Last summer, SERA Principal in the Hospitality Studio Gary Golla convened a research group to look at mass timber construction in the hotel industry. Mass timber buildings tend to be thought of as beautiful, with warm, welcoming spaces and distinct sustainability advantages, but that doesn’t mean they’re a perfect fit for every use or building […]
The pandemic has disrupted the typical supply-and-demand dynamic in many industries. In the short term, this is especially true for Hospitality. Thus, the topic of converting “distressed properties” to other uses is receiving a great deal of attention lately. While speculation around opportunities for distressed hotels will likely diminish with economic recovery, there will continue […]
Last month, guests were served the first round of tapas and signature cocktails at AC Hotels’ newest property, in downtown Portland, Oregon. Originating in Spain, the brand by Marriott is aimed at travelers seeking a modern, European twist to their trips – even if their travels are stateside. Blending laid-back comfort with visual excitement, the AC Hotel Portland […]
Despite what Howard Roark and Ted Mosby imply, most buildings are not the product of a sole architect’s vision at the drawing board. Rather, a design is created by the architectural team and engineers, who hand over the permitted documents to the contractor to build. This is how it’s planned, but what really goes on? […]
When our hospitality studio isn’t designing hotels from the inside out (see: Pearl District Residence Inn, AC Hotel by Marriott and more), they’re helping revitalize existing hotels around the country. The redesigns are always remarkable, but when juxtaposed against the original conditions, the transformations are stunning. Check out four of SERA’s recent hotel interventions below. While the Before images are amateur snapshots (taken during […]
This month’s grand opening of the new Argyle Winery Tasting House marks a major update for the 28-year-old winery in Dundee, Oregon. Working with Argyle, SERA set out to create a world-class wine tasting experience that preserves the history of the site and builds on Argyle’s spirit of evolution and reinvention. The new Tasting House […]
At SERA, our work in the hospitality industry focuses on blending design, guest comfort, operational efficiency, and sustainable initiatives. About two years ago, I was talking to someone from a major hotel brand, who thought that green Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) added an extra 10% to the costs of a hotel refresh project. My […]
Case study executed by SERA Architects with input from Benjamin West and product manufacturers. For further information, please contact Lisa Zangerle at 503-445-7348. Unlike the majority of hotel rooms on the market, the newly refreshed rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott Denver Downtown have sustainable measures that go beyond the basics. Many hotels have adopted […]