Thursday, January 24, 2013

Pictures from the Shop: Communal Concepts

Over the past week, we've received photographs from millworkers of two different communal tables we designed for upcoming projects. 

For Ink & Elm, the Olmsted inspired restaurant/bar in Emory Village, the table concept will serve both as the large dining table for the Private Dining Room as well as communal seating when the room is open to all guests. The design is inspired by an old drafting table, similar to what Olmsted had in his work studio. It features black mahogany legs, bleached, hand-scraped cedar top, along with a custom metal base.






The other bar-height communal table will be a focal point in the restaurant/lobby of the newly renovated Hotel Indigo Nashville. This multi-purpose communal table serves as a place to plug in your laptop while nibbling and working or for groups to gather during live, singer-songwriter performances.  The table features a beautiful walnut plank top with ebony stained, turned legs.  (Two power/communication boxes are flush within the top to support laptop use.)



 
 
 
 


Friday, January 18, 2013

ai3's design for Hotel Indigo Nashville coming along

The "neighborhood story," which influences ai3's design for the Hotel Indigo in downtown Nashville, is focused on Printer's Alley, the historical district located just outside the hotel's lobby windows.  The original building owner wanted to build his bank (the original building use) on the corner of Printer's Alley because of it's historical significance.

Had Nashville not become Music City, it could very well have been the printing capital of the world, with the majority of major publishers and newspapers located on Printer's Alley.  Printing machines and block-printing were a huge inspiration for our design team, as was Printer's Alley in the 1800s when it became a speakeasy "Men's District" for a mix of local businessmen and politicians.

Take a look at our progress! (Design renderings on left and construction photos on right)

Registration Desk w/Letter block wall

Dining Area and Communal Lounge

Banquette Cubbies

Bar Area with Ceiling Canopy.

 

Live Music Lounge for Singer-Songwriters