Dawson Design Associates have been shortlisted for Hotel Suite – Global Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2023.

Overlooking the panoramic view of the Bay Area, 1 Hotel San Francisco welcomes guests to a sanctuary of greenery, salvaged wood décor, and warm earthy tones. As a residence of the Embarcadero oasis, this urban retreat serves as a place for guests to unwind and feel fully immersed in nature. Dawson Design Associates was hired to convert a prominent ageing San Francisco waterfront hotel, into San Francisco’s first 1 Hotel, a Luxury Brand created by Starwood Capital. 

The brands ethos is simple: those that travel the world should also care about it. 1 Hotels believes that channeling nature through design while focusing on sustainability and community, will start conversations that raise awareness and hopefully lead to meaningful change. In San Francisco this translates to biophilic design as the hotel strives to create a connection to nature through its interior architecture, interior design, and landscape. Guest-rooms and corridors are infused with native greenery, stone, cork, weavings, pottery, and reclaimed woods. Handmade carpets created from sustainable wool and natural plant fibres were selected for their soft hand and natural hues. The vibe is soothing – a sanctuary within the hustle and bustle of the thriving city. 

Colour tones and textures were carefully selected to capture the soft greys and blurred lines of the famous fog that often wraps this building. The 186 rooms and suites, many with panoramic views of the harbour and Oakland Bay Bridge, feature a series of suites with terraced decks of sustainable furniture and green spaces designed to capture and reuse rainfall. No plastics were used. 

Artisan skills were required for the headboard wall in the suites, It is panelled with end cut woods of multiple species including oak and walnuts – native woods of California. And then softened by the hand stitched natural leather cushion behind the pillows. The personalised results enhance the flavour of residential luxury. Every detail required extensive tracking and quality control. 

The design coincides with the 1 Hotel’s commitment to implement sustainable initiatives to the operation of their hotels. It embraces their nature inspired design as homage to their ongoing mission to fight the climate crisis and create change for the wellbeing of our planet and its people. 

Dawson Design Associates wanted to recognise and celebrate San Francisco and its people with spaces centred around environmental activism in a sophisticated, intellectual manner. They did this by using natural, sustainable materials, and hand spun fabrics to reduce the carbon footprint.  

Dawson Design Associates

Developer: Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

Construction: Ajax

Purchasing firm: Bray Whaler 

Management: Starwood Capital Group/ 1 Hotel 

Photographer: Douglas Friedman & Brandon Barre

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