Design Narrative

Concept Design Narrative:

REFRACTION: Refraction can be defined as the bending of light as it passes through one medium to another. In a similar nature, the passage of time has shifted the story of the seaport and the people of the neighborhood. The renaissance will reflect the influence of the past while providing a refreshing look into its future.

A PLACE OF INDUSTRY - FISH PIER, 1917: It’s 5 am and the inky blue water of the harbor reflects the light of the rising sun. As the boat pulls into Fish Pier, the calm quiet harbor quickly comes to life with bustling activity as fishermen hawk their catch to the highest bidder.

AN EMERGING IDENTITY - BOSTON WHARF ART LOFTS, 1980: It's 5 pm and after preparing all month for her exhibit, an artist is ready to share her work with the world. Grateful for the other experimental artists living and working in these lofts, a city that reveres fine art above all else is slowly warming up to her contemporary style.

A NEIGHBORHOOD REIMAGINED - THE SEAPORT, 2022: If the fishermen & artist were to walk down the street today, would they recognize the seaport? Probably not, but they would recognize their modern selves reflected in the spirit of the neighborhood today.

Juxtaposed between warehouses & skyscrapers, city & sea, the seaport continues to innovate & inspire. The renaissance will celebrate the seaport’s gritty origin and modern energy through reinventing raw elements of the past while celebrating its boundless future.

Sustainable Design Narrative:

In this project, sustainability is not treated as a feature but as the foundation upon which every design decision was built. The interior environment was conceived as a living system—one that reduces environmental impact while enhancing the guest’s experience.

Materiality takes center stage, beginning with responsibly sourced finishes chosen for their durability, low emissions, and lifecycle transparency. We worked hand-in-hand with the client and MindClick to ensure the vendors and materials selected for this project were leaders in their industry for sustainable sourced materials, ethical business practices, and cradle-to-cradle considerations.

One sustainability highlight of the project was the faux leather used on the headboards and desk chairs. Since this material likely had the highest upholstery yardage in the project, we selected an Otratex from Fil Doux. Not only is Fil Doux recognized as a MindClick Innovator, but Otratex is the only 100% biodegradable vinyl in the industry.

These three vendors are in the greater Boston Metro area, which dramatically helped reduce emissions from shipping. Together, these strategies reinforce the project’s mission to demonstrate how thoughtful design can meaningfully reduce environmental impact without compromising aesthetics, comfort, or functionality. By prioritizing transparent sourcing, local craftsmanship, and innovative material solutions, the project delivers a model for responsible hospitality design. The result is a space that is not only visually compelling, but one that actively supports long-term sustainability goals—proving that a hotel can be both environmentally conscious and deeply enriching for every guest who enters.