Session topics included the implementation of hotel brand standards, hotel development and renovation costs and strategies, and LEED and green certification of hotel projects. Topics also included the return on investment and project costs relative to sustainable design, and a case study of a sustainably designed hotel in Shanghai: The URBN Hotel.
Organized by Horwath HTL, STR Global, and China Tourist Hotels Association, The China Hotel Development and Financing Conference aims to be the leading industry forum to analyze and discuss the latest trends for the hotel industry in China. Delegates of the 2010 conference included hotel owners and developers, senior members of hotel management companies, industry professionals (lawyers, architects, interior designers, and consultants), representatives of investment banks and financial institutions, as well as the media.
Schmidt was additionally requested to create the conference illustration depicting the theme of the 2010 conference, “Finding the New Opportunities,” which was integrated into all conference printed matter.
Editor’s Note: Thomas Schmidt, AIA, LEED AP is the founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an award-winning design consultancy specializing in creative and sustainable design solutions for the hospitality industry. Schmidt is also author and illustrator of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series which seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.
Hong Kong, 20 October 2009 ————– Thomas Schmidt, AIA, LEED AP, Managing Director of Sepia Design Consultants Limited was featured as a speaker at the 20th Anniversary 2009 Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) on Friday, 16 October 2009 in Hong Kong.
Mr. Schmidt participated in a multi-disciplinary panel presentation entitled “Doing Well and Doing Good — Sustainability Best Practices” where he presented a series of best practices related to sustainable hotel design and planning. The interactive panel discussion, moderated by Andrew Jones of Sanctuary Resorts, also included William Black of Ativa Hospitality and Jules Kwan of URBN Hotels & Resorts.
Editor’s Note: Thomas Schmidt, AIA, LEED AP is the founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an award-winning design consultancy specializing in creative and sustainable design solutions for the hospitality industry. Schmidt is also author and illustrator of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series which seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.
Thomas Schmidt, AIA, LEED AP discusses sustainable design practices
Beijing , 29 March 2009 ————– Thomas Schmidt, AIA, LEED AP of Sepia Design Consultants Limited appeared as a panelist at the 2009 China Hotel Development and Financing Conference on 27 March 2009 in Beijing. The one-hour panel discussion revolved around Sustainable Design issues relative to hotel design, construction and operation.
Moderated by Andrew Jones of Sanctuary Resorts, the panel included Lyndall De Marco, Robert Allender, Alfred Yeung, and Jules Kwan.
An audience of 500 industry professionals were in attendance.
Hong Kong, 18 November 2008 ————– Sepia Design Consultants Limited Managing Director, Thomas Schmidt, AIA passed the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional Exam in November 2008.
A LEED® Accredited Professional (AP) in an individual who has passed the rigorous LEED® AP exam, and possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the design process, support integrated design, and to streamline the LEED application and certification process.
Administered by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) and the GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute), LEED® is an internationally recognized certification and rating system that promotes sustainable / green design practices, healthy communities, reduced building operating costs and increased occupant productivity.
Lakeshore Springs nestled along the edges of Lake Wanaka
Hong Kong, 23 October 2008 ————– Lakeshore Springs, a luxury residential project located on Lake Wanaka, New Zealand was recently awarded first prize in the “Residential Multiple Housing Category” for the Southland and Otago region by the New Zealand Institute of Architects. As the premiere award for this region, key criteria for the judging of this award included architectural innovation, livability and quality execution.
Designed by Chris Prebble Architects, and constructed by Breen Construction, Sepia Design Consultants Limited provided advisory services to developer Lakeport NZ Developments Ltd in the design and planning of the project. Danny Logue, Executive Director for Lakeport NZ Developments Ltd., noted “Schmidt was instrumental in suggesting better ways of utilizing space, and provided us with the expertise and advice we needed to ensure we got the very best from the team at CP Architects.”
Beijing, 28 March 2008 ————– Thomas Schmidt, AIA of Sepia Design Consultants Limited appeared as a panelist at the 2008 China Hotel Development and Financing Conference on 28 March 2008 in Beijing. The panel discussion, which included several developers and architects, revolved around Boutique Hotel Development and was simultaneously translated to an audience of over 600.
Hong Kong, 26 November 2007 ————– Thomas Schmidt, AIA of Sepia Design Consultants Limitedreturned from a ten-day Research Trip through Rajasthan, India where he documented and analyzed various types of indigenous architecture through in-situ sketches and photographs.
“I believe that experiencing and documenting different types of environments first-hand is really critical to understanding different cultures and what design solutions might be appropriate,” remarked Schmidt.
Hong Kong, 10 October 2007 ————– Thomas Schmidt, AIA was interviewed by Hong Kong based Hinge Magazine for a full page article for Hinge’s November 2007 issue. The article concentrated on Sepia Design’s design philosophy relative to their hospitality projects throughout the region.
Hong Kong, 8 October 2007 ————– Sepia Design Consultants Limited Managing Director, Thomas Schmidt, AIA was invited by the staff of Hospitality Design Magazine to serve as a juror for the “best booth design” of this year’s HD Asia 2007 trade show.
Traditional craftsmen restoring a temple in Bhutan’s Gangte Goemba
Hong Kong, 1 October 2007 ————– Thomas Schmidt, AIA of Sepia Design Consultants Limited returned from a two week research trip through the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. The architect analyzed and documented a variety of Dzongs and other forms indigenous architecture — including the ongoing renovation of the historic Nyingma temple in Gangte Goemba.
Schmidt noted, “Bhutan is absolutely magnificent; it really exceeded all of my expectations.” He further observed, “Bhutan has been so isolated for centuries, the indigenous architecture there is pristine, unique, and relatively untainted by outside influences — I’m happy I was able to see this before this country changes as it becomes a more international travel destination.”
