Creneau International's new Eindhoven office has delivered several beautiful and thoughtfully designed hospitality projects over the past year, including the renovation of the iconic Carlton Beach Hotel in Scheveningen and the new interior for restaurant Zuiderzoet in Zeewolde. Previously, Creneau designed the HUP Hotel in Mierlo, the Cloud Club at Eindhoven Airport, restaurant Terland for the Terhills Resort, and the new ING offices—where hospitality also plays a major role—among many other projects both in the Netherlands and abroad.
According to lead designer Yannic Alidarso, clients turn to Creneau not only because the company is a hospitality expert that also operates hospitality venues itself, but also "because we have everything under one roof, including our own construction workshop."
© Creneau International
That one-stop-shop means that Creneau does everything from strategy, branding & marketing to interior design, construction, but also thinks along on the operational side and even employee clothing & tableware. 'An integrated partner instead of three separate agencies has all kinds of advantages,' says Alidarso. 'For instance, in terms of communication and budget. Also nice that with the new office we are even closer to the client and therefore now very accessible in the Netherlands as well.'
New face for an icon
This summer, Creneau delivered the complete renovation of the iconic Carlton Beach Hotel in Scheveningen. After a large-scale renovation, the hotel reopened its doors in May, complete with new brand identity, interior and fresh hospitality concept. One of the eye-catchers is restaurant Nomon, with an open fire kitchen behind a new glass facade overlooking the sea. Laura Heukels of the Carlton Group is proud and more than satisfied with the work done. 'What I like best is that the overarching theme of sun and seasons has been carried through to the entire design language. From the reception area with its round shapes and warm earth tones to the colourful gradient in the carpets and the solar glow in the lighting design.' Including revamped rooms & meeting rooms (under the Beach Business banner) and a warm, informal approach to hospitality, Carlton Beach now profiles itself as a contemporary seaside meeting place.
© Creneau International
Zuiderzoet
Last year, Creneau also worked on the redevelopment of restaurant Zuiderzoet in Zeewolde, a project for Center Parcs. Based on the theme Dance between Water and Land, the design reflects the restaurant's special location in reclaimed land, and this is reflected throughout. In the colour scheme, materials, textures and shapes. For example, water and earth are presented in different ways. Take the ground layers in the bar and kitchen, as if they too were reclaimed land, the waves in the wood finish, the ripple effect on walls and in the lighting, the curtain in the shape of a sail and the undulating movement of the tables. 'Many of these elements we not only designed but also produced ourselves in our construction workshop,' says Alidarso. Rik Goedkoop of client Center Parcs: 'I am happy that this special place - a piece of reclaimed polder land in Flevoland - is so beautifully reflected in the sustainable interior.' He also praises the cooperation, which - also because Creneau runs restaurants itself - 'went more than smoothly.'
Cross-over
Meanwhile, Creneau is extending its experience in hospitality to other sectors such as retail and the office environment. Take the hybrid bank office with co-working spaces and coffee bar that the design agency designed for ING Utrecht, called La Vie. This has since become a true co-working hub and clearly differs from the average bank branch with only counters.
© Creneau International
Sustainable, smart and strategic
Creneau strives for sustainability and circularity in all its projects. The Rotterdam ING branch completed last year, for instance, scores exceptionally high with a Building Circularity Index (BCI) of 69 per cent. In Zuiderzoet, 80 per cent of the old furniture such as tables and chairs was reused or purchased from other restaurants that closed. The old bar also received a new shell. Furthermore, Creneau thought strategically. The customer journey, for instance. How do people arrive, which routes do they walk, what do they see next, which view is best? Employees and their walking movements also received attention. Alidarso: 'That's why, for example, the bar has been moved closer to the terrace.'
Ambition of entrepreneur in every detail
According to Alidarso, a project is successful 'if we manage to capture the ambition of the hospitality entrepreneur in every aspect: interior, tone of voice, art (often also designed in-house, ed.) and unique custom pieces such as lamps, bars, tables, benches and cabinets from Creneau's studio.'
© Creneau International
About Creneau
Creneau International creates interior and branding concepts that resonate with a brand's character. From restaurants and hotels to retail and offices; each design is unique and backed by years of experience. In addition, Creneau develops its own franchise concepts such as Cho Gao, Maison Mathis, Belgian Beer Café and operates, for example, Roca House in Ibiza: restaurant, café, bakery and shop all in one. In addition to the clients mentioned above, Creneau works for Ahold, Vermaat and Schiphol, among others. For much more info, see www.creneau.com.
Suggestion streamers
'What I like best is that the sun and seasons theme has continued throughout the design language,' says Laura Heukels, Carlton Group.
'The cooperation went so smoothly partly because Creneau also runs restaurants itself,' concludes Rik Goedkoop, Center Parcs.
More information:
Creneau International
Hellebeemden 13
3500 Hasselt Belgium
+32 11 24 79 20
[email protected]
www.creneau.com
