Hospitality Design - Expo 2020 - 24

perspectives interview

Tom Ito

Principal, Gensler
What are the biggest challenges you're facing?

We know the pandemic will not last forever and the uncertainty of how
long it will last is a challenge on all fronts for the hospitality industry. As a
global firm, we are encouraged by our offices in Greater China, who saw the
first wave of the pandemic and are now starting to see a measured return to
normal. It also has been a challenge not being able to have the level of real
human connections that can only happen when we are physically together.
Photos by GEORGIE WOOD and courtesy of GENSLER

What are the positive effects of working in new ways?

We've never been more engaged and are connecting to our communities
around the world, collaborating, and working together virtually seamlessly.
It's truly amazing how technology affords us the opportunity to continue
servicing our clients and working with vendors and consultants to deliver
project work.

What does this mean for the future of hospitality?

The arrival experience may be something to reconsider as guests enter the
hotel through a transitional space or safety corridor in which they have a
wellness screening, sanitize, and refresh before accessing different parts
of the property. There's also an opportunity to think about the flexibility of
hotel spaces, as larger events and gatherings take a back seat: How can those
spaces be adaptable to market demands and remain profitable? We may
need to rethink capacity per person and move toward smaller gatherings.

Greg Keffer and Shawn Sullivan
Partners, Rockwell Group

What are the biggest challenges you're facing?

Greg Keffer: The basis of our design work is connecting people in
shared experiences, the very conditions in which the Coronavirus
crisis completely undermines. However, we are determined to create
solutions that will allow us to continue with our everyday rituals,
enhancing whatever real time, in-person interactions are taking
place within the space-to make them more memorable, emotional,
and ultimately, meaningful.

What are the positive effects of working in new ways?

GK: Keeping rituals is important to feeling normal. We hold virtual
studio-wide gatherings every few weeks, where we review a project
and discuss the health of the studio. It's a way for everyone to feel
the positive movement of our work and the bond of the group. We've
been inspired by the herculean efforts our staff have made to prepare
for the unknown and are overwhelmed by the successful results.

What does this mean for the future of hospitality?

Shawn Sullivan: We are having conversations with close friends on
how we can rethink the future of hospitality, especially the restaurant
industry. We're exploring new opportunities and solutions that will
support chefs and restaurants after the restrictions have lifted. Our
post-pandemic world will likely be very different from the world in
which we are so familiar. However, we do know it will be a world in
which hospitality and design continue to play a vital role. hd
See m ore at hosp i t ali t yd esi gn.com

024

HD Expo + Conference 2020

hdexpo.com
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com http://www.hdexpo.com
Hospitality Design - Expo 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - Expo 2020
