When a Hotel Feels like a Haiku
March 7, 2025
Sixth & Blanco. All renderings courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron.
We’re going to kick off Ground Up Ideas with a deep dive into a fascinating, transformative real estate development — one that embodies the importance of creative direction and vision when building.
In Austin, a city known for its eclectic energy, Sixth & Blanco—a collaboration between MML Hospitality, Herzog & de Meuron, and Page—takes the opposite approach: a study in quiet elegance. Since nearly swearing off Texas work after a botched design collab on the Blanton Museum of Art, Herzog & de Meuron re-enters the scene with their very first project in the state.
The mixed-use development, housing a boutique hotel, retail, and dining, brings a level of creative vision that brings Austin’s streetscape to a new dimension. By stripping away the unnecessary and embracing the historic scale of the site, Sixth & Blanco will leave behind a tactile, deeply considered experience.
Three Creative Takeaways:
+ Materiality as Storytelling – Limestone, brick, and timber tell the tale of Austin’s past, rendered with the precision of Swiss minimalism. Every surface is designed to be touched, not just seen.
+ A Meandering Village Vibe – The previous iteration of this site was a conglomeration of historic structures (several of which will be preserved) that invited exploration and intimacy. This new development captures that human scale and sense of labyrinthine spaces.
+ The Power of Negative Space – Herzog & de Meuron’s signature restraint allows the architecture to breathe, with courtyards and open-air passages creating an oasis in the heart of the city.
MUST-READS
Gelephu International Airport by BIG unveiled // Dezeen
Sweeping statement: Extension to the Centro de Arte Moderna in Lisbon by Kengo Kuma & Associates // Architectural Review
What if our buildings were like trees? // Metropolis
Why good design remains a luxury for U.S. childcare // Fast Company
Starwood is back as Barry Sternlicht rebrands SH Hotels // Skift
Biophilic design and the future of passenger-centric spaces // Metropolis
Disney’s new NYC office is designed to shape-shift as fast as media does // Fast Company
Greenland spotlight: Biosis brings innovative design to Denmark // Wallpaper*
IDEA SPOTLIGHT
Foresso
Foresso is giving wood waste a second life in the most stylish way possible. Their “timber terrazzo”—a composite of recycled wood chips, resin, and natural pigments—creates a stunning, stone-like surface with a warm, organic feel. It’s a sustainable alternative to traditional terrazzo, proving that high design and circular materials can go hand in hand.
INSTAGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Creative direction for the built world.
Ground Up is a new kind of creative studio for the built environment, informed by years of experience in real estate development, architecture, and branding. We’re here to partner with you on the strategy, branding, and design direction of your project.
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