Radical Innovation

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 of hospitality, Radical Innovation has long been known for bringing forward-thinking concepts to the fore. Now in its 14th year, the global competition has announced its finalists, with three wildly different ideas hoping to take home the grand prize.

In recent years, successful entries have increasingly looked to the world of transport for inspiration. In 2017, Brandan Siebrecht won in the student category for his Hyperloop Hotel, a concept that sees shipping containers transformed into travelling guest suites. In 2018, Aprilli Design Studio took home the grand prize for its Autonomous Travel Suite, a cross between a private rental car and a hotel room. And in 2019, SB Architects was highly commended for its Infinite Explorer proposal, which suggested a revival of the USA’s defunct rail lines with a train-turned-hotel.

The 2020 competition has once again brought hospitality and transportation together, this time, in the air. Conceived by US-based studio Populous, Dream Pod is a series of lightweight, self-sustaining accommodations that would allow guests to experience both personalised hospitality and the wonder of flight. Using existing technologies, the concept enables guests to fly solo or float as a part of a community, with an app to control ascent and descent. The Dream Pods are 3D printed with a durable lattice structure, and feature curved photovoltaics for capturing sunlight as well as moist gathering strategies to harvest water. Each pod is fitted out with a bed, storage space, shower and waterless toilet, while dining and retail facilities are available at a docking station.

Dream Pod will go up against Camp Sarika by Luxury Frontiers and The Modern Monastery by Indidesign in an online showdown in which judges assess the creativity of each concept, as well as its feasibility and ability to impact the industry. The winner will be announced in a virtual ceremony on 3 December.

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