DESIGN /
ARCHITECTURE
November 6, 2015
Designing the Future of Travel | TECHNOLOGY
Technology
Luxurious 'Capsule' Hotels That Offer the Best of Both Worlds: Stunning Views and Resort Comfort
New Experiences Born from the Fusion of Travel and Technology
Discovering a small hotel on the other side of the world, a mysterious BOX that lets you experience the atmosphere of your destination, a luxurious capsule hotel where you can enjoy breathtaking views with air conditioning... We introduce new travel experiences born from technology, brought to you by the web media 'Social Design News'.
Text by OPENERS
1: A Hotel with Breathtaking Views Built on a Ski Jump
This is a photograph (real, not a CG rendering) of a lodging facility located atop a ski jump in Oslo, Norway. Unfortunately, it is fully booked at the moment, but you might be able to stay there by registering for the Airbnb waitlist.
While this room, aptly named 'Ski in, zip line out,' is certainly appealing, the fact that we in Japan can learn about such a unique, single-room facility is thanks to Airbnb, which aggregates accommodations worldwide, and the technology that makes it possible: the internet.
Reference: Considering How a Region Can Gain Global Attention Through a Lodging Facility Built on a Ski Jump
http://social-design-net.com/archives/21071
Elsewhere, initiatives to design new travel experiences are underway across the globe.
Here are a few examples.
2: A Silver BOX That Lets You Experience the 'Atmosphere' of Your Destination in Advance
This is a corner of Sweden's Arlanda Airport. Inside this room, made of silver, gleaming cubes, is the actual 'climate' of the aircraft's destination.
The climate of a place, whether unexpectedly cold or comfortably as imagined, is one of the joys of travel upon arrival. This box, the 'Climate Portal,' allows you to experience that surprise at the airport. Step inside, and you can feel the heat of the desert, the bustle of a metropolis, or the intense cold of a frigid region, complete with temperature, wind, sound, and visuals.
Of course, since it's located in an airport, it might be difficult to dash back for your coat if you find it colder than expected – but that's part of its charm.
Reference: A Box Installed at the Airport to Experience the Climate of Your Destination
http://social-design-net.com/archives/23768
3: Luxurious 'Capsule' Hotels That Offer the Best of Both Worlds: Stunning Views and Resort Comfort
Imagine staying in a resort-like setting, surrounded only by beautiful beaches and water on all sides, or perched atop a mountain peak under a sky full of stars.
These luxurious desires can be fulfilled by the 'Ecocapsule,' created by the Slovakian architectural unit Nice Architects. It's an off-grid, mobile home equipped with solar and wind power systems, meaning it requires no external infrastructure.
One of the great pleasures of travel is enjoying breathtaking scenery, which is often found far from urban centers where infrastructure like electricity and running water is scarce. While camping might be possible, enjoying a resort experience in a comfortable room is difficult. However, with a mobile home like this, you can bring a modern accommodation environment anywhere.
Reference: The Future of Tourist Accommodation Considering Mobile, Off-Grid Housing
http://social-design-net.com/archives/22852
4: In Your Hotel Room, Enjoy Ideas for Your Next Trip with VR
The photo shows Marriott Hotels' experimental 'VRoom Service.' VRoom stands for Virtual Room, an initiative designed to provide inspiration about the local area or future travel destinations while you're staying at the hotel.
Just as hotels provide magazines and brochures with information about tourist spots, perhaps VR headsets will soon become a standard amenity.
To vividly recreate the immersive experience unique to each location, such as an ice cream stand in Rwanda or a backstreet in Beijing, special cameras are used to record the scenery.
Reference: Hotel Rooms with VR Headsets – Decide Your Next Destination After Experiencing It in Virtual Reality
http://social-design-net.com/archives/24733
Cooperation: Social Design News
http://social-design-net.com/
The referenced articles are from the web media 'Social Design News'.
This article has been edited and written by the OPENERS editorial department in cooperation with Mr. Hiroyuki Naganuma, founder of the site.