In a recent article with Hotel Executive, teammate Cheryl Smith shared how travelers can expect to see more changes in design as hoteliers look to streamline hotel operations and create memorable experiences for guests. Read the full article here.

As retail continues to rapidly transform, we’re looking beyond the immediate industry, to environments and concepts inspiring the retail of tomorrow in our latest Fluid Retail series. Today’s consumers engage with brands in a fluid manner, the traditional sectors of the retail, restaurant, hospitality, and entertainment have blurred as the consumer-desired experience has become a mosaic of expectations, influenced heavily by engagement, access, and authenticity. Embracing these new expectations presents brands with a greater opportunity to differentiate, cross-sell and expand the breadth of their brand experience. 

This segment will focus on Hospitality & Wellness concepts—from fitness flagships to lifestyle hotel—that have adapted to new consumer behaviors and paved the way for new experiences of the future (and while you’re here, check out other our other segments: Food + Beverage and Entertainment):

 

Locke at the Broken Wharf

British hotel brand Locke opened a new experience that shifts the traditional hotel experience by merging elements and ideas of the hotel and homestay. At the Broken Wharf hotel, guests have access to an all-day restaurant, co-working space, yoga studio, and events space for art exhibitions and small concerts in collaboration with local artists.

 

Greenhouse

The Greenhouse Group recently opened one of the largest dispensaries in Illinois. Located on the outskirts of Chicago, the two story building will offer a retail cannabis experience that focuses on education. Most dispensaries follow a showroom-style format, but Greenhouse blends the usual hands-off displays with unique demonstration zones.

 

S/Park by Shiseido

S/PARK is an interactive beauty complex established at the Shiseido Global Innovation Center in Japan. Spanning across three floors, visitors can enjoy delicious and healthy meals created in collaboration with Shiseido Parlour, experience active beauty through their original programs based on unique methods, and connected with counselors to personalize cosmetics and try new products. 

 

Camp Hox

With travel restrictions in place across the world, many people have opt for outdoor adventures. Following this trend, London boutique hotel The Hoxton created a premium pop-up camping experience called Camp Hox. Here, campers can rent a fully equipped canvas tent with beds, hot showers, personal bathrooms, and a private fridge that is re-stocked each day with food. 

 

Peloton Studio NYC

Fast-growing fitness brand Peloton has taken its business beyond at-home cycling classes into a massive 35,000 SQ FT studio-retail hybrid at Hudson Yards in NYC. Leveraging the brands lifestyle-meets-fitness mantra, the studio is equipped with space for cycling, yoga, and running classes and a showroom where shoppers can purchase and trial bikes and treadmills. 

NEW YORK — February 17, 2023 — Award-winning architecture, design, and strategy firm NELSON Worldwide welcomes Shay Lam as Studio Leader of Workplace, Asset Strategy, and Hospitality. Shay will collaborate with firm leadership to establish NELSON Worldwide as a stronghold in the New York and tri-state area.

“Shay’s vast industry experience has strengthened his level of design leadership,” says NELSON Worldwide Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John “Ozzie” Nelson Jr. “He is well-versed in the New York market, with work spanning across the country and the globe. His expertise will extend beyond the workplace, asset strategy, and hospitality practices and contribute to the firm’s overall growth.

Passionate about storytelling through design, Shay has spent the last 20 years of his career crafting hospitality spaces that have redefined the guest experience. Shay believes that to create a memorable space for guests, the right materials, details, and layouts need to be incorporated to evoke the appropriate level of comfort and excitement. With a proven track record for delivering successful projects, Shay has gained experience building practices and supporting their short and long-term growth. His experience driving design innovation and developing projects that inspire the masses will allow him to seamlessly step into his new role. At NELSON, Shay will lead a multi-disciplinary studio across the workplace, asset strategy, and hospitality teams and will be responsible for building client relationships to grow the firm’s portfolio. He will oversee projects, manage teams, and deliver innovative results while working alongside the NELSON team to offer clients new and exciting concepts for the industry.

“Hospitality touches nearly every aspect of design,” says Shay. “The ability to infuse hospitality into multiple sectors is important, especially regarding workplace and asset strategy because we’re helping bring people back to the office and tenants back into buildings. As Studio Leader of Workplace, Asset Strategy & Hospitality, I look forward to working with the talented NELSON team to push the boundaries of design.”

As NELSON Worldwide grows and scales across the Eastern Seaboard, Shay will work alongside leadership to support the firm’s expansion.

