ELEMENTS OF HOTEL DESIGN
All visual designs
are reduced to elements or dimensions.
The elements of art are the basic structure and comprise of line, form,
colour, texture, pattern, light and space, which apply to the furnishings and
room planning. The effect of these elements is reflected by our instinct and
intellect. They make a visual impact and
evoke emotional response.
Following are the
different elements of art and design:
LINE:
Directions of line
such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal or curved express various ideas and
themes. Straight vertical lines convey strength and force, while the horizontal
lines suggest response, secrecy and relaxation.
Curved lines introduce a softening effect while spiral lines show
activity and interest. Lines can be used
to introduce variety and design.
FORM:
Form and line are
closely related wherein the combination of curve, straight or diagonal lines
help to produce the three dimensions and create form and shade. Form represents solid and tangible
substances. Horizontal and vertical lines combine to create a rectangular or square
form. Curved lines create circular form.
Form can be created within enclosed space by arranging substances.
COLOUR:
The main
characteristics of colours are hue, value and intensity. is the name of the
specific colour; value which represents lightness or darkness; intensity the
brightness or darkness of the colour.
TEXTURE:
The roughness or
smoothness of a surface is referred to as texture. Texture is found in wall finishes, carpets,
furniture, paintings etc. The texture quality of any surface is controlled by
touch. It also makes a difference to the
depth of colour, which results in brightness or darkness of a colour. The coarser the texture, the lesser is the
amount of light reflected and therefore the duller the colour.
PATTERN:
Colour is used
frequently in connection with pattern.
This adds interest and variety to a decorated scheme. Careful consideration is necessary before
introducing pattern. Too much of pattern
disturbs the eye and creates restlessness in a room. Pattern is introduced through floors, floor
coverings, through walls, wall coverings, furniture, furnishings and fittings.
LIGHTS:
This is an art
element which is both functional and decorative. It has a dispute, proportional
and emotional effect. Colour depends
upon the light in which an object is viewed.
The quality of light is important for colour. The utility of the room should be considered
while planning lighting. Natural and
artificial lighting should be selected appropriately. This may cause variation in the appearance of
colours.
SPACE:
The importance of
space as on art element is widely recognised.
Space organisation is a basic element in architecture and interior
design. Space creates beauty and is
necessary for areas to be used effectively. Fluidity or flow in the room is
important and the eye is encouraged to travel small spaces can be enlarged by
using large glass windows.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:
The elements of art
are line, form, colour and texture. This
must be handled within conformity with certain principles and laws that govern
their use if beauty is to result. Every
art field has certain guidelines that are to be followed and the same is
applicable in planning of interiors.
1. SCALE AND PROPORTION:
By habit, the human
eye becomes accustomed to definite dimensions in daily life. Some of these dimensions are fixed for
convenience. Proportion is the law of
relationship, which demands that all space divisions should be pleasingly
related to each other and to the whole. The Greeks developed a great deal of
calculations about space distribution and a scale of space relationships. These
skills are used even today. The normal
ratios are 2:3, 3:5 and 5:8. These forms
are equal divisions. A square room is
more difficult to arrange and uninteresting to live in. Rooms should be preferably furnished with
smaller furniture types and consistent patterns. The furniture should be in proportion to the
size and height of the room and its architectural features.
2. BALANCE:
It is the principle
of design, which produces a feeling of restfulness and contentment. Balance deals with quantity or number in the
arrangement, colour and distribution of pattern or plain surfaces. Balance is the result of equalisation of
attraction on either side of a central point.
Balance can be attributed to colours, texture, pattern and light.
There are two types
of balance:
Formal Balance and
Informal Balance
Formal Balance:
Formal or symmetrical
balance occurs when objects of equal size and weight are placed on each side
and at equal distance from the centre.
When they are identical, the balance is symmetrical.
Informal Balance:
Informal or
asymmetrical balance results when objects are arranged in such a way that a
large one nears the centre, smaller ones away from the centre. Both types of balances are attractive. Formal represents intellect while informal
represents feelings. This also has
emotional significances.
3. RHYTHM:
This is the principle
of design that suggests connected movement in a pleasant manner. It can be obtained through a repetition of
light, forms, and colours or through a progression of rise or continuous line
movement. Rhythm is achieved through
repetition, progression, transition, opposition and radiation.
