At the Hotel Design Summit during the 7th Hospitality Philippines Conference 2024 at Marriott Manila, IDr. Iris Ocampo shared her knowledge and inputs in hospitality design, offering vital perspectives on the future of guest experiences. As the founder and Principal Interior Designer of IEO Studio Inc., she joined an esteemed panel of industry leaders to discuss the intersection of aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability in the Hospitality Industry. Her thoughtful contributions emphasized how interior design can not only enhance guest satisfaction but also shape the future of hospitality spaces, adapting to travelers’ evolving expectations. Here are some key takeaways from her insights shared during the discussion:
Hotel interiors are designed for luxury and comfort. The hotel sector is constantly innovating and changing to meet the needs of guests elevating the “home away from home” notion. The desire to include natural elements in daily life has increased as people’s perceptions of space have changed over the past years and soon have a better understanding and appreciation of sustainability.
Considering the nature of business which is highly competitive and specialized field that requires extensive education – infusing methodical and process-oriented system design solution and implementation. It is essential to take hold of who you want to be of service to and what brand you are presenting, from that point, it would determine the level of specialization to take into account designing the interior space.
Interiors that are built to last will always be in style – both in the design and implementation department. The only way for a design to achieve this is if it evokes the nature of the trademark and if it can be modified and altered in the future to adapt to time. Many hotels owe their rapid response to technological, spatial, and functional shifts to the forward-thinking Interior Design and its very nature of a hotel means that its interior design must allow for growth and development.
Sustainability should be a central consideration for those working in the hospitality business. Any design framework worth will include sustainability at its core, and this principle will permeate the whole creative process. Form, function, and material selections all need to be constituted with environmental sensitivity in mind. Interior Designers of hospitality facilities’ infrastructure are aware of this and take it carefully to meet, improve and cope with this requirement to constitute a better and distinct design.
The transformative journey of hospitality design towards a future where sustainability, technology, and experiential aspects are seamlessly integrated. The industry is at a pivotal point, ready to redefine how hospitality spaces are shaped and experienced. This evolution goes beyond meeting environmental standards – it focuses on enhancing guest experiences while ensuring economic sustainability.
Key to this transformation is the adoption of innovative, eco-friendly practices that not only improve operational efficiency and reduce costs but also align with the values of modern travelers. The combination of advanced technology and sustainable materials is set to create spaces that are not only environmentally conscious but also elevate guest comfort and satisfaction, thereby securing the industry’s financial future stability.