 

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About NELSON Worldwide

NELSON Worldwide is an award-winning firm, boldly transforming all dimensions of the human experience through architecture, interior design, graphic design, and brand strategy. With more than 700 teammates across 20 offices, the firm’s collective network provides strategic and creative solutions that positively impact where people work, serve, play, and thrive. The team combines industry knowledge, service expertise, and geographic reach to deliver projects across the country and around the world. Client partnerships across the NELSON network include Hilton, Macy’s, Comcast, Simon Property Group, Prologis, Yum! Brands, Boston Consulting Group, T-Mobile, Emory Healthcare, SAP Fieldglass, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Kroger, Hyatt, Bayer, Target, and many more.

Diversity is defined by who we are as individuals. It is the strength that comes from the dedication, experience, talents, and perspectives of each of us. With respect and appreciation for our differences, we are all contributing to the power diversity can unleash when we work together. Can you guess which of our highlighted teammates are amateur singers or have great recommendations for movies and books? Keep reading for these answers and see how our diverse backgrounds have shaped us!

 

Yemo Koo

Project Manager

—

What is your favorite holiday? 

My favorite holiday is Chuseok. Chuseok is Thanksgiving in Korea when all the families gather and celebrate with traditional snacks and food.

What is your comfort food?

Gukbap, the traditional soup-based Korean food perfect for the day after drinking.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Hanging out with different kids in a playground.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I can sing!

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

Minari was the film that I wanted to share with people. It is about an immigrant family from Korea surviving in the USA. I could relate to some of the stuff from the movie to myself.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

When I requested PTO from my supervisor for my dad’s 60th birthday, my supervisor understood the event’s Korean cultural and celebratory meaning and allowed my request. My family were touched by his sincere understanding.

What does Diversity mean to you?

For me, diversity is understanding and appreciation. Although different from your rooted culture, I always appreciate the new characteristics from other cultures and try to adapt them to myself.

 

 

Hayley Pugh

Account Manager

—
What is your favorite holiday?

I spent several years as an adult in Baton Rouge. What I love so much about South Louisiana is the willingness to celebrate anything with very little coercion. Everything deserves a parade, and there’s never a bad time to wear a costume. I think before I moved to Louisiana, I might have said something like New Year’s or Independence Day, because I love fireworks and being with friends. Since my time there, I’d say it’s impossible to choose. I love any excuse to celebrate and make a memory.

What is your comfort food?

Anything spicy, for a few reasons. In 2020 my family moved to Missouri from Louisiana, after spending many years there. My husband grew up in southeast Asia. Anyone who has been to the Midwest could tell you there’s certainly a difference in flavor and spice from those regions. I’m almost always disappointed when I go out for meals, so I cook mostly at home. Because of that, I take every opportunity to add some punch to my dishes.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Jelly sandals kids wear in summertime. I still remember the way they felt on my feet; the way they would squish when water and grass would get in them, playing in the sprinklers in my nana’s backyard. I remember the peculiar plastic scent they had when they were brand new and how that scent shifted when they were left in the sun. I remember the little metal buckles that helped them stay strapped to my feet. I remember how tiny rocks and gravel used to get stuck in the design on the sole when I walked through the park’s playground. Those little shoes take me back to the simplicity of summertime during my childhood.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I enjoy worldbuilding, and I think I’m pretty good at it. I play pencil-and-paper roleplaying games with a group of my friends virtually every week. We’ve been playing for years, and I never tire of creating adventures for them and playing host in the world I’ve created to let them explore. It’s a unique translation of a skill afforded to me by my design education and natural affinity for storytelling.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

This might be my favorite question of them all, because in a much bigger way, this question isn’t about me at all, but about me knowing the friend with whom I’m sharing. There are a lot of ways to get me, because I am a huge fan of storytelling and have broad taste in stories. I have some friends I’d want to sit and binge watch all the John Wick movies in a weekend; others might get the Star Wars or Harry Potter marathons; still others might share the 800th viewing of The Big Lebowski or O Brother, Where Art Thou? (both of which I’ll never tire). Some friends might need a quotable comedy, others might require an Oscar hopeful. As for books, I have some friends to whom I’d recommend all the Sarah J. Maas books I read—but others who equally get me might get my recommendations for thrillers or science fiction or fantasy or National Book Award winners. At the heart of this question is really the fact that it’s fun to share, and stories are my very favorite things.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Diversity is about storytelling and perspective. A variety of viewpoints makes the world a beautiful, interesting place to live. In the workplace, these differences should challenge our own narratives and help us understand what it is to be better humans by seeing a world and existence outside ourselves. Diversity strengthens our ability as humans to empathize and oftentimes find commonalities despite our differing backgrounds.

 

 

Mourad Elshokiry

Senior Project Manager

—

What is your comfort food?

