WSP’s newly created Design Studio has unveiled a plan for what might just be the world's most futuristic-looking hotel. Brainchild of award-winning architecture practice Innovation Imperative, the eye-catching modular and sustainable hotel will feature around 42 suites in modular pods, as well as space for art and design exhibitions and fairs for global nomads and design-lovers alike.
An extension of Innovation Imperative’s previous project the Tetra Shed modular office pod, the hotel will be located in a geographically stunning location, aiming to provide a carbon neutral autonomous structure with sustainable agriculture and forest management at its core. Current locations under consideration include Cape Verde, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Hungary and the UK. The first hotel location is to be revealed this summer with others to come.
A team of engineers at WSP is providing multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy services on the Tetra Hotel providing a proof of concept study.
Each 19 metre-high pod will feature multiple floors with the top storing a large bed set under a skylight while a shower will be located just below it. A third platform will feature a couch for entertaining, and just beneath it at the bottom of the pod there will be a secluded working area with a full desk. The hotel will also include bars, restaurants, spaces for markets, exhibitions and fairs that have been designed to attract and promote talented designers and creatives from around the world.
But the hotel is not just about being another pretty façade. With sustainability at its core Tetra Hotel has been engineered to be as low energy as possible with a view of making the building completely off grid and independent. As advised by WSP, the hotel will use local sea water for cooling and solar thermal panels for hot water heating among other green technologies. During the construction phase, the pods will be pre-fabricated and assembled on-site for speed of delivery and use the local rock as foundation for minimum environmental impact.
The hotel will be the first collaboration between WSP’s newly created Design Studio and an award-winning architect. The Design Studio has been created by WSP’s talented early career professionals as a portal for architects to get engineering support on their creative ideas, be they competitions, design features or just innovation ideas that need some engineering back-up.
Ross Harvey, technical director and project director said: “Tetra Hotel and WSP are combining their creative powers on an exciting project that aims to create iconic architecture in stunning locations globally. WSP’s multi-disciplinary Design Studio initiative is undertaking a proof of concept study to enable early-stage client discussions. The solutions being investigated are founded on sustainability, renewable energy and achieving minimal environmental impact. WSP is proud to be involved in this project and looks forward to its future success.”
Comments David Ajasa-Adekunle, founder of Innovation Imperative: “With a team of talented and progressive professionals, our collaboration has so far proved to be both fruitful and exciting and we all look forward to an ongoing partnership with WSP''
Nick Myall
News editor
