DESIGN
A rendering of the Manorah Mindfulness Hall at Tri Vananda , a wellness resort in Thailand in which Susan Harmsworth is an adviser
things can be slightly different without looking unusual , for example , making glass privacy panels between banquettes , which we would have designed anyway , higher . But while we ’ re trying to be predictive , we also don ’ t want to overreact and design something that looks entirely different and feels uncomfortable . People dining or working out in glass bubbles won ’ t become commonplace . Clever designers will figure out smart and witty solutions that just feel right .”
An interior at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane , designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners
PATRIK SCHUMACHER has led Zaha Hadid Architects since Zaha Hadid ’ s 2016 passing . Along with other projects , the company designed the ME Dubai hotel slated to open in September in The Opus , a building also by ZHA . “ We ’ ll need to provide greater spaciousness in our future hospitality projects , but we haven ’ t needed to do so yet . The ME Dubai in The Opus , both of which we designed , should have opened in March but was closed due to COVID . Once it ’ s occupied , we might need to ease crowding by redirecting guest flow so they don ’ t rub shoulders in the public areas .
“ Our team scripted a digital tool with algorithms that redistribute floor plates , seats and tables to estimate the maximum people a space can have with social distancing , plus it suggests one-way systems for passages and elevators . A simulation capacity tool we ’ re creating functions like a video game where clients can move through the space and encounter people mimicking real-life behaviors in office and public spaces . We ’ re also developing a geometric tool that , using a building ’ s fixed dimensions , generates potential layouts to help us find the optimal solution , since measure complex designs is not always easy . We ’ re not relying on machine intelligence ; we ’ re building on top of it . “ For quite a while we ’ ve focused on nature , green zones , outdoor spaces , and open windows . Wellness is crucial to a healthy , beneficial , and productive environment . I ’ m very sensitive to air quality , exchange levels and temperature … The first task of architects , engineers and developers should be creating a valuable and beneficial product from the outset , and secondly making it as energy efficient as possible .”
July / August 2020 hotelsmag . com 43