Connectic by Cooper Carry Architects was the grand prize winner at the 13th annual Radical Innovation Award ceremony at the Theatre and Sky Room at New Museum, New York City. Nearly 200 guests—including professionals in hospitality, real estate, finance, design, branding, and development—gathered for the occasion.
More than 50 international entries were submitted to this year’s Radical Innovation competition from which three professional finalists and one student winner were determined based on their design, creativity, feasibility and ability on making an impact in the industry. The three professional finalists—Infinite Explorer by SB Architects, Connectic by Cooper Carry Architects and Volumetric High-Rise Modular Hotel by Danny Forster & Architects were presented in front of a live audience, in addition to this year’s student winner, Rooftop Hotel Gardens.
In a live vote by the audience members, Connectic became the recipient of this year’s $10,000 grand prize. Volumetric High-Rise Modular Hotel received the runner-up recognition, a $5,000 prize. Student winners Ruslan Mannapov and Airat Zaidullin of Russia’s Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering were awarded $1,500 for their concept, Rooftop Hotel Gardens. Both students will also have the opportunity to pursue an assistantship for a Master’s of Architecture Degree in Hospitality Design at UNLV.
The event was co-produced by The Hardy Group with support from founding sponsor Global Allies, and official media partner Sleeper magazine and Dezeen. Innovator-level sponsors included The Son And Son Brand Agency and UNLV. Visionary-level sponsors included Beyer Brown, DFL Legal, Kinzer Partners, Martin Stringfellow Associates, RIVUR, Robert Douglas and WeWork. Pioneer-level sponsors included Canyon Equity, Castell, Craft House, DAC, Greenview, Hilton and Hospitality Logistics.
“Each year, the teams submit projects at the top of their game. I’d say this year’s finalists were the best ever,” said John Hardy, president/CEO, The Hardy Group.” All the finalist’s projects were very different, but all very innovative. The winning design proved that we keep raising the bar each year.”
2019 Grand Prize Winner: Connectic
Connectic by Cooper Carry Architects employs modular construction techniques to fill underutilized spaces by way of collapsible, modular units that are flexible and adaptable to respond to variety of environments. This concept could be used to build a pop-up hotel in remote area or to help solve problems of space and density in urban cores.
“We’re incredibly grateful that our ideas were so well received by the voting members of the hospitality industry,” said Shraddha Srivastav Strennen, RA, NCARB, LEED AP, Cooper Carry. “To us, it’s productive and encouraging feedback. In practice, our team is focused on the trends and evolution of the industry and how best to design for that eventuality. Our competition design envisions a real solution to present and future issues in hospitality development. With that, it’s great to win but, also great to have the attributes of our concept applauded. Our hard work becomes more fulfilling when given a broader platform for discussion.”
Interstitial spaces between buildings, parking lots, forgotten pocket parks and above buildings offer an opportunity for hotels of the future to use Connectic’s model to increase volume of available keys, amenities and connect neglected spaces to existing hotels. This would become an aggregation that can swell and shrink as needed and generate profit while providing guests with a unique experience. A collective of modules that are at once collapsible and reusable, they can be disassembled and stored conveniently until the need for additional accommodation. Conflating multiple revenue streams into a single solution. And, a kinematic proposal to temporary events.
“The hospitality industry continually evolves but, the constant is that it will always be about people and connecting them to experiences,” said Strennen. “The future of hotel design will have to be flexible, adaptable and personal. It will have to integrate site, place, and personality in order to be novel and familiar. Connectic will propel the industry forward by proving this is achievable in the near future. As a concept it redefines the hotel module and its relationship to form. It reconceptualizes a hotel’s layout. Connectic will disrupt conventional thinking. It is a kinematic response to what is often static. It provides on-demand efficiency. Connectic will elevate hospitality and the guest experience.”
Student Winners: Rooftop Hotel Gardens
Rooftop Hotel Gardens by Ruslan Mannapov and Airat Zaidullin offers a hotel concept placeable in any city, that gives guests a chance to experience the skyline of cities in an isolated peaceful space fully merged with an urban environment. The conceptual hotel chain provides locations on rooftops and services throughout the city. Each guest can reserve a room on the open roof of any participating building. Thanks to a network throughout the city, guests are given the flexibility to change place and module during their entire period of stay.
Since each Rooftop offers its own unique identity based on location, culture and community, guests get to discover various parts of the city and its many vistas. Rooftop Hotel Gardens encourages communities to utilize rooftops that will attract investment while also assisting with the maintenance of its rooftop gardens; offering a space for both community and guests to enjoy alike.
