VARIETY is a principle of design that is concerned with

the combination of one or more color elements that use

line, shape, texture, and/or pattern
to create diversity and contrast in an interior space.

COLOR + VARIETY
Commercial Design Analysis

PROJECT: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

DESIGNER: Architecture Rodd Henderer and Todd Lundgren of RTKL Interior Janice Clausen of CCID
LOCATION: Downtown Miami, Florida 500 Brickell Key Drive

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HOSPITALITY

Area of Investigation: MAIN LOBBY

IMAGE for analysis

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HOSPITALITY

MAIN LOBBY
Discussion

Details

When you first enter this space you see in front of you the
Brickell Avenue skyline through a wall of floor to ceiling
windows that is two stories high.

The Palette of the Main Lobby is mostly achromatic

shades of Brown that give the space a welcoming
warmth that is psychologically necessary for a place of
rest and relaxation. It is a light space where light
brown wood wall panels, light tan marble accents at
openings, and tan granite floor are the most
prominent colors; the darker color, a dark cherry red
wood is used for vertical elements like columns and
the central wall for the stairs leading to the second
floor conference area.

The Visual weight is on the floor as it is the darker of

the brown tones, but it is balanced by similarly color
value of the wood paneling on the walls. Upon
entering there is a focal point defined by a heavy wood
table sitting on a grey square shaped rock surface,
similar rocky islands with trees are located nearby.
These spaces are in cool grey shades differentiating
them from the browns to help with wayfinding. All Tan
walking surfaces are high gloss to distinguish them
from the islands for seating which have cool grey
carpets with soft red sofas and add a variety of texture
to the space.

Vertical lines of marbles leading to the lobby from the

main entrance add a rhythm to the entry.

The Wood Paneling is square shaped with grains in

differing directions to add a much needed pattering on
a larger scale in the two story high lobby space.

The Main Lobby

Siddiqui

shape

line

LINE:
Repetion of vertical marble at main entrance

SHAPE:
Squares behind the Reception and in wall panels

pattern

texture

TEXTURE:
Polished Granite floor, rock island,
wood table

PATTERN:
Marble Accent, Granite Floor, Wood Wall

COLOR + VARIETY _ HOSPITALITY

Area of Investigation: 2nd FLOOR CONFERENCE CENTER LOBBY

IMAGE for analysis

Siddiqui

HOSPITALITY

2nd FLOOR CONFERENCE CENTER LOBBY

Discussion

Details

When you first enter this space you see a flock of purple
birds on the carpeted floor.

The Palette of the Conference Center area, like the

main lobby on first floor below it, includes brown and
tan, but unlike the main lobby, it is a darker space, with
textures that are much softer, like wall paper and
carpeted floors. Darker wood is used for the floor
boards and around openings to define the entrances to
the meeting spaces and connect them to each other.

The Visual weight is on the walls as it is the darker of

the brown tones, The light tan floor is balanced by a
similar color value in the ceiling. A focal point is
created through the use of lighting in the ceiling where
stairs leading to the main conference area is located.
Wayfinding is assisted through te use of pattern of
purple birds on the carpeted floor.

Variety is introduced into the space through the the

texture of the flooring changing from carpet to wood
at the stairs. And from the wood panel walls of the
main lobby stairs changing to wall papered and matte
finished walls of the conference area.

Conference Area Lobby

shape

line

LINE:
Verticality of the main stair case
balanced by lines of wood paneling

pattern

texture

TEXTURE:
Wood Stairs Landing on a Tan Carpet
floor of the main conference corridor

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SHAPE:
Rectangles and Squares define Lobby
focal point

PATTERN:
Purple Birds on a Light Neutral Tan
assist in wayfinding and add variety

COLOR + VARIETY _ HOSPITALITY