Saudi student wins innovation award

Effat University student Yasmin Abdul Fattah Sulaiman won first place in the Radical Innovation Award 2015 for her design of adaptive balloon houses used for offering a refuge for people affected by natural disasters, the CNN website published.

The inflatable vinyl balloons act as living spaces that can be installed or removed as needed on land or water. They consist of an adaptable tree designed to generate energy through vertical wind turbines.

The second place was won by VOA Associates for its Broadster Movable Hub that can be floated between major ports where guests would be able to carry out many leisure activities. The concept is based on the uses for boats, cars, cruises and stationary hotels.

Radical Innovation is a movement that challenges the hotel industry to elevate the guest experience by using new thinking in design and operations. Since 2007, Radical Innovation has awarded nearly $100,000 to progressive architectural and hospitality-minded 
In this year’s competition, more than 50 contestants from 18 countries participated. The judges were a panel of industry leaders who were looking for concept, design, creativity, and potential impact on the hotel industry.