Influence of Architectural Styles on Hotel Design

This article explores the influence of different architectural styles, including Renaissance, Gothic, and Modern, on the design of hotels. It discusses the features and benefits of each style and how they contribute to sustainability in hotel design. The article also highlights the importance of incorporating sustainable design strategies in the hospitality industry.

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Introduction
Architecture has gone through numerous changes in the design and construction of the various
structures as shaped by the changes in technology and times. The evolution has seen more
comfort and habitability attained in the various structures as defined by the features of the
various architectural styles.
Influence of different architectural styles on the design of hotels
Renaissance architecture defines the architecture that existed between the early 14th century
and early 16th century in various regions of the European architecture illustrating a conscious
revival as well as development of some elements of ancient Greek alongside Roman material
culture and culture (Xie and Gou, 2017). Renaissance architecture was in line with Gothic
architecture and was followed by Baroque architecture. Renaissance architecture focused on
proportion, geometry, proportion as well as the regularity of the various parts as they showed in
the classical antiquity architecture and specific ancient Roman architecture which bore most of
the remnant examples. Organized arrangement of lintels, columns as well as pilasters alongside
the adoption of semi-circular arches, niches, hemispherical domes and aedicule substituted the
more sophisticated proportional systems as well as medieval buildings bearing irregular profiles
(Baek and Ok, 2017).
One of the major hotel buildings that were influenced by this style was the Hotel de Ville during
its reconstruction. The architects redesigned the interior of the hotel with the shell of stone which
had survived the fire. In as much as the rebuilt Hotel de Ville from the exterior looked to be a
reflection of the Renaissance architecture of the 16th century which was in place before 1871,
the newly redesigned interior was pegged on a wholly new design having ceremonial rooms that

were lavishly decorated using the 1880s decoration styles. Allegorical figures of Art and science
were used in the flanking the central ceremonial doors which were under the clock. Renaissance
architectural style saw the building bear unique domes and shapes as well as ceremonial
entrances that enhanced the comfort and luxury of the space to the users as well as visitors
(Bufquin et al., 2018).
Gothic architecture was a style which gained fame in Europe during the Late and High Middle
Ages and revolved from Romanesque architecture. This architecture was succeeded by
Renaissance architecture and was commonly used in churches as well as cathedrals even though
it as well had its traces in other buildings and structures that were used as public gathering
places.
The most common features of Gothic architecture were inclusive of using rib vault as well as the
flying buttress that permitted counterbalancing of the roof weight by buttress located outside the
building and hence providing greater height as well as more space for the window openings. The
elaborate use of stained glass as well as rose windows was yet another important feature of this
architectural style that served to bring light as well as color to the structure interior (Melissen et
al., 2016). Realistic statuary on the external part of the buildings specifically over the portals as
an illustration of the biblical stories was also evident in the style. Some main architectural
features including rib vault and pointed arch were found in Romanesque architecture even
though their use was more extensive and in ways that were more innovative in making Gothic
cathedral and churches stringers, higher as well as light filled.
One of the hotels that were influenced by the Gothic architectural styles and that which
incorporated the various features was the Hôtel de Ville of Compiegne. The hotel featured an
imposing gothic bell tower that had a spire surrounded by smaller towers with the windows

being decorated using ornate accolades or even ornamental arches. The design alongside the
decorations served to enhance the lively nature and tended to breathe more life into the Hôtel de
Ville of Compiegne. The decorations enhanced the aesthetics of the hotel even as the rib vaults
and pointed arches created a feeling of a very large space above hence enhancing the comfort of
the space. Gothic architecture in Hôtel de Ville of Compiegne to a great extent served to promote
sustainability of hotels which adopted the style in their design. The large windows used ensured
the hotel facility enjoying a lot of natural ventilation and in other cases natural ventilation. Still
the windows served as source of lighting to the building fabric reducing the need of artificial
lighting to night and off natural daylights only.
Modern architecture or otherwise modernist architecture defines a period of architecture that
was based on innovative as well as new technologies of construction specifically the adoption of
reinforced concrete, steel as well a glass. This style is based on the notion that form follows
function and embraces more of minimalisms while rejecting the use of ornaments. Modern
architecture came up during the 20th century and was dominant after the end of World War II all
the way to the 1980s where it was slowly substituted as the style for corporate as well as
institutional buildings by postmodern architecture.
Due to the introduction of such features as glass in the building, modern architecture tends to
bring the exterior into the exterior and taking the interior to the exterior. Modern architecture is
thus an attempt to merge the exterior of a building fabric to the interior with the aim of making
sure the structure or building does not appear to be out of place. The use of modern architecture
in the design of hotels has resulted in bringing more of the natural environment into the hotels.
The users of the spaces are able have an experience of the surrounding environment from the
comfort of their stay within the hotel. This has served to ensure a complete interaction between

the building and the surrounding environment and in effect resulting in increased comfort of the
occupants alongside playing a role when it comes to promoting sustainability and sustainable
development of the structure.
Components of hotel design where sustainability can be applied and the benefits to the
environment
Energy conservation: Reduction of the use of energy may promote the guest experience as well
as add extra padding to the bank account of the hotel. Enacting some simple alterations to how
the hotel uses energy may have a significant impact and this may include switching to long
lasting LED lights that would serve to lower the electricity bills as well as installation of
skylights in the common spaces to ensure maximum use of natural light during the day times.
The use of energy saving kitchen, air conditioning as well as laundry equipment may as well
serve to lower the energy use in the hotel to great levels (Kuo et al., 2018).
Reducing wastage of water: This can be attained through aeration of the water, reducing the
pressure as well as recycling as a way of lowering possible wastages. One of the main ways of
reducing the consumption of water that can be adopted is replacement of the existing appliances
using water efficiency ones among them faucets, laundry facilities, showers as well as toilets.
Waste reduction: Recycling of wastes is a popular practice may be since numerous methods of
recycling came with relatively short payback period and may generate significant savings
(Molina-Azorín et al., 2015). Besides recycling, studies have established that composting organic
waste to generate fertilizer may turn out to be effective in case there is a proper system in place
and the staff are trained and educated on how to use it.

Conclusion
Sustainability in the hospitality industry does not only serve to lower the cost of operation of
various facilities but also serve to enhance the experience of customers hence the need for the
various management to ensure the various sustainability design strategies are included in the
facilities as much as possible. There is a strong correlation between best sustainable design
practices and guest experience.

References
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