This week, we headed across town to Business Design Centre to visit the HIX Event. We joined a fantastic panel discussion alongside moderator Alys Bryan from Design Insider Live and acclaimed guests, including Tom Chalmers from AvroKO, Elisa Rodriguez Checa from Checa Woid, and George Blower from Hilton Hotels Corporation, who shared their views on "Creating a Sense of Place with Hotel F&B". The conversation centred around how effectively design teams in hospitality foster a true sense of place, particularly when working on a global scale. At the heart of this discussion was the question of what “place” means when designing interiors. More than just a geographical location, “place” is shaped by historical, cultural, and social considerations. In today’s hospitality venues, creating a sense of place requires an intentional blend of design, storytelling, and authentic service that takes into consideration the local, global, and hyperlocal contexts, investigates them, and understands strengths, threats and opportunities for each of these. A key challenge for global brands lies in overcoming the fear of creating interiors that feel too niche or specific, fearing they may alienate broader audiences. Yet, this cautious approach risks diluting the authenticity that makes spaces compelling. The hyper-local design adds another layer of complexity, requiring a nuanced understanding of micro-geographies—designing for specific neighbourhoods or communities rather than broader regions. Success depends on a holistic approach that goes beyond aesthetics, incorporating service and operational culture. Venues must be adaptable to meet the needs of diverse audiences, from international guests to local communities, while also being functional for staff. Engaging with the perspectives of those who know their geographies best—locals and on-site staff—is a critical step to ensure the resulting design is both meaningful and relevant. Hospitality venues can thus create authentic and sustainable experiences, prioritising people-first solutions. Do you agree? . . #hixevent #hotelinteriors #businessdesigncentre #interiordesign #hospitalitydesign #luxuryhospitalitydesign #hoteldesign #sandfordloves
Alys Bryan
1mo
Thank you so much for joining and sharing the conversation! 😁
Founder & Creative Director Checa Woid Interiors & Checa Studio
1moBrilliant summary!!! Thanks for attending and sharing this!