Operating out of Dubai, the internationally awarded interior design consultancy and fit-out firm Draw Link Group (DLG) recently completed the interior design work at the new Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Sousse, Tunisia.

DLG were conferred the interior design contract for the new hotel comprising of 224 spacious rooms, four meeting rooms, a ballroom, and executive lounge, two outdoor swimming pools, a gym, and a full wellness spa. Speaking on the design inspiration for the décor, Daousser Chennoufi, CEO, DLG, said, “The hotel’s location gave us a great starting point. Located on the coastal city of Sousse which is known as the ‘coast’s pearl’ in Tunisia, we knew that incorporating a marine design aesthetic would be essential for the hotel’s branding, and would echo the freshness of the sea”.

However, DLG also concentrated on building an authentic feel to the interior by utilising design concepts from local Tunisian culture and contemporary Mediterranean design. “The key aspect of the design ideas worked well together because of the hotel’s location and international branding. We used sea blue hues to continuously link and remind guests of the sea,” explained Chennoufi.

The use of decorative objects, furniture, materials, and colours were instrumental in the development of a marine atmosphere in the hotel’s lobby, lobby lounge, bar, all day dining, ballroom and function rooms, guestrooms and suites. For the outdoor design and pool areas, DLG added on elements to existing landscaping to infuse the entire setting with a fresh Mediterranean feel.

‘A tricky area in hotels are spas. There are three important components to its design process, and operational design, the interior design of the spa, and the technical design elements,” explained Chennoufi. Yet again inspired by local Tunisian and Mediterranean culture, the spa at the hotel was fitted out with natural materials such as wood, stone, marble, and lighting which in combine to form a soothing and calming atmosphere for those visiting the spa.

While most of the design concepts and its eventual fitting went according to plan, the DLG group met with two difficult challenges during the project. “The first was the timeframe. Our client was hoping to launch the hotel in the summer, but we immediately knew this would compromise on quality and detail. Once this was communicated to the client, we were able to come to a more suitable timeframe for the project,” said Chennoufi. Communication between client and interior designer is key, and DLG has showcased that with effective and early communication catastrophes can be averted.

“The second challenge was a rather interesting design problem. The hotel faces the ocean, but to get to it, guest needs to cross the road. We took into consideration the guests’ safety, and came up with an underground tunnel design concept. This was accepted and implemented, and really added value to our work at the hotel, all of which we are proud of,” remarked Chennoufi.

The interior design work at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Sousse, Tunisia was completed at the end of October 2017. - TradeArabia News Service