Many renowned personalities, from celebrities to political figures, have walked through the doors of Raffles Hotel, including the late Michael Jackson and Queen Elizabeth II. With such a rich history and heritage to be preserved since the hotel first opened in 1887, interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud – founder of award-winning interior design firm Champalimaud Design – gamely rose to the challenge of creating a fresh perspective in the refurbished space, while respecting the existing architecture.

Alexandra shares: “When Raffles Hotel reopens, the hotel will have more than 100 pieces of antique furniture that would have been carefully restored, including the Steinway grand piano, an antique gramophone and the grandfather clock located in the grand lobby.”

When introduced to the Raffles Hotel restoration project, what were your first questions?
For me, the most important element when approaching this project was to honour and respect the culture of Singapore. What is its culture? Where did its influences come from? We carried out extensive research to understand the true personality of Singapore, and what Raffles Hotel stands for in its culture.

What is one of the most important spaces in the building?
I believe the most important and fundamental part of the hotel is the experience of the arrival. The facade is glorious, colonial and tiered; it has Peranakan influences that reflect the heritage of Singapore. The lobby consists of a large atrium complete with a skylight and columns. Not only is it both a lobby and a sitting area, but it also serves as a passageway to the guest rooms, reception, Tiffin Room, bar and the restaurant. This design is aimed at addressing the sense of place, while accommodating the need for people to move through the area.

What are some strategies you put in place to ensure the old and new will marry well? 
The changes that I brought were both modern but appropriate, as though they innately belong in the building and have been there forever. We worked closely with other restoration partners on the project like heritage consultant, Studio Lapis, a Singapore-based architectural conservation specialist, to ensure that the final look retains the charm and ambience that is unique to Raffles Hotel.

For example, the suites are designed to reminisce the past, while still being contemporary in the way they are built and function. We added improved sound-proofed windows and lighting, but preserved the heritage and colonial vibe of the space, including the signature tripartite parlour, sleeping area, bathroom layout, and elements such as the antique light switches.

RAFFLES HOTEL IS SET TO REOPEN IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR.