Three Ways the Pandemic Might Change Hospitality Design
“On the other side of this crisis, people will return to travel and seek adventure and comfort in the hotel experience.”
Sara Duffy, interiors principal at Stonehill Taylor, shares her thoughts on how the pandemic might change our culture and impact the thinking behind hospitality design.
01 Celebrations of Connectedness
Design-world responses will seek to foster connection between people—amid a new awareness of physical distancing—and usher in a return to old-fashioned values and practices, such as the art of letter writing. The latter may be incorporated into a design feature, such as a decorative wall of hand-written notes encouraging guests to communicate with each other.
02 Different Ideas About What’s Healthy
An emphasis on health and wellness—perhaps that’s the construction of a spa or a thoughtful regard for light and air circulation—will take center stage.
03 Appreciation for Nature
There will be a welcomed return to nature, sometimes literal in the sense of locale, or more representative in the sense of greenery, open spaces, and inspired art. Furthermore, there will be a heightened observance of sustainability practices as we better appreciate our surroundings
The Sunken Lounge, TWA Hotel, Jamaica, NY. Photo: David Mitchell. Interior by Stonehill Taylor.