In the 22 years since he joined the Rockwell Group, Shawn Sullivan has been reshaping the idea of luxury in architecture all over the world
At first glance, the Rockwell Group’s portfolio gives the impression of an architecture and design firm rather inclined towards the dramatic. From dazzling sets on Broadway to decadent nightclubs, landmark restaurants and historic hotels, the group has done them all. But closer examination reveals a dedication to narrative that is refreshing, if unusual, in this day and age. “Narratives are one of the most powerful ways to communicate a coherent design and idea,” says Shawn Sullivan, partner and studio leader at the group.
Soft-spoken and unassuming, the Yale-educated Sullivan seems like an unlikely font for all the razzle-dazzle that comes out of the studio—in fact, he is often considered the go-to guy for projects that require a certain theatricality. But whether it is the operatic OMNIA nightclub in Las Vegas, or the oriental-fantastic TAO Downtown restaurant in New York, the drama isn’t forced. “We do extensive research to uncover the inherent story of the client, space and context, and create a concept from there,” he says.
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