Melissa Voelker

About Melissa Voelker

Nearly two decades in hospitality design have taught me the art of creating environments people remember and has hardwired me to think like a guest: What makes a lobby memorable? How does a courtyard invite people to linger? Which details transform a space into an experience? From Four Seasons resorts to urban mixed-use communities, I design spaces that feel intentional, welcoming, and focus on enhancing the guest experience.At Hines, I channel that luxury hospitality mindset into amenity and ground plane design. My focus is on crafting places that feel as intentional as the world’s best resorts – places that function beautifully day-to-day while building long-term identity and flexibility. I help project teams translate hospitality design principles into commercial and residential developments, ensuring that our buildings aren’t just architecturally impressive but are genuinely engaging for the people who use them to help elevate daily life. By keeping a close watch on hospitality trends and integrating them into the design process, I ensure our projects deliver flexibility for long-term placemaking, programming, and activation.My goal is to create developments that balance timeless architecture with the power of great hospitality design to create destinations people want to return to, not just buildings they pass through.Beyond work I am happiest when I\'m building - whether it\'s shaping a city block, crafting furniture in my workshop, or spending time outdoors with my family and my dogs.

Experience

1. Managing Director, Global Experiential Design Conceptual Construction

   Hines

   Aug 2022 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   I currently lead the design refinement of public space amenities and ground plane strategies across Hines\' global portfolio. With a foundation in luxury hospitality design, I bring a guest-first lens to every project - ensuring lobbies, amenities, and public realms feel intuitive and contribute to the quality and experience of the place as a whole.By working closely with development and design teams, I translate hospitality principles into large-scale real estate projects to create environments that balance the presence of architecture with memorable user experiences. My focus is on long-term flexibility to provide spaces that adapt over time, support placemaking and continue to feel relevant and engaging.

Education

• University of Houston

  Master of Architecture (MArch)

• Texas A&M University

  Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), Architectural History Minor