CADIZ XPLR (ISSUE 01, SUMMER 2020)

DESIGN SCIENCE

SUMMER 2020 ISSUE 001

|

SEIZE

INNOVATION

THE

CREATIVITY

|

DAY

A R C H I T E C T U R E

|

I N T E R I O R S

|

P R O D U C T

D E S I G N

Š 2020 by Cadiz Collaboration All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of the whole or any part of the contents of this publication without written permission of the copyright holder is prohibited.

CONTENTS

04

26

2020 DESIGN IN FLUX

RETAIL REVOLUTION

06

30

ADAPTIVE HOSPITALITY

PRODUCTS WE LOVE!

14

32

REIMAGINING RESTAURANTS

FEATURE PROJECT

20 THE NEW OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

2020

DESIGN IN FLUX As we reflect on the recent impacts from the global pandemic and look towards the future of the hospitality industry, we stand ready to explore new ideas and methodologies to help create more vibrant and holistic environments in an ever-changing world.

Design is a living discipline that is shaped and molded by the people that it serves. We look forward to facing emerging challenges and to find active ways to encourage curiosity, discussion, and responsiveness in our work and within the hospitality industry at large.

We are at a pivotal moment in the development of a design driven response to global challenges and the desire to lead healthier lives. As recently as six months ago, the imperatives we are facing now were not visible on the horizon. Yet trends have already been focusing on increased health and wellness through biophilia and the growing sleep movement.

We now see many synergistic opportunities emerging to meld these existing principles with exciting adaptive technologies for increased safety and hygiene. In these essays, we will explore possible synergies between aesthetic and functional wellness in four different types of built environments: hospitality, office, dining, and retail.

Looking towards the future and anticipating movements and trends has long been a particular focus of the hospitality market. We hope that this collection of essays engages you with the same sense of hope we’ve had in creating them, and the comfort of knowing we all strive for a brighter, safer, and healthier future for all of us.

c o l l a b o r a t i o n

lorraine_francis@cadizcollaboration.com www.cadizcollaboration.com

4

“

Clean design fosters a sense of trust and accountability.

�

5

ADAPTIVE HOSPITALITY Many owners have been able to evaluate their business models and practices and initiate new protocols for safety and wellness in this time and to reimage uses for both guestrooms and communal spaces. As we continue with various reopening phases throughout the country and world, hotels are well positioned to be at the forefront of community activities that can provide a level of much-needed variety and interaction.

6

STR has reported that US hotel profits per available room fell by nearly 120% in April, putting many hotels in the unenviable position of operating at a loss by simply keeping their doors open.

Yet much improvement has been seen over the last months, with US occupancy rates down by less that 40% over 2019’s figures and climbing steadily. Urban and resort locations are likely to recover the most quickly as they have been flexible enough to pivot during stay-at-home measures.

7

8

LOCAL TRAVELING

01

As air travel is still considered a high-risk activity by many, it follows that travelers will set their sights on more local destinations. We anticipate a great deal of road trips to both tried-and-true resorts and hotels, and those offering unique hospitality experiences. There is an increased appreciation for supporting nearby economies, locally sourced resources, and farm-to-table dining. The desire to give back to nearby communities is stronger than ever and to amplify those experiences through word of mouth and the use of social media.

A recent survey by Deloitte showed that 29% of those polled plan on staying in a hotel over the next three months, up from 24% in April. A 34-point checklist has been developed by the California Hotel and Lodging Association, and compliance with it will allow hotels to display a window decal stating the property meets the group’s “Clean + Safe� standards. Measures like these add to guest confidence, as does traveling somewhere in close proximity to home.

CONTACTLESS IS BEST

02

Over the past 5 years, contactless checkin and checkout has been implemented by many hotel brands, and this is likely to increase in the COVID-19 marketplace. Other recent innovations such as touchless room door entry and room-service apps are likely to flourish. Robotic trials for room service have been conducted and may become a viable alternative as time goes on. Although such measures may seem to diminish traditional notions of hospitality, the level of human consideration behind them may redefine what we consider hospitable in the future.

CLEAN DESIGN

03

Many hotel owners have taken advantage of this industry downturn by refurbishing spaces to focus on touchless systems, improved air filtration, healthy and sustainable building materials, and minimalistic design. By integrating these systems and principles, they increase both the perception and reality of safety and cleanliness.

This movement of clean design is being manifested in multiple areas such as simplified lines in furnishings, more hard flooring surfaces, easily cleanable solid patterned fabrics, and touchless plumbing and lighting fixtures. Sanitation protocols are incorporating ultraviolet light and handheld disinfection spray devices for daily cleaning.