4. EMPHASIS:
It is the principle
of design that centres interest on the most important thing in the arrangement
in a room. Emphasis may be centred on a painting, fireplace, window treatment
or furniture grouping. All other parts
must be subordinated to the interesting point.
It is better to understand emphasised rather than over emphasized. Emphasis can be created at any point in the
room. Dramatic use of art components
creates emphasis i.e. large and unusual forms, different surface patterns, more
light elsewhere and unusual texture and contrasting colours.
5. HARMONY AND UNITY:
It is an expression
of an agreeable combination of all the parts that are produced. In other words,
if all other elements of design have been combined as per the principles, it
inevitably results in unity. Unity and harmony demand that size, shape,
textures, colours and ideas are pleasingly related e.g. a copper lamp would
look charming in an ethnic arrangement but not in a modern formal one.
Fastest Growing Trends in Hotel Interior Design
. Lobbies envisioned as
dynamic multi-use spaces
On Freshome, we’ve
seen many hotel projects focused on offering a striking first impression. The
importance of entrance lobbies is growing, as social encounters become more and
more dependent on this particular hotel area. With the new business traveling
trend, hotel lobbies should provide a multi-use space for casual as well as
formal talks, working on laptops, plugging in various devices. This means a
simple sofa-coffee table arrangement won’t cut it. Creative space segmentation
is necessary, providing both intimate and social zones, as well as furniture
delivering comfort and functionality. More extravagant entrance features in
today’s emerging hotel market include large green walls, indoor waterfalls,
large chandeliers and multimedia stations.
Rethinking Guestroom
Configurations
No longer is the
classic bed-table-locker combo enough to make a hotel room feel inviting. In
today’s world guests expect surprises and where else, but away from home.
Probably why each interior in the modern hospitality industry is very different
from the next. Creative offices for business travelers, interesting looking TV
panels and an extra sofa next to the king-sized bed are just some of the key
“ingredients” for a trendy hotel room. We’ve also seen color explosions and
eclectic decor mixes, which can definitely appeal to guests wanting to
experience unique accommodation
Spa-Like Bathroom
Features
Bathrooms stopped
being perceived as auxiliary rooms, spaces to be minimized, in order to expand
living areas. The modern tourist expects more than he gets at home in his
journeys. A resort bathroom with spa-like features is an open invite to
relaxation and a sure-proof method of alluring guests through the promise of
ephemeral luxury. Think en-suite bedrooms, waterfall showers, over-sized
bathtubs, his&hers sinks, giant towels, beauty items and plenty of space.
Not Just a
Restaurant, But a Destination in Itself
Few hotel restaurants
still base their appeal strictly on “practicability”. Cooking is an art and so
should be the “exhibition space”. We’ve seen more and more hotel restaurants
turned into memorable spaces through design. Themes are highly recommended,
pushing creativity to new heights and turning each venue into a destination in
itself.
Blurring Indoor-Outdoor
Boundaries
Sensory experiences
go a long way. This “principle” was well integrated in the array of services
offered by modern hotel owners, who struggle to keep the indoor outdoor
transition as “ethereal” as possible. Not only are hotel rooms expanded through
large decks and terraces, but nature is brought inside in every possible way.
Wood paneling, stone decorations, lush greenery, indoor waterfalls- these are
just some of the elements employed to release the tension of hotel guests
Green Features
Sustainability is a
delicate issue for hotel owners, as they are doing their best to minimize short
term costs. But being ahead of the game is important, which sometimes leads to
innovative ideas. Over-sized windows for natural lighting, natural building
materials, green walls and green roofs, recycling bins for guests, electronic
water faucets, locally grown food for cooking and graywater recycling are just
a few of the hotel trends for staying green.
Focus on Local Art
It is a real shame
that modern architecture usually distances itself from local origins. Sometimes
we look at a house on Freshome and its design tells us nothing of its location.
