david rockwell creates an old hollywood setting for 2021 oscars ceremony

david rockwell, founder and president of rockwell group, has designed the set for this year’s 93rd oscars. the ceremony, which took place at union station los angeles, was divided into for separate spaces which recalled both the intimacy and elegance of the very first academy ceremonies with a seated dinner. woods, metals, saturated colors and textures came together to exalt union station’s existing architecture while evoking the aesthetics associated with hollywood.

above and main images courtesy of spencer lowell for rockwell group

’it was an honor to design the oscars ceremony in such a critical year for cultural production,’ said david rockwell, founder and president of rockwell group. ‘people crave shared experiences, especially now, so we tried to create a celebration of the type of communal arts we’ve been missing. the oscars ceremony is always intimate and grand at the same time, more so this year with union station’s soaring details and historic details. we conceived a room within a room that made circulation intuitive, enveloped the audience in an intimate embrace, and also created a space in which the action happen everywhere, not just on stage.’

image courtesy of spencer lowell for rockwell group

a raised promenade welcomed nominees and their guests while platinum screens defined and separated the audience area. these screens were also used to celebrate the oscars’ trajectory with historical photographs. during the ceremony they mirrored the content that appeared on the main stage. the stage was made in inlaid wood in a circular, multi-tiered layout.

image courtesy of spencer lowell for rockwell group

the pre- and post-show celebrations took place at union station’s north courtyard with multi-platforms which included a DJ booth, a piano, working bars, and lounge areas. these last ones were furnished in roche bobois’ mah jong lounge seating upholstered in missoni fabric. the spaces were infused with a color palette inspired by the tile work found inside union station. the outdoor space was open to nominees and guests throughout the ceremony.