Diversified by Design: The LW Perspective
As the global hospitality landscape undergoes a profound recalibration, LW Design’s 2026 roadmap offers a masterclass in agility. Here, the studio outlines a year defined not by reinvention, but by the confident realization of a borderless creative identity. If 2026 requires a singular thesis for the design industry at large, it is “Diversified by Design.” We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the cadence of guest engagement and the way global hospitality expresses its soul.
As the global hospitality landscape undergoes a profound recalibration, LW Design’s 2026 roadmap offers a masterclass in agility. Here, the studio outlines a year defined not by reinvention, but by the confident realization of a borderless creative identity.
If 2026 requires a singular thesis for the design industry at large, it is “Diversified by Design.” We are witnessing a fundamental shift in the cadence of guest engagement and the way global hospitality expresses its soul. LW Design’s own trajectory serves as a compelling case study: the studio has matured from its foundations as a hospitality specialist into a polymathic force, shaping wellness destinations, nature lodges, and culturally attuned F&B concepts across four continents.
The Wellness Integration
The most significant shift in the current climate is the demand for holistic well-being. Wellness has moved beyond the "spa" annex; it is now the primary lens through which luxury is filtered. This philosophy, attuning the body, mind, and natural environment, requires a design language that sits at the sharp intersection of creative poetry and technical rigor. In an industry where transparency is absolute, the most successful projects are those that unite imaginative storytelling with forensic operational intelligence.
A Global Dispatch: The 2026 Openings
The studio’s 2026 calendar represents a high-water mark for international expansion. The year commences with the sophisticated transformation of the Intercontinental Table Bay in Cape Town, followed by a refined overhaul of the public realm at Grosvenor House Dubai.
By mid-year, the momentum shifts toward the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a definitive entry into the region's "New Era" of luxury with the debut of Four Seasons Madinah and W Riyadh. Simultaneously, the studio’s work in East Africa, a market poised as the next great growth frontier, reaches a milestone with the JW Marriott Mt. Kenya Rhino Reserve.
Perhaps the most avant-garde addition to the portfolio is Hotel REM in Macau. Opening in July, this all-suite concept within the City of Dreams complex is a vibrant and eclectic exercise in narrative-driven design, demonstrating that luxury in 2026 is as much about character as it is about comfort.
The Art of the Journey
As the studio’s geographic footprint expands, the core philosophy remains anchored in the art of the journey. Whether crafting a wilderness lodge in Kenya or a high-octane dining room in Toronto, the sequence of arrival and the emotional impact of transition guide the work. A wellness retreat in Malta requires a different rhythmic sensitivity than a Riyadh flagship, yet the underlying intention to foster connection and discovery remains the unwavering constant.
A Year of Realization
2026 is less about change and more about clarity. LW Design has reached a point of alignment where creative voice and global experience meet. It is a year defined by a borderless mindset, one that treats every project not as a regional task, but as a contribution to a global conversation on how we live, dine, and rest.
Conran and Partners references Canada Water’s dock trade history at Dock Shed
Conran and Partners has curated the interior design and fit-out of a 7-meter-high lobby and café space at Dock Shed, a six-storey office building part of British Land’s transformative regeneration of Canada Water. Positioned opposite the newly established Rafter Walk and overlooking the wetlands of the Old Surrey Docks, the space creates a welcoming environment for office tenants and the wider local community.
The design of the lobby celebrates raw industrial design while creating a warm social hub.
Conran and Partners has curated the interior design and fit-out of a 7-meter-high lobby and café space at Dock Shed, a six-storey office building part of British Land’s transformative regeneration of Canada Water. Positioned opposite the newly established Rafter Walk and overlooking the wetlands of the Old Surrey Docks, the space creates a welcoming environment for office tenants and the wider local community.
The design brief sought a sophisticated balance between elegance and casual comfort, seamlessly fusing elements of dock trade and industrial design. This vision is brought to life through raw, handcrafted details - visible bolts, patina finishes, and hand-buffed tables with unique patterns, all celebrating an intentionally unfinished aesthetic. Layered textures and thoughtfully chosen materials enhance the space's warmth and authenticity, creating an inviting yet dynamic atmosphere.
The design takes cues from the building’s architectural expression - its industrial trusses, gridded structure and dockside heritage - establishing a linear, zoned layout. Rather than imposing divisions, it introduces a variety of layered interventions: soft drapery to balance the space’s generous volume and acoustics, sculptural seating arrangements to encourage different modes of working or resting, and curated zones that shift in mood from open and communal in the central area to intimate and focused on the perimeter.
