DESIGN : GOLD KEY FINALISTS
Finalists for the 33rd annual Gold Key Awards are meeting the diverse demands of 21st-century design in unique ways .
Hotel design has always needed to marry form and function in inspiring ways , but today the bar is raised even higher to include sustainable , locally inspired and culturally influenced elements as well . Finalists for the 33rd annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design are meeting the challenge with projects that seamlessly blend design ’ s traditional demands with cutting-edge concepts . A record number of entries — more than 260 projects from around the world — were considered for this year ’ s honors , which recognize outstanding hospitality design completed within the past 18 months . The awards , which are sponsored by HOTELS and Boutique Design , will be presented November 10 during the International Hotel , Motel + Restaurant Show in New York City , where Inge Moore of HBA also will be honored as 2013 Designer of the Year .
— ANN BAGEL STORCK
2013 GOLD KEY AWARDS JUDGES
Caroline Baumann , Cooper-Hewitt , National Design Museum
Ong Chih Ching , KOP Group Carlos Couturier , Grupo Habita
Ted Jacobs , Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Richard Millard , Trust Hospitality
Priya Paul , Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels
ECO / SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS HOTEL
ION LUXURY ADVENTURE HOTEL
HENGILL , ICELAND
DESIGNER : Minarc , Santa Monica , California HIGHLIGHT : Given the hotel ’ s location near Thingvellir National Park , designers aimed to create a hotel experience as dramatic as the natural surroundings via the extensive use of oversized windows as well as recycled and repurposed materials including driftwood , lava and rubber .
Ian Schrager , Ian Schrager Co .
Claus Sendlinger , Design Hotels
Petter Stordalen , Nordic Choice Hotels , The Thief Hotel , Home Invest , Home Capital and Home Properties
Larry Traxler , Hilton Worldwide
Glenn Wilson , Marriott International www . hotelsmag . com November 2013 HOTELS 39