Innovation Hotel Suite by Abigail Naugle

THE INNOVATION SUITE

Abby Naugle RIDI 2420

Design History of the Built Environment Fall 2024

Project Introduction

Cameron Condon, the visionary behind Camcord Collection Hotels Inc., is seeking groundbreaking proposals for the design of an experimental hotel suite for a boutique hotel set to open in Spring 2026. Known for his fantastical themed hotels, Condon envisions a highly conceptual and artistic approach for this project, blending historical and philosophical inﬂuences with avant-garde design to redeﬁne cultural hospitality.

Each suite in the hotel will feature a unique theme inspired by design history, aesthetics, functionality, and rituals, while integrating artistic themes from around the world. Designers are challenged to merge two distinct historical styles and concepts to create a one-of-a-kind spatial experience that pushes boundaries and elevates guest expectations.

04 Experience Views

Design Concept Statement

The Hotel Suite combines Buckminster Fuller’s futuristic and sustainable design with Annie Leibovitz’s emotional and story driven photography. This suite o ers an immersive experience where innovation meets artistry, creating a space that is both functional and deeply inspiring.

Design Narrative

The Hotel Suite brings together two unique styles: the innovative, e cient design of Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion House and the powerful, narrative-driven photography of Annie Leibovitz. The result is a hotel suite that blends practical sustainability with emotional depth, o ering guests a one-of-a-kind experience.

Inspired by Fuller’s Dymaxion House, the suite uses lightweight, durable materials like aluminum and stainless steel. These materials make the space feel modern while emphasizing sustainability. Fuller’s ideas for natural ventilation are also incorporated, helping the suite function e ciently while staying environmentally friendly.

Annie Leibovitz’s inﬂuence is seen in the suite’s design and atmosphere Each area reﬂects her photographic style through dramatic lighting and carefully curated visuals. Black-and-white applications, inspired by Leibovitz’s work, add a personal and artistic touch. The lighting is designed to create bold contrasts, highlighting the architecture and style.

The suite is organized into zones that reﬂect both Fuller’s and Leibovitz’s ideas. The central living area, designed around a structural mass, is open and inviting, encouraging social interaction. In contrast, the bedroom and bathroom are more private and intimate, mirroring the personal moments Leibovitz captures in her photography.

The custom designed Dymaxion Wire Pendant Light, crafted from aluminum wire, replicates the geometric form of the Dymaxion House. Its matte black core provides bold contrast, mimicking Annie Leibovitz’s dramatic use of light and shadow. This sculptural pendant casts intricate patterns onto surrounding surfaces, blending Fuller’s structural originality with Leibovitz’s dramatic styling.

The Dymaxion Leibovitz Suite is more than just a place to stay, it’s an experience that combines cutting-edge design with emotional storytelling. Guests will leave feeling inspired, having experienced a space that perfectly blends functionality and creativity.

Mood Board

Buckminster Fuller

1895

•Born in Milton, Massachusetts 1815-1917

•Attended Harvard University

•expelled twice becuse of his unconventonal thinking and ideas

1927

•Dedicated himself to designing innovatively for the world

•He began the development of the Dymaxion House

1929-1930

•Presented his idea of a sustainable and innovative home.

•Investors were hesitant due to its unconventional design and the limited resources available during the Great Depression.

1983

•Passed away but left a legacy of design through his visionary creations that revolutionized modern living

Annie Leibovitz

1949

•Born in Waterbury, Connecticut

1950-1970

•Established his philosophy of “doing more with less” inﬂuencing his future designs

1948

•The Dymaxion home was put up in display at the Henry Ford Museum

1946

•The only Dymaxion House was produced by Beech Aircraft (a company that focused on post war housing shortages)

1970

•Joined Rolling Stone as a sta photographer

1973

•Became chief photographer at Rolling Stone

Present

•Continues to work on high proﬁle projects and exhibitions globally

2015

•Published Woman: New portraits focusing on inﬂuential women around the world

2007

•Published a memoir and photo collection: A Photographers Life 1990-2007

1983

•Left Rolling Stone and began working for Vanity Fair

1991

•Published her ﬁrst book: Annie Leibovitz: Photographs, and created her ﬁrst major exhibit and the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Dymaxion House Breakdown

Design Features

1.The home was made from innovative aviation-grade aluminum, was both lightweight and durable.

