Sara Duffy, interiors principal at Stonehill Taylor, shares her thoughts on how the pandemic might change our culture and impact the thinking behind hospitality design.

01 Celebrations of Connectedness

Design-world responses will seek to foster connection between people—amid a new awareness of physical distancing—and usher in a return to old-fashioned values and practices, such as the art of letter writing. The latter may be incorporated into a design feature, such as a decorative wall of hand-written notes encouraging guests to communicate with each other.

02 Different Ideas About What’s Healthy

An emphasis on health and wellness—perhaps that’s the construction of a spa or a thoughtful regard for light and air circulation—will take center stage.

03 Appreciation for Nature

There will be a welcomed return to nature, sometimes literal in the sense of locale, or more representative in the sense of greenery, open spaces, and inspired art. Furthermore, there will be a heightened observance of sustainability practices as we better appreciate our surroundings