Dhaka has a long and culturally rich history, first as the former Mughal capital of Bengal and then as capital of Bangladesh. Yet it is also experiencing rapid growth due to its strong agriculture, textiles, information technology, and biotechnology industries. Warren Foster-Brown’s firm FBEYE International was retained to design the 304-key Le Méridien Dhaka, situated near the city’s international airport, which references its Mughal roots through a contemporary design vocabulary. 

The Singapore-based designer made a statement in the lobby that carries to every detail in every space. “A wall on the mezzanine level wrapping around the lobby gave us the perfect blank canvas to showcase an adaptation of Dhaka’s road map,” explains Foster-Brown. “Art plays a huge part in any Le Méridien hotel, as does navigation and coordinates, so an aerial view of the city’s roads that we took from a flight on our initial approach into Dhaka became the basis for this art piece.”

In the guestrooms, Foster-Brown mixed Dhaka’s inherent culture with Le Méridien’s European DNA. “In small niches, etches on glass and around unexpected corners, discovery moments are placed informing guests of interesting facts, a map of the area or an image reflecting local culture,” he explains, adding that patterns and prints were gathered from local art and artists. “Bangladesh is rich with unique traditions; one such is alpana, an artistic expression of devotion,” he says. The expression is adopted on elements like the pendant light in the presidential suite living room and prints on wall upholstery, while the designer’s vibrant color selections all fall within the Le Méridien color palette.”

FBEYE was also responsible for all the F&B outlets, including Latitude 23, 15 Above, Latest Recipe, Favola, Olea, and the pool bar. A traditional English pub, 15 Above combines wood paneling, leather-tufted banquets, and British memorabilia with Persian rugs in fuchsia and ochre. “This is the venue to really let your hair down. From the textile traditional floral prints on the chair upholstery to the wood carvings and forms, there is a warm and comfortable feeling—a sense of luxury,” he says. “Even the motif on the custom carpet design reflects a modern version of the Persian rugs of Bangladesh’s past.”