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The city of Miami was flush with international visitors Dec. 5–7 for Art Basel, a celebration of modern and contemporary art that includes paintings, installations, photography and films. Many of those visitors found their way to Architectural Digest’s AD Oasis @ The James Royal Palm where Sunbrella® fabrics were on display as part of the magazine’s luxurious retreat for the art and design worlds.
Designed by AD100 designer Mark Cunningham Inc., the AD Oasis transformed the grounds of the James Royal Palm in South Beach using a palette of sea-glass-inspired blues and relaxing neutrals. Sunbrella was the exclusive fabric sponsor for the third year in a row, with extensive furniture groupings provided by Dedon.
“The design of the AD Oasis pulls in the colors of the sea—rich, saturated blues—and pairs it with the classic white architecture of South Beach; it’s a stunning combination,” said Gina Wicker, design and creative director for Sunbrella. “This project is a natural fit for Sunbrella fabrics because of the durability required in the setting and the need for beautiful shades of blue.”
Designed as a space for guests to relax, enjoy food and drink, and connect via social media, Architectural Digest’s AD Oasis @ The James Royal Palm included outdoor furniture settings beneath umbrellas, conversational café groupings and lounge seating. Upholstery fabrics used in the space included solid settings of Canvas Capri and Canvas Natural with decorative pillows in a range of blues including Milano Cobalt, Spectrum Indigo, Surge Cobalt and Canvas Pacific Blue. The social media café played on the natural wood grain and sand and included Sunbrella upholstery fabrics in Spectrum Sand, Berenson Tuxedo, Elliot Wren and Surge Char.
Also on display in the AD Oasis and integral to this year’s overall design was “Twisty,” a unique shade installation designed by architect Kevin Chu, winner of the Future of Shade contest sponsored by Sunbrella fabrics and Architizer. Chu, of the Hong Kong/Beijing-based FABLAB Design, created Twisty as a unique vertical blind-like system with Sunbrella fabric panels that twist, creating shade or opening to change the light cast within the space.
Originally launched in spring 2013, the Future of Shade contest challenged architects and designers in the Architizer community to introduce their latest thinking on shade innovation. Twisty was selected as the grand-prize winner from among more than 70 entries.
“The Future of Shade contest introduced new ideas of shade as an element that informs the architecture of a building,” Wicker said. “The build-out of Twisty at Art Basel – a place where the worlds of art and architecture combine – was an ideal location to bring this new design to life.”
The Architectural Digest AD Oasis @ The James Royal Palm was open throughout Art Basel with events taking place each day and evening, including a co-sponsored party by Sunbrella and Architectural Digest to honor AD100 designer Mark Cunningham. Custom Sunbrella fabric gift bags were made for the event, which drew designers, architects, celebrities and other special guests.
About Sunbrella Fabrics
Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, a 133-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide.