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ISSUE 1 2014

ANDY MURRAY

On opening his luxury Scottish hotel MoMath museum

Fall in love with maths

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ON THE COVER Nathan Blecharczyk

Airbnb co-founder on starting a travel revolution

COPENHAGEN CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE Mayor Pia Allerslev on getting seriously TO THE PRINT EDITION creative www.leisuremanagement.co.uk/subs

LEISURE TOURISM HEALTH & FITNESS SPA SPORT ATTRACTIONS HOSPITALITY THE FUTURE OF FITNESS IS HERE THE BENCHMARK HAS BEEN SET – THE LATEST INNOVATIONS FROM GLOBAL FITNESS LEADERS LES MILLS

The SMARTBAR™ has been designed The SMARTSTEP™ design combats to reduce transition time using a highly stability and safety by its unique riser advanced ‘gator’ fastening mechanism ‘lock-in’ system to help reduce slide on so plates slide straight on with no need the floor. Visual guides on the surface for clips. The hand weights and the aid foot strike and the durable product rotating plate have been designed to has been tested to withstand at least significiantly reduce strain to the wrist 2.4 million step ups. and hands - improving form and aiding muscle isolation.

For more information visit: lesmillsinyourclub.com Contact: [email protected] / 0207 264 0200 BLOG.LEISUREMEDIA.COM WELL CITIES

We don’t just need garden cities, we need wellness cities – it’s time to update our frames of reference

ecommendations that two garden cities are built in southern England Purpose-built well cities, with to ease the UK’s housing shortage have prompted debate and triggered places to walk, exercise and political wrangling. R spend time outdoors and access However, regardless of the politics, the opportunity to build two new cities from scratch is to great facilities, would serve as a thrilling one and if it goes ahead, a once in a lifetime opportunity for the leisure and wellness industries. a model for others to follow Cities designed from the ground up, using the latest sustainable design and green technology with fully integrated leisure, would be incredible places to live. Things have moved on a long way since the last – sport, leisure, wellness and health and fitness, garden cities – Letchworth and Welwyn – were built hospitality, attractions and outdoor leisure. and even the models used more recently for the UK’s In the last 30 years, Britain has moved from an ‘New Towns’, such as Milton Keynes, Harlow and industrial to a service and leisure economy and leisure Stevenage, are no longer relevant. is now the biggest area of consumer expenditure. We need a new vision of cities for this new age of A new city built with leisure integrated into other leisure: wellness cities, not garden cities (although infrastructure such as education, transport, medical, they’ll need plenty of gardens and green spaces). commercial and retail – would create a world-class We now have a greater appreciation of the example of excellence showcasing the UK’s skills and importance of things like humanscale development, the expertise. It would also be a world first. power of architecture to create communities and the It’s recognised that in order for people to be healthy importance of integrating green space and seamlessly and lead long, happy and productive lives, wellness embedding technology. We also have the tools, skills needs to be built into day to day life. A purpose-built and knowledge to deliver something truly outstanding. wellness city [or well city] with places to walk, exercise Britain leads the world in so many related and spend time outdoors, as well as with access to disciplines: urban planning, architecture, sustainability, great facilties, would enhance quality of life, lead to advanced technology, garden design, engineering and better health and serve as a model for others to follow. the creative industries. In additon, we have world class Let’s assemble a team of experts and creative construction and surveying sectors and a great wealth thinkers from across all these disciplines, put politics of expertise in crafts and hand-building techniques. to one side and make something really exciting happen. But the most exciting part of living in a new city such as this would be the total integration of all the leisure Liz Terry, editor @elizterry

Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 www.leisuremedia.com @leisuremanmag

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 3 WELCOME

Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk on changing the travel industry PAGE 36

Copenhagen’s Mayor Pia Allerslev reveals her plans for the city PAGE 70

8 People News 30 Design News 42 The American dream Andy Murray works on five star hotel, Lenny Kravitz’s hotel floor, BIG’s Schrager’s London Edition, Five Guys Joanna Lumley gets behind the Garden designs for new Montpellier museum, and Ace Hotels...the US concepts Bridge and Ken Hom’s Brazil restaurant and a funky German indoor campsite taking the UK by storm

14 Sector News 36 Nathan Blecharczyk 48 Kim Herforth Nielsen From spa to sports and technology Airbeds, selling cereal boxes and legal The co-founder of 3XN shares the to tourism, we look at the big stories battles... Blecharczyk tells us about challenges and rewards of designing across the leisure industry the ups and downs of launching Airbnb Copenhagen’s Blue Planet aquarium

4 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2014 Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385 www.leisuremedia.com @leisuremanmag

The new US concepts taking the UK by storm PAGE 42

VolunTourism’s David Clemmons speaks out from his Bolivian sickbed PAGE 56

54 Green shoots 60 Beautiful minds 70 Creative thinking Millions of European travellers are MoMath co-founders Cindy Lawrence Copenhagen’s leisure mayor on returning to the market, explains and Glen Whitney explain how they’re creating an inspiring city PhoCusWright’s Marcello Gasdia getting visitors to fall in love with maths 78 Beating the market 56 David Clemmons 66 Grand designs Insider advice on not getting stung by The VolunTourism.org founder talks cold From Auckland to Denmark, we take a the recent energy price rises showers, outbreaks of war and tropical look at some of the amazing winners of diseases with Kath Hudson the World Architecture Awards 82 Julie Moskalyk

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ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2014 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 7 LEISURE MANAGEMENT PEOPLE “I'm pleased to be able to give something back to the community I grew up in”

Andy Murray, Wimbledon champion & owner of Cromlix

Murray bought the £1.8m property in Jan 2013 with the aim of turning it into a fi ve star hotel

ndy Murray's luxury Scottish hotel, the Cromlix, is due to open 1 April 2014. A Wimbledon cham- pion Murray bought the hotel in January 2013; it is currently under- going extensive renovation to re-establish it as a luxury destination. The hotel is situated close to Murray's home town of Dunblane, and was the venue for his brother Jamie's wed- ding in 2010. It is set in 34 acres of secluded woodlands and will feature 15 rooms, including fi ve suites, and a Chez Rouz restaurant offering fi ne dining using locally-sourced produce. The estate also has its own chapel, making it ideal for weddings. “I’m really looking forward to the hotel getting up and running,” said Murray. “By re-establishing Cromlix as a leading luxury hotel at the heart of the Dunblane community we'll be behalf of Murray by Inverlochy Castle The Cromlix estate dates back to able to attract new visitors to the area, Management International (ICMI), the early 15th century. The house was create new jobs and focus on sup- which also manages eight other inde- rebuilt after a fi re in 1880 and was porting other local businesses. I’m pendent properties in Scotland. The converted from a private residence to pleased to be able to give something hotel is already fully booked for the a luxury hotel in 1981. back to the community I grew up in.” Ryder Cup in September, which takes Cromlix is being managed on place close by at Gleneagles. Details: www.cromlix.com

8 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 PEOPLE

“Now I can host my Brazilian friends”

Ken Hom, chef, tv presenter and author

en Hom is to front a new restaurant being opened by Orient Express Hotels Ltd at Copacabana Palace K hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Work started on the 88-seat pan- Asian eatery, which is due to open in the fi rst quarter of 2014. “I had been going to Rio de Janiero and staying at the Copacabana Palace Hotel for over 12 years,” said BBC tv chef Hom. “When a space at the hotel became available, I thought it may be a good idea to do an Asian restaurant there, and the management immedi- ately loved the idea. It was a dream come true. I could work at a place I love and also share my love of food with all my Brazilian friends.” The new restaurant will be located by the swimming pool of the legend- ary hotel, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2013. It will feature dark wooden fl oors and red walls in colours inspired by Chinese temples, with an onxy bar and upholstered silk chairs and sofas. Dishes will be prepared before guests on a long counter indoors, while three outdoor tables by the pool will offer alfresco dining.

Hom has teamed up with Orient Express Hotels to open the 88-seat pan-Asian eatery

“After 12 years of visiting count- less restaurants, bars and lounges, I had a good idea what might appeal to Brazilians,” said Hom. “I love the coun- try and have many friends there. Now I can host them in my restaurant!" Hom has starred in various cook- ery series, and has written more than 30 cookery books. He is also open- ing a restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2014, with the Bandara Group, in a standalone colonial villa near to the Bandara Hotel (which housed Hom's now-closed Maison Chin restaurant).

Details: www.copacabanapalace.com

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 9 PEOPLE

“We're able to give people the positive side of the calorie equation” Helen Nuki, founder, StepJockey

igns explaining how many ple using them by up to 29 per cent. showed bad things. “In that moment, calories are burned by “The aim of StepJockey is very sim- the idea to label the world for calorie taking the stairs instead ple: mark the built environment for burn was born. In doing this we are S of the lift will be added to calorie burn in the same way we mark able to give people the positive side public staircases as part foods for calorie-consumption,” said of the calorie equation,” said Nuki. of a government-backed scheme to Helen Nuki, founder of StepJockey. The service uses an app and web- improve the fi tness of UK workers. “We’re starting with stairs because site. Users will be able to scan 'smart The scheme was developed by a stair climbing is classed as a vigorous signs' on the allocated stairways and Department of Health-funded web physical activity and burns more calo- track the calories they burn over time. start up called StepJockey. Trials at ries than jogging.” The scheme is based on nudge three large offi ce buildings, includ- The idea for StepJockey was born theory – the idea that positive rein- ing the BBC in Manchester, found when Nuki showed her eight-year-old forcement and suggestions can that signs advertising how many cal- daughter a packet of biscuits with the make people change their behav- ories you could burn by taking the calorie and fat content listed, and her iour. “Because we can't process all the stairs increased the number of peo- daughter asked why labels only ever information needed to make every sin- gle decision throughout the day, we rely on automatic behaviour to get us through. This behaviour is governed by many factors, a few of these being habit, ease, salience and what we see other people doing,” said Nuki. “We knew that if we wanted to change behaviour we needed something that would be easy for people to do, would have salience (the posters inter- rupt habits at the point of behaviour), would be for everyone and would give an incentive for people to change.”

Details: www.stepjockey.com

The StepJockey website allows people to calculate how many calories will be burned by climbing any set of stairs

10 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 PEOPLE

“We're trying to remove all the barriers to exercise that we can”

Jon Wright, managing director, Xercise4Less

ndependent budget gym chain 2009,” said Wright. “I don't think we Xercise4Less has opened its fi rst Jon Wright has said that he plans were visionary – the club just wasn't in-store Tesco gym in Stockton to open a further 100 clubs across making any money and we knew we I on Tees, following a partner- the UK over the next fi ve years had to do something different.” ship with the supermarket giant Since then, the chain has opened announced in July 2013. 11 budget clubs, including the new The 3,000sq m club, which opened the barriers to exercise that we can.” Stockton on Tees site, and plans to at the Tesco Extra store in Stockton- Equipment at the Stockton club have 100 clubs open across the UK by on-Tees in mid-November, is the is 'zoned' for different activities such mid-2016. “One of the catalysts is the fi rst of a string of Xercise4less clubs as cardio, weights, a combat zone, a Tesco deal – it's a great springboard planned for Tesco stores. large ladies-only gym with a wide to get us UK-wide,” said Wright. Managing director Jon Wright said selection of female-friendly weights, The gym chain has also seen two that the partnership with Tesco will and a dedicated personal training additions to its board of directors, with make working out more accessible for zone. Members have 40 free classes to the appointment of former Fitness First people. “With our standard monthly choose from each week, ranging from UK managing director Peter Boddy as fees of £15 – or £9.99 off-peak – we've boxercise to pilates and zumba. non-executive chairman, and Simon already addressed one of the big- Xercise4less was born in 2009 when Tutt as fi nance director. gest obstacles to joining a gym: cost. Wright changed the model of his From Health Club Management, Now, by opening clubs in supermar- existing facility, the Xercise Health September 2013 kets, we're also addressing the issue of and Fitness Club in Castleford. “We accessibility. We're trying to remove all switched to the budget model in Details: www.xercise4less.co.uk

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 11 PEOPLE

“We can dare to be ambitious”

Joanna Lumley, actress & Thomas Heatherwick, architect

ritish architect Thomas Heatherwick has released new images B of his planned Garden Bridge across the Thames, and the Garden Bridge Trust has been launched, with Lord Mervyn Davies as its chairman. Designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick and championed by actress Joanna Lumley, the Garden Bridge is a new public garden planted on a new bridge that would link Covent Garden and the South Bank. "The Garden Bridge is an incredi- bly daring idea; the chance to walk through woodlands over one of the Joanna Lumley (left) and Thomas Heatherwick (right) are working together greatest rivers in the world,” said Joanna Lumley. “This Garden Bridge At the launch of the Trust, Thomas series of five habitats. Reconstituted is a bridge that will improve the qual- Heatherwick said to The Independent, stone and a copper nickel alloy are ity of life of everyone in London. For “We’re proud of punching below being considered for the exterior commuters it will provide a quick and our weight in this country, but the structure of the bridge. beautiful route to and from Waterloo Olympics has shown that we can sur- Thomas Heatherwick worked with Station. For dreamers, a quiet place prise ourselves with what we can Arup on the designs, after they won to linger amongst trees and grasses achieve. We can dare to be ambitious.” a Transport for London tender for and look at the views. For tourists, an The design features a 367m bridge ideas to improve pedestrian access unforgettable landmark. It'll be a place that widens and narrows across its across the Thames. O to set hearts racing and calm troubled span, with a garden planted with minds. It'll be free to all; open to all.” trees, flowers and plants laid out in a Details: www.gardenbridge.co.uk

12 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 For 40+ years, WTS International has Visit us online at been one of the world’s most www.wtsinternational.com to learn prominent spa, fi tness and leisure fi rms, about our services: providing both consulting and daily • Feasibility studies management for fi tness centers, spas • Concept and brand development and leisure facilities of all types. • Design consulting • Pre-opening and daily management We work with investors and developers • Operational consultancy to conceive, develop and operate successful spas. CONTACT US TO LEARN HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SUCCEED: Our goal is to create positive fi nancial results for our clients by creating www.wtsinternational.com memorable experiences for spa [email protected] patrons. +1 301-622-7800

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Six Senses announces rapid expansion plans

Six Senses Hotels, Resorts and Spas has announced that four new spas and eight new development concepts are to open over the next three years through to 2016. Four Six Senses Spas are included in the expansion plans with one opening in Kazakhstan, two in India and one in Oman. Last month (December) saw the opening of Six Senses Spa at Esentai Tower, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The spa features fi ve treatment rooms, a lounge and retail area with a juice bar, a fi tness centre, a studio for well- ness activities, wet facilities within female and male changing rooms and relaxation sound pods. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=p5c2n English Premier League clubs regularly hold friendly matches in the lucrative Asian market Premier League secures football deal with China

The UK government has helped the The CSL will also provide support and English Premier League (EPL) secure an advice in the promotion and marketing of agreement with the Chinese Super League the EPL and its clubs in China. (CSL) to build up football at elite, youth The Chinese market has been targeted and community levels in China. by many of the European elite football The new partnership was signed on leagues and clubs due to its potential 2 December in Beijing by culture secre- growth prospects. tary Maria Miller and former England and According to EPL fi gures, the East Asian Chelsea footballer Graeme Le Saux. The market is already worth around £200m a 250 million wearable devices by 2017 deal was announced as part of the UK year to the league and to UK trade, with government’s trade mission to China, led many clubs – including Manchester United, Quarter of a billion health by Prime Minister David Cameron. Liverpool and Chelsea – taking advan- and fi tness devices by 2017 The EPL will work with the CSL and the tage of the market by holding pre-season China Football Association on programmes friendly matches in the region. Over a quarter of a billion wearable to promote and develop football in China. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=f9v4J health and fi tness sensing devices will be shipped worldwide by 2017, as fi tness technology becomes more dominant in the wireless Six Flags expands share repurchase plan by US$500m marketplace, claims technology research fi rm ON World. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has In a survey by the fi rm conducted announced that its board of directors has with 300 people, it was found that approved a plan to allow the company to 20 per cent already own a wearable repurchase an incremental US$500m worth technology device. (£307m, E367m) of its stock. Such is the growing rate (380 Since February 2011, the theme park per cent since January 2013), company has repurchased nearly $800m ON has estimated that by 2017, (£491m, E588) worth of stock. Bluetooth chipsets used solely for Jim Reid-Anderson, chairman, president health, wellness, sports and fi t- and chief executive offi cer at Six Flags, said ness will reach 95.7 million. the repurchase plan would prove another Read more: http://lei.sr?a=M3n6a way to deliver value to shareholders. Six Flags has repurchased US$800m of its stock Read more: http://lei.sr?a=6X5X7

