Finally, the silence is broken. I’m back.
When I think back to August and my last posts, it feels like ages ago—not because I had nothing to report, but because I’ve been in constant motion. Since then, I’ve moved our studio from one country to another, traveled to 3 continents, 12 countries, and visited 16 seaweed farms. I’ve hosted 5 public activations, presented at 3 conferences, and showcased a seaweed hotel room.
All that movement, all that living out of a suitcase—my body finally screamed at me to pause and anchor somewhere.
I put out feelers and was offered spaces to land in a bio-material surf community in Lisbon, an award-winning seaweed founder’s homebase in Berlin and an eco-hotel in the seaside city of La Rochelle. If the title isn’t enough of a spoiler - anyone that is close to me knows that living out of a hotel is a win for me.
Why would I want to work/live this way?
By having a set amount of time to work on a specific task, with minimal commute and the ability to immerse myself in the project, it can anchor down and radically focus. However, this hyper focused state is actually expansive - you see the big picture while catching details that take a project to the next level.
This hotel - aptly named ATHOME Residence and Spa - and I had already started a relationship back in August and we applied (and failed) to get grant funding to work on a project together. This would be the pilot Seaweed Suite ™ - seaweed hotel room where the entire guest experience is made with algae. After I realized from the summer/fall tour, I had new insights that led me to believe our numbers were off. So we agreed that I would stay in the hotel room for 30 days, develop the pricing set for the algae-based interior design, and send off to various contractors for pricing in the new year so we can reassess.
So last Monday, December 1st, around 3pm in the afternoon, I checked into my new residence and workplace. Unpacking my suitcase was incredibly rewarding.
I have done this consistently throughout my career and it works wonders for me. This time, is the first that I have given anyone a glimpse into the behind the scenes action.
Week 1 Highlights:
Each day I have documented The Hotel Experiment on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. Follow along on your preferred platform for daily updates.
I left my desktop behind and am working with only my iPad Pro, a notebook and an iPhone SE.
Designs start offline - sketching the ideas before digitizing them
The commute to office is so short, I take breaks on Yélo bikes for fresh air and inspiration
There was a flower bomb during the Neptune Elements in-room tasting
Tested out a photo scan & sketch app to create the initial ideas for the pricing set
I connected with herbalists
The Sunday Scaries
Today I do feel tired after an active week of work, setting up the studio, improving my French and exploring the local scene. I’m adjusting to this new rhythm. Laundry is drying next to my bed as I write this - at least I didn’t have to do it in the bathroom sink!
I am definitely not on a retreat. Working holiday… perhaps.
I tend to drink more when I am in transit. They’re always accessible and offered at every corner. Since checking in, I have enjoyed getting back to the sides of me that I forgot - eating local, seasonal fruits and veggies, drinking specialty coffee made at home, and learning and using herbs.
Being in winter, I had packed Chaga in my luggage before heading to La Rochelle as I had picked up a cold in transit and needed a mega immune boost. After watching the “Don’t Die ”documentary, I’ve started to reboot past routines I’ve used. While browsing the holiday markets here, I connected with herbalists—my people. Agripaume or Motherwort is the herb of this month, so I biked over to stock up as it helps with immunity, nervousness, and a handful of disorders you can look up.
Even in this dream set up - I have to take care and use this period to recharge and reboot myself. Nice way to lead into the new year as well!
What do I want out of this?
To stay connected with those that matter most - which includes readers like you!
With Week 1 complete, I am using these next three weeks to complete the Design Narrative, finish the Bid Set Drawings and specify the Core Materials & Finishes.
The distractions have been stripped away. Now to architect the Seaweed Suite ™ - stay tuned!
