Sleep event’s conference programme announced

Posted in Events, News on 23 October, 2017

Sleep returns in 2017 with its two-day, free-to-attend Conference taking place 21-22 November at London’s Business Design Centre. Packed with the foremost influencers shaping global hospitality, the lively sessions will debate the challenges and aspirations driving the industry and tap into the undercurrents shaping its future, providing attendees with plenty of food for thought and take-aways for the sector at large.

Insightful Perspectives

Celebrated Parisian interior architect Tristan Auer launches the Conference the morning of Day One with “Revival of a Myth”, which will reveal his approach to returning storied, prestigious buildings to their former glory. Principal of Atelier Tristan Auer, Wilson Associates Paris’ first Haute Couture Design Studio, his notable projects include Rosewood Hôtel de Crillon Paris and Hôtel Les Bains Paris. With a pedigree rooted in his early days with Christian Liaigre and Philippe Starck, Auer’s signature can be found around the globe through designs for Cartier, Chanel and Hermès as well as numerous hotel brands and celebrities.

The afternoon brings a second presentation, “Emotional Modernism”, during which acclaimed NYC-based architect Jeffrey Beers will share his passion for evoking emotional responses through spatial design. Beers has built a stellar career creating distinctive and visionary spaces recognised for their lasting appeal and ability to unite artistry and strategy, including the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach and the recently renovated El San Juan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton in Puerto Rico. Prior to founding Jeffrey Beers International in 1986, he gained experience from diverse inspirations ranging from renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly to legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer to the NYC studio of I.M. Pei & Partners, where he managed the design of global hotel and entertainment projects.

Day Two kicks off with architect Eero Koivisto, co-founder of Claesson Koivisto Rune. Illustrated by Hotel Zander K; Hotel Villa Terminus; and Hotel Bergen Børs, Koivisto will reveal how the Swedish partnership balances architecture and design to ‘manipulate space’ with abstracted and honest Scandinavian beauty. The team’s illustrious portfolio also includes the recently opened Sfera Building culture house in Kyoto, Sony Music’s Stockholm headquarters and innovative furniture designs.

The forward-looking topic, “New Concepts of Luxury”, will be presented that afternoon by Maria Warner Wong and Wong Chiu Man, principals of Singapore-based WOW Architects and entrant into last year’s Sleep Set guestroom design competition. In conversation with Conference moderator Guy Dittrich, the duo will draw upon their experience in sustainability and wellness through projects such as the highly commended Vivanta by Taj – Whitefield in Bangalore; Yalong Bay No. 5 Villas and Spa in Sanya, China and the St. Regis Resort in the Maldives. This session will discuss the responsibilities of designers to create a new meaning in hotel luxury – one that does not give into the luxury of ‘more’ but looks beyond to memory creation, giving back and participatory design.

Fast versus Slow: Food for Thought

Three tastemakers from the F&B world will come together for Day One’s “Fast Food” session: Bob Puccini, founder of Puccini Group, USA; designer and chef Ido Garini from Studio Appétit; and Simon Rawlings, Creative Director at David Collins Studio, will explore new dining concepts, sourcing local and the rise of the slow food movement.

Day Two sees life in the fast lane reconsidered by visionaries on the forefront of “Slow Design”. Quentin Danté, managing partner of Bangkok-based global hospitality design group, STUDIO Q; Motti Essakow, natural capitalist and chief imagineer of Rythms by Design, UK; and Ilse Crawford, founder of Studio Ilse, will consider the benefits of creating spaces that enhance wellness through a balance of individual, socio-cultural and environmental needs as illustrated by their inspiring portfolios.

Breaking Down Walls

In “Design Beyond Space…ID” on Day One, graphic design and branding experts explain how the design of a hotel extends beyond its physical space. Matt Utber, Creative Director of The Plant, UK; Candice Madrid-Dahlqvist, Design Director of Sweden-based Millkeeper Studio; and Kate Cox from GA Brand Design with offices in the UK, Hungary, China and Malaysia, will delve into the influence of graphics, signage, fonts and collateral in the hotel realm.

Just what is a “Post Cool” hotel? On Day Two, Jason Holley, director of Universal Design Studio; James Soane director of Project Orange; and Henrietta Thompson, editor-at-large of Wallpaper* magazine will explore how when it comes to hotels, being ‘cool’ is no longer cool. Join these creative luminaries to learn what comes next, and how a more caring attitude towards design enriches the guest experience.

Development Roundtables

Key opinion leaders such as Eric Jafari, co-founder and creator of Locke Hotels, will join moderator Jamie Chappell, Global Business Director of Horwath HTL in the “Development and Investment” session examining the prospects for global hotel development and consideration of whether the risks in developing design-led hotels pays off for savvy investors.

This debate will be followed by the ever-popular “Development Roundtables” hosted by Daniel Englender, managing director of Benjamin West, during which top professionals from the hotel development, owner, investor and operator sectors move from table to table ready to offer their professional insight and candid advice to delegates. The sessions fill up quickly on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis, so delegates are advised to arrive early and secure a much sought-after place.

Does Love Lead to Loyalty?

The morning of Day Two, the four Sleep Set guestroom design teams interpreting the 2017 event theme, “Loyalty: Lessons in Love”, will reveal their takes on how design can create experiences so meaningful that loyalty becomes love. Presenting their concepts to the audience and judging panel before the winner is announced at lunchtime are: Stonehill & Taylor, the hospitality-focused architecture and design studio from NYC; London-based MKV Design which specialises in the interior architecture and design of high-end hotels and resorts around the globe; Italian firm, Il Prisma, with studios in London as well as in Italy and a portfolio extending across workplace, retail and hospitality; and leading luxury residential design studio 1508 London who are bringing their magic to hospitality.

In addition to the Conference and Sleep Sets, Sleep 2017 comprises an Exhibition of innovative products and the Sleeper Bar designed by the Sundukovy Sisters. Sleep takes place 21st – 22nd November at London’s Business Design Centre, register for free tickets at www.thesleepevent.com.