Gemstone-inspired design earns India’s first LEED Gold for a hotel

The Park Hotel Hyderabad in Hyderabad, India, was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to combine inspirations from the region’s jewelry-making traditions with sustainable elements. Perforated embossed metal screens on the façade, patterned after the crown jewels of the city’s ruling dynasty, provide privacy while letting in diffused light. Opaque screens block service areas from public view. A central courtyard, bordered by the building on three sides, provides natural light and houses a private dining court and swimming pool. A nightclub and a third-story veranda with views of the city and nearby Hussain Sagar Lake round out the amenities.