ASK MOST PEOPLE WHAT A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER DOES AND THE ANSWER WILL PROBABLY INVOLVE COLOURS, FURNITURE, AND FINISHES.

THOSE THINGS ARE PART OF THE JOB.

BUT THEY ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE WHOLE JOB.

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER SHAPES HOW A HOTEL WORKS, FEELS, AND EXPRESSES ITS IDENTITY — TRANSLATING BRAND STRATEGY, GUEST EXPERIENCE, OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AND A DESIGN CONCEPT INTO PHYSICAL SPACE.

THAT MAY INVOLVE THE FIRST IMPRESSION OF A LOBBY, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A RESTAURANT AND ITS KITCHEN, THE LIGHTING BESIDE A GUESTROOM BED, THE DURABILITY OF A CORRIDOR FINISH, OR THE DETAIL OF A CUSTOM PIECE OF FURNITURE THAT THOUSANDS OF GUESTS WILL USE.

FOR DEVELOPERS, HOTEL OWNERS, AND OPERATORS, UNDERSTANDING THIS ROLE MATTERS.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TREATING INTERIOR DESIGN AS DECORATION AND ENGAGING A GENUINE HOSPITALITY DESIGN PARTNER CAN AFFECT DECISIONS MADE LONG BEFORE FURNITURE ARRIVES ON SITE — AND LONG AFTER THE HOTEL OPENS.

WHAT IS A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER?

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER IS A SPECIALIST WHO PLANS, CONCEPTUALISES, DEVELOPS, AND DETAILS THE INTERIOR ENVIRONMENTS OF HOTELS AND HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES.

DEPENDING ON THE PROJECT SCOPE, THIS MAY INCLUDE GUESTROOMS, SUITES, LOBBIES, RESTAURANTS, BARS, LOUNGES, SPAS, FUNCTION SPACES, CORRIDORS, AMENITIES, AND SELECTED BACK-OF-HOUSE AREAS.

THE ROLE TYPICALLY COMBINES:

• CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
• SPACE PLANNING AND GUEST JOURNEY
• MATERIAL AND FINISH SPECIFICATION
• FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIPMENT (FF&E)
• BESPOKE FURNITURE AND JOINERY DESIGN
• LIGHTING COORDINATION
• DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
• TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION
• CONSULTANT COORDINATION
• REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION AGAINST DESIGN INTENT

NOT EVERY INTERIOR DESIGN CONTRACT INCLUDES EVERY ONE OF THESE SERVICES. PROCUREMENT, SITE SUPERVISION, STYLING, OR CERTAIN SPECIALIST DESIGN SCOPES MAY BE HANDLED SEPARATELY DEPENDING ON THE PROJECT.

THAT DISTINCTION IS IMPORTANT.

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER IS NOT SIMPLY SOMEONE WHO MAKES AN INTERIOR ATTRACTIVE.

THE ROLE IS TO TURN AN IDEA INTO A COHERENT, FUNCTIONAL, BUILDABLE HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE.

WHAT ARE THE CORE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER?

1. UNDERSTANDING THE BRAND, SITE, GUEST, AND BUSINESS

BEFORE DEVELOPING A VISUAL CONCEPT, A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROPERTY IS TRYING TO BECOME.

WHO IS THE TARGET GUEST?

WHAT IS THE MARKET POSITIONING?

WHAT DOES THE OPERATOR NEED?

HOW DOES THE PROPERTY RELATE TO ITS LOCATION?

WHAT SHOULD DIFFERENTIATE IT FROM ITS COMPETITIVE SET?

WHAT SPACES NEED TO GENERATE REVENUE, ENCOURAGE SOCIAL INTERACTION, CREATE PRIVACY, OR SUPPORT LONGER DWELL TIME?

THESE QUESTIONS FORM THE FOUNDATION OF THE PROJECT.

STRONG HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN BEGINS WITH UNDERSTANDING THE WHY BEFORE DECIDING THE WHAT.

2. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

THE DESIGN CONCEPT ESTABLISHES THE CENTRAL IDEA BEHIND THE HOTEL.

IT IS NOT SIMPLY A MOOD BOARD OR A PREFERRED AESTHETIC.

A STRONG CONCEPT EXPLAINS WHY THE PROPERTY SHOULD LOOK, FEEL, AND BEHAVE THE WAY IT DOES.

THE IDEA MAY EMERGE FROM THE SITE, HISTORY, CULTURE, ARCHITECTURE, BRAND IDENTITY, LANDSCAPE, TARGET AUDIENCE, OR ANOTHER NARRATIVE PARTICULAR TO THE PROJECT.

