Club volleyball season is officially underway, and with my youngest daughter Lilly’s passion for the sport comes plenty of tournament travel. While I usually struggle being away from the comforts of home, a recent three-day tournament in snowy Ohio offered an unexpected creative spark.
Our stay at The Orbit Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, immediately piqued my curiosity. At first, it was just the name—Orbit—but upon arrival, the building itself told a deeper story. Wide hallways, an unconventional layout, and a palpable sense of purpose hinted at a former life. Guesses ranged from hospital to asylum, but the truth was far more compelling.
Stepping into the lobby felt like entering a time capsule. The mid-century modern design, bold geometry, and unmistakable 1960’s space-age nostalgia were everywhere. As an art director, I couldn’t help but investigate further.
So the creative in me had to do some research – I learned that The Orbit Hotel, Located in Fairview Park near Cleveland, was originally built in 1964 as a NASA Lewis (now NASA Glenn) office building, designed during the Kennedy administration and shaped like the letter “K.” Engineers once worked here on the Centaur rocket, a legacy now thoughtfully woven into the hotel’s identity. From vibrant oranges, yellows, and blues to curated NASA imagery and retro-modern furnishings, the design celebrates innovation, optimism, and history.
When I utilized their gym one morning, I was even greeted by a lifesize decal of an astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the Moon after mission commander Neil Armstrong — prominently displayed near the colorful stability balls!
What struck me most was how intentionally the past was preserved—soundproof windows overlooking the airport, original architectural elements, and a narrative-driven aesthetic that transforms function into inspiration. And did I mention each room had it’s own yellow or green rotary phone! It’s a reminder that buildings, like people, carry stories – and we are all about stories at MARQUEE —and when those stories are honored through design, they gain new life.
A tournament weekend turned into a lesson in adaptive reuse, proving that even on the road, inspiration can be found when history and design align.
Key Design Elements & Inspiration
- NASA & Space Age Nostalgia: The building, originally designed for engineers working on the Centaur rocket in 1964, leverages that history for a “Lost in Space” or “retro 60s” look.
- Color Palette: Youthful, vibrant colors included bright blues, oranges, and yellows dominate, applied in geometric patterns on accent walls and furniture.
- Architecture & Decor: Mid-century modern furniture, retro-inspired appliances, and themed signage were used to create a boutique experience.
- Visual Elements: The space features curated collections of rocket, space, and NASA photos on the walls and even a decal of a famous astronaut.
- Functional Design: High-performance soundproof windows were kept as a key feature, offering views of airplanes while maintaining a quiet environment, serving as both design and functional inspiration for high-traffic or near-airport locations.
- Atmosphere: The vibe is described as a “Roadside Motel, Reimagined,” mixing nostalgic, earthly wood tones with space-age technology.
— Agata Khoury, Art Director