Gold Key Finalists - The Jay

We’re thrilled to announce that The Jay, a standout project by VISO, has been named a finalist in the prestigious 44th annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design!

This highly respected awards program, presented by Boutique Design magazine, honors the best in global hospitality interiors and is recognized as the longest-running program of its kind in the industry.

Selected from over 425 entries worldwide, The Jay is competing in three notable categories: Lobby Upscale, Guestroom Upscale, and Hotel Upscale. The design brilliance of AvroKO , the architectural expertise of AXIS/GFA Architecture + Design, and the project management of Summa International have all contributed to making The Jay a finalist. Winners across 24 categories will be unveiled on November 11 during an elegant ceremony at Cipriani 42nd Street, NYC, as part of the Boutique Design New York (BDNY) event.

Integral to The Jay’s bold aesthetic is VISO’s custom lighting, which plays a central role in enhancing the ambiance and highlighting the hotel’s unique blend of warm brutalism. VISO collaborated closely with AvroKO to design lighting fixtures that seamlessly integrate with the interior's geometric forms and rich textures, creating a sophisticated glow that softens the structure’s concrete and plaster elements. The result is an atmosphere that balances rugged architecture with inviting warmth, transforming each space within The Jay into a distinctive visual experience.

Brief

Referencing the brutalist architecture of the building design, VISO worked with AvroKO to create lighting in the restaurant, reception and porte-cochère. In honoring the building's architectural history, the concept of warm brutalism blurs the lines between design modalities while providing subtle nods to the local artists and creators who served as inspiration.Heavy forms, geometric shapes, and the use of concrete and plaster abound, place Portman’s legacy front and center.

Client Need

The hexagonal wooden pendants in the restaurant, reference hexagonal patterning on the building columns, each were finished by hand and mounted. In the building reception, the concept of translating brutalist shapes took form in ceiling mounted fabric shades. A total of 48 shades were added and mounted across the reception ceiling and finished in milky white linen.

Each shape was created using a brass frame, which can be seen through the linen when the lighting is on. The shades created vary in height between 18”, 21” and 24” to create a sense of flow and movement in the installation.

Challenges

Transportation of the reception shades was challenging due to the scale of each piece, and storage through rain and intense humidity. The storage of the pieces including stacking and ultimate placement which was over an extended period. VISO was able to work with local factories to ensure the swift storage and fine tuning of lights to ensure an installation timing was managed and materials were protected.

Solution

VISO was able to work with local factories to ensure the swift storage and fine tuning of lights to ensure installation timing was managed and materials were protected.

Reception Lighting

The shades created vary in height between 18", 21" and 24" to create a sense of flow and movement in the installation.