Time is running out to secure your spot at leading hotel design conference, Design Inn Symposium, taking place at SkyCity Adelaide on Tuesday May 2.
A must-attend event for hotel designers, architects, owners, and operators, Design Inn will delve into the future of hotel design and examine critical components of hospitality design, from lighting to energy efficiency.
At a time when the industry is abundant in creativity with the emergence of new brands, refurbished properties and the rise of independent boutiques, delegates will be invited to discover innovative design principles, be inspired by local and international design leaders, and aspire to achieve excellence across every facet of design.
Hear from the original Apple Store designer, Tim Kobe
The keynote presentation at Design Inn will be led by Tim Kobe, an esteemed designed leader, author and founder of the globally-recognised strategic and experience design firm Eight Inc. Kobe is the designer behind the original Apple Store and has worked with other major companies including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Nike, Coke, Knoll and Citibank.
At Design Inn 2023, Kobe will present his approach to design that focuses on a holistic way of creating change and how design is driven by creating successful human outcomes through the crafting of holistic experience.
Design Inn will also feature revered futurist and Co-Founder of The Future Laboratory, Chris Sanderson, who will discuss the future of travel and accommodation in a thought-provoking interview with HM Editor Ruth Hogan.
A former presenter of Channel 4 series Home of the Future, Sanderson is an inspirational speaker that has been booked by major businesses including luxury group Kering, the European Travel Commission, Selfridges, Chanel, Harrods, General Motors, Design Hotels, Condé Nast Media and Omnicom.
According to Design Inn Content Co-Chair, Angela Biddle, these talks are not to be missed.
“This year’s Design Inn promises to inspire by showcasing exemplar hotels from a design and innovation perspective, sharing the now and the new; but what I am most excited about is hearing from Tim Kobe and Chris Sanderson about what they believe will drive how we design guest experiences for hotels moving forward,” she said.
Thought-provoking discussion
Kicking off with a breakfast masterclass, presented by Shape, Design Inn will offer a big-picture construction outlook that will delve into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With panellists offering a range of perspectives across building, asset management, real estate, and investment, delegates can expect expert insights from those on the ground.
Sustainability continues to be front of mind for hoteliers and designers, and the next evolution of this is Passive House design – a model to achieve maximum energy efficiency.
Design Inn Symposium will present a deep dive into Passive House principles for hotels, learning from the leader in this space, Hotel Marcel – which holds the title of the first Passive House Design hotel in the US.
Hotel Marcel Owner Bruce Becker will lead this masterclass and will be joined by Director Sustainability at Development Victoria, and founder of Australian Passive House Association, Clare Perry; Hilton Design and Project Director, Phillipa Le Roux, and other experts in this space.
A panel of design leaders will discuss the new brands and properties in the market including the recent launch of luxury lifestyle brand Capella, following the opening of its first Australian hotel in Sydney in March. Further to this, an in-depth design showcase of luxury brand Capella will be led by Make Architects, Michelle Evans, exploring the restoration and design of this heritage site.
Design Inn will also feature a masterclass in lighting and explore how products and advancements in technology are improving the guest experience while complementing design.
Back by popular demand this year is the operators panel, which will see design leaders from major hotel groups including IHG, EVT, Ascott Australia and Hilton share their learnings and their ambitions for future projects.
Excellence in hotel design
Design Inn will also celebrate excellence in hotel interior design with the Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards. The awards celebrate excellence in hotel interior design for projects located in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific (including Hawaii) that were completed and opened during 2022.
“We will hear from Clifford Rip who will present last year’s winning project of the Paul Davis Design Award, Crystalbrook Kingsley, before revealing this year’s winners, who represent some of the most exciting new hotels in Australasia,” Biddle said.
The four awards – for new-build properties, conversions, refurbishments and an overall winner, the Paul Davis Award – recognise exceptional projects that demonstrate design innovation, a commitment to sustainability design practices and deliver exceptional guest experience.
Delegates will then be invited to take part in hotel tours, giving them an opportunity to discover Adelaide’s new and refurbished hotels including Vibe Adelaide and Tryp by Wyndham among others.
“Beyond all of the exciting and inspiring content, Design Inn will also provide a wonderful opportunity to discover Adelaide’s newest hotels and to re-connect at the evening’s networking event,” Biddle added.