How Travel Influences HBG's Hospitality Designs
At HBG Design, our work is driven by one guiding principle: our clients’ visions. We don’t approach projects with a one-size-fits-all aesthetic. Our teams delve deeply into our clients’ missions, goals, and cultures. We also consider the local context and our travel influences. This approach helps us create designs that resonate with distinct audiences and purposes.
This commitment drives HBG designers to create immersive guest-focused spaces where architecture and interior design unite seamlessly. Designed environments enrich personal experiences and deliver lasting value, and foster meaningful connections.
Global Travel: A Catalyst for Creativity
A significant influence on our design philosophy comes from global travel, which offers profound insights into form, materials, spatial relationships. Through the global explorations of our GOH Travel Scholarship winners and the personal journeys of our team, we gain perspectives that inspire creativity and authenticity in our work.
Whether it’s studying intricate biophilic patterns in Spanish architecture or marveling at Finland’s innovative modern structures, these experiences inform our design thinking. Each HBG project becomes an opportunity to draw from these travel inspirations, creating environments with authenticity, creativity, and cultural resonance.
Nathan Blair’s Design Insights from Colombia
HBG Project Architect Nathan Blair, AIA, recently embarked on a journey through Colombia, a vibrant exploration of culture, climate, and design that reawakened his creative spirit. From Bogotá’s layered architecture to Cartagena’s climate-adapted spaces and the colorful energy of the coffee region, Nathan discovered how design responds to its environment.
His exploration revealed low-tech sustainable solutions and playful aesthetics free of rigid constraints, inspiring him to bring that sense of color, freedom, and storytelling into his work. This journey reminded him of design’s profound ability to connect people to place.
Christine Wass’ Travels Through Italy Shape Her Creative Worldview
HBG Interior Designer Christine Wass’ travels through northern Italy shaped her creative worldview, offering rich insights into history, culture, and design. In Florence, she admired Renaissance heritage through a climb to see the Duomo’s stunning views. Siena emphasized storytelling with intricate wolf-shaped motifs tied to local legends. Portofino unfolded as a hidden gem, its vibrant harbor embodying the beauty of discovery.
Christine also found inspiration in Milan’s intuitive subway wayfinding, an elegant example of functional design. Her journey reinforced the power of travel to inspire and shape community-driven, story-rich interior design projects.
Rob Jurbergs Explores Baltic Heritage and Design
HBG Principal Architectural Designer, Rob Jurbergs’ adventure through Finland, Estonia, and Latvia connected him to his Baltic roots while exploring innovative design and tradition. Helsinki’s Kamppi Chapel and Oodi Library offered examples of modern, community-focused architecture, while the Loyly sauna showcased the inimitable Finnish communal sauna culture.
In Tallinn, medieval charm provided a glimpse into preserved history, and Riga, Latvia, reflected resilience through a blend of old and new in a celebration of Latvia’s Midsummer traditions. In deepening his connection to heritage, Rob drew equal inspiration from wellness-focused, culturally thoughtful design approaches.
Travel Influences Promote Intentional and Holistic Design
By drawing on our travel inspirations, we create designs that respond not only to the physical environment but also to the experiential identity of each location.
From the 19th-century Spanish Colonial charm of Gaylord Palms Resort near Orlando, FL, to the sleek, desert-inspired abstractions of Desert Diamond West Valley Casino near Phoenix, AZ, HBG’s portfolio showcases how diverse inspirations can shape distinctive environments.
For instance, our design of the Cache Creek Resort Hotel and Spa in Capay Valley reflects the California sophistication and natural charm of its agricultural surroundings. Every design decision—from material selection to the nuanced integration of outdoor elements—was informed by a deep appreciation of the region’s unique landscape and agrarian character.
At Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, CA, the lodge-style aesthetic is infused with cultural references, celebrating the heritage of the local community.
