Fenestration design gives the hospitality sector the flexibility to set the right mood. It can be to open-up spaces for a warm, inviting vibe or close them off to create a private sanctuary. In addition, with architecture and design adopting a customer-centric approach and becoming more climate-friendly, there is an increasing need for clearer-looking fenestration.
Beyond just providing access for people as a design feature, fenestrations serve many other purposes such as insulation, fire protection, access control, contamination prevention and energy efficiency. Creating a sustainable module with an HVAC and lighting system is the most effective way.
PICK AND CHOOSE
The unique style of every hotel and its chosen material palette is mainly driven by the brand ethos and topography, climate, and related factors. For example, material of doors and windows facing outwards needs to withstand different weather conditions.
A tropical hotel would require a high-quality, storm-proof window system, while one in a colder region would require thermal insulation properties. The apt one can be chosen from the variety available to suit these requirements.
The orientation of a fenestration determines the exposure to sunlight. Therefore, depending on the building’s orientation, one can undertake different strategies to reduce the solar heat gain. Another prime aspect of fenestration design is safety and security, especially for hotels.
Opting for intelligent technologies and fulfilling all relevant safety standards will ensure the guest’s security and the property. It further provides that the entry and exit into the hotel are safe and smooth for the guests and staff alike.
An array of safety options facilitate the same such as manual switches, motion sensors, safety screens and access control integration, fire safes, burglar resistance, energy-saving, breakout and escape routes. In addition, the design of the door must facilitate the most convenient and safest exit of large numbers of people in the event of an emergency, such as a fire.
LEDGE ON EGDE
As hotels scale further in height to maximise vertical space, they exercise additional attention to the window ledges. Using safety grills and limiting the expanding width of the open windows would help prevent accidents. These mechanisms, however, remain unobtrusive and do not detract from the look of the window.
Glass still rules as one of the most popular fenestration choices in hospitality design due to cost, energy efficiency, and the seamless aesthetics it provides. There are different energy efficient glazing options, such as insulated glass, consisting of two sheets of glass sandwiched together. In addition, one can apply various kinds of coatings on the glass to filter or restrict natural light. This will keep the hotel space more climatically sensitive, preventing the internal temperature from being significantly impacted.
“Hoteliers are increasingly emphasising context-responsive facades and fenestrations to improve building performance.”
Nitin Mehta, Executive Director, ALCOI,
THE RIGHT CHOICE
Choosing energy-efficient windows helps hotels reduce electricity bills. Double-glazing glasses can be a higher investment, but they are more resilient and durable too. Such well-insulated windows can also cut down the carbon footprint, reduce external noise along with condensation.
Hoteliers are increasingly emphasising context-responsive facades and fenestrations to improve building performance. The hospitality sector is consciously imbibing these components and designing experiences that curate the finest elements of environmentally worked out designs. Soon, climate responsiveness would be a standard norm in the hospitality sector, with fenestration and facade designs having the most integral role to play. The ENERGY STAR label has product ratings solely based on their energy performance levels, which helps maintain a fair balance between affordability and efficiency.
Hospitality fenestration should be easy to use and accessible since it impacts the comfort of service guests. The combination of high-performance and aesthetically pleasing elements plays a crucial role in the design needs of the hospitality sector. Designers are rethinking the hotel experience and city impression through an understanding, accumulation and innovation of hotel space, regional characteristics, leisure modes, historical construction methods, and culture to achieve a well-lived experience and impression of the city. In the ever-increasing value placed on hotel design, facade design may lead to a breakthrough in planning hospitality systems.
