- Sustainable clothing brand Kotn has opened a hotel above its London flagship in Shoreditch
- A cross between a creative residence and private hotel, Beit Kotn unites private rooms with shared spaces designed to facilitate gathering, conversation, and exchange
- Catering to artists, designers, writers, and cultural thinkers from the Middle East and its diaspora, the hotel promises Arab hospitality and hosts guests by invitation only, on a complimentary basis
Kotn has made its foray into hospitality with the unveiling of its first hotel. In line with the Egyptian-Canadian brand’s thoughtful approach to clothing and homeware, Beit Kotn takes on a different tone to a traditional hotel; showcasing true hospitality by eliminating the transactional element altogether. The name references the Arabic expression البيت ييتك (El Beit Beitak; “my home is your home”) and is designed as a gathering place for creative minds from the Middle East and its diaspora, hosting guests on a complimentary basis by invitation only.
Beit Kotn is located above the brand’s London flagship in Shoreditch, uniting the typologies of a creative residence and a hotel to create a space designed to foster connection and cultivate creativity. Conceived alongside Danish architecture and design studio Spacon, Beit Kotn balances room for privacy and solitude with an emphasis on shared spaces intended for conversation, cultural exchange, and shared meals.
The unit comprises a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchenette, and private balcony, with Beit Kotn drawing inspiration from the vibrant city of Cairo, the brand’s home town. Looking to the colour drenched interiors found in the downtown salons of 19th and 20th century Cairo, interiors are lush and layered. Deep, saturated shades of saffron yellow, olive green, and chocolate brown, and oxblood form a vivid colour palette, while antique low slung sofas and armchairs, silver tchotchkes, and vintage wooden furniture are juxtaposed by contemporary art work. The result is a fusion of old and new that’s vibrant and experimental, feeling already lived in and inviting guests to do the same.
More than a one-off activation, Beit Kotn marks the beginning of a wider hospitality project. Kotn plans to create a network of cultural homes, with a new space in Cairo slated for the following year.
Beit Kotn accepts guests by invitation only, with prospective artists and creatives encouraged to apply via the brand’s webstore.
Words by Theo Rosen
