Nara is hotel that occupies nine floors of a 62-story mixed use building in Hudson Yards, a new urban development on the West side of Manhattan. Nara epitomizes a blending of the elements of tradition and futurism that characterize contemporary Japanese design, combining the structures and influences of the traditional geisha with futuristic technology, while integrating luxurious and ornate materials.

This hotel embodies extremes of cosmopolitanism and retreat, with guest rooms ("Cocoons") inspired by silk and silk worms and the tea room (the "Ochaya") inspired by labyrinths and the concept of obscurity. These ideas are expressed in neutral palettes incorporating blacks, off- whites, greys and browns against bold, bright and unexpected pops of red.

The early stages of the design process were inspired by traditional Japanese forms and cultural influences, including umbrellas, origami shapes, cherry blossoms, Zen, scrolls, ocean waves, fans, and acupuncture. As a result, highly conceptual and strongly sculptural common and private spaces are created by using both industrial and traditional materials, such as concrete, marble, charred wood, bamboo, steel, metal mesh, silk, and rice straw. Nara expresses the principal of obscurity by emphasizing privacy and elusiveness; the idea of organic development by highlighting loose and undefined forms inspired by nature, and the future of technology, by creating new and surreal expressions of technological advancement.

Faculty for the project: Douglas Grieco & Brad Groff

This hotel embodies extremes of cosmopolitanism and retreat, with guest rooms ("Cocoons") inspired by silk and silk worms and the tea room (the "Ochaya") inspired by labyrinths and the concept of obscurity. These ideas are expressed in neutral palettes incorporating blacks, off- whites, greys and browns against bold, bright and unexpected pops of red.
The early stages of the design process were inspired by traditional Japanese forms and cultural influences, including umbrellas, origami shapes, cherry blossoms, Zen, scrolls, ocean waves, fans, and acupuncture. As a result, highly conceptual and strongly sculptural common and private spaces are created by using both industrial and traditional materials, such as concrete, marble, charred wood, bamboo, steel, metal mesh, silk, and rice straw. Nara expresses the principal of obscurity by emphasizing privacy and elusiveness; the idea of organic development by highlighting loose and undefined forms inspired by nature, and the future of technology, by creating new and surreal expressions of technological advancement.

Faculty for the project: Douglas Grieco & Brad Groff