14 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 WORLD LEISURE

Beckham signs deal with Las Vegas Sands to create luxury resorts

Former England football captain David Beckham has signed a deal with global property developer Las Vegas Sands (LVS) which will see Beckham help create expe- riences at luxury resorts around the world. Beckham, regarded as one of the world’s most iconic men, will join forces with LVS’s integrated resort properties in both Macao and Singapore, acting as the company’s consultant and partner in the developement of locations in Asia. “We have billions of dollars invested in our own global, iconic brands and we David Beckham has signed a deal to work with luxury property developer Las Vegas Sands clearly understand the importance of grow- ing and sustaining those brands over aggressively explore opportunities to fur- developing dining, retail and leisure con- time,” said Michael Leven, president and ther expand our presence in Asia.” cepts for the luxury property company. COO of LVS. “We’re very excited about the At a press conference held in Macao, it “The scale, vision and calibre of all that partnership and we fully expect it to grow was revealed that Beckham, described as they do is very impressive,” said Beckham. in the years to come, especially as we a ‘tastemaker’, will lend his expertise to Read more: http://lei.sr?a=H9p3d

Tokyo Olympic stadium plans scaled down

The Japan Sport Council (JSC) has acceded to demands that a stadium planned for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 be scaled down following concerns that its bulk would overshadow other buildings in the area. The proposed stadium – designed by Zaha Hadid and with a shape described The development has faced opposition as being similar to a futuristic cycle hel- met – would soar to 70m (229ft) in height, £8bn redevelopment plans dwarfing neighbouring structures which are for Earls Court revealed limited to 15m (49ft) in height. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=J8R8D A downsized version of the plans will be used Capital & Counties Properties (Capco) has received outline planning consent for an £8bn regen- eration of Earls Court. Marriott to buy African hospitality company Protea The first detailed planning applica- tion will be submitted in the coming Marriott International has signed a deal weeks. Plans include 37 acres of with Protea Hospitality Holdings of Cape new open space, 6,775 homes, Town, South Africa to acquire Protea offices and workspaces, retail space, Hotels’ brands and management business. hotels and serviced apartments, a Protea Hotels operates or franchises health hub, a primary school, a com- 116 hotels across three brands, with munity and cultural hub and leisure 10,184 rooms in South Africa and six space with a sports centre. other Sub-Saharan African countries. Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter The transaction will nearly double criticised the development for Marriott’s distribution in Africa to more “speeding up the social cleansing than 23,000 rooms and help with the com- of west London.” pany’s expansion plans in the market. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=r3M2G Protea operates 116 hotels across South Africa Read more: http://lei.sr?a=p4x5P

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 15 WORLD LEISURE

Restricted entry for India’s ‘largest museum’

What has been dubbed India’s larg- est museum is due to open mid January, with entry restricted to travellers passing through Mumbai Airport’s new T2 terminal. However, with the terminal hav- ing the capability of handling around 40 million passengers annually, local media has said that the new Jaye He museum could cost the Louvre in Paris its coveted top spot as ‘world’s most visited’. Occupying an area of 80,000sq ft (7,432sq m), the collec- tion of art, craft and heritage pieces comprises around 7,000 artefacts – some dating back to the 8th century – plus an art wall displaying works by more than 1,500 artists. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=L7e2n The museum’s entrance features a fl aming bowl, which references the Olympic torch Olympic museum reopens after $61m revamp

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, and installed by an almost all-British team Switzerland, has re-opened to the public led by Metaphor (master-planning), Mather after a 23-month transformation costing & Co (museum display), Paragon Creative approximately $61m (£37m, E44.6m). (creative fi t out), Electrosonic (AV hard- Overlooking Lake Geneva, the Olympic ware) and Centre Screen (Audiovisual and Museum documents the complete his- multimedia production.)

PHOTO: COMO HOTELS AND RESORTS tory of the Games, spanning from ancient The museum now features three perma- Athens to the present day. nent exhibition spaces, education rooms, A major renovation of the original 1993 temporary exhibition areas, a shop, a The hotel will overlook Miami Beach building, by Swiss architects Brauen & redesigned garden and a terraced café. Wälchli, has virtually doubled the display Three levels of redesigned galleries Metropolitan by COMO to areas, as well as creating new exhibition incorporate the latest technological inno- make US debut in Miami space totalling 3,000m² (9,842 sq.ft). vations, using specially commissioned At the same time, a completely new vis- fi lms and interactive displays. Metropolitan by COMO is launching itor circuit has been designed, produced Read more: http://lei.sr?a=f6T4m in the US with a new Miami location opening at the end of January. The 74-bedroom hotel overlooks Miami beach and is located at Plans revealed for New Doha Zoo in Qatar the centre of the city’s Downtown Historic District. It will feature the A masterplan design has been revealed COMO Shambhala spa with four for the New Doha Zoo in Qatar, with a sus- treatment rooms, a yoga terrace, a tainable focus on the natural and climatic steamroom, fi tness room, rooftop features of Asia, Africa and South America. hydrotherapy pool and a juice bar. The project is the culmination of work The hotel also features a swimming between the Arab state’s Public Works pool, bar and two restaurants. Authority (Ashghal), newly-appointed con- Interiors are by Italian designer struction supervisors KEO International Paola Navone, who contrasted Consultants and HHCP+PJA. the hotel’s Art Deco heritage with The total cost of the development is urban, contemporary design. thought to be in the region of QR230m Read more: http://lei.sr?a=W9e6j (US$63m, £38.6m, E45.9m). The attraction will be located in Qatar’s capital Read more: http://lei.sr?a=h8I6w

16 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Redefining Family Adventure

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Picsolve announces new US$13m investment

Picsolve has announced a new US$13m (£7.9m E9.4m) invest- ment from Moonray Investors, part of Fidelity Worldwide Investment. The image capture fi rm says the investment will help it achieve its vision for guest experience photog- raphy in leisure and entertainment. With 20 years’ experience, the company has expertise in design- ing end-to-end photo and video capture and distribution platforms to support retail experiences, with interactive products such as GSX. Picsolve showcased GSX and its digital product suite for the fi rst time at IAAPA 2013 Attractions Expo in November, in the US. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=E3W5S Disney overtakes Universal, having the most Facebook check-ins in the US compared with 2012 Disney dominates list of most Facebook check-ins

Facebook has released a list of global However, when the list is split into destinations based on the most check-ins purely commercial ventures, Disney in 2013, with Disney taking the majority of heads most of the lists across differ- the top spots across different countries. ent countries, with the company usurping The data lists dominant check-in loca- Universal Studios Orlando for the most tions from 25 countries across the world, Facebook check-ins in the US compared allowing both consumers and operators to with last year’s fi ndings. view the locations most popular on peo- In Asia, Tokyo Disneyland was Japan’s ple’s social agendas. leading check-in spot, while Hong Kong Most guests expect to have free WiFi The original data set includes check-ins Disneyland is Hong Kong’s most checked- at free, open spaces like public parks and in commercial location. Disney also Survey reveals top trends shopping malls, leading to a fairly invalua- enjoyed check-in success in France, where in hotel technology ble suggestion for providers and operators Disneyland Paris was ranked at the top of looking to gain insight on the popularity of Facebook’s data set for the country. Offering WiFi and providing ample certain commercial attractions. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=n3d7Y plugs and bandwidth capabilities are ever more important, claims eRevMax, provider of hotel online distribution and management solu- Online communities shaping beauty industry trends tions, which has produced an infographic about the top trends in Online beauty discussion in forums and hotel technology. on social media is rapidly changing the Devices are considered very beauty market and could hold the key important to guests, with 45 per to future industry trends, according to cent travelling with two and 40 per research by Diagonal Reports. cent travelling with three devices. According to the report, digital communi- Thirty eight per cent of guests ties – which have grown signifi cantly over said they consider WiFi a prior- the past few years – are becoming just ity when booking a hotel and 85 as important as the product house and per cent said they want free WIFI retailer when it comes to shaping trends access at their hotel. and ideas in the beauty market, helping to Read more: http://lei.sr?a=W8T6N create “new cultural formations”. Social media is infl uencing trends in the industry Read more: http://lei.sr?a=m5j3p

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 19 HEALTH & FITNESS

Exercise later in life can help protect your heart

Even if you don’t start exercising until your late 40s or 50s it can still have marked benefi ts, accord- ing to a study conducted by the University College London. Those out of the 4,000 taking part in the study who did the rec- ommended 2.5 hours of exercise a week, had lower levels of infl am- matory markers in their blood. High levels of infl ammatory markers have been linked to increased heart risk. Those who said they had stuck to the recommended amount of exer- cise over the entire 10-year study had the lowest infl ammatory levels, meaning they were least likely to suffer from heart problems.. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=S2s4A Moderate exercise during pregnancy has been shown to boost brain function in newborn babies Exercise during pregnancy boosts baby’s brain

Moderate exercise during pregnancy could breath – with the pregnant women typically boost a baby’s brain development, accord- walking, jogging, swimming or cycling. ing to new research. Using an EEG to record the brain’s activ- The study, which involved 18 moth- ity, the researchers measured the newborn ers-to-be, found that 10 days after being children’s brain activity while sleeping at born, the children showed signs of having eight to 12 days old. a more mature brain when their mothers The babies whose mother exercised had exercised during the pregnancy. brains which were “more effi cient” and For the study, researchers assigned 10 could “recognise sounds with less effort”. The scheme is government backed women to an exercise group and eight to The research team has hypothesised an inactive group at the start of their sec- that exercise speeds up a process known Staircases get calorie ond trimester. The active group engaged in as synaptic pruning, whereby extra nerve counts in new scheme at least 20 minutes of cardio vascular activ- cells and connections are eliminated, ity three times a week at moderate intensity helping brain development. Public staircases are soon to be – meaning at least a slight shortness of Read more: http://lei.sr?a=S5Z3w labelled as exercise apparatus when a government-backed scheme comes into force to try and make offi ce workers and commuters Microsoft chooses brand for Xbox One fi tness system across the UK fi tter. Trials at three large offi ce build- Microsoft chose fi tness brand Body ings in Manchester found that signs Training Systems to provide video work- advertising how many calories you outs for Xbox Fitness on the new Xbox could burn increased the number of One, released on 22 November 2013. people using stairs signifi cantly. Body Training Systems and Group X The service uses an app and Systems, the company that delivers the website. Users will be able to scan programmes to health clubs and leisure “smart signs” on the allocated centres in the UK, have rebranded them- stairways and track the amount of selves to coincide with the new launch. calories they burn over time. Now known as Mossa, the workouts on See People News for more details. Xbox Fitness will enable consumers to use Read more: http://lei.sr?a=G2m7D the programme from their own living room. The system operates using movements Read more: http://lei.sr?a=k7R4v

20 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 [email protected] www.forrec.com @forrecdesigns ATTRACTIONS

Grand Texas Theme Park opening date revealed

Plans to bring a massive entertain- ment complex and theme park to Houston, Texas, US have taken a step forward after an opening date of Q1 2015 was set. The park will be part of the Grand Texas Sport and Entertainment District, which will also house Big Rivers Waterpark, Downtown Texas, a wakeboard lake, baseball sta- dium, hotels and an event centre. The US$118m (£76m, E88.8m) attraction will include a waterpark, amphitheatre, paintball arena, equestrian centre and a retail park. Additional developments would add a further US$95m, bringing esti- mates up to around US$220m. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=K5G8j The new attraction features 160 dinosaur models, some of which can move and roar Dinosaur theme park opens in Queensland, Australia

Palmersaurus – a dinosaur theme park “What we don’t want to see is our – opened to the public on 14 December world ending up like the dinosaurs did,” within the grounds of the Palmer Coolum said Palmer. “We’ve got to take better Resort in Queensland, Australia. care of the environment and have a posi- The park was funded by Clive Palmer, tive message for people. the Australian billionaire who is also “If you went to Disneyland in France or behind plans to launch a replica of the Japan, you wouldn’t fi nd a dinosaur park Titanic. It contains 160 dinosaur mod- bigger than this.” els, some animatronic, ranging from 2.5m Australia Zoo owner Terri Irwin, who (8.2ft) to 22m (72.1ft) in length and up to along with her children Bindi and Robert Ronaldo called the CR7 museum a ‘gift’ 10m (32.8ft) high. helped to offi cially open the park, Speaking about the new attraction, praised the ambitious project and said Cristiano Ronaldo opens Palmer said the park would serve as a it would bring wider tourism benefi ts for self-dedicated museum constant reminder of the importance of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. conservation to the planet. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=j3Q6v Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he is opening a museum devoted to himself. The museum is located on the Madame Tussauds to open attraction in Singapore Portuguese island of Madeira, where Ronaldo was born, and Merlin Entertainments has announced showcases memorabilia from his that it will take over the management of career, including trophies, footballs Sentosa’s well-known Images of Singapore and photographs. (IOS) attraction, while also introducing its Ronaldo attended the opening own iconic Madame Tussauds to Asia’s on 15 December in person and leading leisure destination. described the CR7 Museum as a Madame Tussauds Singapore will be ‘gift’ to his supporters. Merlin’s fi rst Singapore-based attraction, “I have room for more trophies,” as well as the fi rst Tussauds outside of said Ronaldo speaking at the open- London to include its own ride. ing. “If the Ballon d’Or comes, there Madame Tussauds Singapore is set to is extra room here.” open on Sentosa this year. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=2Q9D5 Sentosa attracts fi ve million people annually Read more: http://lei.sr?a=c4c6N

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 23 SPA SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/CARRIE-NELSON DiCaprio purchases multi-million dollar home themed around wellness

Golden Globe award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio has purchased a multi- million dollar unit in Greenwich Village, New York, US, boasting more than 500 wellness and health features. The property, designed by wellness developers Delos Living, is housed inside a converted factory originally built in 1987 and is described as “the world’s first WELL-Certified residence.” While hotels and spas have increas- ingly marketed wellness environments to guests, Delos is pushing the idea into Leonardo DiCaprio has purchased one of the world’s first WELL-Certified residences homes and has spent five years research- ing ways to develop and integrate holistic building designs that enhance both human but [DiCaprio’s] commitment to living in a health and wellness solutions to be health and improve the environment.” healthy environment and his celebrity status deployed in a home environment. A Global Spa & Wellness Summit repre- sets an example that people everywhere can DiCaprio, who is an investor in the pro- sentative commented: “Nearly all famous and will follow, even in a simple dwelling.” ject, described the homes as “innovative movie stars have multimillion-dollar homes, Read more: http://lei.sr?a=C7X4P

Italy’s thermal spas starting to recover from recession

Italy is showing “timid signs of a turna- round” for its recession-hit thermal spas, according to new data from Federterme – the Italian Federation of Industries Spas and Hot Springs Healing. In 2012 there was a 6 per cent drop in revenue compared with 2011. There have been signs of a recovery Bjurstam has praised Derby’s spa course however, as in the first nine months of 2013 total revenues for Italian thermal Derby Uni hailed as ‘best in spas remained largely unchanged com- the world’ for spa training pared to the same period in 2012. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=T7a3G Thermal spas in Italy look to be recovering Swedish spa expert Anna Bjurstam – who led a recent Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) survey highlighting the lack of educated Secrets Golf & Spa Resort opens in Mexico spa professionals – has praised the University of Derby Buxton in the UK AMResorts has introduced the newest for providing the “best spa manage- addition to its portfolio under the Secrets ment training in the world”. brand with the opening of 500-bedroom Bjurstam hailed the university Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa as “a pioneer in spa manage- Resort in Mexico. ment” thanks to its methods which The 12,000sq ft (1,114sq m) spa include hands-on experience in includes 22 treatment rooms as well as real-world work situations. a beauty salon, steamroom, sauna and a “If the industry knew how good fitness centre. Treatments on offer in the your students are, then they would spa include traditional massages, facials, be standing in line to employ manicures and pedicures, aromatherapy them,” said Bjurstam. and a hydrotherapy circuit. Read more: www.lei.sr/8938502 All rooms include swim out pools or spa pools Read more: http://lei.sr?a=f9z8D

24 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 HOSPITALITY

Meliá Hotels expands into Jamaica with Branco deal

Meliá Hotels is to manage and operate one of Jamaica’s fl agship resorts after formalising a deal with the country’s government. The Braco Village Hotel and Spa consists of 226 bedrooms, fi ve res- taurants, a number of pools and bars, as well as a spa. The company said it would undergo a “comprehensive reno- vation” until its opening as the rebranded Meliá Jamaica, which is set to open in November 2014. The deal was fi nalised by Melia Hotels chair Gabriel Escarrer, tour- ism minister Wykeham McNeill and minister of labour and social security Derrick Kellier. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=k2a5E It has been reported that 21 per cent of businesses believe a lack of skilled workers to be of concern School curriculum failing hospitality and catering sectors

