London-based designer Rachael Gowdridge has unveiled her design of the Dean’s latest 81-key hotel in the Charlottenburg section of Berlin. Drawing upon the layered history of the building it occupies, the Dean Berlin embodies intriguing contrast. Original surfaces are retained where possible, juxtaposing patina with clean, contemporary interventions, while tailored modern furnishings rub shoulders with carefully selected vintage finds. “This hotel isn’t about a single statement,” Gowdridge says. “It’s about contrast, restraint and moments that make you pause. We wanted to avoid the generic hotel feel and instead create spaces that pose questions, places that reveal themselves slowly and reward attention.”

Bold saturated tones, soft neutral hues, and tactile finishes compose an inviting ambiance beginning in a layered lobby housing a bakery, restaurant, and lounge as well as an intimate library reminiscent of an artist studio. Plywood elements are elevated with linseed oil staining beside rich red accents throughout artful spaces showcasing work sourced from local galleries and emerging German artists. Movement and texture define the accommodations, where a rich vestibule with end-grain timber floors underfoot heralds guests. Panelled walls and layered textiles ensconce chambers anchored by fabric headboards adorned with textile flourishes evocative of the work of Anni Albers. Bespoke ceiling pendants introduce irreverence with delicate, porcelain-style compositions made from latex. “The scale of the Dean gave us freedom,” Gowdridge adds. “Freedom to test, to respond instinctively, and to let the building lead. It’s refined, it’s ambitious, and less interested in easy answers.”