HBG Design Earns Top Honors at ASID Excellence in Design Awards
HBG Design is proud to announce that three projects from the expansion of Gun Lake Casino Resort were recognized at the ASID Excellence in Design Awards 2026, hosted by the South Central Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.
The annual competition celebrates outstanding interior design across residential and commercial sectors, honoring projects that demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation, and impact.
HBG Design’s work received two Gold Awards, one Silver Award, and the competition’s highest commercial design honor — the Ovation Award — recognizing the firm’s continued leadership in hospitality and resort design.
Gold Award & Ovation Award: MnoYé Spa
MnoYé Spa, located within Gun Lake Casino Resort, received Gold in Commercial Design and was further recognized with the competition’s Ovation Award for Best Overall Commercial Design.
Inspired by the restorative power of nature and the spirit of MnoYé—the Potawatomi expression for “living well”—MnoYé Spa is conceived as a tranquil counterpoint to the energy of this resort expansion. Rooted in Michigan’s landscape and the client’s deep connection to the Great Lakes watershed, the design interprets water, land, and light through a contemporary biophilic lens. Warm woods, dimensional stone, bronze-toned metals, and river-inspired hues of aqua and earth brown create a grounded, sensory-rich environment. Subtle waveforms, layered sediment motifs, and sculpted geometries reference flow and continuity without literal symbolism. From arrival to treatment, the spa unfolds as a holistic wellness journey—quiet, immersive, and deeply connected to place—where materiality, light, and water support restoration and balance.
The spa’s thoughtful integration of cultural storytelling and contemporary wellness design creates a memorable guest experience that stood out among all commercial submissions in this year’s competition.
Gold Award: Gun Lake Casino Resort Hotel
The Gun Lake Casino Resort Hotel received Gold in Hospitality Design, recognizing the interiors of the new hotel tower that anchors the resort’s transformation into a premier Midwest destination.
The Gun Lake Resort hotel and spa were designed as a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Western Michigan, guided by biophilic principles, residential comfort, and a deeply choreographed guest journey. The 15-story tower blends nature-inspired materiality, intuitive technology, and refined craftsmanship to create an emotionally resonant experience from arrival to penthouse. Three atmospheric design concepts—Dappled Light, Serene, and Radiance—draw inspiration from the skies, water, and landscapes of the region, shaping distinct moments throughout the property. Public spaces emphasize decompression and connection to nature, while guestrooms prioritize warmth, livability, and calm. At every scale, the design balances performance and elegance, delivering a sophisticated resort experience that feels rooted in place, culturally respectful, and unmistakably contemporary.
Silver Award: Wawyé Oasis
Completing the recognition for the resort expansion, Wawyé Oasis received Silver in Commercial Design. This dynamic pool and recreation venue creates a vibrant indoor resort environment designed for year-round enjoyment.
The Wawyé Oasis was conceived as a transformative interior environment that reimagines the Midwest resort experience. Designed as a year-round tropical atrium, the space seamlessly shifts between serene daytime retreat and high-energy entertainment venue. A six-story glass enclosure floods the interior with natural light while maintaining a controlled, resort-like climate regardless of season. Interior design reinforces this dual identity through flexible zoning, adaptable furnishings, and a material palette inspired by tropical landscapes—terra cotta, aqua, teal, woven textures, and organic forms. Pools, cabanas, and lounges radiate around a central stage, maintaining visual connectivity while supporting varied guest experiences. Acoustic treatments, dynamic lighting, and integrated infrastructure allow the Oasis to effortlessly transition from leisure to spectacle, creating a landmark destination that blends relaxation, performance, and architectural innovation.
Collaborative Project Partners
HBG Design recognizes the many talented consultants and partners who contributed to the success of these projects at Gun Lake Casino Resort.
Project Consultants:
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Structural Engineering: Chavez-Grieves Engineers
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MEP Engineering: EXP Engineering
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Civil Engineering: ROWE Professional Services Company
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Acoustical Engineering: Salter
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Food Service Design: FSA-Fred Schmid Associates
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Spa Consultant: Arch Amenities Group / WTS International
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Vertical Transportation: Lerch Bates
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Building Envelope: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
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Graphics & Signage: DesignYS
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Aquatic Consultant: Martin Aquatic
Celebrating Design Excellence
Recognition from the American Society of Interior Designers highlights HBG Design’s commitment to creating hospitality environments that are both visually compelling and operationally successful. From guest rooms and wellness spaces to immersive resort amenities, the firm’s multidisciplinary teams collaborate to design experiences that connect people, place, and culture.
