Radical Innovation calls for entries
Radical Innovation, the programme challenging designers, architects, hoteliers and students to pioneer compelling ideas in travel and hospitality, is now accepting entries to its annual competition. New for 2019, the competition will distinguish between built and unbuilt projects, with all innovators encouraged to submit their concepts through the Radical Innovation website up until 3 April.
A panel of jurors leading the fields of hospitality, design, and investment will evaluate all entries based on their originality, creativity, design, and potential impact on the industry, with feasibility a key factor. While Radical Innovation seeks brave ideas, the program also requires achievable visions with a clear, compelling brief accompanied by a high-level presentation that illustrates how the concept could be achieved in the next 3-5 years with design renderings and video pitch. Since its founding in 2006, Radical Innovation has awarded nearly $200,000 to an international network of creative talents.
The 2018 winner, Autonomous Travel Suite by Steve Lee of Aprilli Design Studio, demonstrated its feasibility by citing the technological advances necessary for his idea to operate, detailing anticipated costs and logistics in addition to a clear timeline and the design process.
The submission fee for an unbuilt concept is $350, while the fee for a built Project of the Year is $550. Student submission fees will remain complimentary. Finalists will be flown to New York City to compete in a live event held in autumn of 2019, where they will present their ideas. Audience members will vote to determine the grand-prize winner, who takes home a $10,000 prize, whilst the runner-up receives a $5,000 prize. The specific location of this event will be announced later in 2019.
The student winner – determined prior to the event by the jury – will earn a $1,500 prize and be invited to apply for a graduate assistantship in the Masters of Architecture program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. The total two-year value is estimated at over $50,000. The awarding of funds will be based on certain prerequisites that must be carried out by the potential recipient. Radical Innovation has sent two students to this graduate program with one, Yasmine Soliman graduating in Spring of 2019.
The Radical Innovation Award is organised by leading development services firm The John Hardy Group with support from founding sponsor Global Allies and media partners Dezeen and Sleeper.
The Radical Innovation Jury this year includes John Hardy, President/CEO, The John Hardy Group; Michael Medzigian, Chairman & Managing Partner, Watermark Capital Partners; Jena Thornton, LEED AP, Managing Director, Magnetic ERV; Simon Turner, Managing Director, Alpha Lodging Partners; James Woods, Head of WeLive, WeWork; Wing T. Chao, Founder, Wing T. Chao Global Advisors; and Claude Amar, Managing Director, The John Hardy Group International.
The programme has also announced the appointment of Patricia Martin to the role of Managing Director, who brings two decades of experience working in conference management roles, most recently at hospitality investment conferences held in Asia, Europe and the U.S. In her new role, Martin will work to grow the international visibility of the competition and bring even greater opportunities for our Radical community to meet and ultimately develop connections and projects, long-term.
“Radical Innovation discovers and spotlights creative geniuses with the drive to create entirely new segments of the hospitality industry,” explains John Hardy, Founder of Radical Innovation and CEO of The John Hardy Group. “We connect them with experienced business leaders that have the connections and resources to bring those ideas to life, all while supporting their effort through year-round marketing and PR verticals. We’re thrilled to have Pat onboard”
