Adam D. Tihany is a hospitality designer based in New York. He founded multidisciplinary design firm Tihany Design in 1978, and is considered the originator of the title "restaurant designer". His firm has designed hotel and dining properties at many notable properties around the world. Tihany was named one of the greatest American interior architects by The New York Times in 2001.
Early life and education
Born in Transylvania, Adam D. Tihany spent his childhood in Jerusalem and later studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy. He took his first opportunity to move to America, and in 1978, he established his own multidisciplinary New York design firm. In 1981 he designed La Coupole in New York City. Restaurant design allowed him the opportunity to design everything from the interiors and furniture to the Bernardaud table top and uniforms. He is often credited as being the first self-labeled "restaurant designer". His early years working in the foodservice industry prompted him to become co-owner of Remi restaurants in 1987, together with partner and executive chef Francesco Antonucci.
Career
Restaurant design
Tihany has built his career around the art of hospitality. In the restaurant industry, he collaborated with acclaimed culinary stars such as Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Charlie Palmer, Heston Blumenthal, Paul Bocuse, and Pierre Gagnaire. Tihany has created several restaurants for Chef Thomas Keller, including the Per Se and Bouchon restaurants, as well as recently opened The Grill on Seabourn Quest. He worked extensively with the Maccioni family, collaborating on eight projects including Le Cirque 2000, Osteria del Circo and the contemporary Italian restaurant, Sirio. Chef Daniel Boulud and the designer have created three restaurants together, including Boulud’s flagship, Daniel, in New York City. In 2004, Tihany designed the decor for a pool-side restaurant in San José del Cabo, Mexico. His lantern-design was then available for purchase.
Hotels
Tihany’s hotel work can be found in some of the most iconic properties in the world, including One & Only Cape Town resort in South Africa, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, Westin Chosun in Seoul, The Joule in Dallas, The King David Hotel in Jerusalem, The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Breakers in Palm Beach, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and the Four Seasons Dubai DIFC. Tihany is bringing is design concepts to the next generation of Holland America and Seabourn vessels, slated for delivery between 2016-2018. He served as Creative Director for the new Costa Cruises, overseeing a team of acclaimed design firms in the development of Italy’s finest.
Product design
Tihany has licensed product lines for several companies: Pace Collection and McGuire; Villeroy & Boch and Schönwald china, hardware for Valli & Valli; lighting for Lucifer and Baldinger and linens for Frette. His longstanding association with Christofle has resulted in Collection 3000, Urban flatware, and K + T Hollowware designed with Thomas Keller. He recently collaborated with Poltrona Frau in the creation of The Stanley Chair, which debuted in the company’s new home theater collection in spring of 2016. In 1998, Tihany designed a martini glass as a prop for an advertisement which he later began selling, on a limited-basis, for $550 apiece.
