Search Results (2)

Rural tourism is closely linked to a local’s tradition, identity, and cultural heritage. When staying in a specific tourist destination, a modern tourist expects a complete experience of the destination. Experience is necessary in rural tourist accommodation where guests can feel the local culture, nature, gastronomy, environment, and heritage. However, what about the interior design of the accommodation facility and the furniture design that will provide a rural and at the same time modern atmosphere? The paper aims to explore the traditional heritage, culture, indigenous elements, and ornamentation of rural artifacts of Istria, a region in Croatia, to propose a conceptual design of functional contemporary furniture for furnishing the living room in tourist accommodation. The furniture collection, with visual and artistic elements, surface treatment, construction, and selected sustainable materials and ornamentation, aims to brand the indigenous rural Istrian heritage, while at the same time combines an innovative contemporary expression. The research is divided into two stages: the first stage was conducted during field research using photography, observation, and interview methods, and the collected data from this stage served as inspiration for designing a furniture collection in the second stage. The second stage uses the cyclical method of the creative process to design new sustainable furniture concept, consisting of a table, stool, chest of drawers, and coffee table, which form a collection in the tourist interior environment. This furniture design model that uses original heritage to brand the rural environment and increase the attractiveness of accommodation in rural areas could be applied to other locations so tourists can fully experience the rural area they visit and achieve experiential, relaxed holidays and amenities, thus supporting the sustainable development of rural tourist destinations. The practical implications of this research have yet to be confirmed. It is desirable to investigate the impact and satisfaction of users in such designed interiors and confirm such a concept. This will require the engagement of architects and designers and hotel accommodation owners, as well as and the support of economic entities, local authorities, and the government, who need to systematically change the ways of branding rural values to achieve a holistic approach to the tourism offer. Full article

The general development of technology and universal access means that gastronomy furnishings can be found in every corner of the world. Therefore, it is important to develop these devices and the machines that constitute them. We are talking about refrigeration systems located inside gastronomy furnishings. The R404A refrigerant, popular in recent years, is being withdrawn from use due to its harmful impact on the environment. Modern synthetic refrigerants or natural refrigerants can be used as alternative substances. In modern solutions, it is expected that devices and all cooperating elements have the lowest possible harmful impact on the environment and the user while, at the same time, having the highest possible energy efficiency. First, tests were carried out with the R404A refrigerant. Then, the working medium was replaced without changing any element of the refrigeration system with the modern R455A refrigerant. The system was tested in terms of the operating parameters achieved and in terms of electricity consumption. It was found that there is an alternative R455A refrigerant operating in the refrigeration system of catering furnishings, which provides the system with an average of 34% better energy efficiency than the reference refrigerant R404A. It was also found that the time needed to achieve the set working conditions decreased. An alternative refrigerant allows a refrigeration system to be built based on components available on the market or one that can be used as a direct replacement for the old refrigerant. Full article