How Tech is Cleaning Up Supply Chains
At Sibley Grove, our core principle revolves around circular design. Even clients who initially don’t focus on this aspect soon come to appreciate how many sustainable design principles also positively affect their bottom line. We promote the use of durable materials, create timeless designs that avoid fleeting trends, and produce beautiful, well-crafted items that can be disassembled, reused, or recycled. This approach not only makes environmental sense but is also financially sound.
A deeper narrative for luxury hotels
In the past, one of the challenges of selecting materials aligned with our principles was the lack of transparency in supply chains. We prioritise working with artisan makers, craftspeople, and reputable suppliers, and we go to great lengths to understand where and how materials are sourced. Nonetheless, it’s often difficult to determine whether a sample of burr walnut used on a veneered cabinet panel is responsibly sourced. While this might seem granular, customers of high-end boutique hotels are becoming more discerning and increasingly expect a deeper narrative rooted in authenticity, responsibility, and transparency. They may not think specifically about the forest, quarry, or mill from which the interior finishes were sourced, but they do want assurance that when a luxury hotel claims to be “sustainable”, it genuinely reflects that commitment.
As travellers grow more conscious of the environmental and social impacts of their choices, hotel operators are feeling pressure to align aesthetic appeal with ethical accountability. In this context, even the marble in a bathroom or the timber in a lobby contributes to the guest experience. To confidently share this story, technology is playing an increasingly crucial role; blockchain and AI are making supply chains more transparent, and as a design agency, we are eager to embrace this change.
Blockchain: Making supply chains visible and verifiable
Blockchain technology is already being employed to track the entire lifecycle of materials used in hotel interiors and fit-outs, making the supply chain visible and verifiable. Each stage of a product’s journey, from raw material to final installation, is documented in a secure digital ledger. This allows operators to demonstrate ethical sourcing to guests, regulators, and stakeholders, avoiding greenwashing by providing verifiable data. As this technology becomes more mainstream, it will strengthen supply chain integrity by identifying weaknesses or unethical sources, ultimately helping designers and suppliers make better-informed decisions.
Hotels such as Six Senses are already adopting this approach. Many of their properties incorporate reclaimed teak, sourced with full traceability using blockchain tools. These digital passports show exactly where the wood came from, sometimes from local heritage buildings and how it was processed and installed. Marble remains a hallmark of luxury, but its extraction can carry significant environmental costs. Hotels using Carrara marble or other rare stones are increasingly turning to platforms like Everledger to track provenance, quarrying practices, and carbon impact, allowing brands to ensure their stone isn’t damaging or degrading the environment.
AI: Giving practical application to the data
While blockchain records the what and where, AI brings intelligence to the how and why. AI helps hotel operators analyse, optimise and monitor supply chains in real time. Practically, this can help procurement staff identify opportunities to substitute materials with lower-impact alternatives or avoid potential ethical concerns, like modern slavery. Luxury hospitality groups such as 1 Hotels and Belmond are exploring AI-driven tools to evaluate their sourcing against environmental benchmarks, helping to reduce footprint and regulatory risk while enhancing brand value.
What’s interesting is how hotels are then using this approach to create a more engaging experience for guests. Some hotels are now embedding traceability into the guest experience with interactive in-room tablets that let guests explore the origin of materials in their suite. QR codes in common areas tell the story of reclaimed wood tables or artwork created by local artists.
Tech that helps our studio source in line with our values is welcome
As a design studio, any tool that helps my designers understand the traceability and impact of a material is invaluable. Currently, we rely on years of experience, thorough research beyond surface claims, and factory visits while depending on the goodwill of our trusted suppliers. This will continue to be our approach. However, as new projects arise, they often present unique challenges. Having a quick and efficient way to check and verify supply chains during the sourcing process would be incredibly beneficial.