The hospitality industry is constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of the users. Along with the entire sector, the architecture of the hospitality industry is constantly aiming toward innovations that cater to every shifting requirement of the people. The concept of hospitality architecture has gone beyond accommodating guests and has expanded to creating enriched experiences for the guests in a myriad of ways, one of which is giving them a glimpse of the local culture of the region they wish to explore.
Each region has a narrative that needs to be explored to understand its identity and authenticity. These narratives oscillate from the topography to its local craftsmanship. Inducing these narratives in architecture aid in promoting the local culture and heritage of the place amongst its guests. Designing for the context of the project becomes extremely important in terms of sustainability, encouraging local culture, and defining the area. The preservation of local nuances and culture in the form of hospitality projects has become the new norm as these elements lend a sense of belonging to its guests and remain highly contextual to the area.
The design of a hotel or resort has a significant impact on the travel experience of the guests and the natural surrounding of the area. Hospitality designs need to be carefully configured, with every detail intricately carved out, to provide guests with environments rich in local culture for an augmented experience. It has the power to celebrate the native spirit of a region by flaunting them. Employing approaches in design such as local materials, construction techniques, and spatial functions blended with adorning the spaces with decor elements reflecting the cultural nuances through art elements, murals, crafts, lighting, etc, can aid in embracing the natural soul of a place.
Designers Group has come up with a multitude of highly contextual and cultural designs in the hospitality sector that boldly outline and honour the local practices of regions. Their diversity in the projects in different areas has allowed them to actively explore, experiment, and pursue different aspects of regional culture.
One of their acclaimed projects, Devi Ratn, perched in the backdrop of the Aravalli Ranges, narrates the culturally rich stories of Jaipur through its architecture. Undertones of red flow throughout the design with an array of colourful hues in the form of vibrant decor items, furnishings, lighting, and softer furnishing elements blended to highlight the richness of the city. The airlock lobby at the entrance features furniture setup and accessories that explicitly pay tribute to local craftsmanship. These elements employed together throughout the design give a glimpse of the heritage of the Pink City.
The design of Amoravida, another notable project by Designers Group, is a responsive take on the Konkan culture of Goa. Sitting on the backwaters of Goa, the forms of the design descend the terrain, giving the guests clear views of the landforms. The sensitivity of the design along with the local nuances incorporated in the project lends a unique identity to the resort. The integration of local art forms — fish and fishing boats depicting the culture of local fishing villages, pearl art symbolizing the rare pearl found in the region, and the lattice work used in construction — were all approaches taken to highlight the region’s value.
Architecture plays a significant role in moulding the identity of a region, and the integration of different local nuances in the hospitality sector is a way of embracing and boasting the rich culture and heritage of unique and offbeat places at a global level.