CFAS Summer 2019 Journal

Sustainable Design
Feeding into every element of the way in which we live – from the
clothes we wear to the food we eat – it is of no surprise that
sustainable design is now a priority for many architects,
designers, and consumers. With pioneering projects occurring in
almost every sector - from the “Waste House” by the University
of Brighton to the eco-friendly development of the National
Trust’s Swindon headquarters - there has never been a better
time to embrace our desire to live, work, and relax in places that
are not only aesthetically appealing, but also beneficial to the
environment - and the hospitality industry is certainly beginning to
recognise this.
With many major hotel groups, such as IHG, Marriott and Hilton
Worldwide, publishing their own sustainability reports, the trend
towards transparency in relation to the actions taken, processes
implemented, and results achieved is one that looks set to
inform the future direction of the industry’s approach to
sustainability.
Indeed, we have seen an increasing number of customers
opting to specify Camira’s sustainable textiles within hospitality
projects – to great effect; from Motel One’s incorporation of wool
and flax fabrics, such as Patina, alongside textiles made from
innovative eco-materials, such as hemp in the form of our
Hebden fabric, through to Staycity Group’s selection of Main
Line Flax for its suites’ sofa beds. This wool and flax blend is
incredibly durable, tactile, visually appealing and, when
combined with its inherent Medium Hazard flammability
standard, is the model textile for use in hospitality – ensuring
guests can have a relaxing night’s sleep, safe in the knowledge
that they are not doing so at the cost of the environment.
As Gaurav Chawla, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Hotel
Management at the University of South Wales, comments
“Tourists themselves are increasingly aware of the issue of
sustainability, expecting hotels to assume responsibility and
conduct their business sustainably”; and this is something that
will continue to impact and further the industry’s commitment to
operating in an environmentally responsible manner – which is
only a good move forward.
Mark Holliday - Camira
www.cfasuk.co.uk
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