School leavers are less prepared for work The report has uncovered a number in the hospitality and catering workforces of problems created by the teaching of than they were midway through the 19th older, irrelevant subjects, as well as gaps century, according to learndirect. around core skills such as communica- A report from the UK online learn- tion, management and teamwork. ing provider, which explored 160 years The report has made fi ve recommenda- of the curriculum, has found that current tions to help counter such problems. changes only partially refl ect the shifting Proposed changes to the current sys- skill-sets required in the sector. tem include more use of the maths The new hotel is set to open in 2015 It was also found that 21 per cent of curriculum while pushing the idea of businesses report a lack of skilled work- offering Functional Skills as a GCSE alter- Legoland Florida starts ers to be a concern, with basic abilities native, with more of a focus on vocational new hotel development in customer service, time management pathways, better use of work experience and problem solving hindering recruit- and the harnessing of technology. Legoland Florida is making a bid to ment and staff retention. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=j6M9a become a multi-day resort, having broken ground on a new hotel. With a multi-coloured exterior and entrance, the hotel will feature 152 ‘Insatiable’ appetite for UK hotels as spending tops £3bn brightly coloured and highly themed rooms and suites, Lego inspired There is an ‘insatiable’ appetite for décor, interactive play areas, a pool London hotels from foreign investors, and a restaurant. which has contributed to more than £3bn The park has more than 50 rides, of UK hotel investment in 2013 – almost shows, attractions, a waterpark and double 2012’s total and the highest since an interactive splash battle ride. 2007 – according to Savills. This is the fi fth Legoland hotel Total hotel sales for the fi rst nine to be developed. There are exist- months of this year hit £2.4bn, The report ing hotels at the parks in California, says that it expects the strongest perfor- Windsor and Billund, with a fourth mance of the year so far with at least a soon to open in Malaysia. further £600m in deals to go through in Read more: http://lei.sr?a=z2X5w 2013, bringing the total up to £3bn. Foreign hotel investors are interested in London Read more: http://lei.sr?a=r7v3B

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 25 TOURISM

Libya has “much to show visitors” says tourism minister amid conflict

Libya’s minister for tourism, Ikram Bash Imam, believes tourism can become a via- ble option for the war-torn nation over the next few years, although he has admitted that persuading the rest of the world that Libya – a nation still riddled with weapons and rival militias – is a holiday option that is safe to consider will be a challenge. The country is rich in tourist attractions, with more than 1,000 miles (1,609km) of beaches, Roman and Greek ruins and Saharan troglodyte caves. Despite fierce fights between rebel groups, the country Libya is still an incredibly volatile country following the death of Muammar Gaddafi two years ago on the whole is remarkably unspoilt. For the first time in decades, the heavily armed militia groups, a weak cen- exaggerated by the media. “Everyone country is open to the rest of the world fol- tral government, jihadi terrorism and the focuses on the violence but most armed lowing the demise of Muammar Gaddafi threat of state failure. clashes are between Libyan individuals two years ago. That however is only half Imam however says that, while existent, and groups. It is not war,” she said. the story as tourism barriers include the scale of violence in Libya has been Read more: www.lei.sr/8938502

Game of Thrones at the forefront of NI tourism drive

Northern ireland’s tourist board is planning to use hit TV show Game of Thrones in its quest to achieve record visitor numbers. Much of the series is filmed in Northern Ireland and is already drawing visitors to seek out filming locations. The show will be used to promote the region, alongside the Giant’s Causeway and Titanic Belfast. Buckingham Palace claimed the top spot Launching a Tourism Ireland strategy, enterprise minister Arlene Foster said she UK’s ‘dream’ activities for wants to increase overseas visitor numbers overseas tourists revealed to more than 2 million a year by 2016. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=t4k4r Much of the show was filmed in Northern Ireland Buckingham Palace has been revealed as the number one attrac- tion for tourists visiting the UK following a survey of 10,000 people Regional tourism in the UK damaged by high train prices conducted by VisitBritain. Out of 19 countries surveyed, 15 The head of the government’s tourism named Buckingham Palace as the agency has warned that the high price of “dream” activity to do while in the taking the train is putting off visitors getting UK, with viewing London from the out to see attractions outside of London. Shard or London Eye coming in sec- VisitBritain chair, Christopher Rodrigues, ond place. Visiting Edinburgh Castle said that regional tourism is suffering and came third on the list. that there was “still work to be done” to Long haul and emerging markets promote the country’s top attractions to have a tendency to stick to London, international tourists. whereas markets such as France He said: “We don’t have a good rail want to explore and venture out offering for visitors from abroad and that across the country. holds back tourists.” Read more: http://lei.sr?a=P4w7z Train prices are putting off international tourists Read more: http://lei.sr?a=v5F3t

26 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Do you have a credit licence? Here’s what you need to do now.

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QPR reveals plans for 40,000-seat stadium as part of area development

Queens Park Rangers Football Club has unveiled plans for a new 40,000-seater stadium as part of a major regeneration project in west London. The new scheme, which has been pro- visionally called New Queens Park, will see the stadium built alongside a new residential area with 24,000 homes and commercial space to include a 350-bed- room luxury hotel, studios, offices, cinemas and restaurants. The news follows London mayor Boris Johnson’s announcement that turning The new stadium will replace the Championship football club’s current Loftus Road ground Old Oak into a new world-class city quar- ter is to be one of his main regeneration “Not only will this give us a top qual- Tony Fernandes. “It will create a vibrant priorities for the city and that a Mayoral ity stadium to cater for QPR’s needs, but new destination in London, boosting local Development Corporation (MDC) – only the we are very excited about being the driving businesses, attracting new visitors and second after the Olympic Park develop- force behind creating one of the best new creating a thriving community.” ment – is to be set up to promote it. urban places in the world,” said QPR chair Read more: http://lei.sr?a=c6E3g

Lack of exercise policy is ‘child neglect’ says BJSM

A recently published editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) has highlighted a lack of UK policy aimed at increasing children’s exercise levels, with one of its co-authors suggesting such fail- ings amount to the government’s own definition of child neglect. The journal claims there has been a lack Newcastle United’s new training ground of action aimed at increasing levels of exer- cise among younger people, despite growing Newcastle United unveils evidence which shows the benefits of regu- plans for training complex lar exercise during our younger years. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=b5U3A BJSM says the government’s failure is ‘neglect’ Newcastle United Football Club has unveiled plans for a new state-of- the-art training complex as part of a multi-million pound redevelop- No change in people playing sport since London 2012 ment of the club’s existing 35-acre training ground site. There has been no change in the number While existing training pitches of people playing sport regularly since the and a modern indoor training hall London 2012 Olympic Games. will be retained, the club’s cur- 15.5 million people in England played rent training centre building will be sport at least once a week for 30 minutes demolished and replaced by a much during the 12 months to October 2013 – larger structure to accommodate the exact same figure as the year before. newly-designed changing, training, While there were increases in five rehabilitation, medical, leisure and Olympic sports – cycling, equestrian, box- catering facilities, plus a swimming ing, canoeing and archery – there was a pool and specialist equipment to sharp drop in the popularity of traditional aid injury prevention and recovery. sports such as football, tennis and netball. Read more: http://lei.sr?a=A3P4h 15.5 million people played sport over the year Read more: http://lei.sr?a=E4M6T

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 29 DESIGN NEWS

DESIGN NEWS

Lenny Kravitz, Zaha Hadid and an unusual indoor campsite

OThe resort was previously used by celebrities trying to escape the media’s glare

Project: Laucala Island Resort Design: Lynne Hunt London Location: Laucala Island, Fiji

Luxury island resort gets a makeover

The Laucala Island Resort in Fiji is currently being ‘refreshed’ by interior designer Lynne Hunt London, who was responsible for the original design alongside architect WATG and landscape architect Scape Design Associates. After being used for years as a private retreat and a secret hideaway for stars hoping to escape the paparazzi, the island – which is owned by Red Bull co-founder Dietrick Mateschitz – was opened to the public in 2008. The resort features 25 villas, fi ve restaurants and bars, a ONatural materials have been used throughout the resort golf course, a chapel, a culture and leisure centre and a spa. Hunt London is updating the interiors, which have been textured plaster onto which shells and bits of coral have inspired by the resort’s surroundings, with the colours of the been placed. The building construction is modelled after the ocean and the fl ora and fauna incorporated into the design. traditional wood and straw huts of the region. Other features include the jellyfi sh-shaped chandaliers Before being bought by Mateschitz, the island was designed by Hunt London and interior walls fi nished in a owned by publishing magnate Malcolm Forbes.

30 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Project: BaseCamp Bonn Design: Marion Seul Location: Bonn, Germany

The themes for the caravans include ‘Big Ben’ and ‘Flower Power’ German indoor campground launches

German hotelier Michael Schlösser has launched the appealingly eccentric BaseCamp Bonn, an ‘indoor campground hostel’ in a former storage facility in Bonn, Germany. The indoor campsite features 15 vintage caravans, two railway sleeper coaches and four US airstream trailers, as well as a former GDR train and several VW camper vans, providing a total of 120 beds. The caravans were designed by German tv and fi lm set designer Marion Seul, with each featuring a diff erent theme including furnished faux front lawns. Other features include deck chairs, rugs on the fl oor of the warehouse and a backdrop of a tropical beach. Prices range from E22 to E74 per night.

The hostel campground is housed in a 600sq m former warehouse

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 DESIGNDESIGN NEWS NEWS

BIG to design Montpellier museum

Copenhagen-based architectural – which are conceived as “sinuous Project: Cité du Corps Humain practice BIG has won an international membranes meandering across Design: BIG competition to design the new Cité the site” – are largely transparent, Location: Montpellier, France du Corps Humain (Museum of the allowing views out onto the park and Human Body) in Montpellier, France. the city. The roof of the museum will The 7,800sq m museum will explore The museum will be on the edge of be an ‘ergonomical garden’ – a mix the human body from scientifi c, Montpellier’s Charpak Park, and the of man made surfaces and plants artistic and societal perspectives architects have tried to use the design and grasses designed to help visitors through a range of cultural activities, to maximise visitors’ interactions explore their bodies. interactive exhibits, performances with the surrounding park and urban Construction will begin in 2016 and and workshops. landscape. The façades, for example the museum is due to open in 2018.

The louvres on the building’s façade change orientation as the sun moves

Project: Serpentine Sackler Gallery Design: Zaha Hadid Location: London, UK

Hadid’s Serpentine Sackler Gallery opens

The Serpentine Sackler Gallery, a £14.5m arts and gallery space designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, opened in London in the autumn. The Sackler is Hadid’s fi rst permanent structure to be created in central London and features OThe light and transparent extension complements the existing building 900 metres of exhibition space, a restaurant and room for socialising. through the largest single gift The building combines neo- The building is seven minutes’ walk received by the Serpentine in its 43 classical architecture with a from the main Serpentine Gallery. years of existence. transparent modern extension, Located in Kensington Gardens The project has been ongoing since which sees a continuation in the – in an 1805 gunpowder store – 2010, when the Serpentine won the partnership between the Serpentine the gallery honours Dr Mortimer tender from The Royal Parks to bring and Hadid. Both worked together and Dame Theresa Sackler, whose the Grade II listed building into public on the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion foundation made the project possible use for the fi rst time in its history. Commission in 2000.

32 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 OThe guest rooms are reminiscent of cabins on a luxury ocean liner

Project: Viceroy New York Design: Roman and Williams Location: New York, US

Viceroy New York opens

The Viceroy New York has opened in Manhattan, with 240 guest rooms spread across 29 stories. It also features two restaurants, a Technogym fi tness centre, an indoor pool and a library with a vintage bar serving cocktails. Design fi rm Roman and Williams were responsible for both the interior design and the architecture, and were inspired by glamorous 1920s era New York. Architectural details include over-scaled cast-glass bricks at street level and black muntined windows, referencing the area’s pre-war structures. Inside, luxury ocean liners were used as inspiration, with the guest rooms featuring iroko wood, brass and aluminium, and the Roof Lounge complete with leather sofas, brass details and photographs of sky, the sea and clouds. OThe exterior features glazed black bricks and steel

The hotel offers views of Central Park, which is just two blocks away

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 33 DESIGN NEWS

Project: Bisha Hotel Design: Rudy Wallman, Munge Leung, Lenny Kravitz Location: Toronto, Canada Lenny Kravitz to design fl oor at Bisha

Bisha Hotel and Residences, developed by Lifetime Developments and INK Entertainment, is under construction in Toronto, Canada. The 41-storey tower – part condominium and part hotel – is designed by architect Rudy “One of my passions is creating unique environments” – Lenny Kravitz SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/LEV RADIN Wallman, with interiors by Munge Leung. Lenny Kravitz’s Kravitz Design Inc was invited by Lifetime Development and INK Entertainment to design the upper fl oor of the hotel, which will feature opulent, glamourous interiors inspired by Kravitz’s music, art and international travel. The exterior will feature a dramatic glass and steel façade, which will contrast with the red brick cladding and stone trim of the original heritage building. It will house 334 condominium suites and 100 hotel rooms, and is due to open in 2016. OThe building’s rooftop will feature a bar, restaurant and infi nity pool

34 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 COMPANY PROFILE PROMOTION: RD HEALTH & SAFETY

LOCOG’s park operations team demonstrates how to deliver effective venue operations

LONDON 2012: LESSON LEARNT SERIES LOCOG managed the Olympic Park venues 18 months prior to the Games. Simon Adby, founding director of Active House Solutions 1 Leadership & Structure and consultant to RDHS Limited, was LOCOG’s venue operations 2 Preparing for Work manager for the Riverbank Arena. He explains how the team 3 Venue Operations created a simple and effective approach to venue management

Park Operations every activity and visitor within The completion within deadline its perimeter. It was a simple of all the Olympic Park venues approach that allowed each posed a slight problem; venues venue and area of the park to ready for use but no one to run operate safely during the fit- them! Step forward LOCOG’s out and strip-out work that took Jonathan Branson, head of park place either side of the Games. operations and his Olympic Park Operations (OPO) team. As the Legacy first representatives of LOCOG The London 2012 Games has to work on the Olympic Park, proved that a focused approach OPO were tasked with taking to accountability and respon- legal responsibility for the ven- sibility can be the backbone ues and park spaces following LOCOG managed some venues ahead of the Games to the operation of a very suc- their completion, starting with cessful sport and leisure the Velodrome in January 2011. environment. I’m sure there are Venue operations managers The LOCOG team created a more than a few of us begin- (of which I was one) managed simple approach that can now be ning to fear what lies in store each venue, employing widely at the 2014 World Cup, and recognised facility management adopted by the leisure industry you don’t have to look further solutions. Joe Ryan of RDHS than safety to understand what worked alongside the team helping to ations managers took control of those concerns are based on. implement venue operational plans everything within the venue’s perimeter. In a period of austerity that is pos- and risk-based health and safety man- Security procedures were implemented ing its financial challenges to leisure agement systems. directly after venue handover, while a operators up and down the UK, per- huge amount of time was invested in haps this could be the simple solution Stakeholder Management ensuring that all statutory and man- that will change the face of leisure Working in an environment congested datory venue operational processes management? It is a legacy of the with stakeholders, it would have been and procedures were established. 2012 Olympics that the industry now easy for the venues and OPO to be Contractors and visitors were allowed needs to take advantage of. overwhelmed by politics, bureaucracy onto site once a permit-to-access sys- and high-profile activities (dignitary vis- tem was implemented, which included Active House Solutions its, elite athlete training and publicity a comprehensive venue induction www.activehousesolutions.co.uk opportunities). By adopting a simple that covered all aspects of health and approach to prioritising ‘accountabil- safety, ensuring that the key messages ity and responsibility’ the team has were established from the outset. created an approach that can now be Contractors were only granted permis- adopted in the leisure industry. sion to work once satisfactory Risk Assessments and Method Statements Accountability and (RAMS) were granted. Essentially a Responsibility management framework was estab- RDHS, supplier of health and safety support services Being legally responsible for the ven- lished that gave each manager full (Olympic Park) to the London 2012 Games. ues during LOCOG’s period of tenancy control of their venue, allowing them For further information regarding services offered by it was imperative that the venue oper- to be accountable and responsible for RDHS, visit www.rdhealthandsafety.co.uk

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 35 PROFILE

NATHAN BLECHARCZYK

Since launching six years ago, online room renting scheme Airbnb has revolutionised the travel industry. Magali Robathan speaks to one of the founders to find out how they did it

t all started with two young Joe Gebbia and Brian designers renting out a couple Chesky decided to rent of airbeds on the floor of their out airbeds in their San spare room for a few days to Francisco apartment to help pay the rent. help pay the rent Today Airbnb – the service Ithat allows anyone to turn their spare room or home into a hotel – is a global business, operating in 34,000 way people view travel. It has also for each guest booking. The user is cities across 192 countries and offer- become the poster child for the bur- also charged service fees of between ing accommodation ranging from geoning sharing economy, which uses 6 per cent and 12 per cent, depending traditional houses and apartments to technology to bring buyers and sellers on the price of the booking. converted aeroplanes, historic castles, together to share access to everything river boats and treehouses. from homes and spare seats in cars HOW IT BEGAN The growth of the company has to electrical appliances and dog walk- The idea was born when Blecharczyk been phenomenal; in just six years ing services (as Brian Chesky said last moved out of the San Francisco apart- it has grown into a global business year, “There are 80 million power drills ment he shared with Joe Gebbia and with almost 500,000 rooms listed in America that are used an average Brian Chesky, and Gebbia and Chesky on its website. To put this into per- of 13 minutes. Does everyone really found themselves unable to pay the spective, Intercontinental Hotel Group need their own drill?”) rent. The pair were both designers, – the world’s biggest hotel group as of The company’s swift international and knew there was a design confer- January 2013 – has 675,000 rooms growth has brought challenges at ence coming to San Francisco, so they worldwide. Four million guests have times, with parts of the hotel industry decided to rent out their spare room. booked through the site since its seeing Airbnb as a threat, and lobbying “They were going to advertise it as a launch, and in early 2013, the company for a crackdown on people renting their bed and breakfast, but the room had was valued at a staggering $2.5bn. rooms, sometimes in contravention no bed, so instead they used airbeds “It’s incredibly exciting to be doing of local laws. But it shows no sign of and called it Airbedandbreakfast,” things on a global scale and to real- slowing down, with Asia being targeted says Blecharczyk (the name was ise that what you’re doing is not only for huge growth over the next year. shortened to Airbnb in 2009). They helping individuals but also creating The premise is simple – hosts get cobbled together a website and wel- a macro economic trend – the shar- to share their homes, connect with comed several guests into their home, ing economy. It’s just amazing to be other people from around the world cooking for them, giving them trans- changing the world,” says Nathan and make some extra money, while portation passes and passing on Blecharczyk, who co-founded Airbnb users get a more unique and personal details of their favourite restaurants along with his friends Joe Gebbia and experience than they would in a hotel. and places to visit in the area. Brian Chesky in 2008. Airbnb takes professional photos of The pair enjoyed the experience, but It’s a grandiose statement, but the properties, advertises them on its did nothing more about it until three Airbnb has certainly changed the travel website and deals with payments, and months later, when Blecharczyk left industry, and it has transformed the in return charges the host 3 per cent his job as an engineer, and the trio

36 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 THE EARLY DAYS WERE TOUGH.

