Wake up to Sleep
There are a multitude of reasons why hotel design and development professionals must attend the Sleep event at London’s Business Design Centre on 22 and 23 November. Over the two days visitors will gain inspiration and insight from an impressive line-up of conference speakers and discover the latest products from 160 leading UK and global contract brands destined for award-winning hotels around the world.
Sleep delivers a complete update on the industry, from the big ideas and global perspectives discussed by thought-leaders and influencers to well-designed products for creating outstanding hotel environments. Also unique to Sleep are the concept installations linking the conference and exhibition by exploring topical themes through design and innovation. Visitors are encouraged to experience it all.
‘The Science of Tribes’ Sleep Set competition
An event highlight, Sleep Set is the annual competition where each year design practices create built concept guestrooms in collaboration with leading contractors and suppliers. This year’s theme ‘The Science of Tribes’ explores the social and cultural changes that affect behaviours, uniting different groups of people across the globe and how this information can be used to understand today’s diverse hotel guests. Participating teams are: WOW Architects, Mitsui Designtec, Studio PROOF, Gensler and Aukett Swanke, each creating a guestroom for a different socio-demographic ‘tribe’. The designers explain their concepts to a panel of judges before a conference audience, with the winner announced at the room installations on day two.
Designing for wellness
With a growing awareness that well-designed spaces can promote health and wellbeing, a panel of leading experts will discuss the future opportunities in this growing market. Ed Garrod of Elementa will moderate a panel that includes Sue Harmsworth, CEO of ESPA, acclaimed designer Clodagh who recently completed Six Senses Douro Valley, author Aiden Walker and Kevin Underwood, Principal at HKS Hospitality.
As the benefits of biophilic design is increasingly embraced and assimilated into built environments, visitors can discover the latest wellness-focused products from UK and world-leading brands within the show floor. High quality handcrafted beds that promise an unrivalled night’s sleep will be on show from British companies Hypnos and Harrison Spinks, each renowned for their award-winning, sustainably made beds. Beautifully designed, innovative products are also anticipated from Sleep Set sponsors Dornbracht and prominent global names such as Hansgrohe, Laufen, Vitra and Bette alongside UK manufacturers Victoria & Albert Baths and Hurlingham Bath Company. Newcomer Villeroy & Boch will show new ranges designed by Gesa Hansen including the Artis Colour surface-mounted basins available in 15 colours and four shapes for maximum personalisation. Founder Sponsor and host of the invitation-only VIP lounge GROHE will present its Sensia Arena shower toilet plus other products incorporating its pioneering technologies.
Next-Gen technology for hotels
Integrated guest-friendly technology is now a given in hotels, and Sleep is where visitors will find the next generation of hi-tech innovations for the industry including room control systems, door security, AV, energy and communication systems. German manufacturer Jung debuts this year to showcase its range of intelligently designed products, while Gira, also from Germany, will highlight the new Esprit switch series finished in natural materials. UK manufacturer Hamilton Litestat will also present its newest switch plates and lighting systems alongside Clear AV introducing the latest integrated high-end AV systems.
As virtual and augmented reality is radically transforming the hotel design process, an Immersive Reality Lounge hosted by tech-pioneers Soluis in collaboration with Graven will give visitors a chance to experience hotel design concepts in 3D and get their hands on some of the latest digital reality platforms. These will include the recently launched HTC Vive, the newest Oculus Rift headset and the Portal, a shared immersive solution from the innovative Sublime brand. The topic can be further explored in a conference session that includes insight from tech-providers and designer end-users.
Sleep Essentials
Design details are more than ever a differentiator in hotels across the world, and the Sleep exhibition will reveal how well-chosen products can heighten the guest experience and create a memorable stay. A new feature this year is ‘Spaces’, a series of stands designed as hotel environments where exhibitors will create inspiring installations of lobbies, outdoor terraces, guestroom bathrooms and spas.
And hotel designers will have a unique opportunity to seek advice from experts across the industry at the Sleep Essentials round tables, which debuted last year to great success. Hosts this year include: the CEO of Modulex, Eric Kirwin; Head of Hospitality at Perkins+Will, Tom Hupe; lighting designer Paul Nulty; Paul Greenwood of Tricon, internationally renowned for creating thriving F&B operations in hotels.
High quality lighting is essential to good hotel design, creating atmosphere and lending drama to spaces, but above all an indispensable ingredient for guest comfort, health and wellbeing. Sleep attracts the best names in the business, including UK brand leader Chelsom, which will introduce its Stockholm lamp featuring seamless joints between glass and brushed metalwork. Premium brands from across Europe will be present, such as Italian specialists Fabbian Iluminazione, renowned for their bespoke lighting features seen in hospitality spaces worldwide; Qasar Holland and from Spain ALVE, SECOM Iluminacion and LEDS C4, each with their latest ranges of contemporary designs for guestrooms, public areas and outdoor spaces. Lights of Vienna and Preciosa will once more showcase their spectacular creations.
Sleep will take place on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd November at the Business Design Centre in London. Register for a complimentary pass to Sleep and find out more about the conference and exhibition, Sleep Sets and Sleeper Bar at www.thesleepevent.com.
