Embracing the Great Outdoors
The Growth of Biophilic Elements in Modern Hospitality Spaces
Ancient Roots, Modern Retreats:
NATURE'S ROLE IN HOSPITALITY DESIGN
The term biophilia—translated in Greek as the “love of life or living things”—is a true force of nature that puts biophilic design in action.
Within hospitality interiors, every space offers abundant opportunity to add both real and replicated natural textures, patterns, shapes, and colors.
Lobbies, walkways, and hotel restaurants benefit from flower and plant displays like life walls or mini gardens, serene water fountains, wood and stone features or décor, and even the simple joy of natural light pouring through the windows.
The connection to the wild can further entwine into wall or furniture design. From wood finishes, stone effects, and jute to renewable wools, multi-tonal waterfalls, botanical motifs, and beyond, our product selections across upholstery fabrics and wallcoverings are naturally aligned with organic, refined biophilic design.
Amid the concrete jungles and digital landscapes that define today’s urban settings, the modern hospitality sector is now turning inwards—and outdoors—for aesthetic inspiration.
In 2024, biophilic design is predicted to have a quiet yet wildly impactful moment within metropolitan hotels, luxury resorts, and other guest accommodations across the globe. Blurring the lines between man-made interiors and nature influences, biophilic design principles strive to connect humanity, architecture, and Mother Nature together under one roof. This interplay turns hotels into ecosystems where dynamic human energy and biodiversity thrive together.
Can you share with us the inspiration behind your Dropcloth design?
At the show, we caught up with Chandler to discuss his creative partnership with co-founder Diego Castaño, the inspiration for Dropcloth's debut design, and what the future holds for En Viu.
Color Journey
INTO THE WILD
Drawn by nature, color palette options for biophilic design are as diverse as Mother Nature’s vast landmarks and elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Hospitality architects and designers can choose fabric patterns and solids in natural colors ranging from cozy tans, chocolates, creams, and olive greens to crisp greys, mist greens, lilacs, and more.
With colorways ranging from deep Rainforest and Tamarind to light Moonlight and Sugarcane, wallcoverings like our gingko-patterned Kaali provide a gorgeous example of how biophilic design can exude either warm or cool earth tone options that feel equally serene.
On the opposite spectrum, colors shift from the neutral into the saturated bold and bright. Think tropical bursts of crimson, orange, and sunny yellows to vibrant magentas, chartreuse ivy greens, and beyond. Inspired by natural forms like birds of paradise and cacti, our Paradiso Collection (notably the Paradiso textile itself) prove that biophilic design can pack an energizing punch in any hotel space.
Drawn by nature, color palette options for biophilic design are as diverse as Mother Nature’s vast landmarks and elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Hospitality architects and designers can choose fabric patterns and solids in natural colors ranging from cozy tans, chocolates, creams, and olive greens to crisp greys, mist greens, lilacs, and more.
With colorways ranging from deep Rainforest and Tamarind to light Moonlight and Sugarcane, wallcoverings like our gingko-patterned Kaali provide a gorgeous example of how biophilic design can exude either warm or cool earth tone options that feel equally serene.
On the opposite spectrum, colors shift from the neutral into the saturated bold and bright. Think tropical bursts of crimson, orange, and sunny yellows to vibrant magentas, chartreuse ivy greens, and beyond. Inspired by natural forms like birds of paradise and cacti, our Paradiso Collection (notably the Paradiso textile itself) prove that biophilic design can pack an energizing punch in any hotel space.
Biophilic Bliss
AN IN/OUTDOOR OASIS FOR MIND, BODY & SOUL
Merging art with science, biophilic design transcends aesthetics to offer notable physiological and emotional advantages. Studies continuously show that nature exposure reduces feelings of stress and anxiety, and boosts creativity, productivity, and tranquility.
Aside from direct nature, multisensory experiences also play a pivotal role in biophilic design. Nature or natural surroundings can help increase mindfulness and engage all 5 senses. Inside busy hotels, soundproofing panels and wallcoverings like Momentum’s Pindrop line create an inclusive, serene biophilic space where individuals or collaborative groups alike can converse and hear one another crystal-clear, or freely shut out the world outside their walls.
Many hotel sites also provide therapeutic options, from ambient music and soothing nature sounds available to stream in the background of a guest suite to premium spa treatments and meditation or slow flow yoga classes. With biophilia in mind, modern hospitality becomes no longer simply a place to sleep and stay; it serves as a space to support healing and wellbeing—with permission for travelers to settle in, reflect, and tune into the body and mind (all while tuning out the external buzz).
Grounded Pallet
Many hotel sites also provide therapeutic options, from ambient music and soothing nature sounds available to stream in the background of a guest suite to premium spa treatments and meditation or slow flow yoga classes. With biophilia in mind, modern hospitality becomes no longer simply a place to sleep and stay; it serves as a space to support healing and wellbeing—with permission for travelers to settle in, reflect, and tune into the body and mind (all while tuning out the external buzz).
“Our inspiration for Dropcloth stems from contemplation, the sky, and the accidental marking found in the studio. We aimed for open interpretation, blending figuration with abstraction and incorporating both loose and architectural lines. A piece that feels contemplative and energizing.”
FAQs
Printing! Until recently, it was almost impossible to print at a high quality on textural, contract-grade upholstery fabrics. That’s starting to change as mills upgrade to digital printers. At HD, I spotted some really beautiful examples that used chunky chenille or boucle ground cloths, printed with metallic specks or big splashy florals.
Printing! Until recently, it was almost impossible to print at a high quality on textural, contract-grade upholstery fabrics. That’s starting to change as mills upgrade to digital printers. At HD, I spotted some really beautiful examples that used chunky chenille or boucle ground cloths, printed with metallic specks or big splashy florals.
Printing! Until recently, it was almost impossible to print at a high quality on textural, contract-grade upholstery fabrics. That’s starting to change as mills upgrade to digital printers. At HD, I spotted some really beautiful examples that used chunky chenille or boucle ground cloths, printed with metallic specks or big splashy florals.
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