WE TRIED TO RAISE MONEY, BUT

PEOPLE DIDN’T SEE WHAT WE SAW PROFILE: NATHAN BLECHARCZYK

decided to go into business together. From left to right, Airbnb the inventory and made the properties Airbedandbreakfast launched in founders Brian Chesky, Nathan look very attractive, they started getting August 2008. “It was all about being Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia, who bookings,” says Blecharczyk. “Once able to stay with another person and launched the company in 2008 they started getting bookings, they getting that very personal experience told their friends. Their friends signed – basically about recreating what tor that provides funding and advice for up as hosts and emulated the quality Joe and Brian offered to their first start up companies. This proved to be they saw on the site; meanwhile people guests,” says Blecharczyk. a very good decision. were coming from around the world to For the first few months, the three “We got some great advice from Paul New York and then going home. Often entrepreneurs worked from Gebbia Grahams [one of the founders of Y the guests would become hosts them- and Chesky’s apartment, struggling Combinator]. He encouraged us to go selves in their home towns. Right from to stay afloat. “The early days were and meet our users and build products the start, there was this international quite tough,” says Blecharczyk. “We to meet their needs,” says Blecharczyk. cross pollination going on.” financed part of the company through Over the next few months, they used At the start of the Y Combinator credit cards – we tried to raise money the funding from Y Combinator to fly programme, they drew up a revenue from angel investors and venture cap- to New York several times. “We only graph. Their goal was to get to $1,000 italists, but they didn’t see what we had about 25 users in New York at a week – what they termed ‘ramen saw. No one would give us any money.” that time, so it was a very managea- profitability’ (enough money to pay Desperate for funding, they bought ble number,” says Blecharczyk. They the rent and buy noodles). Revenue breakfast cereal in bulk, designed lim- took professional photos of their quickly increased, from around $200 ited edition packaging to tie in with the users’ properties, showed them how a week in January 2009, to $5,000 upcoming US election, and sold their to use the Airbnb website and listened a week by April 2009, and during Obama O’s and Capn McCain’s cereal to their feedback. “We basically built that period Greg McAdoo, a partner for $40 a box. This raised $30,000, a rapport with them – even inviting at Sequoia Capital, offered to invest but by the end of 2008 the company them out for drinks in the evening,” he $600,000 in the business. was still struggling and the trio were says. “We told them our story, so they From that point on, the company almost ready to quit. wanted us to succeed, and as a result grew rapidly, and in November 2010 As part of their last ditch attempt to they bought into the whole idea.” it raised $7.2 million in Series A fund- make the business a success, Gebbia, The trio also helped their users write ing from Greylock Partners, Sequoia Chesky and Blecharczyk agreed to better descriptions of their properties Capital and other angel investors. By take part in a programme called Y and gave them advice on what prices January 2011, it had had more than Combinator – a seed funding accelera- to charge. “Once we’d hand curated one million bookings; by the end of

38 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 THE SITUATION IN NEW YORK IS

FRUSTRATING, BUT THAT’S PART

OF DOING SOMETHING NEW

Airbnb has had problems in New York, where a user was fined for violating illegal hotel laws in 2013. The ruling was later overturned on appeal

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 39 PROFILE: NATHAN BLECHARCZYK

IT'S ABOUT STAYING WITH ANOTHER PERSON

AND GETTING A VERY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

2011 this had risen to four million, Airbnb’s website features some 1,000 rooms available free of charge and by June 2012 they’d had 10 mil- unusual rentals including this to people who needed them. lion bookings. In May 2011 the actor beachfront Airstream in Australia “It was so cool to be able to use Ashton Kutcher made a ‘significant (left) and Vermont treehouse (right) our platform for something that it was investment’ in the company and joined never intended for but which made a the team as a strategic advisor and Chip Conley, founder of Joie de Vivre real positive difference for people in in July 2011 the company raised a fur- Hospitality, as head of global hospital- a time of need.” ther $112m in funding. The money was ity. “He’s thinking about how we can used to expand into new countries, and give our hosts guidance and education TRICKY TIMES in 2012 Airbnb opened 11 new offices on hospitality; really set an example of There have also been a few hitches in cities including Barcelona, Paris, what great hospitality looks like,” says along the way. In 2010, a host’s house Milan, Moscow, Sydney and Delhi, and Blecharczyk. “We want to show them was vandalised and robbed. Back then, launched in nine new markets. the minimum expectations that peo- Airbnb didn’t offer insurance for hosts, ple have, and also share aspirational but recognising that security was a A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE standards – examples of people going vital issue for them, they introduced The Airbnb founders have always seen above and beyond. People are incred- the host guarantee property protection themselves as more than just accom- ibly motivated, but sometimes you programme, which insures hosts up modation providers, says Blecharczyk. need to be a bit more explicit about to $600,000. They have also worked “We want to provide experiences. what the possibilities are.” hard on security, introducing a veri- That’s done through the property itself One example of hosts going fied ID system in early 2013, which and through the host; through being in above and beyond happened during requires people to scan or photograph an area that’s not your typical tourist Hurricane Sandy in 2012. When the a piece of photo ID so that the com- neighbourhood, and being introduced hurricane hit New York, Blecharczyk pany can compare it to the information to local cafés and restaurants and and the team spotted a tweet from in their online identity, via their Airbnb, other people.” The website facilitates one of their users, who said she would Facebook or Linkedin profile. this, with each listing featuring detailed make her room available to anyone “The idea is that it’s easy to steal information about both the property who needed it, free of charge. “We someone’s online ID, and easy to steal and the host, as well as reviews from thought, wow, that’s really inspir- someone’s offline ID, but it’s very diffi- people who’ve stayed there. ing. I wonder how many other users cult to do both,” says Blecharczyk. Around a year and a half ago, the would be willing to do the same.” In some parts of the world there founders shifted their focus. “We real- Blecharczyk – who’s in charge of the have been calls for a crackdown on ised that a lot of what we’d done to company’s technical strategy – got the people renting out their homes for date was to invest in the website, team together, and they spent all night short stays without permits. New York which is really just there to help with working on the website so that people has been the most problematic mar- bookings. What really matters is the could list their properties for free. ket for the company – in early 2013 an offline experience,” says Blecharczyk. “We sent out an email to all our Airbnb host was accused of violating In order to help enhance the users’ users the following morning and within New York’s illegal hotel laws and fined experience, the company recently hired a couple of days there were around $2,400. This decision was reversed on

40 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Every Traveller Deserves a Home

Airbnb has launched its first ever major advertising campaign, using the idea of the ultimate travellers – migratory birds. Modern Retreat, Michigan City, US The campaign, called Every Traveller Deserves a Home, was created by advertising agency Pereira & O’Dell. The company commissioned a team of artists to create 50 birdhouses inspired by real Airbnb spaces. These birdhouses were on public display in New Orleans at Audubon Park’s Tree of Life during December. Provence Charming Caravan, Ventabren, France The campaign includes a short documentary-style film, which shows the birdhouses being made, and then ends with birds 'coming home' to them. It began running on tv, in cinemas and online in mid-December. Media partners include Travel Channel, Afar, Gawker, Huffington Post, BBC, Dwell, Brit + Co and Lonely Planet. Cheshire Cottage, Cheshire, UK

appeal, but the case has highlighted Association has backed them up, say- there,” says Blecharczyk. how complicated New York’s laws are ing that it would set a “dangerous I ask him what he does for fun, and (the gist being that it’s only legal to and harmful precedent,” allowing local he grins. “I love what we’re doing at rent out your home if you’re in it). governments to request information work – it’s totally thrilling,” he says, “It’s frustrating, but that’s part without any proof of wrongdoing. before adding that one of his favour- of doing something new,” says ite things to do is meet the hosts. The Blecharczyk. “Historically there have LOOKING AHEAD founders hold regular nights worldwide been rules for businesses and rules As well as educating hosts about hos- where they invite hosts to their office for people, and suddenly the line is pitality, another big focus for Airbnb is and talk to them about their experi- blurred between them. I think every- on developing the mobile experience ences with Airbnb. one is realising that there’s a good for users. “We’re really investing in “You realise you are impacting peo- thing happening, but in order to fully our iphone and android mobile applica- ple’s lives,” he says. accommodate it, some of these lines tions,” says Blecharczyk. “Our hosts Blecharczyk concludes with a story need to be redrawn and the rules often have full time jobs and are host- about a couple he met during one rethought through.” ing on the side, so we’re giving them of these events in Beijing. “They’d The New York Attorney General also tools to respond to messages, update adopted four children, who all had wants Airbnb users to pay hotel occu- calenders and accept reservations on complex medical needs. Last year, the pancy taxes, something which Airbnb the fly.” In November, the company father lost his job and they couldn’t has said it agrees with – Blecharczyk launched new apps on both iOS and afford the children’s medicine. They says the company would love to part- Android so that hosts can do everything decided to host travellers for Airbnb. ner with the city to make paying the they need to do while away from home. They told me that not only were they taxes easier for individuals. The found- The next year or so will see the com- making enough money to pay for the ers are less keen on the demands by pany targeting Asia, which is seen children’s needs, but they’d got the the Attorney General for information on as having huge potential for growth. whole family involved. They’d turned all 15,000 users who have rented out “We’ve had properties in Asia for a long it into a family activity, and an educa- their homes in New York. They argue time, but for the first time we have crit- tional, fun and constructive experience. that the demand is unreasonably ical mass and sustained growth and “That was a really awesome, warm broad, and lobbying group the Internet we’re going to continue to invest over and incredible story.” O

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 41 US CONCEPTS THE AMERICAN DREAM

From hip hotels to burger joints, we take a look at some of the US concepts taking the UK by storm London Edition

ip hotelier Ian Schrager returned to London for the first time in 15 years, with the opening of the London HEdition in Fitzrovia in September. It’s the first hotel Schrager has opened in the capital since Sanderson and St Martins Lane a decade and a half ago. “The London Edition is the next gen- The London Edition lobby (above). eration of lifestyle hotel; one that Schrager introduced the idea of has incredibly exciting visuals, great, making hotel lobbies a social space friendly, attractive and personalised service, exciting food and beverage concepts, and a unique vibe,” says period when it was transformed into Schrager. How did he create that the Berners Hotel. Modern additions unique atmosphere? “By just following include the huge Ingo Mauer polished my instincts and giving people what silver sphere light that hangs over the they want. It’s seeing things other peo- entrance, the Christian Liagre black ple don’t see… connecting the dots.” metal furniture and the Salvador Dali- It’s the second Edition Hotel, a inspired floor lamps. brand Schrager conceived in a part- Schrager created the legendary nership with Marriott International (the Studio 54 nightclub in the 1970s with first opened in Istanbul in February his late business partner Steve Rubell. 2011). Further Edition hotels are Ian Schrager is back in the UK They went on to launch the Palladium planned for Miami Beach in 2014; Abu nightclub in the 1980s, before introduc- Dhabi, New York, Gurgaon in India and ing the concept of the boutique hotel Sanya in China in 2015; and Bangkok tessential London private gentleman’s with the opening of Morgans Hotel in and Shanghai in 2016. club’. The Georgian building was orig- 1984. Schrager opened many other “I think of my hotels as an extension inally built in 1835 as five separate influential hotels, as well as his ‘urban of me,” says Schrager. “They aspire to townhouses, which were combined resorts’ the Delano Hotel in Miami and complete simplicity and purity, devoid to form the Berners Hotel in 1908. Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. of all artifice and contrivance.” Some of the original Georgian fea- As well as the Edition Hotels, The 173-room London Edition was tures remain, while the interiors Schrager is also working on a second apparently inspired by the ‘traditional include Grade II listed examples of hotel brand, PUBLIC, which offers inno- English country manor and the quin- Belle Epoque architecture from the vative design at reasonable rates.

42 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Berners Tavern is a dramatic space (this picture). The muted guest rooms (below)

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 US CONCEPTS

The bar was designed by Martin Brudnizki and features a wooden bar and a roaring fire

Operators are finding that it’s important to offer emotional support to those wanting to lose weight

the location’s culture, history and Rosewood Hotels geography. “Rosewood London is a milestone addition to our portfolio; not ltra luxury’ hotel only as it’s in a major European capital, management company but because the legacy of the historic Rosewood Hotels, which is building itself is a true representation based in Dallas, US, has of our A Sense of Place philosophy,” ‘Ucome to Europe for the first time with he says. “We are delighted to intro- the opening of the Rosewood London. duce a classic and one-of-a-kind hotel The grade II listed Belle Epoque to our Rosewood guests.” building in High Holborn, which pre- Rosewood Hotels & Resorts was viously housed the Chancery Court founded in 1979 by Caroline Rose Hotel, underwent an £85m ($130m) Hunt, the daughter of oil tycoon HL renovation before opening as the Hunt. Rosewood’s first hotel, The Rosewood London in October. Mansion on Turtle Creek – a restored The hotel has 262 guestrooms and Rosewood president Radha Arora historic Texas mansion – opened 44 suites, the Mirror Room restaurant, in Dallas in 1980. Today, the group a bar, a Sense spa and a fitness suite. has 18 hotels and resorts in eight The Holborn Delicatessen and the including the Grade II listed street countries, including the Carlyle, A Holborn Dining Room are due to open frontage and dome, and the grand Rosewood Hotel in New York and in February 2014. Pavonazzo marble staircase which Rosewood Tucker’s Point in Bermuda. The rooms, event spaces and pub- rises up through all seven storeys of Rosewood launched its spa lic areas have been designed by Tony the hotel beneath the 166-foot cupola. brand, Sense, in 2007, with the first Chi and Associates while the bar was Guests arrive at the hotel via a car- spa opening in 2008 at Rosewood designed by Martin Brudnizki. One of riageway which leads to a courtyard. Mayakoba in Mexico. the hotel’s suites, the Grand Manor According to Rosewood Hotels & The company plans to continue to House Wing, is accessed by a private Resorts president Radha Arora, the roll out the Rosewood brand, with elevator, has its own street entrance, Rosewood London fits in perfectly with particular focus on Asia and Europe, and even its own postcode. Rosewood’s ‘A Sense of Place®’ phi- doubling its current portfolio within five The building’s original architectural losophy, meaning that the hotels in the years. The next Rosewood is due to features have been carefully restored, portfolio should reflect and celebrate open in Beijing in early 2014.

44 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Balthazar London is modelled closely on the original Balthazar in NYC. The food has been tweaked slightly for the UK market

Balthazar

lthough he’s actually originally Garden, which has been converted into stemmed from “spending a few years from London, Keith McNally a Parisien-style brasserie by Method as a deadbeat in Paris,” and when he is such an entrenched part Architects and New York interior returned to New York he opened the of the New York dining scene designers Grayling Design. Balthazar French-style bistro Cafe Luxembourg, Awe thought we had to include him. Boulangerie sits next door. where he gave River Cafe founder More than 35 years after he moved McNally moved to New York in 1975, Rose Gray her first kitchen job. to New York, where he made a name where he worked as a bus boy and He followed that up with caviar bar for himself as one of the city’s hippest later a maitre d’ while looking for act- Pravda, then Balthazar in 1997, and restaurateurs, McNally returned to ing jobs (he started his career as a has since opened Pastis, Schiller’s, the UK to open Balthazar London with stage and film actor). In 1980, he Morandi, Minetta Tavern and Pulino’s, Richard Caring in February 2013. opened his own restaurant, Odeon, all in New York City. Balthazar London is modelled on the with his then wife Lynn Wagenknecht. In 2011, McNally decided to move original Balthazar, in Manhattan, New McNally moved to France in the back to London. He teamed up with York, which McNally opened in 1997. late 1980s to make his second fea- Richard Caring, and they started build- It serves traditional French bistro food ture film, Far From Berlin. In his own ing Balthazar restaurant and Balthazar in the old Theatre Museum in Covent words, his interest in French food Boulangerie in January 2012.

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 45 US CONCEPTS

London-based Universal Design Studio designed the hotel’s funky, minimalist interior

Ace Hotels “Alex Calderwood had an insatiable appetite for culture rguably America’s funkiest and people, and always hotel brand hit British wanted to remain fresh and shores in September, when Ace Hotels opened its first innovative. He loved new Alex Calderwood AEuropean site in London’s Shoreditch. died on 14 Nov things and new ideas” The fifth hotel to open in the bou- tique chain, the 258-bed Shoreditch site comprises the usual Ace ingre- artists, musicians and entrepreneurs. shop, Hattie Fox, and a coffee shop, dients: vintage and re-purposed Portland was launched in 2007 and Square Mile Roasters. furniture, flea market curios, original included some of the details now syn- Tragically, on 14 November, Alex artwork and retro touches, such as onymous with the brand. This was Calderwood was found dead at the vinyl and turntables in the bedrooms. followed by a 170-bed hotel with a Shoreditch hotel, six weeks after its Revo radios with Ace-curated radio pool in Palm Springs and a hotel in launch. Aged 47, Calderwood’s death stations are standard and some of New York in 2009. The American Trade was sudden and unexpected. The the better rooms even have acoustic Hotel in Panama opened in December industry has lost an original and vision- Martin guitars as part of the furniture. 2013 and Ace Hotel Downtown Los ary individual, who undoubtedly would The aim was to create rooms that feel Angeles opens in January. have continued to surprise and delight. like a friend’s Shoreditch apartment. All the hotels are quirky and eclec- Kelly Sawdon, executive vice presi- The über cool brand has been tic, and each have their own identity, dent of Ace Hotel, said of him: “Alex curated and nurtured by Alex which is rooted in the history of the loved and embraced change. He had Calderwood. Prior to joining the hotel building and location. an insatiable appetite for culture and industry, Calderwood co-founded In Shoreditch, the company collab- people and always wanted to remain a chain of barber shops in Seattle, orated with Olympic torch designers innovative and fresh. He loved col- before being offered the lease on a Universal Design Studio to create a laborating because he saw it as an 28-bed flophouse in the city. property that reflects the area’s cre- opportunity to tweak his ideas. Calderwood recognised there was ative pedigree. Materials relevant to “He loved new things and new ideas a shortage of thoughtfully designed, the area were chosen, such as dark and surrounded himself with people authentic and affordable hotels and engineering brick, cast bronze and gal- who felt the same way. When discuss- set out to create one. The Seattle vanized steel. Artist Max Lamb was ing changes within the Atelier Ace hotel, which was a collaboration with commissioned to design the bar clad- recently he said, ‘You don’t know what designer Eric Hentz, launched in 1999, ding, bar stools and cocktail tables. is on the other side but that is the offering a hotel experience with style The Shoreditch hotel features an excitement of life ... It will be different and shared bathrooms. It aimed to be English modernist brasserie, Hoi Polloi, and great.’ He was one of a kind and a clean, minimalist haven for travelling and the lobby is home to a flower will be greatly missed.”

46 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Shake Shack

hake Shack crossed the pond to open its first ever UK burger joint in Covent Garden in London in the summer. SShake Shack started life as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in Manhattan, New York in 2001, cre- ated by New York restaurateur Danny Meyer to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installa- tion. The popular cart opened for three summers in the park, until in 2004, Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Danny Meyer (right) and Randy Garutti (left) in Covent Garden Group opened a permanent kiosk in the park, serving burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, shakes, beer and wine. Moscow at the start of 2014. Group runs a range of New York res- Despite the popularity of the first “It’s the modern version of the old taurants including Union Square Cafe, restaurant, Danny Meyer and the American roadside burger stands, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Smoke, Jazz founders resisted opening another which started in the 1950s and 1960s Standard, The Modern, North End Grill Shake Shack for several years, argu- and which were community gather- and Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 at MoMA. ing that the DNA of his company was ing places,” says Randy Garutti CEO Shake Shack in Covent Garden based on doing one of a kind restau- of Shake Shack. “Over time, though, opened in May 2013, serving rants. In 2010 he finally opened a America really ruined fast food – it just Aberdeen Angus burgers, fries, cum- second and third Shake Shack in the became about how fast and efficient it berland sausage hot dogs, St John Theatre District and the Upper East could be, and about using the lowest bakery brownies, and the company’s Side in New York, and a further res- quality ingredients. famous frozen custard. taurant on Miami Beach. Today they “We’re a fine dining restaurant com- There are no plans at present to have 21 restaurants in the US, and 13 pany – we’ve been running New York’s open more Shake Shacks in the UK. outside of the US – 10 in the Middle favourite restaurants for 28 years – “Our goal is to make this Shake Shack East, two in Istanbul, Turkey, and the so we took that understanding and great,” says Garutti. “If that happens, new Covent Garden restaurant. The applied it to burgers, fries and shakes.” we believe there is a lot of opportunity next Shake Shack is due to open in Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality in the UK, throughout the UK.”

in July 2013. A second store opened Five Guys in Reading just two months later, fol- lowed by a third in Islington, London in un by Jerry and Janie Murrell November. The Murrells and Dunstone and their five sons, the Five have big plans for the UK, with 10 new Guys chain started as a outlets planned every three months burger restaurant in Arlington, across the country. RVirginia, which opened in 1986. Today The UK represents Five Guys’ first there are more than 1,000 Five Guys foray outside the US. The company restaurants, and the chain counts now has more than 1,000 restaurants Barack Obama as one of its fans. and more than 1,500 in development. Five Guys teamed up with Carphone The Murrell family started offer- Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone, ing franchise opportunities in Virginia who co-owns the UK franchise, to bring Five Guys sells premium burgers in 2002, before offering them to the the chain to Covent Garden, London rest of the US in 2003. O

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 47 ARCHITECT FOCUS

Q The aquarium is on the island of Amager, around 10km from central Copenhagen KIM HERFORTH NIELSEN

Denmark's iconic new national aquarium, The Blue Planet, has won awards for its design. 3XN's Kim Herforth Nielsen tells Kathleen Whyman how the project took shape

Can you describe the design? plates, known as shingles, which Our inspiration for the design was resemble the scales of a fish. water. We worked for seven weeks on the competition and spent the first What’s the internal design? five weeks coming up with the right The inside is the same shape as the concept. We eventually decided on outside. We have used light on the the idea of shaping the building like a walls and ceiling to simulate reflec- whirlpool, pulling people into a world tions, and have used sound to add to beneath the surface of the sea. the feeling of being underwater. As it’s located next to Copenhagen Visitors come into a circular foyer Airport, people look down on the roof in the centre of the building, then when they land and take off, so how choose which river, lake or ocean to it looks from above is very important. explore in the aquarium. From a distance, the building has the Attractions include a large hot same propeller shape that a whirlpool water tank for the tropical fish and the has, but it's an abstract shape that sharks, with a tunnel where visitors takes on other images, such as that of can walk through the water. a whale, when you get nearer. Most of the areas are fairly dark, as Q Kim Herforth Nielsen is founder and The façade is covered with small the only light comes from the aquar- principal of Danish design firm 3XN diamond-shaped raw aluminium iums, but there’s a lot of light in

48 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Q Instead of dividing the upstairs into two rooms using partitions, the architects created a cinema pod

Q The interior design aims to create the impression that visitors are under the sea

the tropical Amazonian forest area. had two years to do the drawings and Visitors can walk under the forest and tendering and then two years to build. look into the water to see the pira- It’s been a very smooth process. The nhas and other fi sh. date for the opening was 21 March 2013 because it was the fi rst day of What was your original brief? the Easter holidays and the Queen of To create an interesting, iconic building Denmark came to open the aquarium. for the sea elements. We won because We couldn’t really be late for her. we had a very clear story about what we wanted the building to be – it’s not What were the biggest just a big home for fi sh. design challenges? The operators wanted to be able to There are 53 aquariums and displays, extend the building by at least 30 per containing seven million litres of water cent in the future, as at some point and 20,000 sea animals. Also, there’s they will build a large tank for whales. so much technology in the building and With our whirlpool shape, they can just as many square metres underneath add on to it as much as they want to and on top of the public spaces, which because it never ends. are laboratories for cleaning the water We won the bid four years ago, so and preparing it. It was a big challenge Q The sea animals have been it’s been quite a speedy process. We to contain all this within the building. sourced from around the world

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 49 Q The shape of the aquarium resembles a giant whirlpool

Q The aquarium features 20,000 sea animals and 450 species

50 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Q The exterior is clad in aluminium shingles that bring to mind fi sh scales

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 51 ARCHITECT FOCUS

Q The story of the sea is told through the animals, the staff and digital displays

I'm particularly proud of how fl exible and unusual the shape is. We borrowed the whirlpool shape from nature and there's a reason nature makes its shapes the way it does

So much has been done to get the of the Faro Islands’ bird cliff, which is What have been the animals' environments right. We’ve home to many birds including puffi ns, construction challenges? worked with specialists AAT Advanced while siki sharks, halibuts and catfi sh Because the building’s a morph Aquarium Technologies to ensure they swim in the sea beneath. There are shape, we couldn’t put any radius or have the correct lighting, amount of also outdoor play areas for children, diameters into it, so there’s no rep- water and sized tanks. picnic sites and a pond. etition in the shape. We tried many Another diffi culty is that it’s a very Bushes have been planted around different building methods before we aggressive environment with salt water the car park, so in time the cars settled on a fairly traditional method and damp, so it was diffi cult to make won’t be visible. The building is lifted of creating a few frames that have a construction that could be upstand- up from the landscaping around, to the outside shape, in the same way a ing and sustainable for a long time, ensure it gets all the focus. wooden boat is built. We then clad it both inside and out. The building is on with the aluminium shingles. the tip of the water, and in winter it’s What materials did you use? freezing and very windy, so it was a The building is clad with raw alumin- What are you most proud of? challenging place to build in. ium shingles, which refl ect the sky in I’m particularly proud of how fl exible the same way water does. When you and unusual the shape is and how it What’s in the outdoor areas? see the building from the air it looks takes up all the different challenges. The design didn’t stop with the build- white because it refl ects the sunlight. We borrowed the whirlpool shape from ing – it spread to the outside. Moe & From ground level it’s the colour of nature and there’s a reason nature Brødsgaard designed the overall plan- the sky. In the evening it becomes yel- makes its shapes the way it does. ning and layout of the external areas. low with the sunset. Nature is very fl exible. The building extends beyond the origi- Inside the building we used very A good building needs a good client. nal coastline, so visitors can look out simple concrete and plaster in dark The foundation that sponsored the across the sea from inside the aquar- grey so that the surroundings don’t aquarium has been really collaborative ium. There’s a lake with carps and sea compete with the aquariums – the and professional. That’s why this pro- lions and a 15m (49ft)-high display focus should be on the fi sh. ject has been a success. O

52 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 OCEAN TANK AFRICA’S LAKES AMAZONAS

THE COLD WATERS

CORAL REEFS

FAROE ISLANDS SEA LION

BLUE PLANET ZONES The content – from the tropics to the poles

OCEAN TANK The largest aquarium is a four million- litre basin hosting hammerhead sharks, rays, moray eels and hundreds of small fi sh. Visitors can experience the animals at close range through a 16m- (52ft)-long acrylic tunnel below the water and from a 16m x 8m (52ft x 26ft) amphitheatre.

AFRICA’S LAKES Showcasing the diversity of life in Africa’s greatest lakes – Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi. The aquariums’ Q The coral reef is protected from predators by invisible walls granite rock, sand, and canoes have been selected and collected in Africa. In addition to colourful fi sh, visitors can FAROE ISLANDS hall. As well as free-fl ying birds and see dwarf crocodiles, sump turtles and A 15m (49ft)-high Faroe Islands’ bird cliff butterfl ies, the rainforest hall has four the big Nile crocodile. display is home to puffi ns, siki sharks, large aquariums, which house giga halibuts and catfi sh. arapaimas, red tailed catfi sh and a CORAL REEFS cousin to the piranha, the omnivorous This huge aquarium displays colourful SEA LION pacu. Europe’s largest colony of 3,000 fi shes of many species living in and by the A lake features carp and sea lions, which piranhas inhabit the area close to the corals. The animals are separated into can be viewed both inside and outside. great waterfall. four aquariums, which are invisible to the human eye. In the centre are the living AMAZONAS THE COLD WATERS corals, on either sides are coral-eating The world’s longest river, the Amazon, Sea animals from cold environments fi sh and at the back are reef predators, holds an incredible variety of wildlife, around the planet are featured, including such as bass, Napoleon fi sh and sharks. which is on display in the large rainforest a school of herring.

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 53 TOURISM

G R E E N S H OO T S

Millions of European travellers returned to the market in 2013, according to recent research by PhoCusWright. Analyst Marcello Gasdia talks us through the fi ndings

inally, the on travel – consumers in What do you consider to be the European Germany spent an aver- most interesting fi ndings from the economy is age of E206 more on European Consumer Travel Report? F starting to holidays in 2013 ver- The most powerful thing that we look pick up, and sus 2012, and spending at when we’re trying to take the pulse consumers who skipped among UK travellers of a market is travel incidence. We their holidays when jumped E283. In France, take a sample of the adult consumer times were tough are however, where trip population aged 18 and over, and feeling confi dent enough spend lags the other two measure how many took at least one to return to the market. markets, annual house- overnight leisure trip 100km away According to a recent report by hold leisure travel spend dropped from home that included at least one travel industry research authority slightly year-on-year. night paid lodging or a fl ight. PhoCusWright, a leisure travel When choosing how to spend Nine times out of 10, as you can recovery is underway in France, their discretionary income, consum- imagine, those who don’t take a trip Germany and the UK. ers in all three markets report that aren’t travelling because they can’t The share of adults who took they prioritise holidays over a wide afford to. So when you’re looking at a at least one holiday over the past range of recreational goods and ser- population, the percentage of adults year jumped four per cent in France vices, including dining and nightlife, who can afford a trip away is very tell- (to 70 per cent) and Germany (to entertainment and sports, fashion, ing as a barometer of the economic 72 per cent) compared to 2012. and electronics. health of that country. In the UK, the share increased Here PhoCusWright analyst Macro-economic trends are taking three points to reach 78 per cent. Marcello Gasdia takes a look at the a slight turn for the better, with some Europeans are also spending more report’s fi ndings in more detail. stating that the recession is over. The SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/NIKOLAI TSVETKOV

A leisure travel recovery is underway in France, Germany and the UK

The number of people taking a trip that includes a fl ight or paid lodging is on the up

