Protecting end not just promoting destinations
Ria Vogiatzi
Founder
Elastic Architects
Υour prediction on future hotel design trends as the top Greek architecture firm specialized in travel and leisure architecture here and abroad.
Design has always been inspired by the social phycology and through time has followed the political and social changes. This is a period were physical distance is becoming a method of protection and necessity. We have received instructions from our International Clients to proceed into several design changes that will comply with a new design manual that is produced currently on an International level. This has to do with access distancing on spaces, creating private areas, provide more space per guest, design custom furniture with special purposes e.g. for reception or hostess of the restaurant were antiseptic fluid will be available for the guests entering the area.
We understand that the biggest challenges we deal with are on the food and beverage department, were hygienic restrictions are larger now. Therefore, we have limited the use of larger tables and have located them in greater distance than before, so that people feel comfortable within their private space. Intimacy is no longer the prerequisite. The a la carte restaurants are preferred against the buffet as the latter will need to now provide individual packaging meals. Very important is the new use of materials, this means that we can specify materials, fabrics etc. that can be easily cleaned and disinfected so that surfaces for use are smooth *e.g. wicker is not considered a cleanable surface
It is a new design challenge that the large-scale resorts and hotels have to comply with and be considered internationally safe. In terms of hotel and resort design we need to point out that high end resorts and hotels such as Aman Resorts are already on a better mode and case. This is because this luxury brand has a narrative based on privacy and social distance. Public spaces are quite large and keep distance between seating areas. The count of guestrooms is always less than 50 keys so they are boutique hotels with a rather small number of guests using the areas. It’s a resort primarily for adults so most of the guest rooms are limited to 2 to 4 people.
The next day will be a new look on the design tools we have up to date. We need to see what true luxury means, privacy, space, materials. It’s a reinterpretation of the design language we used up to date but in a more responsible and methodic manner.
High end resorts and hotels such as Aman Resorts are already on a better mode and case. This is because this luxury brand has a narrative based on privacy and social distance
JANU Montenegro created by Aman
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Protecting and not just promoting destinations…
Our primary concern in creating architectural experiences for the guests in the tourism, is to analyze, understand and reinterpret the architecture, landscape and environment that our project is located on.
The Janu Resort in Montenegro that we have designed, the new brand created by Aman resorts, is a clear example of this concept. Montenegro is a destination that fascinates its guests with its natural beauties, the myth says that when god was sharing beauties to the world his bag was torn apart on top of Montenegro and everything fell there. Our design is to celebrate this uniqueness. The plot is located on a valley between two hills. Our architecture sculptures the void between them and creates a new architectural concept of with a new formation, designed with organic shapes like contour lines, levels of structure that are planted with the same trees in type and size as the adjacent forest. It’s like a building coming out of an existing landscape. The creation of a water bay is contributing uniquely to this feeling.
It’s the sense of place that must be achieved in every location. We have projects around the world and need to be inspired by the local architecture and nature each and every time. When the guest arrives in a new destination needs to have a sense of place. Our Greek projects for high end international brands and developers, in Mykonos, Crete, Santorini or Athens have a strong sense of architectural and interior design language that is inspired by the place but with a new contemporary view of design.
The example of the Durmitor resort, were the villas are inspired by the local farm houses but with a modern contemporary architectural language. The spa is inspired by the glacier cave creating a mystical feeling of this mountain resort.
When we do interior design, it is essential to bring into the concept local materials and craftsmanship. We aim to research vendors and craftsmen in the area and get them involved in every one of our projects so that local community participates and also bring the local flavor into our design.
We understand that the basic rule for designing luxury destinations is not always about the budget allowance
Nammos Dubai
Does hotel architecture & atmospheres contribute to customer engagement?
Customer engagement is the reason behind most design ideas and the main reason for each final decision. This is about using creative design tools like symmetry, perspective, clear simple shapes and forms, but most important of all is to analyze, research, discover and reveal the hidden jewels of nature within each property.
We aim to create Instagramable hotels and resorts so that guests create and keep the memories of their trip and more than this, they visualize themselves returning into to this same place every time the see their picture again. This used to be the target for each project,
to create areas, corners, pools and specific locations. Nowadays, the aim is to create an Instagramable project in a holistic way, to identify every corner where we can have a unique experience and create a framed view for the memory to be preserved.
Is design only meant for luxury travel?
Our large variety of projects allows us to have a good understanding of what design for luxury travel means. From high end resorts and leisure with Aman Resorts, One n Only and Nammos restaurant in Dubai, to more boutique hotels such as the Coco mat hotels in Athens and the Sir Paul hotel in Limassol, we understand that the basic rule for designing luxury destinations is not always about the budget allowance.
We have a team internally in the office, that is working exclusively on budgeting our design (procurement, cost estimation and value engineering per stage) so that we can ensure the clients required budget is achieved as at the same time we maintain the Operators and Clients standards.
There are high end projects with greater budget allowance and others with more restricted budget. In all cases design aesthetics and rules apply. The Nammos in Dubai is one of our projects were the absolute luxury experience is achieved in every way. The detail in furniture and floor patters and FFE as well as the quality of materials used in this project, is unique. At the same time projects like the Sir Paul in Limassol have been identified as unique luxury destinations with the level of design provided were the final result is astonishing!
Renovating the existing.
We have great experience and currently renovating many hotels and resorts in cities and Greek islands. This is an amazing opportunity for us to transform an old building (most cases are old hotels or office buildings) into amazing hotels or resorts. We research and rediscover the projects with its natural beauties and the potential the existing buildings can offer.
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