As sustainability becomes increasingly important for both owners and travelers, the term is being used with increasing frequency and urgency. While this growing attention is encouraging, “sustainability” is a broad concept, and without clearly defined goals or expectations, it risks becoming a buzzword rather than a meaningful design driver.
Sustainability encompasses everything from carbon impact to material health, resiliency, and energy use. In the hospitality sector, our architects and interior designers work together to ensure “sustainability” is framed by intentional goals.
Carbon Impact
Hotel properties undergo frequent PIPs (Property Improvement Plans), which can generate significant waste. One of the most effective ways to reduce carbon impact is to slow down this cycle. Durable design—both in aesthetics and materials—can help projects endure trends and wear. Selecting recyclable materials and those with a lower embodied carbon footprint contributes to a more circular, less wasteful process.
Harnessing the embodied carbon of the existing Luhrs Building in Downtown Phoenix not only contributed to the sustainability story but also helped in preserving the existing urban fabric.
Health and Wellness
Travelers today are seeking experiences supporting their wellness goals (you can read more about that here), and the built environment can contribute negatively and positively to one’s well-being.
Material choices free from Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and chemicals found on the Living Future’s Red List support indoor air quality, while selecting biophilic elements and colors enhance the occupants’ comfort and cognitive performance.
Rochester IHG Dual Brand Hotel EVEN + Staybridge
A biophilic green wall greets guests at check-in, and the use of wood tones and natural colors brings biophilia to the space.
Cormont at Deer Valley East Village
Thermal breaks at the expansive balconies allow for a reduction in heat loss while keeping the high-end user experience.
Energy and Resilience
Hotels are energy-intensive by nature, and before introducing technologies to offset energy demand, it’s important to begin with a tight thermal envelope to bring down the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) or energy consumption of a building. In the first steps of design, passive strategies such as solar orientation should always be considered.
Value Alignment
Sustainability in hospitality is constantly evolving, and today’s savvy guests are making more informed choices, often favoring brands and properties that align with their environmental and wellness values. The architects and designers at FFKR make thoughtful, strategic decisions from the earliest stages of design to help deliver spaces that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable in every sense of the word.
Accredited Sustainability Designers
FFKR Architects is a 2025-accredited Architect & Designer Firm by Hospitality Sustainability Design Collaborative (HSDC) with six accredited interior designers who are well-versed in selecting appropriate materials and finishes for Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and Highgate.
Caitlin is an accomplished architect with 15 years of experience designing high-performance buildings. Her diverse expertise in educational facilities, hospitality, and multi-family projects —including LEED-certified and Net Zero buildings— offers proven leadership across all phases of design from initial concept and permitting through construction administration. She enjoys working closely with all stakeholders and design partners, thriving in collaborative environments.
Interested in learning more? Email hospitalitystudio@ffkr.com