Design in the time of a pandemic
There really is no place like home.
After the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic that had people begging for repose, this statement has never been more true. Much has changed over the past year and a half, including the apparent shift in how people view their homes and corporate offices.
An inquiry by The Wealth Report stated that the places where people spend most of their work and leisure time has become increasingly important, especially since the lines between workspaces and play areas have been blurred by work-from-home protocols. Privacy, accessibility to necessities, and open spaces have been some of the top considerations after the pandemic boom, according to the same report, as residents realize the importance of “consideration for the needs of privacy and mutual communication between residents from the very beginning of the residential design process.”
With hybrid workplaces growing in popularity and flexible work-from-home options becoming much preferred, the travel and hospitality industry has followed suit. As the pandemic reinforced the role of physical spaces, hotels and similar establishments have changed the way they think about design, too.
Of Sustainability, Health, and Bold Design
Andre Fu, founder of the André Fu Studio, shares that “the past year has put exceptional pressure on the travel and hospitality industry” after seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Hotels must now prepare for risks, designing in a way that can help future-proof venues.”
One way that design will change, Fu notes, is the way people look at well-being vis a vis luxury. “Well-being is very important. For me, this means designing spaces that celebrate mindfulness through purity, balance and allowing a guest or visitor to feel well-taken care of.” More than just the use of materials, he adds that architects and interior designers take a holistic approach of luxury so that it can be achieved “through an overall sense of place, rather than through purely materialistic means.”
Salisterra, a restaurant at The Upper House Hotel in Hong Kong, is an example of this kind of bold design. “We need to ensure that customers feel confident and safe, without compromising on a sense of luxury or community,” Fu says as he describes his latest design where the layout takes standard social distancing protocols into consideration. “The semi-private dining booths and secluded areas for more intimate gatherings are an elegant solution to pandemic-proof architecture, offering guests comfort and safety,” he further explains.
Apart from personal well-being, environmental consideration and sustainability further shine in design in the new normal.
“Sustainability has and will continue to be a crucial consideration in the design process,” Fu continues. Speaking from his own experience, “we have always been diligent when it comes to our selection of materials, deliberately seeking those from renewable sources. We also always ensure that our lighting systems are energy efficient – a simple but effective measure to ensure more sustainable hotel living.”
One lifestyle brand that staunchly supports the shift to well-being-centered and sustainable design is KOHLER. Leo Leong, General Manager of KOHLER’s Kitchen & Bath in South & Northeast Asia, shares, “we have always believed that business and sustainability can and should coexist. Our view is that environmental stewardship is not about compromise or tradeoffs, and business success can actually be enhanced while also improving the environment. This includes annually reducing our environmental footprint, driving new products that are more environmentally friendly, and using our industry leadership position for public education and advocacy. These concepts comprise the planks of our Environmental Sustainability Strategy that we adopted nearly a decade ago.”
Bold design that lasts
Even as building features increasingly take physical, mental, and environmental well-being into consideration, bold and innovative design is not lost in the process. Studies have shown that bold design (as an expression of self) has been one way that many people have coped amid the global pandemic.
With more and more people having carefully discerning eyes to design, and with design itself becoming a healthy coping mechanism to get through the days, KOHLER continues its efforts to uncover and recognize the most impactful places and people in architectural design and innovation in the region through its annual KOHLER Bold Design Awards (KBDA).
This 2021, the KBDA harps on its theme of ‘Unveiling And Recognizing Outstanding Projects And Talents In Property Design Across Asia’ by encouraging architects and designers to marry bold and innovative design with sustainability and well-being. KBDA returns to the Philippines (its last local run being 2017), with Leong noting that the country is one of the strategic markets in the region that KOHLER remains very optimistic about in terms of long-term potential of local talents. “We recognize the artistry, professionalism, and talent of architects, designers, and developers, as it is ever evolving and adapting. The KBDA represents how we, as a company, continue to strengthen our presence in the Asia Pacific regions with strong growth potential,” he states.
The KBDA 2021 began accepting design submissions from participants last September 23. Leong notes that “from the submission, there is a growing trend on the finishes and coloursapplication in the work of the Philippine designs. We can see works with culture and historical elements integrated into the design.” This is a strong testament to the role that design plays in mental well-being as people anchor even culture and history into the environment that surrounds them, promoting a sense of comfort and familiarity that, often, only architectural design can offer.
It is as Andre Fu stated: “True luxury comes from comfort, where the experience has been designed around the guest. The real sense of relaxed luxury is not about what you see physically. It’s that feeling of entering into a space, and you feel like it was designed around you.”
Submissions for KBDA 2021 are ongoing. To know more about KBDA , participate in the design competition, and see the bold and innovative designs from competitions past, visit https://kbda-ap.com/.