Amangiri: The Ultimate Rejuvenating Experience
This guest post is written by May Ghadanfar, a New York-based Experience Designer from Paris. She currently works as the Head of Design and Production at Arcadia Earth. Connect with May here.
Photos taken onsite by May Ghadanfar.
“Fueled by inspiring road-trip ideas, one in four Americans get behind the wheel every year and let the horizon unfurl before them.” - Travel + Leisure Magazine.
In late February 2019, I took a road-trip from Vegas, where I attended a conference for the Exhibition and Events industry, to Phoenix, Arizona. I hit major landmarks like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona, before arriving at my final destination, where I would take a flight back to New York.
Along the way, I had also bookmarked Amangiri, a remote hideaway located in Canyon Point, Utah. As an Interior & Experience Designer, I had come across articles and photos of Amangiri numerous times; I had even bookmarked it on my Google Maps as a need to visit location. Luckily, it happened to be on my drive from Vegas to Antelope Canyon, so I decided to test my luck and drive by, in the hopes that I could get a quick tour of the resort.
The road diversion to the resort was well hidden and closed off. My luck struck, however, as the car in front of me had entry permission, so I quickly followed right behind it. The private road to the resort was narrow, windy and meticulously carved, almost as though naturally occurring.
The long, narrow & winding road leading to the resort.
Upon closer inspection, the buildings seemed to blend in with the color palette of the landscape – complete camouflage. As I arrived at the entry, and still in awe by the beautiful landscape surrounding me, I was welcomed by a friendly staff member, who directed me to a parking spot and asked if I was a guest staying at Amangiri. I explained that I was an Experience Designer, and that I was interested in a tour if permitted. To my surprise, she was very eager and enthusiastic, and began to walk me through parts of the resort.
See if you can spot the resort!
From an Interior Design standpoint, Amangiri is beautifully designed. It covers 243 hectares of land:
“34 suites with various views & characteristics, a lounge, several swimming pools, spa, fitness center, and a central pavilion that contains a library, art gallery, and private/public dining areas, amongst other functions” -Designboom.
The restaurant & lounge area, upon entry to the resort.
In the world of Experience Design, however, this 5-star resort provides a rejuvenating experience like no other. It relies on Biophilic Design, defined as the utilization of natural elements for environmental experiences, to provide a restorative atmosphere for its guests. The design also encourages “Extent”, which is the ability to freely explore the environment with a sense of mystery, in order to further enhance restorative impacts & effects on guests.
Apart from an obvious visual connection to nature, like water, rocks, and dynamic & diffused light, Amangiri embodies other less obvious Biophilic elements that complete the experience:
Prospect: The space feels open and freeing, yet imparts a sense of safety and control. Biologically speaking, however, Prospect reduces stress, boredom, irritation, and fatigue. It also improves comfort and perceived safety, which ultimately reduces stress.
Amangiri provides framed views of its vast desert landscape, allowing for guests to only take in partial views at a time, increasing feelings of security in the vast Utah desert.
Refuge: The environment should feel safe by providing a sense of retreat and withdrawal – for work, protection, rest or healing – whether alone or in small groups. Biological responses are improved concentration, attention, and perception of safety.
Framed views of the vast desert landscap.
Risk/Peril: A space with these elements feels exhilarating, with an implied threat. One may feel that it might even be dangerous, but also intriguing and worth exploring. This results in strong dopamine and pleasure responses, which ultimately release stress.
The natural rocks at Amangiri remain sharp and untouched as the design of the resort unfolds around the landscape. Large stepping stone paths over water features also serve as a risk/peril implementation within the spa areas of the resort.
Sharp rocks surround the pool and other areas in the resort.
Mystery: This is the most important element. The environment should have a palpable sense of anticipation, or of being teased, offering the senses a kind of denial and reward that compels one to further investigate their surroundings. This element induces strong pleasure responses in individuals, reduces stress, and is directly tied to Extent. It is also largely based on the idea that people have two basic needs in environments: to understand, and to explore.
Because Amangiri is set on such a large property, the element of Mystery is very well implemented. From the beginning of the experience, driving down the narrow winding road, to the framed views of the landscape, and finally the hidden walkways and doorways, the design fully allows for Extent, and ultimately, to a calculated and meticulously crafted restorative experience for its guests.
Long passages, hidden walkways, and purposeful openings.
As I wrapped up my tour of Amangiri, I came to a conclusion: Interior Design cannot exist without careful attention to the end-user, keeping their needs in mind. Whether designing for residential, commercial, or experiential environments, we need to pay close attention to how we design and how we are consciously (or unconsciously) going to impact the psychology, mental health, and well being of the end-users who are going to experience the spaces we design.
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If the implementation of Biophilic Design within Experience Design is of interest to you, my paper Esc. explores this psychological concept and further breaks down the elements through research, case studies, interviews, and experimentation.