The individual components of a hotel are cherry picked to strike the perfect balance between aesthetic and functionality. To achieve this, architectural ironmongery is crucial, says Paul Smith, Head of Specification Sales at Häfele UK…
As hotel design projects progress, budget limitations sometimes mean the teams have to swap the originally specified products for cheaper alternatives. As a result, the final hurdle of the project – which sees the initial vision truly come to life – becomes more about hitting cost requirements than selecting the best products for the building’s needs, and the guest’s expectations.
The assistance of an architectural ironmonger at the specification stages of a project can prove vital. Helping to translate and convert your requirements into a functional and legally compliant ironmongery schedule, an ironmongery expert will also help achieve an overall aesthetic that will impress your guests and ensure the finished building has the wow factor.
Image credit: Häfele UK
On a recent project at the Harrington Hall Hotel in South Kensington, the Häfele Projects 360 team were called on to help create a luxury interiors scheme that would leave a lasting impression on guests. They developed and supplied a suite of UK-manufactured brass door hardware, specially finished in satin and antique styles, to complement the building’s character and established aesthetic while adding a modern edge.
The Häfele Projects 360 Team offers hotel designers and operators a solution to ensure design consistency across an entire building, from start to finish. The team is made up of more than 20 Guild of Architectural Ironmongers who are DipGAI qualified and were some of the founding members of the GuildMark Scheme, assuring customers of the highest standards of modern specification.
Image credit: Häfele UK
Its tailored programmes of work are built around specific budgets and deadlines, while also adhering to current construction design standards, offering bespoke solutions which ensure each hotel stands out for its individuality. The team offers design consultation, product specification and product selection, as well as order management, ongoing support and after sales care. All of this helps customers achieve the levels of accuracy, attention to detail and absolute functionality required for every part of their project, with a specific focus placed on architectural ironmongery.
For example, via Häfele’s industry standard door scheduling software, the Häfele Projects 360 team can prepare accurate and detailed ‘door by door schedules’ for hotel projects of all shapes and sizes. Customers will receive an easy to follow document with a comprehensive list of all doors within the project and the related hardware, tailored to specific requirements, including product imagery and pricing information, grouping similar products into hardware sets.
Additionally, Häfele’s breadth of range means that it has products to suit every budget. The team can work to the original ironmongery brief without amending the functionality, a solution can be sourced to suit the budget of a project without compromising on the intended look and feel, meaning a client’s original vision need never be sacrificed. The finishing touches of a hotel scheme should be equally prioritised as the bricks and mortar. As the space develops, moving from concept to reality, the finite detail must remain a big deal and be delivered in such a way to ensure your project runs efficiently, meets the expectations of customers today and stands out in a crowded marketplace. The Häfele experts are on hand to oversee the entire process, leaving operators to focus on getting people through their doors.
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Main image credit: Häfele
