Beyond the Bustle: Crafting a Sustainable Oasis at the Independent Hotel Show
- Timna Rose
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Biophilia, Beauty, and Bold Ideas: Inside the ESG Hub by studio ATARA.
At studio ATARA, we believe design has the power to inspire change. This commitment to creating meaningful, sustainable spaces is why we were chosen to design the ESG Hub at London’s Independent Hotel Show. Tasked with crafting an engaging environment to work alongside the interactive, thought-provoking activities within the stand, we combined ESG principles with sensory-driven design to captivate and educate visitors, while promoting wellness and reflection. Our approach integrates WELL building features, circular design, ethical sourcing, and innovative materials to balance beauty with sustainability. Every element, from biophilic features to sustainable lighting, reflected our mission: to design with purpose, integrity, and a focus on creating vibrant spaces that benefit people and the planet.
A Journey in Design and Sustainability
This process brought unique challenges and rewarding insights, shaping the final outcome. From overcoming last-minute lighting hiccups to thoughtfully integrating the UN SDGs, every step of designing the ESG Hub tested our creativity and resilience. More importantly, it underscored our commitment to spaces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
Design Elements Inspired by Nature
To foster a restorative environment, enhanced by using biophilic design principles, we drew on nature’s stress-reducing properties and colour palette, incorporating three key concepts:
Botanical Bathing: Emphasising the rejuvenating power of plants and natural materials.
Reflective Beauty: Using subtle lighting and glistening finishes to create moments of pause and reflection.
Textured Kinetic Energy: Adding dynamic elements like a water feature to bring vitality and clarity to the space.
Biophilia promotes physical and psychological well-being by integrating natural elements such as water, plants, natural light, organic materials and textures, to soothe and inspire.
Design with Purpose and Integrity
At studio ATARA, our design philosophy centres on sustainable design practices. Guided by circular principles, ethical sourcing, and a focus on life-cycle impact, we craft spaces that enhance environmental and human well-being.
Led by Founder and WELL AP Timna Rose, we specialise in crafting vibrant, wellness-focused interiors for commercial clients. Our approach is evident in every detail of the ESG Hub design, from sustainable materials - like decorative lighting made from discarded CD packaging - to sensory elements like the calming aromascape, which grounded visitors while aiding focus and clarity.
Our product selections prioritised sustainability, choosing materials and processes that champion the circular economy and minimise environmental impact.
Key Design Features
The ESG Hub's standout features showcased our dedication to aesthetics, sustainability and user well-being. Highlights included:
Repurposed self-circulating water feature: framed by lush plants, symbolising renewal and conservation from David Harber and Get Leafy.
Sustainable, decorative lighting: from Spark & Bell and Tala, added warmth and ambiance with circadian supporting benefits.
Textured wallpapers: from Omexco and Muraspec, for depth and aesthetic interest.
Elegant timeless furniture: from Vank Design at Story London, blending design style with environmental responsibility.
Biophilic design with organic elements: such as water, plants and stones to promote a sense of calm, clarity, and connection to nature.
Sector-Specific Insights: ESG Design in Practice
The ESG Hub’s design principles offer valuable insights for a variety of sectors. Here’s how they can elevate your spaces:
Hospitality: Blending aesthetics with sustainable practices appeals to modern eco-conscious consumers. Features, like repurposed water installations and living wall elevate the guest experience with improved air quality and enhanced well-being properties, while energy-efficient lighting can help reduce environmental footprints.
Retail and Wellness: Sensory design, flexible layouts, and eco-friendly materials resonate with customers seeking sustainable lifestyle brands.
Community and Public Spaces: Prioritising inclusivity by incorporating spaces for restful, restorative reflection, as well as, resource efficiency, and local enterprise fosters stronger community connections and environmental consciousness.
Thoughtful design transforms spaces. By incorporating these elements, spaces become inviting, environmentally responsible, and aligned with today’s forward thinking values.
Overcoming Challenges with Resilience
All projects have their hurdles, and the ESG Hub was no exception. Working with tight timelines required precise execution during the two-day build, leaving very little margin for error!
Incorrect Materials: When the stones for the feature wall arrived, they were the wrong finish but we managed to have them replaced just in time.
Missing Decorative Lighting: Despite our supplier's best efforts, the decorative lighting didn’t arrive until after the show opened! A last-minute installation push on Day 2 finally transformed the space, showcasing the dramatic impact lighting brings - a topic we’ll explore in a follow-up blog!
We also faced a far more meaningful challenge: when aligning our design with some of UN’s SDG's, specifically no. 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), including a water feature that required justification and careful consideration. We chose to reuse a pre-existing piece by David Harber, which featured self-circulating water, later donated to the venue’s cleaning services. This approach illustrates our commitment to sustainability while sparking conversations about responsible water use in commercial design.
What Our Clients Are Saying
"Sustainability is complex, and balancing style and substance is challenging. It requires the kind of honesty and integrity that I believe studio ATARA has. Timna and her team create beautiful, mindful spaces, with great attention to detail and an understanding of longer-term usability and sustainability. The ESG Hub they designed was amazing - everything was considered, and they created an environment that perfectly supported our educational activities."
— Sarah Duncan, Expert Advice | Sleeping Lion
"Working with studio ATARA was a fantastic experience. Their designs transformed the ESG Hub, ensuring every detail was perfect while staying on schedule. Timna’s passion for learning and commitment to sustainability shone throughout, making collaboration a pleasure. The materials chosen were not only stunning but thoughtfully eco-friendly. I highly recommend Studio ATARA to anyone looking to bring their vision to life."
— Operations Manager, Montgomery Group
"Collaborating with studio ATARA was seamless, blending creativity and purpose. Timna’s approach to sustainable design goes beyond reducing waste - she uses materials to reflect her client’s vision, balancing luxury and responsibility. I’m grateful to have worked together to bring this vision to life."
— Yasmine ElGhamrawy, Yatlina
Let’s Bring Your Sustainable Vision to Life
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