materials , designers can explore how sound or light will propagate in a space and make better decisions about where to place absorption , diffusion or reflective surfaces .

For multi-use hotel spaces like a lobby , this is incredibly important .

“ By changing the lighting and acoustic profile of a public space effectively , it can be used as a breakfast room , a meeting room during the day , a cocktail reception space at happy hour and a late-night lounge , creating more amenities for the

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guest and income for the operators ,” Mozer says .

For instance , drawing heavy curtains across a wall will change the ambiance and absorb more acoustic reflection making an active , acoustically reflective space more intimate and cozy .

Another example : To make the lobby serve the additional role of a shared workspace , accommodating guests with phones , tablets and laptops , screens are more pleasant to look at when highcontrast reflections are minimized and darker , matte materials are used .

One subtlety is that different geographic locations will have unique sound and light challenges , according to Mozer , who has been working for hotel and destination restaurant clients since 1984 .

“ One ’ s attitude toward how to treat sunlight in Scottsdale , where sunlight can be oppressive , is very different than how we treat sunlight in Hamburg , Germany , where sunlight is rare ,” he says . “ In the big picture , the design process begins with the identification of a site ’ s advantages and disadvantages .” He adds that technology and the design process allows firms like his to mitigate the inevitable disadvantages of a site .

Technology can allow a building to respond automatically to lighting levels . In bright environments , technology can deploy shades or shutters to block direct sunlight in Florida , Arizona or Bali . This does not need the staff ’ s attention .

“ But in the overcast darkness of Northern European winters , technology can turn on lights as sunlight fades , increasing in strength as night comes on ,” Mozer says . “ This can avoid evening gloominess for guests .”

There are low-tech options , too , such as planting deciduous trees along the south and west edges of buildings to screen harsh summer sunlight but allow the sun in after the leaves fall off in autumn and winter . Coniferous trees

are an excellent way to block headlights , harsh winds and unpleasant acoustics , he adds , and can be used to block sunlight year-round in the desert of southern California or Nevada .

ROOM CONTROLS Meanwhile , some properties are pushing technical boundaries . Take The Sinclair , a Marriott Autograph Collection property opening this fall in Fort Worth , Texas .

Each guest room and bath will feature a smart , touchscreen mirror , through which guests will be able to customize the colors and intensity of the room ’ s highefficiency LED lights , along with access audio and video content , order room service and check the weather . ( Bathroom showers will likewise feature controls for lighting , as well as temperature , water pressure and sound .)

The Sinclair is also believed to be the world ’ s first to use PoE ( Power over Ethernet ) to both power and control its 130 lumens / watt and 220 lumens / watt LED lights . The building has more than 2,000 lights , each with an IP address , meaning that every light can be controlled separately from anywhere in the world . The PoE design is estimated to reduce the building ' s energy consumption by 40 %, according to The Sinclair .

But “ if the technology for control of the sound and light systems is not as intuitive as an Apple phone ,” Mozer says , “ then it often becomes a liability or money spent on expensive technology and ongoing consulting or training costs .”

This can be frustrating not only for employees responsible for changing the lighting of a space throughout the day , but for guests , who may simply want to turn out a light and get to sleep .

In several situations , Mozer shares , his clients have reverted to manual rheostats ( dimmers ) with hand markings for “ breakfast ,” “ happy hour ,” “ dinner ” and “ clean-up .”

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