Architect and engineer, Gianluca Santosuosso, has come up with one of the more intriguing concepts on the future of the hotel and cruise sector.
Rather than following the path that most cruise operators appear to have chosen (bigger, brighter, more casinos, etc), MORPHotel has gone the other way - literally.
A MORPHotel is a "floating system" which has a linear structure modelled on the idea of individual vertebrae strung out and connected in a line.
Santosuosso says the concept is built on four principles:
- Constantly moving, flexible shape
- "Plug-in" harbour (so all or parts of the structure can connect to jetties at a destination)
- Adaptive shape
- Self-sufficiency (solar powered)
The two ends of the structure will contain the cabins/hotel rooms, in a capsule-like design, whilst the centre will house the various reception, pool, entertainment and administrative areas.
Here are some of the designs: