Competition Winners: Reimagine The Future of Hospitality with A.I.

The three winners of our inaugural student design competition entitled “Reimagine The Future of Hospitality with A.I.” have been announced! The event saw 10 finalists, selected from over 100 entries, presenting live at WATG’s Singapore office. Alongside their prize, the winners received a 3D printed competition trophy and an internship or mentorship opportunity with WATG & Wimberly Interiors.

A community event of the 2024 Singapore Design Week supported by DesignSingapore Council, the competition was aimed at harnessing the potential of young minds in redefining the way we conceive and design through A.I. The objective was to empower students’ spirit of experimentation to explore the forefront of innovation and creativity in the rapidly evolving field of A.I.

As the leading integrated design firm for luxury hospitality projects, WATG has been pushing the boundaries of possibilities since our dawning days in Honolulu in 1945. Ahead of our 80th anniversary in 2025, the competition marks a celebration of its legacy in hospitality and pioneering spirit in constant reinvention and innovation.

Mountain Sanctuary by Angus Tung

The Mountain Sanctuary is a wellness retreat concept that blends traditional Chinese philosophy with AI technology to create a personalized, transformative experience. Designed by Angus Tung, the retreat draws inspiration from user experiences on Xiaohongshu (Redbook), reflecting a growing trend among young professionals seeking inner peace through spiritual retreats.

Key features include AI-enhanced spaces guided by Feng Shui principles, personalized wellness plans based on real-time biometrics, and interactive experiences like AI-assisted tea ceremonies and nature trails. This seamless integration of tradition and technology provides a dynamic environment focused on holistic well-being, relaxation, and spiritual growth.

Healing Horizons by Liu Ziyi

Healing Horizons is a luxury wellness retreat concept that integrates cutting-edge AI technology with nature-inspired environments to create a transformative, eco-conscious experience. This innovative design promotes emotional, psychological, and physical well-being through personalized healing journeys, where AI adjusts lighting, sound, and spatial orientation in real-time to meet each guest’s unique needs.

Drawing inspiration from the flexible, adaptive nature of the willow tree, Healing Horizons features dynamic, sustainable spaces that respond to guests’ emotions, fostering relaxation and rejuvenation. By seamlessly blending technology and nature, this retreat sets a new standard for holistic healing and sustainable luxury hospitality.

The Zenith Cove by Janessa Kwan

The Zenith Cove is a transformative retreat where architecture and nature merge to create an immersive wellness experience. Embracing biophilic design and sustainable materials, it integrates seamlessly into coastal cliffs and lush forests. Our fluid, organic design blurs indoor and outdoor boundaries, allowing natural light and landscapes to permeate interiors. Discreet advanced technologies offer AI-driven personalized wellness programs and responsive environments adapting to guests’ emotional and physical needs. Zenith Cove stands as a testament to innovative design harmonized with nature, providing a holistic sanctuary that elevates the human experience while honoring the environment.

Wellness tourism is projected to grow by 16.6% annually, reaching $1.4 trillion in 2027 (source: Global Wellness Institute). As wellness becomes a core offering within the luxury hospitality experience, its growing prominence brings evolution, innovation and nuance in corresponding design..

Participants were invited to envision a new wellness destination using A.I. tools that is centered around a fresh concept of wellness and explain the design direction and intent.

The panel of judges comprised the following esteemed leaders in their fields:

• Immanuel Koh (Assistant Professor | SUTD, Director | Artificial-Architecture)
• Kelley Cheng (Founder & Creative Director | The Press Room)
• Varun Kapoor (Practice Director | Digital Strategy Group for Adobe)
• Sean Harry (Global Managing Principal of Digital Practice | WATG)
• Daniel Caven (Computational Design Lead, Information Technology | WATG)

Finalists were judged on creativity and originality of both their final output and methodology, their ability to capture the spirit of the design task and their presentation in delivering their ideas. Consideration of ESG, enhancement to social, cultural, and environmental aspects were deemed as a bonus.

The competition called for entries from July 29 to September 25, with finalists announced on September 27. Top 10 finalists were then invited for a live presentation on October 4 at the WATG office in front of the panel of judges and live audience comprising academia, design students, agencies, consultants and media.

“At WATG, our Digital Practice team is actively exploring the transformative role that A.I. plays in improving efficiencies, enhancing design, and shaping design decisions. We’re already seeing its impact on workflows and the ideation process within our studios, and we’re excited about how it will ultimately enhance the guest experience. Our 2024 Singapore Design Week program with our talented student finalists is focused on this very potential. Very soon, A.I. can enable real-time forecasting of guest preferences, allowing staff to anticipate needs and offer personalized experiences. As we design for the future, we’re providing our clients with flexible solutions that can adapt to the technologies of tomorrow. The innovative concepts our finalists shared are testament to the passion and creativity each of you bring to this A.I. revolution,” commented Sean Harry, Global Managing Principal of Digital Practice of WATG.

The top 10 finalists are (not in order of merit):

1. Hyunjin Song + Ronnan Irfan Bin Mohamad Zain (Lasalle College of the Arts)
2. Janessa Kwan Su Hui (Singapore University of Technology and Design)
3. Vy Tran (Raffles College of Higher Education)
4. Ziyi, Liu (Singapore Polytechnic)
5. Nayeon, Ko + Roan Kristofer Reyes Domingo (Lasalle College of the Arts)
6. Amily Chou + Chan Wei Ching (Temasek Polytechnic)
7. Angus Tung (Royal College of Art/ King’s College London)
8. Fu, Pei-Ching + Kuo, En-Fan (National Cheng Kung University)
9. Chih Hung, Cheng (National Cheng Kung University)
10. Nguyen Viet Manh (Hanoi Architectural University)

WATG would like to thank all participating students, institutions, DesignSingapore Council and PTC System (S) Pte Ltd for their kind support.