These awards underscore the impact of thoughtful design in shaping destination resorts—and the power of collaboration between HBG Design, our clients, and the talented teams who bring these environments to life.
Are Your Public Spaces Working Hard Enough?
Hospitality Design Trends 2026: Wellness, Dwell Time & Revenue Activation
With rising construction costs and increasing guest expectations, every square foot inside a hotel or casino resort must deliver measurable value. Yet many public spaces — lobbies, lounges, pre-function areas, and resort environments — remain underleveraged.
The most important question for owners and operators today is simple: Are your public spaces working hard enough?
Across the hospitality industry, a shift is underway. Spaces that were once designed primarily for circulation are now expected to drive revenue, extend guest stays, and strengthen brand loyalty.
The future of hospitality design lies in activated public environments.
The 2026 Shift in Hospitality Design
One of the defining hospitality design trends of 2026 is the shift from passive gathering areas to multi-functional, revenue-generating environments.
Two major forces are driving this change.
First, hospitality and retail research consistently shows a direct correlation between guest dwell time and spending. When guests stay longer in an environment, they are more likely to engage with food and beverage, entertainment, retail, and premium amenities.
Second, the global wellness economy has grown to $6.8 trillion, according to the Global Wellness Institute. Wellness is no longer limited to spas or fitness centers; today it encompasses social connection, relaxation, and shared experiences — all of which take place in public environments.
For casino resorts and destination hotels, this means public space has become one of the most powerful economic tools on the property.
Public space is no longer transitional — it is strategic.
What Is Public Space Activation?
Public space activation is the intentional design of hospitality environments to support both experience and economics.
These spaces are designed to:
- Increase guest dwell time
- Encourage social interaction and group gathering
- Support multi-generational audiences
- Flex across dayparts and programming needs
- Strengthen brand identity
- Generate direct or indirect revenue
When done well, activated public spaces become the connective tissue of a resort, linking hospitality, entertainment, dining, and gaming into a seamless guest experience.
Gun Lake Resort: Designing an Indoor Destination
At Gun Lake Casino Resort, public space activation takes the form of an immersive indoor resort environment—free to guests during the day as a vibrant pool experience that also builds anticipation for the events and entertainment the space hosts at night.
The Wawyé Oasis, a 32,000-square-foot indoor tropical atrium, creates a year-round destination that blends leisure, entertainment, and social gathering into a single environment. The climate-controlled space includes resort-style pools, cabanas, lounge seating, and integrated food and beverage venues arranged around a flexible event stage.
The key to the space’s success is programmatic flexibility. During the day, the Oasis operates as a relaxed indoor pool retreat for hotel guests and families, while its open layout and visual connections to the stage and surrounding venues create energy and anticipation for evening programming. At night, the same environment transforms into a concert venue, DJ lounge, or special event space—dramatically increasing utilization and guest engagement across dayparts.
The environment also expands the resort’s audience. By creating a destination amenity that appeals to couples, families, and younger social groups, the property broadens its demographic reach beyond traditional gaming audiences.
Since completing its $300 million resort expansion, which introduced a hotel, spa, and new entertainment amenities, Gun Lake Casino Resort has reported a 20% increase in revenue along with strong hotel occupancy—signaling demand for experiential resort environments that extend the guest journey beyond gaming.
In this model, public space is not simply decorative—it becomes a strategic connector that builds visibility, excitement, and demand for the resort’s revenue-generating amenities.
Golden Mesa: Cultural Identity as Competitive Advantage
At Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel in Guymon, Oklahoma, public space activation takes a different approach — one rooted in cultural storytelling and social connection.
The property’s $78 million expansion doubled gaming capacity while introducing a new hotel, dining venues, and multiple gathering spaces that together transform the property into the Oklahoma Panhandle’s only full-scale casino resort destination.
Rather than designing the lobby as a traditional circulation zone, the space functions as a hospitality hub.
Residential-style seating clusters encourage guests to gather and linger, while the adjacent Panhandle Press café and nearby Cimarron Ridge restaurant create natural activity throughout the day. These proximities were intentionally designed to increase visibility and engagement with food and beverage offerings.
Technology also plays a role in activating the environment. On the casino floor, a 12-foot CLEAR digital signage wall introduces dynamic content and branding while maintaining visual transparency between the high-limit room and the gaming floor — drawing attention and curiosity from guests moving through the space.
