Hotel interior designers urged to work closely with MEP professionals

No hotel can be designed in a vacuum – it is not enough for an interior designer to have innovative ideas about the look and feel of a venue without close collaboration with MEP professionals who can help bring their creations to life safely and efficiently.

True, the discerning traveller will often judge a hotel by the décor and overall ambience.

But they want to spend their time away from home in a place that works for them, makes their life comfortable and, increasingly, utilises the most sustainable solutions available.

They want to know that behind the luxurious façade, the systems are practical, safe and efficient.

Cue collaboration with an MEP team who will take the creative ideas and make them work – for the client and user alike, maximising the potential of all available space, be that in an individual guest room or throughout the entire building.

It might be practical considerations such a compliance with water byelaws and installation of sanitaryware, or it could be access to drainage systems – how it can be achieved without compromising aesthetics – and effective integration of MEP items including thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) so the hotel management complies with safety regulations and the guest can luxuriate safely in on trend baths and showers.

Much is made of lighting and bathing facilities in hotels, along with heating and air conditioning arrangements.

The end result needs to be practical – ideally sustainable – in nature and luxurious in equal measure to satisfy hotel management and guests.

The need for close collaboration between the interior design and MEP teams has never been greater.

Together though, they can – and do – help design beautiful new hotels or retrofit established venues in the most stylish ways possible.

BSG director Alan King said: ‘Every hotel guest likes to feel safe and comfortable when they are staying away from home, and often a touch of luxury makes their stay more special.

‘We know how important the look and feel of a hotel is to a guest and we know that efficiently running systems are a must for all management teams. Therefore we cannot stress enough the importance of close working relationships between designers and MEP professionals throughout the construction or refurbishment of a hotel.

‘They each have ideas that can influence the other’s thinking and by working together they can come up with a scheme that is both sustainable and luxurious…a winning combination in hotel design.’