Major Trends In Hospitality Design

Architects and designers weigh in on what is shaping the look and feel of where we live when we travel.

The heart of hospitality lies in providing an unforgettable experience. And achieving that involves more than just the immediate hospitality staff.

Architects designing for hospitality need to do their part in providing that too.

“A hotel is all-encompassing and largely experience-based,” says Leonard Lee, Regional Creative Officer & Regional Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Wilson Associates.

Part of that experience means offering something different.

“The expression of a differentiated point of view within any hospitality experience – be it a highend hotel or a contemporary urban property – is fundamental to its success. The success of a great hospitality product relies heavily on its ability to offer a unique point of view,” says Andre Fu, founder of AFSO.

The architects that d+a spoke to all had different views and experiences on providing that. But by and large, there were several themes that are becoming the trends to consider in designing for hospitality.

LET THE PLACE SPEAK FOR ITSELF

Things may be increasingly global, but the appetite for the local has also gone up.

“The focus for us designers is to now connect guests with the environment, culture and local experiences that are unique and different from where they come from,” says Rahul Shankhwalker, Partner at Studio HBA.

“The designs need to authentically reflect the local cultural nuances in a way that a guest can be immersed into the neighbourhood and have a sense of connection and the possibility of their own stories both visual and verbal to carry back with them.”

Over a year back, Studio HBA completed the Grand Park Private Island Resort in the Maldives.