The Calder Hotel Lobby
Washington, DC
How can a hotel lobby feel like the city’s living room?
The Calder’s ground floor was reimagined as a series of connected lounges that welcome hotel guests and neighbors alike. A sculpted marble reception desk anchors the entry, while deep sofas, low tables, and a long communal bar invite people to settle in for coffee in the morning and a drink after work.
Warm walnut paneling, layered lighting, and a rotating collection of work by local artists give the space a residential feel at a civic scale. Durable, easily maintained materials were selected throughout so the lobby stays polished under constant use.
“We wanted the lobby to feel less like a waiting room and more like a place you would choose to spend an evening.”
