Project Spotlight: Resilience

As we approach one full year of sheltering in place, BraytonHughes Design Studios reflects on resilience and how we have forged a new set of operations since the advent of remote work due to COVID-19.

Grand Hyatt SFO

Resilient design does not mean designing for every unpredictable event but working to ensure designs are better able to weather disruptions when they happen. Our talented team has practiced this idea of resiliency, adapting to remote work, and using innovative resources to stay connected, engaged, and collaborative. From Zoom factory tours and virtual happy hours to Zoom model rooms and installations to our latest Zoom NEWH tour of the Grandy Hyatt at SFO, we learned to evolve, leveraging practices out of necessity but embracing them for the long-term. We tapped into a powerful way to remotely search and sample materials with Material Bank, and with samples delivered within 24 hours, we can easily view and discuss the nuances in various materials and continue to make the best design decisions for each project.

We are proud to look back on the year and our design at the new LEED Silver certified hotel, Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point, which opened during a pandemic and reflects how we overcame challenges such as product and installation delays and limited site visits by leveraging technology, community and moving forward.

Canopy by Hilton, Baltimore, MD

Project Spotlight: Fairmont Nanjing

During Chinese New Year this February, a celebration also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, BraytonHughes reminisces on The Fairmont Nanjing, a luxury hotel located on the top floors of the iconic Jinao Tower in China, which appears as a geometric gem against the skyline and features interiors inspired by the beginning of spring in the city of Nanjing.

Nanjing, China, and the faceted, jewel-like nature of Jinao Tower informed the design in unexpected ways. BraytonHughes designed the hotel’s atrium to give the impression of standing inside a giant 30-story Chinese lantern. Guided by the plum blossom tree, the tree of Nanjing, BraytonHughes laser-cut silhouettes of the tree’s growing and falling leaves into faceted metal panels. Behind the metal panels are LED lights that change color to create different moods during different parts of the day or seasons. In addition to expressing the profile of the plum tree leaf throughout the public spaces, guestroom carpets, and fabric patterns, in the spa, the design team captured the crystal frost melting on the plum blossom trees and the full bloom of the trees. The softer, more fluid lines of the leaf and blossoms help balance the building’s faceted planes.

We hope the new year brings newfound harmony and balance into our lives.

Project Spotlight: Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point

At BraytonHughes, this New Year inspires both a look ahead toward brighter days and a retrospective mindset on exciting moments and opportunities we had during a challenging year. The newly opened Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point ended 2020 on a high note, and we are proud to have designed a project that contributes to the fabric of the neighborhood and builds a spirit of community between tourists and locals.

Located on Baltimore’s stunning waterfront, Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point invites interactions between guests and locals and discovery of the City’s rich history and art community. Drawing design inspiration from the historic Fells Point neighborhood, we paid homage to Baltimore’s industrial and shipbuilding past with contemporary interiors that reinvent materials such as copper, steel, wood, and dark metals. Strong, authentic artwork ranges from murals to industrial mixed media landscapes and reinforces the hotel as a portal into the neighborhood by showcasing local artists. Together, the interiors and art program shine a light on Baltimore’s multifaceted character while removing the veil that can divide hotel guests from locals and authentic experiences.

2020 demonstrated the importance of community and solidarity. Cheers to a New Year and design that creates a sense of togetherness in the future!

Designer Diaries - Mino Bautista

An avid sports fan, meet Mino Bautista, one of our fabulous Associates and a member of our Interior Architecture team.

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

Canopy Baltimore is such a cool project. The designers’ concept, attention to detail, and execution of ideas are on full display. It also doesn’t hurt that the project is in an amazing location providing gorgeous views of the Baltimore Harbor. I also have a personal connection to Overlake Golf and Country Club. It is one of the first projects that I was significantly involved in, allowing me to come into my own as a designer. 

2)      What is your favorite design product?

There are not a lot of options for well-designed automatic faucets. I’m always on the hunt and was happy to discover that Dornbracht now has a full line of them.

3)      What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

I haven’t really thought about this, but it seems like the tendency to do something creative is something that I got from my family. I come from a family of 3 kids - I turned out to be an interior designer, my brother is a residential developer, and my sister is a creative director in advertising.

4)      What is your favorite hotel or restaurant?

Amami Sushi Bistro. It doesn’t offer so much in terms of design and ambience but if you love sushi, this is the place to go.

5)      What is your most used emoji?

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, 🍺 and 🥃

6)      What are you streaming right now?

While waiting for the NBA season to start, Watchmen.

7)      If you could teleport somewhere right now where would you go?

