When designing Hotel Chaco in Albuquerque, New Mexico, global design firm Gensler didn’t have to look far for inspiration. Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a center of Pueblo culture from 850 till 1250 A.D. and the ten-mile canyon is still home to a remarkable collection of ruins and sacred sites. “In an effort to appreciate the historical significance of Chaco Canyon, we spent two days hiking in the sacred park, visiting a majority of the 12 Great Pueblos,” says Kristen Fraumeni, a designer at Gensler. “The excursion had a strong impact on our way of thinking about the project. For example, the ruins of Chaco Canyon are distinctly aligned to the cosmos, so we chose to similarly orient the hotel’s massing to celebrate certain alignments with the sun and moon on a daily basis as well as certain times throughout the year.”

Chaco Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the center of Pueblo culture until 1250 A.D.

The hotel’s façade is clad in pale sandstone from the Colorado–New Mexico border. “We were inspired by the vast New Mexico landscapes and wanted the materials to reflect this very natural palette,” says Fraumeni. “As a baseline, the materials chosen for the project were native to the region.” Circular spaces, such as the lobby and gardens, reference the architecture of Chaco Canyon, and fire and water were incorporated into the design. Elements of traditional Southwestern design were also highlighted, including the vigas and latillas of the roof structure.

A look inside one of the rooms at Hotel Chaco.

Gensler collaborated with interior designer Kris Lajeskie, who commissioned work by contemporary Native artisans to be displayed throughout the hotel. Rugs by Navajo weavers hang above the beds in the 118 guestrooms, and the main doors of the hotel and lobby ceiling were designed by Santa Clara Pueblo sculptor Tammy Garcia.

Gensler's designers spent two days hiking within Chaco Canyon for inspiration in their layout.

While guests can feel the inspiration of Chaco Canyon in the property, the hotel also gives visitors the opportunity to experience the site for themselves, through both guided or self-guided tours. The hotel’s partner tour company, Heritage Inspirations, offers day trips to the canyon, which is a about a three-hour drive away. Overnight camping trips are also available during the summer solstice and fall equinox.