Similarly, our design for Gun Lake Hotel and the Wawye Oasis near Grand Rapids, MI, demonstrates how contextual insights inform functionality and aesthetics. The striking glass-clad design is a direct response to the local climate, inviting natural sunlight and warmth to flood interior spaces while being engineered to endure the region’s demanding lake-effect weather conditions.
By weaving global travel influences and inspiration with an understanding of local context, HBG Design creates environments that transcend boundaries and deliver a distinctive sense of place. Each project is a testament to how travel, culture, and thoughtful design converge to enhance guest experiences and celebrate the uniqueness of every location.
HBG Shares Resort Design Expertise on No Vacancy Live!
HBG Design and our spectacular WinStar World Casino Resort project recently took center stage on No Vacancy Live! with hospitality industry experts and personalities, Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri (host of the Travel Channel’s Hotel Impossible). During the episode, HBG's Rob Jurbergs, AIA, Principal and Senior Architectural Designer, and Ray Mabry, Principal and HBG Dallas Office Leader, revealed fascinating insights into the design and creation of this iconic resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, just 90 minutes from the booming Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Catch up on all the behind-the-scenes details that make WinStar a must-see destination!
Since 2017, No Vacancy News has been the go-to source for the hotel industry, providing actionable insights, expert interviews, and educational content through its podcasts, videos, and live branded experiences. Hosted by Glenn Haussman, a leading voice in hospitality, No Vacancy Live! has been recognized as the #1 hospitality show by the International Hospitality Institute since the award’s inception. We were honored to join Glenn to share our experiences with the casino resort’s design and our collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation to create a world-class destination.
A Look Inside WinStar
WinStar, one of the most recognized gaming resort destinations in the country, offers an unparalleled guest experience through its luxurious amenities and entertainment spaces. In their podcast interview, Rob Jurbergs, Principal and Architectural Designer at HBG Design, and Ray Mabry, Principal and Dallas Office Leader, highlight the resort’s design evolution and how HBG, with over 45 years of casino resort expertise, established the property's architectural identity.
Key elements of the project include:
- Lucas Oil Live: A 6,500-seat, multi-purpose performance venue for concerts, boxing, MMA events, banquets, and more. The space includes a VIP area with a private lounge, full bar, and kitchen.
- 304-room Hotel: Offering guests a modern and comfortable stay, the hotel's interiors are inspired by natural tones and earthy elements reflective of the Red River region, featuring rich woodsy designs and warm rust orange accents.
- Cascades Pool Area: This signature outdoor area includes multiple pool tiers and food and beverage options, making it a dynamic hub of activity and relaxation. The distinctive sundial-like roof design enhances the ambiance and complements the open, airy environment.
Strategic Location and Market Positioning
Rob and Ray also discussed the importance of WinStar’s location in attracting guests from the growing Dallas-Fort Worth area. Just a short drive from one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, WinStar provides a sought-after escape, drawing visitors for its high-quality amenities and entertainment offerings.
One of the venue’s notable successes is the Lucas Oil Live performance venue, which has hosted some of the biggest names in rock and country music. The venue was even nominated for Casino of the Year-Theater by the Academy of Country Music, solidifying WinStar’s position as a premier entertainment destination.
Thoughtful Design and Guest Experience
Inspired by the natural beauty of the Red River region, HBG Design’s architectural and interior design teams brought elements of the local landscape into the resort’s design. From the organic shapes and curvilinear forms used in the building’s layout to the earthy color palettes and natural materials, every detail is crafted to create an inviting, comfortable atmosphere.
The V-shaped design of the hotel maximizes guest views while creating a sense of embrace, and the wind-blocking structure enhances comfort in the outdoor areas. The intentional design of the pool area offers guests multiple experiences, from relaxed lounging to lively social spaces, all centered around the beautiful landscape.
Tune in to the No Vacancy News podcast episode with Rob Jurbergs and Ray Mabry to hear more about the incredible design journey behind WinStar World Casino Resort. Learn how strategic design decisions, collaboration, and attention to detail have transformed this resort into a world-class destination.
