London-based hospitality group Ennismore has opened a hotel in the Poblenou neighbourhood of Barcelona that draws on the bright colours and architectural style of Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. Named The Hoxton Poblenou, after the neighbourhood in the east of the city that was once a hub for the production of textiles where it is based, the 240-room hotel is The Hoxton first Spanish location.

Ennismore's design team looked to the work of the late architect Bofill, whose studio is situated nearby,  for the hotel's interiors. The Spanish architect, who passed away earlier this year, was known for his use of colourful geometric forms and conversion of a dilapidated cement factory into his own studio. His ingenious way of reframing and reimagining old industrial buildings led to many of the architectural features. The use of simple local materials such as ceramic tile, terracotta and concrete was also something that rang true to us from Bofill's aesthetic.

The Hoxton Poblenou's lobby was framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and curved doorway arches. The focal point of the space is a curved all-day bar serving coffee and drinks that is fronted by a colourful hand-painted mural. Elsewhere in the lobby, potted plants, rattan chairs and other seating upholstered with tactile fabrics and patterns can be found. Lobbies at The Hoxton's range are open twenty-four hours to both guests and members of the public as they are designed to be social, community hubs.

The designers opted for Mediterranean colours in the common areas, as in the peachy plastered walls and tan-hued leather sofas because The Hoxton Poblenou was their first opportunity to design a hotel in a hot and sunny climate. Bright, sun-drenched palettes, swathes of sheer materials and Mediterranean planting were an absolute must to provide some exotic escapism.

Similarly, material choices such as vivid toned glazed tiling were inspired by local Spanish building materials used for roofs and floors. The colour palette ties all the spaces together; reminiscent of a typically Spanish vista featuring terracotta, ocean blues, sunny yellow hues, olive greens and studio own addition of pastel and raspberry pinks.

Alongside the guest suites, the hotel has a rooftop with a pool and bar, pizza restaurant and a bodega. Three meeting and events spaces make up an area named The Apartment, while a basement space called La Cave hosts local events. In many of the rooms, the designers departed from their usual choice of timber flooring, which can be found in The Hoxton Southwark. Instead, they opted for terracotta, in an echo of traditional Spanish homes.