The idea of hospitality space as a journey is really interesting: Kimberly Brown

Kimberly Brown was a delegate at TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR London 2020.

Kimberly Brown from Kimberly Brown Architecture tells us how she finds innovative solutions in sustainability and spatial adaptation.

Sustainability can take many forms, but the principal of Kimberly Brown Architecture (KBA) tells us why she looks to the reappropriation of existing buildings and a holistic hospitality experience for sustainable solutions.

She spoke exclusively to TOPHOTELNEWS on the sidelines of TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR London 2020, which took place on February 6 at the Conrad St James, to explain KBA’s approach to sustainability and design.

What kinds of hotel projects appeal most to you?

Kimberly: We have some fascinating hospitality projects which are innovative in the way that they’re thinking of reusing existing space that would otherwise not be rentable. If you think of office space and retail, how can we start to use those types of spaces for a hotel? We love finding opportunities for design in unexpected places, and it aligns with our sustainable agenda too.

How do you approach sustainability in hotel architecture?

Kimberly: We are working on ways of making interior spaces more environmentally efficient. One project involves making the indoor air quality better inside the rooms than outside, so people are truly in a healthy space. Also, choosing the types of materials we use thoughtfully, as well as where we get those materials from, is something we are striving to do with the living building challenge.

What drives your design philosophy in hotel design?

Kimberly: When it comes to a hotel, I like thinking of what else people like to do when they’re travelling, so we can achieve a holistic experience for the guest. That might mean making a place for people where they can get some extra work done, or alternatively be able to completely relax and switch off from work. Work and travel are so intertwined these days, so if we can design spaces that accommodate both to enrich the guest experience, that’s interesting to me.

What trends do you see dominating hotel design this year?

Kimberly: I think the idea of hospitality space as a journey is really interesting. For example, the idea of dining as a form of theatre. Since everyone wants to be on stage, you can think about a theatre as the movement of people through a space when they’re walking to their table. Or if you think of art, are there ways you can put art throughout a hotel that can inspire people, and at the same time be a place to relax as well as being unique? And then, maybe take that idea into restaurants so guests can have dinner inside an art museum? There’s a lot of food for thought there.

Kimberly Brown was a delegate at TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR London 2020. To attend, address or sponsor our boutique hospitality networking events around the world, contact the TOPHOTELPROJECTS team.