Capsule Hotel - Design Theory Part 2

1.Definethe problem and target audience
The capsule hotels aim at the people, who have to work a lot of extra time, the people who cannot catch up the last bus and the people may be homeless or lose job, just need cheap place to live. The capsule hotels was like old and cheap place for poor people, but up to now, some Japanese people who are single and without higher income, they even live in this capsule unit as their home, another reason is the capsule hotels are normally built area where is very close to the subway station, shops and bus stop, it also become a convenient place and nice choice for some travellers and younger people to stay overnight or just rest. Capsules hotels have become modern style accommodation, aiming at younger generation and some tourist. Inside the capsule, it consist two areas, one for men, and one for women. Not only spared the stairs, but the lift is spared as well. Even some businessmen would like to have a rest in the capsule bed and use the high speed broad band to continue working, and some capsule hotel has a study or office area for these businessmen. These developments are all for getting out the recession of industry of capsule hotel.


2.Research; history of the design problem, end user research and opinion-led interviews
The capsule hotel has one serious safety loophole that is fire protection, when the occupant close the sheet-door, the capsule unit is just like a huge safe, people are difficult to get into, but slapping the sheet-door it makes big noise to weak up people who are sleeping inside. More important, the fire escape is serious issue of design for architects and interior designers; the issue is including the circulation, fire safety regulation and fireproofing materials choice.

The capsule hotels have established in Japan nearly for 33 years. The people still like this kind of hotel in their life, especially those people who are travellers, lower income citizen and some homeless. What is more, the tourists come to Japan on their vacation, and some of them want to live in capsule hotel on purpose, even they knew the room was going to be a small capsule unit, and only contain for one person inside. They hear the information of capsule hotel from various kinds’ reports, newspaper and webpage. It is one of their goals of travelling Japan for these visitors. Capsule hotels have been became an important selling point in Japan, people like it and also, this type of hotels make some people want to try it once in their life. But yet there are still number of people do not like capsule hotel, they think that it feels like live in the jail or coffin, but the point is that most of those people who dislike capsule hotel, are actually already tried, that is why they know how will feel inside. So the first intentions from those people still want to try capsule hotel. From this point, we can see the capsule hotels have great business value, capsule hotel can be a cheaper and express hotel for poor people and people who have a rapid pace of life, and also can be a scenic spots for tourists and they may have a try to stay over one night.


3.Ideate; end users motivations and needs are identified
The location is the most important part for a capsule hotel, because capsule hotel, its main feature is to adapt the people who have a Life in the fast lane, the reason why these people choose this kind of hotel as their place where they live, is not only because it is cheaper than other places, but it is close to the city centre, shops and stations as well. These convenient and fast traits are the main function of the capsule hotel. A successful capsule hotel cannot make good business without a suitable location. On the other hand, a capsule hotel without this superiority of location that I discussed above, Accurately Speaking, it cannot be a typical capsule hotel because it loses market advantage and no difference than other ordinary hotels.

Culture and the condition of a country are same as other industries; they are major works for any industry that to establish a market in any other countries. As everyone knows that Japan is a county with high population density, many families are certain in a small house; they seem to have gotten living in a small place and some other habits, such as sitting and sleeping on the ground. These customs are not accepted by many other counties’ people. In Japan, not everyone can assume high housing prices, and extra time working and going home late are universal phenomenon in rush-life

Madrix

Faceted House by Paul McAnearney Architects

Paul McAnearney Architects have recently designed a house by the name Faceted house or House of Many Faces. An old house in a decrepit state has been reconstructed and modernized. The house is located within a conservation area, in Hammersmith, London.
The project’s brief was to remodel and extend the living area. The client asked for a contemporary design and functionality and he also expressed the desire to be able to perceive the garden as a continuation of the domestic space. The new extension is added by a clean and clearly defined line to the rear part of the house that respects the heritage of the older building and gives this house a unique aesthetic.
The sculptural façade is visually striking and elegant at the same time. The architects reconfigured and expanded the existing space by designing a huge open-plan. Light floods into the house via the finest possible sections, making up the sliding doors, combined with the large fixed frameless panel of the façade. The result is a “ballet of light”, as the light casts a sharp beam into the depth of the house.

Open House: HENRY J LYONS ARCHITECTS

What is design ?

Design is a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is made. What is more, Design is also to make a synthesis of needs+information+colors in order to create something greater than the sum of its parts, and you can take that to the bank. Even virtual concepts such as corporate identity and cultural traditions such as celebration of certain holidays are sometimes designed. More recently, processes (in general) have also been treated as products of design, giving new meaning to the term process design.