Best Practices for Hotel Renovations

The UK has some of the oldest and least energy efficient housing stock in Europe. As one of the largest funders of the UK housing sector, we at Lloyds Banking Group have a responsibility to help change this. One potential solution to this challenge is Property Linked Finance (PLF), an innovative financing solution that’s already been successfully launched in several countries around the world. Today, we’ve published the ‘greenprint’ for how PLF could be introduced to the UK in collaboration with the Green Finance Institute and NatWest Group. With PLF, homeowners and commercial property owners could finance 100% of their energy efficiency upgrades upfront, with finance linked to the property rather than the individual – so owners only invest until they sell their property or have paid off the measures and buyers benefit from the increased energy efficiency. As a new form of long-term finance, where the term can match the useful lifetime of the improvements, PLF addresses a gap in the UK market. In addition, PLF could also unlock: • Lower bills for homeowners through energy savings • Between £52-70 billion of investment in upgrading the UK’s inefficient building stock • The creation of skilled jobs across the UK PLF increases the range of financial solutions available to property owners. This time last year, we published a Housing Stocktake report, which found that while over half of homeowners would like to make their properties more efficient, few feel confident about how to get there. Retrofit options need to be more accessible, affordable and simple for our customers to implement – this is an exciting development that would empower them to do so. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/emCtWUJ2 #GreenHomes #RetrofitFinance #Sustainability #ClimateAction #NetZero

💎 Airbnb's Five Core Design Principles There are two types of companies — engineering-driven and design-driven. Engineering-driven companies aim for innovation through tech, not experience. Design-driven companies, on the other hand, start from the user’s needs and design experiences that naturally create business value. One of the best examples of design-driven companies is Airbnb. Design principles that Airbnb established helped the company evolve from a small startup to a global platform that balances trust, hospitality, and belonging. Here are top 5 Airbnb’s core design principles, grounded in their actual design practices and philosophy: 1️⃣ Design for Belonging Airbnb’s mission is “to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere” and it sits at the heart of every design decision. ✅ Interfaces should evoke warmth, trust, and inclusivity. ✅ Visuals and copy emphasize human connection rather than transactions. ✅ Accessibility, localization, and cultural nuance are baked into the design system. 2️⃣ Every Detail Matters Airbnb’s design team treats details as storytelling tools that reinforce trust and quality. ✅ Iconography, micro-animations, and typography are refined to feel premium yet human. ✅ Empty states and loading screens are opportunities to convey tone and personality. ✅ The tone of voice (“We’re so glad you’re here”) is consistent across touchpoints. 3️⃣ Unified, Not Uniform With hundreds of designers worldwide, Airbnb ensures coherence through its design system (“DLS” — Design Language System), not conformity. ✅ Shared foundations (color, grid, type, motion) create consistency. ✅ Flexible components allow expression across regions, product surfaces, and cultures. ✅ Designers are encouraged to “speak with one voice, in many accents.” 4️⃣ Design with Empathy Every design starts with understanding: the user’s journey, emotions, and context. ✅ Research drives design, not the other way around. ✅ Pain points (e.g., trust between host and guest) are addressed with emotional intelligence. ✅ Inclusive design is not an afterthought; it’s a success metric. 5️⃣ Evolve Through Systems Airbnb’s design culture is systems-driven — every change is evaluated in a broader context, every improvement scales globally. Robust design system helps streamline product design process. ✅ Design tokens and shared principles ensure visual and behavioral consistency. ✅ Components evolve through real-world testing and community contribution. ✅ Internal tooling (DLS kits, audit dashboards) ensures quality at scale. #design #productdesign #uxdesign #airbnb