Luckily, more and more hotel owners realize that adding local art in their
design scheme will improve guests’ perception of the place and create a genuine
experience. From small sculptures and photography to large-scale installations,
integrating an art project into the image of the hotel could be an easy way to
success
Technology Overload
Not everyone is
looking for a hi-tech accommodation away from home. On the contrary, people
tend to disconnect during holiday time. But more and more hotels focus on
keeping guests “plugged in” at all costs. Certainly a good way to go when it
comes to business tourism, a technology-friendly room encourages work-flow and
in the long run, the guests’ fidelity. New hotels offer the possibility of
adjusting lighting, air conditioning and even window blinds through
smartphones, which often turns out to be a good business approach. Another
trend is placing PC tablets at check-in for printing boarding passes, as well
as for ensuring other self-helping processes requiring online connection
Less Pattern, More
Color and Texture
When away, you
usually have more time for exploring your senses. This is probably why hotel
rooms are easily letting go of visually upsetting patterns and embracing
texture instead. Giving guests something they can feel and even get lost in can
result into a memorable experience, one they will probably want to repeat. Add
a few bright colors to animate spaces and a soothing joyful atmosphere is
created
Personalized Spaces
It is a fact that the
memory of a hotel stays with guests a long, long time if the accommodation
experience is unique. With this in mind, hotel owners personalize spaces as
never before. Pop-up hotels, and modular hotels are new concepts slowly gaining
interest in the industry. Themed guestrooms also have a strong impact,
especially when visitors can only try one at a time.
A Home Away From Home
More than anything,
hotel rooms should provide comfort, that feeling of a home away from home. No
matter how luxurious, technology friendly and weird-themed the room, coziness
is a major factor to consider. Wood additions, inspired decorating items,
carpets, curtains, a fireplace, a TV set and the possibility to play your
guest’s favorite music- all these adds up to a memorable stay.
What are the Key Elements some top Hotel Designers use?
A hotel is not just a
place where people stop along the road to sleep until they are ready to head
off again. If you run a hotel you are creating a place for people to settle in
and establish a temporary home. Whether they are staying for just one night or
becoming your guest for an extended period while they are on vacation or on a
business trip, your guests want to feel welcomed and understood. They want to
feel as though you are not just ushering them through a generic environment,
but that you understand their needs and want them to enjoy their time spent
with you. This illustrates the importance of hotel design.
Hotel design is about
creating all of the areas and rooms within your hotel in a way that carefully
develops cohesion and enjoyment without becoming cloying. A skilled Miami hotel
designer will address the following areas as they apply to your specific hotel:
Guest Rooms
Of course, the main
thing that a hotel guest will be considering is the guest room. This will be
where he closes himself off from everything else, relaxes, and enjoys the
amenities you have to offer. Hotel design in this area should focus on creating
guest rooms that are conducive to rest and comfort. Depending on the style of
hotel that you run these rooms can be quite simple or very elaborate.
Regardless of the level of luxury within your rooms you should offer a pleasing
color scheme, welcoming layout, and thoughtful design elements that will make
your guests immediately feel at ease.
Luxury Suites
If your hotel offers
special suites for things such as honeymooners or business guests the hotel
design will want to speak to the special needs of these valued guests.
Honeymooning couples will likely appreciate touches like softer bedding, a
bigger bathtub, separate bedroom and living areas, and added amenities such as
a space to enjoy special room service offerings or carefully chosen furniture
that creates a cozy, romantic ambiance.
Common Areas
While some hotels
seem to funnel guests from the front desk to their guest rooms, more distinct
establishments offer areas in which guests can socialize and interact or just
spend time outside of their guest room. The hotel design in these areas will be
dedicated to creating a sense of warmth and welcome, encouraging socialization
and unwinding. This also depends on the overall theme of your hotel. While some
more modern hotels may lean toward white or bold colors and artwork meant to
inspire conversation, cozier bed and breakfasts and old world hotels will
likely feature darker colors, large furniture, and even a hospitality center
featuring self-serve coffee or evening snacks.
Entertainment Spaces
Hotels are popular
destinations for weddings, parties, conventions, and other events. If you want
to take advantage of this market you should focus hotel design energy on the
look and function of your entertainment spaces. Your designer will likely
consider the color scheme, the flow of the rooms, and the features that can
help to enhance the entertainment experiences for different clients so that
each can enjoy your hotel within their own needs.
