IH/M&RS Announces Recipients Of 2008 Gold Key Awards For Excellence In Hospitality Design
Roger Thomas, Wynn Design and Development, Named 'Designer of the Year'
NEW YORK, NY -- The Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, a coveted honor for hospitality designers from around the world, were presented to seven design firms, Monday, November 10, 2008, in connection with the 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS®). Sponsored by HOTELS and Interior Design magazines, the awards recognize the cutting-edge design concepts implemented in hospitality properties built or renovated within the past 18 months. Finalists and winners from among a record-breaking 209 entries were honored, in addition to "Designer of the Year" Roger Thomas.
The 2008 IH/M&RS Gold Key grand prize winners are:
- Best Hotel Design - Champalimaud (New York, NY) for The Liberty Hotel (Boston, MA)
- Guest Room - The Rockwell Group (New York, NY) for The Belvedere Hotel (Mykonos, Greece)
- Lobby/Reception - Champalimaud (New York, NY) for The Liberty Hotel (Boston, MA)
- Lounge/Bar - Philippe Stark andSBE (Los Angeles, CA) for Sbar (Los Angeles, CA)
-
Restaurants/Casual Dining - CCS Architecture (San Francisco, CA) for Townline BBQ (Sagaponack, NY)
and
Clodagh Design (New York, NY) for Landmarc Restaurant (New York, NY) - Restaurants/Fine Dining - Dirk Denison Architects (Chicago, IL) for L2O (Chicago, IL)
- Spa - Dodd Mitchell Design (Los Angeles, CA) for Paz Spa - Cabo Azul Resort and Spa (Los Cabos, Mexico)
- Suite - The Rockwell Group (New York, NY) for The Belvedere Hotel (Mykonos, Greece)
"The design firms receiving this year's Gold Key Awards are leaders in their field, demonstrating ingenuity and forward-thinking design," said Lynn White, show manager. "The properties represented - whether casual dining restaurants or high-end hotels - are among the most impressive design destinations in the world."
Countries and territories represented among the submissions were Australia, Bahamas, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, England, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Maldives, Mexico, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, St. Lucia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Judges for the 2008 Gold Key Awards were Jane Ayers, NBBJ; Robert Henry, Robert D. Henry Architects; Leland Lewis, InterContinental, The Barclay; and Donna Rodriguez, B.R. Guest Restaurants. Finalists were selected based on aesthetic appeal, practicality and functionality of design.
Highlighting the ceremony, sponsors HOTELS and Interior Design magazines presented the "Designer of the Year" award to Roger Thomas, executive vice president of design for Wynn Design and Development. Thomas received the distinguished honor for his role as a leader and innovator in hospitality design, as well as his philanthropic contributions to the industry.
In addition, NEWH, Inc., the Hospitality Industry Network, presented its third Icon of Industry Award to Roger Milliken, chairman of Milliken & Company. Through his leadership and passion for innovation, research and quality, Milliken & Company has become one of the most successful textile and chemical manufacturing companies in the world. A $5,000 scholarship in Roger's name was awarded to Jaclyn Livelli, an interior design major at Savannah College of Art and Design.
The 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show runs Saturday, November 8, through Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Following a full-day of conference and networking activities on Saturday, November 8, the IH/M&RS will feature three full days of exhibits from Sunday, November 9, through Tuesday, November 11. The market presents some 1,250 hospitality industry suppliers and attracts approximately 35,000 in total trade attendance.