I grew up in the Philippines and still have family and friends there. I would teleport back home every day if I could.

8)      Where have you gotten lost on purpose?

Did I mention I grew up in the Philippines, home to some of the world’s most beautiful islands? Every time I get the chance, it is so easy to get lost in the crystal-clear waters, whether you are surfing, kayaking, snorkeling in the reefs, or just going out for a morning swim. 

9)      In a parallel universe, what is your profession?

Those who know me know that I love sports and am very physically active. I used to play a lot of basketball and now practice Muay Thai religiously. It would be a dream to be a professional in one (or both) of these sports.

10)      Coffee or Tea? How do you take it?

Coffee. Strong, black, unsweetened.

Project Spotlight: La Crema Winery at Saralee Estate

This has been a year of challenge and change, and perhaps the best comfort is returning home and enjoying holiday traditions, from festive décor and libations to getting warm by the fire with loved ones. During the most wonderful time of the year, BraytonHughes thinks fondly of a place we designed with a “home sweet home” feeling: La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard.

“The Barn,” originally built by a German immigrant in 1900, was acquired by Richard and Saralee Kunde in 1991 when they planted the 200-acre vineyard while living inside the historic barn. In transforming it into a new wine destination in the heart of Russian River Valley, we made sure to express the warmth and hospitality for which Saralee was known in the iconic red color, fireplace, and cozy nature of the reimagined building. Reclaimed wood, glass, bronze, stone and other materials helped modernize the building while preserving its agrarian charm. A variety of guest experiential spaces reinforce connections to the wine and vineyard, with a magnificent deck extending out from the tasting bar and overlooking the hills. Whether lingering in the main tasting bar, relaxing by the fireplace, or enjoying expansive views of the property nearby, guests will always receive a hearty welcome at the Kunde’s former home.

From the BraytonHughes family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season!  

Designer Diaries - Julia Whittley

Next up on Designer Diaries is one of our Junior Designers, Julia Whittley, a Bay Area native who joined BHD last year. Read on to learn more about her!

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?
Grand Hyatt SFO. The spaces have those fresh and inviting vibes that make you want to enter the room with a smile on your face. I am also loving our recently completed Canopy by Hilton Baltimore project, especially because of the high attention to detail, which the designers of this project have excelled at. So, keep a look out for that one!

2)      What is your favorite design product?
The future is here with the Remi Smart Mirror!

3)      What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?
Once when I was a kid, we got an architectural magazine in the mail and I was obsessed with it. I cut out all my favorite images and glued them into a notebook. Not long after that was the first and only time I told an adult what I wanted to be when I grew up. They asked me some questions, and then, said I should probably pick something else. So, I stuffed that dream away until my early 20s when I decided to take a stab at becoming a designer and applied to my school’s interior design program.

4)      What is your favorite hotel or restaurant?

I recently went to Ozumo. It’s a contemporary Japanese restaurant on the Embarcadero. I have never been inside (because COVID) but the food is great.

5)      What is your most used emoji?

Without a doubt 😬 …It’s probably my most common facial expression as well.

6)      What was your first job?

I started babysitting when I was 10. It’s a job that I really enjoyed and stuck with, all the way through college where I had a part time job working with infants and toddlers.

7)      What are you streaming right now?

Does football count?

8)      What is your favorite snack food?

I wanted to put down something healthier but it’s Cheez-it’s. I love Cheez-it’s.

9)      Where have you gotten lost on purpose?

When I was studying abroad in London, I took a trip by myself to Napoli. Each street had a different market and was so different from anything I had ever experienced, so I decided to keep walking and figure out where I was later.

10)      Coffee or Tea? How do you take it?

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my tea. I’m always stocked with a full assortment. Over the past couple of years, I’ve gotten into matcha, and I’ve been able to perfect my matcha latte skills since we’ve been working from home.

Designer Diaries - Megan Gilbert

We’d like to you introduce to one of our associates, Megan, who has been at BraytonHughes since 2016. She’ll share some way more interesting tidbits with you all!

1)     What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

Avow (I worked on the design proposal and concept presentation!).

2)    What is your favorite design product?

Aria Chiara Ceiling Fan by Ceadesign – It’s a modern-look ceiling fan that has ozonation and ionization capabilities which means it can break down viruses, bacteria allergens and carbon monoxide.

3)     What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

I feel lucky to have been able to see the design process firsthand at an early age – my parents remodeled my childhood home twice when I was a kid.  I remember being fascinated by the blueprints of our house and it inspired me to start drawing.

4)     What is your favorite hotel or restaurant?

