Hospitality Design - August 2013 - 52

perspectives

trends

custom products

Firm: BAMO
Project: Four Seasons Hotel Houston
“The renovation of the Presidential Suite North was designed to reposition its
appeal to the city’s international energy professionals. The custom executive
desk and cabinets, with Paldao wood, black lacquer, glass shelving, and mirror,
are urbanely residential. Loosely inspired by the hotel’s original Art Deco design,
we created this grouping (produced by Shaw Austin Contract Furnishings) as a
beautiful backdrop and visual anchor to one end of the living/dining/study great
room. The cabinet, with open shelving above, is the perfect scale for this generous
room and offers a refreshing alternative to art, which would typically be found in
this location. In pursuit of beauty, we didn’t lose sight of function. The ample
work surface, pull out shelf, and flip-up power port are ideal for the solo
executive or small team.”
—A N N E WI L K I N SON, SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Firm: Looney & Associates
Project: Grand Hyatt Denver
“Known as the Wall Street of the West, Denver attracts both business and
leisure travelers who seek the serenity of the mountains combined with
the attitude of a vibrant urban city. We utilized this unique approach for the
hotel’s renovation, where natural materials and contemporary furnishings
enhance the interiors, creating a luxurious, rustic elegance. The
registration desks are conceived as freestanding host stations, designed to
enhance the connectivity and interaction between the host and guest by
allowing both to fully engage around the perimeter. Each desk includes
a hand-selected redwood root base with a stone top, leather blotters, and
an intersecting bronze desk surface—the juxtaposition of the oil-rubbed
bases and the polished stone with brushed bronze creates a bucolic,
sleek sculptural element. For this piece it took three vendors—Redwood
Burl, Living Design, and Wilkie Sanderson—working with our team to
coordinate every minute detail, including a full MDF model to test the
functionality of the design.”
—SE LE NA D UR BI N , AS S O CI AT E

Firm: Puccini Group
Project: Trademark Eat + Drink at the Westin Hotel Alexandria, Virginia
“The custom, solid walnut-topped fourteen-foot-long communal table manufactured
by Royal Custom Designs was created to mirror the curve of the restaurant’s bar.
Standing at the same height (three and a half feet high), the table’s design and placement
encourages guests at the bar to engage with those at the table. Also, by placing custom
brass power outlets at the base, business travelers on the go (or anyone who needs to
charge their phone) are motivated to take a respite from their busy day. By transforming
the communal table into more than just a dining space, guests may also choose to use
the table as a workstation—sometimes a hotel room or business center just won’t cut it.
We’re catering to the guests’ desires, and, at the same time, supporting F&B sales.”
— ROB ERT POL ACEK, CHIEF CR EATIV E OFFICER

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August 2013 hospitalitydesign.com
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - August 2013
