In downtown Reykjavik, not far from the Parliament, the Hilton hotel chain has recently opened the Iceland Parliament Hotel, which links the past to the present in that it combines original distinguishing features with a bold and trendy design that perfectly captures the spirit of the place.
The approach taken by the architecture firm THG Arkitektar in this project was to apply contemporary design techniques while respecting the local history, culture and tradition: three centuries-old buildings – the former telecommunications headquarters, the first secondary school for women in Iceland, and Independence Hall – were merged with newly built ones to offer an exclusive and unforgettable stay.
Both outside and inside the hotel, FMG technical ceramics were chosen for their outstanding performance, sophistication and functionality, which meet the required high quality standards.
With its natural-looking stone effect, Quarzite was used to clad the envelope of some of the new buildings that form part of the hotel, blending in harmoniously with the surrounding materials, including reinforced concrete, diorite for the buildings, and metal for the ventilated façade. This collection was also used for large sections of flooring on the first floor of the Iceland Telecom, i.e. the telecommunications headquarters, creating a welcoming, velvety atmosphere in the large gallery area, which is accessible to the public via a staircase, as well as in the lobby and in the spa on the lower level. FMG surfaces, with their many different textures evoking nature in all its forms, are featured here in several relaxation and wellness areas: the MaxFine Travertino, Amazonite and Onice Malaga large instantly give each room a striking and unique character. On the top floors of the Iceland Telecom, MaxFine White Calacatta is prominently used in the guest room bathrooms as a wall covering and as a shower and bathtub cladding.
All FMG solutions have a few things in common: meticulous attention to detail, great care in construction, and carefully selected materials. All these factors attest to the reliability and professionalism of this brand as well as to its remarkable ability to address the specific design and aesthetic requirements of an international luxury hotel.