Hospitality Design: How to Find the Perfect Partner

When it comes to hospitality design, it’s no secret that an attractive and comfortable setting can be the difference between success and failure. Whether you are renovating a hotel lobby, developing a restaurant interior, or tackling a corporate office upfit, finding a partner who not only understands your needs but can create a bespoke environment tailored to your brand and your audience is essential. 

Fortunately, finding the perfect partner isn't as hard as it may seem. With some research and thoughtful preparation on your part, you'll be able to locate the ideal company ready to help build out your vision from concept to completion. In this article, we’ll highlight the various types of firms that offer hospitality design, the pros and cons of each, and things to consider before choosing a partner for your project.

What is Hospitality Design?

Hospitality design is an interdisciplinary approach that involves conceiving and executing design solutions for commercial spaces within the hospitality industry. These spaces are designed to enhance the customer experience, promote relaxation, and foster a sense of belonging. Hospitality design is often characterized by a keen attention to detail, a deep understanding of a brand's identity, and a focus on creating spaces that are both functional and visually appealing.

Examples of projects within hospitality design include the design and refurbishment of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, fitness centers, spas, and other commercial interiors. It's not limited to these, however. Corporate office spaces that aim to provide a comfortable and productive environment for employees, hospitals striving to create calming atmospheres for patients, or retail stores aiming for a shopping experience that aligns with their brand's identity also fall under the umbrella of hospitality design. It is a broad field with a diverse range of projects, all centered on creating spaces with purpose.

What Kinds of Firms Offer Hospitality Design?

Architecture Firms

Architecture firms are traditionally known for providing comprehensive construction and floorplan design for commercial spaces. Their teams often also include engineers and interior designers.

Pros: The advantage of working with an architecture firm lies in its vast resources and extensive experience in the field. Their expertise ensures that your project conforms to all building regulations and that the structural aspects of the design are sound.

Cons: However, architecture firms may not prioritize the aesthetics of the interior or the user experience as strongly as a specialized interior design studio might. Additionally, architecture firms may be less skilled at weaving in elements of the brand through spatial storytelling.  

Corporate Interior Design Studios

Corporate interior design studios specialize in creating and furnishing interiors for commercial spaces. They focus on aesthetics, functionality, and enhancing the overall user experience.

Pros: Their strength lies in their ability to create visually stunning corporate interiors that align with a brand's identity and values. They also understand how to facilitate smooth workflows and boost productivity through smart design.

Cons: On the downside, corporate design studios may not have the in-house capabilities to handle the structural changes that some projects require. They also may not have the depth of experience with specific hospitality needs that specialized hospitality design firms do. Finally, most corporate interior design firms lack digital fabrication and production abilities in-house, ensuring that any custom elements would need to be outsourced.

Experiential Design & Fabrication Studios

Experiential design and fabrication studios are unique in that they not only design but also build commercial interiors.

Pros: They excel at crafting memorable, engaging environments that tell a brand's story and captivate audiences. Their in-house fabrication capabilities mean they can manage a project from concept to installation, ensuring a cohesive result. Their breadth of experience and comprehensive capabilities allow for greater cost controls and a more strategic, aligned project.

Cons: These studios may not be ideal for projects that require structural changes to existing buildings. And, with their emphasis on bespoke design elements, they may not be a good fit for those committed to low-cost, off-the-shelf furnishings, fixtures, or display elements.

Things to Consider when Choosing a Hospitality Design Partner

When selecting a partner for your hospitality design project, there are several key factors that you should consider to ensure you're making the best choice.

Relevant Experience: Look at the firm's past projects and assess how closely they align with your vision. Reviews, recommendations, and references can provide insight into the firm's track record and reputation in the industry. Ideally, you'll want a firm that has completed projects similar to yours.

Communication: You'll be collaborating closely with your design partner, so clear and responsive communication is crucial. Take note of how promptly and effectively they respond to your inquiries during the initial stages of your interaction. This often indicates how they'll communicate throughout the project.

Scope of Services: Consider the breadth of services they offer. Do they only design, or can they also build and install? Are they able to manage the project from concept to completion? Understanding what a firm can and can’t do will help you identify any additional contractors you may need to engage.

Outsourcing: Determine how much of the work a potential partner will outsource, as this can impact project management, budget and timeline. You'll want to ensure that any third-party involvement is managed effectively and maintains the same quality standards.

Budget and Timeline: Your chosen partner should be able to deliver the project within your budget and timeline. Be upfront about your expectations and ascertain whether the firm can meet them. Remember, the lowest-cost option may not always provide the best value, so consider what you're getting for your money.

Hospitality design is a significant undertaking in terms of cost, scope, and long-term impact on your company. Choosing the right partner for your hospitality interior design project is essential to not only ensuring the success of the final finished space but also minimizing headaches and maximizing the budget while the design is coming to fruition. While many different firms offer hospitality design services, they each have unique strengths and weaknesses, and understanding how those characteristics might help or hinder your goals is key to choosing the right partner.

At Bridgewater Studio, we help hospitality brands strategically design custom interiors that reflect their values, ethos, and style. As a full-service design, fabrication, and production studio, we manage projects from inception to installation all under one roof. Our clients enjoy having a single partner and a single point of contact throughout the whole process, simplifying and streamlining communication and allowing us to maximize their budgets and their time. Schedule a no-obligation introduction to Bridgewater today to learn more.