THE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER THEN TRANSLATES THIS DIRECTION THROUGH EARLY SPATIAL STUDIES, REFERENCES, MATERIALS, COLOUR, FURNITURE LANGUAGE, LIGHTING ATMOSPHERE, AND OTHER DESIGN ELEMENTS.

AT THAT’S ITH, THIS STAGE IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE DO NOT BEGIN WITH A PREDETERMINED SIGNATURE STYLE.

WE BEGIN WITH IDENTITY.

THE CONCEPT SHOULD EVENTUALLY ALLOW SOMEONE TO ANSWER:

WHY DOES THIS HOTEL BELONG HERE — AND WHY SHOULD IT FEEL LIKE THIS?

3. SPACE PLANNING AND GUEST FLOW

BEFORE FINISHES ARE SELECTED, THE HOTEL HAS TO WORK.

SPACE PLANNING DETERMINES THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FUNCTIONS AND HOW PEOPLE MOVE THROUGH THEM.

FOR GUESTROOMS, THIS MIGHT INVOLVE ENTRY SEQUENCE, WARDROBE LOCATION, LUGGAGE USE, BATHROOM PLANNING, BEDSIDE FUNCTIONS, AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERIOR AND VIEW.

FOR PUBLIC AREAS, IT CAN INVOLVE LOBBY ZONING, RECEPTION, WAITING, SOCIAL AREAS, F&B CIRCULATION, EVENT SPACES, AND TRANSITIONS BETWEEN PUBLIC AND MORE PRIVATE ZONES.

THE DESIGNER MUST ALSO CONSIDER HOW GUEST MOVEMENT INTERACTS WITH STAFF AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS.

A BEAUTIFUL LOBBY CAN STILL FAIL IF CIRCULATION IS CONFUSING.

A RESTAURANT CAN LOOK EXCEPTIONAL BUT PERFORM POORLY IF SERVICE ROUTES CONSTANTLY INTERRUPT THE GUEST EXPERIENCE.

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER THEREFORE DESIGNS BOTH SPACE AND BEHAVIOUR.

4. DESIGNING THE GUEST JOURNEY

SPACE PLANNING SOLVES FUNCTION.

GUEST JOURNEY DESIGN ADDS EMOTION.

HOTELS ARE EXPERIENCED AS SEQUENCES RATHER THAN ISOLATED ROOMS:

ARRIVAL, TRANSITION, DISCOVERY, PAUSE, REVEAL, RETREAT, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND DEPARTURE.

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER CONSIDERS WHAT GUESTS SEE FIRST, WHAT IS INTENTIONALLY CONCEALED, WHERE THE ATMOSPHERE CHANGES, AND WHEN A MOMENT DESERVES EMPHASIS.

A CORRIDOR, FOR EXAMPLE, DOES NOT HAVE TO BE TREATED SIMPLY AS CIRCULATION.

IT CAN CREATE ANTICIPATION BEFORE ENTERING A RESTAURANT OR PROVIDE A GRADUAL TRANSITION FROM AN ACTIVE PUBLIC AREA TOWARD A QUIETER GUESTROOM.

THIS IS WHY WE OFTEN DESCRIBE HOSPITALITY INTERIOR DESIGN AS CHOREOGRAPHY RATHER THAN DECORATION.

THE DESIGNER IS SHAPING WHAT HAPPENS OVER TIME, NOT ONLY WHAT APPEARS IN A PHOTOGRAPH.

5. MATERIAL AND FINISH SELECTION

HOTEL MATERIALS HAVE TO PERFORM VISUALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

FLOORING, WALL FINISHES, STONE, TIMBER, METAL, FABRICS, PAINT SYSTEMS, DECORATIVE SURFACES, AND OTHER MATERIALS ARE SELECTED ACCORDING TO THE CONCEPT WHILE ALSO CONSIDERING SUITABILITY FOR HOSPITALITY USE.

A RESTAURANT FLOOR FACES DIFFERENT CONDITIONS FROM A GUESTROOM FLOOR.

A RECEPTION COUNTER IS TOUCHED THOUSANDS OF TIMES.

CORRIDOR FINISHES MAY NEED TO WITHSTAND LUGGAGE, HOUSEKEEPING ACTIVITY, MAINTENANCE, AND REPEATED CLEANING.

IN PROJECTS SUCH AS SILVER WAVES AT CHATRIUM RIVERSIDE BANGKOK, MATERIALITY CONTRIBUTES TO ATMOSPHERE AND IDENTITY, BUT HOSPITALITY MATERIALS MUST ALSO SURVIVE REALITY.

THE GOAL IS NOT SIMPLY TO SPECIFY BEAUTIFUL MATERIALS.

IT IS TO SPECIFY THE RIGHT MATERIAL IN THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE RIGHT REASON.