Future guestroom designs may include personal workout areas and equipment to avoid communal fitness center use. Fitness centers could instead be converted to health clinics or wellness centers to accommodate guest needs while traveling.

Hotel guests will become more informed about cleaning methodologies in order to further promote a sense of trust and accountability. Higher levels of transparency regarding these practices will likely lead to increased comfort levels and return clientele.

In this era of consumer reviews, word will travel quickly regarding positive and negative practices.

ADAPTIVE HOSPITALITY

9

10

04

CLEANING PROTOCOLS

As important as their own personal health is to guests, they also want to be assured that hotel employee health and safety is also being monitored and cared for. As workers learn and practice new protocols, it is crucial that they have access to proper protective equipment, heath screenings, additional hand washing stations, and designated areas for the donning and doffing of protective gear. Some hotels are even implementing virus-zapping robots in an effort to simultaneously protect guests and hospitality workers.

Food and beverage workers should be given special consideration to minimize their contact with contaminated service objects.

Proper ventilation is particularly important for those servicing guestrooms, where direct room exhaust systems should be utilized to allow HEPA filtration and negative pressure to prevent cross contamination between rooms or areas when needed. Some hoteliers are looking to sanitation systems devised for larger institutions like universities, hospitals, and airports to develop enhanced best practices.

ADAPTIVE HOSPITALITY

11

REINVENTING AND REINVESTING IN THE FUTURE

05

One of the bright spots within this pandemic has been witnessing the hospitality industry devising ways to be of assistance, such as providing rooms for frontline healthcare workers and homeless populations, and providing temporary or overflow healthcare facilities. These initiatives open hoteliers up to envisioning a future where spaces are designed to be more multi-functional and quickly adaptable.

In regards to public spaces in the short term, open floor plans in lobbies, cafes, and bars may require segmentation to allow for smaller groups to maintain social distance. Seating options may be reduced by as much as 75% in order to discourage larger groups from mingling. Popular happy hours that were built into the cultural DNA of many brands may give way to multiple staggered happy hours to reduce risk. Similarly, occupancy levels at pools may be significantly reduced to help maintain proper distancing.

Looking at more convertible meeting room configurations will also be key, especially for hotels in close proximity to hospitals. Smaller gatherings should be able to be accommodated for intimate weddings and parties when it is safe to do so, but those same spaces many need the flexibility to turn into hospital triage or overflow areas. We may see the need to eliminate carpeting and soft window treatments in these types of spaces, and the use of more sanitary surfaces throughout.

12

CONNECTION TO NATURE AND THE BENEFIT OF SLEEP

A focus on biophilia, the hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature, has been steadily increasing in all areas of architecture and design. If given the opportunity, planning convertible communal spaces that have the ability to be open air for certain seasons can promote well-being profoundly. A simpler approach is to utilize large scale windows to visually open an interior space to landscaped outdoor areas and to incorporate interior plants wherever possible. Creating a visual connection to nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and generally improve mental health.

06 Curating a designated space for sleep may be more of an architectural and design focus in hotels. Removing digital distractions may become more commonplace. Ritualizing the act of sleep preparation will increase with automated light blocking window treatments, designated meditative playlists, and other technological adaptations. Click here for Fast Company’s tips for better sleeping during COVID-19.

Sleep and our mental health also go hand in hand. The CDC has indicated that insufficient sleep has been linked to the development and management of chronic diseases and conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. The use of sleep aids has ballooned in recent years, causing unhealthy dependencies as users are less and less able to experience the necessary four stages of sleep or attain sleep by natural methods.

ADAPTIVE HOSPITALITY

13

R E I M A G I N I N G R E S T A U R A N T S

Restaurants face some very specific challenges in order to put diners at ease in the COVID-19 landscape.

The interim between offering pick up only and opening to reduced capacity has allowed time to implement new sanitation and distancing procedures, but this is an area that Is very much in flux.

14

CDC guidelines are in place, but precise regulations vary according to local and state governments and compliance varies significantly. An opinion piece in the LA Times suggests that a grading system of COVID-19 safety should be implemented, and such systems may come to pass as restaurant dining returns to popularity.

15

“ Ritualized,

cleanliness, reservations, and exclusivity.

