CARIMANTI — "The Social Bar" Future Hospitality Concept - 2019
The Intervention:
Developed as a flagship architectural module within a larger exhibition dedicated to next-generation hotel hospitality at Fuorisalone, this concept of temporary installation reimages the common areas of future hotels. AVNTGARD engineered "The Social Bar"—a premium, unstaffed hospitality hub that eliminates the traditional bartender, replacing human staffing with an intuitive, phygital counter experience designed to transform self-service mixology into a catalyst for spontaneous guest socialization.
The Intervention:
Developed as a flagship architectural module within a larger exhibition dedicated to next-generation hotel hospitality at Fuorisalone, this concept of temporary installation reimages the common areas of future hotels. AVNTGARD engineered "The Social Bar"—a premium, unstaffed hospitality hub that eliminates the traditional bartender, replacing human staffing with an intuitive, phygital counter experience designed to transform self-service mixology into a catalyst for spontaneous guest socialization.
Technical & Spatial Execution:
High-End Material Palette: Formulated a luxurious, sophisticated material matrix combining polished brass (ottone), natural stone (pietra), and rich burnished steel (acciaio brunito), elevating the autonomous concept into an upscale boutique hotel aesthetic.
Ergonomic Island Counter: Engineered a large central island counter encircled by high stools. The layout positions the curated bottle inventory directly at the geometric center of the structure, making the ingredients equally visible and accessible to all guests around the perimeter.
Ceiling-Integrated Interactive Matrix: Developed an advanced, overhead projection and sensor tracking system that maps directly onto the counter surface. Interacting with the physical bottles triggers localized, top-down digital projections:
Interactive Mixology: Touching a bottle projects a dynamic list of curated cocktail recipes onto the stone surface, allowing guests to select a drink via touch and follow step-by-step visual creation guides.
Digital Urban Concierge: Projects high-resolution city maps, local attractions, and hospitality information directly onto the guest's personal counter space.
Result
An example of spatial social engineering. By shifting the focus away from a working bartender and embedding interactive technology directly into the physical architecture, "The Social Bar" successfully breaks down social barriers—encouraging guests to collaborate, share mixology tips, and interact with one another, mapping out the future of autonomous hotel lounges.
High-End Material Palette: Formulated a luxurious, sophisticated material matrix combining polished brass (ottone), natural stone (pietra), and rich burnished steel (acciaio brunito), elevating the autonomous concept into an upscale boutique hotel aesthetic.
Ergonomic Island Counter: Engineered a large central island counter encircled by high stools. The layout positions the curated bottle inventory directly at the geometric center of the structure, making the ingredients equally visible and accessible to all guests around the perimeter.
Ceiling-Integrated Interactive Matrix: Developed an advanced, overhead projection and sensor tracking system that maps directly onto the counter surface. Interacting with the physical bottles triggers localized, top-down digital projections:
Interactive Mixology: Touching a bottle projects a dynamic list of curated cocktail recipes onto the stone surface, allowing guests to select a drink via touch and follow step-by-step visual creation guides.
Digital Urban Concierge: Projects high-resolution city maps, local attractions, and hospitality information directly onto the guest's personal counter space.
Result
An example of spatial social engineering. By shifting the focus away from a working bartender and embedding interactive technology directly into the physical architecture, "The Social Bar" successfully breaks down social barriers—encouraging guests to collaborate, share mixology tips, and interact with one another, mapping out the future of autonomous hotel lounges.