6. FF&E SELECTION AND BESPOKE FURNITURE DESIGN

FF&E STANDS FOR FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIPMENT, AND IT FORMS A MAJOR PART OF HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN.

DEPENDING ON THE SCOPE, THE DESIGNER MAY SELECT OR DESIGN:

• SOFAS AND LOUNGE SEATING
• DINING CHAIRS AND TABLES
• BEDS AND BEDSIDE FURNITURE
• CASE GOODS
• DECORATIVE LIGHTING
• RUGS AND CARPETS
• CURTAINS AND SOFT FURNISHINGS
• ARTWORK AND ACCESSORIES
• OUTDOOR FURNITURE
• SELECTED OPERATIONAL OR GUEST-USE EQUIPMENT

HOSPITALITY FF&E MUST RESPOND TO MORE THAN APPEARANCE.

COMFORT, SCALE, DURABILITY, MAINTENANCE, FIRE AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WHERE APPLICABLE, MANUFACTURING QUALITY, LEAD TIME, BUDGET, AND REPLACEMENT STRATEGY MAY ALL INFLUENCE A SPECIFICATION.

BESPOKE FURNITURE ADDS ANOTHER LAYER.

A CUSTOM-DESIGNED PIECE CAN REINFORCE THE IDENTITY OF A PROJECT IN A WAY THAT CATALOGUE FURNITURE CANNOT — BUT ONLY WHEN THERE IS A REASON TO CUSTOMISE IT.

FOR US, BESPOKE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN BETTER.

SPECIFICITY IS VALUABLE WHEN IT SERVES THE IDEA.

7. LIGHTING AND ATMOSPHERE

LIGHTING AFFECTS HOW MATERIALS APPEAR, HOW PEOPLE FEEL, AND HOW A HOSPITALITY SPACE CHANGES ACROSS THE DAY.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS COMMONLY DEVELOP THE INTENDED LIGHTING ATMOSPHERE AND COORDINATE CLOSELY WITH SPECIALIST LIGHTING DESIGNERS AND ELECTRICAL CONSULTANTS WHERE THOSE DISCIPLINES ARE SEPARATELY APPOINTED.

DIFFERENT LIGHTING LAYERS MAY ADDRESS GENERAL ILLUMINATION, FUNCTIONAL TASKS, ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES, ARTWORK, TABLES, DECORATIVE MOMENTS, OR ATMOSPHERE.

A RESTAURANT AT LUNCH MAY NEED TO FEEL COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AFTER DARK.

A HOTEL CORRIDOR NEEDS SUFFICIENT FUNCTIONAL LIGHT WITHOUT NECESSARILY LOSING INTIMACY.

A BEDSIDE READING LIGHT NEEDS TO WORK FOR AN ACTUAL GUEST, NOT MERELY APPEAR ATTRACTIVE IN A RENDERING.

LIGHTING THEREFORE SITS AT THE INTERSECTION OF EXPERIENCE, FUNCTION, AND TECHNICAL COORDINATION.

8. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

ONCE THE MAIN CONCEPT AND PLANNING DIRECTION ARE APPROVED, BROAD IDEAS NEED TO BECOME PRECISE.

THIS IS THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STAGE.

DIMENSIONS ARE REFINED.

MATERIALS ARE CONFIRMED.

JOINERY DEVELOPS.

FURNITURE BECOMES SPECIFIC.

CEILING CONDITIONS, LIGHTING RELATIONSHIPS, BATHROOM DETAILS, INTERFACES BETWEEN MATERIALS, AND COUNTLESS OTHER DECISIONS ARE RESOLVED.

THE QUESTION CHANGES FROM:

“WHAT SHOULD THIS PLACE FEEL LIKE?”

TO:

“EXACTLY HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE IT FEEL THAT WAY?”

THIS STAGE IS ONE OF THE CLEAREST DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN AN ATTRACTIVE CONCEPT AND PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN.

IDEAS MUST SURVIVE INCREASING LEVELS OF DETAIL WITHOUT LOSING THEIR ORIGINAL PURPOSE.

9. CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

A HOTEL CANNOT BE BUILT FROM A MOOD BOARD OR RENDERING.

DEPENDING ON THE CONSULTANT’S CONTRACTUAL SCOPE AND LOCAL PROJECT REQUIREMENTS, INTERIOR DESIGN DOCUMENTATION MAY INCLUDE PLANS, REFLECTED CEILING INFORMATION, ELEVATIONS, SECTIONS, JOINERY DRAWINGS, INTERIOR DETAILS, FINISH SCHEDULES, FF&E INFORMATION, AND SPECIFICATIONS.