54 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Domestic travel is popular in France, with travellers often staying with family

picture still isn’t rosy, of course, but The UK leisure traveller Recently, Asia Pacific surged past things are starting to pick up. I wasn’t Europe to become the world’s largest sure whether that would show up in is paving the way in terms regional travel market in 2012, with my data, but it did. of technology adoption US$326bn in gross travel bookings. The percentage of adults in each of the three markets (France, Germany What do you expect from 2014 and the UK) who took at least one France is rebounding as well, albeit in terms of travel behaviour? leisure trip increased by 2 or 3 or 4 at a slower pace. French travellers I wouldn’t expect another year of percentage points. The traveller pool often stay with friends or family, so strong European growth like we saw (adults who took at least one leisure domestic travel is popular. It’s a in 2013. Things improved a lot during SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/VIACHESLAV LOPATIN SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/VIACHESLAV trip) grew from 75 per cent to 78 per unique market. You don’t have to go the year, and if that holds, the indus- cent in the UK, 68 per cent to 72 per far in France to find a great destina- try will be in good shape. cent in Germany and from 66 per cent tion. What’s interesting about UK to 70 per cent in France. consumers is that they put a really What are the main trends driving Those don’t sound like dramatic high prioritity on travel and tourism. consumers at the moment? changes, but when you branch that 3 Overall, travel incidence in the UK Compared to other European mar- per cent across the adult population, climbed up by three per cent, which is kets, the UK leisure traveller is paving it means that millions of travellers great, and we hope for more next year. the way in terms of technology adop- are returning back to the traveller tion. They are a bit savvier in terms of pool. We’re heading back towards How does this compare to the US? shopping for hotels and flights on their pre-recessionary levels. In the US, leisure travel incidence has tablets and smartphones. Germany is been a bit more stagnant, remaining in lagging a bit further back, with France Can you talk through the the low 60s (per cent) since the reces- somewhere in the middle. findings for France, Germany sion. Recovery is taking a bit longer in We’re also seeing online shop- and the UK in more detail? the US; it’s going to be a long road. pers take on more and more complex Travellers took slightly fewer trips, but shopping routines. Not only are overall, trips were longer. Fewer took Which markets are performing best more people shopping on the web quick, cheap weekend trips, and trips in terms of travel at the moment? each year, but more people are also of one or two weeks represented a Europe is looking much healthier than accessing interactive maps, pro- larger part of the whole, which repre- the US. Almost four in 10 US adults fessional photography, ratings and sents a sign of health. skipped vacations in 2012. We’ve reviews, professional videos and Germany shows the strongest been waiting for that to figure grow, incorporating social media. rebound. German consumers don’t but it hasn’t happened yet. Other eco- travel very often, but they take really nomic indicators, like retail spending, What drives you? long trips. They go further than travel- are showing improvement in the US, The ability to turn human behaviour lers in the UK and France, they spend but I think there’s going to be a lag in into a data set, and then explore that more and they buy complex holidays. terms of leisure travel. data set to see what makes us tick. O

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 55 TOURISM “If voluntourists are not experiencing discomfort I am not doing my job”

DAVID CLEMMONS

’ve never had an beings, the cutbacks in interview almost Tropical diseases, cold showers and social investment on the part fall through outbreaks of war... it’s all part of the of governments and the fact Ibecause the that communities must fend interviewee was suffering job for VolunTourism.org founder David for themselves to a greater from a tropical disease, degree in the face of global but David Clemmons walks Clemmons, as he tells Kath Hudson climate change, increases the walk as well as talks in population, and greater the talk. He says that strains on natural resources.” discomfort among his recruits is one not glamorous. Tourism is part of it, Voluntourists do both voluntary ser- of the indicators of the success of but being of service comes fi rst. “The vice and travel and tourism-related a project. Clearly a man who faces experiences can be raw: cold showers, activities while at a destination. Trips down hardship and who regards nasty if at all, lots of insects, sickness of var- last one to two weeks and involve diseases as part of the job, he did the ious kinds and lengthy transfers from voluntourists working with a local com- interview from his sickbed. one destination to another,” he says. munity on something of importance to It took a while to track Clemmons “If voluntourists are not experiencing its residents. Participants fund the trip down in the fi rst place; he was in discomfort I’m not doing my job.” themselves and the local community Bolivia “in the fi eld” with no telephone With its primary role being educa- makes a contribution of labour, over- access, looking to set up some project tion, VolunTourism.org was set up sight, materials or supplies to bring opportunities, as well as formalising a 10 years ago in response to global the project to fruition. voluntourism institute in Latin America. changes, which Clemmons says According to Clemmons, one of A few projects are in the pipeline in threaten to derail the self-serving and the main challenges in setting up the Bolivia, including at a village near San self-indulgent travel industry. organisation was the backlash from Javier, where a resident has proposed “The tourism industry has, for many traditional thinkers who “wanted to constructing cabanas to host voluntour- years, built a niche within destinations shield volunteerism’s purity from the ists, as well as building a bridge across by distancing itself from the socio-eco- one-sided profi t-seeking modality of the Rio Arriva and developing a ‘beach’ nomic, political and environmental tourism.” Clemmons, however, strongly to enjoy the river. Another potential challenges of a destination, instead believed there was a need for an project involves dinosaur fossil preser- highlighting the sun/sand side,” he organisation that could educate 21st vation and conservation. says. “This approach is no longer sus- century travellers trying to navigate It all sounds rather exciting, but tainable in a world that is becoming their way through a host of ethical con- Clemmons stresses voluntourism is ever aware of the limitations of human umdrums, including global climate

56 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 The group visited New Delhi in India

Terri Wingham

CASE STUDY FRESH CHAPTER ALLIANCE FOUNDATION, INDIA

he Fresh Chapter Alliance Foundation believes that after T trudging through treatment, cancer survivors deserve an opportunity to believe in big dreams again. From 16 February to 2 March 2013, the Fresh Chapter Alliance Foundation (www.afreshchapter.com) partnered with Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS) to pilot a programme for 12 cancer survivors from A trip to the Taj Mahal was part of the experience across North America, to travel to New Delhi, India. The programme incorporated many depressed areas or providing an had the chance to watch the sun rising volunteer work, cultural activities, and a extra set of hands to serve meals at special over the Taj Mahal. bucket-list worthy trip to the Taj Mahal. needs schools, each survivor discovered The programme was designed to give While in India, CCS matched each a renewed sense of purpose by acting as participants a renewed sense of purpose. participant with a local community pro- a volunteer and a cancer ambassador in The Fresh Chapter Alliance plans to bring ject. Whether helping wash fl oors at communities where cancer is often veiled more cancer survivors to India and Africa. Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying & the in shame, secrecy, and stigma. Thanks to a “We continue to change the world - one Destitute, participating in English lessons partnership with adventure travel company, survivor at a time,” says Fresh Chapter at a school for children in one of Delhi’s G Adventures, each of the participants also Alliance founder Terri Wingham.

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 57 TOURISM

I suppose we all have our essential duty to IXOºOOLQlife. This Happens To Be MINE

Ritz-Carlton launched its Give Back Getaways voluntourism programme in 2008

change; social, economic, and educa- CASE STUDY tion. Partners include: Big Cat Habitat tional disparity; human rights abuses; in Sarasota, USA; Vivarium: Place overpopulation; religious fundamental- THE RITZ-CARLTON of Life in Wolfsburg, Germany; Blue ism and radicalism; and natural and GIVE BACK GETAWAYS Iguana Recovery program in Grand man-made disasters. Cayman, Cayman Islands; Sea Turtle Over the past 10 years, the organi- ngage, inspire and contribute. 911 in Sanya, China; Malama Ke Aina in sation has undertaken research and These are the guiding principles Kapalua, Maui; and Battery Urban Farm E of The Ritz-Carlton Give Back in New York, USA. sparked debate through workshops, seminars, conference presenta- Getaways programme, launched All Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts tions and the website. The 2009 in 2008. Guests staying at Ritz- offer Give Back Getaways, with the Voluntourism Survey brought voluntour- Carlton hotels and resorts are invited to frequency of the experiences varying ism to the public’s attention, and this participate in half-day volunteer projects by location. Some are available daily, research has been augmented with which are unique to the destination and while others may be weekly, monthly additional research from academics. make a lasting contribution. or seasonal. The only requirement to Clemmons liaises with communi- The programme appeals to a broad participate in Give Back Getaways is ties, NGOs, tourism professionals, demographic including families, hon- enthusiasm to take part. There are academics, students and public sec- eymooners and seniors - and feedback some age limitations for participating tor representatives, explaining what highlights the fact that the opportu- children but otherwise the programme is voluntourism has become and where nity makes travellers’ trips personally available to any interested guests. it’s headed. He also hunts down pro- enriching and much more memorable. Details and a list of the range of Give ject options and works with the pilot Projects are unique to the desti- Back Getaways can be round at http:// voluntourists to discover how they nation and support the mission of corporate.ritzcarlton.com/en/About/ have responded to the experience and the community partner organisa- GiveBackGetaways.htm whether it would be possible to engage groups to come to that location. Currently based in Bolivia, ply closed their doors. Voluntourism, ple one: keep plugging along.” Clemmons had to relocate from Jordan which requires investment on the part So is there an upside? Emphatically, because of the outbreak out of war in of the tourism sector, could not thrive yes, says Clemmons. The destinations Syria. “We had spent months working under such conditions.” are exciting, exhilarating, of incredi- on a plan to develop a robust vol- Asked about his own motivation, ble interest with multi-cultural, historic, untourism initiative in Jordan, when Clemmons needs to think hard: “I sup- geographic, and environmental won- war broke out in Syria. There were pose we all have our essential duty ders with which to engage and explore. already challenges due to the Arab to fulfi l in life. This happens to be “Most important is the response from Spring, however when the violence in mine.” And what has been the highest communities,” he says. Syria broke out, it was obvious trav- point? “There hasn’t been a high- “With numerous interactions occur- ellers would be unlikely to come to est high associated with our work at ring in a given setting, the feedback the region,” he says. “The tourism VolunTourism.org,” he says. “Our work from communities can truly tell us how industry in Jordan could not maintain is never done, and quite often repre- successful these efforts are being in itself under such pressures; a number sents a series of thankless tasks built the minds and hearts of those who of operators went bankrupt or sim- upon one another. Our motto is a sim- are most directly impacted.” O

58 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Voluntourists work with locals and also take part in tourism activities

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 59 ATTRACTIONS

PROBLEM SOLVING IN PROGRESS

SOLUTION UNDERWAY Beautiful Minds

The founders of the New York Museum of Mathematics tell Rhianon Howells how they’re on a mission to get ordinary people to fall in love with maths

n the subject of “We’re just trying to show the face of mathematics, Glen mathematics that people would natu- Whitney and Cindy rally want to engage with.” Lawrence, co-founders With MoMath’s visitors for year one and executive directors topping 173,000 (massively exceeding of the Museum of the projected 68,000), Whitney and OMathematics (MoMath) in New York Lawrence are clearly doing something City, are surprisingly lyrical – they talk right. Here, they talk about chang- less about formulae, theorems and ing public perceptions, the dangers of proofs than they do about beauty and ‘maths illiteracy’ and what’s next for Glen Whitney (left) and Cindy wonder, excitement and falling in love. North America’s only math’s museum. Lawrence (right) teamed up to create Yet despite this undisguised passion, the Museum of Mathematics they’re the fi rst to admit that maths How was the idea for has an image problem. MoMath born? “Math is too often presented as a whereas to say ‘I’m not a math person’ Glen Whitney (GW): For about 20 cookbook of recipes to memorise, and is almost a badge of honour.” years, there was a tiny math museum it’s really a cultural problem,” says Through MoMath, which celebrated on Long Island. I went along, and Lawrence, a certifi ed public account- its fi rst anniversary in December, it was sort of run down, but I had a ant (CPA) who spent 16 years as Whitney and Lawrence have made great time. I thought nothing of it until national editor for CPA education pro- it their mission to turn this common I started coaching the math club at vider Becker, and runs a programme perception of maths as diffi cult and my daughter’s elementary school. I for gifted maths students in her spare dull on its head. was talking to some teachers when time. “If I go to a party and get into a “We’re not trying to shame any- the topic of the museum came up conversation about what I do, people one,” says Whitney, a Harvard- and and I found out it had closed down. I are not ashamed to say, ‘I’m terrible UCLA-educated mathematics profes- thought perhaps this was an oppor- at math.’ If I said I was an author, no sor and former quantitative analyst for tunity to create an institution with a one would say, ‘I’m a terrible writer,’ hedge fund Renaissance Technologies. similar fl avour and feel, but a little bit

60 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 String Product is the museum’s centrepiece. The 23-foot-tall paraboloid fills the central staircase and teaches visitors about multiplication All of the exhibits were designed for MoMath. These include the Square-Wheeled Trike (top right) and Rhythms of Life (second from top left) GOOGLE GRANTS

Among MoMath’s major sponsors 50,000 hours and $1bn in prod- ing non-profit organisations in the was Google, which donated $2m to ucts to good causes. These countries where Google is based. the museum in 2011. In total, the range from Global Impact Awards Community initiatives sup- internet giant awarded $12m to – focused on education and com- ported by Google include the seven science centres across the puter science; the environment; Roberta Initiative in Germany, US and the UK in the same period. development; and empowering which aims to get children inter- Each year, through its charitable women and girls – to Community ested in robotics; the restoration arm, Google Giving, the com- Impact Awards, covering not only of Bletchley Park in the UK; and pany donates $100m in grants, disaster relief but also deserv- The High Line in New York City.

more of an ambitious mission. the country and be a sort of proof of sunk into a knotty problem and you Cindy Lawrence (CL): I had also vis- concept for us. Out of that came the want to know the solution. And when ited that museum with my family before Math Midway, which has been travel- you get it, the pieces fit together con- I met Glen. Then our daughters became ling the country without a break since ceptually in your brain – or physically in friends. One day, Glen was picking up June 2009, and was in fact an excel- the case of a puzzle – and you have a his daughter from my house when he lent proof of concept. We had 3,000 new perspective: you look at the world asked if I’d ever heard of this museum. to 4,000 people show up on the first in a slightly different way than you did I said, “Sure, I love that museum!” And day... So it really showed us, and before that moment. he said, “Well, it is no more.” showed people considering investing In the next breath he said, “But I’m in the project, that it had legs. Which exhibit or exhibits best sum going to open another math museum.” up what you’re trying to achieve? And I said, “Wow, if you need any help The museum cost $23m. How CL: What people miss about mathe- with that let me know!”… I thought, easy was it to raise the money? matics is that it has a lot of depth: you “What fun!” In my career I didn’t do GW: I don’t know that raising money might not like long division, but that anything focused on math, then sud- is ever easy! You have to get people doesn’t mean there isn’t some part of denly here was this project that to share your passion and vision, get math that can speak to you. And there sounded like all play and no work. them excited, and try to meet as many are concepts in math that can speak people as possible. We were fortunate to people at different levels. For me, What’s the aim of the museum? that our vision, and the fact that we’re the exhibit that best exemplifies that is GW: Our mission is to change public the only institution of our kind in North String Product. It’s a giant paraboloid – perceptions of mathematics and share America, resonated with some people. a paraboloid is the curve you get when its evolving, creative, dynamic, beau- you throw a ball in the air – rotated to tiful nature. These are not words that What are the most popular make a long bowl; it has lots of strings people associate with mathematics, exhibits in the museum? running through it and when you press but they give a much better description CL: The one that’s got the lion’s share numbered buttons they light up. of what it really is than the ones most of attention is the Square-Wheeled A toddler will press the buttons and people would use. Trike. It’s just such a surprising thing. get the sense that numbers are fun. We all know square wheels don’t roll. Slightly older children will notice that Before MoMath, you launched So the fact that mathematics can when they press 5 and 6, the string a touring exhibition called the teach you to create a track on which a connecting them happens to cross the Math Midway. Tell us about that square wheel will roll just as smoothly centre point at 30 – so they realise CL: We got together a group of sym- as a round wheel does on a flat sur- they’re looking at something beautiful pathetic people and started having face is shocking to people, and they that somehow conveys the multipli- monthly meetings. Then Glen met will line up for the opportunity to try it cation table. Kids who have finished someone involved with the World out for themselves. algebra and know a little bit about Science Festival in New York City, who Another is the Enigma Café, a puzzle geometry can sit down with the equa- said we could have a booth, and I vol- area that’s designed to feel like a café. tion of a paraboloid and the equation unteered to spearhead that initiative. I It’s amazing how many people gather of a line and work out why that has thought I’d be sitting at a table hand- in there and how long they spend. to happen. And even mathematicians ing out brochures, but Glen’s vision GW: One of the reasons we wanted who see the exhibit and didn’t know was to build an exhibit that would have the Enigma Café is that for folks to get about that property are delighted by it. a life beyond the festival, that would into mathematics, puzzles are one of GW: The exhibit that comes to mind travel to other science centres around the biggest hooks. You get your teeth is the Human Tree. A camera picks

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 63 The Human Tree exhibit allows visitors to become a work of fractal art

up your image and projects it onto a drawings and a little storyline for each see patterns emerging. Then I’d get screen, but replaces your arms with a exhibit and go out to companies that glimpses of the reasons for these smaller picture of you, and the arms might be able to build it. structures and that would open up of that smaller picture with yet another Some got thrown out because they new vistas. I discovered that it was picture of you, and so on, producing a were too expensive, others because all really quite beautiful. Plus, I was in pattern known as a fractal – a pattern the fabricator had no idea how to do it a community of peers who were just which is similar to itself on a smaller – but what one company would say was as excited by it as I was. So I fell in scale. There’s a whole rich landscape impossible, another would say, “Oh, love with math, and have been in love of fractals you can make just by varying that? Yes, we can do that.” with it ever since. the angles and length of your arms. GW: We ended up with eight differ- CL: I enjoyed math as soon as soon Some of the key elements we use ent contractors, when the advice was to as I realised it was something you to draw people in and show them the have two or three. Managing all those could understand rather than just mem- beauty and creativity of mathematics different providers was a challenge. orise, but it was a wonderful calculus are right there: it’s visually beautiful, teacher in high school who really made you see surprising patterns and you’re Who or what made you love maths? me feel that it could be beautiful. engaged with your entire body. GW: When I was in grade school, I didn’t like math. I found it came fairly Can you give some examples of What was the biggest challenge easily to me and I got good grades, how we use maths in everyday life? of opening the museum? but I had no enthusiasm for it. Then CL: Just trying to work out the most CL: We’re one of the only science cen- one summer my parents sent me to efficient order of all the errands you tres I know of that has opened with a math camp. The very first weekend need to do is very mathematical. all its exhibits designed completely I broke my collarbone playing soccer, I need to go to the grocery store, from scratch. That was both a joy and and from that point on I couldn’t do the post office and the bank, and stop a challenge. We had ideas contrib- much apart from work on the problems off at the school to pick up a child – uted from mathematicians around the set in our daily math classes. what order should I do that in? You’re world, so our first challenge was whit- Somehow this answer would line using mathematics when you make tling those down. Then we’d create up with that answer and I started to those calculations in your mind.

