JOI-Design navigates adventurous design waters to create the Hapimag Resort.
LONDON – Hamburg-based interior architecture studio JOI-Design found plenty of inspiration in its own back (dock)yard when designing 41 spacious, well-appointed holiday apartments for the recently opened Hapimag Resort.
Drawing upon its insider knowledge about the vibrant, style-savvy locale of the downtown residences amongst the historic brick warehouses of the Alster River canals, the design team created a concept that contrasts Hanseatic chic with rough harbour flair.
Rugged yet Refined
Vintage furniture classics, handcrafted accents, and elegant textiles woven from natural fibres sit alongside robust ropes, nautical motifs, and vintage oak floors, resulting in a cosy yet modern haven that avoids pastiche. The concept reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Hamburgers mixed with the comfort of a home away from home.
Splashes of sunny yellow on lobby lounge chairs and port hole “frames” above the reception desk perk-up the space’s anthracite and grey palette. A variety of seating options provide inviting nooks for guests to linger with friends or work comfortably at individual computer stations without feeling isolated.
Black pendant lights hung from anchored cords, rope buoys used as decorative accents, a timber chest that might have held nautical charts, and a wooden table crafted from re-purposed shipping boxes evoke the industrial fittings of the vessels calling at Hamburg’s port.
Stowaway with Style
Designed with crisp shades of navy blue and white and subdued with nuances of taupe, the generously sized one and two-bedroom apartments were imagined by JOI-Design to be fresh, relaxing berths on the most tasteful of ships.
In the living room space, a tripod floor lamp recalls sailors’ astronomical devices, while nautically themed black and white photography refers to the harbour’s heritage. Balancing the maritime concept with dashes of modernity are tightly woven sisal rugs, a plush, herringbone patterned sofa, and a design classic – Hans Wegner’s much loved tri-legged black chair.
Dockside Dining
A place where residents can wine and dine as well as entertain friends, the fully functional kitchen is fitted with state-of-the-art appliances and features a custom tile backsplash that depicts blue, hand painted ships at sea.
Offering further expressions of the seafaring culture is a brass-trimmed steamer trunk holding dinnerware and cutlery, and a rustic, iron frame dining table whose top resembles a timber shipping container emblazoned with the caution “handle with care”.
Smooth Sleeping Ahead
A focus upon wellness and comfort shapes the mood of the bedrooms. Warm hues of fawn and honey create a quiet, soothing atmosphere, with soft fabric curtains, a natural sisal rug and a leather-lined bed-frame that establish a sense of tranquility next to the clean white joinery and the enveloping deep blue of the walls.
Plenty of storage space ensures clutter can be kept at bay to emphasise the feeling of spacious calm. Not only a place for relaxing, the timber bench holds a secret with a hinged seat that reveals a nook for stashing linens, while a dressing table is perfect for grooming accessories and a wardrobe and an expansive closet area contain assorted shelves, drawers and hanging space.
A rope swing has been charmingly interpreted as a nightstand – a reference to the numerous rope turners who toiled in the warehouses long ago – and above the headboard is the neighbourly, low German greeting “moin moin” that can often be heard on the streets of Hamburg.
Peter Joehnk and Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk, co-managing directors of JOI-Design, explain, “Our aim has been to weave cheerful design touches throughout the Hapimag Resort – accents that bring smiles to guests and inspire feelings of delight. These positive impressions are what lead to cherished memories and in turn, repeat stays.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