For more information, please stay tuned at our up-coming magazine.
About Conran and Partners
Conran and Partners is an internationally renowned architecture and interior design practice, founded by Sir Terence Conran. With studios in London and Hong Kong, Conran and Partners’ portfolio extends around the world and embraces a rich and varied range of cultures, typologies and scales. Conran and Partners delivers award-winning buildings and spaces, that endeavour to be progressive and sustainable. This is achieved through a carefully considered and collaborative design process that addresses the needs and desires of the users, as well as the wider environment. Each project is given its own sense of location and personality through their response to their context and use, manifested by their performance, crafted form, detail and materiality.
About British Land
British Land is a UK commercial property company focused on real estate sectors with the strongest operational fundamentals: London campuses, retail parks, and London urban logistics. We own or manage a portfolio valued at £14.6bn (British Land share: £9.5bn) as at 31 March 2025. Our purpose is to create and manage Places People Prefer – outstanding places that deliver positive outcomes for all our stakeholders on a long term, sustainable basis. We do this by leveraging our best in class platform and proven expertise in development, repositioning and active asset management. We have both a responsibility and an opportunity to manage our business in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Our approach to sustainability is focused on three pillars: Greener Spaces, Thriving Places and Responsible Choices.
Where Design Reconnects People, Plants, and the Urban Landscape - House, designed by Jindesign Co., Ltd.
“House” designed by Jindesign Co., Ltd. from Japan. This project reimagines a functional roadside site as a walkable, lifestyle-oriented environment where architecture, landscape, and daily life intersect. By celebrating irregular plant forms and allowing greenery to shape movement and experience, the design reframes nature as an active presence rather than a backdrop. More than a building, it operates as a small urban landscape, offering a place for gathering, pause, and connection within the rhythm of the city.
In an industry often defined by conformity, where only straight-stemmed, perfectly shaped plants are favored, this project boldly champions a different vision. Here, beauty is found in the unexpected: bent trunks, asymmetrical growth, and those plants typically overlooked by the market are celebrated as central figures. The client’s philosophy turns away from conventional horticultural standards, placing character, resilience, and individuality at the very heart of the enterprise.
Situated along a major artery of logistics and distribution, the project emerges as a lifestyle destination where nature is seamlessly woven into the fabric of daily life. The complex unites a flower shop, retail space, café, plant showroom, and a spacious event hall under one vision. Rather than dividing commerce from experience, the architecture elevates plants as vibrant, living presences, inviting visitors to pause, observe, and rediscover the vitality of the natural world.
The design is rooted in the thoughtful renewal of an existing glass-gabled structure, complemented by the addition of a new building to the rear. In the original building, openness and visual continuity take precedence. Superfluous interior elements are stripped away, and external equipment is relocated, unveiling the full potential of the glass façade. The result is an environment of transparency and effortless flow, where sightlines are uninterrupted and movement feels intuitive. Children wander freely while remaining visible, fostering a sense of security and openness. Outside, a gently sloping lawn merges with the sidewalk, dissolving boundaries and welcoming visitors with a sense of ease.
In contrast, the new building adopts a restrained, linear architectural vocabulary. Crafted from natural materials and shaped by a philosophy of subtraction, it serves as a tranquil backdrop to a symbolic camphor tree, a living centerpiece radiating presence and vitality. The building’s low profile harmonizes with the surrounding residential landscape, while its interior unfolds as an expansive, hall-like space. A subtle palette of soft, light greys allows the greenery to command attention, affirming the architecture’s role as a quiet frame rather than a dominant object.
Between the two buildings, a narrow passageway serves as both connector and sanctuary. Protected from the elements, this outdoor corridor offers a tranquil pause, subtly guiding visitors across the site. The closely positioned entrances foster a seamless flow, reinforcing the walkable and human-scaled spirit of the complex. Beyond its architectural clarity, the project carries its philosophy into the urban realm. The client, personally planting perennial greenery along the sidewalk, allows the landscape to spill beyond property lines and into the city. This simple yet powerful act transforms the site from an isolated destination into a vibrant participant in the community. Further reflecting this ethos, the client proudly serves as an ambassador for Fukuoka City’s One Person, One Flower initiative.
