Hospitality Design - August 2011 - 48

perspectives
the centrally located bar, subtly connecting guests. The standout: guests get to play DJ through a remote digital jukebox, and video images give the illusion of artists appearing in a live performance. And there’s a to take the idea of personalization even further, interface

competition

Right: A rendering of the Mediance Hotel, which consists of a series of ultra-modern “mPods,” situated here in an arid climate.

biometrics

where ﬂoor pads scan a guests’ heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index, and other health indicators, and sets his or her room accordingly. There’s a fashion consultation pre-set option, where the interactive wall will display appropriate clothing and accessories from local retailers suited for the guest’s plans. And the smart devices will be ﬁlled with cultural, historical, and geographic data, providing a “true sense of place.” As Medzigian says: “They thought through using interactive technology in all aspects of the guest experience. I loved the idea of art that is activated by touch sensors and that entire environments can be tailored to the customer preference. Not only is the guest highly engaged in a tailored way, but also the implications for the owner are signiﬁcant. Being able to change out ‘scenes’ via technology versus renovation intrigues me as an owner.” visitors with opportunities to understand the causes and consequences of climate change, eventually exchange knowledge and share initiatives, raise awareness and stimulate action from personal day-to-day habits to political activism, and to help preserve the precious beauty of the world we live in,” explains creator Raphael Delstanche, of Poland-based ﬁrm Tricomp. “We fail to consider change until we see—and deeply, emotionally feel—just what’s at stake.” The Mediance Hotel is essentially comprised of 10-15 ultra-modern, temporary “mPods” set around a communal lodge. Each pod is a self-sufﬁcient living unit, a onebedroom apartment with attached en-suite facilities, made up of three elements. Firstly, it features an external intelligent electrochromic envelope, which consists of a ﬂexible solar material with a clear acrylic mirrorcoated external ﬁnish, yet it is see-through from the inside. Secondly, the pod is outﬁtted with a smart ﬂoor containing all technical components, such as solar batteries, water tanks, sewage, and a hydraulic system. And lastly, there is a central prefab module, dubbed the wellness center, that contains a bathroom, toilet, and mini-kitchen that can be plugged into the smart ﬂoor. The result is a low-impact, easily assembled, universally transportable pod made of lightweight materials that can be replicated and situated in almost any environment. “One of the great joys of camping is unzipping your tent, sticking your coffee on, and gazing out on a fantastic view— remote, unspoiled, and utterly beautiful. Our concept strives to reﬂect and add value to the essential natural attributes of the landscape,” says Delstanche. “We immerse our guests in awe-inspiring environments.”

Honorable Mention: Mediance Hotel
The Mediance Hotel approached sustainability in a different light, offering a solution to responsible lodging in endangered, disappearing, and threatened places due to climate change. “The hotel is an initiative to allow tourists to experience the impact of global warming ﬁrst hand: to provide those

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - August 2011