8TH SEM (BHCT 416) UNIT 5 Designing Hotel Room Ambience

 

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

These are primarily the visual components used in creating a design. The elements that are basic to all visual design are line, shape, color, and texture. Elements like pattern, light, and space help to complete it. Each of these basic elements is well-defined, but when used collectively or in connection with each other, they can create perfecting guestroom ambiance.

And if these elements, if used in accordance with the principle of design, can ensure degree of beauty in the final product.

1. Line: As a geometric conception a line is a point in motion with only a one-dimensional length. A line has both a position and direction in space. The variables of lines are size, shape, position, direction, and density. Points create lines; lines create shape, plane, and volume.

All lines have direction – horizontal, vertical, and oblique.

·       Horizontal suggests stability, responsiveness, and relaxation.

·       Vertical lines give a feeling of balance, formality, and alertness.

·       Oblique line suggests movement and action.

·       Diagonal lines suggest action as they keep the eye moving

·       Circular curves express a feeling of cheerfulness.

·       Softer S-shaped curves may express gracefulness and refinement.

A line represents order and gives the eye explicit direction, where to look for (specific direction). Line, group relates objects together and divides unrelated objects. The line is also the edge where two shapes meet. Two sheets of paper placed side by side have a line between them. Most often lines are functional rather than decorative.

• To decide which part to display is the most important and direct attention to it by judicious use of lines.
• Remember that all margins are invisible lines.
• Attention to the line does not mean that all elements in the design have to be lined up.

2.       Shape: Shape is a type of form used in a display. The important part is to arrange all the different sizes and shaped items into larger and more important shapes and then relate them to rest of the design. Following are the tips on using shapes/forms:

• Background shape has to be simple and large.
• Don’t mix shapes too much.
• Try to limit the different shapes and sizes used.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           3. Color: It is another powerful element of design. It can stand alone, act as a background, or highlight other elements in your design. It is also a fantastic tool for creating and establishing a mood for the brand. For example, red typically signifies love, strength, power, and desire; green typically signifies tranquillity, good luck, and health.

• Hue refers to the name of the color. For example, “red,” “blue,” and “green” are all hues.
• Saturation refers to the intensity or purity of the color. A specific hue can have a vibrant or dull saturation (and anywhere in between).
• Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Color can be “tinted” by adding white or “shaded” by adding a layer of black.

4. Texture: In some instances, texture takes the place of pattern, and in decorative schemes where color contrasts are not great, texture matters a great deal; thus, different tones of gold or yellow may be used without any monotony when the upholstery is velvet, curtains silk, and carpet wool.

Much more attention is paid to texture now than formerly and with the wide choice of materials available, variety in texture should not be difficult. In wall coverings alone, the texture may vary from the cold, shiny, smooth surface of the glass to the warmer, rougher surfaces of grass cloth, Hessian, and flock paper covering.

5.       Size: Colour is frequently used in conjunction with form, and this adds interest to a decorative scheme, but the introduction of size in an interior design is not without its problems and needs careful consideration because:

·       it may help create the illusion of greater or smaller space;

·       too many shapes are disturbing to the eye and create a ‘busy’ room;

·       large shapes can be overpowering in a small room;

·       small shapes may be lost in a large area;

·       if two shapes are thought necessary, they should be different in character and one should be dominant;

6.       Space: This is among the most important elements of interior design. The organization of space is basic to architecture and interior decoration. Unless a space is thoughtfully planned nothing else will seem quite right. Almost any space that is sensitively handled can be made effective, liveable, and even dramatic.

GUEST-ROOM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The GRMS (Guest Room Management System) is the automation system of the hotel room. It manages information sent by the commands, allowing to operate many functions:

·       Light management (ON/OFF or dimmer)

·       Openings (curtains, rolling shutters and so on)

·       HVAC system

·       Launch ambiance and comfort scenes

·       Manage services as “Do Not Disturb” (DND) or “Make Up Room” (MUR)

·       Presence/absence of the guest in the room

·       Communication with third-party systems as supervisors, access controls, PMS, Smartphones/tablets, TV and so on

Objective of GRMS:

•       To meet guest expectations and achieve guest satisfaction

•       Provides an innovative and efficient way to control room systems (light, temperature, curtains, TV, Music System and other guestroom services) through intuitive buttons or touch screen/panel interfaces.

•       Enables the hotel to efficiently manage guest room energy consumption

Role of GRMS:

•       Manage room environment/ambiance (wall panels, wall screen, bathroom mirror as screen)

•       GRM settings can either be adjusted in the room by the guest or centrally via the hotel management system / Hotel Software / PMS.

•       Monitor and control energy consumption, Identify and proactively address maintenance needs.

•       Handling Guest requests: Facilitate room service requests, Laundry requests, Do Not Disturb (DND) etc.

Advantages of GRMS:

•       Provide personalized touch- managing guestroom ambiance, 

•       Enable integrated global management and the hotel’s operation (integration b/w Building Management System -BMS and the Property Management System-PMS) enable,

•       Improves guest satisfaction & loyalty,

•       Increase room revenue

•       Save significant energy from 20% to 50%.