My favorite hotel that I’ve been to recently is the Madonna Inn in San Louis Obispo.  Such a strange, cozy little gem!

5)      What was your first job?

I worked for Artik Art & Architecture my last semester of mysenior year of college and a little bit after.  It is a really cool office – they specialize in educational architecture and have designed a lot of the public k-12 and community colleges in Northern California.

6)      What are you streaming right now?

Los Espookys

5)      What is something that none of your coworkers know about you?

I was homeschooled from 1st grade through 8th grade.  It’s not part of my past that I really embraced as part of my identity until recently.  I now realize that it made me uniquely equipped to handle working from home during the pandemic.

6)     Where have you gotten lost on purpose?

Bodega Bay.  Go to Wild Flour Bread if you find yourself nearby, it is the best!

7)     Coffee or Tea? How do you take it?

Coffee.  Strong, black and first thing in the morning.

8)     How do you get your news?

Online – The NY Times and the SFist, mostly.  Which reminds me… VOTE!

Project Spotlight: The Yellowstone Club Spa

This fall is the perfect time to turn inward and regenerate, and the Yellowstone Club Spa, majestically perched in the Rocky Mountains in Big Sky, Montana just northwest of Yellowstone National Park, was designed to put guests in touch with perhaps the greatest healing source – mother nature.

In designing the spa, BraytonHughes aimed to honor the rich geophysical landscape of one of the most beautiful mountain terrains in the world and the rich Native American culture that characterizes the state and its surroundings. With the use of natural, textured materials and finishes, dramatic yet soothing cove lighting, and modern, sculptural furniture influenced by the Montana landscape, the spa becomes an extension of the natural environment rather than a siloed amenity.

As guests travel into the space, they enter different rooms of organic shapes as if inside the earth. Luscious earth tones, asymmetrical shapes, and neutral-toned furnishings reinforce connections with nature, and soft
lighting and white walls create a calm, soothing spa atmosphere where guests can unwind and rejuvenate after a long day on the slopes, on the golf course, or just navigating 2020.

Designer Diaries - Lisa Vasquez

Our designers are all extremely talented and we value their unique personalities and encourage their individuality. We look forward for you to get to know them.  We are thrilled to have Lisa Vasquez, our new Senior Associate, help us kick off our new monthly blog series, Designer Diaries.  

1) What is your favorite BraytonHughes project?

Grand Hyatt at SFO was a challenging project with so many teams involved, yet it was such a rewarding project.  I enjoyed coming up with the design that referenced the locale, the airport, the state of California, and the city of San Francisco.  My favorite space to work on was the suites, specifically the Presidential Suite.  The colors, textures, and furniture found in the suites are reminiscent of the beautiful California sunset that can be seen over the many bridges found within the city. 

2) What is your favorite design product?

Currently, I am loving the new lamp collection from Porta Romana. The Nina Lamp is like the little black dress, simple yet beautiful for any occasion. 

3) What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

HGTV!  I used to watch HGTV on a regular basis in the 1990’s & early 2000’s. When I was trying to figure out a career path in my mid-twenties, a good friend of mine said, “hey why don’t you try out interior design”.  The next day I made an appointment to tour FIDM in Los Angeles, and a month later, I was an art student.  Looking back, my bedroom was always my canvas, like a chameleon constantly changing colors. 

4) What is your most used emoji?

Those who know me well, will not be surprised:  🤦‍♀️ 🙄

5) What was your first job?

My very first job, right out of high school, was at McDonalds.  I met my next employer, a wholesale computer parts company, through the drive thru and soared from there. You have to start somewhere. 

6) What is your favorite snack food?

Just found out about Pili nuts dusted with cacao powder…they melt in your mouth and “THEY” say they’re healthy.  Win win! Somewhat better than the Trader Joe’s pretzel thins I was addicted to for three months straight.

7) If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?

To a beautiful private island with a hammock in the trees, soft white sand, and clear water.  Who doesn’t need to disconnect sometimes?!

8) Where have you gotten lost on purpose?

I tend to do that a lot on my travels.  That’s the best part of traveling.  I just recently wandered the souks of Marrakesh, Tangier, and Essaouira in Morocco. You find the best local food and unique shops that way. 

9) In a parallel universe, what is your profession?

A doctor serving Doctors without Borders giving back to those in need…or a superstar actress. 

10) Coffee or Tea? How do you take it?

Both!  I love the apricot Ceylon tea latte from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, my guilty pleasure when I’m in L.A. But on a regular day, a latte with whole milk, a single sugar pack, and if I’m in the mood, a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.