bar Tempus
Taking cues from experiences of the local area and geology, Transit Studio rooted the design for the bar and lounge in the local landscape. A warm palette of earth tones, rich marble and custom, locally-sourced terrazzo colors were the building blocks for the new feature cocktail bar, along with pigmented natural plaster. The fabrics are textured and tactile, with two of the patterns chosen as a subtle nod to the local vineyards seen from the air.
“We have been really excited to work on two complementary projects for Le Méridien Ra, already a stunning property, with a fascinating history,” states Zoe Masterton-Smith, Founder, Transit Studio. “We loved weaving in our experience of the local area into both design approaches that will add further to the unique guest journey at the property.”
The new bar offers a sense of elevated luxury, building on the hotel’s expertise in creating an environment of relaxation, renewal and revival. These new spaces are perfect for relaxing in front of the fire in the middle of winter, as well as a cool respite from the sun in the middle of summer. They help the transition from day to night within the hotel, and provide a focal and natural meeting point for guests.
La Terrassa del Mar – All Day Restaurant, Wine Room & Buffet
After completing the design work for the bar, Transit Studio was asked to look at creating an internal version of the hotel’s all-day restaurant, La Terrassa del Mar. Again, this would help extend the hotel season and provide internal areas for dining outside of the heat in the summer season. They looked at repurposing a long, linear, flexible events space that is perpendicular to the entrance axis to the hotel, sitting between the courtyard garden and the seaside terrace.
Inspired by the local landscape, they wanted to bring the colors of the sea and the lush greens of the hotel gardens deep into the heart of the restaurant. Transit Studio opened up the visibility of the space with new arches in the wall, and a fluid and plant-filled space for the feature wine room experience to draw guests into the restaurant. They have broken down the long linear space with a series of terracotta arches, and used a dramatic azure tiled ceiling to bring in the sense of dappled reflections from the sea across the dining room. Sea green tables in custom terrazzo and internal planting complete the journey between sea and landscape.
Both projects draw on the existing architecture of the hotel, adding a new layer to the rich history in a unique site-specific response to the design briefs.
“This project is about more than just design — it’s about transforming how our guests feel within these walls,” concludes Conor Cushnahan, General Manager of Le Méridien Ra. “Transit Studio has brought an extraordinary level of thought and creativity, helping us craft a new experience that is relaxed yet refined, and entirely of this place.”
Photography by Agnese Sanvito.
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