Opened in 2015, the JW Marriott Hotel in Austin, Texas was designed by Nunzio Marc Desantis while at HKS, Inc (HKS). During my first visit to Austin in 2015 with three of my friends, we stayed at this hotel for a convention. Since we happened to go the same year the hotel opened, I was shocked by how clean and extravagant it felt.

Despite it being my first time in Austin, I could tell they managed to capture the city’s feeling. It even incorporates Texas limestone, copper, and zinc to make it look like a building that belongs to the city. As a testament to its design, the building received the 2016 Texas Society of Architects Design Award (HKS).

Speaking personally, I love the angle of the building at its corner. With the large piece of glass on top and the way it protrudes out sharply, it reminds me of a ship coming towards me. The roof of the building also features a beautiful outdoor pool with a partial view of the Colorado River.