”

16

Diners should be spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart and restaurant staff are to be masked and gloved, but without adequate ventilation, interior spaces still pose a certain degree of risk and outdoor spaces will be in higher demand. Single use or continually sanitized menus will be in use, and some restaurants may move into QR-code based ordering systems to avoid physical menus entirely. Automated service and payment techniques, pre-wrapped utensils, and signage indicating that a table has been recently cleaned are other innovations that may also come into play.

S

A

N

P

R

O

I

T A T T

O

C

I

O

N

O

L

S

INCREASING M

O

B

I

L

E

O P T I O N S

An alternative approach to keep food costs down would be conversions of restaurants to ghost kitchens, which allow for delivery or pick up, but with no sit-down dining options. In this way a company can retain employees and promote customer trust while anticipating a conversion to a dining establishment in the future when more feasible. Restaurant owners will likely invest in drive through or pick-up window options within their architectural designs. City permitting may be adjusted to allow for food trucks to service certain outdoor areas to allow for more al-fresco dining experiences. Regardless of the approach, restaurateurs will likely implement pre-shift temperature scans for their workers, insist on increased employee hand washing, and the removal of self-service buffets to reduce risks. Touchless payment and distanced service will also increase in popularity.

REIMAGINING RESTAURANTS

17

18

The US could do well to examine practices in other countries that have increased available outdoor spaces for restaurants.

According to The Guardian, Lithuania has already opened up eighteen of the city’s public spaces, with more slated to come, in order to expand outdoor seating capabilities. Street closures in certain dining districts may be feasible to help restaurants lure diners into a communal, albeit socially distanced environment.

Many vacated restaurants will become available for renovation and adaptation. In these cases, retrofitting for a primarily delivery and curbside based operation could be optimal. However, with the reduction in work-based commuting, certain dining centers may no longer be the best choice for restaurant locations. Some restaurateurs may look to convert or build new sites in more residential areas as zoning permits.

H

E

I

G

H

T

E

N

E

D

A P P R E C I A T I O N

L

O

C

A

N

D

E

X

P

A A

T N

I S

O I

O

N N

Having spent months indoors preparing most, if not all, of their own daily meals may also have an unexpected emotional effect on diners. After flexing their own culinary muscles with a wide array of outcomes, restaurant-goers may have an increased appreciation for all that is involved in planning a menu and creating an appetizing and high-quality meal. With minimized server contact with patrons, no-tipping models may be encouraged and a service fee built into menu offerings instead. We may also see an increase in worker unions and protections to ensure those preparing and serving our meals are being taken proper care of.

REIMAGINING RESTAURANTS

19

20

The return to office spaces is happening gradually increasing in many parts of the country. More intimate offices face fewer challenges than do large corporate environments, the latter of which may not be able to reopen in a significant way for many months. Health and safety technology will play a major factor in office environments as we move through the challenges of this pandemic. We will focus on entry points, architecture, HVAC systems, and cultural adjustments.

21

01

ENTRANCE PROTOCOLS Just as entry points will be vital for residential architecture, they are even more critical for employee safety as we return to the workplace. Each business will need to determine what makes the most sense for their space and staff. In some cases, it may be as simple as a hand-held temperature check at the door, while more densely populated office spaces may opt to add touchless entry vestibules in which employees will be scanned with facial recognition software and undergo touchless temperature scanning and don protective gear before being granted entry.

The way in which mail or packages are handled may also be adjusted, with automated windows for pick up and drop off. There may be a cooling off period for deliverables, and a decontamination protocol set in place for package processing.

22

02

W O R K I N G T O G E T H E R S E PA R AT E LY

Given the collaborative nature of many industries, it may feel daunting to reimagine a workday that does not involve gathering around a conference table or huddling around a co-worker’s desk. Luckily, we have already learned how to accommodate meetings digitally, which will go a long way towards maintaining safety. At Cadiz Collaboration, we have been utilizing online platforms like Slack and video conferencing through GoToMeeting more than ever before. We find these tools to be essential to facilitate real time project design collaboration and to keep our team highly productive and in touch. As we return to physical offices, being able to see co-workers through transparent divides may not feel ideal, but will help diminish a

sense of isolation for many. As we learn more about this virus, we will be able to adjust the methods by which we feel safest interacting.

In the interim, much can be done to heighten our sense of wellbeing at work, including applying biophilic principles to enhance our connection to nature. Information from the New York Times regarding biophilic office principles can be accessed here.

THE NEW OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

23

ARCHITECTURAL ADJUSTMENTS From an architectural or space-planning standpoint, work areas will need to be reconfigured or dedensified to allow for proper social distancing. For larger offices, it may be necessary to bring workers back incrementally, starting off with 25%-30% of the workforce retuning according to their level of comfort/ risk status and then working alternating shifts.

