Hyatt Centric

Hotels & Resorts / Mountain View / USA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Brief: Design one of the first new build hotels for the brand across from the Linked-In campus in Mountainview, California with the confluence of tech meets the mountains as inspiration.

Concept: The creative challenge given to Studio HBA was to design a hotel using technology to connect individuals together and to the outside world, to create a non-traditional environment that celebrates individuality and unique experiences inspired by innovation in the birthplace of the silicon chip.

The area of the Silicon Valley has long been a place attracting some of the great minds and innovators of the 21st century.

“Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” - Steve Jobs

Design: As the place of origin for the entire technology industry, both direct and indirect allusions to this unique aspect of the local environment have been incorporated in the design. The design solution encourages connection and interaction, but also provides a means to retreat and escape, disconnect and unplug; to stop, linger and recharge; a comfortable home base to relax and plan the next adventure.

The use of local color and natural materials throughout the hotel provides a grounded foundation and is inspired by the area’s natural landscape and former agricultural roots, with subtle nods to the shape and form of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the grid of the cityscape nestled in the valley floor below. As a nod to the lack of pretense of its inhabitants, materials are kept natural and timeless to accentuate points of interest and to encourage exploration and discovery as you journey through the hotel.