Roca

Recognised worldwide for its iconic design and modern architecture, the Ruy Ohtake designed Hotel Uniquein São Paulo, is undergoing a renovation that promises to further elevate the standards of luxury, sophistication, and modernity of its spaces. The interior renovation, led by renowned architect João Armentano, includes a complete update of the bathrooms in all rooms and common areas, which will now feature products from Roca, a world leader in bathroom solutions.

Elegance and Quality in Every Detail: Following a renovation project signed by architect João Armentano, Hotel Unique will now offers the quality of Roca products. | Photo: Raquel Toth

Hotel Unique’s façade, designed by Ruy Ohtake in the early 2000s | Photo: Vivi Spaco

Armentano’s and Hotel Unique’s choice of Roca products reflects the company’s commitment to providing guests with maximum comfort, elegance, functionality, and sustainability . For over 100 years, Roca has been synonymous with quality, innovation, and design, which is perfectly in line with the hotel’s philosophy. “The project values ESG criteria, and the professionals involved made sure to select the products in person at the Roca São Paulo Gallery, rather than using a catalogue. This ensured that the selection was made with total precision and confidence,” says Aline Pereira, Roca Brazil's Marketing Manager.

The Inspiration

João Armentano enjoying the view of the city of São Paulo

The renovation of the Hotel Unique, which was carried out in phases due to the size of the project, has given the rooms a new atmosphere. “With innovative lines, deconstructed axes and corners, our proposal is not just to innovate and create beauty. We wanted to bring the soul, history, and concept of Unique into every detail. This project is not just a spatial distribution but a fluid and human composition that translates the unique personality of this hotel,” highlights architect João Armentano.

The inspiration for renovation of the suite’s interiors came from a careful analysis by the architectural team of the hotel’s most iconic features, allowing for a perfect understanding of the concept Ohtake brought to the hotel when it was created in the early 2000s. The aim was to modernise the rooms while honouring the curved lines drawn by the great master, following the concept of “less is more” . “Hotel Unique counts on a very specific type of guests; it’s not a resort for relaxation, but rather a business hotel with sophisticated conferences and events. We had to interpret this demand with a superelegant project that still maintained a dialogue with the irreverence and poetry envisioned by Ruy Ohtake, such as the round windows and the hotel’s unique shape,” says Armentano. The central approach of the renovation was to offer a new perspective on the city of São Paulo.

The guest experience begins with the spacious, transparent lobby, filled with the energy of the city, and transitions to a darker, enclosed lift, marking a significant change. On the suite floors, the architect opted for reduced lighting, allowing the winding corridors to create an intriguing space where guests gradually discover the environment as they walk.

Upon entering the suites, guests are greeted with an explosion of light and warmth, providing a bright and comfortable refuge. “The suite reflects the hotel’s sophistication and elegance of the hotel, maintaining a refined design while updating the original concept,” notes the architect. The colour palette was essential in conveying the journey that Armentano wanted to express in the project. “In the corridors leading to the rooms, we chose a dark blue for the carpet and the ceiling. This choice evokes the water that travellers navigate to reach their new destination, as well as the reflecting pool that Gilberto Elkis proposed for the hotel’s ground floor landscaping,” he continues 

Inside the suites, a neutral colouur palette was chosen, abandoning the original white to avoid excessive contrast with the corridor. Light colors and textures on the walls create a welcoming and harmonious environment with the curves of the space, while light wood for the floors and porthole walls complement this softness. Contrast is provided by matte black details, notably the Roca faucets, which create subtle chromatic exceptions to the material ensemble .

The hotel’s rooms have been furnished with a unique selection of Roca products, including basins, single lever faucets, toilets, showers, handheld sprays and accessories. Each piece was carefully selected, taking into account not only its design but also its context in a space that will host international guests. Armentano selected iconic pieces of modern Brazilian furniture that combine sophistication and comfort, and thoughtfully represent local culture.

Bathrooms

Suite at Hotel Unique with Ohkate countertop basin, Ona single–lever faucet, and Inspira toilet | Photo: Raquel Toth

In the new bathroom project, the countertop basin was moved out of the bathroom and integrated into the bedroom environment. To provide the necessary privacy without losing the concept of modernity and lightness, smart glass panes were used that become opaque when the space is in use.

The basins are undoubtedly the highlight. In the first phase of the renovation, the Horizon countertop basins, designed by João Armentano, bring the beauty and strength of geometric lines to the bathroom. In the second phase, the famous oval countertop basins from the Ohtake Collection were chosen. Inspired by the shape of an egg and designed by the legendary architect Ruy Ohtake, these basins represent the softness of nature in urban spaces. . “This mix of products highlights the versatility of Roca's portfolio and our ability to adapt to residential, hotel and corporate environments,” says Aline Pereira.

Single-lever faucet

With smooth and precise usage the Ona single level faucets were introduced at Unique to bring modernity associated with high technology, meet- ing the hotel's sustainability goals.

One of the most unique elements of these bathrooms is the choice of Ona single-lever faucets. With a distinctive look, these faucets strike the perfect balance between design, technology and sustainability, with their cylindri- cal and ultra-thin bodies. Equipped with Cold Start tech- nology, a flow limiter and a ceramic cartridge with a reduced diameter, these faucets offer greater efficiency and economy in both water and energy consumption.

Toilets

The modern and minimalist design of the Inspira Round toilet is ideal for projects that aim to combine beauty with elegant simplicity. | Photo: Raquel Toth

The toilets chosen were the Inspira Round models. With rounded edges, these toilets have a subtle slope from the top edge towards the base, making them a lightweight option. With Roca's exclusive Rimless technology, the toilets are easier to clean and offer a more efficient flush, promoting superior hygiene and water savings.