Second Annual HD/Hilton Box Competition Looks at the Guestroom of the Future
Winning concept by Urban Robot Associates to be revealed at HD Expo + Conference 2020
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (February 6, 2020) —HD Expo + Conference, the leading hospitality design trade show and conference in North America, recently announced Urban Robot Associates as the winner of the second annual Box design competition. A partnership between Hospitality Design and Hilton, the Box challenged 11 design firms to design the guestroom of the future in only 24 hours.
Urban Robot Associates, led by principal and creative director Giancarlo Pietri, took home top honors during the competition, which took place during HD Expo 2019 held from May 15-17, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Urban Robot’s wellness-inspired guestroom draws inspiration from the sophisticated yet eclectic destination of Tulum, Mexico. The space combines warm tones and natural materials creating a unique, blended indoor/outdoor space for guests to unplug from the stress of business travel.
Each of the guestroom designs were required to incorporate products from the program’s 16 sponsoring brands: Artonomy, Kohler, Mohawk, Fabricut, Bryan Ashley, Hubbardton Forge, Tino Stone, Innovative Safes, Porcelanosa, Koroseal, Dormakaba, Quick Drain, Inncom, LG, Mirror Image, MGroup and LPO Image.
The Box competition entries were reviewed by an esteemed judging panel, featuring, Larry Traxler, SVP Global Design, Hilton; Anthony Melchiorri, President, Argeo Hospitality; Bobby Berk, co-star of Queer Eye, and owner of Bobby Berk Home and Bobby Berk Interiors + Design; and Daniel Wade, COO, Plaza LV. (Also pictured: Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President of Emerald’s Design Group and Editor in Chief of Hospitality Design; winning designer Giancarlo Pietri, Urban Robot Associates.)
“The Box challenge brings together the best in the industry. From the participating design firms who pushed the boundaries with each submission, to providing a platform to highlight our sponsors’ innovative products, the Box is a look at where the industry is headed,” said Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President of Emerald’s Design Group and Editor in Chief of Hospitality Design. “We look forward to seeing Urban Robot’s concept design come to life at the 2020 show.”
Urban Robot’s concept will be built-out on the show floor by EVO Design (with purchasing by The Parker Company) during HD Expo + Conference, May 5-7, 2020 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The Box program will come to life in the new year with the release of videos and special events leading up to the build out at the 2020 show.
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About HD Expo
HD Expo attracts the world’s most talented and sought-after network of interior designers, architects, hoteliers, owners, operators, developers, and purchasers. Over 12,500 show attendees will come face-to-face with the most captivating products and resources to consider for global hospitality projects and stay on top of industry news and trends through thought-provoking conference programming. The next HD Expo will be held May 5 – 7, 2020, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
About Hospitality Design magazine
Published 11 times a year, Hospitality Design magazine is the premier trade outlet and voice for the hospitality design industry. It serves owners, operators, brands, purchasing agents, interior designers, and architects involved in the design of hotels, resorts, restaurants, nightlife, spas, and all other hospitality-oriented projects. It continues its 37-year mission to connect and enrich the industry through innovative projects, inspiring products, the latest trends, development spotlights, and interesting interviews with some of the industry’s leading professionals. For more information, visit www.hospitalitydesign.com.
About Emerald
HD Expo and Hospitality Design magazine are owned by Emerald, a leader in building dynamic, market-driven business-to-business platforms that integrate live events with a broad array of industry insights, digital tools, and data-focused solutions to create uniquely rich experiences. As true partners, we at Emerald strive to build our customers’ businesses by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. With over 140 events each year, our teams are creators and connectors who are thoroughly immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. For more information, please visit https://www.emeraldx.com