Blog Posts By Author: Tom Ayers

I travelled to India recently for a design workshop presentation for the Lavasa Hotel and Convention Centre. It was a great exercise that produced some very positive feedback from both the operator and the client. Geoff Leggett, Rachel Johnson and I travelled to the client's offices in Mumbai to finalise the main interior design ideas for both the hotel and the convention centre.

My first introduction to India was through the window of our Jeep as we drove across the city:  lots of vibrant colour and activity to see as we drove past various markets and buildings. Later we managed to catch a couple of drinks with some of the team members representing the operator back at our hotel, the Hyatt Regency. The hotel had some good design features such as the overhead walkways linking the bar and the restaurant. One of the benefits of these trips is the opportunity to become the guest and participate in the hospitality experience.

A quick shopping excursion to the local mall concluded our trip. It was great to see the cricket nets set up outside the shops--reminding me that India is crazy about their cricket. Perhaps we could turn the convention centre into a massive indoor cricket pitch, or set up some nets in the lobby of the hotel? The trip definitely gave me some good ideas to bring to the next meeting!