For its newest property in Chicago’s booming downtown, Ace Hotel makes art central to its design.
What would it look like if Mies van der Rohe designed a hotel today? This was the head-scratcher that Kelly Sawdon, partner and chief brand officer of Ace Hotel/ Atelier Ace, and her team posed for the design of the new Ace Hotel Chicago.
The task of physically realizing it fell upon Los Angeles–based Commune Design. Though the studio had previously worked on three Ace properties, the Chicago outpost offered a clean slate: There was no need to work around existing architecture.
“We wanted to connect the new building to Chicago’s architectural legacy,” says Roman Alonso, co-founder of Commune Design. “Van der Rohe’s Illinois Institute of Technology was a source of inspiration; the exterior material palette of brick and metal, the dark terrazzo floors, and some of the detailing were inspired by his buildings.” For the interiors, they looked to the Farnsworth House and the Bauhaus.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
No New Buildings
The energy already embodied in the built environment is a precious unnatural resource. It’s time to start treating it like one.
The Circular Office
Major manufacturers are exploring every avenue to close the loop on workplace furniture.
Signs of Life
Designers, curators, and entrepreneurs are scrambling to make sense of motherhood in a culture that’s often hostile to it.
Interspecies Ethic
In probing the relationship between humans and nature, two major exhibitions question the very foundations of design practice.
Building on Brand
The Bauhaus turned 100 this year, and a crop of museum buildings sprang up for the celebration.
Building for Tomorrow, Today
Radical change in the building industry is desperately needed. And it cannot happen without the building trades.
Strength from Within
Maggie’s Centres, the service-focused cancer support network, eschews clinical design to arm patients in their fight for life.
Next-Level Living
The availability of attractive, hospitality-grade products on the market means everyday consumers can live the high life at home.
Mi Casa, Su Casa
Casa Perfect creates a memorable shopping experience in lavish private homes.
Enter The Culinarium
AvroKO imagines the future of residential amenities—where convenience, comfort, and sustainability meet.
