GMB - Tell us how was the remodeling of the Iguazu Casino? How did your studio work for the project?
Monica Spodek - In 2001, our client acquired the IGUAZU casino hotel and they commissioned us to reform it. At that time the remodeling was total, and the inspiration was the Bellagio casino that at that time was the most glamorous hotel in Las Vegas. It was then that we created a mini Bellagio in Puerto IGUAZU, with its emblematic awnings, its moldings, its marbles and a luxury that changed the history of this casino.
Seventeen years later, we were asked again for the total renovation of the room that had already completed its cycle and our proposal was to create a new casino, recycling part of the existing but making a total change in its access, interconnecting all the rooms to create a large gaming space, where they are mixed in an interactive lay out slots, electronic cloth and live games, creating an elegant but very modern and attractive environment. For this, the two existing bars and the tournament hall were removed and a large bar with tables, chairs and armchairs, many interconnected screens and a small stage was created, thus forming a new gastronomy sector, open and connected with the entire casino, that allowed to integrate all the environments in a large space that surprises at every step.
High quality materials were chosen, exotic woods, lacquer panels, metal panels, routed and backlit metal panels, Brazilian quartzite floors, Italian porcelain, floor coverings brought from Holland, carpets of special designs. Special detail was given to lighting and light control systems that allow different climates to be generated. Everything was designed with special detail, to achieve as a whole the new image of the casino.
At this stage a new marquee was made that is part of the second stage of the works that will be the external treatment of the entire property, which will include a large source of water that will be a true attraction in itself.
The result of the work is really impressive. We imagine that both you and the HCI Group are very satisfied with the final result…
Yes, we are very happy for the trust that our clients put back in our studio and because they are happy with the result. The work was done in 8 months and in several stages with the casino in operation, and from the beginning we set delivery dates for the different sectors that we met punctually. It is very important to understand that this is a business that needs to be billed and collected and every day of delay is an economic loss, that is why the planning of the works is so important in order to meet the agreed deadlines. For this, we work with the operations managers so that the movement of machines and tables was as less traumatic as possible during the work process.
If you had to mention 3 key points that you had to take into account in this remodeling (at the request of the client or by your ideas) what would they be?
1) Turn the old casino into a modern and dynamic room.
2) By connecting the entire casino without visual barriers, a perception of a much larger and more attractive casino is achieved. Being able to visualize the gaming offer with a room without barriers, stimulates the player to greater challenges.
3) Surprise the usual casino customer with a completely renovated room and create a contemporary aesthetic to attract a new younger audience.
Tell us about the previous experience of your studio in the construction / remodeling of other casinos.
For the last 18 years the study is oriented to the design of gaming rooms and casinos. We have made many trips and participated in fairs and courses on the design of casinos and hotels and we are always researching materials and trends around the world. We work in many provinces of Argentina, several cities in Mexico, Uruguay and Paraguay, carrying out interior design projects for hotels and casinos.
How do you see the moment of physical casinos in Latin America? Do you think that the growth of online gaming has in some way halted the opening of new establishments?
The online gaming sector is a very strong business that has its public and is growing, but the public that goes to casinos will not stop doing it, quite the opposite. Casinos are magical places, where people go to escape, to have a good time, to play, eat, see shows, feel surrounded by luxury and good attention, to spend time in an environment that disconnects them from the reality.
That's why design, materials and lighting are so important! The investment in interior design and decoration largely determines the success or not of a casino. In Argentina, very strong gaming companies are betting on the total renovation of their rooms, so we are sure that casinos as entertainment venues are aspirational and people will continue to choose them.
The great challenge is to be able to attract the casinos to a younger public who finds there an option to have fun. Today the casinos are true recreation centers for adults and interior design has a fundamental role for the commercial success of a casino.
What other projects related to gaming are you currently working on?
At the moment we are carrying out the integral reform of the Palermo Hippodrome casino in Buenos Aires that has about 18,000 m2 of space, and almost 5000 slot machines, a project that is a great challenge entrusted to us by Casino Club, a firm for which we are working for 4 years and now they asked us the creation of the new images of their casinos in different parts of the country both in facades and in interior design.
The work of the Hippodrome has several stages that we started in 2018 and will be finished in 2020, since all the works are done with the casino in operation. We are also with works in La Pampa and in Misiones and soon in Trelew, and also with hotel projects in Uruguay and in Buenos Aires.
In Brazil, the legalization of casinos seems closer than ever. Do you feel that a market of enormous opportunities for studios like yours is opening up?
We have long been waiting for legalization in Brazil and to have the opportunity to carry out projects there and be part of the group of professionals who will be in charge of the projects that are coming.
We know that Brazil is a very nationalistic country and that there are excellent professionals, what we offer is our expertise in the design of casinos and hotels with casinos, which is a very specific specialty. With our studio we are eager to be able to work on projects that summon us by adding synergies with professionals in Brazil to create successful projects.
Such a market, so desired by large groups of foreign casinos, can deserve special attention from you? Could you look for a local partner that adds to your experience in the field?
Yes of course. I believe a lot in teamwork and a local professional is essential when creating projects that take into account all the technical and aesthetic aspects of a work. It is essential to create alliances and add the best professionals in each specialty to achieve successful projects. We will be delighted to be part of a team of professionals for the development of projects and works of casinos and hotels in any of the cities where they are carried out.
In Argentina, we work with the most prestigious architecture studios in the country, contributing from the interior design to enrich the projects and make all the technical documentation that makes a project studied to the last details
In this way, costs and times are saved and great efficiency is achieved when doing the works.
Source: Exclusivo GMB
