The luxury hotel segment continues to boom, technological innovations enhance sports architecture, and Zaha Hadid Architects craft a new cultural hub in Uzbekistan. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
An undercover luxury hotel inspector tells all
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
New York magazine’s Intelligencer vertical interviewed an undercover luxury hotel inspector who works for the Forbes Travel Guide in its recent “What It’s Like” series. What seems like a dream job—salaries range from $60,000 to $75,000—these employees travel to high-end properties from the Aman Tokyo to a private island resort in the Maldives, evaluating them against 900 standards from the fluffiness of comforters to the speed of room service. “A hotel that stands out is all about consistency and hypersensitivity to detail,” the inspector said. “We can usually tell right away that a property has invested not only in their people, but [also] in the FF&E.”
Meet Manuel Cuevas, the 91-year-old fashion pioneer behind cowboy couture
Photo of an Elvis Presley figurine courtesy of Adobe Stock
Manuel Cuevas, the 91-year-old pioneer of cowboy couture, has crafted iconic Western wear for more than seven decades, shaping the image of stars like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton, writes The Washington Post in a profile of the prolific designer. Renowned for his use of rhinestones, intricate embroidery, and Mexican and Indigenous motifs, Cuevas’ designs reflect his unique blend of craftsmanship and personal flair. His tenure at Nudie Cohn’s Rodeo Tailors solidified his reputation, and in 1975, he launched his own atelier, Manuel Couture, in Nashville, which later moved to College Grove, Tennessee. His collaborations with famed costume designer Edith Head led to iconic film costumes, including those for Clint Eastwood and James Dean, while his “Man in Black” outfits for Cash and the invention of Presley’s jumpsuits were pivotal moments in fashion history.
Sports architecture undergoes a technological and sustainable revolution
A rendering of the Athletics stadium in Las Vegas, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and HNTB; rendering courtesy of BIG
Known for high-profile projects like the Los Angeles Chargers Training Facility and Reno Arena, Rui Huang, a design technology specialist, is transforming sports architecture through his use of cutting-edge technology, writes USA Today. Huang’s designs integrate form, function, and sustainability, with a focus on parametric design and virtual reality, allowing him to explore complex forms and optimize environmental performance. His “Seating Bowl Magic Box” tool revolutionized stadium design by increasing precision and efficiency, simplifying complex tasks for a single designer. Huang envisions future sports venues as more interactive, with technology like augmented reality and smart systems enhancing fan engagement.
Zaha Hadid Architects unveils a new cultural hub in Uzbekistan
The Alisher Navoi Institute by ZHA; rendering courtesy of Norviska
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has revealed plans for the Alisher Navoi International Scientific Research Centre in New Tashkent, Uzbekistan, reports Designboom. This multidisciplinary hub aims to promote Uzbek culture and education, housing the Navoi State Museum of Literature, a 400-seat auditorium, an international research center, and a school dedicated to Uzbek language, literature, and music. The design incorporates sculptural brickwork and draws inspiration from Uzbekistan’s architectural heritage, featuring arched façades, courtyards, and locally sourced materials. Sustainability is also central to the design, with passive cooling systems modeled after traditional wind towers. The Navoi State Museum will showcase a collection of 3,500 historical books and manuscripts, while outdoor spaces will foster community engagement through landscaped terraces and open-air amphitheaters, encouraging artistic expression and social gatherings.
Luxury hotel demand surges
The Yabu Pushelberg-crafted Aman Residences, Tokyo; photo courtesy of Aman
At the recent Lodging Conference at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, a panel moderated by Hospitality Design magazine’s editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen showcased the growing demand for luxury accommodations, recapped Hotels Magazine. “Rich people continue to travel,” Vicki Poulos, head of luxury and lifestyle brands at IHG Hotels & Resort, said during the panel. The pandemic also gave luxury hotels, particularly resorts, significant pricing power, leading to higher daily rates. Another draw: branded residences attached to luxury hotels. “There is insatiable demand from consumers for branded residences,” added Erin Green, vice president of development and acquisitions at Auberge Resorts Collection. “It’s let the good times roll.”
