Hotent
TEAM: Andreea Cutieru, Alexandru Arama, Cristina Costea, Andreea Ionescu, Nicoara Stoenescu – University of Architecture And Urbanism “Ion Mincu”
Hotel+Tent ‐ A suitcase for a nomad traveler ABOUT
Not quite a hotel, nor a tent, but something in between: an expandable suitcase you can place anywhere you like. Imagine you want to travel the world, but you don’t want to give up the safety and comfort of a hotel, nor to sacrifice the freedom of placement the tent provides and the experience of sleeping underneath a starry sky. Hotent is a lightweight, foldable container‐like structure which grants the tourist the advantages of a hotel and a tent in the same room, while providing him with a unique travel experience.
HOW TO BOOK?
It’s like embarking on a trip with only a chalk and a pillow. You define your space just like drawing a circle on the pavement and we bring “the pillow”. All you need to do is go online 24h prior your arrival and choose an eligible spot on your destination city’s map. After online payment, you will receive a code, which enables you to open your room. The expandable suitcase will be waiting for you at the place desired.
HOW IT WORKS?
The suitcase is made of sliding boxes which expand to create a room with a bathroom, a bed and a desk with chair. It is transported by a crane car and mounted onto its legs. By pulling the metal legs according to the online instructions, you will be able to unfold the room. To create the maximum hight of the room, just pull the straps underneath to lower the bottom boxes. After your departure, the room is shrinked back to its “suitcase” size and removed as if never there. We offer a safe room, on top of the ground, that leaves the space below for social and public activities. The height also benefits a better view.
HOW IS MADE?
The boxes are made of metal cladded sandwich panels with rubber seals for airtightness. The goal was to create a light‐weight room held by four metal telescopic legs, which would ensure safety and intimacy. The traveler can access the room using a metal ladder mounted on the entrance door panel. The stair is released by an electronic, internet connected device which is activated using the access code. All the furniture is foldable onto the walls. Electricity and hot water are provided by a photovoltaic panel on top of the bathroom unit box, while running water for 2 days use is stored in a tank mounted on the bathroom unit upper box.
WHO IT ADRESSES?
Hotent adresses the nomad, the wanderer who wants to experience the city rhythm in an unconventional manner, enjoying the unpredictable, the ephemeral. The project is about bringing adventure and comfort together, as well as actively implicate the traveler in the placing and making of his sleeping space.