http://www.furniturelightingdecor.com AUG.19 | 39
AIMING HIGHER
amplify their personal lives.
The hotel design follows a raw, industrial and natural
theme, relayed through honest materials such as exposed
concrete and unpolished steel. To emphasize the moment of
arrival, guests enter through revolving doors into a large, open
lobby intended to be a big living room with no boundaries. “It’s a
calming, yet convivial environment in the hectic world of travel.”
A long, linear table functions as both the reception desk and
“discovery table” and offers a site for communal gathering, where guests
can check themselves in on iPads and also meet and collaborate with other
people. “The virtual check-in process replaces the formal reception desk in a
simple, yet high-tech solution.” Overhead, a custom light fixture resembling
water dripping from moss infuses the lobby with greenery, while hip, modern
chair swings echo the South’s porch swings. An original abstract mural, one
of 11 in the hotel, displays a world map depicting the concept of Atlanta
as a world community and business hub. The untraditional business center
includes a co-lab space where guests have the opportunity to leave notes
about their travels for fellow guests to read.
The public areas of the hotel each offer a unique point of view that
reinforces different parts of a traveler’s journey: departure, arrival and
homecoming. Hickory & Hazel, the bar and restaurant in the hotel, was
designed to be intentionally imperfect, like a local neighborhood hangout,
with raw concrete ceilings and brick walls contrasted with polished wood.
The studio, with its wall full of art supplies and furniture containing USB
access, is designed to be a place of creativity and business. Conveniently
located near the bar, it combines business with art and fosters interaction
between the guests.
Guestroom corridors offer natural light and views of lush greenery via
large windows on either end, and help connect guests to the outdoors,
rather than feeling trapped in a hallway. Each corridor features two
millwork niches for local art installations so that when the elevator doors
open, guests see something different on each floor. In one hallway, a mural
portraying kids on swings circles back to the playfulness of the hotel. For
the artwork, Rottet turned to Atlanta natives like Ryan Coleman, Matt
Hebermehl and Sarah Emerson.
Light walls illuminate the path of the corridors, and as guests turn to
find their rooms, they are greeted by large
quotes that are alternately uplifting and
funny, encouraging them to live positive
and healthy lives. The 204 guest rooms
represent a mixture of Atlanta fashion and
modern design, salon-styled, but also featuring
residential furniture. Subtle nods to nature,
from the custom fabric selections, to the marble
and wood finishes, are designed to offset the sterile
experience of the airport.Taking Flight
A native of Waco, TX, Rottet began her illustrious career working for
Fisher Friedman Associates where she focused on upscale apartments
and condos, later moving to Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and eventually
becoming a founding partner of Keating Mann Jernigan Rottet where she
was synonymous with high-rise architecture and office interiors. When
that firm was acquired by Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall in 1994,
she became director of DMJM’s interior design studio. “The commercial
office business is very, very insular and a much quieter industry,” she says.
“Unless you are picking up Interior Design magazine, for instance, you’re
not going to hear about it.”
Rizzoli celebrated her career thus far with the hardcover, 336-page
Authentic Design: Lauren Rottet and Rottet Studio in 2017, and not
surprisingly, now that she’s made a name for herself in the more visible
hospitality business, furnishings companies have come a-calling. She’s done
a good bit of design work for names like Steelcase, Knoll and Bernhardt
Design, and in addition to her own furniture line — Rottet Collection —
marketed to interior designers, she has also launched lighting products with
Visual Comfort. Though she is circumspect about timing, there’s more to
come. While noting that Rottet Studio is also responsible for the design of all
of the Viking Ocean and River Ships (the firm has done 65 to date), “I really
want the product side of my business to grow because I would like more of
a well-known residential name,” she says. “I guess I just want to make a mark
on the industry with contemporary, thoughtful product.” FLDGuestroom corridors offer views of lush greenery and and
millwork niches for local art installations (left). In the 204
guestrooms, custom fabric selections along with wood
and marble fi nishes are designed to offset the sterile nature
of the airport.