Hotel in the sky is more than a flight of fancy

11 February, 2010

By Jamie Mitchell

It's more than 70 years since the Hindenburg disaster put an end to the golden age of the Zeppelin, and airships have come a long, long way since then. Safe and environmentally friendly, the airship, also known as the dirigible, has captured the imagination of a new generation of designers and engineers

Product design consultancy Seymour Powell has unveiled plans for a visionary transportation concept, Aircruise, a giant, vertical airship powered by natural energy and designed to carry travellers in style and luxury.

Started as a self-generated project, Aircruise is a conceptual design for a hotel in the sky, with low passenger numbers and huge internal spaces offering room for living, dining and relaxing, as well as dramatic public spaces.

The initial design proposes a bar/lounge, four duplex apartments, a penthouse and five smaller apartments.

The concept has captured the imagination of Korean giant Samsung Construction and Trading (C&T). Driven by its interest in new materials for building, Samsung C&T appointed Seymourpowell to refine the idea and to produce a detailed computer animation of the proposed experience to illustrate this visionary approach to the future. Read more about the project here.

London-based art director Tino Schaedler and designer Michael J Brown have also unveiled plans for a 'lifestyle Zeppelin'. The ultra-modern Strato Cruiser is to include a gourmet restaurant, spa, and swimming pool.

FX Magazine - Design, Business and Society

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Hotel in the sky is more than a flight of fancy