490 Interior Design Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Hospitality Establishment Design The business of the hospitality industry is to transform the hectic lives of guests into a state of tranquility, relax- ation, and enjoyment. This design sector includes the design of hotels, convention centers, spas, casinos, restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops. Hospitality occurs in any public facility that invites relaxation, offers enter- tainment, serves as a vacation destination, encourages recreation, and provides refreshment. It is an area of practice that incorporates a great many aspects of residential design into public spaces and is one of the most creative areas of commercial practice. Today’s fast-paced, global market demands much of travelers, as work/life balance often hinges on a satis- fying experience. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, a consumer’s perception of the experience can run the gamut from exciting and exhilarating to agonizing and downright exhausting. While it can be invigorating to experience different places and cultures, it also can be uniquely challenging for travelers, making the design of hospitality environments all the more important. International business, global trends, technology and cross-cultural indicators all greatly infl uence the hospi- tality indurstry. Satisfying experiences and initiatives that build brand loyalty are the basis for positioning in this industry. These issues force designers to think beyond their own expectations, as spaces and facilities designs now need to focus on people from all cultural, social, and global backgrounds. Working in this sector requires understanding of the impact of the global economy, shifts in consumer prefer- ences, travel experiences, and how technology impacts nearly every aspect of the built environment. One such trend is the way in which consumers are taking direct control of their experiences through technology, and instant data sharing. Apps that offer ratings and customer feedback greatly affect industry bookings. Thanks to shifts in business and consumer habits, the hospitality sector represents an exciting area of oppor- tunity for designers. They can apply creativity not only to traditional hotel spaces like guestrooms and lobbies, C A S E S T U D Y Money-Saving Trends in Healthcare Design Because of the higher costs of real estate and construction, designers continually look for ways to increase efficiency and save money for clients. Here are two examples of money-saving trends in healthcare design. Design teams are developing model patient rooms and model operating room prior to construction. This allows the teams to test the function and comfort level of the rooms for users before specifying the construction of multiples of same room type. Another trend relates to office space for medical practitioners. In order to maintain profitability, it is increasingly important for medical office space to be efficient. Real estate costs, whether in the form of monthly rent or a mortgage payment, are one of the highest single expenses for medical practitioners. How can designers help make medical office space more efficient, thereby reducing the space requirements and real estate costs? Some possible solutions include ■ reduce seating in the waiting room ■ reduce onsite fi le storage by scanning or storing off-site ■ make patient room sizes smaller and more efficient ■ eliminate or reduce the break room size ■ eliminate separate practitioner offices Investigate and Reflect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use the Internet to research additional trends in the design of healthcare facilities. Use the key words “trends in healthcare facility design.” Identify at least three additional trends, summarizing the purpose and approach to meeting the various design needs. Discuss your fi ndings with the class.