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Our weekly roundup of headlines from around the world that are affecting the hospitality industry
Our weekly roundup of headlines from around the world that are affecting the hospitality industry
Andy Warhol portrait sets new record for American art sold at auction, architects pressure AIA to do more to improve workplace conditions, and HD and West Elm name this year’s student product design competition winner. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
A recent ArchPaper article documents the discontent being voiced by young architects including pay and equity gaps and long workweeks for low salaries. This is the latest in a series of growing calls for an architecture union, most recently led by employees at SHoP Architects as reported by The New York Times in December. Although they withdrew their bid, others in the industry, like some AIA members want the organization to use its status to help improve working conditions throughout the industry and take on the perspective of workers. “The AIA has a moment right now to seize on this to make it the best possible for the most people,” says Indianapolis-based member Donna Sink. Those in favor of the union also believe that beyond regulating hours, the organization could advocate for salary transparency and pay equity.
A post shared by Christie’s (@christiesinc)
Shattering the record for the most expensive piece of art sold at auction previously held by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled from 1982, Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe portrait sold at Christie’s for $195 million, The Guardian reports. The silk-screen image from 1964, titled Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, is among the artist’s most recognizable pieces of iconography and was made two years after her death. With the sale, the portrait also broke a record held by Pablo Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O) for the most expensive piece of 20th-century art ever sold. “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn is the absolute pinnacle of American pop,” says Alex Rotter, chairman of 20th and 21st century art at Christie’s. “The painting transcends the genre of portraiture, superseding 20th century art and culture.”
Voyager Station, rendering courtesy of Orbital Assembly
Venturing to outer space has become more commonplace—for billionaires at least—with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Virgin founder Richard Branson recently taking suborbital spaceflights. However, according to CNN, one company is pushing to bring space travel into the mainstream with a series of hotels. Space construction company Orbital Assembly plans to launch two commercial space stations—Voyager Station in 2027, which can accommodate 400 people, and Pioneer station, which can house 28 people and could be ready as soon as 2025. Designed to mimic the creature comforts on Earth, the hotels will feature office space and a sense of artificial gravity to keep guests grounded. “The goal has always been to make it possible for large amounts of people to live, work, and thrive in space,” says Tim Alatorre, Orbital Assembly’s COO.
The seven-bedroom Ute Avenue Retreat home rental in Aspen, Colorado, available through onefinestay
In a sign of the power of the Airbnb business model, some hotel companies are offering private homes as a place to stay, reports The Washington Post. But in a departure from Airbnb, hotel partners will take care of the booking, help with any issues, and offer routine maid service. Brands like Marriott and Accor Hotels have already expanded to offer these types of accommodations. “Business travelers as well as many vacationers appreciate what Airbnb lacks and what hotel brands do best: availability (hotels cannot be delisted at short notice), professional hospitality, brand standards, and loyalty program benefits,” said Chekitan Dev, a professor at Cornell University. Guests who book through Accor’s rental company Onefinestay, for example, earn and accrue points through the company’s loyalty program. Additionally, Graduate Hotels will launch Graduate Homes in Oxford, Mississippi this fall.
A rendering of the Fold chair by Chae Rim Kang
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) graduate Chae Rim Kang has been named winner of the fourth annual 2022 HD/West Elm Student Competition for her Fold chair. Judged by West Elm design director Paul Galli, Kang will win a $5,000 prize and have the design produced by West Elm. “We were impressed by the fluidity of Chae’s chair and its thoughtful juxtaposition of hard and soft materials,” says Galli. “We can envision the chair’s distinctive silhouette working well in a number of commercial and residential settings.” Kang will be honored—along with all HD Awards finalists from the project and product categories—at the 18th annual awards ceremony on June 7th in New York. Purchase your tickets today!
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