ARTH3810 2019F Class Projects (Publication)

Zoe's Lounge


Having replaced the Convention Hall, Zoe’s lounge has earned a reputation for its delightful incorporation of contemporary and up-to-date elements to attract visitors all while pulling from the past to enhance the experience. Named after Wilfrid Laurier’s Wife, Lady Zoe, it serves various purposes, such as a bar experience, a place for social gatherings and an elegant sit-down for daily afternoon tea services. Many objects and architectural elements displayed in this lounge and the adjacent Reading Lounge illustrate the significance of the people that have, at one point or another, lived in or contributed to the Chateau Laurier’s development. For instance, within the rich wooden layout of the Reading Lounge, various portraits of Wilfrid are exhibited on the walls, all of which are taken by famous photographer Yousuf Karsh. Having opened his first exhibition of portraits in this same space, when it was previously known as the Convention Hall, his artworks displayed today are in honor of his involvement with the Chateau Laurier and the fame he brought to this site (Rankin, Joan E, p168). The latter had spent a majority of his life in the Chateau Laurier, and contributed to the well-being of the hotel by giving access to his books to allow visitors to enjoy (Rankin). Therefore, by including his work in the space, it allows his work to live on and illustrate his time within the hotel.
Contrary to the French-inspired exterior, the interior of the hotel borrowed from the English architectural style, with its generous use of wood paneling, the splendid carvings among the walls and the piers, and great use of sculptures depicting animals and legendary creatures. Designed to accommodate the new and evolved taste of visitors, the front of Zoe’s lounge offers a view of Rideau Street, acting as a barrier between public and private space all while bringing a new perspective to this historical site with the incorporation of natural lighting. For all the events that were held in this room, with its original arrangement as a Convention Hall, its primary function was a “coming out” place for local debutantes who enjoyed events in the ballroom, and where social events became more popular (Rankin, Joan E). The elaborate chandeliers, the marble bar, the high ceiling, and the stately furniture all represent a continuation of the original elegance and royalty that this space offered. This space is a perfect example of how the arrangement of objects and the interior can be used to narrate histories.

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  1. The Chateau Laurier Jessica El-Ghazal

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