Innovation Imperative and WSP reveal Tetra Hotel plans
Innovation Imperative, the newly created design studio from engineering firm WSP, has designed the futuristic, modular and sustainable Tetra Hotel.
With Cape Verde, Norway, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Hungary and the UK all being considered as potential locations, Hotel Tetra would take the form of a series of carbon-neutral autonomous 19ft-tall pods. Each pod will feature multiple floors: the top level containing a bed under a skylight, the second housing a shower, and a third set up for entertaining. The bottom level of each will host a secluded working area and full desk, whilst the wider developments will also include venues for bars, restaurants, markets, exhibitions and fairs.
Ross Harvey, Project Director, explains: “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.”
Behind the design-led façade, sustainability is a core theme of the project. With a view to making the buildings completely off the grid and independent, Tetra Hotel has been engineered to expend as little energy as possible. The project will use local seawater for cooling and solar panels for heating. During construction, pods will be pre-fabricated and assembled on-site, incorporating local rock as foundation for minimum environmental impact. The first location will be revealed in Summer.
“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,” adds David Ajasa-Adekunle, founder of Innovation Imperative.
