Unified Hospitality: Architecture Meets Interior Design
Talent knows no boundaries: I’ve encountered numerous interior designers whose exterior design skills surpass those of conventional architects. Similarly, some architects are among the most gifted interior designers globally.
Today, I would like to put the myth to bed that architects are incapable of designing interiors and that interior designers cannot influence great architecture.
In fact, before the 1900s, the profession of interior design did not even exist and is a relatively new phenomenom. Many attribute the birth of interior decoration to an incredible design legened named Elsie de Wolfe. A fashion icon turned interior designer, she deserves her own article dedicated to her remarkable contributions to the design feild. Maybe the next article will be on her.
Interior design before the “Interior designer”
Imagine a time, before the dawn of the 20th century, when the architect was a true maestro, conducting every aspect of a building’s symphony. There were no rigid lines between structure and style; the architect reigned supreme, from the grand bones to the finest furnishings. Picture them, personally commissioning artisans—the stone whisperers, the wood shapers, the color weavers—to bring their vision to life. Guilds hummed with expert hands, guided by the architect’s discerning eye. This wasn’t just a trend; it was a lineage stretching back to the ancient Greeks, culminating in the Arts and Crafts movement, a celebration of handcrafted beauty and the architect’s all-encompassing role. Until the recent shift, this architect-led, artisan-powered approach was the heartbeat of design, creating spaces that resonated with seamless harmony and meticulous detail.
In a time before the separation of disciplines, the architect’s holistic vision encompassed both the building’s shell and its soul. They were the original interior designers, shaping every aspect of the space, from structural forms to the placement of furniture.
The New Age of Architects vs Interior Designer
Today, the disciplines of interior design and architecture are often perceived as strictly divided, with a prevailing notion that crossing these boundaries is inappropriate. This separation leads to the misconception that professionals confined to one field cannot contribute to the other…
For instance, in most design circles, interior decorators are not hired to sculpt interior volumes. They do not influence the shapes of walls, the dance of light, or the poetry of space. Instead, they are masters of mood, painters of color, orchestrators of furniture, and the holders of the finishing narrative. If architects are the cake bakers, then interior designers are the frosters who adorn the outside. Each is equally independent yet reliant on one another.
Why do we forfeit the chance to create richer, more integrated designs by upholding this artificial separation? Hospitality, especially, demands more. It demands a genuine collaborative spirit, an integrated approach, and a seamless narrative to guide and direct the guest experience.
Where the Line Blurs: Collaboration in Hotel Design
NMDA’s philosophy challenges the traditional separation of architectural and interior design roles. We believe the process should be fluid, where the aesthetic vision and spatial planning are intrinsically linked. Architects, with their holistic understanding of space, should actively shape the narrative of finishes, allowing the “look and feel” to inform the very structure of the design.
This philosophy rejects the traditional approach of creating a mere architectural shell to be later decorated. Instead, the building’s narrative, ethos, and storyline should serve as a unified vision, driving the entire design process to deliver an uncompromising guest experience. This approach empowers designers to seamlessly integrate exterior and interior elements. Through this guiding narrative, architects and interior designers collaboratively influence every aspect, from material textures and colors to the shaping of spatial volumes, walls, and ceiling forms. By integrating these elements from the outset, NMDA crafts cohesive environments where architectural form and interior aesthetic are seamlessly interwoven, resulting in truly immersive and impactful guest experiences.
The Evolving Landscape: The Rise of the Hospitality Designer
The rise of the “hospitality designer” signals a shift in design, driven by the need for specialized expertise in hotel projects. These professionals bridge the gap between architecture and interior design, offering a holistic approach crucial for modern hospitality.
Their focus on the “guest journey” ensures design choices enhance user experience, blending structural elements with interior details for intuitive and inspiring spaces. This dual expertise streamlines the design process, preventing conflicts and ensuring a cohesive outcome.
Essentially, hospitality designers address the complex demands of modern hotels, where architectural integrity and nuanced interior design are equally vital. They provide a unified vision, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and optimal guest satisfaction.
Our Commitment to Unified Hospitality Design
NMDA champions a design ethos where the lines between architecture and interior design dissolve. We believe the aesthetic narrative of finishes should directly influence spatial planning, creating a seamless, integrated experience. This requires a dynamic blurring of traditional roles, where architects actively curate the “look and feel” and allow it to shape the structure.
Crucially, this vision relies on deep collaboration with trade partners. We foster a process where architects, contractors, and artisans work in tandem from the outset. This collaborative synergy ensures that the intended storyline of finishes—the textures, materials, and details—is not compromised during execution. By breaking down silos and fostering open communication, we achieve a cohesive design where the architectural form and interior aesthetic are born from a shared vision, realized through collective expertise.
The mantra of integrated Interior Design and Architecture has defined Nunzio’s career. The following list of hotels exemplifies this approach to harmonious hospitality design over the past 40 years:
- Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas, Auberge Resorts Collection & One and Only Palmilla Cabo (Nunzio DeSantis’ personal experience while at HKS, Inc.)
- The Chatwal Lodge
- Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection (NMDA – Architecture / HKS, Inc. – Interiors)
- The Spa at Big Cedar (Nunzio DeSantis’ personal experience while at HKS, Inc.)
Creating Extraordinary Guest Experiences with Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects (NMDA)
We specialize in designing transformative hospitality environments that marry architectural innovation with interior elegance. Our collaborative approach allows us to continue setting benchmarks in luxury hotel design. We understand that the most successful hotel designs come from a unified vision that considers every angle, from the grand architectural gestures to the subtlest design details, ensuring every guest’s stay is nothing short of extraordinary.
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