What Curioso does

Curioso is a privately held, multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design studio founded in 2013, co-led by Design Principal Daniel Pierce and Managing Partner Nina Grondin, with studios in Chicago, Illinois and Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. The firm operates as a collective of architects, interior designers, brand designers, and FF&E specialists, delivering integrated interior design, brand identity, environmental branding, and FF&E specification and procurement services. Curioso's primary vertical is hospitality — spanning branded hotels for Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, Kimpton, Six Senses, and LXR, alongside independent boutique hotels, luxury resorts (e.g., Atelier Playa Mujeres, Six Senses Grand Bahama), spas (Nuup Spa, Foundation Spa), and restaurants and bars. The studio also extends into student housing (Hub Atlanta, The Pier at Clemson with Core Spaces), workplace (Whirlpool Global Design Headquarters), and select multifamily projects.

The business model is project-based professional services. Fees are negotiated per engagement based on scope, size, and complexity, ranging from small restaurant interiors (e.g., 450 SF Pine's Room) to 600-key all-inclusive resorts and 75,000 SF corporate campuses. Curioso does not publicly disclose pricing or contract values. The firm sells through direct B2B relationships with hotel brands, real estate developers, and property owners — anchored by repeat clients such as Toast Hotel Group, Urban Villages, Core Spaces, Trinity Investments, and Weller Development Partners — and supplements that pipeline with industry reputation, awards, and editorial coverage in Hospitality Design, Condé Nast, Forbes, and Travel + Leisure.

The technology stack is conventional for the discipline: 3D rendering, BIM via Revit, SketchUp with Enscape, and Adobe Creative Suite support design visualization and documentation. There is no disclosed AI/ML or proprietary platform. Curioso has accumulated 50+ industry awards, including 2026 Hospitality Design Top ID Firm, 2025 Gold Key Awards, 2025 AHEAD Americas, 2025 HD Awards, 2025 Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star recognition, and a 2025 Michelin Key for the Fidelity Hotel Cleveland. Ownership is founder-led with no disclosed institutional investment, and the firm operates across the US, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Trinidad.

Name

Curioso

Legal name

Curioso

Website

https://curioso.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Curioso is a privately held, multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design studio with studios in Chicago and Mérida, Mexico, delivering integrated interior, brand, and FF&E design for hospitality brands, developers, and property owners across hotels, resorts, restaurants, student housing, and workplace projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Interior Design

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Wellness & Spa Resorts (THAGACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beachfront & Island Luxury Resorts (THAGACAA), Hotel & Resort Restaurants (THAFACAH)

Keywords

• Hospitality interior design
• Brand design services
• FF&E specification
• Hotel design studio
• Resort and spa design

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Interior Design Services: Core revenue stream from interior design services for hotels, resorts, restaurants, multifamily, and workplace projects. Projects range from renovations to new construction, with fees based on project scope, size, and complexity.
2. Brand Design Services: Brand identity and environmental branding services including naming, typography, logo design, collateral design, and brand guidelines development
3. FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) Services: FF&E specification, procurement coordination, and installation management services for hospitality projects

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Curioso is a multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design studio delivering hospitality interior design, brand identity, FF&E specification, and workplace design services. The firm serves hotel brands, developers, and property owners on a project basis, executing projects ranging from 21-key boutique hotels to 600-key luxury resorts, branded hotels for Hilton/Hyatt/Marriott/IHG, restaurants, spas, multifamily student housing, and corporate headquarters.

Product overview

Curioso is a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design studio with locations in Chicago, Illinois and Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. The company operates as a collective of architects, interior designers, and brand designers who create meaningful hospitality experiences. Curioso's project portfolio spans hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, multifamily residential, workplace, and brand design services. The company's major project categories include: boutique hotels such as Cleveland's Fidelity Hotel and Populus Seattle; luxury resorts like Atelier Playa Mujeres and Six Senses Grand Bahama; spa and wellness destinations including Nuup Spa and Foundation Spa; restaurants and bars such as Barrel Room, Naansense, and Bentwood Tavern; student housing developments with Hub Atlanta and The Pier at Clemson; and workplace projects including Whirlpool Global Design Center. The company also provides interior design, brand design, workplace design, and retail design services, working with clients including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, and Toast Hotel Group. Curioso has received industry recognition including 2026 Hospitality Design Top ID Firm, 2025 Gold Key Awards, 2025 Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star Recognition, and 2025 AHEAD Awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hospitality Interior Design Full-service interior design for hotels, resorts, and spas including new construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse of historic properties. Projects range from 21-key boutique hotels to 600-key luxury resorts and serve branded flags (Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, Kimpton, Six Senses, Ritz Carlton Reserve, LXR) as well as independent developers.
• Brand Design Services Brand identity and environmental branding services including naming, typography, logo design, collateral design, and brand guidelines development, delivered as an integrated offering alongside interior design.
• FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) Services FF&E specification, procurement coordination, and installation management services for hospitality projects, including selection of furniture, finishes, and equipment.
• Restaurant & Bar Design Interior and brand design for signature restaurants, bar and lounge concepts, fast casual dining, and experiential dining spaces, including both new builds and renovations.
• Spa & Wellness Design Interior design for spas and wellness destinations including treatment rooms, lounges, pools, and salon spaces, delivered with a focus on hospitality-driven wellness concepts.
• Workplace & Corporate Design Corporate and workplace design applying hospitality principles to commercial interiors, including global headquarters, workspace, and product showroom design.
• Multifamily & Student Housing Design Interior design for student housing and multifamily residential projects featuring hospitality-inspired amenities and community programming, including large-scale villages and amenity-rich buildings.

