Ruinart: Hotel 1729

Hotel 1729 was a pop-up hotel conceived as a way to engage guests in an immersive experience of the world’s oldest champagne House. Hingston was commissioned as creative director for the Hotel, art directing its key spaces and designing the sensory journey that took place once guests stepped over the threshold. Following a research trip to the Maison Ruinart in Reims, the concept focuses on the juxtapostion of modernity and heritage that lies at the heart of the brand. Bringing provenance and storytelling together with unique visual twists, Hotel 1729 chartered the making of a champagne from the harvest of the grapes to the cool underworld of the cellars. Inviting experimental Danish chef Bo Lindegaard as our key collaborator, a tasting menu was designed to celebrate five key Ruinart vintages, each course inspired by a different stage in the winemaking process. As the evening unfolded and guests moved through the space, the atmosphere, menu, lighting and sound evolved to reflect the environment – from the warmth of early summer in the kitchen to the low lit, humidity of the crayères in the lower ground. Our centrepiece was a suspended chalk installation, consisting of 145 individual rocks – the final piece extending the entire length of the lower ground space. Furniture throughout the hotel was curated in partnership with Paul Smith Interiors, Albermarle Street. Produced in collaboration with our partners at Ridley Scott Creative Group and supported by Polar Black Events, Hotel 1729 was an unexpected interpretation of Ruinart – a multi-sensory experience that unites taste, texture, light, sound and colour in one unique space. Credits: Creative Direction: Hingston Studio Food Design: Bo Lindegaard Production: RSA Films Production Design: Anna Burns Production Build: Karmer Sets Lighting Design: Ana Vilar Event Production: Polar Black Stills Photography: Mark Cocksedge With special thanks to the following partners: Flowerbx Paul Smith Interiors Bang & Olufsen The Rug Company Soho Home