The Bouroullec brothers pave their own paths; architect, artist, and designer Emmanuelle Moureaux creates an ‘infinite’ installation for Bulgari; and Tripnotes shutters amidst an increasingly crowded AI trip-planning space. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
The Bouroullec brothers break up
The Doblecara rug by Ronan Bouroullec for Nanimarquina; photo courtesy of Nanimarquina
After over two decades of designing together, staking their claim as the most influential French designers since Philippe Starck, Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec have decided to professionally go their separate ways. The brothers’ iconic product designs have cemented their place not only in social and living spaces, but also in permanent art collections, including the Pompidou Center and the Museum of Modern Art. The New York Times reports the duo had been quietly going in their own directions over the past 10 years, each following their creative vision without impeding on the other’s. “For sure, we will find ways of collaborating, but will it be for work? I’m not sure. I don’t know,” says Erwan.
Emmanuelle Moureaux’s colorful dreamscape for Bulgari
Infinite 100 Colors No. 50 by Emmanuelle Moureaux for Bulgari’s 75th anniversary of Serpenti; photo by Daisuke Shima
Enlisted by Italian fashion house Bulgari to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its iconic Serpenti Collection, Tokyo-based French architect, artist, and designer Emmanuelle Moureaux created an installation that immerses visitors in a rainbow dreamscape. The chromatic vision, known as the Infinite 100 Colors No. 50, is achieved by 347,100 Roman numerals printed in 100 shades of color on 100 large transparent acrylic panels, which are cut out down the middle to create a walkway. “The space is designed to evoke emotion by inviting visitors into an infinite world where colors seem to continue forever, following a long and narrow endless path,” says Moureaux. The installation mirrors the Serpenti’s representation of the concept of eternity, reports Designboom.
AI trip-planning app Tripnotes shuts down
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Tripnotes was all the buzz early last year when it was introduced as one of the first generative AI trip planners powered by ChatGPT, with lofty plans to change the travel game. Despite the viral traction it gained throughout 2023, the trip-planning tools space became increasingly crowded and by mid-December, the Tripnotes founders shut down its website after selling to Dorsia, according to Skift. Dorsia, a members-only restaurant reservation startup, also acquired Welcome, a city guide app similar to Tripadvisor, and owner of Tripnotes. The startup will largely focus on utilizing AI to generate more personalized experiences, such as allowing guests to preorder meals before going to a restaurant or the ability to pay through the app without having to wait for the bill.
Reports predict positive U.S. hotel performance in 2024
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Hospitality-focused investment firm Newbond Holdings forecasts group and international travel demand will drive U.S. hotel performance growth in 2024. Ian Gaum, partner at Newbond Holdings, told Hotel Dive that he expects “broad-based and healthy RevPAR (revenue per available room) growth in 2024” and “closer to pre-pandemic levels.” Notably, the growth will be driven by the recovery of business travel, as meetings and events make a comeback. Major urban markets—like Boston, New York, and Washington, DC—are already benefiting from the rapid recovery of business travel and are forecasted to continue the trend this year. In addition to group travel, U.S. hotels are expected to benefit from an increase in international visitors.
HD curates the top hotel openings of 2023
The hotel bar at BoTree London; photo courtesy of Concrete
From statement-making properties in the Middle East to charming retreats in the U.S. and grande dame redos in Europe, it’s been a year of accelerated growth for the hotel industry. In fact, according to Lodging Econometrics, 2,212 hotels opened in 2023, a nearly 12 percent increase from 2022. We whittled down these new debuts into the top 60-plus openings, categorized by region, that came across our desks in 2023. Check them out here and stay tuned for our 2024 hot list, which will be featured in our upcoming January issue.
