Hospitality Design (HD) magazine is proud to introduce the October issue, guest edited by architect and designer David Rockwell, founder and CEO of Rockwell Group. Rockwell chose the idea of "transformation" to showcase uniquely imaginative and memorable features from across the world. He enlisted a diverse array of designers, curators, chefs and artists to discuss the power of transformation from their respective arts and hospitality points of view.

David Rockwell, photo by Jonathan Levine, courtesy Hospitality Design.

"Transformation has been a powerful presence and inspiration for me since I was a young child," said Rockwell. "It impacted my youth, and was a driving force behind my passion for architecture, design, theater and public space. As a guest editor, it was a fascinating experience to explore how transformation affects the lives and work of my colleagues across many fields."

Rockwell invited celebrated chefs Ruth Rogers, Bobby Flay, Anita Lo, and Jonathan Waxman to share in their own words what they consider their most compelling act of transformation. In conversation with Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, Rockwell discusses using change to bring the opera to a larger, newer and even global audience.

The October issue of HD also includes design case studies from top event planners Colin Cowie, David Monn, and Mindy Weiss; hospitality predictions by Richard Saul Wurman; a selection of some of curator Paola Antonelli's favorite objects from MoMA exhibition "Talk to Me;" and a Q&A with the legendary designer Eva Zeisel. Rockwell also selected the issue's features, which range from a hotel in Hamburg to a restaurant in Del Mar, California, by the likes of Stephen Williams, Thomas Schoos, Waldo Fernandez, and David Collins.

"We are so honored to work with David Rockwell on this issue," said Adams. "His vision for pushing the boundaries of design and creating unexpected experiences out of everyday spaces and objects is truly an inspiration for our industry, and we can't wait to share that vision in the pages of our publication."

Rockwell and his firm collaborated with HD Editor in Chief Michael Adams, Executive Editor Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, and Creative Director Jonathan Marsland to develop the magazine's cover, features, and artwork, all designed to invite readers to examine the concept and power of transformation across many fields and cultures.