ITC Hotels connect to the rich heritage of respective cities, through unique designs to honour its architecture, style and features of the community. Local culture and architecture infused with the modern sustainability trends is the new equation which we follow for a globally acknowledged and respected design.
ITC Mughal has the distinction of being the winner of the First Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence in Asia, and to date, the only Indian Hotel to have won this prestigious international recognition. ITC Mughal is a splendid redbrick edifice that blends beautifully with the city’s landscape, the hotel’s unique architecture draws inspiration from the 16th Century Architectural Marvel – The Fatehpur Sikri and thus recreates the architectural style of the Mughal dynasty. The geometrical proportions, layout of spaces, delicate use of marble, landscaped courtyards, gardens and water bodies are inspired from the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort too.
Being part of the decade of sustainability, concise work frame by identifying and implementing modern and sustainable designs for construction and operation is a mandate to meet the new era expectations. During the restoration, the heritage elements were retained without compromising the luxury expectations of guests.
Further, designs have evolved to consider sustainable sites, eco-sensitive architecture, VOC free paints, FSC certified wood, optimizing water and energy efficiencies, managing indoor air quality, harnessing maximum renewable energy, recycling water, treating solid waste, sourcing consumables locally in the journey for a brighter tomorrow.
“Already, the business has reduced the use of single-use plastics from 150 touch points across hotel operations, which has helped eliminated, by a conservative estimate, 2.5 lakh kilograms of plastic per year.”
Jeril Varghese, Chief Engineer, ITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra.
- What are your personal favorite trends for 2023?
“Responsible Luxury” is our guiding ethos, while offering unique hospitality experiences in harmony with planet and society. Advancement in renewable energy portfolio is a commendable trend in ITC Hotels. Renewable energy contribution in the total electricity requirement of ITC Mughal is more than 84% in peak months, which is achieved through inter-state open access wheeling.
Post Covid 19 pandemic, the focus has been shifted to wellness and experiential stay. ITC Hotels have enhanced the focus on incorporating features for health, hygiene and safety in operational processes and infrastructure by instituting a program called WeAssure, which has multiple levels of wellness and safety features. One example is a deep upgrade of the HVAC system through photohydroionization to neutralize indoor air pollutants. ITC Hotels is the first hotel chain in the world to receive a Platinum Level Certification from DNV.
Another recent trend we have infused at ITC Hotels has been the shift away from usage of Single Use Plastic. Plastic substitution efforts are founded on the reduce, reuse, recycle policy, and include a special packaging made from compostable material, replacing plastic water bottles with glass ones, trading plastic drinking straws and stirrers and other basic amenities with paper and wooden alternatives. These mark the beginning of our contributions to the making of a single use plastic free India. Already, the business has reduced the use of single-use plastics from 150 touch points across hotel operations, which has helped eliminated, by a conservative estimate, 2.5 lakh kilograms of plastic per year.
Across all hotels, we have commissioned an in-house water treatment and bottling plant named SunyaAqua – Zero Mile water within the hotel using advanced technology, while conforming to Indian standards for safety and purity. This was a huge step at ITC Hotels and once the industry follows will have a major impact in plastic waste management for the nation.
- What are the various sustainable initiatives taken by the hotel?
ITC Hotels is one of the first, largest, and greenest hotel chains in the world to receive the coveted LEED Platinum Certification for all hotels. LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is amongst the world’s most widely used systems for rating green buildings with platinum being the highest certification. ITC Mughal is LEED Platinum rated since 2011 April.
Paving the way for the Global Hospitality Industry, in one of its kind remarkable feat, 10 properties of the ITC Hotels have attained “Net Zero Carbon Status” by achieving coveted “LEED Zero Carbon Certification” by USGBC (United States Green Building Council). LEED Zero encourages a holistic approach for buildings and places, which will contribute to a regenerative future and demonstrates a deep commitment to implementing building and design strategies that assure an enhanced quality of life. ITC Mughal is the first hotel in North India to achieve the same through diversified strategies. Prestigious projects such as conversion of diesel boilers to electric, addition of heat pumps, EC fans in AHUs, ATCS in chillers, BMS upgradation, low pressure gas burners and supply of power from renewable source were the milestones to this huge achievement. We have now set the targets for others to emulate.
- Any specific trend which you do not want to continue in 2023?
Elimination or minimal usage of fossil fuels is necessary to reduce the impact on mother earth due to hotel operations.
Our ability to adapt to the challenges of Covid 19 pandemic proves that we can change or modify systems, processes and behaviours when there is a sense of urgency and desire to do better, which is the ‘New Normal’ life.
Technology is advancing to the state where no part of a trip or experience is without it, and hotels hardly operate without it. Industry should witness the switch over from the conventional systems to artificial intelligence for operations and management.
