Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Lighting Design/Product Company Tillotson Design Associates
Lead Designers Suzan Tillotson
Other Designer's names Shan Jiang, Chandni Azeez
Architecture Company Gene Kaufman Architect
Interior Design Company Islyn Studio
Client Dovetail + Co
Photo Credits Mattew Kisiday, Narek Tashdjian
Completion Date April 2025
Project Location New York, NY
Entry DescriptionNestled in the heart of Downtown Manhattan, this boutique hotel offers a first-of-its-kind lighting experience. The lobby glows with concealed light sources, creating a calm, immersive atmosphere through an indirect-only lighting scheme. Warm 2200K tones evoke the comfort of home, while light from ceiling coves and wall alcoves adds depth and perspective. Subtle shelf and uplighting at the self-check-in stand enhance the inviting ambiance. In the staircase, RGBW fixtures wash the space with soft, color-shifting light, guiding guests upward through a dreamlike interplay of illumination.
On guestroom floors, linear fixtures provide daytime light, while recessed step lights define the walkway at night. The integrated lighting control system transitions naturally from day to night for a seamless experience. Each guest cabin is a cocoon of comfort, featuring concealed dimmable lighting around the bed for soft, indirect illumination and a custom globe sconce at the vanity that gently brightens the face.
Sustainability ApproachThe project utilizes 100% LED lighting fixtures, all fully dimmable. Public spaces are controlled via a central system, while each guestroom features local control. Low-lumen fixtures were carefully selected to reduce energy consumption, and all lighting is dimmed to appropriate levels to meet the project’s energy-saving objectives.
