Hello, Hospitality Heroes!

I hope you're enjoying these weekly updates as much as I am. One of the things I love most about creating them is the intentional accountability it brings. Not only do I get to focus on the current episode launch, but I also have the chance to revisit and reflect on the last 154 (and counting) episodes, identifying common themes and reflecting on how they apply to our industry. This practice helps me be more purposeful on a week-to-week basis. I believe we can all benefit from taking a moment to be more mindful about our actions and decisions, personally and professionally.

In the fast-paced world of our lives, Hospitality, and Hospitality Design, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind. But when we step back and design our strategies and interactions with intention, we open the door to more meaningful experiences for our guests, families, teams, and ourselves. By being deliberate in our choices and focusing on what truly matters, we can elevate the art of Hospitality and Design to new heights.

With the power of intentionality in mind, let's dive into this week's "Friday Five: Designing for Intention."

The Friday Five

1. This Week's Feature: During this week’s conversation with Jun Aizaki from Creme Design, which inspired this week’s theme, I was particularly struck by one aspect of his team’s approach. What I enjoyed most was their intention to work on projects that help hone their craft and inspire the community, even if those projects might not directly generate revenue.

A prime example is Creme’s Floating Timber Bridge project, which aims to create a floating bridge between Queens and Brooklyn. This innovative project is still in development, and I had no idea about it until our discussion. You can read more about this fascinating initiative in The Architect’s Newspaper here.

Additionally, Creme was an award winner in last year’s Radical Innovation competition for their Gourd Project, which involves constraining gourds to grow into usable and sustainable cups.

To learn more about Jun Aizaki’s inspiring work and his team’s intentional approach to design, check out this week’s conversation here.

2. Memory Lane: Continuing with the theme of intentionality, this week we’re revisiting Nina Grondin of Curioso. In our conversation, she shared profound insights on the crucial role intentionality plays in her definition of hospitality. Listen to Nina Grondin’s episode here.

3. A Dash of Inspiration: One of the best ways for me to shift into a state of intentionality is to get outside, whether it’s sunny, rainy, or snowy. Gloster has excelled in designing outdoor spaces that encourage relaxation, connection, and communion with nature. The takeaway? GET OUTSIDE.

4. Journey Shorteners: I always thought about what I wanted to get out of life. Then I read Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” and realized I was looking at it the wrong way. This book shifted my focus from “What do I want from life” to “What does life want from me.” It has helped me become more intentional every day. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not walking around mindfully every hour of every day, but I take pauses to be more intentional. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

5. Upcoming Industry Events: Below is a list of exciting industry events where we can connect, learn, and grow together. Let's continue to build our hive and support one another on this incredible journey!

Thank you, everyone, and remember to get outside this weekend with some intentionality.

Naturally,

Dan Ryan