MOXY HALIFAX
I was invited to design for Moxy Halifax in the winter of 2021, working from an elements package developed by By + Large Interior Designs. The vision for the space was to strike a balance between refined and industrial aesthetics, with the lion from the Nova Scotian flag as the hotel’s focal point.
I developed a series of designs, including a DJ booth, a secret door, bridge pillars appearing to emerge from the ceiling, washroom wall murals, and the prominent lion sculpture that greets guests at the hotel entrance.
With a one-year timeline for fabrication, I began with the most complex project: the Lion Sculpture. Located outside in the humid Atlantic air, it was essential to choose durable materials. The lion is constructed from exposed 5052 aluminum, which is bent, welded, and sand-blasted to create a raw, industrial appearance that reflects the RGB lights beneath it. The shipping container base is a robust 6061 aluminum frame with bolted 5052 panels, finished with a matte black powder coat and pink automotive paint.
Here is what Moxy has to say about the Lion sculpture that greets guests as they enter the roundabout
The bridge pillars and DJ booth were both welded from mild steel. The DJ booth presented a unique challenge, as I had to avoid scuffing the mill finish of the hot-rolled steel panels. It features marine-grade plywood with a biscuit-free veneer, stained and sealed with Arm-R-Seal epoxy, creating a beautiful contrast with the waxed steel. Inside the DJ booth, RGB lights shine Moxy’s call to action: “Play On.”
The bridge pillars, constructed from 3/16″ steel, have a solid feel when ‘knocked on’. I embedded 3/4″ anchors into sanded concrete bases to mimic the actual bridge. Large 1.5″ billet head bolts were added to a faux seam to emulate the pillars’ structure, which extends all the way into the ceiling, creating the illusion that they are protruding from the roof.
This project marks Marriott’s first ‘Moxy’ hotel in Canada, making it a significant milestone for both myself and the brand.