THESE DOCUMENTS COMMUNICATE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS TO CONTRACTORS, FABRICATORS, SUPPLIERS, AND OTHER CONSULTANTS.

THE EXACT DOCUMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES VARY BETWEEN PROJECTS AND JURISDICTIONS, PARTICULARLY WHERE LOCAL ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS, OR SPECIALIST CONSULTANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR STATUTORY OR TECHNICAL ELEMENTS.

BUT THE PRINCIPLE REMAINS THE SAME:

DESIGN INTENT HAS TO BE TRANSLATED INTO INFORMATION SOMEONE CAN ACCURATELY PRICE, COORDINATE, MANUFACTURE, AND BUILD.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY IS THEREFORE NOT SECONDARY TO CREATIVITY.

IT IS WHAT ALLOWS CREATIVITY TO BECOME PHYSICAL.

10. COORDINATION WITH ARCHITECTS AND OTHER CONSULTANTS

HOTELS ARE HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS.

THE INTERIOR DESIGNER MAY WORK ALONGSIDE:

• ARCHITECTS
• STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
• MEP ENGINEERS
• LIGHTING DESIGNERS
• KITCHEN CONSULTANTS
• ACOUSTIC CONSULTANTS
• LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
• HOTEL OPERATORS
• BRAND DESIGN TEAMS
• SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING CONSULTANTS
• AV AND TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS
• CONTRACTORS
• SUPPLIERS AND FABRICATORS

RESPONSIBILITIES OVERLAP AT MANY INTERFACES.

A CEILING MAY NEED COORDINATION BETWEEN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, LIGHTING, AIR-CONDITIONING, FIRE PROTECTION, SPEAKERS, AND ACCESS PANELS.

A BATHROOM MAY INVOLVE INTERIOR DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE, STRUCTURE, PLUMBING, WATERPROOFING, LIGHTING, AND SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT.

GOOD COORDINATION IS THEREFORE PARTLY ABOUT PROTECTING THE CONCEPT AND PARTLY ABOUT SOLVING CONFLICTS BEFORE THEY BECOME CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS.

11. WORKING WITH HOTEL BRAND STANDARDS

FOR BRANDED HOTELS, ANOTHER RESPONSIBILITY MAY BE INTERPRETING AND COORDINATING OPERATOR OR BRAND STANDARDS.

THESE STANDARDS CAN COVER GUESTROOMS, BATHROOMS, LIGHTING, FURNITURE, ACCESSIBILITY, DURABILITY, OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, BRAND IDENTITY, TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE, AND MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PROPERTY.

THE CHALLENGE IS NOT SIMPLY COMPLIANCE.

IT IS FINDING ENOUGH ROOM WITHIN THOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PARTICULAR HOTEL TO HAVE ITS OWN IDENTITY.

A HOTEL SHOULD FEEL UNMISTAKABLY PART OF ITS BRAND WHERE REQUIRED WITHOUT BECOMING INTERCHANGEABLE WITH EVERY OTHER PROPERTY CARRYING THE SAME FLAG.

THAT BALANCE DEMANDS BOTH DESIGN INTELLIGENCE AND COLLABORATION.

12. SITE REVIEW AND INSTALLATION OVERSIGHT

CONSTRUCTION INTRODUCES CONDITIONS THAT DRAWINGS CANNOT ALWAYS PREDICT.

EXISTING SITE DIMENSIONS MAY VARY.

MATERIALS MAY NEED ALTERNATIVES.

INTERFACES CAN REVEAL UNFORESEEN PROBLEMS.

FABRICATION DETAILS MAY REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT.

WHEN SITE SERVICES FORM PART OF THE DESIGNER’S APPOINTMENT, SITE REVIEWS ALLOW THE DESIGN TEAM TO ASSESS RELEVANT WORK AGAINST THE APPROVED DESIGN INTENT AND RESPOND TO DESIGN-RELATED QUESTIONS THAT ARISE DURING CONSTRUCTION.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSTRUCTION METHODS, WORKMANSHIP, SAFETY, PROGRAMME, OR STATUTORY SUPERVISION; EXACT RESPONSIBILITIES DEPEND ON THE CONSULTANT AGREEMENT AND LOCAL REGULATIONS.

THAT DISTINCTION PROTECTS EVERYONE INVOLVED.

THE DESIGNER PROTECTS DESIGN INTENT.

THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM REMAINS RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING THE WORK WITHIN ITS CONTRACTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

HOW IS A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER DIFFERENT FROM AN ARCHITECT?

HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS OFTEN WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER, BUT THE PROFESSIONS HAVE DIFFERENT AREAS OF EMPHASIS AND THEIR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES VARY BY JURISDICTION.

