High-performance fire and sound insulation solutions have been fitted in the entrances to all the rooms at the newest five-star riverfront hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia.

As one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of interior doors, technical doors, door frames, wardrobes, panels and furniture components, Vicaima has designed the entrance doors for the 70 rooms at the new Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Strategically situated on the banks of the River Douro, just a short distance from the Luís I Bridge, the hotel fuses its privileged location with a deep sense of historical inspiration. The architectural and decorative concept of the space is strongly influenced by the local narrative from the time of the Napoleonic Wars: the love story between Maria, a fishmonger from the banks of the Douro, and Louis, a soldier from the French army. It is this encounter between Maria’s authenticity and Louis’s cosmopolitan nature that dictates the enduring duality characterising the hotel, which is reflected in spaces combining elements from that period with contemporary lines. This cultural dialogue is evident throughout the various spaces, with a tribute to French elegance against a backdrop of genuine Portuguese charm.

The result of a €26.25 million investment by the Mercan Properties Group and managed by AHM – Ace Hospitality Management, the development is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s prestigious Tribute Portfolio brand. This premium positioning requires strict security and comfort standards. To meet the high technical requirements of this property, the room entrances and corridors have been fitted with the Portaro® EI30 AC42dB solution. This system, which combines the door, frame and accessories in a ready-to-install solution, ensures fire resistance for up to 30 minutes and high sound insulation of up to 42 decibels, guaranteeing the tranquillity, quiet and privacy that are essential to the guest experience.

Combined with technical performance, the project’s complex and dual aesthetic identity called for a highly customised approach to interior design. To meet this visual challenge, the Naturdor® Walnut finish took centre stage, emphasising the connection to nature through the texture and authenticity of the natural wood veneer. Additionally, and to achieve a harmonious blend with the various décors, several units feature lacquered surfaces from the Lacdor range in shades customised for the project, where black and coffee blue take centre stage.

The exponent of this aesthetic approach has taken the form of a unique adaptation: most of the doors feature two distinct sides. In these cases, the side facing the corridors, which is communal in nature, is a different colour from the interior side, which is designed for the privacy of the bedroom. This versatility demonstrates how Vicaima enables spaces to be differentiated in a personalised way, whilst maintaining the required technical and safety standards.

The incorporation of Vicaima solutions into this development reinforces the brand’s position as a strategic partner in the development of luxury hotel projects. The ability to combine certified technical performance with the aesthetic flexibility required by distinctive architectural concepts therefore adds yet another prestigious reference to the company’s extensive international portfolio, emphasising its ongoing commitment to innovation and safety.

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