What goes into the retrofitting of social housing from the 1920s, 1970’s and 2010’s to help meet modern performance standards? To find out, I visited the Liverpool John Moores University Test Houses to meet with retrofit project manager Ryan Atkinson of wienerberger UK. He has led the team that transformed three terrace properties, each representing a different construction era, using its Renatus solution. All of which have multiple sensors embedded throughout the property to measure performance pre and post retrofit. Starting with the 1920s house, Ryan explained some of the performance improvements that have been layered together: “On this property we’ve installed 200mm external wall insulation with render, a completely new roof build up with membrane and tiles, plus in roof solar panels. All together these changes combine to turn it into a much better performing house.” For the 1970s house, Ryan explained that retrofitting the heating system can avoid unnecessary disruption: “In this house, we’ve removed the gas boiler and installed an air source heat pump, but kept all the existing plumbing. We’ve upgraded the radiators, and we’re testing whether the heat pump can perform as efficiently as the gas boiler.” “On the 2010s house, we’ve also got a heat pump and installed solar panels with batteries, more external wall insulation, new windows and doors, and brick slips externally, which really help in conservation areas where appearance matters.” “And through the use of sensors, we are tracking temperature and humidity levels so we can understand exactly how each property is performing. That data is already helping us to feed back into the design and specification stage of our Renatus solution. “So when it’s fitted and installed correctly into real houses, we are able to guarantee the EPC certificate at the end, which is great news for tenants and social housing providers.”  #socialhousing #retrofit #retrofitsolutions #LJMU #energyperformance

When 5-Star Hotels Lose Their Sense of Place, They Lose Their Edge In ultra-luxury hospitality, the real competition is not other hotels but private villas, curated journeys, and entire destinations. To stand out, a five-star property must feel unmistakably rooted in its location. A recent survey by Fauchon L'Hôtel Paris among luxury travel advisors revealed that respondents overwhelmingly agreed that an authentic sense of place is more important to clients than a standardized brand design. Location and service remain the top decision factors, and guests most often recall the warmth of the service when they return home. This confirms what we see across the luxury industry: emotional connection is the true differentiator. The hotels that win are those that embrace their identity. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has built its philosophy on “A Sense of Place,” making every property a reflection of local history and culture. Aman Kyoto demonstrates how architecture, landscape, and rituals can create a unique serenity. Fogo Island Inn reinvests guest spending into its local community, turning hospitality into cultural stewardship. The ones that lose their way often over-standardize and over-promise. Copy-paste interiors, generic amenities, hidden fees, and vague sustainability claims erode trust. Luxury guests are too well-informed to accept shortcuts. A five-point playbook for exceptional luxury hospitality: 1) Root the design in the destination: work with local artisans and cultural voices so the property could not exist anywhere else. 2) Replace amenities with rituals: create signature experiences tied to the location’s stories, flavors, and traditions. 3) Empower staff as experience makers: hire for cultural awareness and emotional intelligence, then give them freedom to act. 4) Be transparent: show full pricing and deliver measurable sustainability results. 5) Balance brand standards with local expression: keep quality consistent while allowing each property to celebrate its unique identity. Even though I am not a hotel specialist, I have spent my life staying in five-star and palace hotels around the world. This perspective, combined with my work advising luxury brands across categories, allows me to help hospitality leaders elevate their value, sharpen their positioning, and craft experiences that truly resonate with High-Net-Worth clients. If you lead a five-star hotel or resort and want to refine your identity and guest journey, I can help you take the next step. #LuxuryHospitality #5StarHotels #SenseOfPlace #GuestExperience #LuxuryIdentity

A retrofit can boost solar yield by up to 15%. Most people have no idea this is possible. Here’s the truth: When people talk about solar growth, they talk about new builds, new projects, new records. But the real revolution is happening somewhere else-quietly, and with far more impact. Europe installed tens of gigawatts of PV between 2010 and 2015. Those assets are now 10–15 years old. Still working, but nowhere near their original specs. Here’s what you see on site: → Modules, degrading faster than planned. Output drops, year after year. → Inverters, out of warranty, unsupported, spare parts hard to find. → Trackers and wiring-fatigue, corrosion, sometimes outright failure. → Safety and yield: both can be improved massively with modern components. Sounds great, but here’s the reality: Most owners and operators still run these plants as if nothing has changed. They accept lower yields, higher O&M costs, and more downtime. But a well-executed retrofit can add 5–15% yield and extend the asset’s lifetime. That’s not theory. That’s proven-across hundreds of megawatts, in real projects. The second lifecycle of solar assets is here. Engineering, not installation speed, will define success. The old playbook-build fast, hand over, forget-doesn’t work anymore. What does a successful retrofit look like? - Replace modules with higher-efficiency units, designed for today’s weather and grid needs. - Upgrade inverters to smart models. Better yield, better grid support, fewer failures. - Rework trackers, wiring, and safety systems to prevent the next big outage. - Align O&M and EPC teams around long-term reliability, not just COD. Bottom line: Retrofits turn aging assets from yesterday’s problem into tomorrow’s opportunity. For investors, EPCs, and O&M companies, this is the next growth lane. I’ll talk about this in Prague at the Smart Energy Forum this week-how to turn legacy PV into high-performance assets that last. What’s your experience with PV retrofits? Where did you see the biggest gains-or the biggest headaches? #AndreasBach #SolarEnergy #Renewables #EPC #BESS #Czechia #Retrofit