Certain coworkers may be placed into specific groups, or cohorts, in order to not mix groups and increase their viral exposure across multiple groupings. Health screenings may become routine, and work surfaces will need to be cleaned and sanitized much more frequently.

24

03

Previously frequented common spaces will need to be open-air wherever possible, with meal breaks occurring outdoors or at individual desks. Remote workers will mix with in-office workers on digital meeting platforms to decrease risks and interaction with the public will be minimized. When members of the public must be accommodated, this will likely occur on ground floors near entry points to minimize contamination in other building areas. Instead of communal kitchens, hand-washing stations may be scattered throughout the office spaces and additional bathrooms added with improved exhaust fans and staggered entry practices. Hallways may become oneway traffic oriented and elevators may be segmented to allow for separation.

04

HVAC SAFETY MEASURES Offices with open floor plans are racing to spread out communal work areas and construct clear acrylic barriers between employees, which has resulted in a recent shortage of Plexiglas and similar materials. While this action will aid in reducing viral particle movement, attention must also be paid to air circulation and purification.

For smaller offices, personal air purifiers and utilizing windows to promote circulation in

common spaces may become de rigueur.

However, a sophisticated HVAC system is among the most important tools to minimize exposure.

The ability to create individualized zones that are separately HEPA filtered and externally vented may become more commonplace. Temperature sensors that are tied to HVAC systems to create a negative pressure environment in a compromised zone as needed will provide important additional protections.

“

ARCHITECTURAL ADJUSTMENTS, OPEN-AIR, AND FLEXIBILITY.

”

THE NEW OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

25

“Simplicity, 26

open access, and safety. �

...

R E T A I L R E V O L U T I O N Flexibility will be the largest trend in retail environments in the wake of the recent global pandemic. Just as hotels have learned to adapt to accommodate shifting health and community based needs, so too will shops, malls, and mixed-use buildings. The ability to accommodate viral case surges and the need for quarantine will be an over-riding feature in architectural, interior-design, and exterior space-planning considerations.

...

27

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES As e-commerce gains in popularity, the difficulty of operating smaller independently run businesses also increases. Retail Dive has detailed how small business owners have been frustrated by forced closures as larger brick and mortar retailers like Target and Wal-Mart are allowed to remain open. Because these larger corporations are considered essential businesses by selling groceries and household items, they have been able to also continue selling discretionary goods like clothing and electronics, which negatively impacts profits for non-essential retailers. This could result in more

shop owners diversifying their goods so that they can keep the doors open during future viral waves or new pandemics.

As local retail stores reopen in various states and counties, curbside pickup has become a feature that will likely continue, and many retailers are considering implementing drive-through models. Local shipping has also increased, and communities are seeing a surge of support for nearby retailers as an alternative to Amazon and other massive online businesses.

INTERIOR CHANGES Cleanliness, simplicity, and access to fresh air will be more important to future shoppers.

Gone will be maximalist designs and complex store layouts to encourage impulse buys, as customers will want the ability to quickly locate needed products. Brands will do well to replicate their layouts across their various locations to encourage trust and reliability. It’s possible that clothiers will implement returns and exchanges by shipment or curbside drop-off for clothing articles rather than allowing in-store dressing rooms.

28

Easily sanitized surfaces will be important, as will contact-less entry and payment. Windowshopping could take on new life by integrating apps whereby customers identify goods they wish to purchase without the need to enter the store. For those who do choose to shop indoors, open windows, greenery, and healthy HVAC systems will be highly valued. Frame recently laid out various methods by which customers may feel they are entering a retail safe-haven.

CHANGING LANDSCAPE AND TRANSPORTATION MODES Indoor shopping malls face particular difficulties in reopening, as many anchor department stores like Macy’s are slated to close by the end of 2021.

When anchor stores fold, foot traffic decreases and smaller mall establishments suffer and rental rates are necessarily lowered, leading to a decrease in mall security and sanitation. One way of reimaging malls is to look at more open air models with smaller store footprints.

Another possible solution is the conversion of malls to public green spaces with cafes and performance stages, which increases public use and allows for smaller independent business and mixed-use developments to move into the surrounding areas, increasing property

values and a sense of community. Marketplace reported how downtown Columbus, Ohio has benefitted from such an effort, following the model of New York’s Bryant Park.