Another key moment occurs at the transition between hospitality and gaming. A dramatic geometric light portal connecting the hotel lobby to the casino floor transforms circulation into an experiential threshold, guiding guests from calm social space into the energy of gaming.
These types of architectural moments do more than create visual impact — they encourage exploration and movement throughout the property.
Golden Mesa demonstrates how culturally authentic environments can drive both guest engagement and long-term brand differentiation.
The Future of Hospitality Public Space
Across hospitality and gaming resorts, a clear pattern is emerging.
The most valuable square footage in a property may no longer be the gaming floor or guestrooms — but the spaces in between.
When designed intentionally, public environments can:
- Extend guest stays
- Increase cross-property spending
- Support events and entertainment programming
- Strengthen brand identity
- Create memorable social experiences
For owners and operators navigating rising construction costs and competitive markets, activated public space represents one of the most powerful design strategies available.
The most successful resorts in the next decade will not treat public space as circulation.
They will treat it as performance.
HBG Design Featured on No Vacancy: Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels
Regional casino resorts have evolved—and today’s most successful properties are no longer competing solely on gaming floors or square footage. They are competing as full-scale destination hotels, designed to extend stays, increase spend, and drive repeat visitation.
That shift is the focus of a recent episode of the No Vacancy podcast, hosted by Glenn Haussman with guest co-host Dr. Suzanne Bagnera, featuring HBG Design leaders Kelly DeVine, Principal, and Emily Marshall, NCIDQ, NEWH, IIDA, Principal and Interior Design Leader.
In the episode, Kelly and Emily discuss how design, operations, and profitability are inseparable in modern regional casino resorts—and why performance-driven design must start long before finishes and aesthetics are considered.
From Regional Casino to Destination Resort
Using Gun Lake Casino Resort in Michigan as a case study, the conversation explores how regional gaming properties now compete with Las Vegas–style destination resorts. Guests expect more than gaming alone: hospitality, dining, entertainment, and thoughtfully designed hotel experiences all play a role in attracting longer stays and repeat visits.
Kelly and Emily emphasize that this evolution requires a fundamental shift in how projects are approached—one that prioritizes operational strategy and guest behavior from day one.
Designing for Gaming Performance
Designing for Gaming PerformanceOne of the key insights from the episode is how hotel design directly influences gaming behavior. Guest rooms must strike a careful balance: they should feel comfortable and welcoming, but not so indulgent that guests disengage from the casino floor and resort amenities.
This intentional approach ensures that the hotel supports—not competes with—the core gaming experience, reinforcing the overall business model of the resort.
Operations First: The Engine Behind the Experience
At HBG Design, successful casino resorts begin with operations. Kelly and Emily discuss why elements such as:
- Housekeeping flow and back-of-house efficiency
- Durability and material selection
- Turnover time and maintenance realities
are often more critical to long-term performance than purely visual considerations.
By designing the “engine” before the exterior experience, properties are better positioned to operate efficiently, control costs, and deliver consistent guest satisfaction over time.
Programming Spaces for Repeat Visitation
Programming Spaces for Repeat VisitationBeyond the hotel and gaming floor, the episode highlights the importance of programming spaces that keep guests coming back—especially local and regional visitors. Flexible entertainment venues, food and beverage offerings, and social spaces all contribute to building loyalty and extending engagement beyond a single visit.
Design as a Business Tool
Ultimately, the conversation reinforces a core HBG Design philosophy: design is not a vanity exercise—it is a business tool. When design decisions are grounded in operations, guest behavior, and measurable outcomes, they can directly support revenue growth and long-term success.
We’re proud to see Kelly DeVine and Emily Marshall share their expertise on No Vacancy and contribute to an industry-wide conversation about performance-driven design in today’s casino resorts.
Listen to the full episode of No Vacancy: Episode 1009 – Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels to hear the complete discussion and insights.
HBG Design Thinking: Hospitality Design Report
In 2026, hospitality design is all about creating immersive, memorable experiences that resonate with guests long after they leave. From boutique hotels to large-scale resorts and entertainment destinations, the bar for innovation has never been higher. HBG Design, ranked #2 Hospitality and Entertainment Design Firm in the U.S., by Hotel Business Magazine for 2026, has decades of experience translating industry insights into transformative guest experiences. This year, our team has identified the design thinking that will define hospitality experiences and drive both engagement and operational success.
You can download the full 'HBG Design Thinking' Hospitality Design Report here.
