Internationally renowned as the surfer’s paradise, tourism is a major economic driver of Gold Coast, Australia. However, COVID-19 posed challenges to the tourism and hospitality industry when strict travel protocols are being implemented to this day. Hence, it became the responsibility of planners, architects, interior designers, and shopfitters in Gold Coast to redesign these establishments to ensure customers of their health and safety.
The economy is slowly recovering, and the affected business, especially hotels, are modifying their spaces to follow evolving health regulations and customer needs. The industry does not expect to go back to the usual operations soon because of international health and travel restrictions. That is why they shift their focus to the needs of their locality instead.
Same Amenities, New Activities
Parking, private spaces, meeting halls, food & beverage service etc. are some of the existing amenities in hotels. With a little creativity, they can optimize these spaces to accommodate new activities. Hotel rooms and suites can be converted into private offices. While more businesses encourage their employees to work remotely, some may not have the resources or the place. They can use hotel rooms as working space when their homes are unavailable, especially those who need quiet spaces to teach remotely, attend interviews, and hold important meetings. A Co-working space that follows social distancing protocols is also a good idea.
Hotels can change the environment when people become anxious about uncontrollable situations or feel the downcast in isolation. They can rent their rooms to accommodate staycations, where people can have their time-off. Lobbies and event halls can serve as a public social space for wellness activities like socially-distant yoga classes.
Flexible Spaces
Rethink circulation through zoning of areas for reduced person-to-person interaction. Grab-and-go food service will underpin the reduced communal dining. Housekeeping services can be done after check-out. Open spaces can act as multipurpose halls, with movable barriers and temporary partitions if the need for separate rooms arises. Abide by new building regulations for designers or shopfitters in Gold Coast, have placed. Individuals still need to see other people and not be fully isolated. It is also helpful to have hand sanitation stations nearby.
Better Finishes
Use antimicrobial surfaces, especially in high-traffic areas, for a more sanitary environment. on natural materials such as cork, copper, brass and bronze, viruses last about 4 hours unlike on plastic and stainless steel where it stays up to nine days. Treat furniture fabrics and clothing with a topical chemical that prevents pathogen growth.
Staying Smart
The aid of technology is required in communication to promote minimal person-to-person interaction and low physical contact experiences. Mobile transactions and reservations, keyless entry, and touchless fixtures are some ways to do this. Improve HVAC technology to ensure good indoor air quality.
Wellness
Natural light and ventilation are fundamental to human well-being. Adapt outside-in design to provide private and safer outdoor experience for occupants. Make hygiene an experience and redesign restrooms and bathrooms for comfortable usage. Handwashing sinks can be aesthetically placed in entrances and high traffic areas.
Adaptability in design is seen in living rooms converted to home-offices to gyms being modified for medical use. It is no different in hotel design. It is a cycle between activity adapting to space, and space adapting to activity. What’s important is looking beyond and thinking long term.
Author bio: Helen Harry is a freelance writer and extremely fond of anything related to Digital Marketing and Business. She is writing Technologies as well as fiction, like good music, loves her cat and eats too much. More than anything, She loves to share the knowledge of Technology.