Michael Hsu Office of Architecture (MHOA) has unveiled its latest hospitality project: Sway Aspen.
This marks the Austin-based restaurant’s second location, created in collaboration with New Waterloo and Infinite Hospitality.
To introduce Sway into Colorado, MHOA crafted an intimate space that fuses Thai culinary traditions with the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Inspiration was drawn from traditional Thai homes with all-teak interiors and high-mountain experiences in Nepal.
Sway embodies pared-down comfort with a luxurious yet raw atmosphere. Plush banquettes, gentle lighting, and soft acoustics were curated to create a cozy, inviting setting. MHOA manipulated materials—wire brushing wood to expose layers, forming raw brass and steel in gentle curves, and employing clay plaster—to produce new, more subtle textures.
Light fixtures made of hand-sculpted cotton paper, Thai mulberry paper, and brass meant to patina over time yield moments of discovery throughout the restaurant.
Standout features within the space include a marble bar top with a burgundy glazed lava-stone profiled tile base, custom sapele mahogany banquette furnishings, and leather seating, all reflective of the playful sensibility inherent in Sway’s approach to Thai cuisine.
“Sway’s Aspen location is a carefully designed space, but not too precious,” says Michael Hsu, principal of his eponymous firm. “Hand-crafted elements are special and add to the experience, though they are developed with everyday, relatable materials. It’s warm and intimate and the type of place you want to gather and relax with friends for a great meal after a day on the slopes.”
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