WATG Looks to the Future

WATG has deconstructed the old notions about how and where to design a new hotel or resort. Entirely new kinds of destinations are being pioneered by WATG.

WATG, in conjunction with IDEO, were the winners of the first-ever Sustainable Suite Design Competition – a competition for designers to showcase the best hospitality design strategies that boast environmental responsibility while enhancing the guest experience. The team is building and showcased a full-scale mock-up of their winning suite design at the 2010 Hospitality Design Expo & Conference in Las Vegas.  

For the last four years, WATG has been among the top finalists for the Radical Innovation in Hospitality award. The award, which was founded by The John Hardy Group and co-sponsored by Hospitality Design, recognizes ingenuity in a built or unbuilt hospitality concept. Projects from around the world are submitted for this award from hospitality brands, design and consulting professionals, and students.

In 2010, WATG won first prize for their entry, Mosaic. The Mosaic PATHWAY (Portable Adaptable Temporary Hotel With Alternative You-ses) allows governments, developers, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, private organizations, and charitable aid societies the opportunity to create, design, develop and implement amazing new hospitality, vacation, housing, emergency shelter and support structures that are functional, beautiful, simple and adaptable to numerous situations in almost any geography. The organic, geometric-shaped Prisms of the PATHWAY system are collapsible for ease in transportation, are pre-fitted with built-in fixtures and furnishings, and come with self-contained energy, plumbing and lighting systems and self-leveling foundations.

The concept behind the 2009 WATG Radical Innovation entry was Bucket List Lodging. Lodging starts with those locations that are found on multiple must-see "lists" and are generally in remote places previously only visited by the young and adventurous backpacker. The number one criteria was to maintain the natural beauty of every environment we choose to site each lodge, leaving no trace when the season ends. The design is based on a modular kit of parts that must fit in the cargo hold of an aircraft or container on a ship.

The concept behind the entry "e|merse Hotels: Redefining the Urban Hotel Experience” was that while the hospitality industry has focused on attracting guests with themed restaurants, exotic spas, and luxurious pools, these amenities may not necessarily entice the new generation of travelers—the generation “X” and “Y” guests. These demographic groups spend the majority of their time away from the hotel, exploring the attractions of the city. The e|merse Network is designed to deliver an authentic urban experience that this new generation desires. 

The firm also co-sponsored the international design competition, "Hospitality Transformed: Resort Hotels in 2055. Architecture students were invited to investigate what the future holds for hospitality design in the age of advanced technology and customized consumer experiences. Winning concepts from students around the world ranged from environmentally sensitive resorts in pristine remote locations to highly sophisticated technological wonders in dense urban settings.

WATG has also paired with Worldwide Aeros Corp, the Aeroscraft manufacturer and world leader in manufacturing of the FAA-certified lighter-than-air vehicles, to design the interiors of a new generation of airborne cruise ships.

Related Projects

Related Resources

Press Releases | View All Related
03.26.13 WATG continues expansion strategy in EMEA

In The Media | View All Related
Article Hospitality Architecture + Design, 6/03/10, WATG's Mosaic Wins Grand Prize in Competition for Radical Innovation in Hospitality
Multimedia Podcast: Seeing the Future of Digital Design (06:03) (audio)

Related Special Topics

The Singapore Bus Stop
We imagine the 'Living Bus Stops' of the future
In Singapore today bus stops are utilitarian and without identity. They provide little protection from the sun whereas the green areas adjacent benefit from tree canopies and trunks adorned with epiphytic plants which cool the air. We imagine the 'Living Bus Stops' of the future - ‘Living' in respect of their form and their role in society.

Visionary Client John R. Hardy
President and CEO of The John Hardy Group
John Hardy is president and CEO of The John Hardy Group, a real estate consulting group specializing in the hospitality industry. Prior to the formation of JHG, John was the group vice president of architecture and construction for Interstate Hotels Corporation. During his tenure, John was instrumental as a principal in the development, design and construction of 14 full-service hotels and numerous renovations. Five years ago, he founded the Radical Innovation in Hospitality Design awards program.

Thought Leader Raj Chandnani
Global Hospitality Resources, Inc. interviews Raj Chandnani, Director of Strategy, WATG
You've been up since 4 a.m., and are harried from the hassles of airport security, the transcontinental flight, jet lag and back-to-back traffic. As you step out of the taxi and enter the hotel, your surroundings feel comfortable and you can eventually exhale. The lobby is a living room, and someone with a smiling face greets you. Your check in process is effortless and you are intuitively able to find your room. Whether you decide to have a glass of wine, check your email or have a hot shower, your day is suddenly looking better since the experience is the complete antithesis to your stressful day. The most important design trend for hospitality? Customization, ease and authenticity.

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