Mediterranean specialty desserts.

What is your favorite holiday?

New year, I like it because it’s the only event that everyone around the world celebrate in the same time for the same reason.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

The beach, I grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, 5 mins away from the Mediterranean Sea. After school, I moved to work in five other countries, and whenever I need a peaceful moment, I drive to the nearest beach and spend some time looking at the waves.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I studied fine arts for five years, and I enjoy integrating art stories in the interior design projects. For example, I worked on Italian restaurant in Saudi Arabia that had 26 ft diameter dome, and I was inspired by the renaissance art history. A Japanese restaurant in Qatar that was inspired by the Edo period of Japan, Indian restaurant in Oman inspired by the fabric printing technique in India, and a Thai resort in Dubai inspired but the street food culture of Thailand.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

Agora movie 2009, true story about Hypatia (Rachel Weisz) a female mathematician and astronomer who lived in “Greek” Alexandria until 415, the movie is about old topics that still present in our life today, such as how political / religious conflict can escalate to divide societies and burn down civilizations and how authorities tried to keep women / Hypatia quiet, and ended up killing her.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

I think entire Africa has not been heard yet.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Diversity is the unique feature of our planet, we are the only planet in the solar system that has all kinds of animals, birds, colors of flowers, different geographic nature, and humans were able to develop different cultures, foods, knowledge.

 

 

Abby Jean Gorman

Lighting Engineer, Windward

What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving.

What is your comfort food?

Cinnamon pop tarts (frosted).

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Mac and Cheese and county fairs.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I am an exceptionally good packer, able to fit a lot of things within a contained space.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

The Princess Bride.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

Washington State Family Leave was passed into law, enabling my family to receive, practical, family-oriented assistance.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Acceptance and inclusion of all, with all having an open mindset and willing to learn from each other of all parts of our lives.

 

 

Dyuthi Prakesh

Technical Designer

—

What is your favorite holiday?

Diwali & Christmas!

What is your comfort food?

Indian street food, otherwise known as, chaat. Some example are dahi puri, a fried pillowy ball filled with yogurt, spices, cilantro, and mashed potato.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Definitely authentic Indian food, which is so rare to find here in the US.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I am really good at remembering names and spellings. When I hear somebody’s name, it is instantly tattooed in my brain, and I can write or spell it out even a year later. I love this talent of mine as it helps me create meaningful first impressions.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg had a huge impact on me. I resonated with her in every way, and I keep going back to this book when I feel stuck in my career or life. I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling stuck in their careers.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

When I was part of the Boston Architectural College (BAC), I had just come to the US for the very first time, I moved here by myself, alone to a foreign country. It was a challenging time, and I missed home. The BAC made me feel right at home, with its diverse student population, and faculty.

What does Diversity mean to you?

In a perfect diverse world, we would all be considered equal, irrespective of race, gender, caste or creed. Just merely being accepted is a challenge, but I would start with getting names right, that’s the first sign of inclusion in any community.

 

 

Kristin Cerutti

Design Leader

—

What is your favorite holiday?

Dia de Muertos (the idea of celebrating those lost, and getting the opportunity to share positive memories instead of only feeling sorrow, is so beautiful).

What is your comfort food?

Vegan Pizza

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Crisp fall air reminds me of marching band, football games and swim team

What is a unique talent of yours?

I can write new lyrics to random songs to go with almost any occasion, in the moment. (I’m not sure my husband would refer to this as a talent.) Perhaps being my own manicurist is more impressive. 😊

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

The movie “Jane Goodall: The Hope” (she is my inspiration)

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

When President Obama came into office, was the one time I felt like the majority of the country was feeling the same way I was and that we finally had a say.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Bringing unique minds together, who may not come together otherwise, to share thoughts, ideas and experiences for the betterment of themselves and others.

 

 

Anthony Bah

Technical Designer II

—

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

What is your comfort food?

Fried Plantains.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

A school bus.

What is a unique talent of yours?

Illustrating.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

James Bond Films.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X civil rights era.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Diversity means that people can mix ideas, cultures, music, art, foods, and experiences with one another to a create unique experiences either for a moment or long lasting.

 

 

Eleanor Mack

Senior Interior Designer

—

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

What is your comfort food?

Curry Chicken (Jamaican style).

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

The beach.

What is a unique talent of yours?

Painting and Weaving.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

As Good As It Gets and Devil In A Blue Dress.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

Still waiting.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Acceptance to differences, cultures and perspectives. Being open to sharing, learning and growing from others without limitations.

 

 

Katie Langub

Project Manager

—

What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween!

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Rollie Pollie Pill Bugs.

