Awaken your curiosity at Sleep 2016

Convergence of design and development
The Sleep Conference reveals a global perspective on the industry with contributions from a wide range of pundits including designers, developers, operators, social scientists and writers. Highlighting the future of wellbeing in the built environment and identifying opportunities in this growing market, Ed Garrod of Elementa is to moderate a panel discussion with Sue Harmsworth, CEO of ESPA, acclaimed designer Clodagh who recently completed Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal, author Aiden Walker and Kevin Underwood, Principal at HKS Hospitality. The realm of cruise ship design will also be discussed by celebrated designer Adam Tihany, President of Seabourn and Cunard Rick Meadows, and Christian Schönrock from Costa Group.

International names shaking up the hospitality landscape
Conference keynotes will deliver insight and inspiration from the names behind the most exciting design-led hotel brands. Sharan Pasricha, Founder & CEO of Ennismore, the London-based owner and developer of unique properties and experiences, will reveal his philosophy on The Hoxton, a concept which originated in London’s East End and expanded to Amsterdam, with openings planned for New York and Paris.

Just announced is Keynote speaker Loh Lik Peng, award-winning founder of the Unlisted Collection, a uniquely stylish group of seven hotels and 20 restaurants in London, Singapore, Shanghai and Sydney. Discover how his touch and charm with partners such as designers Neri & Hu and chef Jason Atherton has allowed him to create one-of-a-kind experiences that go against the grain whilst hitting the zeitgeist full on.

“Poetic Modernism” is the subject of a keynote by Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rützou of celebrated design studio SPACE Copenhagen, focusing on their approach when working towards projects and the design of objects. The title reflects on various themes, such as slow aesthetics, authenticity, human nature and values, as well as modern contemporary premises for urban Living.

The penultimate session will see a panel considering the big issues behind ‘Fear & Love’ in the hotel landscape today, including Vince Stroop of New York-based Stonehill & Taylor, who will share his thinking on a growing shift in attitude, one which values the collection of experiences over material things. “This has really enabled design to become a key player within our current cultural evolution, as a large part of these experiences are how we interact with the built environment,” says Vince. “As architects and designers, we have the ability to create spaces that encourage social connections, enrich communities, and become part of something we will always remember. I think that’s pretty powerful.”

Discover the Science of Tribes
The science behind understanding today’s hotel guest will be under the spotlight on day two, when Matthias Arnold, senior market research manager at the SINUS-Institute in Germany will introduce The Science of Tribes, the theme for this year’s Sleep Set competition. This fascinating topic explores the social and cultural changes that affect behaviours, uniting different groups of people across the globe. Following this, each of the five design teams which has created a Sleep Set guestroom for a different socio-demographic ‘tribe’ will present their concept to a panel of judges before the conference audience. The participating teams are: WOW Architects from Singapore, Mitsui Designtec from Tokyo, and Studio PROOF, Gensler and Aukett Swanke based in London - the winner is to be announced at the room installations during lunchtime on day two.

Experience the Immersive Reality Lounge
There is much more to be discovered at Sleep, including an Immersive Reality Lounge where visitors can get their hands on the recently launched HTC Vive, the newest Oculus Rift headset, and the latest Sublime Portal, the next-level shared immersion experience. This fast-evolving technology is set to transform the hotel design process, providing a critical stage between the drawing board and built space, enabling stakeholders to explore concepts and solutions at one-to-one scale. Find out more about the benefits and challenges of these new technologies in a conference session with views expressed by tech-providers and designer end-users.

Design inspiration
The Sleep Exhibition features 160 leading UK and international contract brands and new names to look out for this year include: Rug-Maker showcasing striking gelim flatweaves designed by colourist and weaver Ptolemy Mann, handcrafted furniture by James UK, exquisite wallcoverings by Lincrusta Heritage and Cole & Son, furniture and lighting by Hamilton Conte Paris, lighting by Quasar Holland and Italian company Fabbione Iluminazione, to name just a few. They will be joining Sleep favourites such as Morgan Furniture showcasing the ‘Rio’ side table which fuses traditional craft with 3D printing, Chelsom Lighting with the latest ‘Stockholm’ collection, Style Library Contract brand Zoffany launching the vibrant ‘Phaedra’ collection, Dare Studio, Astro Lighting, Dornbracht, VitrA, Johnson Tiles, plus many more. Newcomer Gallery Muro will be promoting its new collection of contemporary art, photography and sculpture bringing together twenty-five artists including emerging and established talented photographers and painters, sculptors and glassmakers. Their superb work will give interior designers a vast number of options for enhancing any hotel design project.