DESIGN

The Global Influence: Turning Travel Inspirations Into Home Retreats

For centuries, travelers have returned from far-flung destinations brimming with the desire to not only covet a memento or two, but to recreate those inspirational places at home. A lot has changed over the years, but the urge and the means to turn those dreams into reality - both indoors and outdoors - has never been more accessible. So how did we get here, and how will this eternal desire to ‘travel’ while at home evolve?

We sat down with Michael McGowan, Associate Principal at the internationally celebrated Los Angeles based KAA Design Group, to take a deep dive on this enduring design phenomenon and get his unique perspectives on how he and the team at KAA Design Group turn memories of travel into immersive, award-winning spaces.

The Evolving Role of Hospitality in Outdoor Design

“Hospitality has always been an integral part of designing outdoor spaces, though I think its expression has evolved.  For example, in our work, we seek to create spaces that are beautiful and calming - spaces that feel inviting, restorative, and aspirational. The influence of hospitality, in this sense, is timeless, rooted in the human need for beauty, a deep connection with nature and with one another.” Michael explains. From the days of steamship lines to the advent of the private jet, the increasing speed and ease of reaching ever more distant destinations has accelerated the trend of turning travel memories into residences.

Perhaps the most emblematic of all spaces designed around the hospitality and travel bug is Doris Duke’s former Hawaii home (now The Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design) which was inspired by her 1935 honeymoon through the Islamic world.

Though the construction of the Marion Sims Wyeth designed structure took two years, Ms. Duke spent nearly 60 subsequent years commissioning artworks and installations for the space.

However, it wasn’t necessarily the increasing ease of getting out into the world, but rather the ease of the world coming into our homes that took things to an entirely new level. Michael explains: “As the internet opened a window to the vast and wonderful world around us, those with means began to seek out these experiences first-hand at record levels. The natural progression of this was a boom in resorts, hotels, and leisure destinations where the resident “locale” has always been the star attraction. And then, quite naturally, there has been the desire to bring some of that experience back home.  

Our work now has the additional focus of curating experiences from around the globe, imbuing gardens with luxury comforts, and providing a sense of escape to our clients.”

Creating Resort-Inspired Homes Rooted in Place

Those who have traveled extensively often request designs that provide immersive, approximations of their memorable experiences abroad.  High on the list: outdoor spaces that seamlessly blend luxury details with aspects of the natural environment, such as lush tropical gardens, dramatic water features, and curated ocean views.  

Adding to the design challenge is the desire for multifunctional spaces that welcome restful retreats while also accommodating vibrant gatherings. “Balancing a client’s dreams with practical realities is at the heart of design,” Micheal shares.

“We approach each project by distilling the client’s vision into its essential values and harmonizing those with the site's inherent qualities.

Budgets and local climates are not constraints but opportunities to refine a design—be it embracing the use of native plants, incorporating sustainable materials, and building assemblages of timeless forms. The key is creating spaces that resonate emotionally with clients while remaining functional and enduringly captivating - ensuring that vision thrives… usually within the bounds of reality.”

Balancing Authenticity, Functionality, and Personal Expression

Drawing inspiration from hospitality design opens up opportunities to create inviting, well-curated spaces that encourage people to linger and engage. However, there are risks involved like prioritizing aesthetic trends over functionality or overlooking authenticity to the location (i.e. building a tropical rainforest-inspired getaway in the desert). If not thoughtfully adapted, these designs can feel derivative or out of place, lacking a deeper connection to the site or community.

How do professionals like Michael avoid these?

“The key is to draw inspiration from the resort," he explains, “while ensuring the home remains rooted in its local environs, serving both the immediate needs of the client for beauty and validation, while also balancing and acknowledging the long-term value of client experiences and memories.”

Given the vast array of global travel experiences, the successful integration of resort-inspired elements into residential spaces requires a careful balance of authenticity, functionality, and personal expression. This ensures that the resulting space not only reflects the client's inspiration but also enriches their lives with sensorial immersion and the evocation of treasured memories.

Images courtesy of Manolo Langis.

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