Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Aloft London ExCel

This is a project by Jestico + Whiles and it is located at London, United Kingdom. Project's program: Hotel with 252 guest rooms. There are ten images for Aloft London ExCel.

: © Tim Crocker

Project details

Project name: Aloft London ExCel
Location: London, United Kingdom
Program: Hotel with 252 guest rooms
Area: Site Area: 0.95 hectares • Gross Floor Area: ~14,000 m2
Year: Completion: November 2011
More details: Numbers of Rooms: 252
Client: ExCeL London (part of ADNEC)
Project by: Jestico + Whiles
Others: Hotel Management Company: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide • Project Development: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company • Project Management: GVA Second London Wall • Interior Architecture: Jestico + Whiles • General Contractor: McAleer & Rushe • Finishings: MJM, Polcom, Dunningham Decorators

Project images

Designer's statement

The Aloft London ExCeL is a new high quality hotel located on the ExCeL campus in London Docklands. The project was developed by ExCeL London’s parent company, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, in partnership with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

The plan of the building has a convex central spine containing bedrooms and the vertical circulation, flanked by two concave wings which house further bedrooms and corridors. These wings are clad in thousands of specially treated, highly reflective stainless steel shingles creating the extraordinary effect of constantly changing colour with the passing of the day.

The central spine of the hotel has been finished with a bespoke, double glazed cladding, which features a translucent ceramic frit pattern and solid back painted spandrel panels. Inspired by the illusion of depth seen in some of Bridget Riley’s paintings, abstract horizontal stripes fritted onto the glass have been designed to emphasise the flow of the building. This creates an unusual interplay of movement and depth when combined with the undulating colours of the crescent wings.

The scheme provides 252 guestrooms, triple height entrance space, lounge, bar, meeting rooms, gym, pool and separate restaurant. A BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ has been achieved.