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Designing Hospitality: Where Culture Meets Sustainability
Five design partners share how local culture and sustainability shape their vision.
August 11, 2026
As hospitality continues to evolve, hotels are increasingly designed to reflect the character of their destination while responding to the growing importance of sustainability. Today, architecture and design go beyond creating beautiful spaces, they help preserve local identity, celebrate craftsmanship and shape more responsible guest experiences.
Across the world, these evolving expectations are inspiring new approaches to hotel development and renovation. By combining creative vision with technical expertise, existing properties can be thoughtfully transformed into destinations that are deeply connected to their surroundings while embracing more sustainable ways of building and operating.
Accor supports hotel owners with tailored solutions for every project, working alongside local renowned architects and designers to bring these ambitions to life. From material selection and spatial planning to the integration of local culture and environmental considerations, each collaboration reflects a shared commitment to shaping the future of hospitality.
Meet Five Design Partners Whose Work Brings Local Culture and Sustainable Design to Life
Rodrigo Marcondes Ferraz: The Art of Reinvention
São Paulo-based architect Rodrigo Marcondes Ferraz of FGMF Arquitetos reimagined the Pullman São Paulo Ibirapuera in Brazil as a dialogue between transformation and continuity.
His approach combines contrast, fluidity and connection, expressed through organic forms, layered textures and locally sourced materials that reflect São Paulo’s urban and cultural fabric. The design strengthens the relationship with the nearby Ibirapuera Park through natural light, visual openness and seamless interior-exterior transitions.
Sustainability guided every design decision, from certified local suppliers to intelligent LED lighting and modernized air and water systems.
We wanted to bring some Pullman brand concepts to this design ౼ playing with contrasts between materials, textures, colors, and also avoiding barriers so we can look at these incredible views of Ibirapuera Park.
Budiman Hendropurnomo: Reviving a Landmark
Architect Budiman Hendropurnomo of DCM Jakarta Studio transformed the Mövenpick Hotel Jakarta City Centre, Indonesia, into a vibrant, market-inspired destination rooted in Indonesian heritage.
Batik-inspired patterns, artisanal wood craftsmanship and traditional references reinterpret the building as a contemporary expression of local culture. The lobby’s openness, double-height spaces and “Tree of Life” concept create a sense of gathering and connection at the heart of the hotel.
Sustainable thinking is reflected through rooftop solar panels, bamboo-inspired shading systems and the use of reclaimed timber.
We want to bring not just a modern space that is distinctive through buildings or interiors, but we also want to bring the culture, the ancient culture, into the space.
Abhishek Mathur: Local Cultures, Vibrant Colors
Inspired by the Fontainhas district, architect Abhishek Mathur of Studio HPA designed the Novotel Goa Panjim in India as a tribute to Goa’s cultural vibrancy.
Bold colors, handcrafted tiles and layered textures bring the spirit of the local community into the guest experience, while a fluid spatial layout enhances openness and interaction. A green façade reinforces the connection to nature and place.
The project integrates eco-certified materials, upcycled timber and responsible construction practices, ensuring a balance between expression and sustainability.
Eszter Radnóczy: From Transit Hub to Social Destination
TRIBE Budapest Airport in Hungary, designed by Eszter Radnóczy and Este’r Partners, reinterprets the airport hotel as a hybrid social destination.
Inspired by Hungarian folk art, terracotta tones and natural textures introduce warmth and identity into a highly functional environment. Flexible spaces welcome travelers, remote workers and local visitors, redefining the hotel as a place of connection rather than transition.
Sustainability is expressed through energy-efficient systems, upcycled materials and smart operational design, contributing to the property’s BREEAM certification.
It’s a permanent creation where form follows function ౼ and function serves the aesthetic of life.
Jerry Wu: Culture Takes Center Stage
At the Grand Mercure Yichang Waitan in China, designer Jerry Wu of Interscape Design Associates draws inspiration from Chinese heritage and the landscapes of the Yangtze River.
The hotel is conceived as a spatial interpretation of traditional Chinese painting, where sculptural elements, including sail-shaped lighting, a boat-inspired reception desk and mountain-like room details, create a continuous cultural narrative.
Sustainable materials such as bamboo flooring and locally sourced finishes support the property’s LEED Gold certification.
Sustainability is not only a label, it is woven into every space, every surface, and also the materials.
Whether reviving historic landmarks in Jakarta or creating hybrid social hubs in Budapest, these five partners prove that the future of hospitality lies at the intersection of local identity and environmental stewardship. By honoring the past and protecting the planet, design becomes more than aesthetic, it becomes a catalyst for meaningful connection.
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