In our new "Designer Edit" interview series, we're spotlighting interior designers who are pushing the boundaries of sustainable and innovative design in hospitality. In our first interview, we speak with Helge Docters van Leeuwen, Founder of HD+VK, to explore his sources of inspiration, emerging trends, and his excitement for IHA24.

Please give us an introduction to yourself and your experience in the design industry

I am Helge Docters van Leeuwen. Founder of design studio HD+VK. We work on the larger scale commercial real estate projects throughout Europe and we have a strong focus on and experience in Hospitality. We do Hotels, Wellness & Gym, Leisure venues and apply the hospitality approach to the working environment.

What do you enjoy most about working with hotels and hospitality businesses? 

Our work is to create immersive experiences. To create that moment a guest steps into your world and gets sucked into a new reality. We find this shift in experience is best achieved through the Interior Space, which is why we want to work in this field. Hotels and Hospitality in general are a great canvas to try out new ideas, these places need to be bold and authentic in order to be remembered. People go to these venues to get inspired and to relax, so it is one of the best fields to work in if you have a creative mind.

Are there specific elements or themes you prioritise in your hotel designs?

Well, apart from the creative, immersive experience, there is always a strong technical, functional aspect to these projects. We work on both sides at the same time, so the technology and the poetry work together instead of against one another.

For us, it all starts with context. We design a new story for every new project. We need our clients to be ambitious and enthusiastic to have a creative journey together.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Everywhere. Literally everywhere. I, myself am educated as a product designer, we have colleagues who are trained architects, urban designers, and graphic designers. In this current time, we feel it is important to listen to all voices in society and to make the most beautiful mix.

It is about music, fashion, game design, architecture, material developments, societal changes, sustainable inventions, this goes on and on.

How do you integrate sustainability into your hotel designs, and what sustainable practices do you prioritise?

We have an approach where we start this conversation with our client early in the design process. We find that any goals about sustainability are about Ambition, Commitment and Practicality. We apply this to all aspects of the project which fall within our circle of influence.

Often it is not possible to reach all goals, but we feel one should be realistic about what is possible and what is not possible. We work with a large selection of suppliers who have made great steps in sustainability. At the same time, there are also a lot of materials that already are circular of nature such as steel and glass. The design should allow for a good separation of materials to start with.

In all honesty, the Hotel business is a bit behind if you compare this to office design and real estate development in general. So it is a good subject to talk about.

Are there any emerging design trends that you find particularly exciting or influential in the industry?

Well, there are a couple which are relevant or seem relevant. When we talk about the design industry, we should talk about AI. We are currently flooded with applications which offer AI-driven solutions to design questions. We find this interesting, and we embrace a good deal of this in our process.

If we talk about the Hospitality industry, we should talk about a shift in Brand Value and Brand Awareness. Traditionally the big five have compartmentalized the hotel market in a lot of neat segments and with that, they have corned a very large portion of the market. Coming out of 2020 they have found that their brands need more flexibility and better recognition if it comes to authenticity and context awareness. It is always the smaller emerging brands that challenge these values and provide a reset.

Considering the theme 'Dreamland' for the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam, how would you envision and design your dreamland when it comes to creating a hotel space? Are there specific elements or features that immediately come to mind in aligning with this theme?

We are about being bold, outspoken and authentic. I still dream about making a destination hotel that is a complete eclectic experience. Drawing out of the combined life experiences of our international team. A place without reference, creating a chain of connected space constructed out of vivid materials in combination with audio-visual representation. Maybe as if you were stepping into an open world game. Ever changing, ever exploring.

What do you look forward to most at the Independent Hotel Show?

Well, the IHS is growing into being the new hospitality touchpoint in The Netherlands. We feel it is becoming a stronger fair every year and we are looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with the people we know and follow.

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By H.DOCTERS VAN LEEUWEN

HD+VK design studio