RETHINKING HOSPITALITY DESIGN DURING THE PANDEMIC

At Hotelier India’s first webinar under the ‘Design Insights’ series, prominent hoteliers and architects offered their opinions about design ethos for the hospitality industry

- PRANITA BHOSALE

Hoteliers have always been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to design and architecture. However, they are now facing unusual and unimaginable challenges from a structural and design standpoint. Keeping in perspective that they are striving hard to adjust to the new normal where hygiene, safety and superlative guest experience go hand in hand, Hotelier India presented its first webinar under the ‘Design Insights’ series recently.

At this virtual event, a panel of esteemed hoteliers and architects shared their opinions about the new design ethos adopted by the hospitality industry. It comprised Michael Wang, RA/AIA, Senior Continent Leader, Global Design Asia Pacific at Marriott Ho-tels, Reema Diwan, Director, Design & Technical Services, India & South Asia at Accor, Architect Prem Nath, founder of Prem Nath and Associates and Niyati Chavan, Principal Architect and Founder of AbhiKrama Designs. Vinita Bhatia, Editor of Hotelier India, moderated the webinar.

Bibhor Srivastava, Country Head of ITP Media India, introduced the panellists, drawing attention to the pertinent question on top of most people’s minds – how is the hospitality industry creating designs that ensure the safety and wellbeing of guests and staff without taking the edge off aesthetic appeal. Wang flagged off the discussion by stating that the pandemic has been a wake-up call for hotel designers, architects and hoteliers.