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Core SpacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent housing development partner with multiple collaborative projects including Hub Atlanta (292-unit student housing with rooftop pool) and The Pier at Clemson (140-acre student housing village). Curioso provides interior design services for amenity spaces, community areas, and hospitality-driven residential experiences.
• Toast Hotel GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepeated collaboration partner on boutique hotel projects including Harbor Grand Hotel (50-key), Marina Grand Resort (40-key), Bentwood Tavern restaurant, Foundation Spa, and Terrace Room. Toast Hotel Group operates the properties while Curioso provides design services.
• Urban VillagescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partner for Populus Seattle hotel (120-key carbon-positive boutique hotel in Pioneer Square) and Salt Harvest restaurant. Urban Villages develops the properties with Curioso handling interior design.
• Miller Hull PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner on Populus Seattle (historic adaptive reuse) and Salt Harvest restaurant projects. Architectural collaboration for Pacific Northwest projects.
• Hyatt Hotels & ResortscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMulti-project collaboration including Hyatt Regency Greenwich (373-key renovation), Townsend Bar atrium cocktail bar, and Glenna's Cafe & Market. Curioso designs branded spaces within Hyatt properties.
• Hilton Hotels & ResortscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partnership including Motto by Hilton Bentonville Downtown (lobby, 3 dining concepts, fitness center) and Hilton Trinidad & Conference Center (423-key renovation).
• Trinity InvestmentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate investment partner for Hyatt Regency Greenwich projects including Townsend Bar and Glenna's Cafe & Market.
• Weller Development PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Six Senses Grand Bahama, a 50-acre luxury development featuring villas, branded residences, spa, and F&B concepts.
• Francisco HanhausencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHotel developer partner for Atelier Playa Mujeres (600-key luxury all-inclusive resort with 15 F&B concepts) and Nuup Spa (32,000SF award-winning spa with 18 treatment rooms). Atelier de Hotels entity.
• Aparium Hotel GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHospitality management company for Millwork Hotel project in Omaha's Millwork Commons (144-room hotel opening late 2027). Aparium handles operations while Curioso provides design services.
• Rockford ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Whirlpool Global Design Headquarters project (75,000 SF workspace renovation in Benton Harbor, MI). Integrated Architecture firm also involved.
• Integrated ArchitectureminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm collaboration for Whirlpool Global Design Headquarters project alongside Rockford Construction.
• Matthew RanalliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect collaboration for Pine's Room neighborhood bar project in Chicago.
• VIA Chicago ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for Pine's Room neighborhood bar renovation.
• DXU ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partner for Bentwood Tavern at Marina Grand Resort.
• Within Light StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting design partner for Bentwood Tavern and Marina Grand Resort projects.
• Venture KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant group partner for Naansense fast casual Indian restaurant project in Chicago. Collaboration on interior and brand design.
• LAT (Loyals & Co.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrand design collaborator on Naansense and Wheelhouse Hotel projects.
• Bedderman LodgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHotel development partner for Wheelhouse Hotel project (21-key boutique hotel with brand design).
• DLR GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture/engineering firm collaboration on student housing projects (Hub on Campus developments with Core Spaces).
• PGSA HospitalityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDevelopment and investment partner for Millwork Hotel in Omaha's Millwork Commons (144-room hotel opening late 2027).
• Lund-Ross ConstructorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction firm for Millwork Hotel project in Omaha.
• Boka Restaurant GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant group collaborator listed among studio partners.
• GenslerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal architecture firm listed among studio collaborators.
• New WaterloominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality development entity listed among studio partners.
• Olson KundigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm listed among studio collaborators.
• 3XNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational architecture firm listed among studio partners.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Yabu Pushelberg: Toronto-based luxury hospitality and residential interior design studio. Direct peer to Curioso in high-end hotel, resort, and branded residential interior design with a similarly narrative-driven approach and global brand clients (Four Seasons, Edition, Park Hyatt).
• AvroKO: New York hospitality design firm known for story-driven restaurant and hotel interiors. Directly comparable to Curioso in narrative-led hospitality design, FF&E integration, and brand identity work for major operators and developers.
• Meyer Davis Studio: New York hospitality and residential interior design studio serving luxury hotel brands, restaurants, and private clients. Direct competitor to Curioso in upscale hotel and F&B interior design with comparable project scale.
• Studio Munge: Toronto interior design firm specializing in luxury hotels, resorts, and restaurants worldwide. Direct peer to Curioso in narrative-driven luxury hospitality design with similar client mix of major brands and independent developers.
• Simeone Deary Design Group: Hospitality-focused interior design firm with deep restaurant, hotel, and resort portfolio. Comparable to Curioso in F&B-led hospitality design with strong brand client relationships.
• Bill Rooney Studio: New York hospitality interior design studio with luxury hotel, restaurant, and residential portfolio. Comparable to Curioso in upscale hospitality interior design with similar brand storytelling emphasis.
• Parts and Labor Design: Boutique hospitality interior design and branding studio. Comparable to Curioso in combining interior design with brand identity for hotels, restaurants, and lifestyle properties at similar boutique scale.
• Clodagh Design: Wellness-forward hospitality and residential interior design firm. Comparable to Curioso in emphasizing sustainability and experiential design for hotels, resorts, and spas.

Broad incumbents

• Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA): Global hospitality interior design firm with extensive regional offices serving major hotel brands worldwide. Larger incumbent serving the same major-brand hotel pipeline as Curioso but at greater scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Gensler: Global architecture and design firm with substantial hospitality practice. Listed as a Curioso collaborator; represents the larger incumbent competitor that can offer hospitality design within a full-service architecture, interiors, and engineering portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wearecurioso

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Curioso