The desire to stay hands-free is changing the world as we know it. As guests now rate hotels on their sanitisation skills, will the need for contactless interactions hamper or enhance hotel design?
The 16th edition of online discussion forum Cosentino City Live! brought together four forward thinkers from the design industry to take on this provocative topic. Taking part were Firas Alsahin, co-founder and design director of 4Space Design; Isabel Pintado, senior vice president of Wilson Associates; Lee Worthington, managing director MENA, JPA Design; and Vera Dieckmann, founder of XO Atelier. The event was moderated by ITP Media Group’s Commercial Interior Design editor Jane O’Neill.
The debate centred around the low-touch economy, the way businesses across the globe have been forced to operate in order to succeed as a result of COVID-19.
What has been the initial impact of the low-touch economy on hospitality design? Can you identify what will be short-term fads and long-term trends?
Isabel Pintado: I think what we have all seen from the beginning are the things that have become compulsory for hotel guests; such as, when you are interacting with another individual, there is a screen.
I think that is going to become intrinsic. It’s short-term but, really, there is going to be a long-term need, too. You need to protect your staff, so you need to process the design to be factored in to do that.
We see the short-term solution right now with these sheets set at the base or suspended from the ceiling. It’s done differently in Europe, differently in the States, but at the end of the day, it’s the same solution – a barrier to protect the people on either side of the sheet.
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Architect and Interiors India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Architect and Interiors India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DESIGN DEBATE NEW IDEAS SET SAIL IN SCENIC GOA
Replete with Portuguese vibes and picturesque sites, the October Edition of the Design Debate held in Goa was an exceptionally intriguing one.
FENESTRATION FOR VILLAS
In contemporary villa architecture, the use of new-age materials in windows and fenestration is driven by the need for durability, sustainability, and sleek design.
BOLD AND ARTISTIC
Bengaluru’s Reservoire introduces a fresh narrative to the city’s social landscape, where art, nature, and architecture converge seamlessly.
CITY LIGHTS
Timeless design shapes contemporary comfort in this Mumbai home designed by Open Atelier.
STANDING TALL
High rises and tall structures are ruling urban landscapes even as they make the case for urban growth, sustainability, and enhancing economic and cultural vitality in cities.
TRANSFORMING COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPES
Deepu Shyam Prakash, Founder of Aedium Design, discusses the future of commercial spaces in India, blending sustainability, technology, and user-centric design.
GATHERING OF ARTISTS IN THE "CITY OF ART"
The 34th edition of Design Debate in the city of Vadodara was a grand success
AN ECHO OF DESIGN AND AESTHETICS IN THE CAPITAL
Design Debate's 33rd edition made quite a splash in Delhi
THE VERSATILITY OF VENEERS
Veneers are taking giant strides as they look beyond floors to be used in wall panels, cabinetry, furniture and even ceiling applications.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Architects are increasingly opting for integrated lighting systems that offer versatility and precision and lighting companies are getting into the groove as they do this and more.