| Circular design is an approach that aims to eliminate waste and efficiently use and reuse resources in a circular manner. Materials and products are designed to be recycled, reused, or otherwise returned to the cycle at the end of their life. Unlike linear production models, in which raw materials are processed into products and disposed of after use, circular design, or Cradle to Cradle®, is a closed-loop strategy. It considers the entire life cycle of a material – from sourcing to production, use, and recycling.
In the hotel industry, circular design concepts open up new and sustainable possibilities for room and hotel renovations. For example, hotel rooms could be furnished with durable materials that are recyclable or biodegradable. Modular furniture and reused building materials also play an important role, as they can be used flexibly and over the long term. |
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Circular Living in the Black Forest
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| The Hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA and its „Circular Living” concept show what a space plan based on circular design principles can look like. For hotel owner Stephan Bode, it was essential that his concept could be adapted to other renovations and new buildings, while at the same time meeting remarkable ecological efficiency standards. „Circular Living” is based on materials selected for their environmental friendliness, material health, quality, and durability. This is backed by international certifications such as Cradle to Cradle Certified® and EcoVadis. The collaboration with the renowned Black Forest interior designer FRITZ SCHLECHT | SHL ensured that the three different room designs were implemented according to the highest design standards. |
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Resource Conservation as Part of every Decision
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| Another example is the Hotel Luise in Erlangen, Germany. The name speaks for itself with its “Regrowing Hotel Rooms.” Built according to the cradle-to-cradle principle, all materials used are either biodegradable or 100% recyclable. From the very beginning, every material choice was made with resource conservation in mind. The sustainable philosophy extends not only to the materials but also to the entire operation of the rooms (e.g. water conservation through „astronaut showers”). |
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Creating Connections through Circulation
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| The Hotel Weihrerhof* in South Tyrol, Italy, has also embraced circular thinking and designed its Windspiel rooms accordingly. When selecting products and furnishings, they focused on healthy materials, recyclability, carbon neutrality, and decarbonization. This includes refinishing the old wooden furniture and reupholstering the upholstered furniture instead of buying new ones. These upcycling choices not only make the Windspiel rooms environmentally friendly but also give them a distinctive touch that links the past with the future. |
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Upcycling and Eco-Friendly Materials: Two Pillars for a Green Future
Upcycling and the use of sustainable materials are critical to a sustainable future for the hospitality industry. While upcycling provides a creative solution for reusing products and furnishings, the use of resource-efficient, durable materials allows for the long-term reduction of a hotel’s environmental footprint. Taken together, these practices are an important part of a green hotel strategy that combines environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits. |
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Old Furniture Reimagined
Upcycling is a method of transforming old materials or objects into new, functional, and aesthetically pleasing items. Well-known in the home improvement industry, this practice is increasingly being used in the hospitality industry. No wonder, since it combines the aspect of resource conservation with innovative and individual design solutions. Outstanding examples are the rooms of the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu, which were recently renovated according to this principle and show a new direction for the sustainable renovation of hotel rooms. Under the creative direction of interior designer Sarah Stapelfeldt, the original furniture and materials were refurbished, redesigned and in some cases reassembled. The result is a series of unique, functional design pieces that exude a modern, stylish charm while reducing the hotel’s environmental impact. |
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| Upcycling and recycling not only apply to furniture or materials but can also be extended to new furnishings. For example, Interface carpet tiles containing up to 93.25 percent recycled content (pre-consumer and post-consumer PET) were installed in the Lifestylehotel SAND by the Baltic Sea. The high recycled content not only helps reduce plastic waste but also provides a durable and functional flooring solution that perfectly complements the design concept of the lifestyle hotel with its „sandy” look. |
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