Schematic Design Work: Concept Development

I am redesigning the lobby level of the Westin Hotel using the concept of Floating for my thesis project. My concept derived from the exterior of The Westin Charlotte Hotel. The hotel appears to be floating compared to other buildings in the Charlotte area due to the reflective surface. Other buildings seem heavy and dense from the heavy materials used in the buildings.


I am using the qualities of the materials found on the exterior. I am taking the modern elements of the facade with the use of symmetry, reflective materials, voids, and sleek lines. All of these elements are meant to create a contemporary interior with a weightlessness appeal. The Westin is also characterized by thin silhouettes with 90 degree angles, which are also inspiration elements for the redesign of the interior lobby space. The colors are also influenced by the reflective exterior. Whites, blues, teals, greens, browns and black will be within the space echoing the view of the landscape, streetscape and sky that is reflecting off the Westin facade.