64 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Clockwise from top right: maths helps people recognise the ginko tree; visitors touch the coloured spheres to make music; the learning continues outside

GW: Yes! Companies like FedEx pay What common mathematical 10,000 that actually has the disease. mathematicians good money to figure mistakes do people make? So people do have difficulty under- out exactly that: what is the most effi- GW: There are certain aspects of math standing probabilities and it can lead cient route from A to B. that people are naturally quite adept to errors of judgement. It’s called the CL: Glen does math tours that at, but there are other areas where our base rate fallacy. underscore the fact that math is all intuition leads us astray. One of the around us: in the timing of a traffic most notorious is assessing risks and What’s next for MoMath? light, the way the subway runs… We probabilities. An important example is CL: We’re working on a number of pro- have a place that sells ice cream in medicine, when you have a routine gramme ideas right now, so we’re shakes near the museum that has screening for a rare condition and you back in fundraising mode. For exam- very long lines and Glen has taken get a positive result. You ask, “How ple, there’s a lot of interest in having a people there to talk about queuing reliable is this test?” and the doctor math and music concert series here. theory, or he’ll talk about the math in says, “Well, it’s 99 per cent accurate: GW: We’re also commissioning our the way certain plants grow. 99 per cent of the time, if it says you first new exhibits since we opened. GW: The gingko tree is a good exam- have the disease, you have the dis- One is entitled Motion Scape and will ple. It’s a tree you see fairly often in ease.” So you immediately think, “Oh help visitors better understand the New York City and one that everyone is no, there’s a 99 per cent chance I relationship between position, veloc- able to recognise at a glance, though have this disease!” ity and acceleration. The other is a they don’t really know why. But that’s not at all the case. If the dramatic lobby piece. It turns out that it’s because, unlike disease has a frequency of only 1 in most other trees, all of the junctions 10,000 in the population at large, it’s What drives you? of its branches are right angles. It’s actually extremely likely that you’ve got GW: The opportunity to share the not something most people realise, a false positive, just because the origi- beauty and wonder of mathematics. but when you have it pointed out to nal disease is so unlikely. Even though CL: The excitement of coming up you, you say, aha, there it is! It’s the only 1 per cent of positives are false with ideas, then the absolute pleasure geometry of the tree that gives you the positives, it’s much more likely that of watching kids and adults enjoy the ability to recognise it. you’re that one in 100 than the one in things we have created. O

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 65 ARCHITECTURE For more details see www.worldarchitecturefestival.com

GRAND DESIGNS Some of the world’s most iconic new buildings were celebrated at the recent World Architecture Festival Awards. We take a look at a few of the winners PHOTO: FRANCES-JONES MOREHEN THORP AND ARCHIMEDIA World Building of the Year Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, New Zealand Frances-Jones Morehen Thorp and Archimedia

The Auckland Art Gallery features ‘tree like’ cano- Toi o Tamaki, which opened pies that were inspired by in September 2011, is an the nearby pohutukawa extensive public project that trees. These canopies includes the restoration cover the forecourt, atrium and adaption of heritage and gallery areas. buildings; a new building Paul Finch, director of the extension which more than World Architecture Festival, doubles the public exhibition said the building won areas; extensive basement because it transends vari- storage and support areas; ous categories. “It explores and the redesign of adjacent the relationship between areas of Albert Park. new and old, it is a civic The design creates an and community building, openness and transparency it is a display building, it to allow views through, into engages with the difference and out of the gallery circu- between man-made and nat- lation and display spaces ural, it deals with art and into the green landscape science, and it is certainly The canopies are made from wood panels of Albert Park. The building about culture,” he said.

Landscape Project of the Year The Australian Garden, Australia Taylor Cullity Lethlean

The Australian Garden is experiences. The judges a new botanic garden in said, “This garden brilliantly

PHOTO: TAYLOR CULLITY LETHLEAN PHOTO: TAYLOR Cranbourne, on the site of summarises the great vari- a former sand quarry. The ety of Australian fl ora as garden showcases 170,000 well as the large part of the plants across 1,700 spe- country which is arid desert. cies, all adapted to the This landscape stood out challenging site conditions, with its strong evocation using the Australian land- of Australian identity with- scape as inspiration to out having to use any signs create a sequence of sculp- – just the beautiful fl ora of The Australian Garden is set across 15 hectares tural and artistic landscape Australia’s countryside.”

66 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 PHOTOS: CONCRETE LETHLEAN

Bright colours were used throughout

The Bankside hotel is close to the Tate Modern

Hotel/Leisure CitizenM Bankside, London, UK Concrete

CitizenM Bankside opened door living room and which in London’s Southwark in brings light into the rooms July 2012, the fourth hotel and the public areas. from the Dutch hotel group The judges said of the citizenM. The hotel features project, “The questions a courtyard – the first for a asked by the designers led citizenM hotel – which has to a process that has amaz- The central courtyard provides an urban oasis been designed as an out- ing immediacy.”

Display The Blue Planet, Denmark PHOTOS: 3XN 3NX

Denmark’s new national minium shingles, which aquarium, the Blue Planet, adapt to the building’s form. opened in March 2013 near The judges were par- Copenhagen. Designed ticularly impressed by the by 3NX (see Architects entrance experience and Focus p50), it is shaped the sculptural form. They like a giant whirlpool and said, “It deals success- is located on an elevated fully with the site and finds headland, north of Kastrup opportunity where there is Harbor. The façade is cov- little context. It overcomes ered with more than 33,000 significant engineering and The shingles reflect the sky and the water small diamond-shaped alu- technical challenges.”

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 67 ARCHITECTURE PHOTO: WILKINSON EYRE Sport Splashpoint Leisure Centre, UK Wilkinson Eyre Architects

The £17.9m Splashpoint space for other activities. Leisure Centre opened in The fluid design was cho- Worthing, West Sussex in sen to represent the idea May 2013. Designed by of water, while the build- Wilkinson Eyre Architects, ing’s sawtooth roof recalls the centre’s facilities the dunes that lead to the include a 25m competition coast. The judges praised pool, a combined learner/ the sensitive breakdown of diving pool, an indoor lei- external massing to match sure pool with rapids, the scale of Worthing’s flumes and an outdoor pad- Regency terraces. They dling pool, a spa area, a said, “There is a lovely use health and fitness centre, of clerestories to allow light café, crèche and flexible into the main pool spaces.” The large windows allow lots of natural light in PHOTO: FARRELLS

Future Projects Masterplanning The scheme has been granted outline planning permission Earls Court Masterplan, UK Farrells

Farrells’ proposals for Earls Court & West Kensington work space, education and spaces as have existed Court in west London are Opportunity Area into a new community facilities, and a in London for many years. based on the belief that urban district. new destination for leisure Rather than trying to create urban developments should The Earls Court and culture. a different kind of typology, blend in with existing urban Masterplan will create four The judges said, “The which could have been done settings and become thriv- urban villages and a 21st design takes cognizance of in a project of this scale, ing, vibrant neighbourhoods century high street. The the urban fabric of London the design shows continuity, in their own right. The mas- design will provide sustain- and connects the districts deep-rooted design infer- terplan design proposes the able urban living comprising on either side through simi- ences and is a sustainable transformation of the Earls new homes, offices, hotels, lar planning principles and role model.”

68 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 PHOTO: AECOM, DP ARCHITECTS AND ARUP ASSOCIATES PHOTO: AECOM,

The stadium will host a wide range of events

Future Projects Leisure-Led Development Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore Singapore Sports Hub Design Team (AECOM, DP Architects and Arup Associates)

In 2014, Singapore will cel- Sports Hub will provide a the Sports Halls – have The judges said, ebrate the opening of Asia’s wide range of sporting, com- been designed as flexible “Singapore Sports Hub first integrated sports, lei- munity, retail, recreational multi-sport venues, support- won this category due to sure, entertainment and and leisure spaces within ing a wide variety of events. its exemplary masterplan- lifestyle destination – the easy reach of the city cen- The stadium itself will ning vision, engineering, Singapore Sports Hub. tre and international airport. be the first in the world solutions and handling of Located on a 35 hectare The main buildings – the designed to host athletics, diverse programme scales waterfront site close to National Stadium, the football, rugby and cricket to generate an important the heart of Singapore, the Aquatic Centre (AQC) and all in one venue. new addition to Singapore.” PHOTO: COX RAYNER ARCHITECTS RAYNER PHOTO: COX

Future Project of the Year The museum will highlight China’s maritime history National Maritime Museum, China Cox Rayner Architects

Brisbane-based Cox Rayner design consists of a central The fifth hall will house pub- design evokes a strong Architects’ project won the hall with five hall structures lic education, research and sense of the maritime expe- competition to design a radiating out from it: Hall of curatorial facilities. rience. It brings together new 80,000sq m National Nature and Oceans; World The judges said, “The pro- vast collections of elements Maritime Museum in the Maritime Civilisation Hall; ject demonstrates a strong of China’s rich maritime his- port city of Tianjin, near Chinese Marine Culture Hall; conceptual clarity. In its tory and offers references to Beijing, in April 2013. The and Historic Vessel Hall. response to the sea, the global maritime cultures.” O

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 69 LEISURE & CULTURE CREATIVE THINKING

Floating football pitches and a ski slope on the roof of a factory – just two of the ideas that demonstrate Copenhagen’s creative approach. Leisure and culture Mayor Pia Allerslev tells us more

t’s cool, quirky and green, with a city council that has a reputation for saying yes instead of no to ambitious new projects. The past few years have seen Copenhagen’s council clean up Ithe once polluted harbour and build harbour baths, featuring a series of pools for people to swim in. The nearby Blue Planet aquarium, opened in March 2013, has thrown a spotlight on the area, as have the hit series The Killing and Borgen, both filmed in the city. Copenhagen’s Noma was voted the world’s best restaurant for three years in a row, and its found- ers have spearheaded a new culinary movement, promoting Nordic cuisine in Denmark and around the world. Its green agenda is an inspiration for other cities worldwide, with plans Pia Allerslev has been Copenhagen’s in place for Copenhagen to become Mayor for Culture and Leisure the world’s first CO2 neutral capi- Administration since January 2008 tal by 2025. And it’s seen as one of

Europe’s most bike-friendly cities, with PHOTO: SIF MEINCKE 55 per cent of Copenhageners cycling 1.2 million kilometres daily. It has 400 have led to a significant improvement sporting and cultural events, with kilometres of well-designed bike lanes in the quality of life for the residents the Iron Man competition and the and a comprehensive municipal bicy- of the Danish capital. Eurovision Song Contest just two of the cle policy aiming to get even more Future projects include the opening events taking place in the city next year. Copenhageners on their bikes. of a major new arena in 2015 and a The local government of Copenhagen All this adds up to a content pop- new metro system set to open in 2018. consists of a governing body, the city ulation – the Danes are the world’s A pioneering waste to energy plant is council, which has seven mayors, happiest people, according to currently under construction, and fund- each with a responsibility for a differ- Columbia University’s 2013 World ing is being sought to build a ski resort ent area. Here Pia Allerslev, Mayor for Happiness Report, and a study by – designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) Culture and Leisure Administration Green Growth Leaders has shown – on the plant’s roof. And Copenhagen since 2008, talks about her plans to that Copenhagen’s green ambitions is attracting more and more major make the city even more vibrant.

70 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Clockwise from top right: cyclists in the city, the Ironman contest, Noma, people jumping in the harbour PHOTOS: FLICKR – STEVEN VANCE, WINDY_, CLAUS TOM, LAISSEZ FARE CLAUS TOM, WINDY_, PHOTOS: FLICKR – STEVEN VANCE,

PIA ALLERSLEV Copenhagen, whether you are a tourist, this isn’t the best place for your event, Mayor, Culture and Leisure, a student or you live here permanently. but if you try this other location you should get permission’. That’s been Copenhagen City Council Has it changed much since a big change. We invite people to be you became Mayor? active and to create their own events What is your vision for leisure When I became Mayor, six years ago, as part of living in Copenhagen. and cu1lture in the city? it was very difficult to get permission For me, it’s very important that to hold events in Copenhagen’s parks, What’s your favourite thing Copenhagen is an open, active and squares and open spaces. Now it has about Copenhagen? vibrant city, where you can always become very easy; the people who It’s the people and the feeling you get find something to do. It has to be grant permissions have gone from say- when you walk around it. It’s a warm, very easy to have a fantastic life in ing no to everything, to saying, ‘maybe open, vibrant and safe city. It’s also

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 71 LEISURE & CULTURE PHOTO: FLICKR – GIÅM

The UCI Road Cycling World Championships were held in Copenhagen in 2011 quite small, so you can walk or bike ient because we had to shut down What will the opening of around Copenhagen very easily. the whole inner circle of the city for Copenhagen Arena mean for three days. We turned it into a fan- the city and its residents? The council has a reputation for tastic experience for everyone though. I have been really focused on the saying yes to ambitious projects. Has Copenhageners had a chance to ride new Copenhagen Arena [see below this been a conscious decision? on the track themselves, and to watch for more information], which is due to Yes. If you want to have a fantastic the event from the first row in their open by the start of 2016. city, you have to be brave and take own city. We turned the experience It’s so important for our city to chances. For instance, when we into something really positive. be able to host bigger concerts and held the UCI Road Cycling World For me it’s very important that if events, which are currently going to Championships here in 2011, it was a we want Copenhagen to be this open, other countries or occasionally to other big risk for us. A lot of Copenhageners vibrant and cool city, we have to walk parts of Denmark. It will be a big bene- thought that the event was going to the walk. We must be able to say yes fit for the city. It will bring lots of people be rather annoying and inconven- to varied and big events. here, and hopefully they will stay for a

COPENHAGEN TO GET A NEW ARENA

Architectural practice 3XN are respon- sible for the design of the Copenhagen Arena, a new multi-million euro sports, music and culture indoor arena being developed in Ørestad South, a few kil- ometres outside of Copenhagen’s city centre. It is due to open in 2015. 3XN won a design competition for the The Copenhagen Arena is due to open in the third quarter of 2015 arena in 2012, with a flexible design that could be used to host a wide range of It will also feature large foyer areas and have each made available DKK 325m music and sporting events. The develop- space for cafés, restaurants and bars. (E43.6m, £37.8m) for the project with ment team includes sports and venue 3XN created a wave-like semi-trans- the rest of the money coming from com- specialists from AECOM, HKS Architects, parent façade that allows people on the mercially backed funding. Arup, ME Engineers and Planit. outside to catch glimpses of the activi- The arena will be able to host events The 35,000 sq m (376,736sq ft) ties within. The ‘waves’ lift up slightly and championships for sports such as facility will have a capacity of 12,500 above the entrances of the Arena, help- ice hockey, handball and table tennis. In spectators for sporting events such as ing visitors to navigate the venue easily. addition, it will be constructed to hold handball matches and a 15,000 seated The City of Copenhagen and strate- concerts and cultural events such as and standing capacity for concerts. gic philanthropic association Realdania Disney on Ice and Cirque du Soleil.

