A Bespoke Ceiling for a Locally Rooted Hotel

Design identity inspired by Villa Noailles

In the coastal town of Hyères, France, Hôtel Mercure Hyères Centre sought to revitalise its lobby and give it a distinct local identity. Interior designer Karolina Lubkowski drew inspiration from the modernist Villa Noailles nearby, using Rockfon Color-all acoustic tiles in a custom greyscale design. The rotated grid layout and sound-absorbing surfaces resolved the acoustic issues caused by hard floors and expansive windows.

Acoustic elegance with a playful grid layout

Major hotel chains are shifting from standardised interiors to designs that reflect local identity. At Hôtel Mercure Hyères Centre, this strategy shaped the redesign of an impersonal lobby into a warm and expressive space, where the ceiling contributes directly to the sense of place.

Interior designer Karolina Lubkowski drew inspiration from Villa Noailles, a modernist landmark in Hyères. Its graphic contrasts were reinterpreted using Rockfon Color-all ceiling tiles in White, Concrete and Charcoal, set in a rotated grid for a dynamic visual rhythm.

To guide the guest experience, colour was used to define space: darker tiles above lounges bordered by bright walls, and lighter tiles in circulation areas. This greyscale gradient adds visual structure without physical barriers, balancing openness with subtle zoning.

The X-edge of the tiles creates a near-seamless ceiling surface. This minimal detail allows the colour contrast and angled layout to become the ceiling’s defining elements, supporting the overall architectural intent without visual clutter.

With reverberant flooring and large windows, the lobby presented a clear acoustic challenge. Rockfon Color-all offers Class A sound absorption, ensuring guests can speak comfortably and feel at ease in a busy shared space.