With hotels shuttered, airlines grounded and borders still closed in many parts of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic will leave an indelible mark on the travel and tourism landscape. As the dust begins to settle, interior architect David T’Kint, Partner at HBA EMEA – whose Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London was one of the most lauded openings of 2019 – shares his thoughts on how the crisis will impact the future of luxury hotel design.
You had only recently completed work on Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh Kingdom Centre when the pandemic hit. What new challenges are you facing in terms of hotel design in a post-Covid-19 world?
We are working with operators and developers at the moment to ensure they can get open again post-pandemic. This involves assessing technology in hotels, including implementing mobile check in and mobile ordering – not necessarily the personal approach we’ve come to expect at five-star hotels, but very relevant at this moment.
Guest rooms will also need to be modified with an increase of in-room technology, UV lighting for wardrobe spaces and adapted room layouts to allow provisions for enhanced in-room experiences.
What other areas of the hotel experience are likely to be affected?
Your typical guest at a luxury hotel is likely to place further emphasis on privacy and I would not be surprised to see the role of the hotel lobby morph from a social place in which to relax and work to more of a passageway as these new technologies offer digital check-in and concierge services. Social distancing offers a sense of safety and security, and we may see creation of social barriers within larger spaces providing
a “Personal Bubble”.
Are you seeing any other innovations that might help protect hotels and their guests in the event of future crises?
With hygiene top of the agenda, we are likely to see the materials used within hotel design changing. Recently, we have come to discover how some materials help in reducing the spread of viruses and lessen the need for maintenance. Not only antimicrobial materials, but also some natural materials, which repel viruses. We may see a move away from plush materials and richness in design, even in those iconic luxury hotels who are renowned for their opulence.
What emerging trends in hotel design are likely to remain unaffected by the pandemic?
Sustainability has become a more urgent priority. We have become more environmentally aware of the change our planet has gone through and how different the world has become, as nature has adapted within our cities, as well as rural areas. More so than ever before, luxury hospitality design will be focused on building for quality and longevity, not trends. Feeding into this theme, we also expect to see greater emphasis on sourcing locally within design. I am currently designing the public areas of an iconic luxury hotel which first opened over 100 years ago. Our aim is to have every single element of the design manufactured or supplied locally, celebrating local craftsmanship, but also mitigating unnecessary environmental impact. Wellness, whilst not a new trend within luxury hospitality, is set to grow further as we become both more health conscious, but also more mindful about how we approach wellness.