Contiguous United States
Getaway is a hospitality company offering their guests nature-based experiences at multiple locations throughout the United States. Each Getaway ‘outpost’ poses unique design challenges and opportunities for integrating their development model. This variability has required site-specific adaptations to ensure appropriate infrastructure for diverse local contexts. Every detail has to be considered, from the type and distribution of native species to the sight lines from the windows of guest cabins. Our approach has resulted in a bespoke and place-sourced system for assessing the ecological and financial viability of each outpost.
Upon arrival at a Getaway outpost, guests are welcomed into a deeply immersive experience of nature, from the mesic woodlands of the Chattahoochee National Forest, to the scrubby oak-strewn hills of central Texas, and in the shadow of glaciated Mount Adams. At night, guests are witnesses to unparalleled starscapes and, as the sun rises, are greeted by the magnificence and diversity of North America’s most iconic landscapes.
Our directive is designing a modern hospitality campsite that is nested within and in synergy with the local landscape—one where guests can experience the same wonder Getaway felt when they selected the site and that our team shared upon first arriving. Our work is to develop a site that looks and feels like it was always there.
Getaway approached us in 2018 seeking to improve the viability of their site development process, with the goal of increasing the average overnight stay of guests. By that point, Getaway had already launched three locations in the Northeast U.S. to rave reviews, and were looking to expand their mission-oriented brand at a national level. Getaway was, however, unsure of how to translate their strong brand image into new geographic contexts in an ecologically-sensitive manner. They also had inconsistent success in developing outposts that met expectations for guest experience. In order to maintain the pace of growth expected, they required a partner to support in all aspects of the design and development process.
Through fieldwork, suitability mapping, design workshops, and conceptual planning, we continue to support Getaway develop on-brand experiences as they expand to all 50 states. With Getaway, we have considered the many implications for designing within complex regulatory environments, sustaining a high-quality guest experience, and working with environmental laws and regulations —all while maintaining brand fidelity. As a working partner, we have developed a deep understanding of the Getaway brand and their team’s requirements to deliver projects that generate positive impact for guests, and the landscapes in which their outposts are nested. We have supported the design and development of 18 outposts and counting, including 12 that have opened with great success. Locations in Washington, Ohio, California, Texas, New York, and Georgia consistently operate at full capacity.