July 9, 2012 1 Comment
On Saturday, March 31st FRCH Design Worldwide along with UC Surgeons, hosted “THE RIPPLE EFFECT” a benefit for Bethany House Services at the Corbett Opera Center in Music Hall here in Cincinnati. Bethany House provides Housing, Education and Assistance to Homeless and Disadvantaged Women and Children. Click here for a video of the event.
November 23, 2011 1 Comment
Tom Horwitz, the head of FRCH’s Hospitality Studio, is also known for his comedic presentations, attention to detail, and love of spreadsheets. I had a chance to ask him a couple of questions about his career and he had several smart and witty things to say: Read more of this post
September 26, 2011
Out on the edge of the Hamptons, there are a couple of small hotels that may be a vision for the future of hospitality.
April 27, 2011
So what makes a hotel stay fun?
There are a lot of ways for a hotel to make your experience memorable. Sometimes, when we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we can elevate an experience and create something worth talking about. The Wildwood Inn is pretty overt (and part of my past life long before FRCH) – and may not be to everyone’s taste. However, fun can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Read more of this post
March 7, 2011
The FRCH team is back from EuroShop 2011, we are brimming with excitement over everything we saw and look forward to sharing inspiration!
January 26, 2011
It’s the middle of January, and it’s been extremely cold and snowy here (at least for Cincinnati), so I thought I would see how our favorite hotel companies are willing to entice me for a long weekend away. My wife and I like urban getaways, so I thought that I would check out offers in big US cities. What I found was rather interesting:
Most Brands offer the usual: extra loyalty points, discount breakfasts, a bottle of wine, even the occasional free movie ticket. As many of these offerings are similar, the big differentiater is how they are presented on the corporate website. Kudos to Starwood and Hilton for having incentives that operate across the system.
November 30, 2010 3 Comments
In our work, we often try to infuse our projects with the latest thinking in our industry. In the realm of hospitality, we have introduced regional character and elements of authenticity into every project we do. This idea that a hotel is a reflection of its place can be elusive – but what if the hotel IS the place? What if you can become part of the city – rather than just a visitor.
In Italy, this has happened. Hoteliers have created Albergo diffusos – diffused hotels – in small and midsized towns. The concept is that the rooms and public spaces are scattered throughout the village, yet all the amenities that you would expect from luxury accommodations are present.
Sextantio may be the ultimate expression of this idea. Nestled in an Italian Hilltop, this medieval town has reinvented itself as luxury lodging. The guest experience is absolutely unique, and the concept has caught on. Currently, there are at least 2 dozen Albergo Diffusos in Italy.
Beyond planning a great European vacation, how is this relevant? The concept does not need to be unique to Italy. Imagine an Albergo Diffuso in Brooklyn, or even Cincinnati’s Over The Rhine. Virtually any walkable district with dining and shopping nearby would be a candidate, and has the potential to create an unforgettable experience.
November 11, 2010
Open floorplans have become increasingly prevalent in designer hotels—offering potential efficiencies to both the guest and the hotel developer—fewer walls can equal less cost to build.
One formula to this trend is the integration of the bed with a bathtub as seen in these examples from Europe and South America. designhotels.com
Reminds me a little of the New York City apartments that have bathtubs in the kitchen. nyhabitat, apartmenttherapy
Viva la efficiency!
October 27, 2010
Treehotel has taken hospitality and tree houses to new heights with unique cabins lofted high the trees of Sweden. My favorite, the Mirrorcube cabin, is camouflaged into the landscape of the forest from most vantages, with a wonderfully simple and surreal welcome statement upon arrival that reflects the modern dwelling within.
September 8, 2010 1 Comment
I shared this hotel project designed by Asymptote Architecture (with Jestico + Whiles on the interiors) with my studio when asked what has inspired me recently. Besides the ridiculously expensive, glass panel faceted, LED-lit draping roof, which is quite amazing, what is more intriguing for me is the simplicity in the design parti.
In plan the YAS Hotel is broken into two oval shaped buildings arranged perpendicular to each other with a sculptural connection bridge between the two. The towers are very simple and act as the perfect backdrop for a showy roof and an inviting lobby. The lobby level is clearly separated from the guestroom tower by an extended roof canopy, and long expanses of uninterrupted glass, providing a perfect place to take in the waterfront activites and lux superyachts. Just check out the photos, it speaks for itself. Bling, bling is right. That’s the only way to do it in Abu Dhabi, the new hot bed for design.
If the hotel design doesn’t spark your interest, add in a high profile marina that surrounds it, as well as a Formula 1 race track that runs around the building and under the bridge between the two towers. Props to arcspace and archithings for the eyecandy, woot.
Do you think the movie Tron might have shown up on the designers image board?
