Seychelles Museum

Although the objects of our daily life can be rich in history and meaning, they rarely command our attention. The Budapest Museum of Ethnography designed by DF&A celebrates those very objects, while itself becoming a well-loved part of daily life. One of our favorite elements of the design is a visible storage tower called a Cabinet of Curiosities, a heightened version of the cabinets in our homes that are stuffed with treasures. From inside the museum, the Cabinet allows visitors to appreciate artifacts in their uncurated state, as a kind of beloved jumble. From outside the museum, the Cabinet of Curiosities extends beyond the street-side facade, both a symbol of critical inquiry and an object of curiosity itself.

When entrusted with bringing a world-class resort to the Shinnecock Nation land on Long Island’s Peconic Bay, DF&A knew that our first job was to respect the integrity of the land and the legacy of the people, on a site that has formed the fabric of the Shinnecock Nation identity for thousands of years. We designed the 20-acre, 13-building complex in collaboration with the tribe, in a way that complements the land’s natural beauty while leaving as much as possible in a natural state. We grouped the buildings—including a convention hall, recreation space, wellness center, longhouse, and residences—close together to preserve open space, but we insisted that every building we designed enhance rather than diminish the landscape. The resulting Resort at Westwoods is designed to be a source of cultural pride for the Shinnecock Nation and an expression of the tribe’s renowned hospitality. A modern manifestation of the Shinnecock Powwow, it celebrates the tribe’s traditions and values while welcoming visitors from around the world.

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