Architects Design "Jenga Hotel" With Removable Container Rooms, Hong Kong (1)

Shipping containers become the building blocks of architecture's future

Architects in Hong Kong have designed a Jenga-inspired hotel. The Hive-Inn hotel would be composed of recycled shipping containers which can be inserted and removed, depending on the needs and business of the hotel. The Jenga-like grid structure would allow containers to be slotted in and removed without disturbing the other container rooms.

The creators, Slimane Ouahes and Christophe Barthelemy, of Ova Studio believe that is is not just an innovative hotel design with space for branding. They feel the idea could also be extended as a response for emergency housing or medical-care units.

The duo explained that the design of the hotel lies in the idea of maximum flexibility and mobility. This is a trend that is embodied in our modern way of living.

Barthelemy explained, "Containers came as a natural answer to this vision; the challenge was to keep it technically feasible, mobile and fun. We wanted to keep the true nature of containers alive: containers are mobile, containers travel! It created this interesting paradox in which hotel rooms can come to you, expanding the market to residents."

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Dual, Duel and Duo
duo n. 雙人組
/ˈduːwoʊ/
- The duo will tour several cities.
dual adj. 雙倍, 雙重的
/ˈduːwəl/
- a dual purpose
duel n. 對決
/ˈduːwəl/
- They both decided that the matter be settled by a dual.

Grammar Gym
Containers came as a natural answer to this vision; the challenge was to keep it technically feasible, mobile and fun.
[Subject is a/ the] natural [something]; the challenge [is/was to+verb].
- Wanting to get first place is a natural desire for many people; the challenge is to work hard and to stay disciplined.
- Anger is a natural feeling when someone does something bad to you; the challenge is to do the right thing even when you are feeling angry.

Language Lab
slot v. past tense and past participle slotted, present participle slotting
to go into a slot, or to put something in a slot
- John slotted the card into the device, and the door opened automatically.
- The worker slotted the last tile neatly into place.
slot n.
a long narrow hole in a surface, that you can put something into:
- a slot machine

brand v.
to give a name to a product or group of products so that they can be easily recognized by their name or design
- The company branded their latest app "Dustpan". It cleans out junk mail efficiently.
branding n.
- Good branding and marketing strategies increased the company's sales rapidly.

embody v.
to represent (something) in a clear and obvious way : to be a symbol or example of (something)
- The spirit of women's independence is embodied in this author's works.
- The character embodied the strong will and perseverance of a mother.

paradox n.
a situation that seems strange because it involves two ideas or qualities that are very different:
- Sam is a paradox. He loves being alone yet longs to be understood.
- The paradox is that we fought the war thinking it would bring peace.

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