What is a unique talent of yours?

Pottery – It is one of humanity’s oldest inventions and examples span across countless cultures. It is a fascinating way to explore the world and understand how communities live.

As the new NELSON makes it’s debut, our Teammates across the U.S have come together as one to wish for a future full of happiness and good luck. To do so, we collectively embarked on The Legend of the Thousand Paper Cranes, an old Japanese tradition that says anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish. Challenge accepted.

Origami is the ancient art of folding paper, and Senbazuru, the the art of folding origami cranes and stringing them in a line, is one of it’s most popular forms. In Japan, there is an interesting tradition of getting your wish granted, but it isn’t as easy as throwing a penny into a fountain. It is a task that requires patience, dedication, and hard work. Anyone who can complete this will have their wish granted. So, collectively, NELSON teammates set-out to fold over 1,000 paper cranes for a wish.

Before launching our new brand, teammates at all 25 offices across the country helped folded tiny white cranes and creatively installed them in their space, each office with a different interpretation. The white crane symbolizes coming together as a flock to begin a new journey. After our brand launch on Jan. 31st, teammates wrote a wish on a blue piece of paper and folded them into more cranes. The blue cranes, mimicking the striking blue in our new logo, were then added to our installations, symbolizing a stronger, more unified NELSON, made up of hundreds of unique individuals.

From east coast to west, the NELSON paper crane installations have been a fun and creative way to unify our teams and offices. As we turn the page to a new NELSON and follow the legend of the paper crane, we are hopeful and excited for a bright and #BoldlyTransforming future!

 

NELSON Worldwide’s Evolving Workforce Expectations study explores employees’ sentiments about returning to the office, and the impact COVID-19 has had on work environments and employee engagement. As part of our Evolving Workforce Expectations blog series, we’re taking a closer look at each of the key themes that stemmed from our research: communicate, activate, control, and support. Follow along to learn more about each theme and how your brand can pull off a successful re-entry strategy.

As most Americans continue to work remotely, or in-office on a limited schedule, workers have adopted new behaviors, and a different mindset when it comes to work-life balance. With research showing most want to return to the workplace, it is clear that a strong sense of support from employers is essential for employees to continue working successfully; remote or not.

Moving forward, the relationship between employees and employers will operate with a high degree of trust, dependent on three key principles. Giving employees the tools they need to stay engaged, updating work policies and the workplace environment to be more flexible, and finding ways to foster growth and value are the three keys to making employees feel more supported at work.

Empower Employees with Tools for Engagement 

Before the pandemic, most companies operate under the assumption that offices were critical to productivity and community. Now, even though priorities have shifted, working remotely shouldn’t be a reason to halt these efforts. Thanks to ever-evolving technology, reinforcing company culture and creating community is still possible, even while working remotely.

• Build a virtual community, employers can create a ‘digital community wall’ to celebrate teammate success both in the office and remote
• Provide perks like subscriptions to exercise, meditation, or bike-sharing apps to build allegiance and reinforce culture
• Create rules and recommendations around the new work-life balance and encourage teammates to breathe or take a creative break during the day

 

 

“Flexify” Policies and Workspaces

Employees are craving control in their personal lives and at work due to the limited amount of control they have surrounding the pandemic. Flexibility can offer them a sense of control they aren’t getting in other areas of their lives. 

• Create an environment in the physical setting that can flex throughout the day to better support more flexible hours, consider both early risers and night owls
• Offer dedicated spaces for a wider range of purposes/needs like in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and even digital content creation like podcasts, webinars, and more
• Extend or stagger work hours could to aid in safe office capacity and usage

 

 

Create a Multi-Sensory Setting 

When combining a potential talent war with the flexibility and comfort of working from home, employers must make the physical office a sought-after destination again. Brands will need to differentiate themselves so that top talent not only wants to work for them but want to come into the office regularly.

• Take cues hospitality such as adding a signature scent or soothing sounds to make employees feel welcomed each day
• Consider an original food and beverage concept, either bringing in localized food offerings or even an on-site chef, so grabbing snacks and meals is satisfying and convenient for workers
• Offer a visually appealing environment that makes an impact, and is somewhere where employees can feel energized and inspired
• Learn from the retail industry by incorporating temporary activations or pop-ups to generate buzz and excitement and induce a feeling of exclusivity and something no one wants to miss out on

 

 

What matters most is doing what is authentic and genuine to the brand. Employees will sniff out deception immediately if the support feels forced or doesn’t align with the overall brand culture and values. Whether it’s new policies and programs, or new seating arrangements and office furniture, the goal is to help employees achieve success and have the most positive experience possible at work.