In this episode, Lisa Chung, Design Director at Gensler, shares how hospitality leaders should think about design through the lens of human needs. Drawing on insights from Gensler’s latest design forecast, she explains why great hospitality environments start with understanding how people want to feel, connect, work, and recharge when they enter a space.

In the conversation, Lisa discusses how wellness extends far beyond traditional amenities like spas and gyms, how hotels are creating flexible spaces that support both connection and intentional disconnection, and why timeless human behaviors matter more than short-term design trends. For owners, developers, and operators, the episode offers a clear perspective on how thoughtful design decisions shape guest experience and long-term hotel performance.

Download the Gensler Design Forecast® 2026

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Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Designing Hospitality Around Human Needs - Lisa Chung