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LuminOre(R) Composite Metal Transforms Exterior of New Dorchester Hotel in London's Mayfair District

45 Park Lane Hotel Landmark Features Panels Constructed With LuminOre's Composite Metal Technology

The newly renovated Dorchester Collection's 45 Park Lane Hotel in London has opened featuring architectural elements rarely seen on a building's exterior. The collaboration between LuminOre Inc. (http://luminore.com/portfolio/parklane.aspx), The Office of Thierry Despont and New York's Situ Studio transformed the structure into a public work of art. All new or extensively renovated buildings in the Mayfair area must include a public art component.

To fulfill the artwork designation, Thierry Despont envisioned creating undulating panels that simulate the surface of water and reflect sunlight. The effect was achieved by LuminOre's precision fabrication and finished with LuminOre Composite Nickel Silver ™ alloy. Situ Studio worked with Mr. Despont to develop the fabrication system for the twenty-four unique panels.

Initially the panels were specified as solid metal panels, yet it was quickly determined that the cost and weight would be prohibitive. Situ Studio, providing design development consultation, specified LuminOre and its unique metal process. They commissioned LuminOre to fabricate the panels and apply LuminOre Composite Nickel and Silver™ alloy, creating a surface of real metal.

Twenty-four foam panels were coated in a polyurethane resin and covered in metal, then finished with hand-worked patina.

The result is a series of undulating metal, exterior art components that hang from the top of the hotel to the ground floor. The results produced an effect not possible without utilizing LuminOre's lightweight composite metal technology. As Situ's Wes Rozen noted, "(LuminOre's process) produces a seamless layer of real metal veneer. This homogenous metal is indistinguishable from solid metal."

Other projects completed by LuminOre include structural elements for Gucci's Singapore store, the Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas, Louis Vuitton in Singapore (http://luminore.com/portfolio/vuitton.aspx), Barney's San Francisco (http://luminore.com/portfolio/default.aspx) store and the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

LuminOre Inc. is the sole creator of LuminOre Composite Metal™. The company's exclusive process results in a layer of real metal that creates architectural features that would otherwise be too impractical or expensive to produce by traditional casting, plating or forging. LuminOre provides fabrication, design and project management services worldwide to architects, designers and contractors and end-users. They are located in Carlsbad, California.