Scott Miller, formerly of AvroKO and London-based 1508, has launched Ensemble, a new hospitality design and strategy studio centered around a shared philosophy of the guest experience. The firm debuts with a robust portfolio, highlighted by the Paradise Valley Hotel & Casitas.
The new-build boutique property in Arizona—owned and developed by Walton Global, built by Clayco, and operated by Noble House Hotels & Resorts—is set to break ground this year. Ensemble was tapped to create the identity and design the public spaces, bringing a rare level of intimacy to the local luxury landscape by designing the property like a private residence rather than a traditional resort.
A residential approach to luxury
Upon arrival, guests will step into a living room-like lobby that feels refined yet deeply familiar, its atmosphere warm and elegant thanks to natural, aged materials.
A subtle dialogue will emerge between the building’s orthogonal architecture and organic interior forms, expressed through the lobby’s sculptural reception desk and an indoor fireplace that grounds the arrival experience.
Desert duality at the Paradise Valley Hotel & Casitas
Just past the lobby, the heart of the resort will reveal itself in a sun-filled courtyard that acts as a transition between the intimate interiors and the expansive outdoor environment.
During the day, the courtyard will remain bright, open, and airy, and as evening falls, it will transform into a sparkling jewel dotted with glowing firepits. This central outdoor space connects to the hotel’s restaurant and bar, guiding fluid movement and layered discovery throughout the property.
The narrative will continue into the hotel’s spa, which explores the theme of desert duality by playing with contrasts of light and shadow, hot and cold, and stone and bloom. Playful design moments are woven throughout the grounds, including striking checkered tile featured in both the central courtyard and the cabana-lined pool area.
“We were drawn to the desert’s inherent duality—its striking clarity by day, and its more seductive, atmospheric presence after dark,” says Candace Hickman, design director at Ensemble. “Throughout the property, crisp architectural gestures are balanced by tactile materials, sculptural forms, and a moodier, more intimate palette, making the hotel feel both rooted in the landscape and expressive of the quieter, more rarified luxury that defines Paradise Valley.”