Through a harmonious integration of architecture, landscape, and vision, this project transcends its commercial purpose. It emerges as a semi-public indoor park, a gathering place for families, a sanctuary where nature is observed rather than controlled, and a setting where design gently redefines beauty, value, and the rhythms of everyday life.
Designing a Place Where Nature, Daily Life, and the City Converge
Toyotaka Aoki
Graduated from Kyushu University in 2009, received a master’s degree from Kyushu University in 2011. In 2016, Aoki established his firm, Jindesign Co., Ltd., which is composed of architects, lighting designers and graphic designers. He has worked on a variety of projects in Japan and China, including commercial facilities, housing complexes and medical facilities, as well as public structures. Since 2012, the Fukuoka Architecture Foundation has served as a platform for another architectural activity: introducing and sharing the values of local architecture with the general public.
Designed by Jindesign Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Sky Design Awards 2025 — Bronze Winner, Architecture Division
Jindesign Co., Ltd. (Japan) website: https://www.jindesign.co.jp
The Privilege of Tranquillity - Raffles Sentosa Singapore
Set between sea and tropical rise, Raffles Sentosa Singapore offers a contemporary lesson in calm. Yabu Pushelberg’s interiors and Stellar Works’ crafted furnishings create a quietly choreographed world where materials, light, and landscape work in unison. This is luxury without noise—an architecture of stillness, a design language of restraint, and a hospitality experience that prizes tranquillity above theatrics.
Raffles Sentosa Singapore opens with a promise, expressed not in grand gestures but in the gentle language of place and purpose. The experience welcomes guests into a world where every detail is considered, each space designed to invite calm, and every moment shaped by quiet, unwavering confidence.
Nestled between gentle shorelines and the soft embrace of tropical hills, Raffles Sentosa Singapore redefines contemporary luxury. The environment never overwhelms. Every aspect orchestrates an experience, inviting guests into a measured rhythm where design, light, and nature engage in quiet dialogue. Hospitality moves beyond spectacle, becoming a state of mind shaped by the resonance of place and the elegance of restraint.
Yabu Pushelberg’s interiors flow with the grace of a gentle tide, each space dissolving seamlessly into the next, courtyards merging with water, and expansive sightlines drawing the island’s landscape indoors. The architecture exudes an effortless calm, defined by purposeful restraint. Each softened edge and elongated transition calibrates the rooms to frame the horizon, celebrating rather than competing with it.
Within this contemplative sanctuary, Stellar Works embarks on one of its most ambitious hospitality collaborations to date. The magnitude is impressive, yet scale alone does not define the project. The true story lies in the coherence of craft, a harmonious consistency of touch, tone, and timber across a constellation of private villas. Over a thousand pieces of furniture have been meticulously crafted for Sentosa, each revealing the artistry of the hand rather than the repetition of the machine. The warmth of hand-finished timber, the authenticity of woven rattan, and grounded textures that echo the island’s botanical palette all speak to a legacy of careful making.
Materiality remains deliberately understated. Travertine, pale woods, and naturally veined surfaces offer quiet hospitality, absorbing light with grace. The colour palette mirrors the surrounding terrain: subtle greens, sandy hues, and earth tones that extend the gardens inward. Luxury comes not from ornament but from the elemental. Comfort is crafted from atmosphere, not accumulation.
Stellar Works’ cross-cultural identity, blending Japanese sensibility with Shanghai craftsmanship, resonates throughout the project. The furniture embodies clarity and precision, distinctly Asian in discipline yet global in ease. Every piece supports the architecture, inviting guests to settle into a sense of calm rather than simply occupy a space. In a region often defined by spectacle, the project stands as a testament to luxury found in proportion, stillness, and the quiet integrity of materials. Amid quiet transitions in the landscape, Stellar Works introduces a distinct layer of refinement that feels both crafted and effortless. The brand’s vision is woven into all 62 villas, where a comprehensive family of custom furnishings supports the resort’s calm, residential rhythm. Sofas with softened silhouettes, sculpted lounge chairs, dining pieces shaped for long conversations, bespoke beds, and cabinetry all share a unified language of warmth and tactility. Each piece settles naturally into the architecture, with hand-finished timber, woven rattan, and botanical tones echoing the island’s light and vegetation. The outcome is not a mere display of scale but a coherent mood. Every element is tuned to the same quiet frequency, reinforcing the resort’s vision of tranquillity through thoughtful, understated craft.