2. Due to the use of high-quality stainless steel, the house was highly resistant to corrosion and required low maintenance compared to traditional materials like wood or brick.

3.The design utilized natural ventilation and incorporated a water recycling system, promoting sustainable living.

4.At the end of its life cycle, the home could be recycled and reused, reﬂecting Fuller’s commitment to sustainability.

Annie Leibovitz Breakdown

Signature Styles and Techniques

1.Bold lighting is a hallmark of her work, used to frame and compose impactful photographs with a dramatic e ect.

2.Many of her images convey a deeper, often symbolic meaning, revealing layers of her subject’s personality or story.

3.Leibovitz often employs large-scale props, elaborate backgrounds, and intricate costumes to create visually striking compositions.

4.Movement and energy are key elements in her portraits, which she uses to give the impression of “living images”.

5.Monochromatic black-and-white photography is another signature approach, as she believes it strips away distractions, focusing the viewer’s attention on the subject.

Bubble Diagram

Curculation Path

Material Board

Upholstery

Leather

Metal

Wood

Leather

Tile

Floor Plan

Curvilinear furniture enhances ﬂow, echoing the Dymaxion House's organic geometry while adding comfort and harmony.

Straight interior walls reﬂect Leibovitz’s structure and focus she brings to her compositions, emphasizing clarity and intentionality.

Private bedroom designed to support intimate moments, reﬂecting Leibovitz's ability to capture them in her photography.

Thicker walls provide natural insulation, aligning with the Dymaxion House's emphasis on sustainable and e cient design principles.

Centralized ﬁreplace echos the Dymaxion House's core structural pole. It symbolizes balance, connection, and functionality.

Experience Views

Living Room

This experience view highlights the living room, a space that seamlessly blends elements of the Dymaxion House and Annie Leibovitz's aesthetic.

Large, open windows are centrally positioned and level on the wall, reminiscent of the continuous band of windows featured throughout the exterior of the Dymaxion House.

The furniture utilizes curvilinear lines, reﬂecting the shape of the Dymaxion House while complementing the circular design of the hotel suite.

The space incorporates darker tones to reﬂect the moody and dramatic style of Annie Leibovitz's photography, as well as rich textures to mirror the visual interest she draws from textures in her work.

Experience Views

This experience view highlights the bedroom, showcasing Annie Leibovitz's photographic aesthetic along with nods to some of her most iconic works. The space features a monochromatic dark palette accented with pops of yellow and blue, colors Leibovitz often gravitates toward in her photography.

The accent wall is made of dark metal, which creates subtle visual texture; a technique commonly used by Annie Leibovitz to add depth and interest.

The dog bed placed next to the nightstand is a subtle nod to Annie Leibovitz's iconic photo shoot with the Queen of England and her beloved dogs.

This light blends the Dymaxion House's geometric design with Annie Leibovitz's dramatic, stylized aesthetic, featuring metal elements and a monochromatic black core.

Experience Views

Kitchen and Dining Room

This experience view of the kitchen and dining room showcases the circular ﬂow of the suite, highlighted by the prominent central piece. These spaces combine elements of both the Dymaxion House and Annie Leibovitz's aesthetic.

The central ﬁreplace, inspired by the Dymaxion House’s core—a centralized pole supporting the structure—combines functionality with striking design. Its materials and textures add depth, reﬂecting Leibovitz's focus on dramatic, visually compelling details.

Each suite is provided with a camera, encouraging guests to capture the raw emotion and candid moments of their stay, qualities often reﬂected in Leibovitz's work. Guests are invited to leave their photos behind, creating a shared visual narrative for future visitors to explore.

This space features concrete walls, aligning with the Dymaxion House's vision of sustainability through durable and e enhances the suite's modern aesthetic, providing both strength and timeless appeal.