From January 23 to 26, Cosentino hosted its fourth annual C.Next Designers Summit in the stunning Riviera Maya, Mexico. This sold-out event, designed to elevate the design industry, focused on fostering meaningful connections, sparking new relationships, and showcasing exclusive brand partnerships. With hundreds of attendees, the summit delivered four days of inspirational programming and countless opportunities for collaboration.

Expanding the Conversation: The First Wellness & Design Crossover

This year’s summit marked a significant milestone—it was the first time a health and wellness expert was invited to contribute to the conversation about design. I was deeply honored to be included in this distinguished gathering and to share insights on how wellness-driven design is shaping the future of spaces.

As the founder of Iron House, I’ve spent years designing luxury fitness and wellness environments, including exclusive projects for the U.S. Government. My work is rooted in the belief that great design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating spaces that enhance physical and mental well-being. The fact that wellness is now being recognized as an integral component of design is a pivotal shift for the industry.

During the summit, I participated in a panel discussion on “Driving Innovation” alongside Ford Motor Company’s Jennifer Kolstad and Feeney Inc.'s Katrina Ralston, moderated by House Beautiful’s Carisha Swanson. Our conversation explored how intelligent design choices impact human experience—whether it’s in the automotive, home, or fitness industries.

Additionally, I was honored to take part in a pre-taped press interview with Cosentino’s social media team, where I shared my perspective on the intersection of luxury, functionality, and wellness in design.

A Dynamic Summit of Industry Leaders

The event was filled with thought-provoking panels and best-in-class brands. Patty Dominguez, vice president of business development for Cosentino Americas, opened the summit by emphasizing its mission:

“Every year we are challenged to raise the bar even higher for the next C.Next experience. This year, we curated an event with each of you in mind—filled with insightful programming by diverse luminaries and opportunities to learn how to make your business more profitable. Most importantly, with so many new faces along with familiar ones, we are excited for you to network and create new friendships.”

Among the standout moments was the keynote session sponsored by Kohler, featuring Jonathan Leary, founder and CEO of Remedy Place, discussing the powerful connection between design and physiology. This aligned perfectly with my work at Iron House, where we integrate recovery spaces, mindfulness areas, and high-performance fitness environments into luxury design.

Other key discussions included:

• The Power of Lighting – A conversation between Tony Award–winning scenic designer Scott Pask, designer Young Huh, and Arteriors Home’s John Hart, moderated by Elle Decor’s Stellene Volandes.

• Finding “Riches in the Niches” – Featuring designers Heather French and Mikel Welch, along with New Moon’s Erika Kurtz and Veranda’s Victor Maze.

• Enduring Style – A conversation with Kathy Kuo, Gensler’s Siobhan Barry, and editorial director Joanna Saltz.

The summit also brought together notable designers such as Ahmad AbouZanat, Caleb Anderson, Alena Capra, Thom Filicia, César Giraldo, Kerrie Kelly, Celerie Kemble, Amanda Lindroth, Allison Paladino, Lauren Rottet, and Fernando Wong.

Brand Collaborations & Industry Innovation

With over 25 brand partners, the event was a showcase for cutting-edge design and technology. NKBA|KBIS served as the presenting partner, alongside brands like Architectural Grille, Baldwin, BauTeam, Benjamin Moore, Danver, Fabuwood, Four Hands, FreePower, Hestan, Invisacook, James Martin Vanities, Lutron (who I’m going to visit in Austin this coming June), Miele, Ortal, Perlick, Pitt Cooking, Studio M, Sutherland, The Galley, and Urban Bonfire.

What’s Next?

This experience reaffirmed that wellness belongs in the design conversation, and I am excited to continue advocating for spaces that support physical and mental well-being. As the luxury fitness and wellness industry continues to evolve, I look forward to collaborating with designers, brands, and innovators who recognize the importance of human-centered spaces.

A huge thank you to Cosentino for hosting this incredible event and to all of the brilliant minds who contributed. Stay tuned for more collaborations—and if you’re interested in integrating wellness into your designs, let’s connect!