BROADLY, AN ARCHITECT TYPICALLY LEADS THE BUILDING AS A WHOLE: PLANNING, FORM, ENVELOPE, ARCHITECTURAL CIRCULATION, REGULATORY COORDINATION, AND OTHER ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSIBILITIES DEFINED BY THE PROJECT.

THE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER CONCENTRATES ON THE EXPERIENCE AND DETAILED DEVELOPMENT OF INTERIOR ENVIRONMENTS.

IN PRACTICE, THE BOUNDARY CAN OVERLAP SIGNIFICANTLY.

A LOBBY VOLUME, STAIRCASE, FAÇADE TRANSITION, GUESTROOM PLANNING STRATEGY, OR RESTAURANT OPENING MAY REQUIRE BOTH DISCIPLINES TO DESIGN TOGETHER.

THE USEFUL DISTINCTION IS THEREFORE NOT SIMPLY:

ARCHITECTURE CREATES THE OUTSIDE; INTERIOR DESIGN CREATES THE INSIDE.

A BETTER DESCRIPTION IS:

ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN WORK AT DIFFERENT SCALES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARD THE SAME GUEST EXPERIENCE.

HOW IS A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER DIFFERENT FROM A GENERAL CONTRACTOR?

THE DISTINCTION IS CLEARER.

A GENERAL CONTRACTOR IS APPOINTED TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT ACCORDING TO ITS CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, COORDINATING LABOUR, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, MATERIALS, SUBCONTRACTORS, PROGRAMME, AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION RESPONSIBILITIES.

THE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER DEVELOPS AND COMMUNICATES THE INTERIOR DESIGN INTENT.

THE CONTRACTOR ASKS:

HOW WILL THIS BE BUILT?

THE DESIGNER ASKS:

WHAT SHOULD BE BUILT, HOW SHOULD IT PERFORM AND FEEL, AND WHAT DESIGN INTENT NEEDS TO SURVIVE THE PROCESS?

DURING CONSTRUCTION, SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS DEPEND ON COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE TWO.

BUT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REMAIN DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

LUXURY HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER VS. BOUTIQUE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER

THE FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES ARE SIMILAR.

THE CONSTRAINTS ARE DIFFERENT.

A LARGE LUXURY HOTEL MAY INVOLVE HUNDREDS OF GUESTROOMS, SEVERAL RESTAURANTS AND BARS, BALLROOMS, MEETING SPACES, AMENITIES, MULTIPLE CONSULTANT TEAMS, OPERATOR STANDARDS, AND COMPLEX APPROVAL STRUCTURES.

MAINTAINING CLARITY OF CONCEPT ACROSS THAT SCALE REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT COORDINATION.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN OFTEN OPERATES WITH FEWER KEYS AND A SMALLER FOOTPRINT, POTENTIALLY ALLOWING INDIVIDUAL SPACES TO CARRY STRONGER OR MORE VARIED IDENTITIES.

BUT BOUTIQUE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN EASIER.

WITH FEWER SPACES, EACH ONE MAY CARRY A GREATER SHARE OF THE ENTIRE GUEST EXPERIENCE.

PROJECTS SUCH AS LYF SUKHUMVIT 8 DEMONSTRATE HOW HOSPITALITY IDENTITY CAN EMERGE THROUGH SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND LIFESTYLE RATHER THAN CONVENTIONAL HOTEL FORMALITY.

THE DESIGNER’S JOB IN BOTH CASES IS THE SAME:

UNDERSTAND THE CONSTRAINTS AND CREATE AN IDENTITY STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK WITHIN THEM.

WHAT SKILLS SHOULD A STRONG HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER HAVE?

HOTEL DESIGN REQUIRES AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION OF CREATIVE, TECHNICAL, COLLABORATIVE, AND COMMERCIAL THINKING.

CONCEPTUAL AND SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE

A DESIGNER SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEVELOP AN IDEA AND TRANSLATE IT INTO THREE-DIMENSIONAL EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN STOPPING AT VISUAL REFERENCES.

TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING

THE DESIGNER NEEDS ENOUGH TECHNICAL LITERACY TO DEVELOP BUILDABLE DETAILS, COMMUNICATE THROUGH DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS, COORDINATE WITH CONSULTANTS, AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF DESIGN DECISIONS.

MATERIAL AND HOSPITALITY KNOWLEDGE

MATERIALS MUST BE EVALUATED FOR CONCEPT, APPEARANCE, DURABILITY, MAINTENANCE, FABRICATION, AND SUITABILITY FOR THEIR INTENDED USE.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION

A HOTEL PROJECT CAN INVOLVE LARGE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS OVER SEVERAL YEARS. CLEAR COMMUNICATION IS THEREFORE PART OF DESIGN COMPETENCE.

