A blog written by Hafele...

The hospitality and leisure industry is preparing to reboot following 12 months of adversity. During the coming months, while social distancing remains in place and beyond, it’ll be vital for operators to implement design solutions which can facilitate multiple safe events and uses within their available space, to welcome back as many customers as possible.

Moveable walls, spanning from floor to ceiling height, offer the versatility to divide an open space efficiently and safely into different zones for various purposes, ensuring users are welcomed into a room that’s built around their needs – albeit temporarily. Extremely easy to operate, the moveable walls that create these smaller breakout rooms can then be rearranged to the original footprint of the space, on demand.

To break large open-plan spaces into specific chambers – from conference suites and party rooms to storage zones or even parking areas – moveable walls are the perfect solution, suitable for all building types. Operators will now be looking to architects, designers, specifiers and fit out teams to help them use moveable walls to achieve their goals – both in the short term while we continue facilitating social distancing, and in the future, when it’s safe to gather in large crowds once more.

Häfele’s moveable, operable walls are suitable for installation wherever a building owner requires increased flexibility – including restaurant areas, exhibition centres, conference halls, ball rooms and more. They ensure every square metre can be multi-functional and purpose-made for the needs of different groups, helping operators to secure multiple revenue streams to maximise profits.

Häfele’s products, available in both sliding and folding options, are made from timber, glass or composite materials and are perfectly complemented with a variety of finishes. As well as fabric, magnetic, laminate and mirror coverings, their walls’ surfaces can also be fitted with LED digital displays and sound technologies, meaning they become an immersive feature for maximum impact, while offering users complete freedom when it comes to sharing entertainment or informative content.

Hotel operators with remote access control and automatic locking systems such as Häfele’s Dialock range can apply the same technology to moveable walls, allowing only certain people to operate the feature. Additionally, installing Häfele’s Loox LED lighting range will add a luxurious experiential element, enabling guests to achieve a customised look, feel and atmosphere to suit their function.

All Häfele’s moveable walls can be supplemented with sound-proofing systems within a range of 37dB and 57dB, while fire rating panels can be supplied to retain the fire integrity between walls, offering an FD60 certification rating. Floor channels aren’t required for installation meaning that, for those who are retrofitting systems, original flooring or carpeting can remain in place, without disruption.

The Häfele Projects team works in partnership with architects, designers and specifiers to ensure operators can benefit from a truly bespoke application with each movable wall specified. Depending on the style and size of the space on offer, their moveable wall systems are available up to 15 metres in height, with door widths between 600mm and 2m on offer. In weights varying between 80kg and 1,000kg, Häfele’s wall panels are also available in varying levels of thickness, from 80mm to 110mm.

And so that hotel owners can concentrate on running their business, their Projects team - made up of design and technical experts - oversees the project from manufacturing to delivery and installation, ensuring each customer’s specific requirements are met.

With hotel operators keen to offer new and returning customers the chance for a truly personal experience, moveable walls provide a flexible solution to help create multiple functions within one space, with ease. Giving operators the option to break a space into a new floorplan built entirely around them – their event, preferences, aesthetic and guests – will provide an enviable level of service, compelling users to recommend providers to others.

Using moveable walls and its complementary technology to create a lasting impression will mean operators can concentrate on making up for lost time, while the word of mouth drives more custom through the door.