Feature Project: Cambria Hotel Templeton - Modern Rancho

At Cadiz Collaboration, Cambria Hotel Templeton is our built love letter to California’s Central Coast. Opened in July 2025, the property takes its cue from the historic California ranchos—some of the earliest hospitality experiences in the West—where travelers were welcomed with food, fire, and a place to rest along the journey.

Our “modern rancho” lens translates that spirit into a contemporary hotel: honest materials, generous circulation, and spaces that feel collected rather than staged. The goal is simple and timeless—create a place where guests feel instinctively invited to slow their pace, exhale, and stay awhile.

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GUILDHAUS: A New Blueprint for Collaborative Design

The Guildhaus is redefining how design studios work—through radical collaboration, intelligent technology, and a new vision for hospitality and brand environments.

In a field long shaped by hierarchy and siloed thinking, The Guildhaus introduces a model where creativity and technology coexist. Built on partnership over ownership, agility over overhead, and insight over ego, it blends human expertise with the power of AI-assisted tools to accelerate design thinking and elevate storytelling.

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NEWH Top Id Firm 2026

NEWH Top ID Firms for 2026 is a profound honor that reflects Cadiz Collaboration’s continued commitment to purposeful innovation and experience-driven hospitality design. This award celebrates our team’s ability to blend craft, storytelling, and operational insight into environments that anticipate tomorrow’s needs while elevating today’s guest journey. It affirms our belief in design that is both intuitive and boldly imaginative—spaces that feel effortless, yet are shaped with intention, sustainability, and a deep respect for place. As we look ahead, this recognition fuels our passion to keep pushing boundaries and to continue shaping hospitality destinations that resonate, inspire, and endure.

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Design that Empowers: Erica Puccio on Creativity & Community

From wallcoverings to circular brand strategy

We sat down with Erica Puccio for a conversation about what happens when creativity, community, and impact share the same brief. From concepting wallcoverings to shaping circular brand strategies, Erica’s work lives at the intersection of story and space—where design becomes a tool for belonging, not just a backdrop.

Lorraine Francis: You’ve built a practice at the intersection of product design, brand development, and hospitality. What early experiences or moments nudged you toward this kind of work?

Erica Puccio: I’ve always loved storytelling, whether through art, design, or simply connecting with someone and learning who they are. We all have a voice, and when you find yours and use it in a positive way, it can make a real difference.

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work for a brand where every space was an extension of its story. I saw how each product, finish, and design choice could amplify that narrative and create an environment where people felt uplifted, welcomed, and genuinely seen. That experience made it clear that this intersection of product design, branding, and hospitality was where I was meant to be.

By combining my background in interior design, product development, and business strategy, I realized I could build a practice rooted in purpose, one that uses design as a way to tell meaningful stories and strengthen the communities we serve.

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Quiet Power: Design that Performs in 2026

written by Lorraine Francis

Airports shout. Feeds shout. A few lobbies still shout.

Heading into 2026, the winners won’t be louder—they’ll be clearer.

The market is selective, operations are tight, and guests arrive with thin attention and high expectations. The answer isn’t more. It’s more of what matters: edited experiences that photograph beautifully, maintain easily, and earn their keep.

Call it distillation.

Call it still action—design that feels calm on the surface and works hard underneath, especially in elevated 3–5 star hotels.

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Design to Seduce and Simplify

written by Bashar Wali

Somewhere along the way, we started confusing excess with excellence.

More pillows. More devices. Longer menus. Dozens of lighting presets. Countless amenities that no one uses. Layer upon layer of features that don’t actually make the experience better.

But great design doesn’t shout. It doesn’t need to. It captures your attention with clarity, intention, and quiet confidence. It invites you in. That is the power of distillation.

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Introducing Our New Podcast: ELEVATE: Hotel Design

This year, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our podcast, ELEVATE: Hotel Design, where we dive into the latest trends, stories, and innovations shaping the hospitality industry. Join us as we explore the art and beauty of hotel design through engaging conversations with industry experts, visionaries, and thought leaders. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or simply passionate about hospitality, there’s something for everyone to learn and enjoy.

