ROOMS DIVISION: SENSE OF PLACE

SENSE OF PLACE

A GROWING TREND TOWARDS LOCALISM SEES HOTELS EMBRACE LOCALLY-SOURCED MATERIALS FOR FURNITURE, FLOORING AND TEXTILES TO HELP REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT, RUTH HOGAN REPORTS.

As the industry strives to reduce its environmental footprint, many hotels are exploring how construction and design choices can reflect their sustainability ethos.

Using materials from local or regional sources is high on the agenda for many eco-conscious designers of late. In fact, some projects will now specify that materials should be sourced within a certain limited radius from the site.

The rooms at Sebel Yarrawonga Silverwoods incorporate natural textures, materials, and hides

Using local materials has the obvious benefit of reducing transport times, but it also means that hotels are supporting the local economy. Some believe that using local materials could promote more vernacular building styles.

This was seen with the recent opening of Ace HotelSydney, designed in partnership with Flack Studio. Local organic materials are at the forefront of the hotel's design from acoustic textural straw walls to the ochre red concrete staircase. The hotel’s guest room furniture, joinery and lighting were custom designed by Flack Studio.

“We wanted to preserve the creative, slightly renegade energy of the space since its origins as one of Australia’s early brickworks,” Designer David Flack said prior to the hotel opening.

“We were committed to creating a warm space that brought together Australia’s cultural history with Ace’sunique, community cultivating approach to hospitality.”

SUPPORT LOCAL

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) specialist, Move-in, actively works to support local designers and makers.

Move-in Director Zahava Elenberg told HM that hotels are becoming increasingly aware of how each design can contribute to their sustainability mission.

Local materials were used in elements of the FF&E and joinery at Sebel Silverwoods

“We are seeing more of our clients being responsible for the long-term outlook and sustainability of their projects, and their place in that story,” Elenberg said.

“The market is responding accordingly, and we are glad to be part of that conversation.”

Elenberg pointed to Move-in’s work on a recent luxury hotel and resort in regional Victoria, Sebel Yarrawonga Silverwoods, where the rooms incorporated natural textures, materials, and hides.

“It was great to collaborate with the architects and a client who wanted to support the local economy and integrate sustainable practices,” she said.

“Local materials and craftspeople were used on elements of the FF&E and joinery, including equestrian tack in the banquette seating, designed by the architects.”

Move-in recently collaborated with local designers and makers when working on FF&E at a Build to Rent project in inner city Melbourne.

“We wanted to ensure there was both an element of local identity embedded within the furniture, but also an effort to practice low impact supply,” Elenberg said.

Another recent project, large-scale student accommodation, had a very strong focus on local for FF&E.

“In one project, we had a 5km radius policy for the soft furnishings, artworks, styling, and accessories which created a very unique and authentic outcome,” Elenberg said.

‘IT MAKES SENSE’

There is often a misconception that it is not financially viable to use locally-made products, which Elenberg is quick to debunk.

It is this emotional connection and reinforcement of local culture and place that we are excited to be a part of.

-Zahava Elenberg, Move-in

“When you consider all the factors from timeframe to the economy and the environment, it can make a lot of sense [to source local],” she said.

Elenberg believes the use of local materials contributes greatly to the “sense of place”in a particular building.

By sourcing materials locally, hotels are contributing to the local economy in which they operate

“A sense of place is important: when you are in Melbourne you want to feel that you are in Melbourne, and if you are in New York, you want to know that you are in New York,” she said.

“It is this emotional connection and reinforcement of local culture and place that we are excited to be a part of, and we see this trend being driven by an engagement with sustainable design initiatives.”