Ballrooms and meeting rooms represent an important amenity and profit center for hotels, but no two are alike. Every ballroom project presents challenges and opportunities.
BLT Architects was confronted with two very unique ballroom design problems, each requiring the creation of a state-of-the-art signature ballroom but in two different environments.
One project involved renovating the ballroom in a turn-of-the-century landmark building, supporting the operations of a 3,000-member private club. While the building was both historic and beautiful, the ballroom’s aesthetics were tired and suffered from poor acoustics and lighting.
A second project involved the renovation of an existing ballroom and the creation of a new 10,000-square-foot ballroom at a full-service major chain hotel catering to business travelers in the New York metropolitan area. The hotel was facing increasing demand for additional meeting space, as well as the need for a large gathering space to support community events, including planned festivities associated in early 2014 with Super Bowl XLVIII.
Although the projects were different, they shared principles common to ballroom design:
1. Ballrooms must be flexible
Subdividable space should be provided to handle all kinds of events. When subdivided, be sure that each space maintains architectural and lighting characteristics that make users feel as if they are renting a complete space. A good connection to hotel services, particularly banquet space, is important, as is a proper amount of pre-function space.
Pre-function space ideally should surround three sides of a ballroom. If only two sides are available, however, its width should be increased to accommodate the quantity and sense of defined space required for multiple simultaneous users. Also, consider including niches and spaces for small breakout gatherings and, given everyone’s reliance on electronic devices, be sure to include adequate charging space.
2. Good acoustics are crucial
Determine early in the process whether the property or an outside vendor will provide the sound system.
If this stays in house, balance the system capabilities with the abilities of the staff to understand and operate the system. For example, while portable control systems run by tablet computers are increasingly popular, the staff might not have the ability to maintain and operate the system, and remote controls can be misplaced.
3. Effective lighting is a must
Study carefully whether lighting needs to be general in nature or will be required for specific events.
There should be numerous “hang points” located strategically on the ceiling to support a range of events, lighting and sound requirements, and vendor-use for specific events.
4. Storage space should be 10% to 15% the size of the ballroom
For the two previously mentioned projects, this is how we put these principles into practice.
The urban club project involved a complex balance between respecting historical integrity and the need to incorporate contemporary technology. Committed to creating the unrealized original design developed by famed architect Horace Trumbauer, the design team carefully integrated new mechanical, lighting and audio-visual systems into the space.
Several lighting systems were provided, including focus lighting for table arrangements and historical paintings, and lecture-hall-style lighting for AV and televised productions.
Elegant new drapery on the monumental arched windows, upholstered walls and specialized acoustic plaster in the ceiling coffers provided a historical backdrop and supported the acoustic requirements. A refinished floor and refurbished, new chandeliers added the final sparkle to this one-of-a-kind space.
The hotel project had different parameters and a different user base. Flexibility was a guiding principal internal to the room and in conjunction with the existing 6,000-square-foot ballroom.
Subdividable into eight separate spaces and sharing a common enlarged pre-function area with the existing ballroom, the new ballroom featured state-of-the-art lighting and video capabilities. Its signature was a contemporary ceiling of floating geometric forms.
Side pre-function spaces featured natural light and were designed to be used as additional service space when required by large events. The main pre-function also showcased a naturally lit end wall and was arranged to connect to the main lobby, providing overflow space for large crowds.
So, how have these projects turned out in practice?
Already one of the preeminent ballrooms in the area, the private club’s offering might now be the preeminent ballroom in the Mid-Atlantic area. It fits seamlessly with the rest of the club facilities, is constantly reserved by members and professional organizations and reinforces the history of the landmark building.
In comparison, the business hotel ballroom not only positions the hotel to accommodate larger conventions but allows for a range of events from weddings to conferences to seminars. It helps the property be well positioned to meet the demands of business travelers and the local community for years to come.
These were two very different projects with two very different solutions, but they shared common design principles applicable to all ballrooms that resulted in an effective return on investment for their operators.
Eric M. Rahe is a principal and member of the BLT Architects executive leadership team. His 30 years of practice include hospitality, residential, retail, commercial office and educational projects, with an emphasis on large-scale hospitality and resort projects.
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hotel News Now or its parent company, STR and its affiliated companies. Columnists published on this site are given the freedom to express views that may be controversial, but our goal is to provoke thought and constructive discussion within our reader community. Please feel free to comment or contact an editor with any questions or concerns.