Lance Ippel is a Project Manager and Designer at RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture. He has nurtured his passion for the outdoors his whole life, from memorable camping trips with family and friends as a child to exploring new terrains with loved ones and solo journeys of refuge as an adult. Now, Lance channels that same passion into designing and crafting harmonious spaces that inspire people to reconnect with nature, their loved ones, and themselves as they experience their ideal retreat of choice.
In this blog, Lance details why designing for the end user to create meaningful experiences is vital when planning a successful outdoor hospitality site.
When I was 17 years old, my dad corralled my entire family of nine siblings into an RV and drove us to an RV site in the middle of Michigan. He was convinced that this was a great idea: the fresh air, the beautiful views, the time spent together as a family.
Unfortunately, it ended up being a frustrating and disappointing experience. Navigating the site was a disaster—the entry sequence was chaotic and immediately set a tone of stress and confusion that would last throughout our trip. There weren’t any memorable amenities, and the overall layout was not intuitive or thoughtful about what an RV user would need or want.
When I reflect on that trip, I think about how much more enjoyable and meaningful that time with family would have been if we weren’t so busy trying to understand our space, get comfortable, and find fun on a site that just didn’t seem to align with our needs.
This is why I’m passionate about designing sites with the end user in mind. Understanding their needs and desires will give your site that special touch that leaves a lasting impression and a desire to return.
Every developer has their own set of goals to accomplish when building a site, but understanding who will be using the site is the key to continuous success. Here are four things to consider when designing for the end user.
1. Create a (better) home away from home
I live in Austin, which has typical big-city characteristics: crowds, noise, smells, fast-paced atmosphere. When I need a mental reset, I look forward to my nature escapes. One of my favorite sites nearby is very minimalistic, with beautiful natural landscaping and strategically spaced camp areas so you can control how much privacy you get. It has what I call “comfort stations”—things like showers, bathrooms, and laundry that are just a 30-second walk, no matter where you are on the site. It’s spatially convenient because it feels like I’m in my house walking to the bathroom and not trekking across the world. Everything feels within reach and like it’s just for me.
I reference this site often when I’m designing because it’s so thoughtfully laid out. Simplicity, convenience, and flexibility are consistently present in my favorite sites. When those elements are present, users can breathe. They can live in the moment, set their own pace, and take in everything they came for: the views, the activities, the people they’re with, the tranquility.
When it comes to site design, the user shouldn’t just feel like they’re at home—they should feel like they’ve been transported to a more enhanced and elevated version of their home. The positive feelings of security, comfort, and ease should be present, while offering more of what they may not usually get. This could be more space and breathing room, tranquility, less device dependence, stunning views, and uninterrupted time to unwind. Many users travel long distances to get to a site, and it’s important for them to immediately feel embraced, excited, and at ease as soon as they arrive.
At RVi, our experience in site planning, including master planned communities, leads to organized outdoor spaces that are easy to navigate, creating the feeling of comfort and belonging while dwelling in a natural habitat. Home is not a place, but a feeling, and our team knows how to work with the sights and structures of the land to create that special feeling.
2. Nature is at the heart of every outdoor hospitality site
Connecting to the natural environment is what sets outdoor hospitality apart from other types of hospitality; it’s the top reason users pursue this kind of hospitality. A mental reset paired with a physical change of scenery is the optimal formula for uniting users with the environment in a way that is curated to their tastes.
When I design on a site, I get inspired and motivated by the diversity of a site’s topography and imagining how the end user would enjoy that space. I always try to see it from their perspective, whether it’s an RV site, a glamping site, or a master planned community. I’ll look around and think, “OK, that spot in the corner is where I’ll set up camp because it’s quiet but still close to the trailhead so I can connect to other programming.” Or, “That may not be the best place for a secluded fire pit because its impacting other nearby residents.”
We must be mindful of how we integrate the environment into the site, so that it’s appreciated and not a hinderance to the user. This can range from extravagant to subtle, from well-marked trails that lead to dazzling overlooks, to the convenient shade of a canopy of trees near the pool.
My team views nature is its own amenity. Since every site has something unique to offer, we know how to modify the land in an intuitive way that best suits the climate while appealing to the motivations of the end user.
3. Thoughtful programming and strategic amenities can make a site more cohesive
Speaking of amenities, they are a key feature in creating a space that can offer a dynamic outdoor experience for different types of people. If nature is the heart of outdoor hospitality, human interaction is the lungs that breathe life into a site. The majority of experienced and new campers prefer sites with a “human touch,” from exceptional staff service to opportunities to interact with other guests. From the type of trip (leisure, adventure, family, romantic, etc.) to the type of traveler (introverted, social, more rugged or more pampered), amenities give users the chance to foster the type of human interaction they desire and have an even better experience.
Understanding this should influence how a site is planned and designed. That’s why it matters to have someone user-focused and design-strategic on your side, helping you analyze the patterns of outdoor hospitality visitors while applying the technical knowledge of the land and resources to create a complete experience.
4. Think of the future of the site and the user
One thing outdoor hospitality shares with other hospitality offerings is that if this site is disappointing, people are going to quickly move on to the next one. There’s no contract or forced commitment. They will come back based on their experience leaving a lasting, positive impression in their minds.
In 2023, the top barriers to camping were users preferring other types of accommodations and vacations, and not feeling safe and secure. Outdoor hospitality is so dynamic and constantly evolving; there are opportunities to appeal to users who lean towards other types of getaways while retaining those who consistently love this type of travel. Providing an amazing experience is part of making your site convenient. Users will feel like they have a place they can count on, and instead of taking a risk by trying a new site, they’ll visit what they know they’ll love.
Return users is one goal; resilient sites are another. Sustainable, climate-friendly planning and design ensures that the site people fall in love with will still be there in the future years that they return to visit. I really appreciate how some of my favorite sites as a child are still there to this day, and I want to design spaces that will stand the test of time so other people can experience that same fulfillment.
While the vision of the client sets the blueprint for a successful outdoor hospitality site, really understanding the sentiments and motivations of the end user are what will drive the tone, atmosphere, and overall enjoyment of the experience. When all three elements—the client’s goals, the capacity of the environment, and the users’ interests—are aligned, designers and planners can create a meaningful, personalized experience for guests.
