In the Press
Elle Decor
That sort of camaraderie is facilitated by the space’s design language, which the founders mapped out with the help of interior designer Kyi Gyaw. Points of inspiration included the Spanish txoko, a type of social club in Basque country centered around making meals, as well as the the club’s namesake, socialite Elsa Maxwell. Known for her lavish parties, Maxwell is immortalized in the club via custom wallpaper by Gracie, which documents her adventures in New York and Paris.
Hospitality Design
Crafted to reflect the vernacular of the neighborhood, the interiors will be a collaborative effort between New York-based designers Kyi Gyaw, Phillip Poon, and Jude Smith. A striking, suspended Italian marble staircase at the entrance will be installed at the threshold of additional installations from local artists like Rachel Weiss and Thomas Hammer. The interior design will also be outfitted with brand signatures like the AC Kitchen and AC Lounge.
Life Below Canal
AC Hotel New York Downtown’s façade features a distinctive geometric design that sets the building apart from the surrounding buildings in Seaport District. The movement of the nearby East River inspired architect Peter Poon to incorporate a wave-like pattern throughout the tower. Guest rooms offer exceptional views of Lower Manhattan, the East River and Brooklyn. Interior designers Kyi Gyaw, Phillip Poon and Jude Smith designed the hotel to reflect the neighborhood’s vibe. Upon entering the hotel, guests will notice the purposeful design throughout the property ranging from the suspended Italian marble staircase to the art installations by local artists Rachel Weiss and Thomas Hammer.
Concord Hospitality
Similar to the exterior, the interior design of AC Hotel New York Downtown by Kyi Gyaw, Phillip Poon and Jude Smith, reflects the personality of the neighborhood. From the impressive suspended Italian marble staircase at the entry to the art installations by local artists Rachel Weiss and Thomas Hammer; the interiors are meant to evoke positive energy vibrations and organized chaos within an urban environment.
Candice Georgiadis
The distinctive geometric design of AC Hotel New York Downtown’s façade sets the building apart from the surrounding Seaport District neighborhood. The movement of the nearby East River inspired architect Peter Poon to incorporate a wave-like pattern throughout the tower. Guest rooms will be situated on an angle for exceptional views of Lower Manhattan, the East River and Brooklyn as an added bonus. Similar to the exterior, the interior design of AC Hotel New York Downtown by Kyi Gyaw, Phillip Poon, Jude Smith, reflects the personality of the neighborhood. Upon entering the hotel, guests will notice the purposeful design and thoughtful placement of artwork throughout the property. From the impressive suspended Italian marble staircase at the entry to the art installations by local artists Rachel Weiss and Thomas Hammer; the interiors are meant to evoke positive energy vibrations and organized chaos within an urban environment.
SCAD, Incorporating the Five Senses
The justification of this thesis is to effectively assimilate Indonesian cultural aspects into a hotel environment by identifying the needs of this cultural group to create applicable spaces that will resonate emotionally with the guests and hence gain brand loyalty. This will be achieved by using four theories; emotional design theory, brandscape theory, environmental preference theory, and design psychology theory.
The thesis will pose a prototypical design and steps determined for interior design recommendations, which will inform interior designers what to do for projects that involve designing for a particular cultural group. Through literature reviews, interviews, and case studies, the thesis argues that interior designers can successfully design spaces in hotels specifically designed for a cultural group. The specific cultural needs will be incorporated through the design of the hotel and contribute to successfully integrating elements of the culture of the host country as well.