Hotel Design of the Future Emphasizes Sustainability

When it comes to dreaming up concepts for the hotel of the future, it's clear that today's architects and designers are focused on a shared theme: sustainability, as it applies not only to the environment, but to culture, as well. For the past 10 years, the John Hardy Group, a global hospitality development consultancy, has hosted the Radical Innovation contest, asking designers and architects around the world to submit their ideas for the hotel of the future. This year's ideas ranged from a Hyperloop-inspired hotel to a vertical treehouse-hotel concept. Ideas from the past have included undersea resorts, a co-living/co-working space called Zoku (now operating in Amsterdam), and even a drone-driven driftscape where you stay in a mobile hotel room, called a Driftcraft, which won in 2015. While last year's contest had two finalists, this year's will feature three, chosen from 65 entries: Vertical Micro-Climate, Living the Till, and Play Design Hotel. The grand-prize winner will be announced on October 4 at the New Museum in New York City and will receive a $10,000 prize to further develop the concept; a runner-up will receive $5,000. Here's a closer look at all three. Vertical Micro-Climate [caption id="attachment_250544" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A rendering of the Vertical Micro-Climate hotel. Source: Radical Innovation[/caption] Vancouver-based Arno Matis Architecture submitted the idea for this hotel concept, which evolved from an existing project the firm is working on in Victoria, British Columbia. "The idea was to think about how we can use new advancements in building technology, and even design technology, to try to improve the climate condition around the site so the outdoor areas can be used throughout a greater part of the year," said Arno Matis, firm principal and owner. "How can you adapt a resort property in a more North