Designer Rona Meyuchas-Koblenz was commissioned to design Caesarstone make-up mirrors for the trendy Bankside Hotel set to open on London’s South Bank
The Mirrors
The mirrors are based on the original design of M14 mirror, launched in 2015. The designer has made the mirrors bigger in size and slightly changed the design using different manufacturing techniques so the mirrors will match the hotel needs; 200 mirrors were ordered to furnish the rooms. For the base of the mirror the designer chose 4030 Pebble by Caesarstone, a natural rock-inspired design in cool grey shade with subtle darker accents and high-quality Crystal mirror.
Design inspiration
Following her latest projects using Caesarstone premium surfaces (A4, ABCD, 1141 tables, Project thirtyfour, Balata rulers) the designer was inspired by the material itself and the vast manufacturing techniques that the material allows.
“I am highly determined to reclaim materials where feasible and as a company Caesarstone encourages up-cycling offcuts whenever possible, so the choice was natural. The offcuts from the kitchen fabrication industry mostly come in similar sizes, therefore I found it logical to find a new use to these pieces”.
Rona Meyuchas Koblenz
The Bankside Hotel
Situated in one of the Capital’s most creative and dynamic neighbourhoods, just minutes form the City, the hotel features modern mid-century interiors with subtle connections to the artistic heritage of its surroundings. In addition to 161 airy-residential style rooms, Bankside will offer a creative space with live-work lounges, ‘white cube’ gallery space, and a restaurant and bar with outdoor terrace serving a relaxed seasonal menu. Co-working and inspiring meeting spaces will blend the latest technology with contemporary and flexible environments. Sustainability is at the core of Bankside with an aim of zero to landfill as a key initiative.
The six-storey glass building that houses Bankside is part of the striking One Blackfriars development from award-winning architect Ian Simpson. Its contemporary exterior lines belie the timeless interiors by film set producer-turned-interiors architect, Dayna Lee of Powerstrip Studios. Here, a mid-century modern aesthetic is balanced by an eclectic mix of bespoke furniture and art that celebrates local craftmanship and heritage. Bankside’s light-filled spaces have been thoughtfully curated to deliver a residential feel.
“We wanted to create a genuine boutique hotel for the modern mindset, with calm rooms and creative public spaces that reflect the vibrant, history-steeped community of SE1,’ states Dayna Lee. ‘We’ve had fun celebrating the local artistic community including post-kiln pottery drying racks for shelves, kid-leather-covered furnishings conjuring an ‘art school’ experience and punctuating these with lots of luxurious, custom-made features.”
Rona Meyuchas – Koblenz
Rona is an internationally acclaimed product designer, art director and a researcher. Graduated in 1999 from the Scuola politecnica di design in Milan with MA in industrial design and started her career by working in different design consultancies in Milan and London. Rona’s experience in design and manufacturing then motivated her to create products under her own label, and her first collection was released in Milan during Salone del Mobile 2007 at Spazio Romeo Gigli. The following year she was approached by the British embassy in Milan to exhibit selected products at The Galleria d’Arte moderna in Milan, an exhibition curated by Sir Paul Smith and Moroso. The minimalist democratic approach and an honest design are most recognized with Rona’s style and work. In 2010, she created the British design brand kukka, which works for architects, interior designers and retailers such as Conran, Paul Smith, La Rinascente, Selfridges and De Padova. The studio, underpinned by creative stimulation, specializes in experimenting with materials, manufacturing methods and technology. Among Rona’s clients; Caesarstone, LG, BioHouse, Amorim, British Council, I-mesh. Rona is also a visiting lecturer, a writer, tutor and the founder of Designers in the Middle.
About kukka studio
Founded in East London in 2007, The design practice specializes in Creative direction, product design, research & identity, product development and manufacturing of bespoke made products and installations. We investigate questions about our day to day living experience as we observe, listen, feel and innovate with confidence every project. We create furniture, luminaries, small scale interiors products and installations while our clients ranging from private, hospitality, consumer, construction and cultural
“Rona Meyuchas-Koblenz lets serendipitous stimuli steer kukka’s product design” Frame Magazine 2016
About Caesarstone
Caesarstone manufactures high quality engineered quartz surfaces, which are used in both residential and commercial buildings as countertops, vanities, wall cladding, floors and other interior surfaces. The wide variety of colours, styles, designs and textures of Caesarstone® products, along with Caesarstone’s inherent characteristics such as hardness, non-porous, scratch and stain resistance and durability, provide consumers with excellent surfaces for their internal spaces which are highly competitive to granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate, as well as to other engineered quartz surfaces. Caesarstone products are available in over 50 countries around the world.
About Quartz
As one of nature’s strongest materials, quartz provides durable, stain resistant and versatile surfacing applications, allowing homeowners to establish a cohesive design throughout the home. Caesarstone continues to uphold its status as pioneers of quartz, a title that has been attributed to the company since its conception thirty years ago.