But that’s not all! We’ve also launched our Cadiz Collaboration YouTube channel, where you’ll find short, inspiring interviews with some of our favorite people, designers, vendors, and clients. It’s the perfect place to discover unique insights, creative inspirations, and the latest trends in hospitality design.

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Be a VOICE, not an ECHO!

The proliferation of hospitality conferences in recent years has left me with an acute sense of déjà vu, where each event is an uninspired reenactment of the last, much like an indistinct lobby scent—pleasant enough to ignore, but entirely devoid of any lasting impression. The discourse has become a predictable litany of recycled talking points, where industry jargon is parroted without question or nuance. We find ourselves in an echo chamber, where true originality is conspicuously absent. The term “authenticity,” once a revered cornerstone of our industry, has been commodified and diluted to the point of losing its essence. It has devolved into an apologetic framework, a convenient term we deploy when we lack the courage to express an opinion that might challenge the status quo or provoke genuine reflection.

written by Bashar Wali

A Passionate Hotelier, whose veins race with the boundless energy of Hospitality, unlocking the secret to crafting Transcendent Experiences that transform Hotels from Mundane to Memorable.

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Santa Barbara Moxy Hotel: A Renovation Journey

Six months ago, the Santa Barbara Moxy hotel emerged with a new identity, transformed from its original shell into a dynamic, eclectic space that perfectly captures the spirit of California’s coastal vibe and urban grit. This renovation project was an exciting endeavor for our team at Cadiz Collaboration, as we aimed to breathe new life into the property while staying true to the local character of Santa Barbara.

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Conversation with Mike Sale at Delta Faucet Company: Water Quality and Innovation

In our latest edition of CadizXPLR 009, we delve into a fascinating conversation with Mike Sale from Delta Faucet Company Innovation Team. Mike is deeply knowledgeable about water treatment systems, and we explored how they are revolutionizing water solutions for hotels, addressing both the growing demand for wellness and the need for sustainable water practices. From a focus on providing clean, high-quality water to improving guest experiences, Mike shares insights into Brizo & Delta’s impactful innovations.

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NEWH Top ID Firms 2024

Receiving the NEWH Top ID Firms for 2024 award is a remarkable honor that underscores our dedication, creativity, and significant contributions to the hospitality design industry. This prestigious accolade not only celebrates our firm’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovative design thinking but also highlights our commitment to crafting spaces that exceed expectations and set new standards in the industry. Our team’s forward-thinking approach and profound understanding of evolving industry trends have enabled us to push boundaries, integrating sustainable practices and visionary design concepts to redefine guest experiences.

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Products We Love: Multi-line Sales Representatives

Multi-line sales representatives play a crucial role in assisting designers within the hospitality industry. They act as knowledgeable guides, introducing designers to a wide range of products, services, and solutions available from various brands. By understanding the designers’ needs, preferences, and project requirements, these reps offer tailored recommendations from their diverse portfolio, helping designers curate the perfect elements for their projects. This collaboration streamlines the design process, ensuring access to high-quality, innovative, and fitting resources for creating inviting and functional hospitality spaces.

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Landscaping on the Edge: Adapting California Residential Home Development to Wildfire Realities

By Paul Wong from LandCreative, Inc.

Wildfires are changing California gardens. Especially those along the edges of New Developments and natural open spaces.

An ideal lush, or palm tree filled garden along a natural open space will be changing in the future. California wildfires have forced local fire agencies to very strict landscape fire codes. With these new codes, community landscapes and gardens will have an austere look, with less trees and shrubs.

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Featured Project: Cambria Hotel - Austin

Austin, Texas - Unveiling an opus of architectural and design marvel in the enigmatic embrace of Austin’s rich cultural landscapes, Cambria Hotel - Austin, a 16-story masterpiece, beckons. Orchestrated by the artistic minds at Cadiz Collaboration, this hotel is not merely constructed but carefully composed, an exquisite symphony of form and function that narrates the city’s tale with a nuanced design vocabulary.

