New York City's Design-Forward Hospitality Venues
As NYCxDesign 2026 captivates New York City, a fresh array of meticulously designed restaurants, bars, and clubs have emerged. This compilation highlights ten establishments, each boasting remarkable interiors, perfect for festival attendees to unwind, dine, or continue their celebrations after engaging days of exhibitions and events. From retro-futuristic cocktail lounges to serene wine bars and even an alcohol-free social club, these venues offer diverse experiences alongside their striking aesthetic.
Kyoto's Capella Hotel: A Modern Tribute to Traditional Japanese Design
The Capella Kyoto hotel, designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates, with interiors by Brewin Design Office, draws inspiration from traditional Japanese machiya townhouses. Located in Gion, a historic district, the hotel's design emphasizes a sense of rhythm and progression, transitioning from public to private spaces. It incorporates elements of Kyoto craftsmanship, offering a unique blend of contemporary luxury and cultural heritage.
Holzrausch's Frankfurt Penthouse Extension: A Fusion of Modernity and Craftsmanship
Holzrausch, a Munich-based architectural firm, has meticulously crafted a two-story addition to a Frankfurt penthouse. This renovation transformed the dwelling into an expansive, light-filled residence featuring open-plan living areas and a stunning roof terrace, offering panoramic city views. The project, commissioned by Robert Volhard and his wife Patricia, showcases bespoke design elements and a carefully curated material palette, blending industrial aesthetics with natural finishes to create a remarkably cozy and sophisticated urban retreat.
Spacon, a Danish design studio, has meticulously renovated a historic pavilion within the grounds of Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, transforming it into an inviting and functional welcome center for visitors. Collaborating with the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces, the studio was tasked with giving new life to the previously disused structure. The reimagined interior now features a striking central table designed to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing, incorporating concealed display compartments and stools adorned with historical motifs.
This initiative aimed to create a space that not only serves practical functions like ticketing and guided tours but also immerses visitors in the castle's rich history. The main focal point, an octagonal table crafted from solid cherry wood, draws inspiration from the castle's architectural details and surrounding gardens. The table, a result of collaboration with carpentry studio Gilbert Gilbert, cleverly integrates pull-out stools and expandable drawers, transforming from a simple gathering point into a dynamic exhibition area. Additionally, the interior boasts built-in shelving and cupboards, with designs echoing elements of the castle's facade, all while adhering to a traditional color scheme that highlights architectural features and enhances the tactile quality of the materials.
The project underscores a commitment to craftsmanship and heritage, blending traditional methods with contemporary design. Malene Hvidt, co-founder of Spacon, emphasized the significance of working on a small-scale project with profound historical context, where every detail contributes to a direct and meaningful connection with the space. The transformation respects the pavilion's original scale and symmetry while introducing modern interventions that offer subtle moments of discovery, fostering an accessible and engaging environment that encourages visitors to linger and appreciate the layers of history held within this compact, iconic structure.
This thoughtful renovation at Rosenborg Castle exemplifies how historical preservation can be harmoniously integrated with modern design principles. By creating a space that is both functional and deeply rooted in its cultural context, it offers a refreshing perspective on engaging with heritage, inspiring future projects to similarly blend the past with innovative contemporary applications to enrich visitor experiences and honor historical narratives.