Situated in Chicago’s vibrant West Loop, the new Nobu Hotel Chicago blends the hotel’s Japanese-inspired aesthetic with the urban style of the Windy City’s neighborhood.
In conjunction with Modif Architecture, local design firm Studio K worked on the 115-room hotel’s unique design aesthetic. “Our main goal was to create a design that references the brands heritage without relying on cliches,” said Karen Herold, principal at Studio K. “We used Japanese design principles to inform our choices in order to create an authentic interior that feels appropriate for our gritty West Loop neighborhood. We applied natural materials with heavy textures and played with proportions to create a dramatic space that reflects a humble approach to luxury.”
Like the weathered beauty of Japan’s oldest buildings, natural materials in varying layers are left intentionally imperfect. There is also a dramatic use of proportion throughout the space with unusually high ceilings offset by low furniture. The hotel provides a strikingly simple and tranquil space—anything unnecessary has been left out to keep it free from clutter.
Sophisticated, warm and reserved, Studio K has also created rooms that are linear, high-end and intimate. Sisal and wool rugs, mango wood millwork and indigo accents incorporate textured, natural materials with Japanese roots. Built-in millwork, a feature typically reserved for residential designs, feels high-end and permanent amid Chicago’s bustling energy. The ultra-contemporary, custom artwork by Dutch artist Noor van Spaendonckn brings in a pop of color. At its core, the humble approach to design emphasizes the luxury of experience through attention to detail.
