Few hotel projects have attracted as much attention over recent years as the re-opening in June 2008 of the art deco Midland Hotel in Morecambe Bay, Northwest England. Once a favourite haunt of icons like Coco Chanel, Wallace Simpson and Lawrence Olivier, the 1930’s-built hotel had, in recent years, been left neglected and in ruin until award-winning property developer Urban Splash and architects Union North embarked on an impressive restoration program to bring the Grade II* Listed building back to life.

DuPont is proud to have collaborated in this hugely anticipated redevelopment, helping to transform The Midland into a unique ‘design destination’ where contemporary architectural and interior solutions sit harmoniously with the art deco charms of the past.

Centre stage in the hotel’s glamorous Rotunda Bar is a sculptural circular bar installation made with Corian^® in Glacier White and Beach Glass colourways. The elegance of the design evokes the sophistication and glamour of the 1930’s while the sleek lines and seamless finish typify the futuristic appeal of the product.

“We used Corian^® solid surface for the Rotunda bar as we needed a material that would give a smooth ‘glassy’ finish. It also needed to be versatile enough to cope with the complex geometry of the design,” explains Su Stringfellow of architects, Union North. “The material needed to be easy-to-clean and impervious, and having worked with Corian^® material before on bar and restaurant surfaces, we were already aware of its qualities in this respect so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.”

Corian^® solid surface in Glacier White was also specified for the bar in the Function room where, in combination with the Corian^® Summer Sky wall cladding, it creates an attractive focal point of bold block colour and geometric playfulness.

“Getting exactly the right flat colours was an important factor as they had to match closely with the strict palette of Art Deco heritage colours used for the walls,” explains Stringfellow. “Corian^® had the widest range of colours to choose from, with Summer Sky matching perfectly.”

Guests who stay in the Honeymoon suite or executive penthouses will also find Corian^® solid surface was used to create dramatic effect in the design and construction of the vanity units, bath surround and wall panels. The material “was the obvious choice too for the cloakrooms, as the design was quite complex and we needed a material that could cope well while also being easy-to-clean and durable,” continues Stringfellow.

The advantages of Corian^® as a surfacing material in busy hospitality environments go beyond versatility and the fresh, clean aesthetic. It also offers a durability, stain-resistance and ease of maintenance that means day-to-day spills and scuffs are taken care of with regular cleaning. Should any accidental damage occur, the surface is repairable and renewable, offering a longevity that enhances sustainability – a key concern of contemporary designers and the owners of The Midland Hotel.