GMB Architecture + Engineering partnered with renowned designers to deliver the Haworth Hotel at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

Haworth Hotel, formerly known as the Haworth Inn & Conference Center, serves as the front door for Hope College and a key part of the institution’s image and identity. The reimagining of this 36,000-square foot project called on the expertise of stakeholders in architecture, design, and manufacturing. In order to serve as a welcoming zone for faculty, staff, students, and guests, multi-disciplinary collaboration fuels the connections of people, programs, and partners.

The planning, design, and execution of Haworth Hotel illustrates the project’s commitment to incorporating multiple perspectives. GMB and Perkins&Will’s 2017 campus master plan outlined the essential purpose in reinventing the formerly 47-key hotel – now 48 guestrooms, including a brand-new suite, and 14 conference spaces. GMB also held meetings with stakeholders to flesh out design needs. Then, representatives of furniture manufacturer Haworth, Inc. approached Hope College with a desire to help transform the 20-year-old building into a place to house their visitors and showcase the products in their family of brands. Internationally renowned designer Patricia Urquiola of Studio Urquiola was tapped for the hotel’s interior design. Each space within the completely renovated hotel speaks to its powerful, complex mission statement.

The welcome center and conference registration area serves as a warm “hello” the instant guests enter the front door. Unlike many hotels that rely on wayfinding in design to guide guests, this area instead creates a place for people to provide that direction, whether they are admissions or department staff receiving guests or conference attendees registering for an event. Administrative and storage space support the reception area in providing the same human touch for the check-in process.

The Biggby coffee bar / gift shop celebrates the need for flexibility, providing a space with touchdown workspace for small groups to socialize or study. Displays highlight branded gift items and traveling necessities. The pre- and post-function area offers similarly versatile casual seating and amenities in a space marked by natural light from a skylight.

The lobby’s grand spiral staircase, designed by GMB as part of this renovation, connects two floors and creates a striking visual focal point as guests enter the lobby. As in the other public spaces, carefully curated furnishings allow for a wide variety of uses, leaving guests free to work, study, interact or relax as they wish. Products from brands such as Cassina, Cappellini, Poltrona Frau, JANUS et Cie, Pablo Designs, rugs by GAN, and textiles by Kvadrat represent Haworth’s global family of brands. Fourteen conference spaces and a 350-person capacity ballroom, as well as a fitness room, round out the hotel’s public spaces.

The complete renovation of the guest rooms includes new bathrooms, furniture, carpet, wall coverings, and window treatments as well as common spaces and hallways on the lodging floors. The addition of a suite and doors between some adjoining guest rooms increase the variety of accommodations.

Design: GMB Architecture + Engineering
Photography: Kendall McCaugherty | Hall+Merrick Photographers