As public spaces are re-imagined, transportation modes and accommodations are also being reconsidered. Pathways that can facilitate the use of e-bikes and scooters are as important as considerations for future options like aerial ridesharing and self-driving vehicles. In some public spaces and shopping districts, sidewalk spaces may be engineered to increase outside of rush hours to allow for open air dining and increased physical activities.

RETAIL REVOLUTION

29

P R O D U C T S W E L O V E !

30

S

Cadiz Collaboration is pleased to have partnered with Shaw Contract on the custom carpeting throughout our recent Cambria Hotel Sonoma project. Using their innovative Community Collection as a jumping off point, we teamed up with Shaw’s creative team to feature stunning one of a kind designs throughout the property.

We deeply appreciate the inspiration behind Shaw’s line, which was influenced by weaving communities in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, exploring layered lines that suggest warp and weft, as well as a sense of connectivity and community. Transporting this aesthetic to speak to the local aerial biophilic viewpoints that led our Cambia Hotel Sonoma concept, we employed Shaw’s Community line as references in various configurations throughout the hotel.

!

Using natural tones of taupe, gold, and saturated blues, we devised a series of patterns that provide a grounded through line for each of the spaces. In the lobby, we applied bold strokes of color against lighter backgrounds within area rugs, creating a mid-scale graphic foundation for our furnishings. Taking that same feeling into the meeting areas, we exaggerated scale and inserted larger swaths of color in overall carpeting, evoking a feeling of viewing plots of lands and natural geography from far overhead.

The pattern in the corridors took on a tighter graphic feel, creating a sense of both natural formations and mathematical grid lines with a strong directional sense. In the guestroom, we contracted the scale further within area rugs against our wide plank floors, employing variety and contrast in the form of a deconstructed herringbone design influenced by the agrarian fields throughout Sonoma County. Working with Shaw Contract to develop and conceive these fresh viewpoints for our Cambia Hotel Sonoma carpets was truly rewarding.

We love challenging ourselves, solving problems and creating thoughtful designs- partnering with great companies like Shaw inspires us to deliver a unique guest experience within our budget and schedule.

31

32

Feature Project:

CAMBRIA HOTEL SONOMA 2020

Cadiz Collaboration is excited to unveil our latest project Cambria Hotel Sonoma, one of more than a dozen Cambria hotels being opened in top-tier markets this year. The region is seeing a healthy 69% occupancy rate as local staycation travel becomes increasingly attractive in 2020. Whether escaping for a local wine-tasting weekend or road-tripping through the beautiful North Bay, this sophisticated hotel is sure to offer stimulating yet relaxing accommodations.

33

34

With your first step into the lobby, you’ll note the attention to detail that will characterize your stay. Homage to the majestic oak tree glows in the form of backlit metallic art behind the front desk front desk. At the inviting fireplace focal point, we’ve incorporated natural materials like charred black oak, marble and metal highlight accents- further promoting a biophilic connection with nature. Taking our design inspiration from the local agrarian environment, we’ve incorporated patterns and textures inspired by aerial mapping of the region. A fresh palette of soothing earth tones with gentle accents of navy and gold tones carries though the property, acting as cues to the expansive Northern California sky and the pollination of bees so essential in the region.

FEATURE PROJECT

35

36

Nature-based aesthetics are continued in the outdoor terrace and pool areas, where curvaceous lines and exotic wood furnishings enhance your enjoyment of the fire pits and restorative plunges in the comfortably heated water. Sam & Mary’s Restaurant and Bar, the namesake of our clients grandparents, is ready to cater to your appetites with their locally inspired cuisine and specialty cocktails, along with craft beers from Sonoma County brewers. The modern, well-appointed guest rooms feature sumptuous bedding, luxury vinyl wide plank floors, 50� smart TVs, and walkin showers. These calming quarters provide an equally fitting end for a day spent in meetings or one spent sampling local wines and relaxing outdoors.

FEATURE PROJECT

37

38

With its outstanding location in one of the nation’s premier wine-country destinations, the property sits poised to offer travelers an experience as full of richness and vitality as its surroundings. Cadiz Collaboration is gratified to be part of an outstanding collaborative team with our client, brand, management company, contractors, architect, purchasing agent and our talented vendors to open this inspired hotel with a focus on functional form, all while delivering a cost conscious design.

Stay Healthy- Travel Safe!

FEATURE PROJECT

39

We would love to hear from you!

Please reach us at : lorraine_francis@cadizcollaboration.com www.cadizcollaboration.com 3195 B Airport Loop Drive Costa Mesa CA 92626 949.667.2508 O 949.922.0591 M