It is no surprise that the pandemic has changed the way of work in all sectors. Changes are likely to last forever, or at least for a long time.
That is the reason why architects and designers are coming up with new ideas and methods to make hospitality industry return back to normal as safely as possible.
One of these ideas is to design spaces that focus on social detachment. As well as flexible and multifunctional spaces that allow us to adapt to current regulations.
The lobby is possibly the most critical space in a hotel. The influx of people becomes a problem, while designing spaces that are separated by furniture, which in turn, does not give guests a feeling of being locked in, is the new challenge to be followed. Another idea is to create contact-free check-in areas, which possibly could be conducted with the help of guests’ mobile phones.
All these measures would be added to the current ones such as the use of marking and arrows on the floors that establish social distance, although it is expected that in the future their design will be more integrated with the hotel’s decoration.
A concept that is increasingly applied in hotels is “perception of cleanliness”. The proposal of architects and designers targets on surfaces made of non-porous materials or anti-microbial carpets. However, they also emphasize germicidal UV-C lamps offer an effectiveness of 99.9% in disinfection in air and surfaces, as is the case with GERMILED.
But the concept “perception of cleanliness” is not just based on cleanliness, it is also about being to perceive the air as fundamental element to keep environment clean and virus-free. Traditional ventilation systems with air filtration prove to be essential, and it is in this latter aspect where the majority of innovations takes place.
But what about other spaces such as restaurants and meeting rooms?
The proposals focus on creating meeting rooms that could open completely to be open-air but are technologically equipped so that meetings or conferences can be followed via the Internet.
In restaurants, removal of buffets has already become fact. And with the capacity limits, room service becomes an opportunity for hotels to deliver unique customer experiences.
How do you think the new normal will affect hotel business? Let us know your comments.