DESIGN
A rendering of the Pan Pacific
Orchard , Singapore , by WOHA
Digital Mirage lockdown has been interesting … In order to develop a pitch for a resort somewhere warm and beautiful with lots of outdoor space , we asked our teams to take virtual holidays – look at hotels and beaches , order cocktails and really plan a trip . By being a bit creative in our approach , we ensured we didn ’ t lose that personal touch .”
RICHARD HASSELL and Wong Mun Summ , founders of WOHA , Singapore , apply architectural solutions to climate change and urbanization . Projects include the Platinum Green Mark-rated Parkroyal on Pickering Hotel ; due in 2021 is the zero-waste Pan Pacific Orchard . Both are in Singapore . “ We ’ re currently developing a boutique hospitality project with 8M in Singapore , an adaptive reuse of a heritage building featuring apartment-style rooms with small kitchens . This minimizes daily interactions with strangers , with an infection risk similar to staying in your personal apartment … Shared-economy concepts are conducive to businesses forced to give up their brickand mortar retail or office spaces . And once people resume traveling , apartment sharing / rental platforms might prove even more popular for privacy reasons .
“ Hotel design should address the climate emergency . Buildings use over 60 % of energy worldwide , so they are key to decarbonizing . This has been a driving force as we push to develop even better strategies for environmental and social sustainability .”
CRISTINA LAURIJSSEN leads Rosewood Hotel Group ’ s design of luxury hotel projects in the EMEA , including The Crillon in Paris . She is guiding the design of hotels in Vienna , due to open in 2022 , as well as properties in London , Munich and Venice . “ The shared economy might evolve with more careful pairings of people who trust how each other runs their business or maintains cleanliness . People have missed community and connections , so they won ’ t want to hide in their rooms . Public area designs still need to be animated to keep a nice vibe and allow people to connect without guests being on top of each other . Different zones within one big area will cater to different privacy preferences and give guests options besides their rooms .
“ People doing at-home workouts may prefer to use their guest room as their gym , adding to the yoga mats and weights we already provide with virtual mirrors that help exercise routines . Concerns about carbon emissions and taking fewer flights have sped up as we see benefits of reduced pollution . Innovative materials , cleaners and UV lights will quickly evolve and become widely available because they ’ re the norm , not the exception .”
WILL MEYER AND GRAY DAVIS , founders of Meyer Davis , New York City , have designed hotels including the Four Seasons in Papagayo , Costa Rica ; 1 Hotel Miami ; and Rosewood Little Dix Bay , which opened in January . Our clients are asking us to consider if
42 hotelsmag . com July / August 2020