Social Wellness: Connection as the New Currency
Wellness has evolved beyond serenity and self-care—connection is now central to well-being. Guests increasingly seek shared experiences that foster community and engagement. HBG clients are already ahead of this curve, with co-ed hydrothermal lounges at WinStar Spa and hydrotherapy pools at MnoYé Spa at Gun Lake Resort. These spaces blend luxury, functionality, and social interaction, transforming wellness into a destination activity rather than a solitary experience.
Open Edge Environments
Seamless indoor–outdoor environments are no longer just a coastal luxury—they’re expected year-round, everywhere. The Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Resort exemplifies this trend, featuring a six-story glass dome that creates a tropical, light-filled escape in Wayland, Michigan. Guests enjoy the sensation of being outdoors while designers control climate, programming, and operational flexibility, proving that immersive environments drive engagement and revenue alike.
Maximalism with Meaning
Color and material storytelling are taking center stage. For an upcoming boutique resort lobby, HBG Design collaborated with Schumacher Hospitality to transform iconic residential patterns into hospitality-grade fabrics and wallcoverings. Custom applications—from vibrant lobby wallcoverings to rooftop restaurant fabrics—combine durability with artistry, craft, and narrative inspiration drawn from the surrounding woodland landscapes and local industrial heritage.
Ready to explore all six trends in detail?
Download the full 'HBG Design Thinking' Hospitality Design Report to see more quotes, actionable owner checklists, and client case studies that bring these insights to life.
A Tropical Escape in the Heart of Michigan: The Wawyé Oasis
When winter grips Michigan in icy temperatures, guests at Gun Lake Casino Resort are now floating beneath a sunlit glass dome in a lush, 82-degree tropical paradise. Debuting in May 2025, the six-story, 32,000-square-foot Wawyé Oasis redefines what’s possible for year-round resort design—seamlessly shifting from daytime pool retreat to high-capacity concert venue, nightclub, and banquet space. Shaped by solar studies and engineered as a massive glass “sundial,” the Oasis is both sculptural and supremely functional, capturing natural daylight while shielding guests from the region’s harsh climate.
As the architectural and experiential centerpiece of Gun Lake’s $300 million expansion, the Oasis anchors a new 252-room hotel and full-service spa—establishing the resort as a true “daycation” destination for guests across Michigan and major Midwest markets. From bird-safe, low-E glass and climate-responsive HVAC systems to flexible acoustics, dynamic lighting, and thoughtfully zoned guest experiences, every element was precision-engineered to support comfort, performance, and unforgettable entertainment.
The result is more than a building—it’s a fully immersive, adaptable environment where architecture, engineering, and guest experience converge in spectacular fashion.
▶ Watch the full design thinking video to explore the innovation behind the Wawyé Oasis—and flip through the complete Project Design Release for detailed insights into the architecture, engineering, sustainability strategies, and guest experience that bring this extraordinary destination to life.
Wawyé Oasis Lands the Cover of Casino Style Magazine
We’re thrilled to share that Casino Style Magazine’s Summer 2025 issue features Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Casino on its cover—and for good reason. As the centerpiece of the resort’s transformative $300 million expansion, Wawyé Oasis is a first-of-its-kind, indoor tropical retreat and entertainment venue designed by HBG Design to deliver a bold, immersive escape in the heart of West Michigan.
Created in close collaboration with the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians and Gun Lake Casino leadership, the new 32,000-square-foot, glass-domed atrium is more than a pool—it’s an all-season, all-occasion destination. By day, lush greenery, radiant natural light, and sparkling pools invite guests into a serene tropical haven. By night, it morphs effortlessly into a vibrant concert venue or special event space, replete with dynamic lighting, state-of-the-art acoustics, and energy that rivals the biggest entertainment hot spots.
“When you look at the array of amenities—a hotel, a spa—some of them are natural, because we’re shooting for four-diamond status or higher,” says Gun Lake CEO Sal Semola. “The big differentiator is the Oasis.”
In the article "Deep Dive", writer Marjorie Preston explores the innovation, collaboration, and vision that brought this complex new environment to life. From the dome’s engineering marvels to the intricate planning behind its multi-functional spaces, Wawyé Oasis represents a bold new chapter in resort amenity design—one that’s turning heads, drawing visitors, and redefining what’s possible in a four-season casino resort.
Read the full story in Casino Style Magazine to see how HBG Design and Gun Lake Casino are making a splash in the world of resort entertainment.
Gun Lake Casino Unveils New Resort Hotel Tower
Hotel was designed by HBG Design to Redefine Hospitality in the Midwest Region
Gun Lake Casino Resort has officially opened the doors to its striking new 15-story resort hotel tower. It's an eye-catching, experience-forward destination. The transformational expansion marks a new era for the property. It sets a bold benchmark for luxury, entertainment, and wellness in the Midwest.
