Contract Magazine - July 2020 - 21

Hospitality

Healthcare
Jeff Kabat, RID, IIDA, EDAC,
LSSGB, LEED AP
Director of Health Interiors, Americas
West
Principal
HKS
Phoenix

Jaclyn Moser
Partner and Co-founder
Harken Interiors
Chicago

"The hospitality industry breathes because of the community and human
relationships it supports. With social distancing and contactless points of service
at the forefront of the discussion, it's so important for hotels and restaurants to
be transparent in how their staff is serving guests, with the utmost preparedness
and concern for health and safety. The increase in the communication regarding
cleaning procedures is a start, but it will take consistent and visible displays
of this to instill lasting trust. The staff and service (empowered and supported
by ownership and brands) will begin to reassure travelers to visit and return.
We are seeing a call for better back-of-house provisions since this is where service
is generated. Technology is alleviating the need to interact with high-touch items,
especially in the guest rooms (remotes, light switches, and faucets). We are
looking at healthy, cleanable fabrics and hard surfaces. Properties are developing
more multi-season outdoor spaces to support socialization in open-air
environments. We're also considering how to adjust lobby designs to allow for more
cloistered spaces for smaller groups or individuals. Right now, safety is leading-
sometimes loudly and sometimes quietly-but right alongside of it is the beauty,
warmth, and wonder that comes from travel and impeccable service. When we
choose to be in a space other than our own homes, we want to feel like it goes beyond
our own abilities to care for ourselves and others, to welcome-and to wow."

Classic
Applied Textiles: Alta Technology
"The Alta technology from Applied Textiles has
been such an asset to Harken Interiors and the
fabrics we specify. Because you can select the
protection you need by the type of environment and application, it's easy for designers and
procurement to achieve the right results from a
headboard to food and beverage applications."
applied-textiles.com

New need
Amazon: Alexa
"Technology is always a sensitive subject when it
comes to privacy, obsolescence, and investment;
however, we are interested in how guest rooms
could better rely on touchless ways of turning
on the lights, ordering up more towels, or playing media. As this technology becomes more
prevalent in our homes, it feels less confusing
and impersonal when we travel."
amazon.com/alexahospitality

"HKS has researched and collaborated with our healthcare clients regarding the
evolving considerations for the built health environment in response to COVID-19.
We have examined volume returns, planning considerations, and additional
considerations pertaining to patients, staff, the building itself, and operations.
Regarding volume returns, we are examining spaces for lower densities, protecting
staff, installing additional hygiene stations, and providing health screening
and isolated/ventilated spaces near entries for patients exhibiting symptoms.
Regarding space planning, HKS is studying traffic flows of patients and visitors
and how to keep them distanced appropriately, implementing acrylic or glass
dividers at reception areas, looking at how to control densities in elevator cabs,
and encouraging use of stairs. We are also studying furniture placement that
allows for appropriate distance and separation, as well as product solutions
that promote safe distancing. In corridors, we are discussing ideas for one-way
circulation patterns where possible, with demarcations at patient cross points.
At nurses' stations, we are researching the installation of rapid UV-C disinfection
stations, six-foot spacing between work areas, where possible, scrub kiosks, and
changing stations for nurses. Regarding patients, there are considerations for
reduced and limited visitation, provisions for virtual interfacing alternatives, room
service and amenities delivered to the room, and increased hygiene measures."

Classic

New need

Forms+Surfaces: LEVELr
Wall Cladding System
"Whether it's an elevator cab fit-out, creative wall
paneling, or glass-panel dividers at the registration desk, Forms+Surfaces has you covered. The
LEVELr Wall Cladding System is a versatile system that allows designers to plug and play with
the company's other offerings to create impact
pieces that are durable and unique."
forms-surfaces.com

contract

Bed Techs Inc.: Self-Disinfecting Beds
"When the U.S. Green Building Council and other
industry influencers led the push for environmental product declarations and earth-friendly
materials, every company in our industry reexamined its offerings under this lens. The same
must be done in light of what we are learning
from the current pandemic-and Bed Techs is
doing just that."
bedtechs.com
http://www.applied-textiles.com http://www.forms-surfaces.com http://www.amazon.com/alexahospitality http://www.bedtechs.com
Contract Magazine - July 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract Magazine - July 2020