72 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 BIG’S WASTE TO ENERGY SKI SLOPE PROJECT

We reported on the highly innova- tive mixed use waste to energy plant back in 2011 (LM Q1 2011). The pro- ject is the brainchild of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), who decided that Copenhagen’s new waste to energy factory should be more than just a Coloured smoke rings will functional facility generating energy for be released every time one the city – it should also be an iconic tonne of CO2 is collected landmark, and should incorporate rec- reational facilities for locals. The result was a design for one of the world’s cleanest waste to energy project. The incinerator, which will burn The idea is that an external lift plants, with an artificial ski slope on the city’s rubbish to generate electric- will take visitors to an observation its roof, a visitor centre and surround- ity, will replace the city’s 40 year old platform at the top of the building, ing parklands, a green façade planted Amagerforbraending energy plant, and offering views over Copenhagen. They with foliage and a chimney blowing col- is due for completion in 2016. At 100m will be able to ski down the roof on a oured smoke rings. high, it will be one of Copenhagen’s recycled synthetic surface, and a visi- It all seemed to go quiet for a while, tallest buildings, meaning it could sup- tor centre will teach them about the and there were fears the plan might port a 500m-long ski slope aimed at workings of the plant. In order to dem- have been scrapped, but the waste to different levels of ability. The plant will onstrate the energy usage of the city, energy plant broke ground in March supply 97 per cent of Copenhagen’s the smokestack will release smoke 2013, and funding is currently being homes with heating, and around 4,000 rings into the air each time one tonne sought for the ski slope element of the people with electricity. of carbon dioxide is collected.

few extra days and bring life to our city, PHOTOS: FLICKR – CLAUS TOM winter time when it’s freezing and restaurants, hotels and shops. the harbour is covered in ice, you still see Copenhageners jumping into the What impact has the opening water. During the summer, they are of the Blue Planet aquarium extremely popular. They are open all had on Copenhagen? day and they’re free – people can use The Blue Planet isn’t actually in the them as they would use our parks and city of Copenhagen – it’s on the open spaces. I really want to have a island of Amager, around 10km from few more harbour baths, because we the city centre. It’s a fantastic place want all Copenhageners to have easy and a fantastic landmark, and is access to our clean and safe water. important for us because it’s one of the attractions of the area. We are What events are taking proud of having it in our area, but we place in Copenhagen over can’t take any credit for it. the next 12 months? The Eurovision Song Contest will be tak- Have you been involved in Bjarke The Iron Man competition took place ing place in May 2014 in Copenhagen. Ingel’s plans to build a ski slope in Copenhagen in August 2013 We are already preparing for it and on the roof of Copehagen’s building a whole new venue for it. We’re new waste to energy plant? What impact have the harbour trying to include Copenhageners as Yes, I have. Work has started on the baths had on the city? much as we can. We’ll have a huge waste to energy plant and we are try- Back in 2002 we cleaned up the har- party and try to make it as good as ing to find the funding to create the ski bour [by modernising the sewage they did in Sweden. slope on the roof and turn this fantas- system]. Once it was clean, we decided We will also be hosting the Iron tic project into a reality. that instead of people just looking at Man competition in August 2014. It’s We have to build the waste to the harbour and thinking about how one of my favourite events – we held energy plant anyway, so why not try clean the water was, we should allow it here for the first time in August to incorporate a recreational area into them to actually swim in it. 2013. It takes place right in the cen- it? Everyone thinks it’s a fantastic We built four harbour baths, and the tre of the city, and is really fantastic, idea and I’m sure we’ll find the fund- first opened in 2002 – two of them with lots of participants and specta- ing to make it a reality. are open all year round. During the tors and a great atmosphere.

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 73 LEISURE & CULTURE

The Kalvebod Bølge promenade opened in August 2013, providing space for a range of water activities including kayaking

What are your main aims rooftops to create basketball courts on, how they plan to make them as sus- over the next year or two? and also with the company in charge of tainable as possible. My main aim is to continue to attract the harbour to see if we could create a We need to be even better at big events to Copenhagen, but also to floating football pitch on the water. They creating more green areas for make the city even more accessible. have done it in Singapore [in Marina Copenhageners to use for sport and When you come here as a tourist you Bay] and it really works. recreation. The harbour baths are a should have the feeling that it’s a very good example of how we try to com- open place that’s easy to get around. How does Copenhagen’s climate bine the sustainable with the liveable. We also need to build more sports action plan influence what you do? facilities. We have a lack of facilities, We have to be very sure, when we Are there plans to make the and we need to be creative because we hold big events, that they are being city even more bike friendly? don’t have much space left. Right now run in a sustainable way. When people Fifty per cent of Copenhageners travel I’m trying to negotiate with private com- ask for permission to hold big events by bike every day, which is amazing, panies to see if I could buy or rent their in the city, they have to explain to us but we want even more people to cycle. PHOTOS: FLICKR – CYCLONEBILL THE NORDIC CUISINE new ways of using traditional Nordic food products and combining local self suffi- MOVEMENT ciency with regional sharing of products. It’s fair to say that Meyer and Redzepi The growing Nordic Cuisine Movement know a thing or two about food – since was born in Copenhagen in 2004, when opening in 2003, Noma has won two Claus Meyer and René Redzepi, founder Michelin stars and was voted the world’s and chef/manager of Copenhagen res- best restaurant by Restaurant magazine taurant Noma respectively, invited chefs for three years in a row (it was knocked and food professionals from all over off the top spot in 2013, but still came Norway to discuss Nordic cuisine. During in a very respectable second place after the symposium, the attendees developed El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain). the New Nordic Kitchen Manifesto and The effects of this movement can be the Nordic Cuisine Movement was born. seen in many restaurants, but also in The Nordic Cuisine Movement revolves Danish home cooking – people became around the idea of using seasonal Nordic inspired to cook local dishes instead produce, promoting animal welfare and Michelin-starred restaurant Noma of southern European food, which had sound production methods, developing champions the Nordic Cuisine Movement become a staple of the country.

74 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013

PHOTOS: WWW.MAXTOMASINELLI.COM

Sensors capture environmental data, allowing cyclists to plan healthier journeys

EASIER CYCLING WITH THE COPENHAGEN WHEEL

The developers behind the Copenhagen get that figure even higher by removing need a bit of a boost on long journeys Wheel were inspired by a desire to get some of the barriers to cycling. or up hills. The wheel is controlled via more people cycling in Copenhagen. The Copenhagen Wheel transforms smart phone, which can be used to lock Despite the fact that Copenhagen has bicycles into hybrid electric bikes with and unlock the bike, change gears and a high percentage of cylists, that num- built in sensors that provide feedback on choose when to use the electric motor. ber has remained static for a long time. pollution, congestion and road conditions Sensors in the wheel also capture data A team of students at the SENSEable in real time. It works by allowing cyclists about how many calories are being burnt, City Lab, MIT, in the US developed the to capture the energy dissipated from road conditions, pollution levels, temper- Copenhagen Wheel in order to try and cycling and braking and use it when they ature and humidity.

We have a history of good designers, architects and creative people in Copenhagen. We are trying to educate our children and students to continue being creative

It’s a fantastic way of getting around, continue being creative, and are try- like Borgen and The Killing. I’ve worked it’s sustainable and it’s great exercise. ing to ensure they have the space and very hard on bringing the film founda- Every year we add new bike lanes or opportunity to be creative and develop tion to life in Copenhagen. new additions to make the city more their ideas. Last year we invested E3m bike friendly. We have 400km of bike into supporting a number of projects What are the biggest challenges for lanes – it’s very important for us that in the creative industries including the leisure and culture in Copenhagen? people can get around easily by bike. Copenhagen Cooking and Interactive The greatest challenge is also one of We are also talking to the big truck Denmark festivals and the establish- the greatest things about Copenhagen companies about making cycling safer. ment of Eucroma, a new international – we get around 1,000 new inhabit- cross-media school. ants every month moving to the city. The people of Copenhagen have a We have just launched a They all need a place to live and some- reputation of being very creative. Copenhagen Film Fund and are trying where to send their kids to school, but Why do you think this is? to attract as many international film they also need places where they can We have a history of good design- productions as we can. It’s part of tell- be active and enjoy culture. We need ers, architects and creative people ing the story of Copenhagen and of to build new facilities and think about here in the city. We are trying to edu- the Danish film tradition and the rep- how we can keep these people from cate our children and students to utation we have right now for series leaving. It’s a big challenge. O

76 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2013 The Energy Desk The power behind ENERGY

BEATING THE MARKET

cross the UK we're becom- ing increasingly aware of Energy price rises are affecting energy price rises. While us all, but there are some clever A news reports have focused on price hikes for domestic ways of keeping costs down, says consumers, it's a similar picture for commercial energy users. the Energy Desk's Luther Kelly There are a variety of energy con- servation measures that can help keep energy bills down by minimising The trick to playing the market lies of contract you want to utilise in buy- electricity and gas use. However the in fi nding the right contract to suit your ing your electricity and gas. truth is that these resources are, and operations. Energy use varies from So what contracts are available to always will be, an essential part of our business to business depending on a commercial users? There are a lot of utility bills. With this in mind we are multitude of factors. No matter what variations available, making it possible faced with a challenge – fi nding ways factors impact your energy use, the cor- for businesses to fi nd the best fi t for to be super savvy when buying energy nerstone of all procurement is knowing them. There are fi xed options that help in order to avoid paying through the how much electricity and gas you need those that need close budget manage- nose for this costly commodity. and then deciding how to buy it. ment by allowing them to lock into a Average industrial electricity Take for example a parent company set price for their contract duration, or prices, excluding green taxes, rose that has 10 leisure complexes in its fl exible contracts for those who have a by four per cent in 2013 compared estate, each of which has an annual greater appetite for risk. with 2012, and we are now facing electricity consumption of 1,000,000 an increase of approximately 20 per kWh. The company will need to pur- FIXED CONTRACTS cent in wholesale prices by 2015. So chase at least 10,000,000 kWh to We’ll start with a fi xed contract. This the problem isn’t going to go away. keep all 10 facilities running for one option allows you to lock into a set However, the glimmer of hope in year. Obviously there are other, more price, which you'll pay for the duration this news is that although prices will complex considerations to take into of your contract. If your contract begins increase overall, there will be fl uctu- account, such as potential expansion, when the market is low then you obvi- ations along the way and if you buy but all energy procurement starts with ously benefi t from a good rate, which smart, you can strike when the mar- a baseline of energy required per year. won’t increase when the market prices ket is at its most fi nancially attractive. Then comes the question of which type for electricity or gas go up. This type of contract comes in different forms and your choice will depend on just how much budget certainty you want. Fixed contracts give you a set unit price for your electricity or gas and once this is locked in, it won’t change. What will change, however, are the additional charges that make up 25 per cent of your bill. These are the distribution network charges and an assortment of green taxes, which will go up despite your contract being fi xed. That's where a fully fi xed contract comes in – a variant of the fi xed con- tract that includes the benefi t of a fi xed unit price for electricity and gas, Energy makes up around 30 per cent of the running costs for a typical sports centre with the added advantage of fi xed net- work charges, taxes and levies. The

78 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2014 It's important to look at renewing energy contracts early in order to get the best deal

UTILITY CONNECTIONS Ask TED, The Energy Desk’s specialist help desk, answers your questions

How do I know if a fi xed or have agents who handle this process and lock into an electricity or gas unit fl exible contract is best for me? on their behalf. Flexible contracts can rate at the best time. This depends on how much appetite for only work to your benefi t if you know risk you have. Fixed contracts are more what the market is doing at all times Should I choose a fi xed or suited to those who need a high degree so that you can strike when electricity fully-fi xed contract? of budget certainty and fl exible contracts and gas prices are low. These are two quite different options are for those who will take the risk of so it’s important to know which one playing the wholesale market. There are If I choose a fi xed contract, how do you're going for, as this will impact your benefi ts of both type of contract but ulti- I make sure I get a good price? budget for energy bills. With a fi xed mately you want to fi nd the one that will The trick in all energy procurement is contract you will get a set electricity give your business the best price. shopping around and this is why you or gas price but the additional charges are best off starting the process as on your bill won’t necessarily stay the How do I manage a fl exible contract? early as 12 months before your current same. Fully-fi xed is the most budget- A fl exible contract will, unlike a fi xed contract ends. This will give you the friendly option, through which you have contract, require a lot of management, time and space to tender as many pro- a fi xed energy price, with all additional and for this reason many companies viders as possible to get the best price charges also staying the same.

obvious advantage here is that you tricity and gas prices by allowing you The rising cost of energy is a real have full budget certainty and know to trade your consumption against the concern, and we shouldn't be compla- what you’re going to be paying for the wholesale market when prices are low. cent. Energy makes up approximately entire contract duration. The disad- Budget certainty is not as strong with 30 per cent of the running costs for a vantage is that even if you lock into a these contracts but the advantage lies typical sports centre (according to the good rate, you don’t have the freedom in your freedom to take advantage of Carbon Trust), so make sure you're to change this rate if the wholesale the market at its lowest. thinking ahead and getting a deal that price for energy goes down. Separating good and bad energy best fi ts your needs. O contracts can be an arduous pro- FLEXIBLE CONTRACTS cess, but the main thing to remember This is where the fl exible option comes is not to start this process too late. Luther Kelly is business in – a contract that allows for greater Renewing your energy contracts in development manager freedom in making the most of the advance, by even as much as 12 at the Energy Desk best rates as and when the wholesale months, will give you a great footing T: 0800 3777 889 market changes. Unlike fi xed contracts, because it'll help you fi nd the right F: 01282 877 081 fl exible contracts enable you to take deal at the best price and will give you E: [email protected] advantage of the fl uctuations in elec- the time to shop around. www.theenergydesk.co.uk

ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2014 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 79 LEISURE DIRECTORY

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ISSUE 1 2014 © cybertrek 2014 Read Leisure Management online leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital 81 LAST WORD

JULIE MOSKALYK Dynamic Earth in Ontario celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the appointment of a new senior manager. Julie Moskalyk reveals her plans for the earth sciences centre

What is Dynamic Earth? We’re one of two science centres in our attractions. Science North is a general science centre and Dynamic Earth focuses on earth sciences – pri- marily geology and mining. Sudbury is a very unusual geologi- cal landscape. About 1.85 billion years ago, a huge meteorite hit the Earth and created the Sudbury Basin, which is visible from space. The structure is home to some of the world's richest nickel mines and we still operate and mine nickel extensively in this region. Dynamic Earth is built on the outer edge of that meteorite crater and has a model underground mine tour experi- Visitors learn about the area's mining history ence, which lasts 45 minutes.

What’s your career history? I have worked at Science North since I on modern mining and technology, add What is the Big Nickel? was hired as a student science demon- exhibits and make changes to our gal- The summer of 2014 is the 50th anni- strator aged 15. Since then I’ve worn leries and open a 200sq m (2,153sq versary of the Big Nickel – a gigantic many different hats, from leading our ft) special effects theatre. I envis- fi ve-cent coin. Dynamic Earth used to education department to overseeing age some kind of 3D effect that really be called The Big Nickel Mine, which exhibit fl oors. In July 2013, I became showcases the meteorite hitting the was opened by a local businessman senior manager of Dynamic Earth. earth and creating the Sudbury Basin. named Ted Szilva. He created the Big Nickel and the model mine tour expe- What does your new role involve? What will the new exhibits be? rience. Science North opened in 1984 I lead the science centre in achieving One of the important areas for us and took over the Big Nickel Mine. its strategic goals and mission. to focus on is communicating what Ten years ago it transformed it into These include our large goals, but modern mining is all about and how dif- an earth sciences centre with galler- also the day-to-day core operation. Our ferent it is from even 20 years ago. ies, an HD theatre, gift store and F&B, visitors deserve a fabulous experience We’d also like an exhibition about as well as the underground experi- and I’m often out on the exhibi- the diamond industry in Canada. This ence. We’ll have a huge party on 22 tion fl oor communicating with them. has been a developing mining sector July with fi reworks and hopefully the Recently, I was here at 3am because in the last decades and we now have Canadian band Nickleback will play. we had a family sleepover and I was the highest quality diamonds in the We’ll also host a new exhibit about lucky enough to get the early shift. world coming out of Canada. currency called In The Money.

What are your plans for Dynamic Earth? What are the challenges? What are your future plans? We have a $5m (E3.7m, £3.1m) Securing the funding to do everything I work for an attraction that I love. I renewal planned for Dynamic Earth we want to do. There’s no limit to our see myself staying and leading new that will open in 2015, which will ideas – the limit is the budget. We projects and initiatives at a senior include adding an outdoor geology sci- anticipate having continued support executive level for the next 10 or 15 ence park onto our 14-hectare site. from the mining sector and special years. Who knows what’ll happen after We’re also going to change our under- government grants and programmes that. As we say at Dynamic Earth, ground experience to focus even more that will help us to tap into funding. change is always in motion. O

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