NEWH - Fall 2022 - 68

PROJECT | WESTIN TEMPE
Desert Flower
RSP Architects draws on the Arizona surroundings for the Westin Tempe
By Alia Akkam
Photography by Ryan Gobuty
P
rior to the arrival of the Westin Tempe, the Arizona college town was
short on upscale lifestyle accommodations. " The project was on a really
tight, underutilized site, but the neighborhood has great nightlife. We
knew that putting a hotel in the location was a huge opportunity, " explains Joe
Ellis, associate principal at the Tempe office of RSP Architects. " We had to get
the design absolutely right. It was a challenge to think through how to design
a fantastic guest experience that has some luxury elements and aligns with
Westin's strong brand and also reflects Tempe's casual, outdoorsy style. "
Conjuring the beauty-and extremes-of the Sonoran Desert was a starting
point for the firm when crafting the 290-key hotel. In the lobby, for example, " we
used an architectural language that plays off the textures and angularity found
in Arizona's slot canyons, " says associate Erin Yi. The shapes and shadows
appearing on the 3D feature wall made from thin, large-format porcelain panels
in the reception area " reference the rough walls of the canyons, which contrast
with softer elements at a smaller scale. The art installation above the front desk
is made out of aircraft cable and is reminiscent of the thunder clouds in the
desert sky. "
Fractal patterns formed on the terrazzo floor " help to define distinct zones
within the lobby, " Yi elaborates, but they also mimic the landscape, just as the
layers of polished and matte-finished copper- and sand-hued metal links in
the " veil " between the lobby and restaurant call to mind the desert's palette.
A meandering leather banquette and sculptural bar counter, benches, and
tabletops fashioned out of concrete also keep the space anchored in its
surroundings, tied together by a living wall and rift-cut white oak millwork. " The
space has a big impact while still feeling peaceful and restorative, " adds Yi.
Earth-toned guestrooms are just as calming but an energizing juxtaposition is
the rooftop pool, with its daybeds and cabanas conveniently placed beside a
day-into-night sunken lounge that " also attracts the locals, " points out Yi, " so it
feels like part of the community. We wanted to give the neighborhood a place
to gather. "

NEWH - Fall 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Fall 2022

President's Letter
News
Guest Perspective
Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
Who's Who
Conference Roundup
Have You Seen
Scholarships
Student Spotlight
Interview: Ari Kastrati
Sustainability Point of View
Q&A: Lanee Burns
Q&A: Crystal McCain
Q&A: Chris Schafer
Cover Story
Project: Westin Tempe
Project: Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
Project: Langham Boston
Project: Firangi Superstar
Chapter Highlights
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles
Sponsor Index
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Cover1
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Cover2
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 3
NEWH - Fall 2022 - President's Letter
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 5
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 6
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 7
NEWH - Fall 2022 - News
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 9
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Guest Perspective
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 11
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 12
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 13
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 15
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 16
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 17
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Who's Who
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 19
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 20
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 21
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 22
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 23
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 24
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 25
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 26
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 27
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Conference Roundup
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 29
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 30
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 31
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Have You Seen
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 33
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 34
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 35
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 36
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 37
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 38
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 39
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 40
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 41
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Scholarships
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 43
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Student Spotlight
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 45
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 46
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 47
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Interview: Ari Kastrati
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 49
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 50
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 51
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 52
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 53
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 54
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 55
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Sustainability Point of View
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 57
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 58
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 59
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Q&A: Lanee Burns
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 61
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Q&A: Crystal McCain
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 63
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Q&A: Chris Schafer
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 65
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Cover Story
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 67
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Project: Westin Tempe
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 69
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 70
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 71
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Project: Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 73
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 74
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 75
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Project: Langham Boston
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 77
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 78
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 79
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Project: Firangi Superstar
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 81
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 82
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 83
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Chapter Highlights
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 85
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 86
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 87
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 88
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 89
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 90
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 91
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 92
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 93
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 94
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 95
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 96
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 97
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Save the Date
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 99
NEWH - Fall 2022 - New Members
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 101
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 102
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 103
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Partner Profiles
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 105
NEWH - Fall 2022 - 106
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Cover3
NEWH - Fall 2022 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2024Summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2024Spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023Winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2021winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2021fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2021summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2021spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020july_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020july
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014spring
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com