From Concept to Completion: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Hospitality Design Process
Phase 1: Discovery and Concept Development
Every exceptional hospitality space begins with a story. At Remick Architecture, we start by understanding not just what you want to build, but why. Our initial client engagement delves into your brand vision, operational needs, and the emotional experience you want guests to have in your space.
This discovery phase involves deep research into your brand positioning, target audience, and competitive landscape. We analyze the physical context—whether urban, rural, or historic—to understand how your project can authentically connect with its surroundings while standing apart.
Conceptual design transforms these insights into a spatial strategy. We develop narrative-driven concepts that will guide every subsequent design decision. Rather than jumping straight to layouts, we establish the emotional journey and key moments that will define your space. This conceptual foundation ensures that design decisions throughout the process remain anchored to your core vision.
Phase 2: Schematic Design and Design Development
With a strong concept in place, we begin spatial planning that brings ideas into three-dimensional reality. This phase translates abstract concepts into tangible spaces through floor plans, sections, and 3D visualizations that help you experience the space before it exists.
Material and finish exploration becomes central during this phase. We curate palettes that support your brand story while meeting the demanding requirements of hospitality environments. Every surface becomes an opportunity to reinforce the concept while ensuring durability and operational effectiveness.
The refinement process involves critical feedback where we collaborate with you to evaluate and adjust the design. This iterative approach allows us to test ideas, incorporate operational insights, and enhance guest experiences before construction begins. We find that investing time here prevents costly changes later in the process.
Phase 3: Documentation and Permitting
Behind the scenes, our team transforms approved designs into comprehensive construction documents—the blueprints that will guide your project’s execution. This technical phase involves coordinating architectural elements with engineering systems, detailing custom features, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
The permitting process for hospitality projects involves navigating complex regulations from building departments, health departments, and other agencies. Our expertise in hospitality-specific requirements helps anticipate and address potential issues before they impact your timeline.
During this phase, we finalize material specifications with exacting detail to ensure the design intent translates to reality. Every finish, fixture, and furnishing is documented with specifications that balance aesthetics, durability, budget, and availability.
Phase 4: Bidding and Contractor Selection
Setting your project up for construction success requires thorough preparation of bid packages that clearly communicate scope and quality expectations. We help evaluate contractors based not just on price but on expertise in hospitality construction, quality track record, and schedule reliability.
When budget adjustments become necessary, our value engineering approach focuses on preserving the core design intent and guest experience. Rather than arbitrary cuts, we identify strategic modifications that maintain design integrity while achieving budget targets.
Phase 5: Construction Administration and Project Completion
Throughout construction, we serve as your advocate and design guardian. Regular site visits allow us to monitor construction quality, address field conditions, and ensure contractors understand design nuances that might not be immediately obvious from drawings alone.
Quality control becomes increasingly important as construction progresses. We review mock-ups, material samples, and shop drawings to verify that finishes and custom elements meet the design intent before they’re fabricated or installed.
As opening day approaches, we focus on the final touches that transform a construction project into a cohesive hospitality experience. This thoughtful project handoff includes operational training, maintenance guidance, and documentation to ensure your team can maintain the space as designed.
The Journey That Makes the Destination
The path from initial conversation to opening day is a journey of collaborative creation. While the process involves hundreds of decisions and technical details, we never lose sight of the story we’re telling and the experiences we’re creating. At Remick Architecture, we believe this thoughtful, narrative-driven approach is what transforms hospitality spaces from merely functional to truly exceptional—places where authentic connections happen naturally and guests leave with memorable experiences they’re eager to share.
