What a Holistic Approach to Hospitality Architecture Means

You’ve likely heard the term holistic in conjunction with medicine or wellness and the concept of healing the whole person: mind, body, and soul. But what about holistic design for hospitality architecture?

History of Holistic Design

Looking back at ancient Greek architecture, the same idea is applied through design. Rather than considering only the structure, the architects of that time were encouraged to consider wind direction during urban planning to create comfortable and effective air circulation for the city.

It’s a matter of evaluating every aspect of an architectural design; from a space’s intended use, to choosing materials that go beyond simple aesthetics, and even how to incorporate—or at least minimize effects on—the existing landscape. When designing our projects, we use a holistic approach to create spaces that feel intentional from start to finish.

What Are the Fundamentals of Holistic Design?

Our main goal behind a holistic approach to hospitality architecture design is to create spaces that are as functional, beneficial, and sustainable as they are aesthetically pleasing. But how do we build a holistic approach to design in commercial architecture? The same way we build a structure. We start with the foundation. The fundamentals.

1. The first thing we consider is “everyone.” While it may seem impossible, it’s important that we recognize potential issues, wants, and needs that could arise for future users. Planning ahead and addressing “issues” during the initial design phase can save our client time, money, and frustration once the build is complete.
2. We research heavily before beginning any project. The environment is a big part of holistic design. Without proper research, we can’t create functional spaces that complement the existing landscape while minimizing any impact on the surrounding area.
3. Lastly, we design intuitive environments that facilitate a sense of community. Our holistic thought approach begins by envisioning guests experiencing the space we are helping to create. We know that human posture changes in spaces that are thoughtfully designed, and we examine each detail to allow for authentic connection to be at the forefront of every interaction.

The Future of Holistic Hospitality

The one constant in our world is change, and in our creative careers we embrace this often uncomfortable truth. Stories within a project develop and evolve, trends are ever-changing, while codes and the permit process are constantly in flux. We prioritize creating spaces that encourage human connection and social interaction over trends when shaping design choices because we understand that people’s experiences create nostalgia and memory dialogue for those spaces.

As a conceptually-driven studio, our earliest and arguably the most important part of our process is doing the deep work to understand the future user’s motivations; their inspirations, their desires, and finally, their sense of self in space. From concept to completion, we carry a holistic design approach to ensure a thoughtfully designed environment.