Hotel Lobbies

Although this Hotel Design was written in 1998, there are some themes and principles that still ring true for hotel design. Seeing hotels as a showcase or social scene is one thing that has not fundamentally changed. Based on the culture of days past, lobbies of historic hotels were grand and featured staircases in which people were intending so see and be seen. A sort of catwalk. This analysis reminds me of what I learned in a History of Design class when we talked about the lobby of the Paris Opera House. The lobby featured two grand staircases and was a social showcase more than anything else. This sentiment was lost as box hotels took over. Hotels, especially their lobbies, became grand lifeless vestibules used solely for checking in and circulation. They had lost their social significance. As hotel design has shifted away from box hotels and towards boutique hotels, this social notion of design has been rediscovered and implemented in a new way. As stated in the “Seven Radical Trends”, hotel lobbies are returning to their social form, but in less grand fashion.  Lobbies are becoming multipurpose gathering spaces that resemble great rooms and living rooms. Guests want a scene that feels like home away from home.

Book List : Hotel Design

Written in 1998, Hotel Design by Otto Riewoldt includes case studies of designer & art hotels, new business hotels, resort & theme hotels, and new grand hotels. At the end of the book is a directory of architects and interior designers with biographies or firm profiles. Here is a preview of some of the properties and commentaries available in the book. 

 

 

'Early History of the Hotel'

From America's Grand Resort Hotels by Jeffrey Limerick, Nancy Ferguson and Richard Oliver is the 'Early History of the Hotel'. The book was published in 1979 and is a record of historically grand hotels around the world.

Trends in Hotel Design

"The Inn : Seven Radical New Trends in Hotel Design" by Jay W. Schneider, Senior Editor of Building Design and Construction

1. MULTIPURPOSE LOBBIES. Lobbies were once dead, formal spaces that had little usefulness other than for  users to check in. Now, hotel owners want to maximize space by making more areas useable. The result is lobbies that resemble great rooms or living rooms. They are becoming gathering spaces for guests, whether for social or business purposes.

2. RESIZING GUEST ROOMS. Guest rooms are becoming smaller and more square. Previously typical rooms were about 13x29 feet (375-425 sq. ft.) compared with an average of 18x18 feet (350 sq. ft.) which is more typical now. Although the square footage is less, the room feels bigger. By removing bulky items, like armoires, and adding amenities like flat screen tvs, hoteliers actually get more yield from the newly-dimensioned rooms.

3. LOSE THE TUB. Guests rarely use the tubs in hotels. They are perceived as not clean enough to use. Plus they are only five feet long and usually only about nine inches deep. So hotels are going for the shower-only option. With upscale tile walls and floors, or even glass, these showers prove to be an appealing option. better lighting and larger showerheads can also sweeten the deal.

4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY. Common in foreign markets, rooms that require a hotel key to activate electricity and HVAC are becoming more common. Hotels are also introducing the ability to remotely control thermostat settings and lighting in guest rooms to save energy.

5. CHECK-IN KIOSKS. Self check-in kiosks will allow guest to save time by avoiding the front desk. This idea was first introduced in the late 1990's, but did not catch on until it caught on in airports.

6. 'EXPERIENCE DESIGN'. The goal is to create a unique experience for guests... one that they feel comfortable in and can relate to. One of the biggest examples is the "casual, comfortable, clean-line elegance" seen in Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel. New coatings allow designers to achieve tactile richness in a less expensive way. It also is worth considering experience hotels that are completely immersive. Imagine an Apple or Nike hotel...

7. UPSCALING OF LOWER-END BRANDS. Global Hyatt Corporation's Hyatt Place and Starwood Hotels' aloft  are two lower-end brands going through upgrade processes. They are doing so by employing some of the same techniques that were discussed in this article.

For the original article, click here.

