Women in Design 2019 - 26

26

Residential building 75 Howard, San Francisco

Lauren
Rottet
Founding Principal and President
Rottet Studio

In the theater, it's common for actors to
create a backstory for their characters, and
Lauren Rottet often does the same for her
projects. For the Upper East Side New York
landmark the Surrey, her first hotel in 2009,
she channeled acclaimed fashion designer
Coco Chanel, adding a bar to the lobby that
would attract like-minded clientele who were
looking for a place to enjoy a martini.
"It turned out to be the absolute winning
situation and a huge financial success," the
Texas-bred, Houston-based interior architect
explains, noting that she has spotted Oprah
Winfrey, Sharon Stone, and Tom Ford there.
"I call it putting the bumpers on the bowling
alley. Once the story is established, you can't
get out of it, and the success is always there."
Rottet's backstory is just as compelling

Women in Design 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Women in Design 2019