Design Fever39: Exceeding Expectations With Integrated Resort Planning Services

The hospitality design and planning consultancy market in Singapore is on the cusp of a significant revival. After enduring the trials of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a severe downturn due to global travel restrictions and diminished tourism, the industry is now poised for a robust resurgence. As global travel rebounds and the hospitality industry adapts to new challenges and opportunities, the demand for innovative and comprehensive planning and design services is more crucial than ever. In this evolving landscape, Design Fever39 stands out for its forward-thinking approach and dedication to transforming client visions into reality.

Established in 2013, Design Fever39 is an international resort planning and design firm offering integrated resort master planning services from site assessment to full master plan development. By offering integrated and holistic design services, the firm not only meets client expectations but exceeds them, creating successful resort destinations that leave lasting impressions on guests and stakeholders alike.

Strategic Approach to Solving Client Challenges

The most recurring challenges that clients in the hospitality design and planning sector encounter include budget constraints, tight timelines, scope definition issues, design adaptability, and the intricate coordination of multiple stakeholders. Design Fever39 addresses these hurdles through a well-crafted strategic approach, with transparency in communication forming the cornerstone of this strategy. By aligning design aspirations with budgetary realities early in the process and employing robust project management practices, the firm ensures that financial constraints do not hamper creative visions.

Scope definition is another critical area where Design Fever39 excels. Through comprehensive discussions during the project inception stage, the firm establishes clear and detailed scope definitions. This approach not only avoids misunderstandings but also provides clients with a thorough understanding of the hospitality development process, which involves the collaboration of various specialists. Furthermore, the firm fosters collaborative relationships among stakeholders by encouraging open communication and constructive dialogue and aligning all parties towards the common goal of project success.

Exceeding Expectations

Design Fever39 is renowned for its integrated and multidisciplinary design services that aim to exceed client expectations and create successful resort destinations. The firm’s approach encompasses a broad spectrum of resort planning and design disciplines, including master planning, urban design, tourism, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and resort operations.

“A deep understanding of the client’s vision, objectives, and target market forms the foundation of our methodology. Through collaborative engagement, we meticulously gather insights into the client’s development vision, guest experience goals, and operational requirements, which enables us to craft tailored solutions that resonate deeply with the client’s aspirations”, explains Sam Kim, Founder and CEO of Design Fever39.

The extensive experience and diverse backgrounds of Design Fever39’s team play a crucial role in delivering superior and tailored solutions. With decades of practical industry experience in tourism, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and resort operations, the team brings a wealth of knowledge to each project. Their deep understanding of the hospitality planning sector, coupled with insights into emerging design trends, allows them to create innovative solutions that align perfectly with client goals. This multidisciplinary approach not only enhances the design quality but also fosters strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders.

“Throughout the project lifecycle, we prioritize collaborative communication to address clients’ concerns or challenges promptly. Even after the planning stage, our dedicated senior staff remains accessible to provide support, ensuring a seamless transition into the detailed development and operational phases of the project”, adds Sam.

Staying Ahead with Robust R&D Capabilities

Design Fever39’s ability to stay abreast of changing trends in the hospitality design and planning market is bolstered by their robust R&D capabilities. The firm conduct comprehensive case studies of destination resort developments worldwide, gleaning valuable insights into emerging design trends, innovative concepts, and best practices. These findings, curated into an internal library, serve as a valuable resource for the design teams. Additionally, the firm’s senior members frequently visit tourist destinations during business trips across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This firsthand experience and observation provide them with direct insights into evolving design and visitor trends, allowing them to adapt their planning and design approaches accordingly.

Since its inception in 2013, Design Fever39 has charted a promising journey marked by steady revenue growth, expanding geographical reach, and increasing business opportunities. Despite challenges such as the pandemic, the firm has witnessed consistent growth, reflecting its commitment to delivering integrated and multidisciplinary resort master planning solutions. Initially focusing on Asia, Design Fever39 has successfully expanded its reach to include clients in the Middle East, and Europe.

Looking forward, Design Fever39 envisions a strategic balance between maintaining its focus on quality work and selectively expanding its services to new destinations and emerging tourist markets. While Asia remains a primary focus, the company is keen on exploring opportunities in Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. “Over the next five years, we aim to achieve sustainable growth by continuing to deliver outstanding resort master planning design solutions and fostering strong partnerships with clients worldwide”, concludes Sam.

Sam Kim, Founder & CEO, Design Fever39

Sam Kim is a master planner in tourism and hospitality, an urban designer, and a landscape architect with over 25 years of experience. His career spans across various regions, including the USA, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, integrating the disciplines of master planning, tourism planning, urban design, and landscape design. Sam Kim has spearheaded and completed numerous high-profile hospitality projects. His expertise lies in creating destination experiences through comprehensive mixed-use hospitality master planning and design. His portfolio includes a diverse range of projects, encompassing resorts and hotels, leisure and tourism, recreational and commercial, wellness, and town developments.