When planning a new tourist accommodation development—whether it’s a boutique eco-retreat, glamping village, or cabin resort—it’s tempting to be swept up in the excitement of cutting-edge design trends. Pinterest boards, Instagram influencers, and architectural magazines are filled with stunning, modern builds showcasing dark cladding, corrugated metals, burnt timber exteriors, minimalist interiors, and moody palettes.
But there’s a danger in chasing trends.
If your project is intended to remain in the market for 20, 30, or even 50 years, following the aesthetic of the moment may ultimately harm your asset’s appeal, longevity, and even its profitability.
Let’s explore why timeless design matters—and how to avoid the trap of “now” becoming “then.”
The Problem with Trend-Led Design
Design trends, by definition, have a shelf life. What is celebrated as innovative today can look outdated or even jarring a decade later. Unlike fashion or branding, where rebranding or redecorating is relatively cheap and common, architectural redesign is expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive to operations.
Examples of Dated Developments:
Tuscan Villa Craze (Early 2000s): Across Australia and the U.S., thousands of suburban hotels and resorts adopted faux-Tuscan façades with ochre renders, faux stone columns, and terracotta tile roofs. Within ten years, they were widely viewed as kitschy and inauthentic, and many have since been remodelled or demolished.
Colourbond Grey & Black Boxes (2010s): The “industrial-chic” look featuring charcoal Colorbond cladding, black metal trims, and matte finishes was lauded for being edgy and contemporary. But by the early 2020s, many such developments began to appear stark, uninviting, or indistinguishable from one another—especially when weathering and maintenance caught up.
Tiny House Faux-Barn Glamping Pods: Often clad in black-painted timber and styled with Scandi minimalist interiors, these have proliferated over the last five years. While still stylish, a growing number of visitors report that these spaces feel “all the same” and already dated by their hyper-trendy uniformity.
Why This Matters for Tourist Developments
Unlike residential homes, tourist accommodation is judged by guests on first impressions. Bookings, reviews, and return visits are often driven by perceived quality and ambiance. If your design feels like it belongs to “last decade,” you may struggle to command premium rates or appeal to newer audiences—even if the facilities remain in good shape.
Tourist operators face additional challenges:
Rebranding costs are high
Maintenance of unconventional materials can become costly
Retrofits are disruptive
Architectural mismatches occur when later extensions don’t align with original design
The Case for Timeless Design
Enter Frank Lloyd Wright.
Wright’s principles of timeless design—organic architecture, harmony with landscape, natural materials, low horizontal lines, and human-scaled forms—have remained relevant for over a century. His buildings from the 1920s and 1930s still feel appropriate, welcoming, and beautiful today.
Timeless design doesn’t mean boring. It means:
Simplicity of form
Use of enduring, natural materials like stone, timber, and glass
Low-maintenance finishes that weather well
Neutral, earthy colour palettes that blend with the environment
Spaces designed for human comfort, not just visual trends
How to Future-Proof Your Development
If you’re planning a tourist accommodation development that will operate for decades, consider these guiding principles:
Avoid “statement” colours and materials.
Charcoal exteriors, corrugated metal, or Corten steel may be trendy now but may look harsh, rust-stained, or visually tired over time.Think in terms of context, not contrast.
Buildings that blend with the landscape—through tone, texture, and form—age better and attract less resistance from both communities and planning authorities.Choose materials that patina gracefully.
Rather than painted surfaces that peel or bleach, consider raw or oiled timber, stone, or rendered finishes that soften with age.Design for flexibility.
Buildings that can be subtly updated or extended without clashing architecturally are more resilient to change in ownership or business models.Avoid “Instagram architecture.”
If your design looks like it was made to go viral, it might also expire as quickly as an algorithm trend.
Final Thoughts
In tourism, longevity is value. A development that ages gracefully will not only retain its charm but will avoid expensive refits or reputation dips as styles change.
As a developer, your role is not just to deliver what looks great now—but what will still feel welcoming, fresh, and connected to its place in 20 or 30 years.
Trendiness fades. Timelessness pays dividends.
Need help designing a tourism development that will last?
Contact us for guidance on timeless design, durable materials, and a strategy that supports long-term success.
Design Rationale
One of the most compelling examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s timeless small-scale residential design is the Seth Peterson Cottage, located in Mirror Lake State Park, Wisconsin. Completed in 1958, this 880-square-foot home is the smallest residence Wright ever designed, yet it encapsulates his core architectural principles.
Key Features of the Seth Peterson Cottage:
Integration with Nature: The cottage is thoughtfully nestled into the natural landscape, featuring expansive windows that offer panoramic views of the surrounding forest and lake. This design fosters a seamless connection between the interior spaces and the natural environment.
Use of Natural Materials: Constructed with local sandstone and rich mahogany wood, the materials were chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their ability to age gracefully over time, enhancing the structure’s enduring charm.
Efficient Use of Space: Despite its modest size, the cottage boasts an open floor plan that creates a sense of spaciousness. Built-in furnishings and strategic design elements maximize functionality without compromising on comfort.
Passive Solar Design: The orientation and overhanging eaves of the cottage are designed to optimize natural light and heat during the winter months while providing shade during the summer, demonstrating Wright’s commitment to sustainable design practices.
The Seth Peterson Cottage stands as a testament to Wright’s belief that good design should be accessible, functional, and in harmony with its surroundings. Its enduring appeal underscores the value of timeless architectural principles over fleeting design trends.