NEWH - Fall 2020 - 46

SUSTAINABILITY | POINT OF VIEW

NEWH Green Voice: The Psychological
Experience of Space Amidst COVID-19
NEWH Green Voice committee member Danielle Farchmin, senior designer, DLR Group, in conversation with
Sally Augustin, principal, Design with Science

Current hotel guests expects spaces to be regularly sanitized and proper
social distancing measures maintained. How do these practices affect the
psychological experience of a user in the space?
These emerging practices will fundamentally change the psychological experience of
people in hotels via both place-related expectations and their onsite events. Guests
will only feel comfortable in a space if they interpret design options (such as surface materials) as
clean, and if they feel management practices will result in the environment remaining germ free. If
people are not both psychologically and physically comfortable, their wellbeing plummets. Scents of
cleaning materials might encourage trust in the hotel (smelling lavender scent and trusting others
have been linked), or they may tense users if they are seen as unpleasant. Scents that bring to mind
cleaning are likely to have positive associations post-pandemic, as long as they are not so strong
that they seem harsh. Plexiglass barriers, although necessary to contain germs, are inconsistent
with cultural norms for interpersonal exchanges (and may make it difficult to hear others, in some
circumstances), which can increase stress levels. Stress impedes professional performance and
degrades interpersonal experiences.
SALLY AUGUSTIN
As a designer works through finish selections, what strategies could they consider to promote
a sense of calm and comfort?
Even post-pandemic, travel is likely to be stressful. Seeing wood grain helps people to de-stress, so
wood with visible grain will be a good option. For best results, visible wood grain should cover less
than half of the surfaces in an area. Colors that are not very saturated but relatively bright (such as a
sage green with lots of white mixed in) are relaxing, so they should be the go-to options in hospitality
spaces. Gently curving lines, in flooring or anywhere else, are relaxing, so they'll be handy in finish
selections. Soft surfaces prevent echoing while seeming welcoming to humans, but they may be
difficult to clean. Since echoes amp up human stress levels, acoustic "fixes" will need to compensate
for their increase as soft surfaces are eliminated.
We are all carrying extra stress when it comes to traveling during a global pandemic. What
design solutions can be woven into the guestroom to promote a sense of mental wellbeing?
DANIELLE FARCHMIN
There are various solutions that can be incorporated into the guestroom, including:
» Moderate visual complexity. Residential spaces designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, for example, feature moderate
visual complexity;
» A mix of warm and cool lighting for guests to use as they choose, along with default circadian lighting;
» Nature soundscapes (such as gently rustling leaves) playing very, very quietly;
» Desk placed out of the line of sight of someone trying to fall asleep on the bed; and
» Relaxing scents, such as lavender and a generally fresh scent indicating that effective air purifiers are in place.

Sally Augustin, PhD, is a practicing environmental psychologist and a principal at Design with Science. She has extensive
experience integrating science-based insights to develop recommendations for the design of places, objects, and
services that support desired cognitive, emotional, and physical outcomes/experiences. ❙❘❚

For more information on NEWH Green Voice, visit newh.org/education

C O N T RAC T
46 www.newh.org

046_NEWH_0820_Sustainable.indd 46

8/16/20 2:21 PM


http://www.newh.org/education http://www.newh.org

NEWH - Fall 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Fall 2020

NEWH - Fall 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
GUEST PERSPECTIVE
WHO’S WHO
CONFERENCE ROUNDUP
HAVE YOU SEEN?
SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOLARSHIP HEROES
INTERVIEW
SUSTAINABILITY
Q&A: KELLY IRVOLINO
Q&A: MANUELA KENNEDY
Q&A: JONATHAN YOUNG
ON THE COVER
PROJECT: CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN
PROJECT: MESO
PROJECT: NH COLLECTION MILANO PORTA NUOVA
PROJECT: THE CENTENNIAL
PROJECT: THE WILBUR
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
SAVE THE DATE
NEW MEMBERS
PARTNER PROFILES
AD INDEX
NEWH - Fall 2020 - NEWH - Fall 2020
NEWH - Fall 2020 - Cover2
NEWH - Fall 2020 - TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEWH - Fall 2020 - PRESIDENT’S LETTER
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 5
NEWH - Fall 2020 - GUEST PERSPECTIVE
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 7
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 8
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 9
NEWH - Fall 2020 - WHO’S WHO
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 11
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 12
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 13
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 14
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 15
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 16
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 17
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 18
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 19
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 20
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 21
NEWH - Fall 2020 - CONFERENCE ROUNDUP
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 23
NEWH - Fall 2020 - HAVE YOU SEEN?
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 25
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 26
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 27
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 28
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 29
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 30
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 31
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 32
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 33
NEWH - Fall 2020 - SCHOLARSHIPS
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 35
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 36
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 37
NEWH - Fall 2020 - SCHOLARSHIP HEROES
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 39
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 40
NEWH - Fall 2020 - INTERVIEW
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 42
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 43
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 44
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 45
NEWH - Fall 2020 - SUSTAINABILITY
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 47
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 48
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 49
NEWH - Fall 2020 - Q&A: KELLY IRVOLINO
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 51
NEWH - Fall 2020 - Q&A: MANUELA KENNEDY
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 53
NEWH - Fall 2020 - Q&A: JONATHAN YOUNG
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 55
NEWH - Fall 2020 - ON THE COVER
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 57
NEWH - Fall 2020 - PROJECT: CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 59
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 60
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 61
NEWH - Fall 2020 - PROJECT: MESO
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 63
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 64
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 65
NEWH - Fall 2020 - PROJECT: NH COLLECTION MILANO PORTA NUOVA
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 67
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 68
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 69
NEWH - Fall 2020 - PROJECT: THE CENTENNIAL
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 71
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 72
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 73
NEWH - Fall 2020 - PROJECT: THE WILBUR
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 75
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 76
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 77
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 78
NEWH - Fall 2020 - CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 80
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 81
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 82
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 83
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 84
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 85
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 86
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 87
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 88
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 89
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 90
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 91
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 92
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 93
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 94
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 95
NEWH - Fall 2020 - SAVE THE DATE
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 97
NEWH - Fall 2020 - NEW MEMBERS
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 99
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 100
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 101
NEWH - Fall 2020 - PARTNER PROFILES
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 103
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 104
NEWH - Fall 2020 - 105
NEWH - Fall 2020 - AD INDEX
NEWH - Fall 2020 - Cover3
NEWH - Fall 2020 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2024Spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023Winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2023spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2022spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2021winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2021fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/newh/2021summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2021spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020july_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020july
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2020spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newh/2014spring
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com