Architectural Stone Interiors -A designer helps her clients to see the many shades of green.

by Therese Virserius

From a media standpoint, green design and energy efficient hotels have been great fodder for interesting stories. From an architectural, design or developer standpoint it’s a romantic ideology. From a client standpoint, asking a traveler to pay more green to stay someplace green is a continuous uphill battle.

The question is this: Are we as an industry truly creating the trends in hospitality or are we being manipulated by the lack of faith we have in future patrons to spend more to save the planet?

I have countless peers who ponder question this daily -- and so do I. I have attended numerous conferences and listened to endless panels on the subject. At times, I have even had a few heated discussions with clients on the importance of low- or no-VOC paints and why using natural materials, although at times extremely expensive, is by far better than the more moderately priced imitations because the earth will suffer less detrimental effects. Yet, I think I can speak for most, if not all, design firms in that not a one has been willing to sacrifice a gigantic piece of new business for what many big potential clients feel are personal beliefs. If given the choice between luxurious and sustainable or luxurious but easier on the bottom line, guess which clients choose nine out of 10 times?

Indeed, everyone is in favor of green building and green design, but there is very little indication that hotel guests are generally willing to pay a premium to stay in a sustainable hotel even in the bigger, global chains. The truth is, design is one of the countless, innumerable elements needed to create sustainable hotels. Hotels, both boutique and extremely large, need a variety of strategies to conserve natural resources and reduce waste, as well as policies for sustainable design, construction, and procurement. This could require expansion of the overall infrastructure and operations and changes in public spaces (for example, tasteful recycling bins off of the lobby or automatic dryers as opposed to hand towels in bathrooms). There is also a limit to how green a hotel can be, given the nature of hotel operations.

All of this aside, my firm has been asked to work with RV Architects to fully design the lobby lounge for MGM Mirage’s Vdara Hotel and Spa located in CityCenter in Las Vegas. The entire 67-acre, 18 million square foot development is being created to bring a new level of environmental consciousness to the legendary Strip as the world’s largest sustainable development when it opens in late 2009.

As part of the illustrious team chosen, it has been quite exciting to be on the forefront of such a mammoth project geared to sustainability and luxury. Physically connected to the Bellagio and adjacent to what will be the ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara will offer access to all of the entertainment, gaming, shopping, dining and nightlife at CityCenter and in Las Vegas, while also providing a retreat from it all. Because Vdara will be a smoke-free, casino-free public space, our firm was able to use a number of lesser-likely sustainable materials such as low emitting adhesives and sealants, no-VOC paints, materials free of PVC, leather that contains no heavy metal dye, certified woods, wool carpet and a lighting system with controllability.

“It is always important to focus on how function meets design, but the entire project has taken that mentality one step further by incorporating the necessary steps needed to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly space while still providing sophisticated, luxurious surroundings for our residents and guests,” said Angela Lester, the hotel's general manager. "It also provides our residents and guests an opportunity to contribute to positive environmental change while enjoying the exclusivity and comforts of Vdara."

RV Architects has also taken many strides to make the building as sustainable as possible through LEED™ certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The firm is taking an innovative approach to site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental air quality.

Personally, I wish all of my projects could focus on the sustainable ‘green’ as opposed to the fiscal one. My observations through the last year or so have been extremely optimistic and I am seeing firsthand how the tides are slowly changing in the hospitality design industry and how many others following CityCenter’s lead.

Therese Virserius

Principal
Therese Virserius Design

Bio: Therese Virserius was born and raised in Southern Sweden. In 1998 she graduated from the University of Stockholm with a degree in Chinese and shortly afterward accepted a management position in purchasing for IKEA in Shanghai. While living in China, she also started a company specializing in product and furniture design. The furniture and accessories were sold to an array of exclusive boutiques in Shanghai and Hong Kong.





	Future trends in hospitality design by Therese Virserius From a media standpoint, green design and energy efficient hotels have been great fodder for interesting stories. From an architectural, design or developer standpoint it’s a romantic ideology. From a client standpoint, asking a traveler to pay more green to stay someplace green is a continuous uphill battle. The question is this: Are we as an industry truly creating the trends in hospitality or are we being manipulated by the lack of faith we have in future patrons to spend more to save the planet? I have countless peers who ponder question this daily -- and so do I. I have attended numerous conferences and listened to endless panels on the subject. At times, I have even had a few heated discussions with clients on the importance of low- or no-VOC paints and why using natural materials, although at times extremely expensive, is by far better than the more moderately priced imitations because the earth will suffer less detrimental effects. Yet, I think I can speak for most, if not all, design firms in that not a one has been willing to sacrifice a gigantic piece of new business for what many big potential clients feel are personal beliefs. If given the choice between luxurious and sustainable or luxurious but easier on the bottom line, guess which clients choose nine out of 10 times? Indeed, everyone is in favor of green building and green design, but there is very little indication that hotel guests are generally willing to pay a premium to stay in a sustainable hotel even in the bigger, global chains. The truth is, design is one of the countless, innumerable elements needed to create sustainable hotels. Hotels, both boutique and extremely large, need a variety of strategies to conserve natural resources and reduce waste, as well as policies for sustainable design, construction, and procurement. This could require expansion of the overall infrastructure and operations and changes in public spaces (for example, tasteful recycling bins off of the lobby or automatic dryers as opposed to hand towels in bathrooms). There is also a limit to how green a hotel can be, given the nature of hotel operations. All of this aside, my firm has been asked to work with RV Architects to fully design the lobby lounge for MGM Mirage’s Vdara Hotel and Spa located in CityCenter in Las Vegas. The entire 67-acre, 18 million square foot development is being created to bring a new level of environmental consciousness to the legendary Strip as the world’s largest sustainable development when it opens in late 2009. As part of the illustrious team chosen, it has been quite exciting to be on the forefront of such a mammoth project geared to sustainability and luxury. Physically connected to the Bellagio and adjacent to what will be the ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara will offer access to all of the entertainment, gaming, shopping, dining and nightlife at CityCenter and in Las Vegas, while also providing a retreat from it all. Because Vdara will be a smoke-free, casino-free public space, our firm was able to use a number of lesser-likely sustainable materials such as low emitting adhesives and sealants, no-VOC paints, materials free of PVC, leather that contains no heavy metal dye, certified woods, wool carpet and a lighting system with controllability. “It is always important to focus on how function meets design, but the entire project has taken that mentality one step further by incorporating the necessary steps needed to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly space while still providing sophisticated, luxurious surroundings for our residents and guests,” said Angela Lester, the hotel's general manager. "It also provides our residents and guests an opportunity to contribute to positive environmental change while enjoying the exclusivity and comforts of Vdara." RV Architects has also taken many strides to make the building as sustainable as possible through LEED™ certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The firm is taking an innovative approach to site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental air quality. Personally, I wish all of my projects could focus on the sustainable ‘green’ as opposed to the fiscal one. My observations through the last year or so have been extremely optimistic and I am seeing firsthand how the tides are slowly changing in the hospitality design industry and how many others following CityCenter’s lead. Principal Therese Virserius Design Bio: Therese Virserius was born and raised in Southern Sweden. In 1998 she graduated from the University of Stockholm with a degree in Chinese and shortly afterward accepted a management position in purchasing for IKEA in Shanghai. While living in China, she also started a company specializing in product and furniture design. The furniture and accessories were sold to an array of exclusive boutiques in Shanghai and Hong Kong.