Efficient Plan: Hotel Design

Some of the popular types of modern hotel plans are:-

• Modular Construction
• Slip forming
• Arch design
• Cylinder-like structure

Modular Construction

This is most recent and promising development in the construction of hotel buildings. The technique has cut down the construction time and costs by 40% as compared to traditional construction method. In this method, room units are constructed separately and hoisted into the place with the help of cranes. Buildings are relatively low cost, time-saving, fire resistant and sound proof.

Slip forming

This was first used in 1930’s in the buildings and erection of grain silos and other similar structures. Early slip forming techniques relied on hydraulic jacks and the pouring of concrete into a formwork made of timber. Today slip forming is used to build everything from silo to complexes, chimneys, reservoirs, medium to high-rise buildings, office buildings, hotels, hospitals, bridge support piers, in-ground shafts to dams and power stations. It was used to raise the exterior walls and some of the interior walls and structures of a 15-storey hotel in Petersburg, Florida. It enabled the hotel to be ‘topped out’ (constructed till the top storey) in just eight days. In Norfolk, Virginia, this technique, which was used in the construction of a 14-storey motor-inn, enabled the builders to cut three months from the normal construction time for a property of that size.

Arch design

These designs have cent percent useable clear span space and do not have any beams, poles and trusses. They are easy to construct and most of the buildings are erected in just a few days. These buildings are well ventilated and have better airflow than other building types. These buildings are very cost effective and have a very low cost of developing heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The maintenance cost of these buildings is also very low and they are fire resistant. The idea of tri-arch design was introduced by Travelodge International. Main advantages of arch designing are:

• Each room has a view.
• The wedge shape of guest rooms permits each to have an unusually large bath and dressing area.
• The control core containing elevators, linen room, utilities and ice cube machines facilitates economies in construction and operations.

Cylinder-like structure

This design of hotel building has a distinctive appearance as seen in the Radisson property in Berlin. It has also advantages like:

• The concentration of service and utility equipment at the centre core.
• Lower construction and operating costs.
• All guest rooms on the outer side with the view.
• Ready-made for the popular rooftop revolving restaurant or lounge.
• Minimum resistance to wind.
• Suitable for site where land costs are high and minimum area is available.
• Compatibility with circumferential ramps leading to parking.

Curtain Wall  

In this system, the exterior wall of each floor is hung on the iron or steel frame so that the wall supports only its own weight and not the floors above it. This method of construction reduces the overall weight of a building, which allows it to built higher and permits the extensive use of glass on the façade.

Rooms 

As guest rooms or bedrooms constitute a major part of hotel construction, the key to economical design lies largely in layout of the guest room block. Some of the variants in the design layout of guest rooms are as follows:-

1. Double-loaded block- Considered the most economical layout, is capable of development into courtyard plan.  It required two staircases.
2. Double-loaded T-shaped blocks- This capable of being developed into cross; also economical, but required three staircases.
3. Single-loaded block- This is capable of being developed into courtyard plan; not an economical solution but may be desirable.
4. Square block- Comprises a central core containing all vertical services such as maids rooms etc. It is compact and useful for small sites where tower development may be desirable.
5. Y Plan- It has more complicated structure than straight blocks and requires three staircases. The disadvantage is that the structural system may cause problems in public areas.
6. Tri-arch Plan- this is similar to ‘Y’ plan, but more space is taken up by circulation; concave curve results in a bedroom wider at bath room end providing opportunity for larger bathroom and dressing area.
7. Circular Plan- This requires careful handling; avoid outward and inward facing rooms; not capable of extension.
8. Circular with Central Core- This design is similar to square block one. This too requires careful handling to avoid awkward room.

Following table provides useful insight into the optimum number of guest rooms that can be accommodated on each floor depending on the design layout: