Source: SB Architects

SB Architects, an award-winning international architecture firm focusing on designing soulful and inspiring destinations across hospitality, residential and mixed-use, has released the top trends they anticipate defining 2021 and beyond. The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark across every industry, shifting priorities, and dramatically impacting how the firm, and industry as a whole, approaches design.

"2021 will be a year of transformational growth for society - and how we design our world in response to the recent events will create lasting change for years to come," said SB Architects President and Principal, Scott Lee. "The architecture community must shift our way of thinking about how society will function moving forward, with a focus on designing spaces for our physical and mental wellbeing. I believe one positive thing to come out of this pandemic is that design and architecture will be more responsive and intuitive to the needs of humanity unlike ever before."

Experience-Driven Design

SB Architects sees experience-driven design continuing to thrive in the years ahead. Our lives are filled with experiences that are all fulfilled virtually - from ordering food online to work and school. To make an impact, spaces must be adaptable and designed to enhance our well-being and offer a physical experience that elevates the offering from the virtual - a moment of "wow" so to speak. Spaces will be designed to entice occupants to feel energized and experience the natural surroundings of a space to reconnect with nature. SB Architects sees this trend extending into the retail space, too. Retail development can no longer just be basic, cookie-cutter boxes in an open space; it needs to be a multi-faceted community and cultural experience. Retailers have and will continue to get creative with strategically curated facades to inspire and arouse curiosity - the idea that retail is entertainment.

Going Private in Public

People want to feel connected and be able to socialize in a way that feels safe. Guests are going to be socializing outside for the foreseeable future, and the coming year will showcase innovative design solutions that speak to this pressing need. This will lead to a rise in zoned dining in hotel spaces including pavilions and landscape barriers to create safe spaces for eating in public. A street well known for restaurants may close on Friday night so that it is walkable with seating outdoors, and food trucks, dining al fresco, and micro-restaurants with takeout windows will likely become more popular. Hyper-personalization has always been a luxury signifier, but the current climate is pushing for innovation, SB Architects anticipates a rise in interesting private dining options and chef-to-table experiences.

Hybrid Hotels | The Rise of "Bleisure" Travel

A trend at the intersection between hospitality and residential is the aparthotel - hotel rooms that function like an apartment, reducing the amount of guest to staff interaction. This trend is experiencing a comeback and gaining traction for a number of reasons; the locations are desirable, guests can stay for extended periods of time to experience 'living like a local', and a huge majority of the population is working from home, meaning that 'staycations' and localized travel, for 'bleisure' (business + leisure) are rapidly growing in popularity.

In a similar vein, SB Architects anticipates branded private residences will continue to grow in popularity. Buyers will gravitate to luxury hotel brands that they trust from the hospitality space, with residences that offer a suite of unique and boutique offerings the most in-demand with buyers, given the increased focus on customizing residential spaces and spending more time at home.

Intentional Wellness

Human beings have an innate biological affinity to nature. Biophilia, spending time immersed in natural environments, is proven to reduce stress and improve a person's well-being. In terms of the built environment, the crisis has reinforced the belief in the positive power of nature, placing it front and center of the hospitality experience through outdoor facilities, natural light, and fresh airflow. It also reinforces a broader trend for intimately scaled environments that emphasize privacy and personal space. People are taking a slower and more considerate approach to travel and are looking to bring that same sense of peace and tranquility into their personal space. Over the next few years, SB Architects anticipates an upsurge of people prioritizing exercise and wellness into their homes. This focus on intentional wellness translates into adopting more empathetic design - or design that acts as a conduit of an experience and not an architectural statement.

The Science of Feeling Good

The current global pandemic has instilled a sense of uncertainty and unease, and hotels are going to be relied upon to provide a space to escape, disconnect and retreat in comfort. Today's traveler is looking to check-in to a hotel and find the same level of comfort, if not more, than they have at home. Most people are now living a relatively 'smart' life, using AI daily, with smart assistants managing and automating a lot of day-to-day tasks - from waking them up and turning on the heaters, to ordering their groceries - so, a 'smart' hotel room is almost expected.

Tackling Tech-Burnout

Technology was already evolving at an incredible rate but has gained momentum and taken on a lightning pace in reaction to the COVID-19 crisis. The global pandemic has proven to be a catalyst for acceleration and change.

Working remotely has created the expectation that one is always available, creating a "tech burnout". Luxury hospitality is defined by choice, and guests want the choice of how they interact with technology during their hotel stay, whether that is being connected, offline, or somewhere in-between. Once the pandemic eases, SB Architects predicts a rise in "tech-free" packages to allow guests to detox from being consistently connected, providing a chance to unplug and enjoy a no-tech experience without smartphones and computers.

"The past year has given us a clearer focus of the ideal function of shared spaces and how architecture and design must be sensitive to the needs of occupants," said Bruce Wright, senior vice president and principal of SB Architects. "Simply put, 2020 has underscored the fact that we need our spaces to do more for us - more flexibility in form and function and to inspire creativity and promote wellness. We are looking forward to meeting these new challenges."

About SB Architects

Having recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, SB Architects, part of Egis Group, has established an international reputation for design solutions shaped by the subtleties of the site. The firm has extended its leadership in hospitality, residential and mixed-use in thirty countries and across four continents, with a collaborative culture and dynamic team of passionate individuals driving the firm's legacy and ongoing evolution. Since its beginnings in custom residential in 1960, SB Architects has prioritized staying true to the site and creating a strong sense of place that resonates with visitors, guests and residents on an emotional level. As it continues strategic expansion and its portfolio reflects even greater geographic diversity, the firm will leverage its entrepreneurial spirit and architectural craft to thoughtfully connect people to each other and to iconic experiences of a signature place.

SB Architects' site-specific, hyper-localized design has resulted in legacy projects such as Calistoga Ranch, an Auberge Resort that immerses guests in the natural rhythms and solace of nature; Santana Row, a mixed-use project that fosters discovery and a meaningful sense of community in San Jose; and Fisher Island, an exclusive island resort community that was honored with an AIA Miami Test of Time Award and has enlisted SB Architects as its primary designer for over 39 years. For more information about SB Architects and the world-wide reputation for excellence it has built in the planning and design of projects across the globe, visit www.sb-architects.com.

Hwee Peng Yeo
Glodow Nead Communications
SB Architects