In the realm of technology, conversation is moving away from how fast we work toward how clearly we communicate. As observed by Yifu Kang and Luis Loaiza — two of the firm’s experts in emerging tech — data and immersive tools are becoming the bridge between a designer’s vision and a client’s confidence.

“Right now, the industry is fixated on AI and efficiency,” Luis notes. “But the bigger opportunity lies in how technology can deepen the client-designer relationship. Through immersive tools like Augmented and Virtual Reality, we can invite our clients into the process, letting them experience the performance of a space before a single stone is laid.”

Yifu agrees that data is the ultimate tool for certainty. “We’re using data to understand environmental conditions and human behaviors with incredible precision. It allows us to design spaces that aren’t just beautiful but are inherently more responsive and future-ready because we’ve tested their performance in a digital twin first.”

In hospitality, travelers are moving beyond generic luxury in search of experiences that feel more personal, grounded, and connected to the culture of a place. For EDSA, that shift is opening new opportunities to design destinations that respond to their surroundings rather than simply occupy them.

In Costa Rica, Emma Trevino is channeling this mindset at Titika, an emerging coastal retreat in Guanacaste where the landscape is defined by the land itself. “Instead of shaping the land to fit a resort, the layout wraps entirely around the site’s natural topography,” says Emma. “By embracing into the region’s ecological rhythms and Blue Zone heritage, we are designing a barefoot luxury destination where wellness becomes an effortless way of life.”

For Mike Mei, that same commitment to regional identity is taking shape at the Hilton Anaheim in California, where the team reimagined a prominent urban destination through a distinctly local lens. “Repositioning a landmark property like this requires looking beyond cosmetic updates to uncover what truly resonates with guests and the surrounding urban context,” says Mike, “By incorporating native, drought-tolerant plantings and creating flexible outdoor spaces, we transformed the landscape into an environment that offers guests a more meaningful and memorable experience.”

While the Outlook Report provides a framework for understanding where development is headed, its true value lies in how those ideas are applied. The perspectives shared here demonstrate that the future of design is not being shaped by trends alone, but by the people interpreting, testing and advancing them through their work every day.

Across disciplines, markets and geographies, EDSA is transforming insight into action – creating resilient environments, vibrant public spaces and meaningful experiences that actively shape a better future. For more information or to connect with one of our designers, contact us at [email protected].

Xiaoyuan Du | Senior Associate

Angie Kealey | Associate

Luis Loaiza | Associate

Yifu Kang | Senior Associate

Ngoc Ho | Associate

Xinyi Kwon | Senior Associate

Emma Trevino | Associate

Mike Mei | Designer