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

A DESIGNER SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY DECISION EXISTS WITHIN COST, PROGRAMME, PROCUREMENT, OPERATIONS, AND MARKET POSITIONING.

COMMERCIAL AWARENESS DOES NOT MEAN CHOOSING THE CHEAPEST OPTION.

IT MEANS UNDERSTANDING WHERE DESIGN EFFORT CREATES THE GREATEST VALUE.

HOW IS A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM STRUCTURED?

ON LARGER PROJECTS, THE TITLE “HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER” USUALLY REPRESENTS A TEAM RATHER THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL DOING EVERYTHING.

A STUDIO MAY INCLUDE:

• A PRINCIPAL OR CREATIVE DIRECTOR ESTABLISHING THE OVERALL DESIGN DIRECTION
• PROJECT LEADERS COORDINATING THE PROJECT AND CLIENT
• INTERIOR DESIGNERS DEVELOPING SPACES AND DETAILS
• TECHNICAL DESIGNERS PRODUCING AND COORDINATING DOCUMENTATION
• FF&E DESIGNERS DEVELOPING FURNITURE AND SPECIFICATIONS
• VISUALISATION TEAMS
• PROCUREMENT OR STYLING SPECIALISTS WHERE INCLUDED IN THE STUDIO’S SCOPE

TEAM STRUCTURES VARY SIGNIFICANTLY BETWEEN PRACTICES.

FOR DEVELOPERS, THE IMPORTANT QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER ONE PARTICULAR ORGANISATIONAL CHART IS CORRECT.

IT IS WHETHER RESPONSIBILITIES ARE CLEAR:

WHO OWNS THE CONCEPT? WHO MAKES DAY-TO-DAY DESIGN DECISIONS? WHO COORDINATES TECHNICAL INFORMATION? WHO ATTENDS MEETINGS? AND WHO REMAINS INVOLVED WHEN THE PROJECT REACHES CONSTRUCTION?

THOSE QUESTIONS ARE WORTH ASKING BEFORE APPOINTMENT.

WHAT IS THE TYPICAL HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN PROCESS?

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT COMMONLY DEVELOPS THROUGH SEVERAL STAGES, ALTHOUGH TERMINOLOGY AND SCOPE VARY BETWEEN STUDIOS AND CONTRACTS.

DISCOVERY AND BRIEFING

UNDERSTANDING THE SITE, BRAND, TARGET GUEST, PROGRAMME, OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS, BUDGET, SCHEDULE, AND COMMERCIAL OBJECTIVES.

CONCEPT DESIGN

ESTABLISHING THE MAIN NARRATIVE, SPATIAL CHARACTER, MATERIAL DIRECTION, AND EXPERIENCE.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN AND SPACE PLANNING

DEVELOPING LAYOUTS, ZONING, CIRCULATION, AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN KEY SPACES.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

REFINING MATERIALS, LIGHTING, JOINERY, FF&E, DETAILS, AND TECHNICAL INTERFACES.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

PRODUCING THE INTERIOR DESIGN INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR PRICING, COORDINATION, AND CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE AGREED SCOPE.

PROCUREMENT OR PROCUREMENT SUPPORT

SELECTING, TENDERING, ORDERING, OR COORDINATING FF&E WHERE THIS SERVICE FORMS PART OF THE APPOINTMENT.

CONSTRUCTION-STAGE SERVICES

REVIEWING DESIGN-RELATED SUBMISSIONS, ANSWERING RELEVANT DESIGN QUERIES, ATTENDING AGREED SITE REVIEWS, AND ASSESSING INSTALLATION AGAINST DESIGN INTENT WHERE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT.

STYLING AND INSTALLATION

FINAL FURNITURE, ARTWORK, ACCESSORIES, AND STYLING MAY ALSO FORM PART OF SOME INTERIOR DESIGNERS’ SERVICES.

A SUCCESSFUL HOTEL INTERIOR IS THE OUTCOME OF HUNDREDS OF CONNECTED DECISIONS MADE ACROSS ALL OF THESE STAGES, NOT SOMETHING CREATED WHEN FURNITURE ARRIVES AT THE END.

WHAT SHOULD DEVELOPERS LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER?

A CLEAR WAY OF THINKING, NOT JUST A RECOGNISABLE STYLE

A STRONG STUDIO SHOULD DEMONSTRATE DESIGN INTELLIGENCE ACROSS DIFFERENT PROJECTS RATHER THAN REPEATING ONE VISUAL FORMULA.

RELEVANT HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE

HOTEL DESIGN INTRODUCES OPERATIONAL, DURABILITY, BRAND, GUEST-FLOW, AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS THAT DIFFER FROM MANY RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS.

