The Fasano BH Hotel is a boutique hotel business owned and operated by the Fasano family. It is located in the Lourdes district in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of Brazil’s southeastern Minas Gerais state (Wikipedia, 2022). It was the dream of the Fasano family’s head Rogerio Fasano to build this hotel. It is the most famous hotel in Brazil for its ongoing family tradition in gastronomy. The family believes in offering high-quality service to their customers and becoming a hospitality industry leader. Many of the city’s finest venues for dining and shopping are close to the accommodation (Isay Weinfeld, no date).
About | Bernardes Arquitetura
The project, signed by Bernardes Arquitetura, covers an area of 10,308 m² (Isay Weinfeld, no date). It also houses the Baretto bar, which the Wallpaper magazine named the finest hotel bar in the world. The bar features live jazz and bossa nova. It also houses the Gero restaurant, regarded as a culinary monument in São Paulo (Revista Exclusive, 2018), and a small restaurant for light meals, Nonno Ruggero. The project features both modern and classical architectural styles simultaneously. The project is elegant in geometry, design, and details but cosy in mood, as the designers tried to combine the best elements of both types. The hotel’s 77 rooms include suites of various sizes, but everyone offers a view of Jardin Europa. This São Paulo neighbourhood is also included as the city’s historical heritage. The hotel’s amenities include a rooftop pool, saunas, a spa, a fitness centre, and a business centre.
1. Design and Planning | Bernardes Arquitetura
The design of the Fasano BH Hotel developed from the fusion of characteristics specific to the Minas Gerais region. Thiago Bernardes, in this architecture, brings together the architecture of straight and modern lines along with the traditional hinting to the colonial past of Minas Gerais. He redefines the simplicity this brand delivers to business travellers and tourists. He ensures that the ambience resonates similarly to that of the old historic cities of Minas Gerais.
The Fasano BH hotel was not designed to wear out quickly. As soon as it was inaugurated, it appeared to have been around for a while. Built using the framework of a project that was already standing, this project was designed such that it connected two streets in the form of an “L.” The hotel was connected to a nearby property, which allowed for the construction of a lobby with imposing height and natural lighting. Its entry is created along a clay brick wall with openings that slope slightly inward, encouraging visitors and members of the general public to take advantage of the Gero Restaurant and activities at the Baretto Bar.
One of the strategic ideas of the project was moving the reception desk to the back of the lobby. Thus, when one enters the main lobby, they are greeted by a pleasant bar, followed by the reception desk.
2. Materials and Construction
The materials and construction methods blend aspects that allude to Minas’ colonial heritage with a refinement of the Fasano brand. Although strongly influenced by the rich local culture, the looms, rustic wood, patinas, soapstone, exposed English bricks, and other traditional materials combine with works by Bernardes Arquitetura and Brazilian designers from various eras to give a timeless environment (Tinpix, no date).
Each suite has a nice living room, dining area, and bathroom. Egyptian cotton sheets with a 300 thread count and goose-down pillows come with king beds. Marble, a soaking tub, a high-pressure shower, and Havaianas footwear may be found in the restrooms (Tinpix, no date).
Without sacrificing comfort and quality, the hotel’s furnishings mix the Fasano brand’s refinement with details that harken back to Minas Gerais’ colonial past. Corten aluminium sheets cover and unify the existing structure by alternating on smooth and perforated surfaces. The sloping surfaces that make up the windows in the rooms and circulations offer the facades more rhythm and depth.
3. Sustainable features | Bernardes Arquitetura
The Fasano BH hotel takes advantage of a garden by overlooking it. Moreover, it is a smoke-free property. Post the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; the hotel management took specific measures to curb the spread of the disease while providing visitors with a pleasant stay. They are stated as follows:
Enhanced cleanliness measures
To ensure the property is as clean and hygienic as possible, importance has been given to the use of appropriate HVAC systems. These include air filtration, high-touch surfaces cleaned and disinfected, and sanitizing agents used to help eliminate bacteria.
In addition, care is taken to provide a clean environment to guests by using a disinfectant on all surfaces, including floors and walls, so that they can enjoy their stay without worrying about germs or diseases spreading around (Expedia, 2022).
Social distancing | Bernardes Arquitetura
Apart from proper sanitization and disinfection, social distancing was also practised. The staff wore personal protective equipment, and regular temperature checks were given to staff and guests (Expedia, 2022). Individually-wrapped food options were available for guests through room service.
References:
Filipe et al. (2022) Caesar Business Belo Horizonte Belvedere managed by Mercure: 2022 room prices, deals & reviews, Expedia.com. Available at: https://www.expedia.com/Belo-Horizonte-Hotels-Caesar-Business-Belo-Horizonte-Belvedere-Managed-By-Mercure.h990229.Hotel-Information (Accessed: November 10, 2022).
Hotel fasano belo horizonte confirma abertura em Setembro (2018) Revista Exclusive. editorial. Available at: https://www.revistaexclusive.com.br/noticias/hotel-basano-belo-horizonte-confirma-abertura-em-setembro/ (Accessed: November 10, 2022).
Moreira, S. (2022) Fasano BH Hotel / Bernardes Arquitetura, ArchDaily. ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/965092/fasano-bh-hotel-bernardes-arquitetura?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab (Accessed: November 10, 2022).
Tinpix (no date) Fasano Belo Horizonte, Fasano. Available at: https://www.fasano.com.br/hoteis/fasano-belo-horizonte (Accessed: November 10, 2022).
Weinfeld, I. and Kogan, M. (no date) HOTEL FASANO, Isay Weinfeld. Available at: https://www.isayweinfeld.com/en/projetos/hotel-fasano/ (Accessed: November 10, 2022).
