Spaces that stay with you
Blasting off at Othership — and a new launch from Linear
You’re reading The Journal, a new section for Linear that’s focused on noteworthy design news, long-form editorials, interviews, events, and random design musings
Spaces that stay with you
Last week, I stopped by Othership for a panel on longevity in design, hosted with Design Hotels, Mason Studio, Aman, and the co-founder and CEO of Othership during NYCxDESIGN week. The conversation kept circling back to something I think about often: design isn’t just something you see — it’s something you feel.
As someone who’s into hospitality (and sweating in beautiful wooden rooms) I was already on board. But hearing how these brands approach lasting experiences, whether it’s a hotel, a spa, or something in between, put words to something I’ve felt but haven’t written a lot about.
Othership may not offer overnight stays, but the effect is the same as the Amans of the world. You leave feeling a little more clear-headed and relaxed. That’s not accidental.
Their Flatiron location, designed by Toronto-based Future Studio, isn’t just aesthetic — it’s sensory. The river stone tile is meant to be felt, like everything else here. The Othership crew actually discourages you from wearing shoes during your (short) front desk orientation.
Their warm brick walls, earthy woven tapestries, in-house teas, oils, soaps, and even snowballs are designed to ground you, to make you forget you’re in the middle of Manhattan. Othership CEO, Robbie Bent, actually called this a feature of the location: the chaos outside makes the calm inside feel even more sublime.
Unlike other wellness spots with open layouts and scene-y plunge pools, Othership feels intimate. The heart of it is the tea room, with soft benches, a glowing fire, and a custom halo light designed by Future Studio and Anony. It’s where every journey begins, typically by setting and sharing an intention with your fellow “shipheads.” You’re not just there to sweat it out on your own — you’re part of something shared.
Othership’s sessions are framed as journeys: down, up, and all around. Ours was a “down” called Reset, focused on stress, regulation, and tuning back into yourself. I’ll admit I wasn’t sure I’d vibe with a guided session — saunas have always been my solo reset — but halfway through I stopped thinking about it. I was just in it.
Pushing yourself to stay in the sauna a little longer, or tough out the full two-minute cold plunge (!!), feels easier when the person next to you is doing it too. Even rituals that might feel a little silly (stomping, sighing out loud) start to feel natural when they’re shared.
The programming encourages that. But it wouldn’t work without the design. The space feels atmospheric, calming, safe. That instinct to surrender and go along for the ride is by design.
That’s what makes the Othership experience memorable. The best spaces don’t just look good — they leave an imprint. That’s longevity. Not just spaces that help you live longer, but the ones that stay with you.
There are many more parts of Othership that feel magical, but I’ll leave those to you to discover.
→ Linear Members get 11% off with code LINEARINTRO
I was gifted a few day passes after letting Othership know I’d be writing about the experience. This wasn’t a paid post, and Linear doesn’t earn a commission on Othership bookings.
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