NEWH - Spring 2021 - 12

GUEST PERSPECTIVE

To be most effective, architects and engineers can design and
specify advanced systems within the mechanical equipment to filter
and sterilize the air, thus removing pathogens from the air before it is
returned to the public space. This equipment includes antimicrobial
HEPA filtration, UV-C lighting at the coils of the HVAC equipment,
UV-C lighting in the air stream, bipolar ionization, or photocatalytic
ionization. Simply described, HEPA filtration captures and removes
pathogens from the air, UV-C light at the HVAC coils kills pathogens
that can develop in a pathogenic sludge on the coils, UV-C light in
the air stream kills pathogens in the air that is sent to the occupied
rooms, and ionization infuses the air with ionized particles that seek
out microbials and kills them in the air and on surfaces.
The second pillar is light. Light is an important element of the
healthy hotel for many reasons. Natural daylight introduces warmth
and wellbeing in the interior spaces. Artificial light, carefully designed
and curated, supports circadian rhythms which enhances the health
of the hotel guests. Light can also serve a natural sanitation function
by sterilizing surfaces, fixtures, and air. Continuous sanitation in
occupied interior spaces can be achieved by careful specification of
Far UV-C Light (200 to 230nm) or Indigo light (405nm). UV-C light
can be utilized in unoccupied spaces for surface sanitation and air
sanitation, it can be used in mechanical equipment to kill pathogens
within the equipment and utilized in the air stream of mechanical
supply ducts to sterilize the air supplied to interior occupied spaces.
The third pillar is sanitation. Most information recently published
by the hotel industry revolves around cleanliness and cleaning
protocols. Surfaces become contaminated through contact with
infected people and by infected heavy aerosol droplets that fall from
the air. An enhanced cleaning protocol is an important component
for healthy hotels and must be maintained in all areas including
guestrooms, public areas, F&B outlets, meeting/conference spaces,
and back of house facilities.
The fourth pillar supports increased health and covers a range
of components-water, fitness, and nutrition-that combine to
maintain a healthy environment while enhancing guest health. The

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hotel must provide clean and safe water for hydration and for F&B
service with a property-wide water purification system or individual
purification devices for hydration stations. Opportunities for guests
to maintain and enhance their fitness while traveling has become
a higher priority. This can be accomplished in a traditional fitness
center, which should include advanced air filtration/sterilization
and continuous light sanitation for surfaces and equipment; inroom fitness equipment, which could include an interactive fitness
monitor or cardio machine such as a Peloton or Hydrow; and openair group fitness classes could be offered on rooftop or exterior
lawn areas. A quality healthy hotel will provide clean food and drink
options for the guests that support a healthy lifestyle, with natural,
organic food options. The F&B offerings should be served in spaces
that include proper air filtration and separation by distance or
physical screening such as glass or natural planting. In addition to
indoor outlets, tempered climate-controlled exterior facilities should
be offered that provide views, natural light, and natural ventilation.
In light of the current pandemic facing the world and the possibility
of future outbreaks, it is paramount for hotel owners and operators
to augment the physical and operational components of their hotels
and resort properties to re-establish and increase occupancy and
market share. It is important that the consumer has confidence
in the facility, its cleanliness, and the quality of the hotel. The
implementation of modern systems, refined organizational planning
metrics, and wellness components will not only make the hotel safer,
but will contribute to a new level of wellness not currently present
in hotels and resorts.

Tim Lemons, AIA NCARB, is a hospitality architect registered in
24 U.S. states, and his firm L2 Studios specializes in the design of
hotels and resorts. They are available to assist hoteliers with the
renovation of and the design of new hotels and look forward to
the prosperous time ahead. \[]

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NEWH - Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Spring 2021