Design and architecture firms: Superfutures, London, and ASW Architekci Ankiersztajn Stankiewicz Wroński, Poznan, Poland

The details: The Polish hamlet of Lodz made history in 1899 when it opened the country’s first cinema, and today, it’s also home to Poland’s National Film School. Those factors inspired London firm Superfutures to celebrate film culture throughout the Puro Lodz. Locally sourced artwork reflects the town’s avant-garde history, and, for a more literal interpretation, a cinema has been installed inside the 130-room hotel. “The retro and contemporary references meet a post-industrial chic aesthetic, where urban materials such as raw concrete and black steel contrast rich timbers and gold detailing,” says Superfutures founder Andy Martin. Conceived as a corridor of experience, communal areas like the café, bar, and lounge are oriented in a linear layout at the front of the building to connect with the streets and sidewalk. “The hotel’s general geometry was a very narrow and long L-shape, which we used to develop a continuous participative journey that implemented the natural light in all the important areas,” Martin explains. “[It’s] a place that resonates with the desires and aspirations of the modern traveler.”

This article originally appeared in HD’s  June 2020 issue.