Icon of the New Macau

Architecture decides the first impression of a hotel in guests’ minds. Thus, Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Melco) collaborated with one of the most renowned architects in the world – the late Zaha Hadid – to take up this important responsibility.

Viviana Muscettola

“In 2012, Melco Group contacted us to see if we were interested in collaborating on a new building as part of City of Dreams. At the beginning, they asked us to come up with the aesthetics and idea. It’s quite common in our industry for the client to want to see if there is a common vision between the two parties before starting a long journey. So we came here to visit the site. Everything started after we had a first meeting in January with the initial idea of it,” says Viviana Muscettola, Associate Director of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Inspired by jade artefacts, Morpheus is the world’s first free-form, exoskeleton-bound, high-rise architectural composition.

Melco Morpheus building Opening in Macau, China, on 10 April 2017. Photo by Graham Uden
Melco Morpheus building Opening in Macau, China, on 10 April 2017. Photo by Graham Uden

 

“One of the initial references we used was the carving out of the jade. The idea of the exoskeleton came soon after – a combination of what the client wanted for this building in terms of what we wanted to do [with regard to] aesthetics. To be able to free as much as possible of the interior layout we came up with this idea of an exoskeleton structure associated with the outside of the building,” continues Viviana.”

Another reason we used the exoskeleton is that whenever we design a building we have in mind that they only have to comply with steady requirements, they have to work truly structured; the exoskeleton is somehow the bones of a very pretty lady. Without those bones, the building doesn’t exist.”

The hotel’s 770 guestrooms, suites and villas, including three ultra-luxurious pool villas and six duplex villas, were designed by one of the world’s top interior designers, Peter Remedios.

“The client wanted this place to have many exciting [aspects] before common facilities. Apart from the rooms, the client wanted to combine the two buildings not only according to the décor. It is a special venue – whether restaurants or VIP lounge,” says Viviana.

“We came up with the idea by carving out the maximum volume. And carving out the max was somehow giving us opportunities to build, as much as possible, rooms in the corners. You don’t only have rooms on the outside, you also have room in the middle part, in the centre of the building. This was a genius way to comply with the client’s requirements [whilst] doing something unique.”

Apart from the design, Zaha Hadid Architects also got involved in the interior design of the lobby and the restaurants on the 21st and 23rd floors.

“The building itself wanted to be a journey, from outside to inspired people to see inside,” she says, “We’re very happy that we got the opportunity to do some interior design for some areas. From the furniture pieces or the little elements, the transformation from the biggest cares to the smallest tells the stories.”


Ultra-luxury hospitality

Morpheus sets a new benchmark for ultra-luxury hospitality in Macau and features an array of attractions, with Melco inviting world-renowned interior designer Peter Remedios to design the ultra-luxe interior designs, especially the Duplex Villa on levels 41 and 42 and the sky-high reflective pool perched on level 40.

Peter Remedios, Photo by Graham Uden

Luxurious experiences continue with the world-exclusive Morpheus spa, featuring the in-house Spa Butler concept and Snow Garden installation – the first spa concept in the world to feature real snow.

To perfect this unparalleled experience, the hotel’s alluring array of dining options includes a global culinary first: the World of Ducasse at Morpheus. In partnership with legendary chef Alain Ducasse, Morpheus is the first hotel in the world to feature an entire floor dedicated to two Ducasse restaurants as well as The Universe of Pierre Hermé, held by World’s Best Pastry Chef Pierre Hermé and Macau’s first omakase-style Chinese fine dining restaurant Yi.

Charles Pétillon, Photo by Lucas Schifres

Another highlight of Morpheus is the breathtaking art installations of Art on 23, a contemporary visual art gallery. Leading the way is ‘200 LITOFAIRHOUR’ (meaning 200 cubic metres of air per hour, the volume of air required to put up the installation) by French artist Charles Pétillon, in which six-metre high fabric bubbles create a floating cloud above the energy and excitement of the ground below.

Shinji Ohmaki

Another masterpiece is ‘Echoes Infinity’ by Japan’s Shinji Ohmaki, which comprises a corridor of exquisite floral panels featuring hundreds of fragments like crystals, glass minerals and very fine particles of sand.

“This is part of the series which started in 2002; this series is called Echoes. You can see from the artwork itself there are a lot of different plant graphics together; it represents how different cultures come together to form to a new one, continuing onward without stopping. It’s also like Macau, Macau is a meeting spot for different cultures and different peoples,” says Ohmaki.

Photo by Graham Uden

This installation is not yet finished, It’s going to spread to the entire 15-some corridors; it’s not just the walls but also the floor. Right now, there are 56 panels. There is also a display of large-scale sculpture ‘Good Intentions’ made by famous graffiti artist KAWS showing two of his famous character designs as parent and child.