Author Archives: Manou Steiger

Ivo Christow on Mixing Scenography and Interior Design

Ivo Christow is the creative force behind some of Europes most noticeable hospitality concepts as the Head of Design at Krucker & Partner.

June 20, 2023

Benjamin El Doghaili on Creating Europe's Most Exciting Hotel Concept

Mama Shelter is probably one of the most exciting new hospitality concepts in Europe. Launched in 2008 by the Triagno family, the brand shook up the hospitality scene with their daring "urban refuge" concept. Their very first property opened in Paris's 20th district and quickly became famous for their one-of-a-kind concept which combines hospitality, cheekiness, food and good people. Since 2008 the brand has grown and is now embracing properties in three different continents, nine countries and fourteen cities with more opening in the pipeline. We sat down with Benjamin El Doghaili, the Head of Design for Mama Shelter and a creative mastermind in his own right. You are the Head of Design for Mama Shelter, a hospitality brand ​which is inspired by the idea of creating a different kind of hotel experience combining urban design, affordability and a touch of new-wave glamour. Can you tell us a little more about the Mama Shelter vision? Mama Shelter is a brand created 14 years ago by Trigano gang, Serge, the father, Benjamin and Jérémie, the two sons. The initial idea was to create something never seen before in the hospitality business. Some glamourous places in an area where there used to be no hotels, with a certain kind of social approach. The staff is careful but never stays standing by a front desk. They’re young and fancy looking. These are the people you see down the street. Design was unique due to the amount available for that, a very low one. From this difficulty, you make choices, you simplify and finally you have a kind of subtract that makes it so unique in its radicality. Everybody is welcome at Mama Shelter, youngsters, families, elders, you can be on your own or with your team! You feel this everywhere in every corner, from the restaurant to the bar, from the lobby to the rooms, everywhere. How would you say Mama Shelter distinguishes itself from other hotels? First, when you come from a big city, you don’t really think about Mama Shelter as a hotel but more as a restaurant, bar with hotel rooms. This seems accepted in our habits nowadays but imagine this thought 14 years ago. The design is very specific because it’s a complete piece of design. Everything you see is developed by me and my team so you will never see the same thing somewhere else. I insist on the fact that these are hotels made of design with some decoration and not decoration with some design. There is a guarantee to be out of the ordinary as I don’t want to follow design trends.  

December 14, 2022

Interview: Daniel Schneider on creating the future of hospitality

Daniel Schneider, co-founder of Monoplan - The leading architecture, interior design and branding firm in Europe

October 24, 2022

Interview: Veronica del Castillo Caldas on How Interior Design is a Vessel for Stories

Carbone Interior Design is synonymous with that elegant yet modern touch. With projects spanning from private properties to hospitality and retail, Veronica del Castillo Caldas (Head of Creative) has put the Swiss interior design company on the international map when it comes to high-end interior design. The young colombian powerhouse was speerheading the construction of AP House on Zürich's prestigious Bahnhofstrasse as well as many other private and hospitality projects.

August 29, 2022

Interview: Valentina Frutig on Developing One of Europe's Largest Private Collections

Valentina Frutig probably has one of the most envious jobs in the art world: As the Senior Collection Manager of one of the most notable private collection in Switzerland, Valentina is surrounded daily of the likes of Basquiat, Warhol and Johnson. If she's not sitting at her desk in the collections headquarter Zug, she's traveling the world in the quest of finding new additions to the Erni collection.

August 25, 2022

The Art Fair of the Future: NOMAD Circle

Every year, a group of discerning art & design collectors, professionals and aficionados get together over the course of one week in order to visit a fair that, to this day, is unique. Since its inception in 2017, NOMAD successfully completed nine editions in St. Moritz, Monaco, Venice and a virtual edition in Cannes. Each year, a new location for the forthcoming edition is announced. What stays the same are breath-taking locations that unite the best of art & design under one roof. During the latest Nomad Circle edition in St.Moritz, Switzerland we had the pleasure to sit down with one of the co-founders Nicholas Bellavalance-Lecompte:

March 29, 2022

Interview: Art world legend Simon de Pury announces his latest venture

Renowned auctioneer and art dealer, Simon de Pury collaborates with international artists on a new series of studio-based exhibitions

June 03, 2021

Dara Huang’s Top Picks

The daughter of a NASA scientist Dara Huang has taken over the design and architecture world with her company Design Haus Liberty. For The Artling, she has picked some of her most loved Art & Design pieces

May 25, 2021

The Mirazur Art Collection: Revealing the Artist Line-Up

The world's Number 1 restaurant Mirazur will be coming to Singapore for a 3-month residency at Mandala Club.

May 06, 2021