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡, 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐬. Concrete jacketing is a proven retrofitting technique used to strengthen existing reinforced concrete columns by encasing them with an additional reinforced concrete layer after proper surface preparation. The installation of supplementary longitudinal reinforcement, closely spaced stirrups, shear connectors, and bonding agents ensures effective composite action between the old and new concrete. 📌 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: ✓. Structural deficiencies require engineered strengthening. ✓. Load demand often exceeds original design capacity. ✓. Confinement enhancement improves ductility. ✓. Retrofitting restores structural reliability. 📌 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: ✓. Visual distress survey and crack mapping. ✓. NDT testing (Rebound Hammer / UPV / Core tests). ✓. Reinforcement scanning and cover verification. ✓. Structural capacity evaluation and load assessment. 📌 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: ✓. Removal of plaster and deteriorated concrete. ✓. Mechanical roughening of existing column surface. ✓. Cleaning using compressed air and water jetting. ✓. Exposure and treatment of existing reinforcement. 📌 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬: ✓. Drilling holes for shear connectors / anchor dowels. ✓. Installation using epoxy anchoring grout. ✓. Application of structural bonding agent. ✓. Interface preparation for monolithic behavior. 📌 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: ✓. Fixing additional longitudinal rebars. ✓. Installation of closely spaced confinement stirrups. ✓. Proper lap splicing and anchorage detailing. ✓. Rebar alignment and clear cover verification. 📌 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 & 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ✓. Installation of shuttering around column perimeter. ✓. Placement of high-strength micro-concrete / structural concrete. ✓. Controlled compaction using needle vibrators. ✓. Achieving increased cross-sectional area. 📌 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥: ✓. Moist curing to achieve design compressive strength. ✓. Cube sampling and compressive strength verification. ✓. Inspection of confinement detailing. ✓. Structural integrity validation. 📌 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞: ✓. Increased axial load-carrying capacity. ✓. Improved shear and flexural resistance. ✓. Enhanced confinement and ductility. ✓. Improved seismic performance and extended service life.

The UK was built for a climate that no longer exists. Is the weather a wake-up call we cannot ignore? With increasing temperatures in the UK forecasted to exceed 40°C constantly by 2050, we are facing a reality where "business as usual" in construction and property management is no longer a viable strategy. At Thoth London, we have seen a sharp rise in retrofit consultancy enquiries and for good reason. A recent report highlighted that 9 in 10 UK homes are at risk of overheating, which will be the a "new norm" where heat resilience must be treated with the same urgency as flood preparedness. So, my fellow connections, how do we bridge the gap? It is not just about installing air conditioning, (I can already hear some followers scream at the screen) it is about smart and integrated infrastructure. Here’s three examples. The Solar-Cooling Synergy - Air conditioning is often viewed as energy-intensive and in the current UK energy climate, we have to factor these elements. We believe, when paired with rooftop solar, it becomes a strategic advantage. Solar production peaks during the hottest parts of the day, exactly when cooling demand is highest. It’s a natural and efficient match.   Retrofitting for Purpose - We need to look beyond quick fixes, because let’s face it? the quick fixes are Victorian in nature. Upgrading building envelopes, improving insulation and matching integrating modern heat pump technology are essential to making our housing stock "fit for purpose" for a warmer, more volatile future climate. Mindset Shift - As a country, we have to accept that we are becoming a "hot country." Integrating cooling solutions into homes, schools, hospitals and care homes is no longer a luxury, it is a fundamental requirement for public safety. The climate is currently costing the UK approximately £60bn annually, so, investing in resilient, energy-efficient retrofits today is the most effective way to safeguard your assets and your health for tomorrow. Are you seeing these shifts in your own local communities or are you on the Northern line currently trying to avoid flooded carriages whilst directing all your perspiration into provided sweat-gutters? #Sustainability #GreenBuilding #Retrofit #ThothLondon #ClimateResilience #EnergyEfficiency