BOUTIQUE HOTELS

A Boutique Hotel is a small and intimate hotel, held in a stylish design decor with a personal note. It has a unique character and distinguishes itself from other hotel brands. It is true to its heritage; it provides guests with great and ultra-personalized service and is typically situated in a fashionable urban location.

The term was used initially in USA and the UK. While the first boutique hotels opened in London and San Francisco in 1981, the term ‘boutique’ was born when in 1984, when Ian Schrager and his business partner Steve Rubell opened the Morgans Hotel in New York City, comparing it to a ‘boutique’.

Characteristics of a boutique hotel:

·       Size: Small and compact with 10 to 100 rooms, with sense of intimacy and privacy

·       Individuality: Has to be unique with a personality

·       Design: Architecture and interior design are unique and upscale. Décor, aesthetics, and attention to detail, often a theme is typical for a boutique hotel.

·       Character: Has an independent spirit. Fun and funky, trendy and offbeat.

·       Location: Usually located in the most hip and fashionable urban areas. In trendy, lively, up-and-coming places or in high-end residential neighborhoods.

·       Culture: True to their heritage they celebrate the local flavor.

·       Service: Exceptional and highly personalized service is crucial for boutique hotels.

·       Gastronomy: Hip, trendy, and locally sourced. High-quality, authentic cuisine

·       Clientele: Is individual and hip as the hotels themselves. From Baby Boomers to Millennials. They are smart, fashionable, and chic.

Boutique hotels are all about luxury and individuality. They have an eclectic style that tells a story of the history of the hotel or owner, and can either be a sanctuary within a densely populated environment or a place of tranquillity located next to a secluded beach.

There are three important aspects of boutique hotel design that remain constant. These are:

·       Style

·       Practicality

·       Attention to details

As a designer, it is important to focus on attention to detail, quality of finishes, and eclectic style to create the individuality of the space. Design consideration for a boutique hotel:

1. Customers’ expectations
2. Modern design
3. In-room IT, entertainment, and wifi
4. Green practices
5. Scope of Refurbishment

 

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

The careful use of natural resources like energy and water and the measure of its conservation are being identified as energy management processes. 3R’s of energy conservation are:

·       Reduce

·       Reuse

·       Recycle

Need of energy management: bcoz

·       Energy is supplied in the form of light, solar rays and chemical fuels like oils.

·       Hotel industry consumes energy in different forms.

·       Hotel pays its energy bills in lakhs per month.

·       Energy conservation methods helps the hotel to save.

Energy Conservation measures to be followed by the hotel industry:

1.       Use of natural light: Well-lit windows

2.       Artificial lighting: Lighting systems with advanced controls, install chandeliers or decorative fixtures only in public areas as it consumes more energy.

3.       Use of Energy conserving bulbs: Use HPMV lamps with High-Pressure Mercury-Vapor (lighting technology), Use HPSV (High-Pressure Sodium Vapour) lamps for street lights, Use CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp), Use LED (Light Emitting Diode)

4.       Use an energy-efficient heating/ cooling system with a thermally efficient building.

5.       Use minimum glass areas on the east and west exposure.

6.       Use draperies and sun films on windows to cut down on air-conditioning cost

7.       Use heat reclaiming equipment in air-conditioning plants: Heat from them can be used for heating water.

8.       Keep equipment clean for the highest energy efficiency

9.       Minimize electric loads from appliances and equipment.

10.   Sensors can turn off lights and fans in unoccupied rooms.

 Alternative sources of energy management

1.       Install biogas plant for staff meals

2.       Use solar-powered vehicles to ferry guest

3.       Consider energy sources like photovoltaic cells

Energy conservation checklist for guest rooms

1.       Turn off lights when not occupied

2.       Use minimum lighting when servicing guest rooms

3.       Turn off the corridor light when natural light is available

4.       Clean lamp shades for better light efficiency

5.       Keep windows closed and curtains on

Water Consumption management in the Guest Bathroom

·       Use dual plumbing in the design to use recycled water for flushing.

·       Dual Piping is a system of plumbing installations used to supply both potable and reclaimed water.

·       Use aerated taps and showers that gush out less water at high pressure

·       Use shower cubicles instead of bathtubs

·       Use the dual flushing system for WCs

·       Use Grey Water System:

1.       Greywater is used water from bathroom sinks, showers, and washing machines. It is not water that has come into contact with faeces from the toilet.

2.       Greywater may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain cleaning products. It is a beneficial source of irrigation water in a yard.

·       Sewage Treatment Plant:

1.       Treatment plant for recycling used water in the hotel

2.       Treated water can be used for horticulture purposes, and flushing toilets.

·       Rainwater Harvesting:

1.       Replenish groundwater by rainwater harvesting.

2.       Hotel uses 80% fresh water and 20% grey water approximately.

3.       Rainwater harvesting saves 25% of water.

·       Drip Irrigation Method: Pipes have small openings which are spread along the plants. Water through these pipes irrigates only the roots and does not drench the whole plant.

·       Timer Controlled Sprinkler: Water sprinkler may be timed and should be used early morning or late evening as it minimizes evaporation of water.