 is one of the world’s leading hospitality design firms with more than 60 years of heritage and with Chris Godfrey helming as the CO-CEO. An award-winning Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chartered Architect, Godfrey has over 30 years experience delivering meticulously crafted designs. Under his leadership, HBA’s approach has centered in harnessing the power of “the whole being greater than the sum of its parts,” a holistic approach embodied through the “OneHBA” approach.){kind=link}
Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) is one of the world’s leading hospitality design firms with more than 60 years of heritage and with Chris Godfrey helming as the CO-CEO. An award-winning Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chartered Architect, Godfrey has over 30 years experience delivering meticulously crafted designs. Under his leadership, HBA’s approach has centered in harnessing the power of “the whole being greater than the sum of its parts,” a holistic approach embodied through the “OneHBA” approach.
Recent projects have continued to express HBA’s commitment to emotionally resonant design that begins with a respect for place. Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, a finalist for the 2025 Gold Key Award, reimagines a Southern California landmark with a layered approach that honors its history while embracing contemporary hospitality. In Dubai, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab introduces a strong interiors dialogue across the hotel and the residences that matches the bold architecture. The Delmore Surfside Miami brings an elegance to beachside luxury residential living. SHA Wellness Resort Residences & Villas, and AMALI Island in Dubai explore nature-integrated luxury, and the AREIC Tower in Riyadh draws from Salmani design principles to reflect Saudi Arabia’s evolving identity.
As HBA’s design process begins with respect for place, each project is rooted in the cultural identity of its location, shaped by local narratives and material choices. Collaborations with local artisans, sustainable sourcing, and contextual storytelling ensure that every space feels immersive and meaningful. At Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, handcrafted wooden doors welcome guests into a setting inspired by Mayan traditions. Raffles Galaxy Macau blends classical Italian grandeur with the city’s multicultural heritage, while Park Hyatt Suzhou weaves traditional Chinese architecture into a refined contemporary experience.
Wellness and sustainability are central to HBA’s designs, with natural light, biophilic features instilling a restorative ambiance to the space. Four Seasons Kyoto is built around an 800-year-old pond, creating a serene connection to nature and heritage. Hilton Maldives Amangiri Resort & Spa dissolves boundaries between land and sea, while Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia reflects a conservation-led approach to luxury tourism.
With 79 studios across 25 cities, HBA’s decentralized structure allows each team to engage locally, while drawing strength from HBA’s shared global resources and design network. This model supports creativity and ensures operational excellence across its many projects. The firm’s presence in Saudi Arabia, with the launch of HBA Riyadh, reflects a long-term commitment to regional development. As the first international design firm to secure an engineering registration license in the country, HBA now works closely with local talent, offering training and opportunities to young Saudi professionals.
Looking ahead, four forces are shaping the future of design: sustainability, technology, personalization, and wellness. Guests seek spaces that adapt to their lives, support well-being, and reflect their values. HBA responds with intelligent, human-centered design that evolves with the times while remaining grounded in craft and context.
Each project is a living narrative, also crafted with an understanding of emotion in the space, shaped by culture, and brought to life through thoughtful design. HBA is commited to creating environments that feel personal, purposeful, and deeply connected to the location.
