MAIDEN VOYAGE IN THE AIR
Radical Ideas A hotel suite in a hot-air balloon makes the shortlist for the annual Radical Innovation competition.
Challenging designers to reimagine the future
time, in the air. Conceived by US-based studio
of hospitality, Radical Innovation has long been
Populous, Dream Pod is a series of lightweight,
known for bringing forward-thinking concepts
self-sustaining accommodations that would
to the fore. Now in its 14th year, the global
allow guests to experience both personalised
competition has announced its finalists, with
hospitality and the wonder of flight. Using
three wildly different ideas hoping to take home
existing technologies, the concept enables guests
the grand prize.
to fly solo or float as a part of a community,
In recent years, successful entries have
with an app to control ascent and descent. The
increasingly looked to the world of transport
Dream Pods are 3D printed with a durable lattice
for inspiration. In 2017, Brandan Siebrecht
structure, and feature curved photovoltaics for
won in the student category for his Hyperloop
capturing sunlight as well as moist gathering
Hotel, a concept that sees shipping containers
strategies to harvest water. Each pod is fitted out
transformed into travelling guest suites. In 2018,
with a bed, storage space, shower and waterless
Aprilli Design Studio took home the grand prize
toilet, while dining and retail facilities are
for its Autonomous Travel Suite, a cross between
available at a docking station.
a private rental car and a hotel room. And in
Dream Pod will go up against Camp Sarika by
2019, SB Architects was highly commended for
Luxury Frontiers and The Modern Monastery
its Infinite Explorer proposal, which suggested
by Indidesign in an online showdown in which
a revival of the USA’s defunct rail lines with a
judges assess the creativity of each concept, as
train-turned-hotel.
well as its feasibility and ability to impact the
The 2020 competition has once again brought hospitality and transportation together, this
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industry. The winner will be announced in a virtual ceremony on 3 December.
