In a move to bring great minds and creative ideas together, PMDL and Henriksen Design Associates (HDA) have entered a collaboration that combines both studios’ respective talents. Together, the joint experience covers five-plus star hotel design, F&B, retail, gaming, music and fashion, leisure and entertainment.

The new collaboration promises immersive and all-inclusive hospitality design that combines the unique talents of both brands. In conversation with PMDL practice director, Simon Fallon, we learnt about the ins and outs of this exciting partnership.

The new business collaboration came about through the great synergies in how both firms approached their projects. “Understanding each other’s complimenting strengths led us to realise that by working together we can provide a truly multi-disciplinary expertise for a complete end-to-end experience,” says Fallon.

With vast expertise in working within the high-end market, the strengths of the two brands together offer poignant solutions and insights for today’s clients. On the brands’ strengths, Fallon says, “PMDL has grown a reputation as a leader in designing travel retail environments throughout Southeast Asia while HDA’s extensive experience within the hospitality sector ranges from scale luxury hotels to independent boutique hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, spas and lifestyle hubs.”

The collaboration works by combining both PMDL and HDA’s core values. HDA priorities their leadership, design and values and PMDL utilise their skills in listening, planning and thinking. Together, the collaboration offers leading design solutions and a mutually rewarding, abiding relationship.

The timing could not have been better, as the pandemic has altered the playing field of hospitality and leisure. Fallon says, “There is a great emphasis on authentic, sustainable and ethically sound travel experience. We are also seeing the boundaries of traditional hospitality and leisure spaces blurring to meet the demands of changing consumer behaviours and expectations. For example, hospitality operators offering flexible workspace within their properties or vice versa and becoming increasingly common.”

When the two brands unite, it adds a whole new layer of versatility to their design, especially with internationally spread projects. The two brands serve not just the Asia Pacific region, but international markets so mastering the varying requests. This is one of the main reasons for the collaboration after the pandemic.

In the varying industries, namely between China, Hong Kong and Australia, the collaboration needed a keen understanding of these different requirements. “Unlike Hong Kong, markets such as China and Australia tend to have relatively strong domestic demand which has become very evident during the pandemic,” says Fallon.

In Hong Kong, the hospitality market relies on tourism, so the pandemic has had a big impact on the hospitality industry. Hong Kong has seen however many inventive conversions in the hotel space into usage such as co-living, and we believe the trend of multi-use, flexible real estate is here to stay even after pandemic passes.”

Through this bold next step, the combination of PMDL and HDA’s core disciplines thrives. From architecture to interiors to master-planning, the collaboration provides multidisciplinary expertise for a full end-to-end experience for all their clients.

PMDL
pmdl.com.au

Henriksen Design Associates
henriksendesign.com

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