The Sensory Hotel                                            

The re-sensualisation of our space through materiality, auditory space, hapticity (sense of touch) and vision.

The sensory hotel is an experiential concept created through the study of sensory perception and materiality. The creative process concedes us to re-experience space through all the senses, initiating a Multi Sensory Design Language.

The hotel experience, inspired by the ‘boutique’ hotel genre, captures an expressive individuality of the senses. Open public social spaces flow into the haptic retreat of intimate consumed interiors.

The Sensory Experience

Five sensory zones, identified within the hotel environment, have been assigned a dominant sense, which is emphasized by a secondary perceptive sense.

Exterior

The translucency of the buildings' boundaries welcomes and invites the visitor. It portrays and displays the internal social activities.

Visual Transluscency

The public, visual zone forms a platform for people to connect and communicate within. The translucent environment tentatively places people within the boundaries of the interior; at the same time forming a safe, fantasy world while the outside world is still visible.

‘The very essence of the lived experience is moulded by hapticity and peripheral vision. Focused vision confronts us with the world where as peripheral vision envelops us in the flesh of the world’ (Pallasmaa, 2005:10).

Auditory Captivation

Experience: Escape Intimate Layered materiality Intimate bar Restaurant	Sensory zone: Enchanting auditory Secondary sense: Temptingly Haptic	‘Sight is the sense of the solitary observer, whereas hearing creates a sense of connection and solidarity’ (Pallasmaa, 2005:49).

Kinesthetisia

Experience: Non-threatening Control Directional Well-being Muted light Spa, Gym Traditional space Conference rooms	Sensory zone: Kinesthetic positioning Secondary sense: Channelled Acoustics	The subtle variations of surface and space inform the body of its position while moving through the zone.

Hapticity

Experience: Confidence Surface Tactile, Pattern Secure, Unique	Sensory zone: Active touch Secondary sense: Auditory	‘The eye is the organ of distance and separation, whereas touch is the sense of nearness, intimacy and affection. The eye surveys, controls and investigates, whereas touch approaches and caresses’ (Pallasmaa, 2005:46).