We are a collective of creators, makers, designers, architects, artists, and friends.
We are specialists within the design industry and curate our team based on the vision of each project.
We make your passion ours.
Come and join us.
GEM et AL is a multi-disciplinary design studio, focusing on small to medium scale projects internationally. We strive to collaborate with like-minded individuals seeking to discover something new and create meaningful work. GEM et AL is a diverse collective of creatives seeking distinctive opportunities in interior design.
We also partner with other Design Studios, Creative Agencies and Developers, seeking projects that require a dynamic team. The unique structure of our collective allows us to cater to the needs of every client and project. GEM will curate a distinct team with the expertise required - from designing custom furniture or lighting pieces, to composing experiences and installations, or bolstering large scaled endeavors.
GEM et AL seeks to inspire - devising purposeful spaces and experiential settings. We believe great design is a multifaceted process that works across varied scales and disciplines. We view every project as an opportunity for innovation. By working alongside our clients to create their vision, we aim to tell their unique story through the physical environment. Through thoughtful planning, meticulous detailing and seamless collaboration, our projects set out to make a lasting mark.
GEM NOTABLE PROJECTS & AWARDS
GEM et AL’s founder, Grace Escano-Maniatis has been fortunate to provide leadership and design direction internationally for well-known brands within hospitality, commercial and residential development.
Her career spans over 20 years and she currently serves as a Director of Design for Auberge Resorts Collection. As a creative leader, she leads many projects for the luxury and bespoke brand globally. Previous to Auberge, she had the pleasure of working alongside Will Meyer and Gray Davis of Meyer Davis Studio as a Design Director for many years. For well over a decade, her MD projects ranged in scale and typology and were primarily focused on concept development, where she designed environments for new brands in their infancy or repositioned established brands within the hospitality industry. Bringing these projects to launch involved robust partnerships and meticulous execution with Developers, Brand Managers, Design Consultants, Construction Management, and Marketing to realize their goals. Over her career, she has worked across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia where these creative opportunities have enabled Grace to hone her craft and broaden her global network. The list below highlights select projects over the course of her career that are noteworthy and have been honored with awards in design excellence in both architecture and interior design.
2021 HM AWARDS AUSTRALASIAN HOTEL OF THE YEAR, CROWN SYDNEY, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 2021 HM AWARDS LUXURY HOTEL THE YEAR, CROWN SYDNEY, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 2021 HM AWARDS BEST NEW HOTEL THE YEAR, CROWN SYDNEY, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 2022 WORLD LUXURY HOTEL AWARDS - LUXURY HOTEL CATEGORY ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA, CROWN SYDNEY, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 2022 AUSTRALIAN HOTELS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE, CROWN SYDNEY, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA 2016 RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT, RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT DESIGN AWARDS, CUSTOM HOME, EAST HOUSE, CHILMARK, MA
2016 HOTEL INTERIORS HOSPITALITY DESIGN AWARDS, LUXURY UPSCALE PUBLIC SPACES, 1 HOTEL, MIAMI, FLORIDA
2016 INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & PROPERTY AWARDS, BEACH HOTEL GLOBAL, THE AMERICAS, 1 HOTEL, MIAMI, FLORIDA
2016 -2018 DREAM HOTEL BRAND | DOHA, QATAR & DREAM DOWNTOWN | NEW YORK, NY, SD & PROTOTYPE
2015-2018 CROWN RESORTS | RESORT & ONE BARANGAROO, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA, SD-CD, PROTOTYPES FOR HOTEL & SUITES & SALES CENTER | QUEENSBRIDGE TOWER, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, APARTMENTS, SD 2015 HOSPITALITY DESIGN AWARD FOR LUXURY GUESTROOMS OR SUITES, 1 HOTEL, 1 HOTEL, MIAMI, FLORIDA
2015 INTERIOR DESIGN BOY AWARD, GREEN HOTEL, 1 HOTEL, MIAMI, FLORIDA
2015 GOLD KEY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY DESIGN, BEST LUXURY LOBBY, 1 HOTEL, MIAMI, FLORIDA 2014 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AIA, BOSTON SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS HOUSING DESIGN AWARD, EAST HOUSE, CHILMARK, MA
2014 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AIA, BOSTON SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS HONOR AWARD FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE 2012 OSCAR DE LA RENTA | HEADQUARTERS & SHOWROOM, NEW YORK, NY MEYER DAVIS STUDIO CD-CA
2012-2015 ONE HOTEL | MIAMI, FLORIDA, MEYER DAVIS STUDIO, SD-CA 2012 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, AIA NEW ENGLAND DESIGN AWARDS, EAST HOUSE, CHILMARK, MA
2009-2011 ISLAND HOUSE | CHAPPAQUIDICK MA, ROSE & PARTNERS SD-CA
2008-2011 EAST HOUSE | CHILMARK, MA, ROSE & GUGGENHEIMER, PETER ROSE & PARTNERS, CD-CA 2005 MODULAR EXHIBITION DESIGN | NETTO COLLECTION x DWELL STUDIO, MEYER DAVIS STUDIO, SD-CA 2004-2005 OSCAR DE LA RENTA | AMERICANA IN MASHASSET, NY, MEYER DAVIS STUDIO, SD-CD