RYO, cutting edge interior design architects announces completion of Shangri-La Putrajaya, Malaysia's newest 5-star boutique hotel

RYO's reinterpretation of Malaysian culture in the interior design for Shangri-La Putrajaya. Malaysia's newest boutique hotel with a modern contemporary feel.

Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, February 27, 2003 - Sir Thomas Browne, Religio Medici (pt. XV) "There are no grotesques in nature; not anything framed to fill up empty cantons, and unnecessary spaces" - this was the challenge taken up by RYO for the furnishing and interior design of the Shangri-La, Putrajaya. Interior design consultancy RYO collaborated with ZDR Architects to ensure a place of quiet, elegant contemplation in natural surroundings for the hotel guest.

What stands out overall is the mix of colour, light and glass buildings a harmonious atmosphere for every room in the hotel. With the finest fabrics, colonial chaise lounges, custom-made beds with carved in nature motifs and writing cum vanity desks. RYO presents a warm, yet functional style for the 119 deluxe guestrooms and suites. Here there are no design experiments. The Malaysian interior designers took advantage of the crescent architecture to balance the extreme shape with a play of light and texture within the hotel.

As one enters the hotel, located on a green hilltop enclave overlooking the heart of Putrajaya, Malaysia's 21st century "intelligent" garden city, the experience begins: On either side are the waiting areas with custom made modern furnishings with plants and a pebble traced island. As you walk into the lobby, you notice the two floating platforms and a modern pergola interpretation with artichoke lighting demarcating spaces subtlety. The fragrance of jasmine flowers in glass vases float across the area enhancing the jasmine petal light features hung from above. You move onto register at the individually created reception desks made from Malaysian nyatoh wood shaped almost elliptically with two trunks which function as storage space.

RYO eradicates any ugliness seeping into the hotel with its emphasis on Malaysian heritage and nature. With absolute priority given to understated elegance, Malay letters and specially commissioned paintings of Malaysian plants and herbs are displayed in the rhythmic wall paneling. Each floor is themed beginning from the lower ground (Earth), ground (Water), first floor (Fire) and second floor (Air).

As you journey through the corridors to the guestrooms, it is like walking through a forest. Rays of sunlight shine through the glass ceiling onto the water feature stream complete with lush vegetation. The ending nuances of grey, beige, brown, green tones have a soothing effect whilst the sound of running water calms the nerves.

The Malaysian buluh (bamboo), nipah (palm), rempah (spices) and serian airan (morning glory) are used to identify the guest rooms like a seal. In the guestrooms, RYO's unmistakable signature is apparent in the custom-made bed heads carved in with the Malaysian plants, colonial English wicker armchairs, chaise lounges and 'songket' inspired carpets. Unique natural straw duvets with cotton-lining and nylon gold thread embroidery depicting the different motifs add to the guests comfort. Stripped wooden flooring suggests a soothing cadence in the rooms. The wall between the bathroom and bedroom is spaced off by coloured glass partitions that prevents the guest from feeling claustrophobic. Most of the guest rooms have a spectacular view of the parklands and lakes, enhanced by the hotel's elevated location.

RYO was challenged to create private spaces where five food and beverage outlets could co-exist without the diner feeling hemmed in or intruded upon. Peace and quiet was created in Azure, the hotel's Mediterranean restaurant with clear acrylic and blue glass screens with timber strips. RYO allowed nothing to distract the diner from the food with its almost puritan handling of colours for the furnishing - blue and white. The table settings are perfectly in tune with the overall concept. Shangri-La Putrajaya's general manager selected fine blue and clear glassware complete with table linens to give an exquisite impression of fine dining at a Mediterranean resort. Perforated songket screens were specially designed to block of harsh sunlight from the ceiling high windows.

If you are feeling like catching up with business associates and friends in a warm intimate atmosphere, the Palm Hill café is the place with its timber lattice screens which invoke the idea of sitting in a palm plantation. The dark brown timber contrasts with the light brown stained floors and the earth coloured tables and chairs that were individually locally fabricated. The rhythm of conversation is evoked with the nyatoh stained furnishings and a row of glass columns filled with spices or herbs.

Particularly worth mentioning are the function rooms with full height glass doors, maple leaves and sand-blasted glass screens. Sirih (betel nut) motifs are found in the rooms which have been properly soundproofed and lighted. Modern furnishings and artistic device are also used to support the clever reinterpretation of the Malaysian historical-cultural idea of meeting under the palm tree until everyone reaches a consensus.

Shangri-La Putrajaya is all that is beautiful in the modern reinterpretation of Malaysian nature. Guests can look forward to being pampered with personal butler service, luxurious guestrooms, conducive meeting rooms and memorable gourmet experiences at this boutique hotel in true Malaysian hospitality.

RYO is a Malaysian interior design consultancy firm based in Kuala Lumpur. Its founders, Rezzuan Tajudin, Tze Shyun Yeoh and Eric Ong seek to create natural living spaces for future generations of city dwellers. RYO has rapidly built up an impressive body of work for international clients since its inception in 1996 with their talented team of project managers, designers and draughtspersons. Their portfolio includes the Cultural Heritage Hotel, Putrajaya, Helang Hotel, Langkawi, Sheraton Hotel, Langkawi, Golden Screen Cinemas, Malaysia, Honda, Malaysia, private residences, restaurants and retail spaces.

If you have further queries, please feel free to call RYO's publicity unit for more information or for an interview:
Elaine Yeoh Mobile: +60-012-335-8738, [elaine_starsolutions@yahoo.com)
Eric Ong Tel +60-03-798-19603 or fax +60-03-7984-6769