BHN speaks to Paradigm Design Group co-founder and president, Lisa Haude, about her list of the eight fastest growing trends in hospitality design, which can be found here.
- Please can you introduce yourself and what is your background in interior design and hospitality?
Growing up, I was always the child that was drawing, painting or rearranging and re-decorating my room and, of course, driving my Mum crazy. This artistic passion led me to a work/study programme during my senior year of high school, when I convinced the owner of a small, local interior design firm to hire me as her personal assistant. I ended up staying with her until my junior year of college. Between that hands-on experience and my design degree from Baylor University, I continued to strengthen my core design skills. I was fortunate to meet Deborah Lloyd Forrest during my final years at Baylor and through my internship with her, I was introduced to hospitality design, which quickly became my passion. Later, in 2001, I finally had enough courage to start my own firm and I have not looked back since.
- Who are Paradigm Design Group and who do you aim to serve?
Paradigm Design Group today is a design studio where I am fortunate to work collaboratively with my extremely talented team each and every day. Together, we work on projects both domestically and abroad for major hotel brands (i.e. Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Hotels & Resorts), as well as boutique, independent properties. Today, we are known as one of the leading design firms and are sought out for our attention to detail and lifestyle approach to design.
- Why did you compile your list of the eight fastest growing trends in hospitality? How will this help to educate the hotel industry in a broader sense?
I am committed to mentoring others and felt that this article focused on the eight fastest growing trends in hospitality would be a helpful tool for those currently in the hospitality industry or wanting to pursue a career in this industry. This list was compiled to help others better cater to today’s hotel guest by providing a more personal and culturally immersive experience, thus, creating a win-win for both sides. I feel it is important to share our thoughts on current or upcoming trends, design tips and inspirational imagery, as it helps inspire those in our community to strive to create amazing experiences for the well-seasoned traveller.
- A key section of your trends piece relates to “culture immersions” and “experiences” – what does this entail and why is it becoming more important for hotels to incorporate these in their designs?
Today’s travellers want to immerse themselves into their destination and experience all that is has to offer. For example, if you are in Paris, one would want to experience that Parisian lifestyle by shopping in the local farmer markets, eating with the locals at their favourite cafes, purchasing flowers at the flower shop, etc. This cultural immersion helps create a sense of place, but also allows the mind to unwind, relax and experience something different, ultimately giving you the chance to recharge all of your senses.
- How do you envisage the year ahead for trends in smart-room technology? How are hotels adopting more features like voice activations and apps to be more personalised for guests?
I believe that the future hotel will incorporate more personalised services and home-like amenities. Smart TV access that allows guests the ability to connect to their personalised show preferences, remote/wireless room check-in access that also allows you to pre-set the temperature of the room, open and close the window shades, pre-order room service or any other feature that we can dream up. Given our ability to connect to Alexa, Echo or equal technology has opened the doors to a completely different sense of arrival for the individual guests needs.
- How do you see hotels committing to more sustainable “green” initiatives? How can they actively take a lead with reducing their carbon footprints?
Wireless check-in may become more prevalent in an effort to be more sustainable. This may eliminate key cards, plastic and paper waste, as well as offer a more convenient service to guests. Recycling programmes for products other just plastic and paper, such as food waste and damaged linens, are also likely to start popping up in hotels as these items can then be outsourced and repurposed, which offers a much more ethical solution to waste. I also envision the advancement of rooftop gardens and co-ops, thus creating partnerships with local farmers, bakeries, etc., which will offer even more farm-to-table dining services and result in a smaller carbon footprint.
- Do you think we will see an increasing number of partnerships between hotels and other transportation companies beyond this year?
Yes, I think so. The ease of companies, like Uber and Lyft, allow people the ability to be spontaneous and easily move from one place to the next quickly. When these brands and services partner with hotels, it helps continue to build brand loyalty and is beneficial for all parties involved.
- Are hotels having to react to the growing popularity of serviced apartments and short-term rentals by adapting their hospitality offerings / interior design?
Given the popularity of companies that offer service apartments and short-term rentals, I believe that hotels will continue to adapt as this service grows, but I think it also depends on the market and type of experience the guest is looking for. If you are a family or a group of friends that plan on staying in a location for an extended period of time, creature comforts of making your own meals, shared living spaces, and personalised amenities are very appealing, as opposed to being confined to a small guest room or suite.
Some hotels, like Cliff House Maine (a client of ours), offer the ability for a guest to stay in a typical guest room or in the historic guest house that provides the luxuries of home, yet with all of the amenities that the hotel has to offer (room service, housekeeping, etc.). I think for certain destinations, this is something that more hotels should consider offering their guests, as it allows more exclusive room options for guests to choose from dependent on their lifestyles, and further enhances the experience and immerses guests in a new, unique culture.
