saint etienne biennale 08: estonia's 'smart hotel' zone at 'flight number ten'

'panel nest' by monika and keret järg
image © designboom

within the 'flight number ten' exhibition, there are some countries which presented displays representing
a specific theme. estonia is exhibiting the 'smart hotel' zone which has a number of projects dealing with improving
one's stay within the hotel environment. projects range from low to high-tech solutions.


detail of the 'panel nest' design
image © designboom

using linen felt as the core material, these panels have the ability to improve the acoustics and microclimate
of a room. the linen felt is good for sound absorption. because of the flax content of the material, the fibre also
has the ability to adjust the humidity level in a room. the panels come in printed linen felt or woolen felt mixed
with tencel, bamboo or soya fibre.


another 'panel nest' design
image © designboom


'bob' by jan graps and ken ruut for haapsalu ukesetehas
image © designboom

the design of this door is part of an interactive navigation system for the hotel, INS. hotel customers receive a
small sensor which can be fixed to their shirt or put in their wallet. a central computer of the hotel determines
where the client is located within the building through the sensor and can provide the individual with directions
as to where their hotel room is. these signs have LED diodes and an LCD screen which are installed into
hotel doors. arrows made of diodes point in directions of up/down/left/right and the LCD screen displays the name
of the client with a short message on how to get to their room. upon arrival to one's room, the door has no handle.
instead, the door asks the individual to identify themselves through a fingerprint reader which in turn will open the
door if the fingerprint matches. if it doesn't match, an automatic alert is sent to the hotel reception and security.


the hotel door greets clients
image © designboom

'bubble' wall lamp by tarmo luisk
image © designboom

this wall lamp is inspired by a child blowing a bubble. it is made from vacuum moulded plastic with a light source
of maximum 40 watts and comes in red or white.