We’ve spent decades removing friction for guests. Maybe that’s now becoming a problem. Hospitality has been obsessed with “frictionless” service, streamlined check-ins, and polished efficiency. But here’s the catch: when everything is easy, nothing is memorable. Gen Z and younger luxury travelers are tired of skating across glossy surfaces. They crave meaning, stories, and belonging, and meaning often comes with a little effort. Cultural brands already get this. Bon Iver’s album launch sent fans smoked salmon with a poet’s insert, a candle that smelled like a winter cabin, and an app guiding them to intimate listening parties. Many entry points, each a breadcrumb leading you deeper. Some hotels are rewriting this playbook. Aman Tokyo’s tea ceremony is an intentionally slow, ritualized welcome. It’s not convenient, but that’s the point. The friction makes it sacred, and guests leave with a story that outlasts any room amenity. — 5 Ways to Design Joyful Friction in Hospitality 1. Name your rituals. Stop hiding magic behind generic labels. “Turndown service” becomes “Night Script.” The “welcome drink” becomes “The First Pour.” Language signals intention and gives small moments emotional weight. 2. Multi-sensory storytelling kits. Borrow from cultural launches: On arrival, offer a mini city-scent candle, a handwritten poem from a local artist, and a ticket to an intimate lobby performance. Guests engage through touch, scent, and story, each doorway into your brand narrative. 3. Ask, then delight. Have guests complete a three-question “mood card” pre-arrival. Match it with a curated in-room surprise, a book, cocktail, or soundtrack. Effort makes them feel seen (backed by the IKEA effect: effort increases attachment). 4. Create scarcity with care. Design one-hour windows of magic: a nightly martini ritual, a chef’s table for four, or a password-protected dessert. Scarcity raises perceived value while making participation feel earned. 5. Ladder your story over time. Instead of trying to impress all at once, let the brand unfold: Visit 1: A custom coaster. Visit 2: A staff pin unlocking a library room. Visit 3: A seat at the chef’s counter. Each stay deepens their connection and drives return intent. "When everything is effortless, nothing is extraordinary." — Why This Works Choice overload studies prove curated experiences are more satisfying than endless options: - The scarcity principle shows limited access elevates perceived worth. - The IKEA effect reveals guests value what they invest in. Luxury travelers aren’t chasing convenience anymore. They want layered experiences that feel personal, not packaged. — Final Thoughts Hotels that dare to introduce meaningful friction don’t feel cold or inaccessible; they feel alive. Because in hospitality, perfection isn’t about smoothing every edge. It’s about designing edges worth touching. #LuxuryHospitality #GuestExperience #BrandStorytelling #ExperienceDesign #EmotionalDesign