EVIDENCE OF BUILT WORK

RENDERINGS SHOW IMAGINATION.

BUILT PROJECTS SHOW WHAT SURVIVES REALITY.

LOOK AT DETAILING, MATERIAL EXECUTION, FURNITURE, LIGHTING, AND HOW THE PROJECT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN CONSTRUCTED.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY

ASK HOW THE STUDIO DEVELOPS AND DOCUMENTS ITS WORK, WHAT SITS WITHIN ITS CONTRACTUAL SCOPE, AND HOW IT COORDINATES WITH ARCHITECTS, OPERATORS, AND OTHER CONSULTANTS.

UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH BRAND AND OPERATIONS

A HOTEL NEEDS IDENTITY, BUT THAT IDENTITY MUST COEXIST WITH SERVICE, MAINTENANCE, SAFETY, BUDGET, AND COMMERCIAL REALITIES.

A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS

THE BEST HOTEL PROJECTS RARELY COME FROM A DESIGNER WORKING IN ISOLATION.

LOOK FOR A STUDIO CAPABLE OF DEFENDING A STRONG IDEA WHILE STILL LISTENING, COORDINATING, AND ADAPTING INTELLIGENTLY.

THAT’S ITH’S ROLE AS A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER

AT THAT’S ITH INTERIOR, WE SEE THE ROLE OF THE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER AS BOTH AUTHOR AND TRANSLATOR.

AUTHOR, BECAUSE EVERY PROPERTY NEEDS AN IDEA STRONG ENOUGH TO CREATE ITS OWN IDENTITY.

TRANSLATOR, BECAUSE THAT IDEA HAS TO SURVIVE ARCHITECTURE, OPERATIONS, BUDGETS, TECHNICAL COORDINATION, MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION, AND THOUSANDS OF DECISIONS BEFORE BECOMING A REAL SPACE.

WE DO NOT BEGIN WITH A SIGNATURE AESTHETIC.

WE BEGIN WITH THE PLACE, BRAND, AUDIENCE, CULTURE, BUSINESS, AND GUEST EXPERIENCE — AND ASK WHAT IDENTITY SHOULD EMERGE FROM THEM.

THAT IS WHY ONE THAT’S ITH PROJECT CAN LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER.

THE CONSISTENCY IS NOT IN THE STYLE.

IT IS IN THE THINKING.

FOR US, FEARLESS LUXURY MEANS HAVING THE CONFIDENCE TO MAKE A DESIGN DECISION BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT, NOT BECAUSE IT RESEMBLES OUR PREVIOUS WORK OR FOLLOWS A FAMILIAR LUXURY FORMULA.

OUR INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES CAN SPAN CONCEPT DESIGN, SPACE PLANNING, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, MATERIAL AND FF&E DEVELOPMENT, BESPOKE DETAILING, AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION ACCORDING TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND AGREED SCOPE OF EACH PROJECT.

ACROSS EVERY STAGE, THE OBJECTIVE REMAINS THE SAME:

TO PROTECT THE IDENTITY OF THE PROJECT FROM THE FIRST IDEA THROUGH TO THE BUILT EXPERIENCE.

EXPLORE THAT’S ITH HOSPITALITY INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECTS.

PLANNING A HOTEL OR HOSPITALITY PROJECT?

THE BEST TIME TO INVOLVE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER IS BEFORE THE MOST IMPORTANT SPATIAL AND EXPERIENTIAL DECISIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED.

LED BY FOUNDER AND DESIGNER ITH PALACH, THAT’S ITH INTERIOR IS A BANGKOK-BASED INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO WORKING ACROSS HOSPITALITY, RESIDENTIAL, AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS IN THAILAND AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.

WE COLLABORATE WITH DEVELOPERS, HOTEL OPERATORS, ARCHITECTS, AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONSULTANT TEAMS TO TRANSLATE IDENTITY, GUEST EXPERIENCE, AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS INTO DISTINCTIVE BUILT ENVIRONMENTS.

CONTACT THAT’S ITH INTERIOR TO DISCUSS YOUR NEXT HOTEL, RESORT, RESTAURANT, BAR, OR HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT DOES A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER DO?

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER PLANS, CONCEPTUALISES, DEVELOPS, AND DETAILS INTERIOR SPACES WITHIN HOTELS AND HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES.

DEPENDING ON THE PROJECT SCOPE, THIS CAN INCLUDE CONCEPT DESIGN, SPACE PLANNING, GUEST JOURNEY, MATERIAL SELECTION, FF&E, BESPOKE FURNITURE, LIGHTING COORDINATION, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION, CONSULTANT COORDINATION, AND CONSTRUCTION-STAGE DESIGN SERVICES.