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Conversation with Carol Marzouk: Navigating Success

The Role of Executive Coaches in Empowering Hospitality Leaders in 2024

In an era where the hospitality industry faces unprecedented challenges and rapid transformations, the role of executive coaches has become increasingly vital in shaping effective leadership. To delve into the ways executive coaches can assist leaders in the hospitality sector in 2024, we sat down with Carol Marzouk seasoned executive leadership coaches with over two decades of experience, to discuss the key challenges and trends shaping leadership in the hospitality sector in 2024.

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Conversation with David Leventhal: Revitalizing Journeys

Navigating the Path to a Regenerative Future in Hospitality Design

Lorraine Francis: Can you share the journey of Playa Viva and how has the vision evolved over these years?

David Leventhal: Playa Viva’s evolution began with our Troncones home turned Airbnb, emphasizing community and values encapsulated in “Where your vacation meets your values.” Meeting Bill Reed in Greenville initiated a regenerative development journey, involving detailed studies and design charrettes. Originally planning fractional ownership homes and a boutique hotel, economic challenges led to Playa Viva becoming a boutique hotel in 2008. Evolution continued with queen and king echocositas to accommodate yoga retreat demands. Funding from Conservation International and Root Capital supported these changes. Notably, an idea emerged to transplant palm trees from the coconut grove to the beach, using their root balls as living piers to anchor sensitive dunes. Recent developments include the creation of tree houses and the Manta Treehouse Village, inspired by drone photography. Playa Viva has transformed into a retreat center, sparking curiosity about future developments.

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Power of Story: Design X Branding - Santa Barbara Tribute Hotel

Branding and design are essential components in the hospitality industry as they play a crucial role in shaping the guest experience and perception of a hotel or resort. In today’s highly competitive market, a strong brand and compelling narrative can make all the difference in attracting and retaining guests. Here are some key reasons why branding and design are so important in hospitality:

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Conversation with Mike Dempsey with Roger-O’Brien Construction

Construction 2023 Challenges and Opportunities

Since 1969, Rogers-O’Brien Construction has firmly established itself as Texas’ Premier Builder by delivering excellence and expertise to our valued customers through all aspects of our business. We consistently deliver high quality buildings and exceed the most demanding expectations. Rogers-O’Brien’s unique approach consistently delivers high quality buildings in a variety of market sectors, exceeding the most demanding expectations.

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Rejuvenating Buzz at the Hospitality Design Expo 2022

Seeing so many Hospitality industry colleagues was energizing at last month’s Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas. After a hiatus for so many due to COVID-19, everyone was excited to converge and connect with each other, and to experience exciting new products that have been developing in this transformative time.

One highlight of the expo was a fun and festive evening at Delilah, hosted by Emser Tile and featuring Todd Avery.

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Designing for Life - Conversations With: Stacy Garcia

An established leader in the world of design, Stacy Garcia is a successful serial entrepreneur. She is the founder of LebaTex, Inc., a distinctive textile supplier, Creator of Stacy Garcia, Inc., a licensing and design company that produces fashion and interior products under the Stacy Garcia family of brands and also the Publisher of Life-Styled by Stacy Garcia, a digital design publication that covers the intersection between interior design, travel, fashion and entertaining. Her newest foray is in the world of Ecommerce with her curated shop, shopstacygarcia.com.

Respected for her inventive use of color and remarkable pattern design skills, Stacy Garcia knows the hospitality, home decor and lifestyle design industries inside and out. This internationally renowned designer has partnered with some of the world’s leading manufacturers and retailers to create products that span from floor to ceiling for resorts and homes all over the world.

As a forecasting and design expert, Garcia has been published in Interior Design, Boutique Design, Interiors & Sources, Bloomberg Business, LUXE, Architectural Digest & Traditional Home to name a few.

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