Trendlines: Fire elements

Fact: People like fire. We just do. Maybe the primal need for fire never left our subconscious after using it to survive for millions of years. Or maybe we all just really like s’mores.

Lajeskie

Kris Lajeskie of Kris Lajeskie Design Group says people gravitate toward fire elements because they want to feel nurtured.

“What’s more comforting than using fire for warmth and feeling that beautiful glow?” she says.

Whatever the reason, hotels are finding ways to capitalize on this instinct.

There are a variety of ways designers can incorporate fire into their design, due in large part to the amount of companies now producing modern fire element products—EcoSmart Fire, Lennox Hearth Products, Oasis Fire, Spark Modern Fire and Urban Fire, just to name a few.

Fire pits and tables are becoming so popular the question isn’t, “Do you have a fire element?” it’s “What kind?”  

Photo by Kate Russell

“It depends on the area,” Lajeskie says. “In public spaces, [fire elements are] more of a focal point. It can really be impactful.”

Lajeskie says even though the fire is the focal point, the seating around or near the fire should stay within the design theme of the rest of the property and not become all about the fire.

“We do have some places with a stone fire pit and the seating is stone and the whole thing becomes a design element—like you’re in an ancient kiva,” Lajeskie said.

Steven Miller, principal for The Plumber, works on installing fire elements for commercial properties. He recently worked on the Artmore in Atlanta.

Miller says two important factors to keep in mind are safety—choosing the correct vendors, products and location—and revenue opportunities for the hotel. Fire elements are meant to draw people, and where the people are drawn should benefit the hotel.

“What you’re doing is creating a place for congregation,” he said. “It gives a place to sit and enjoy conversation … it’s a way for enhancing bar sales for the hotel.” 

Photo by Michael Kleinberg

For the Artmore, Miller installed a fire/water element, which adds yet another soothing natural feature. It also made for more of a challenge.

“The design we considered at first would have had gas bubbling through the water and ignited at the top,” says Allen Guitierrez, CEO of Urbana Realty Advisors, the company in charge of reviving the Artmore. “It would have appeared to have an illusion of the water being on fire. This was decided to be too unstable, very difficult to maintain and the technology and engineering was difficult to document.”

Miller chose Grand Effects for the fire system. He says the system is equipped with checks and balances to ensure the flame stays lit. Even if it blows out in a strong wind the flame gets relit, so as not to continually leak gas. This kind of technology has been around for decades in heating systems, but it is just recently being produced for decorative purposes, he says.

Photo by Mike Wilson

Buffalo Thunder Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, N.M.
The Buffalo Thunder’s 2,500-square-foot penthouse features custom master artisan finishes and handmade furniture throughout. The fireplace is the focal point of the suite and features a handmade walnut and slub glass finish surrounding the 6-foot ribbon fireplace by Spark Modern Fires. The open floor plan creates entertainment flexibility with a semicircle around the fireplace and TV, creating function and intimacy. Buffalo Thunder was designed by the Kris Lajeskie Design Group.

Photo by Powers & Crewe

Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C.
The Rockwell Group designed a restaurant for the Four Seasons that reflects the elegant informality of modern American cuisine, while also paying tribute to the classical stature of the hotel. To achieve this balance, the design was based on a modern interpretation of a tavern. While sitting in the Lobby Library next to the fireplace, one can experience both contemporary art on the gallery wall as well as books on gardens, nature and contemporary and classical art. The new outdoor fire elements from Urban Fire extend the experience to the patio.

Photo by Steven Miller

The Artmore, Atlanta
Urbana Realty Advisors and Jamestown & Associates, both of Atlanta, renovated this Atlanta landmark to preserve the hotel’s charming and unique design, which reflects the art of Southern hospitality in a European boutique package. The property is configured in a U shape with an outdoor courtyard in the middle. The revamped courtyard, with its centerpiece fire pit, acts as an urban sanctuary. Some of the features of the fire element are lights in the basin and an auto-fill/non-overflow basin.