With their signature blend of Scandinavian simplicity and thoughtful materiality, design studio GamFratesi has reimagined hospitality interiors at Puro Warszawa Stare Miasto, a new hotel nestled in the historic heart of Poland’s capital. Combining natural materials, muted tones, and custom furnishings, the project evokes a sense of timeless calm rooted in both local context and Nordic design philosophy.
Blending old-world charm with Nordic restraint
Located on Canaletta Street in Warsaw’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, the Puro Warszawa Stare Miasto hotel stands at a crossroads of history and contemporary design. The building’s exterior respectfully aligns with its historic surroundings, but step inside and a new narrative emerges—one rooted in Scandinavian modernism.
GamFratesi, the Copenhagen-based design studio led by Enrico Fratesi and Stine Gam, approached the interior with a clear vision: to balance the richness of artisanal materiality with the simplicity of Nordic aesthetics. “We were inspired by soft minimalism and the idea of a spatial flow—one room gently unfolding into another,” said Fratesi. The ground floor layout reflects this ambition, with the reception, lounge, and restaurant areas forming an open, interconnected sequence.
A series of crafted moments
The hotel’s reception space immediately signals the project’s material intent. A dark-wood Danish cabinet serves as the front desk, complemented by a handmade brick floor and sculptural stone furnishings. Overhead, a delicate pendant lamp provides a warm glow, anchoring the space with quiet sophistication.
Moving through the property, visitors encounter a series of intentional design moments. A tunnel-like lounge with a curved ceiling opens into a serene interior courtyard, framed by greenery and natural light. Along one wall, a continuous sofa creates a relaxed seating area, accentuated by ceramics and low stone tables. “We wanted this space to feel intimate and transitional, almost like stepping into a quiet pause,” said Fratesi.
Material language with emotional weight
Across the hotel, GamFratesi emphasized the use of authentic, tactile materials to instill depth and longevity. Wood, stone, and textured fabrics appear throughout—each element chosen not just for aesthetic harmony, but for its ability to age gracefully. “Materiality was one of our most important tools for introducing character into the project,” Fratesi explained.
Many of the materials carry strong artisanal roots, including specially sourced Danish woods and handmade bricks. This focus on craftsmanship lends the interiors a quiet confidence, in keeping with the studio’s hallmark of “understated elegance.” As Fratesi put it, “Through the interplay of rich materials and architectural order, the hotel gains a unique personality while staying true to Scandinavian principles of harmony.”
A design rooted in context and memory
Though Scandinavian in style, the design subtly nods to Warsaw’s cultural heritage. The muted, earthy tones of the interiors echo the palette found in the paintings of 18th-century Italian artist Bernardo Bellotto, also known as Canaletto, who famously depicted Warsaw and lent his name to the street where the hotel stands.
The hotel’s restaurant and bakery, Mund, continues this dialogue between past and present. Custom veneered cabinetry, wood-paneled walls and ceilings, and curated local artwork help weave the space into its Polish surroundings while maintaining a cohesive Scandinavian vocabulary.
Designed for modern living, inspired by home
A mix of bespoke pieces and classics from renowned Nordic brands—including Louis Poulsen, Gubi, Carl Hansen & Søn, Fredericia, and Bang & Olufsen—populate the interior, blurring the line between hotel and home. Custom-designed lighting, mirrors, and furniture by GamFratesi are paired with vintage and contemporary pieces, creating a layered and intimate environment.
“Our approach combined historical pieces, contemporary design, and vintage elements to create a collection that feels authentic,” the designers explained. “We rooted the design in the concept of home—our goal was to create an environment that felt personal and inviting, even though the building itself is new.”
Private escapes and thoughtful amenities
The hotel’s 192 guest rooms continue the narrative of tactile luxury and thoughtful detail. Standard rooms are outfitted with custom sculpted coffee tables, timber headboards, and integrated storage solutions. Bathrooms feature travertine vanity niches, deep white soaking tubs, and gold-framed mirrors—details that elevate the guest experience without excess.
Larger rooms and suites have been envisioned as private apartments, complete with lounge areas and terraces. A gym, dry sauna, and a series of flexible conference rooms round out the hotel’s amenities, making it well-equipped for both business and leisure travelers.
A new kind of hospitality for Warsaw
With Puro Warszawa Stare Miasto, GamFratesi has created more than just a hotel—it is a calm, cohesive environment that invites reflection and repose. At once rooted in place and open to international influences, the project is a testament to how modern hospitality can embrace tradition without being bound by it.
In Fratesi’s words, “We wanted the design to feel timeless—something you can return to again and again, and it still feels right. That’s the essence of Scandinavian design: never loud, but always enduring.”
