The Invisible Interior : Wellness & Air

Letter from the Editor: The Luxury of the Invisible

Dear Readers,

When we think of a “hotel stay,” our minds immediately go to the visible: the sweep of a marble lobby, the curated art on the walls, or the way the sunlight hits a mid-century velvet armchair. We’ve spent decades perfecting the aesthetic of the interior.

But lately, I’ve been obsessed with a different kind of interiors—the one you can’t see, but you can certainly feel. I’m talking about the Invisible Interior.

“A space can look like a sanctuary but chemically act like a plastic bag.”

In our quest for energy efficiency and “signature scents,” we’ve accidentally created sealed boxes that trap CO2, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ultra-fine particles. In 2026, the true mark of a 5-star property isn’t just a Michelin-starred restaurant; it’s a room that functions as a biological charging station.

In this issue, we’re going behind the heavy blackout curtains to find out how the best hotels are finally learning to breathe.

To better breathing,

Editor-in-Chief

THE Q&A | THE WELLNESS DESIGNER

Lydia Tiasiri on “Hygroscopic Design” and the End of the Hotel Smell.

The Newsletter: Lydia, you’ve been quoted saying that a beautiful room can still be “toxic.” What do you mean by that?

Lydia: It sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? But as a designer, I see the “Ghost in the Room.” You see a gorgeous bespoke headboard; I see the urea-formaldehyde in the pressed wood and the brominated flame retardants in the foam. A five-star suite shouldn’t offer a first-class chemical hangover.

The Newsletter: How do you approach a hotel project differently when air quality is the priority?

Lydia : Well, It changes the entire finishing palette. We’ll need to implement an abundance of “Active Materials.” For example, we’ll use clay-based plasters and lime-washes on walls. These aren’t just pretty; they are “breathable” and actually help regulate humidity and absorb odours naturally.

The Newsletter: Is there a specific “Invisible” design feature you’re implementing in 2026?

Lydia: Hygroscopic Design. The table below summarizes our active actions when it comes to making wellness the ultimate goal of our designs

Clean Air Palette: Fenn Designers 2026 Edition

The Newsletter: What is the best course of actions for hotels to get their properties to breath?

Lydia: Well, first they need the key stakeholders’ commitment, and then start with properties audit and following a clear framework. Certifications follow after that as a assurance method.

The most globally recognized are WELL & FITWEL Systems.

WELL and Fitwel are the leading global standards for healthy buildings, but they cater to very different project needs.

Think of WELL as the “Gold Standard” (rigorous, performance-tested, and prestigious) and Fitwel as the”Practical Path” (accessible, flexible, and evidence-based).

The Newsletter: Which one should hotels choose?

Lydia:

Choose WELL if…

You are building a brand-new, high-end Hotel.

You want the highest level of prestige and marketing differentiation.

You want to provide absolute proof (through data) that the air and water are pristine.

Choose Fitwel if…

You are managing an existing building portfolio with tight budgets.

You want a fast, user-friendly certification process (can take as little as 12–16 weeks).

You want to focus on behavioral changes (like encouraging stairs) rather than complex mechanical upgrades (like hospital-grade air filters).

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