As things return to normal, most hoteliers are faced with a key question – how will the hospitality industry look post the COVID-19 crisis? It is quite unlikely that the travel and hospitality business would be hit by another crisis of a similar magnitude as this pandemic. Nonetheless, the precedent set by this situation will stay on for a long time.
For starters, guests are more aware and wary about touch points and human interaction, especially at places they visit and hotels they stay at. In the post-COVID-19 hospitality era, architecture and design
will play a significant role. And this role will be recognised not just by hospitality players, but also by guests. They will come to terms with the fact that it has a functional aspect that goes beyond mere aesthetics.
Architecture and design strategies supported by technology will be increasingly employed to create a cleaner and healthier environment that ensures a guest’s safety and comfort. Every aspect of a hotel’s architecture and design ought to enable maximum hygiene and minimum human interaction.
ARCHITECTURE FUNCTIONAL ADVANTAGE
A beautiful picturesque hotel, which is a destination in itself, lets guests have a fun experience without feeling the need to venture out much. Going forward, guests will be more inclined towards a hotel with open spaces, natural light and ventilation, as opposed to conventional buildings that are closed and dependent on air conditioning. While not taking away from these modern constructions, hoteliers can gain from the rich knowledge and wisdom of India’s architectural heritage.
These historic properties were built on scientific, practical and serviceable layouts. In the future, guests will favour open verandas, amply and naturally ventilated structures as well as wide corridors, which minimise physical interaction and give them lots of room. These are usually the core elements in most heritage structures.
Not only are these design creations aesthetically appealing and safe from the COVID-19 perspective, they are ideal when it comes to supporting sustainable practices. How? Well, by reducing the need for air conditioning, use of artificial light and wastage, these structures are inherently eco-friendly.
Apart from the guests’ point of view, the future of hotel architecture will lie in adapting localisation in its various facets. This could include utilising locally sourced materials as well as employing local artisans and craftsmen. Such an initiative will provide a good boost to the indigenous economy.
Since a hotel represents and embodies cultural richness, these moves will be appreciated by guests and the local community. This cultural representation and the benefits of a circular economy will exude a unique personality to the property and add an interesting dimension to the guest’s stay experience.
INTELLIGENCE IN DESIGN
When we talk about hotel design, the foremost thing that comes to mind is the first touch point, aka, the hotel’s entrance. These gateways would need to be redesigned to install solutions like automated slide doors that reduce physical touch.
Even in the post-pandemic months, hoteliers will need to subscribe to rigorous screening and checking processes. Hence, the entrance needs to be spacious enough for guests to be comfortably screened. is especially in properties with high footfalls. Narrow entrances can cause overcrowding, leading to guest discomfort while entering, which is not appreciated at a time when human intervention has to remain at the minimum.
Post-pandemic guests would be continue to be cautious about the things they touch in the public areas
of a hotel. It is critical to have smart and user friendly technology installations at common areas to avoid
surface contamination. While most hotels are quite attentive towards cleanliness and hygiene, guests would be more at ease if touch points are reduced to only the bare minimum.
So, how does one perfect this design requirement? Some hotels are thinking about using robots for housekeeping, automating entry systems, deploying smart lifts, automating identification systems as well as lighting solutions. These are all great moves to ensure that guests don’t need to touch any surface
and can be reassured that they are safe from contamination.
At the same time, we cannot forget that the business of hospitality is incomplete without the warmth of human interactions. We have not really reached that point where a guest is completely satisfied with an experience provided by a digital menu without the assistance of a server who can guide and advise them about their choices.
Thus, mapping guest movement is a more plausible solution. If a hotelier understands the interaction between various spaces and the guest traffic at the hotel, they can decide on the best and most effective design modifications.
A hotel’s architecture and design should be dictated by the number and placement of high intensity and low intensity spaces, and traffic movement between various spaces. Achieving a simple and uncomplicated flow of guests and staff through the building makes for an ideal hospitality structure.