Raffles Sentosa reveals more than a collection of villas; it presents a worldview. Landscape, design, and craft move in harmony, each element in quiet dialogue. The most sophisticated gesture is often the gentlest, suggesting a future for hospitality in which the greatest luxury is not spectacle but the privilege of tranquillity.
For more information,
Please visit: https://www.stellarworks.com | https://www.raffles.com/sentosa/
Photographer: Daniel Koh
#stellarworks #rafflessentosa #design #hospitality #YabuPushelberginteriors
Earthboat V1: The Nomadic Timber Retreat Reviving Japan’s Forgotten Leisure Landscapes
In the foothills of rural Japan, PAN- PROJECTS quietly redefines the architecture of impermanence. Their latest prototype, Earthboat V1, is a mobile timber retreat built entirely from Cross-Laminated Timber — designed not to claim land, but to touch it lightly and move on. Equal parts shelter and statement, the 20.5m² cabin revives forgotten leisure sites with Scandinavian clarity and Japanese restraint. Featuring a sauna, modular interiors, and zero foundations, the Earthboat is less about escape than encounter — a new, slower ritual of living with nature.
In a serene corner of rural Japan, a remarkable transformation is unfolding—one that reimagines our relationship with space, nature, and the forgotten realms of post-bubble leisure culture. PAN-PROJECTS, a design studio based in London and Tokyo, celebrated for its elegantly restrained interventions and architectural diplomacy, is at the forefront of this movement. Their latest endeavour, Earthboat V1, is a powerful prototype: a compact, mobile cabin crafted entirely from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), designed to “float” gracefully above the land it embraces.
The Earthboat transcends nostalgia for countryside glamping; it embodies a thoughtful act of architectural reclamation. Once, Japan’s economic boom filled the countryside with leisure attractions like golf resorts, ski fields, and fishing ponds. Today, many of these sites lie dormant, echoes of a hopeful past. Earthboat V1 gently interacts with these spaces with its humble 20.5 square meter footprint. It eschews traditional foundations, resting lightly on the terrain, preserving the landscape while inviting a refreshing temporary habitation.
At first glance, the cabin's silhouette is strikingly modernist—a beautifully balanced architectural haiku in timber. A refined yet functional layout features a sauna, modular storage, and panoramic views that dissolve the boundaries between the indoor and outdoor worlds. The prefabricated design enhances assembly and ensures the unit can be relocated, minimizing environmental impact and adapting to evolving needs or seasonal contexts.
The concept remains dynamic, with around sixty Earthboat units now distributed across seven sites in Japan. This architecture moves—responsive to the land, memories, and utility. Each deployment signifies an act of regeneration—a fleeting reanimation of neglected spaces, sidestepping conventional development's permanence (and often abandonment).
The true innovation lies in its material intelligence. In a culture where CLT tends to be reserved for larger structures, Earthboat V1 recalibrates this scale, marrying high-performance, sustainable timber technology with a human-centred, emotionally resonant format—a quiet revolution in Japanese architecture.
As both a retreat and a powerful idea, Earthboat V1 exemplifies the pinnacle of hospitality architecture: providing shelter and offering a new lens through which to experience a place. It invites us to explore how to inhabit the in-between—not as owners or consumers but as thoughtful stewards of space and time.
ABOUT PAN_PROJECTS
PAN- PROJECTS is a London-based architectural design studio co-founded in 2017 by Japanese architects Yuriko Yagi and Kazumasa Takada. The studio engages in architecture, interior, installation, product, and exhibition design through multidisciplinary collaborations.
Founding Partners:
Yuriko Yagi, M.Arch, Arkitekt MAA: Yagi earned her Bachelor and Master of Architecture Design degrees from Kyoto Institute of Technology in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Kazumasa Takada, M.Arch, ARB/RIBA: Takada completed his Bachelor of Architecture at Waseda University in 2015 and obtained a Master of Arts in Architecture from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2017.
Left: Yuriko Yagi
Co-founder, PAN- PROJECTS | Arkitekt MAA
Right: Kazumasa Takada
Co-founder, PAN- PROJECTS | Architect ARB/RIBA
PAN- PROJECTS has been recognized in the architectural community, including being longlisted for the Emerging Architecture Studio of the Year and Large Retail Interior Design categories at the 2021 Dezeen Awards.
