DESIGN FOCUS ESCAPES

Although this summer may not be the one we had hoped for, it has however presented a perfect opportunity to press the pause button and reflect on our physical and mental health. Escape is commonly regarded as a means to turn away from reality, but in our present situation, it is the perfect opportunity to turn inwards. The projects and designs within these 'Escapes' pages present a renewed regard for nature, for the power of story telling and for social consciousness

- AGATA KURZELA

ESCAPE IS A GOOD STORY

We all love a good story and often, design is used to deliver just that. Aware of the power of good storytelling, designers have frequently constructed ephemeral narratives when pitching projects to clients – even though, sometimes, these stories struggle to leave a durable or meaningful trace within the executed project. There is a fine line between a narrative that is subtle and one that is overbearing, and this makes all the difference.

Some designs, unfortunately, turn out so literal that they slide into outright kitsch, while others never manage to inject the story into the core of the architecture. However, when the design is solidly grounded and created with a sense of honesty, the story powering the project is bound to leave a lasting effect.

With trends in hospitality consistently undergoing changes and redevelopments, one that has remained consistent has been the property’s ability to create a form of escape through powerful storytelling and an equally impactful design story.

A property’s location, natural surroundings, historical significance, and sense of community are all different ways in which hotels can engage its visitors, all while creating an opportunity for design to take centre stage in telling a powerful story. In the examples below, we look at four properties across the globe that have utilised a prevailing design story to offer the perfect escape.