Wellness

#8 Defining luxury – how wellness spaces are evolving

 560 315 Hamish Kilburn
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#8 Defining luxury – how wellness spaces are evolving

In our next Hotel Designs LAB report, which is fuelled by Arigami and supported by AXOR and Hansgrohe, we speak to leading visionaries to understand the flowing trend of luxury water-related spaces…

The latest Hotel Designs LAB report has been born following the slow yet steady evolution of what consumers understand luxury to mean to them. In an 18-page report, Hotel Designs, Arigami and a team of contributors explores the new pillars that are helping designers redefine their approach to water-related spaces.

Meet the contributors: 

  • Steffen Erath, Head of Sustainability & Innovation, Hansgrohe Group
  • Anke Sohn, Head of Global Marketing, AXOR
  • Hamish Kilburn, Editor, Hotel Designs
  • Benjamin Holzer, Head of Product Management, AXOR
  • Phillipe Starck, Founder, STARCK
  • Ari Peralta, Founder and CEO, Arigami

Designing in tune with nature will be the new maker of how we view luxury in our eco-friendly and health-conscious society. To do this, it is important for designers to understand the environmental image of each design choice and how it sits within a circular economy.

The new pillars around luxury, identified in the report, are:

  • Simplicity
  • Transparency
  • Materiality
  • Longevity

In addition to understanding the science, the paper also explored the Hansgrohe Group EcoSmart Technology as an example of a forward-thinking tech-savvy product, which consumes up to 60 per cent less water, that is meeting consumer’s demands for luxury, wellness and sustainability in 2022.

The report concludes with the idea that sustainability is just as important in the bathroom as in any other space in the hotel, suggesting that designers, architects and hotel experts should consider making meaningful changes with the whole property in mind.

Main image credit: The Hansgrohe Group. AXOR conscious shower designed by Philippe Starck

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher atSPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.
Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.