Website: https://pan-projects.com
Studio Cinema: Redefining Cinematic Design in Macau
Studio City Phase 2 in Macau offers more than just a cinematic experience; it introduces a new design language where technology, materials, and spatial storytelling come together. Designed by OFT Interior under the creative direction of CM Jao and Ken Cheung, this ambitious project also includes contributions from Japanese lighting designer Koichi Tanaka and Lightlinks International. It masterfully merges form, function, and innovation. Each element of the space engages the senses, creating an environment that blurs the boundaries between architecture and performance.
Studio City Phase 2 in Macau offers more than just a cinematic experience; it introduces a new design language where technology, materials, and spatial storytelling come together. Designed by OFT Interior under the creative direction of CM Jao and Ken Cheung, this ambitious project also includes contributions from Japanese lighting designer Koichi Tanaka and Lightlinks International. It masterfully merges form, function, and innovation. Each element of the spaceengages the senses, creating an environment that blurs the boundaries between architecture and performance.
A Dramatic Entrance: Setting the Stage
The journey begins in the entrance lobby, which resembles a visual symphony of textures and materials. The glass curtain wall features a white gradient film sticker that softens the exterior light while still allowing for visibility. Behind this, the lighting interacts with the gradient glass to create a theatrical ambiance. Stainless steel curves define the ticket counter and the metallic-painted feature counters, complemented by a ripple stainless steel wall and fluted wall tiles for added texture. Above, a metallic-painted curved ceiling integrates concealed lighting troughs, while the stone flooring provides a sense of permanence that anchors the space. Motion graphic LED screens introduce kinetic energy, instantly immersing visitors in the cinematic experience.
Architectural Lighting and Spatial Drama
The design creatively utilizes light and shadow to evoke a theatrical stage, fostering audience engagement. Milky acrylic panels with concealed lighting highlight important areas, while reflective surfaces amplify the interaction between light and materials. This combination creates a dynamic and vibrant environment, setting the stage for an immersive experience.
IMAX and Auditorium Features: Precision and Atmosphere
Inside the IMAX theater, the space is defined by blue fabric wall features and a black acoustic ceiling with LED lighting. Concealed LED lighting enhances the visual drama, while black wood vinyl stair walls and handrails provide a striking contrast. Grey-toned carpets soften the atmosphere, ensuring both acoustic excellence and comfort.
Each house in the cinema is designed for a unique experience:
- House 2 (Reclining):** Features purple and mud-yellow fabric walls combined with concealed LED lighting and a black acoustic ceiling. The warm, muted tones create a balance of luxury and coziness.
- 4DX House:** Showcases red and navy fabric walls that contrast with concealed LED lighting. The addition of black wood vinyl stair walls and grey-tone carpets maintains consistency in the overall aesthetic while ensuring functional comfort.
Typical Houses:** Have grey and blue fabric walls paired with concealed LED lighting, creating a subdued yet sophisticated ambiance. The black acoustic ceiling and wood vinyl wall coverings emphasize the architectural precision.
The Director’s Club: Exclusive Luxury
The Director’s Club, which includes Houses 5 and 6, elevates the cinematic experience to a whole new level. House 5 showcases iridescent fabric curved walls with a water wave lighting effect, blending shades of blue and green fabric with highlights of orange and red. Concealed LED lighting enhances the curvature of the walls, creating a fluid, organic feel. In House 6, the green fabric curved walls continue the water wave motif, complemented by beige and grey fabric accents. Both houses feature recessed floor lighting and advanced acoustic treatments, ensuring an exclusive and intimate atmosphere.
Dynamic Corridors and Lounge Spaces
The corridors connecting the theaters are designed as transitional spaces that enhance the cinematic experience. Cove lighting follows the architectural curves, while reflective materials enhance the visual rhythm. The Director’s Club Lounge offers a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, featuring high tables and integrated 55-inch TV lightboxes, providing an ideal space for socializing before or after a film.
The Cinematic Future
Studio City Cinema is more than just a venue for watching films; it is a space where every material, light, and texture contributes to its narrative. Each element, from the rippling stainless-steel walls to the iridescent fabric panels, invites exploration and engagement. By combining cutting-edge technology with innovative design, OFT Interior has created an environment that redefines cinematic architecture, providing audiences with an experience that goes far beyond the screen. Studio City Cinema is not merely a building; it is a performance in its own right—a landmark of design excellence in Macau.
For more information, please visit: https://www.oftinteriors.com