Is Your Hotel Design Missing the Key to Top-tier Guest Experience? Imagine checking into a hotel, weary from a journey, and stepping into a space that instantly feels like a sanctuary. But what differentiates a hotel that offers this kind of experience from one that doesn’t? The secret is often in the design details most overlook. When I think of exceptional guest experiences, I remember a story of a boutique hotel nestled in a bustling city. Despite its prime location, it was the thoughtful design that made it unforgettable. The lobby wasn’t just a place to pass through; it was a living room, a gathering point with ambient lighting and comfortable seating that invited conversations, reflections, and connections. 1. User-focused Design: The success of that hotel boiled down to designing for humans, not just aesthetics. Think of your guests' journey. How can you make the check-in seamless? One way is by integrating technology with personal touches. Automated check-ins can be great, but having a staff member available for questions can enhance comfort. 2. Incorporate Local Flair: Reflecting regional culture in your design can make a difference between a generic stay and a memorable one. Simple touches like artwork from local artists or locally sourced materials in furnishings can create a unique identity. Real-world Application: - Walk through your hotel as a guest. What do you notice? Is every step easy and intuitive? - Collaborate with your team to find local artists or cultural elements that could imbue your space with authenticity. Practical Tips: - Assess common areas: Does your lobby feel welcoming? - Evaluate guest room features: Consider multi-functional furniture. - Ask for feedback: Use surveys or casual conversations to get real guest thoughts. - Incorporate nature: Natural elements have a calming effect, think greenery or water features. Transforming your hotel's design can redefine guest experiences, turning one-time visitors into lifelong patrons. How do you ensure your guests feel the magic from the moment they walk in? #HotelDesign #GuestExperience #Leadership #Hospitality #Innovation

The Green Retrofit Playbook: Turning Legacy Data Centres into AI-Ready Climate Assets Many operating data centres were built for a different era. AI is now driving 30–100+ kW/rack, while grids and sustainability requirements tighten. Greenfield will still matter but it won’t scale fast enough on its own. The fastest, most responsible path is a comprehensive green retrofit. Done well, programmes can deliver ~30–55% energy reduction, with positive ROI typically ~18–36 months, while unlocking stranded capacity and extending asset life. Beyond PUE: the KPI stack that prevents “greenwashing” Modern retrofit success is measurable across: - PUE (ISO-standard) - WUE (L/kWh) - CUE (carbon intensity) - ERF (Energy Reuse Factor) The phased playbook (live-site: low regret → structural upgrades) Phase 1: Build the “Living Baseline” Start with forensic thermal/airflow mapping to pinpoint bypass air, recirculation, and control instability. Use sensor data + a practical digital twin to test scenarios before major capex. Phase 2: Quick wins: fix air first Containment, blanking panels, sealing cable cut-outs are still the best ROI moves. Then raise inlet setpoints toward 18–27°C with alarm/rollback discipline. Often this yields ~10–15% cooling-energy reduction and frees trapped capacity for new IT. Phase 3: Create “AI Islands” with hybrid cooling Don’t liquid-cool the whole building on day one. Deploy RDHx and/or direct-to-chip for high-density zones so AI racks can be hosted without rebuilding entire halls. Pair with water-lean strategies (e.g., warm-water loops, closed-loop approaches) to reduce WUE exposure. Phase 4: Modernise the power train + become grid-smart Upgrade to high-efficiency modular UPS (≈98–99%) to cut continuous waste heat, and integrate BESS for peak shaving and demand response, shifting from “must-serve load” to flexible load where markets allow. Phase 5: Kill “zombie servers” + reuse heat Decommission idle hardware (often 20–30% of inventory). Extend lifecycles 3 → 3–7 years where appropriate to reduce embodied carbon intensity ~40–50%. Capture waste heat for district heating/public facilities when viable. Phase 6: AI-driven cooling control Digital twins + AI controls can automate optimisation; mature deployments can cut cooling energy by up to ~40% (upper-bound), when sensors, controls and governance are robust. Targets & performance tiers (make ambition executable) Legacy baseline: PUE 1.8–2.5, WUE 2.0–4.0 L/kWh, utilisation 10–20%, renewables 0–20% Tier A (fast retrofit): PUE 1.3–1.5, WUE <1.0, utilisation 30–40%, renewables 40–60% Tier C (AI/liquid-forward): PUE ≤1.15, WUE <0.5, utilisation 50–70%, renewables 80–100% Green retrofit isn’t an ESG checkbox. It’s how legacy facilities become AI-ready, water-lean, grid-smart climate assets - fast. #GreenRetrofit #DataCenters #AIInfrastructure #AIDC #LiquidCooling #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #PUE #WUE #CUE #CircularEconomy #DigitalTwin #GridFlexibility #NetZero #ClimateTech