Home Green Design Shipping Containers at Heart of AccorHotels Guestroom Concept

Shipping Containers at Heart of AccorHotels Guestroom Concept

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In 2011 and 2015 I wrote about a bed and breakfast and Days Inn utilizing shipping containers in their construction. I have also written about a shipping container used at a resort for hydroponic vegetable growing. I have since learned about the Flophouze Hotel that offers six shipping containers for nightly rentals. Each unit includes a living room, kitchen, bedroom with luxury linens, and a private bath. The nightly rate even includes access to electric vehicle charging stations. Reclaimed materials are used throughout; the counter tops are made from old bowling alley floors. Shipping container lodgings are very rare. It would be great to see the thousands of surplus containers used more in our industry.

This past week, AccorHotels took a small step toward making “a dent” in the number of unused containers. Due to the success of its pilot project, which was initially tested at various cultural, sporting and artistic events throughout France, AccorHotels has introduced the Flying Nest made from used shipping containers. The mobile, sustainable accommodation fits with AccorHotels’ goal of providing unique hospitality experiences during outstanding events and where hotel capacity is at saturation point.

“Originally developed for a B-to-B clientele (event organizing agencies, exhibition organizers, festivals, events, corporate clients, AccorHotels partners, etc.), the Flying Nest concept could also be offered to a B-to-C target in 2019,” said Sébastien Dupic, New Business Senior Project Manager at AccorHotels.

Containers Grouped Together in ‘Island’

To assemble the guestrooms and deliver this innovative concept in record time, AccorHotels has partnered with Capsa, a Lyon, France-based startup specializing in the conversion of these modules. Ora-ïto has designed these mobile guestrooms. Created to offer a functional and pleasant experience, each island consists of six modules cladded with raw and natural materials and decked out with all the comfort of a hotel room (luxury bedding, private bathroom, air-conditioned living area and Wi-Fi connection).

“The layout of the islands, the patio and the large windows connecting the inside of each room to the outside all provide guests with a totally immersive accommodation option at the heart of the experience,” said Damien Perrot, Senior Vice President Design at AccorHotels.

In agreement with AccorHotels’ commitments and values, the modules have been designed with sustainability in mind: materials, techniques and equipment are all environmentally friendly (fair trade amenities, environmentally certified paint, wood cladding from environmentally managed forests, LED lighting, etc.), while the modules operate using green energy (grey water recovery, etc.).

Through the Flying Nest project, AccorHotels is reaffirming its commitment to serving its customers at all levels, including at cultural, sporting and entertainment events. Kudos to AccorHotels for its innovative approach to lodging.

Are you aware of any other lodging projects incorporating shipping containers? I would love to learn about them. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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