With 252 guest rooms and suites, a tropical year-round atrium known as the Wawyé Oasis, a new spa and wellness retreat, and elevated dining and entertainment offerings, the expansion solidifies Gun Lake Casino’s position as a leading superregional resort destination.
“This project is a powerful expression of vision, identity, and hospitality innovation,” said Nathan Peak, AIA, Principal and Practice Leader at HBG Design. “Every aspect of the hotel and spa was designed to immerse guests in comfort, nature, and a sense of year-round escape—right here in West Michigan.”
A Destination That Begins with Engineering Ingenuity
The soaring hotel tower—visible from over a mile away along Highway 131—isn’t just beautiful; it’s built to last. To support the hotel and adjacent Wawyé Oasis, the team installed 263 caissons, each up to eight feet in diameter and drilled as deep as 180 feet into the ground, ensuring long-term structural integrity for the towering facility.
“Creating this level of verticality and complexity on site required an incredible effort between design, engineering, and construction,” said Paul Bell, AIA, Principal and Project Manager at HBG Design. “We had to integrate cutting-edge solutions at the foundation level to support the vision above.”
Natural Inspiration, Modern Comfort
HBG Design’s architectural and interior design concepts were deeply inspired by the surrounding landscape. The tower’s tinted glass façade captures natural light throughout the year, while earth-toned materials and layered metal panels ground the building within its rural Michigan context. At night, LED lighting animations bring the tower to life, adding energy and vibrancy to the entire resort.
“We wanted guests to feel like the entire property had always been planned this way—from the earliest expansions to today,” said Peak. “That level of cohesion elevates the guest experience and builds a sense of place.”
Inside the Experience: A Luxury Journey
From the moment guests arrive beneath the porte-cochère, they’re welcomed into a richly detailed environment. The hotel’s double-height lobby features a living green wall behind the reception desk. Just steps away, a stylish lobby bar offers an inviting social atmosphere, with window views into the lush tropical greenery of the Wawyé Oasis—bathed in natural light streaming through its expansive 29,000-square-foot glass atrium ceiling.
Each of the 252 guest accommodations—including 221 guestrooms, 31 suites, and the exclusive Ogema Suite—draws from a warm, natural palette inspired by Michigan’s landscape. Spacious layouts and large windows offer unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside and the Oasis below.
The two-story Ogema Suite—the crown jewel of the hotel—spans 3,368 square feet and features an in-suite elevator, two bedrooms, multiple entertaining spaces, a full bar, billiards table, and double-height windows with panoramic views. As Gun Lake CEO recalls: “One high-end guest, familiar with top-tier penthouses in Las Vegas, called it “beyond expectation.””
Living Well: MnoYé Spa Retreat and Fitness
Located on the lower level of the hotel, the MnoYé Spa Retreat—named after the Potawatomi word for “living well”—offers a private, tranquil counterpoint to the energy of the casino and Oasis. Guests can enjoy:
- Six massage treatment rooms with customizable lighting and soundscapes
- A full-service nail salon
- A state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton bikes, treadmills, and weights
- An aquathermal spa pool with gooseneck massagers and bubble massage benches
“The MnoYé Spa was designed as a calming wellness destination—one that engages all the senses,” said Peak. “It’s more than a spa; it’s a retreat where guests can reconnect with themselves.”
Dining, Entertainment, and Resort Amenities
Rounding out the resort experience are upgraded F&B and entertainment venues, including:
- Sandhill Café – A refreshed 137-seat, three-meal restaurant offering comfort classics and all-day breakfast. The design features custom crane-inspired artwork and a sculptural wood and glass wall inspired by sandhill crane feathers.
- Renovated Casino Center Bar – A dynamic, centrally located bar on the gaming floor redesigned for greater social energy, accessibility, and ambiance.
These new amenities provide the perfect balance to the resort’s gaming offerings, creating opportunities for relaxation and reconnection throughout the guest journey.
A Vision Realized
From the underground caissons to the penthouse views, every detail of the new Gun Lake Casino Resort Hotel reflects intentional design and collaborative execution.
“It’s been an incredible honor to help bring this vision to life,” said Bell. “This isn’t just a resort expansion—it’s a transformative destination with heart, story, and staying power.”
With this major milestone, the Gun Lake Tribe and Gun Lake Casino continue to deliver on their bold long-term vision for the region—one guest experience at a time.
