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The lobby lounge of the Mondrian Doha , Qatar , designed by
Marcel Wanders
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As hotels take their first steps into coexistence with the coronavirus , every aspect of operations is being deconstructed , reconsidered and recreated to not only welcome guests and promote their wellbeing but keep them safe and healthy . Hospitality designers are rethinking their approaches as well , with imaginative solutions that are clever , not clinical , and spatial layouts that help physical distancing avoid feeling anti-social . Their challenge : Deliver the human touch – without , necessarily , the touch of a human . HOTELS spoke with experts based all over the world to find out how they are innovating to help their hospitality clients adapt to new realities and priorities wrought by the global pandemic .
“ We ’ ll need to provide greater spaciousness in our future hospitality projects ,” says Patrik Schumacher of Zaha Hadid Architects , which designed The Opus ( featured on HOTELS cover ) and Melia ’ s ME Dubai hotel within , which should have opened in March but was closed due to COVID . The firm is using digital tool to create scenarios that support social distancing . “ We ’ re building on top of ” machine learning , Schumacher says .
SUSAN HARMSWORTH , MBE , founder of ESPA , has designed more than 500 spas in 65 countries . Now an adviser , one of her current projects is Tri Vananda , a wellness resort opening in 2022 in Thailand , for Montara Group . “ Hospitality , spa and clinical industries will merge as integrative medicine and prevention become increasingly
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important . Trust will be enormous as people grow aware they can ’ t rely on medical systems and need to take ownership of their health …
“ Everything I ’ m designing addresses the wellbeing of buildings as much as individuals through things like sustainable materials ; deflecting electromagnetic fields ; considering circadian rhythms with lighting ; acoustics ; and air quality with open windows instead of air conditioning where possible .
“ There may be demand for shorter treatments for the time being . Infrared saunas are proven to build immune systems , hyperbaric training for lungs doesn ’ t require physical touch , and clothed treatments like Thai or Shiatsu massage can happen face-down . Vibrations are very powerful , so music and sound from gongs and crystal and singing bowls can be added , as well as light therapy . Halotherapy respiration suites with Himalayan salt walls to strength lungs and the immune system will be sought .”
TARA BERNERD ’ S interior architecture and design practice , Tara Bernerd & Partners , London , has worked on Four Seasons hotels in Fort Lauderdale , London and New York ; one of its current project is the Equinox LA with lead architect Frank Gehry , among other projects . “ Hospitality spaces that link with the natural environment create a sense of personal connection . In city-centric hotels , we often use materials such as local stones , and if we ’ re creating a resort , we connect the inside and outdoor spaces .
“ Designing lifestyle destinations during
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July / August 2020 hotelsmag . com 41 |