Firm Profile : BLT Architects

Name : BLT Architects [blta.com]
Principals : Michael L. Prifti, FAIA. Eric M. Rahe, AIA, LEED AP. Michael R. Ytterberg, PHD, AIA, LEED AP. Stanley Tang, AIA.
Contact : (PA) 215.563.3900.
Founded : 1961
Locations : Philadelphia and Atlantic City
Scope of Work : hospitality, education, multi-family residential, mixed use, retail, and parking 
Sample of Work : 

Borgata Casino and Hotel. Atlantic City, NJ

 

 

  

Revel Resort and Casino. Atlantic City

 

 

 

 

Firm Profile : BBG-BBGM

Name : BBG-BBGM
Principals : David Beer, FAIA. Peter G. Gorman, AIA. Bahram Kamalie, AIA, MRAIC. Julia Monk, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP
Contact : info@bbg-bbgm.com
Founded : BBG in 1984. BBGM in 1987
Locations : New York City, Washington, DC, and Shanghai, China
Divisions : architecture and interior design
Sample of Work : 

Futian Shangri-La. Shenzhen, China

 

 

 

 

Vdara Hotel and Spa. Las Vegas

 

 

 

Firm Profile : Arquitectonica

Name : Arquitectonica [arquitectonica.com]
Principals : Bernardo Fort-Brescia, FAIA ; Laurinda Spear, FAIA, ASLA
Locations : Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Lima, Dubai, Paris, Sao Paulo
Founded : 1977 as an experimental studio
Services : architectural design, interior design, master planning, landscape architecture, feasibility studies, site selection, programming, space planning, graphic design, signage and wayfinding, building evaluation
Divisions : architecture, landscape, interiors, healthcare and technology architecture
Sample of Projects : 

Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino

 

Zendai Forum Development. Shanghai, China

 

Golden Moon Hotel & Casino. Choctaw, MS

 

Firm Profile : Anderson Miller

Name: Anderson Miller
Principals: Pamela Anderson, AIA, NCARB ; Laurie Miller, AIA, NCARB
Location: Chicago, IL and Bloomfield Hills, MI
Contact: (IL) 312.226.2500 (MI) 248.647.9690 info@andersonmiller.com
Founded: October 1982
Size: 20 employees
Project Profile: 93% hospitality, 5% residential, 2% commercial/office
Sample of Projects: 

InterContinental Chicago O'Hare

 

The H Hotel

 The Westin Calgary

 

Marcel Wanders

Marcel Wanders is one of my favorite designers. He does product design, textile design, and interior design. From his website [marcelwanders.com], here is an excerpt from his biography.

 
Marcel Wanders is a product and interior designer who drew international recognition for his Knotted Chair produced by Droog Design in 1996. Marcel Wanders graduated cum laude from the School of the Arts Arnhem in 1988. In 1995 he opened his own studio based in Amsterdam. Six years later, in 2001 he co-founded the successful design label Moooi, of which he is the art director. Marcel Wanders is now ubiquitous, designing for global brands and high end furniture companies such as B&B Italia,Cappellini, Puma, Bisazza, Poliform, KLM -Royal Dutch Airlines, Flos, Magis, Google, Target, Baccarat and more recently Christofle and M.A.C Cosmetics. Additionally, Marcel works on architectural and interior design projects, such as the Kameha Grand hotel in Bonn, the Mondrian South Beach hotel in Miami, the Villa Moda Flagship store in Bahrain, as well as private residences in Amsterdam, Mallorca and Jakarta. In 2010 Marcel Wanders and the Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced their collaboration, together with Aedes Real Estate, on a new hotel project; the Andaz Amsterdam hotel. 

His style is whimsical, dramatic, and innovative. It keeps you on your toes. With exaggerated details and architectural elements used in unusual ways, his designs are inspiring. They create a truly memorable experience for the users. Although my style is not exactly like his, I am drawn to him because he encourages me to think outside the box. To challenge the norm. To add my own touch to the designs. Marcel Wanders has designed numerous types of spaces, including hotels. My favorite is the Mondrian South Beach Hotel.

 

Wanders has designed other hotels including the Kameha Grand in Bonn and the Lute Suites just outside of Amsterdam. His work has been featured in numerous publications, such as Domus, I.D., New York Times, and Elle Decoration. he has also received many awards for both his interiors and products.

Kameha Grand