Interiors

Glassy designs for a classy look

Granite, marble and carpet are gradually giving way to less conventional options namely glass, leather and wood, that too, pushing the boundaries of experimentation. So far hoteliers like what they see and there is every indication, that this could be the next big hospitality interiors trend, realises Preeti Kannan

Moving from the conventional use of products like marble and granite, hoteliers are boldly experimenting with glass, leather and wood. These products are bringing in a level of sophistication and élan to hotels like never before. Fibreglass partitions, with the right mix of lights, to resemble an opaque wall are also being experimented with. Bisazza tiles for walls, glass tiles with gold and metallic inlays, bath tubs with gold chips that glisten in the night are design elements currently in fashion. All aspects of the hotel's design are now hinged upon four modern architectural design principles - sliding planes, juxtaposition, transparency and light.

With hotels mushrooming across the country, design is being considered a strong research-oriented aspect. Hotels are now open to experimentation, be it with their décor or their furnishings, irrespective of the price.

"Glass and leather flooring are an age old concept in countries like Japan and the United States," points out Chennai based hotel architect and interior designer, Ponni M. Concessao. "But, in India, these are just about picking up. Hotels are now waking up to the beauty of glass and are willing to explore its potential. However, the biggest deterrent in using glass is the high cost involved, as glass is a very expensive material. But, its aesthetic appeal and the novelty it lends to the hotel's interiors make it extremely appealing."

Natural daylight, interior lighting and giant sunshades change the transparency of the exterior walls during the course of the day. Different types of glass make it possible to view only portions of the hotel interiors. Most hotels, especially those following the boutique concept are using glass in abundance. The Park in Chennai, for instance, has glass flooring, although sparingly used at a landing, with water flowing underneath it. Again, wooden flooring is not entirely new, but what is interesting is the variation in the kinds of wood used. Chennai's Rain Tree has solid bamboo for its floors. Keeping in tune with its theme of 'ecotel', the furniture has also been carved out of bamboo, rubber wood and medium density fibre wood.

The hotel's upholstery has been selected such that it doesn't absorb smoke and the smell doesn't linger long after the guest has gone. "Keeping in mind that these new properties are built in the heart of the city, we have to think two years ahead and designed our interiors such that they can withstand the ambient conditions," explains Rain Tree's director of sales and advertising, Shafee Ahmed. "About one lakh has been spent only on fabrics in each room, as when the client enters our rooms, his eyes fall on the ambience first," he adds. Overall, the hotel shelled out about 12 lakhs on each of the 105 rooms to give it the chic look it sports and will revamp its look say after three years, depending on the condition of the hotel and importantly, the competition.

Similarly, the use of leather is being redefined. It is now used as a flooring alternative. The Park's Leather Bar, true to its name, has leather flooring and leather walls and of course, leather furniture.

However, not all hotels work on design materials which are in vogue. The location of the hotel plays a vital role in the selection of the material to be used. While resources available locally are often the first bet, hotels like GRT Temple Bay, a tourist's haven - especially for foreigners, located on the fringes of the Bay of Bengal in Mamallapuram, have to compromise. The hotel's proximity to the sea makes maintenance of the beach resort harder. The salt content in the atmosphere leaves the furnishing extremely vulnerable to corrosion. This explains the wrought-iron restaurant doors at the hotel, meant to weather all conditions. Wooden floors are a big no here as chances of visitors walking in with wet feet, after a swim, is quite high. To avoid this, colourful rugs have been used in the cottages. High corrosion levels had to be confronted with fibreglass fitted to air conditioners. The hotel spent an approximate seven lakhs on the interiors of its 72 rooms.

More emphasis is now being placed on surfaces that offer a measure of control over noise, light, glare, heat retention and other environmental factors. Indoor air quality and health will be important considerations in surface choices. That is the primary reason why Days Inn Deccan Plaza has opted for wood. Dinesh C. Jha, the general manager, attributes the change from carpets to wood to the fact that people are more environment conscious these days.

While carpet, vinyl, wood and laminate have been the traditional choice for flooring world over, the future will witness hitherto unheard versions like hardwood floors from regenerated trees, carpet made from recycled bottles, recycled wood and locally-produced, indigenous materials such as lightweight concrete and tile. Be it boutique or star hotels, beach resorts or even regular hotels, the keywords are interiors and décor because of the lasting impression it creates. From the furniture in the lobby to the rooms, to the colour of upholstery, hoteliers are ensuring that they do not err even to the slightest extent. After all, it is the smallest specifics that go in to creating a quality hospitality experience. Touch wood, or glass or leather for that matter.