IS A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER THE SAME AS AN ARCHITECT?

NO, ALTHOUGH THE TWO DISCIPLINES COLLABORATE CLOSELY AND THEIR EXACT RESPONSIBILITIES VARY BY JURISDICTION AND PROJECT.

ARCHITECTS GENERALLY TAKE BROADER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BUILDING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCOPE, WHILE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNERS CONCENTRATE ON THE PLANNING, EXPERIENCE, MATERIALITY, DETAILING, FURNISHING, AND ATMOSPHERE OF INTERIOR ENVIRONMENTS.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER AND AN INTERIOR DECORATOR?

AN INTERIOR DECORATOR PRIMARILY WORKS WITH THE VISUAL FURNISHING AND STYLING OF A SPACE.

A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER CAN BECOME INVOLVED MUCH EARLIER, ADDRESSING CONCEPT, PLANNING, GUEST FLOW, MATERIALS, LIGHTING, FF&E, TECHNICAL DETAILING, OPERATIONS, AND COORDINATION REQUIRED TO TURN THE DESIGN INTO A BUILDABLE HOSPITALITY ENVIRONMENT.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LUXURY HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER AND A BOUTIQUE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER?

THE CORE DESIGN SKILLS ARE SIMILAR, BUT PROJECT CONSTRAINTS DIFFER.

LARGE LUXURY HOTELS MAY REQUIRE EXTENSIVE COORDINATION ACROSS REPEATED GUESTROOMS, MULTIPLE OUTLETS, OPERATOR STANDARDS, AND LARGE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS. BOUTIQUE HOTELS OPERATE AT A MORE INTIMATE SCALE AND MAY ALLOW GREATER VARIATION BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL SPACES.

WHEN SHOULD A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER BE APPOINTED?

IDEALLY, THE HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER SHOULD BECOME INVOLVED DURING THE EARLY PLANNING OR CONCEPT STAGE.

EARLY INVOLVEMENT GIVES THE DESIGN TEAM GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO COORDINATE GUEST FLOW, ARCHITECTURAL RELATIONSHIPS, BRAND POSITIONING, OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AND THE INTERIOR EXPERIENCE BEFORE MAJOR DECISIONS BECOME COSTLY TO CHANGE.

DOES A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER HANDLE FF&E PROCUREMENT?

SOMETIMES.

SOME INTERIOR DESIGN APPOINTMENTS INCLUDE PROCUREMENT, PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT, OR PURCHASING SUPPORT, WHILE OTHERS PROVIDE DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION ONLY. DEVELOPERS SHOULD CLARIFY FF&E SCOPE, PURCHASING RESPONSIBILITY, LOGISTICS, INSTALLATION, AND WARRANTIES BEFORE APPOINTMENT.

DOES A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION?

IT DEPENDS ON THE CONTRACT AND LOCAL PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS MAY PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION-STAGE SERVICES SUCH AS SITE REVIEWS, RESPONDING TO DESIGN QUERIES, REVIEWING SAMPLES OR SHOP DRAWINGS, AND ASSESSING WORK AGAINST DESIGN INTENT. THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME AS STATUTORY SUPERVISION, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, OR THE CONTRACTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSTRUCTION MEANS AND METHODS.

HOW LONG DOES HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN TAKE?

THERE IS NO SINGLE STANDARD DURATION.

THE PROGRAMME DEPENDS ON PROJECT SIZE, COMPLEXITY, NUMBER OF GUESTROOMS AND OUTLETS, APPROVAL PROCEDURES, OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS, CONSULTANT COORDINATION, PROCUREMENT LEAD TIMES, AND CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE.

A LARGE FULL-SERVICE HOTEL PROJECT CAN SPAN SEVERAL YEARS FROM EARLY DESIGN THROUGH OPENING, WHILE SMALLER OR RENOVATION PROJECTS MAY MOVE SIGNIFICANTLY FASTER.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGNER IN THAILAND?

LOOK FOR RELEVANT HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE, STRONG BUILT WORK, A CLEAR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY, TECHNICAL CAPABILITY, UNDERSTANDING OF HOTEL OPERATIONS, EXPERIENCE COLLABORATING WITH MULTIDISCIPLINARY CONSULTANTS, AND KNOWLEDGE OF MATERIALS, CRAFTSPEOPLE, SUPPLIERS, AND CONSTRUCTION CONDITIONS RELEVANT TO THE MARKET.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, LOOK FOR A STUDIO CAPABLE OF CREATING AN IDENTITY THAT BELONGS TO THE PROJECT RATHER THAN SIMPLY APPLYING A FAMILIAR STYLE.