Sapphire Saldanha

Since childhood, I have had a desire to learn design and this program has made that possible. I am passionate about enhancing spaces both aesthetically and functionally with a focus on sustainability. Being a resilient and determined individual, I always try to challenge myself to design outside my comfort zone.

Contact

sapphire.saldanha@gmail.com Share This Page

Project Overview

My thesis topic revolves around the design of an immersive boutique hotel that elevates guest experiences. I find this topic to be close to me because growing up immersed in the tourism industry due to my father’s profession, it ignited my affinity for hotel interiors. While I was exploring Lefebvre's Spatial Triad Theory and Travel Motivation Theory, a lot of the research pointed towards hotel stays providing a consistent set of experiences while guests wanting to experience something new and thrilling and so I wanted to combine the use of technology and other immersive design strategies to enhance guest experiences.

3D render of figure sitting on a curved shape

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Play with wave amplitude heights

3D render of figures sitting on a curved shape with a large screen behind them

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Play with curve forms in an immersive screening experience

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Cafe adjacent to the entrance, welcoming guests into a lively environment

Concept/Design Process

For this project, I chose the term “Euphoric Serenity” as the concept to encapsulate the smooth blend of profound tranquillity and exhilarating happiness. The design aims to transport users on a journey through various naturescapes that evoke serene yet euphoric sensations, fostering an unforgettable experience within the space. The design also explores the implementation of euphoric sensations into curvilinear forms within the space as a means to emphasize the peace yet vibrancy of the interiors.

Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)

The floorplan reflects the design intent to portray a lively space that radiates outward from the central social space of the boutique hotel, encouraging guests to explore and be immersed in various areas of the hotel.

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Ground Level Floor Plan

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Upper Level Floor Plan

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Gym-Massage Room-Spa Section

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Gym-Massage Rooms Section

Sections/Elevations

Sections depict the immersive environment of the gym and spa. The LED screens on the ceilings along with the nature sounds and fragrances contribute to enhancing the immersive serene environment. Using these immersive strategies alongside the natural and sustainably sourced materials creates a harmonious fusion between technology and nature, promoting wellness, serenity and adventure.

3D Views

The rendered spaces used immersive strategies like:

Digital screens with customizable scenery options (behind the bed's headboard).
Earthy, woody, floral, and ocean scents to enhance the immersive concept and stimulate the smell senses.
Sounds of rain, streams, water waves, and tropical bird chirps to create a calming atmosphere and further immerse guests through the hearing senses.
Customizable lighting colours to adapt to the naturescape themes and create an interactive feature for guests in the suites, for example.
Skylights in guest suites have built-in digital technology to display digital images or change opacity as per guest preferences.