Photo Essay: Design that "Rocks"

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With a brand name as big as Hard Rock, known throughout the world for the original cafe of its namesake in London, designing a hotel for the corporate client required a departure from the norm and a design approach that embodied its "rock star" attitude. Known for his chic, contemporary designs, Graham Downes, founder of San Diego-based Graham Downes Architecture, jumped at the opportunity to put his edgy, modernist spin on the suites and common areas on the new 315,000-square-foot Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, the first branded condo-hotel project in the city.

The new Hard Rock Hotel is appropriately situated in downtown San Diego's trendy Gaslamp Quarter on a 52,000-square-foot property that encompasses two adjoined 12-story towers featuring 420 contemporary modern Studio Rooms, Hard Rock Suites and luxury Rock Star Suites in various configurations. There are 18 uniquely individual Rock Star Suites, each featuring spa-like bathrooms, outdoor decks with sleek modern furniture, matte leather couches, vibrantly colored pillows, dark ebony floors and hand-woven custom rugs. One suite showcases a fire pit and deck with seating for 20 while another features 270-degree views of the San Diego Bay and an outdoor hot tub.

Keeping with the rock ‘n' roll theme (as one would expect), music is a central design element throughout the hotel's upscale, trendy design. Fully-wired studios and suites feature bold colors and materials, and Jack Pack technology permits plug-and-play access from a guest's personal audio player (iPod/MP3), video camera or notebook to the room's media hub. Guests can also choose their own selection of tunes at reservation-from 10 unique genres of music that play upon entry into the suites-creating a one-of-a-kind rock star experience for each visitor.

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego breaks with the standards of conventional design with suites that feature stunning cantilevered furniture, halo-illuminated beds that create a sense of floating, 300-thread count cotton linens, state-of-the-art lighting, celebrity green-room inspired refreshment centers, and sensually-styled bathrooms with ceiling-mounted rain showers. The vibrant color palette, textured materials, rich ebony wood floors and stark geometric shapes all serve to entertain guests with a bold, hip design. With no two suites being alike, repeat guests are sure to encounter a whole new vibe with each visit.

One extraordinary Rock Star Suite has been designed by the Grammy^® Award-winning Black Eyed Peas in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the band's charity, The Peapod Foundation—a global organization dedicated to providing opportunities and support for children worldwide. The band collaborated on the design for the suite, which reflects each member's individual style and unique personality. Band members also hand selected everything from the furniture to the bed linens-creating a one-of-a-kind guest experience.

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