The new interior design project for the Ibis Styles Katowice Airport hotel, carried out by AKA Studio, takes Frank Sinatra’s hit ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ as its starting point. The concept explores the themes of space travel, boundless dreams and freedom, which form the narrative backbone of the entire project. It is this experience that accompanies guests from the moment they step into the hotel.
The hotel is located at the rapidly developing Katowice Airport, which mainly handles charter flights, and serves as a starting point for holiday travel and relaxation. After many years of use, the investor decided to introduce a second hotel brand, so a completely new section of hotel rooms was built, and the existing communal areas, which required modernisation, underwent a complete transformation.“This project was interesting for us because the existing layout of the ground floor required a complete reorganisation, as it did not meet the contemporary expectations of guests. It is not often that, during refurbishments, we have the opportunity to create a completely new quality of space within the existing fabric, and here we managed to do so in an interesting way, for example by moving the reception away from the main entrance, ” says architect Agata Łapuchowska, co-owner of AKA Studio.
New functional layout
As part of the project, AKA Studio carried out a thorough reorganisation of the hotel’s functional layout, giving the space greater coherence and improved usability. The reception desk was moved further into the hall, combining it with the bar area, whilst a spacious entrance lobby was created in the place of the former reception area. This solution has improved service for a larger number of guests and enabled smoother management of the communal area.
The previous, impractical small rooms were combined into one large, open space, creating a comfortable, flexible breakfast area – ideal for both dining and organising meetings or intimate events. The new functional layout also includes modern conference rooms, a gym and a securely separated children’s playroom. Behind the conference area, a new hotel wing with guest rooms designed by AKA Studio has been built, significantly raising the standard of the facility.
New interior design style
AKA Studio also convinced the client to adopt a bold, dark colour palette, a space theme, richer material combinations and a warm elegance. – We have built the new aesthetic narrative around themes of space, celestial bodies, space stations and futuristic journeys. The interiors are finished in deep shades of navy blue, blue and silver, evoking the night sky and the surface of the Moon, whilst warm metallic details emphasise the futuristic character of the design. Glass, wood and metal create a harmonious space that combines modernity with cosiness and encourages relaxation. Here we find subtle references to the Space Age style of the 1960s, enriched with a touch of romanticism and contemporary elegance, ” comments architect Przemek Maksym of AKA Studio.
The power of detail
The interior is a constant interplay of carefully considered colours, textures and lighting. Sheer fabrics in shades of purple and blue evoke a starry sky, whilst the mirrored surface of the copper-coloured columns shimmers like the panels of a space station. Deep navies contrast with oranges and reds, which symbolise the energy of the stars and the emotions that accompany dreams of travel. Natural wood and grey stone balance the cosmic aesthetic, introducing an element of earthiness and calm, whilst black, ribbed tiles add a subtle, technological touch to the interior.
All these elements combine to create the property’s distinctive style, which appeals to the senses and leaves a lasting impression. – We have also designed a range of unique furnishings for the hotel, which contribute to its identity. These include pouffes based on our own design, furniture with individually selected upholstery that fits perfectly with the starry character of the interior, and a corrugated mirror that shimmers in different colours depending on the time of day, like a planet seen from space. Also worthy of note are the personalised door signs, as well as the fixed furniture and built-in units crafted by joiners to the architects’ design, with details precisely tailored to the overall aesthetic,” says architect Karolina Kowalik, co-owner of AKA Studio.
Many of the proposed and designed elements were based on an analysis of users’ needs. “ The result is a coherent, emotive and functional space that not only enhances guests’ comfort. We hope that a stay at the hotel will be a pleasant start to everyone’s journey, ” concludes architect Agata Łapuchowska, co-owner of AKA Studio. The property won the online vote in the “Hotel with a Concept 2025” competition.
source: press materials
design: AKA Studio
design team: Agata Łapuchowska, Karolina Kowalik, Przemysław Maksym, Michalina Musielak-Paś, Alicja Majszak, Magdalena Chrzanowska
photos: Mood Authors
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