Boutique Design - December 2016 - 26

2016 GOLD K E Y AWAR DS

BEST LOBBY UPSCALE
SOURCES

-DANE PATUNOFF

WINNER

W PUNTA DE MITA
RIVIERA NAYARIT, MEXICO

DESIGNERS ASET/AOMA, Mexico City; Mister Important Design, Oakland,
California; Starwood Global Brand Design, New York

Sidestep the usual tourist-trap Mexican design references and
focus on the rich mix of influences that gave rise to the area's bohemian surf
culture. Weave in traditional patterns of Nayarit's indigenous Huichol people.
Take guests on a historical timeline tour using references ranging from vivid
handicrafts with ancient roots to elements that are synonymous with traditional Mexican celebrations. Acknowledge the European accents that inflected
the evolution of the Yucatecan way of life-and style. "The design teams' job
was to take all these factors and find the concept that would bring them to life
throughout the hotel," says Charles Doell, owner, Mister Important Design.
INSPIRATION

IDEATION Modulate the volume on design statements to include a few
shouts and lots of whispers. While guests can't fail to get the local connection embodied in the 9-ft. Huichol statue that greets them as they enter, they
also get a taste of this oceanfront community's past and present in subtler
ways. The white metal screens that surround the Welcome Desks are reinterpretations of papel picado, a traditional Mexican folk art that involves cutting
paper into elaborate designs. A close look reveals allusions to Day of the Dead-

boutiquedesign.com DECEMBER 2016

OWNER: ASET; OPERATOR:
W Hotels Worldwide;
DESIGN FIRMS: ASET/
AOMA; Mister Important
Design: Charles Doell, owner;
James Welch, Mark Niverba,
Miriam Marchevsky, project
design team; Starwood
Global Brand Design: Greg
Stobbs, director global brand
design; Krystle Louie, senior
designer; ARCHITECT: AOMA;
PURCHASING AGENT: ASET;
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
ASET; SPECIALTY DESIGN
CONSULTANTS: Lanz
Art-Lite; Hisbalit; ART AND
ACCESSORIES: Revolucion del
Sueno; Sayulita; LIGHTING/
SPECIAL FEATURES: Lámparas
Yvonne; Lanz Art-Lite; Mann
Made Mexico

inspired sugar skulls, images of pop icons and even song lyrics. It's not just the
FF&E that speaks the regional jargon; it's the public area's space plan itself. The
Living Room, W's update on the traditional hotel lobby, is centered around
a massive rectangular bar-a riff on the central quadrangles of Mayan cities
found throughout the peninsula. Borrowing from the long, low platforms at
the base of many of Yucatán's ancient buildings, the designers created terraced
seating that offers guests discrete destinations to relax or socialize.
INNOVATION Do get lost in the details. The first impression of the W's lobby
is all about the big picture, from the sculptural treatment of the lighting and
suspended art elements to the artistry of the mosaic tile floor, which also
shares top honors as the 2016 Gold Key Best Special Feature. A second look
reveals the insider genius. A W on the belt of the plaster-and-paint Huichol
figure that serves as the hotel's silent greeter keeps the brand front and center
without any need for the usual entryway signage. If guests look closely at the
papel picado-inspired screens, they'll see legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo
on a surfboard. Careful study of the 751,184 mosaic glass tiles in the signature
walkway reveals characters from Huichol legends, including coyotes, scorpions,
the blue deer and a revered god.
INTEL Pump up the (spatial) volume. The interior architecture isn't the only
design canvas. The spaces between the ceiling and floor offer a bounty of
leeway for creating visual impact. The eye-catching chandelier above the bar is
made of nearly 500 hanging LED lights, illuminating the heart of the lobby with
the warmth of candlelight tones. That profile continues with long, carefully
crafted strands of beads scattered above small cocktail tables.

MARK K NIGHT PHOTOGR APH Y

"IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SPACE THAT AVOIDS
CLICHÉS. THE MIX OF TEXTURES
ENHANCES THE AUTHENTIC FEEL"

http://www.boutiquedesign.com

Boutique Design - December 2016

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