SLEEEP is a new capsule hotel in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, promoting quality sleep and a sustainable culture, with a blend of design and technology.
The capsule hotel genre originated from Japan in the 1970s, providing self-contained beds with personal privacy. Building upon this architectural concept, local product developer Space is Ltd, helmed by friends Alex Kot and Jun Rivers, decided to introduce their own capsule offering in Hong Kong.
The duo first developed the SLEEEP prototype in response to Harvard’s Dean Challenge for design proposals to address population challenges in urban environments. Two years later, they realised the concept on their own in a small, former residential space in the middle of a staircase, right between Queen’s Road Central and Gough Street.
SLEEP IN STYLE
Targeting the overworked, sleep-deprived citizens of Hong Kong, SLEEEP provides a comfortable space to recharge, with online check-in, keyless entry and a choice of hourly or overnight plans.
This pilot project provides eight sleep capsules within the 367-square-foot space, that come enclosed with a thick black magnetic curtain (for privacy and as a sound barrier) and a choice of mattress, blanket thickness or pillow type.
Each capsule, called SLPer, is stylistically minimalistic and aesthetically functional, with a metal skin, real wood interior lining, rounded corners and a sleek charging panel for devices. The active air supply and climate controls and the smart circadian lighting are designed to induce natural quality sleep according to users’ body clocks.
Other essentials include free WiFi, a full locker for luggage and a wooden table surface that can be pulled out from the wall. The shared bathroom area has a heated floor, a rain shower and a hidden shower curtain to keep clothes dry.
RECHARGE, REUSE, RECYCLE
SLEEEP is also vying to be the world’s first capsule hotel to be LEED v4-certified (the highest benchmark for a Green building) with its energy- and resource-saving efforts.
It boasts a new heat recovery system from the United States, which recycles heat from the hotel’s climate control system to fuel the water boiler for hot showers. The entire operation is paperless and uses 100 per cent LED lighting, locally sourced amenities and organic cotton towels.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: SLEEEP
Location: 1/F, 242 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Completion Date: 21 October 2016
Gross Floor Area: 34.1 square metres
Client/Owner/Developer: Space is Ltd
Interior Design Firm: Space is Ltd
Design Consultant: Space is Ltd
Principal Architect: Jun Rivers
Lighting Consultant: Jun Rivers
Landscape Architect: Vernacular Ltd
Green Building Consultant: Asian European Engineering (AEE) Ltd
Interior Fit-Out Contractor: King’s Project Management Ltd
Images: SLEEEP (Space is Ltd)
