News
Hospitality
Feb 20, 2025
Renovating a Hotel? Discover the Advantages of a Detailed Preliminary Phase
Late last year, Hotel Central in Roosendaal underwent a major renovation. During an extensive preliminary phase, construction partner Bulsink translated the owners' plans into a technically and financially viable concept. This process included the use of Virtual Reality and 3D renderings.
The preliminary phase as a success factor
Lifelike Visualization
A detailed preliminary phase offers several advantages, explains Koen van Tartwijk, Director of Operations at Bulsink. “First and foremost, it allows you to fully engage the client in the project. They receive a lifelike visualization instead of just a flat blueprint. In our VR room, clients put on a headset and can literally walk through the new hotel room, experiencing the space as if it were already built.”
“To achieve this, we first assess the current situation. What is the condition of the structure? Are adjustments to the installations needed? We perform a 3D scan of the location, which serves as the foundation for our BIM model. We then focus on one or two standard rooms, developing them in full detail. Once we reach an agreement, we roll out the design to the remaining rooms.”
“We combine our VR images and 3D renderings with tangible examples of physical materials. We lay out samples and products on the table, giving clients the opportunity to touch and feel the materials firsthand.”
Assurance of Realizability and Budget
“These are the two crucial aspects of the preliminary phase: technical visualization and materialization. This enables us to provide the client with confidence in both the realizability and the budget.”
“We often suggest minor adjustments to the design or alternatives for certain materials while preserving the look and feel envisioned by the client. This might involve selecting a different brand of sanitary ware or wallpaper, opting for a smarter floor finish, or optimizing the lighting design.”
“For another project, the design originally included extensive wall moldings. By slightly simplifying this design element, we were able to save a significant amount of material without compromising the overall aesthetic. This approach allows us to achieve cost efficiencies on multiple fronts.”
Bulsink always makes design adjustments with respect for the original concept, Koen emphasizes. “The best compliment we can receive is when a client can’t tell the difference from the original design. ‘Was it really changed?’ Yes, just look at the cost savings.”
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The best compliment we can receive is when a client can’t tell the difference from the original design. ‘Was it really changed?’ Yes, just look at the cost savings.
Impact on Budget
Bulsink has established itself as the go-to construction partner for the hospitality sector in recent years. “We’ve noticed that clients appreciate working with a partner who manages both design and construction. This allows us to make decisions within the project team that impact the budget while ensuring the feasibility of the original design. Companies that only design or only build often struggle to find this balance.”
A strong relationship with the client is crucial, Koen notes: “When there is trust and good communication, you immediately see the benefits of a well-organized preliminary phase. By making key decisions early on, we save time that would otherwise be lost due to delays during construction. This increases process predictability, speeds up execution, and ensures that a hotel can open on time—or even earlier.”
Virtual Reality & 3D models
Preliminary Phase
The Benefits of a Preliminary Phase Using Virtual Reality, 3D Renderings, and Materialization:
- Lifelike Visualization of the End Result
- Certainty of Feasibility
- Staying Within Budget
- Time Savings During Execution
Renovating, Modernizing, or Making a Hotel More Sustainable? Bulsink is the general contractor for the hospitality sector. Check the Hospitality page for inspiration and information, or get in touch to discuss your ideas.
