Students of the Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design create new spaces for NH Hotel Group

To know all the details of this collaboration we have talked with professor José Manuel Fernández, the project manager.

Our third-year students of the Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design have been working for the last few months on a project for NH Hotel Group, the results of which came to light at the beginning of February. To know all the details of this collaboration we have talked with professor José Manuel Fernández, responsible for the subject Interior Design Projects III:

Tell us more about the collaboration with the prestigious hotel chain.

The assignment given to the students consisted of two phases: a first group phase in which the students created a new spatial image for the NH Collection brand, applying it especially in the common spaces (reception, lobby, F&B area, corridors, etc.), and a second individual phase in which each student made a design proposal for one of the rooms.

This image and the main one belong to Lluís Ramírez's project

What was the whole work process like, from the NH briefing to the presentation of the results?

First, the students carried out an analysis of NH and its different brands: NH Hotels, NH Collection and NHOW. Afterwards, Raúl Téllez (architect responsible for Product and Design Area at NH) gave us a more detailed presentation of the NH Collection brand and explained the briefing for this project: the development of a new brand image applied to the space both in common areas and in the rooms. From this point, the students (in groups of three) developed a conceptual proposal for the common areas of the hotel.

After the internal presentation of this phase, together with Raúl we visited the NH Collection Gran Hotel Calderón in Rambla Catalunya. There we saw the common areas and analyzed in particular the functioning of the rooms. In the following weeks until the final delivery, each student proposed and developed the design of a room at a creative and technical level.

What was the feedback from the company after learning about the projects?

At the beginning of February, we made the presentation to the client of both the group and individual proposals. Raúl went online and gave feedback on each of the projects. I think his participation was very useful for the students because, apart from making comments on the operation of the rooms, he also made contributions on concepts of design method and creativity that were added to my own comments.

Both at the end of the session and in subsequent conversations with Raul, he stressed the high level of the projects, as well as the professionalism of the proposals.

Project by Maria Fernanda Escalona

As a tutor, what would you highlight from the students' work?

In addition to the creativity of some of the proposals, I would highlight above all the professionalism of most of them. The students have always worked from a very realistic point of view, trying to provide both aesthetic and functional solutions that are very much adapted to the needs of the brand. This is the intention of the subject and, in this edition, it has been achieved with very favorable results.

Learn more about our Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design.