street first design

Street first design is a philosophy championed by designer Raphael Rouget, who argues that hospitality spaces should be shaped by the actual movements and needs of people rather than abstract architectural plans. This approach critiques the hospitality industry's tendency to prioritize uniform branding over local identity, urging investors to create memorable destinations rooted in authentic, human-centered experiences. Rouget's perspective, backed by his work on over 80 international projects including recent ones in Doha, offers a practical alternative for hotels and restaurants seeking to stand out through genuine connection to place and community.