The Vine

From Andrea Learned:

Mama Shelter, a new hotel in Paris, was just mentioned in a well-regarded consumer trendspotting publication:

http://springwise.com/weekly/2008-11-20.htm#mamashelter

Here’s a clip:

Created by the Trigano family—founders of Club Med—along with Parisian philosopher Cyril Aouizerate and designer Philippe Starck, Mama Shelter combines modern, technology-enabled accommodation with a friendly, communal vibe. Each morning a board lists local cultural events, and a variety of live performances take place in the hotel as well. Dining options range from a communal table to cold cabinets stocked with meals available for in-room candlelight dining 24/7. Mama Shelter’s rooms vary from 15 square meters to 35 square meters, priced starting at EUR 79 per night—very affordable by Parisian standards.

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The key trend-worthy and gender aware points: a team of thought leaders (in a variety of disciplines – and including a philosopher) developed/designed it, and they focused on creating a local/communal – as well as high design experience. These things speak to the feminine brain traits of potential guests who are looking ever more carefully at their travel decisions from a sustainable/value/cozy perspective. It goes beyond the linear points like: “what hotel have we always used” on the corporate account, or which one screams luxury/status. Mama Shelter speaks to the new “conspicuous consumption” (as defined by Nate Garvis in October).

I believe there is huge power in developing such cross-industry/discipline thought leader teams (with The Vine being a larger scale model) for every development/project. It will be interesting to watch and see if Mama Shelter succeeds (and I think it will). Just imagine if their team had also included at least one very recognized female philosopher/design expert etc…!

…worth considering for any built environment project.