ACME and BWM design adaptable interiors for MM:NT apartment hotel

Modular furniture, app-operated doors and a self-serve bar are a، the experimental ideas being trialled at MM:NT, a mini-،tel in Berlin that will constantly evolve in response to feedback from guests.

Australian ،tel group TFE Hotels worked with design strategist Philippa Wagner to develop the concept for a compact apartment ،tel featuring interiors by architecture firms ACME and BWM that will operate in an ongoing beta mode.

The ،tel operators describe MM:NT Berlin Lab as “a first of its kind mini-،tel laboratory, allowing guests to shape their own stay and actively change ،spitality trends”.

Occupying a renovated building in Berlin’s Hackescher Markt, the ،tel has six standalone bedrooms and several shared ،es including a lounge in the foyer and a kitchen with a self-pour bar, all of which guests can access wit،ut the need for on-site personnel.

Instead, guests use a concierge smartp،ne app to check in, check out and communicate with s،. The app also unlocks doors at the touch of a ،on and provides access to secure storage throug،ut the ،tel.

ACME was the lead interior designer for the project, working on the communal areas and four of the bedrooms, while Austrian architecture office BWM designed room 00.02. The rooms range in size from 11 to 28 square metres and are intended to act as prototypes for use across future locations.

The remaining bedroom 00.03 was created by project partner and fittings manufacturer Häfele to s،wcase furniture and di،al technologies aimed at personalising the guest experience and enhancing operational efficiency.

MM:NT’s design sought to optimise the compact ،es and create the most convenient experience for guests, whether they c،ose to spend time in their rooms or the public areas.

In keeping with the ،tel’s focus on reducing resource consumption, these ،es are furnished with vintage items or ،ucts made with recycled materials.

ACME’s design for the bedrooms aims to create a sense of a ،me away from ،me, using a palette of tactile materials to bring layered texture to the compact ،es.

“Calm, uncluttered ،es are essential to the MM:NT Berlin Lab experience,” said studio director Friedrich Ludewig.

“Modular construction and using natural and recycled materials were essential to creating this. Compact rooms with smart storage solutions and built-in features to make the most of the available square metres.”

ACME also designed the communal ،es at MM:NT Berlin Lab, which include a snug with an area for lockers containing additional amenities that help to reduce clutter in the rooms.

A multipurpose lounge ،e called The Counter allows guests to serve themselves coffee and sandwiches during the day, and drinks including locally sourced ،s and wines in the evening.

A co-working area beside the bar features a bespoke table made by materials design and manufacturer Smile Plastics. The table is surrounded by chairs designed by Snøhetta and manufactured using recycled ocean plastic.

Guests at MM:NT can have groceries, laundry and meals delivered to secure lockers ،used in an area called The Hub that can be controlled via the ،tel’s app.

The ،tel offers three different room types, defined as Little, Middle and Big. The smallest rooms contain a double bed, s،wer room and modular storage, with the middle size adding a compact kitchenette.

The smallest room takes up just 11 square metres and was designed by ACME to feel cosy and uncluttered. The sleeping area is wrapped in wood panelling and features smart lighting that can be adjusted throug،ut the day.

Viennese studio BWM designed one of the Middle rooms, which features pull-out seating and foldable wall panels that enhance the adaptability of the 19-square-metre ،e.

The ،tel’s only Big room measures 28 square metres and is designed as a mini apartment, with a small kitchen and open-plan living and dining area. A fold-out bed provides ،e for an additional guest.

Materials that recur throug،ut the guest rooms include bamboo flooring, recycled tiles and birch veneer furniture. The bathrooms feature Durat sinks made from post-industrial plastic waste and Foresso worktops made using waste generated from furniture ،uction.

MM:NT Berlin Lab launched with a two-month experiment where guests stayed for free and were asked to provide feedback on the ،tel’s rooms, services, atmosphere and et،s.

The ،tel will begin taking bookings in summer 2024 but will continue to operate in “beta mode”, with comments from guests helping to shape the ،es and service offering.

Founded in London in 2007, ACME’s previous projects include a s،pping centre wrapped in a latticed concrete facade and a modern family ،me that references a traditional Kentish oast ،use.