Accor’s Damien Perrot discusses the new Transforming Room, a revolutionary new guest room configuration recently introduced by Pullman Hotels & Resorts. 

Creating the hotel room of the future is no easy task but Damien Perrot, Global Chief Design, Technical Services & Innovation Officer for Premium, Midscale & Economy brands at Accor and his team seem to be on the right track with their newly introduced Transforming Room, a conventional guest space that adapts to the needs of busy business travellers. He tells us a little more about the project and the changing expectations of corporate travellers.

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What was your initial inspiration for designing The Transforming Room, and how did you conceptualise its multifunctionality?

The Transforming Room was born out of a desire to meet the evolving needs of today’s modern travellers who don’t travel solely for business or leisure, but rather blend their work and personal pursuits whilst exploring the world. We envisioned a flexible guestroom that would adapt to various activities, from productivity and wellness to socialising and rest. Inspired by the fluidity of modern lifestyles, the concept prioritises modularity and human-centred design, allowing the room to effortlessly transform from a workspace to a fitness studio, private dining area, or simply a relaxing bedroom.

Can you share some insights from the two years of research that influenced the design? What are some surprising trends you discovered about today’s travellers?

Our research highlighted the rise of blended travel, a key focus for Pullman Hotels & Resorts as the brand transforms into the future. We realised that guests are seeking spaces that cater to multiple needs within a single environment, and desire much more than just a bedroom. We have also witnessed a growing emphasis on wellness, personalised experiences, and seamless integration of technology within the travel sector – key elements within a world full of distractions.

Today, we have seen that travellers no longer compartmentalise their time into work or leisure; instead, they blend these moments fluidly. These insights drove us to create a space that encourages soft productivity while fostering moments of relaxation.

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How does The Transforming Room cater to the diverse needs of modern travellers, particularly business professionals?

The Transforming Room accommodates the dynamic routines of modern travellers, which might typically involve time for physical workouts, in-person meetings, virtual conferences, presentations, and social gatherings. The Transforming Room’s multipurpose workspace includes ergonomic features and integrated technology for moments of focus, while the room’s modularity supports the hosting of meetings, fitness routines, or private gatherings in various layouts.

The room is described as “fully wired” with thoughtful technologies. What are some of the cutting-edge features that guests will experience within this space?

Guests will enjoy state-of-the-art features such as LG Transparent OLED screens, which allow for views outside when not in use. The expansive screens allow for presentations, movies or fitness classes to be displayed depending on the needs of the guest. Guests are also able to create and schedule personalised playlists of scents tailored to their mood or activity, thanks to the COMPOZ parfum module.

The Transforming Room also features Dornbracht shower technology, offering a customisable and therapeutic bathing experience. Guests can select from pre-set or personalised water temperature and pressure combinations, designed to help rejuvenate or relax the body.

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How do you envision these digital enhancements improving guests’ day-to-day interactions in the room?

The digital features simplify and enrich the guest experience by creating a fully customisable environment. From the app, guests can adjust lighting, and scents, and request adjusted room configurations to suit their needs, whether they are working, exercising, or relaxing. This intuitive control transforms their stay into a truly personalised experience, reducing stress and enhancing comfort. The app also enables guests to book a variety of services such as a private dinner, transfer or spa treatment.

How does The Transforming Room seamlessly transition between various functionalities such as work, relaxation, and socializing?

Modular design is at the core of The Transforming Room. Elements like the Murphy bed, privacy screens, and concealed furniture enable easy transitions. For instance, the bedroom can convert into a lounge or dining area, while mood lighting and scents adjust to support the intended activity. When guests request changes to the room layouts via the app, our team members can swiftly adjust the layouts.

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Pullman is championing a softer approach to productivity. What role does wellness play in the design of The Transforming Room?

It’s important to offer guests moments of relaxation where they can take care of themselves and disconnect. Our design allows guests to benefit from this flexibility according to their desires: be it working, relaxing or simply looking after their well-being.

In an increasingly connected world, where the boundaries between work and life have blurred, our spaces should foster soft productivity through inspiring and transformative design that allows for inspiration, connection, and rest. We have made a conscious effort to ensure that The Transforming Room allows for these moments of well-being, from the therapeutic shower technology to meditation programs available on the in-room screen.

 How do you believe this new approach to space influences a guest’s productivity and overall experience during their stay?

I think that this concept room really fosters an environment where productivity feels natural. Ergonomic features allow for work and connection, whilst wellness offerings recharge the mind and body. This is the future of work – more and more people are rejecting the notion of hustle culture and shifting towards a gentler approach to their lives. The Transforming Room is a space that enables guests to feel recharged, energised and inspired – this is a great win for the overall guest experience.

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Can you provide specific examples or scenarios of how various types of guests might utilise The Transforming Room

You could imagine a guest starting their day with a virtual yoga session, transitioning to a video conference on the LG displays, and hosting a private dinner for clients or friends in the evening. After dinner, the furniture is rearranged, and the Murphy bed drops down from the wall as the room transitions back into a bedroom. The Transforming Room can adapt to these different needs with ease.

How does The Transforming Room serve as a blueprint for future Pullman hotels?

The Transforming Room is a research initiative, allowing us to gather guest feedback and insights that will inform future Pullman designs. Its flexible, people-centred approach to space will shape environments that better meet the needs of modern travellers, ensuring Pullman remains at the forefront of hospitality innovation. We can’t wait to unveil more about the future of Pullman’s guestrooms in the coming year. Additionally, key learnings and innovative elements from this concept have the potential to be integrated into other Accor brands, enhancing the guest experience across our broader portfolio of hotels.

With modern travel on the rise, how have you integrated sustainability into The Transforming Room’s design?

Sustainability is integral to the transformation of Pullman. Features in the Transforming Room such as modular furniture and space-saving innovations allow us to reduce material use, while smart technologies minimise energy consumption. These choices reflect Pullman’s commitment to creating sustainable, future-ready spaces.

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What personal philosophy or design principle did you apply to The Transforming Room that you feel sets it apart from other hotel room designs?

The design of the Pullman Transforming Room in Singapore was guided by the principles of adaptability and guest-centric innovation. We focused on creating a versatile space that seamlessly adapts to the needs of diverse travellers. By integrating advanced technology with elegant design, we aimed to offer a unique, multi-functional environment that enhances comfort and convenience.

What truly sets the Transforming Room apart is its ability to provide personalised experiences while maintaining a sense of sophistication and elevated hospitality. Each design element was carefully selected to contribute to an atmosphere that feels both modern and welcoming. Our goal was to create a space that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our guests, making their stay memorable and enjoyable.

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Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of hotel room designs in response to changing traveller needs?

As traveller expectations continue to evolve, hotel rooms will become increasingly multifunctional. Future designs will focus on blending technology with human-centric experiences, creating spaces that inspire productivity, well-being, and meaningful connection.

Above all, hotel room design must allow for greater personalisation – people travel for thousands of different reasons so there cannot be a “one size fits all” approach. We need to push the boundaries of personalisation and flexibility to meet the ever-evolving needs of travellers.

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