A Sense Of Place

The world's leading architects are shaping luxury hotel design, one pillar at a time

WORLD EVENTS HAVE always played a part in cultural change and the global health crisis is no exception. In luxury travel, events of the past year have proven to be a catalyst for increased focus on sustainability, community and the environment. A movement that has been in progress for a number of years, this way of thinking has accelerated in recent months as people re-evaluate what’s truly important.

More than ever, these demands are defining the future of hotel architecture. Bringing nature and culturally inspired designs to the fore, these demands are being met with dramatic effect, from the dunes of Saudi Arabian deserts to above the Arctic Circle in Norway’s far north.

“The events of 2020 have impacted our lives in countless ways and its ripple effects will be seen for years to come. In slowing down, we have had time to notice natural features in our surroundings,” says Scott Lee, president and principal of London-based SB Architects. The company is behind high-profile hotel designs like Calistoga Ranch in the US and Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico.

“In architecture, the rising importance of empathetic design in hospitality – that is, addressing site-specific needs, the power of nature and needs of people – is very clear,” Lee continues. “As people return to travel, they are yearning for deep connections with nature and a sense of well-being. Hotels will become conduits of experience.”

Nature’s extremes

Presenting as much an opportunity as a challenge, some of the world’s most extreme environments provide a compelling narrative for dramatic hotel design.