Project Overview
Building on Neom’s award-winning Nimbus concept from Cornell’s Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, Nebula brings the flying hotel closer to reality. It reimagines the interior specifically for couples expecting an intimate and luxurious cultural immersion. The flying hotel integrates smart glass controls, AR storytelling, and ergonomic design to create a highly personalized and emotionally resonant travel experience.
Roles
Interior design, UI design, branding
Collaborators
julia zhang, jill zhang, yucheng shu
Timeline
2 months (2024)
Tools
autocad, rhino, figma, midjourney
“how might we better align users’ experiences on Nimbus with the unique luxury tourism that Saudi Arabia aims for in Vision 2030.”
THE PRODUCT
“NEBULA” Nimbus flying hotel
In alignment with Vision 2030, the original Nimbus design reimagines sustainable luxury hospitality as a flying, transportable hotel borrowing their physics from hot air balloons. This concept will be tailored perfectly towards high-end travelers through:
Story-telling: Cultural Integration
AR Glass Overlay: location label, visual storytelling of cultural context, culturally-significant movie browsing
Fantasy Getaway: Blended Reality
AR Glass Overlay: constellation information
Romantic Setting: automatic shifting glass filters and lighting, personalizable aromatherapy scents, stargazing recreation
Comfort: Physical & Psychological
AR Glass Overlay: pilot cabin simulation, NIMBUS camera POVs
Ergonomic Well-being: privacy glass filter, temperature control
FF+E: sustainable, cozy, luxurious
Solution Impact
Necker Island Resort
$5,500
Luxury Safari
$6,000
Private Island Rental
$7,000
Ritz-Carlton Yacht
$5,000
The Explorer
$100,000
NIMBUS
$7,900
Spaceship Neptune
$150,000
Aman Jet
$12,500
Yacht Charter
$16,000
Private Helicopter Tequila Tour
$21,000
Cruise Ship Suite
$11,000
Mobility
Sustainabilityh
*Dot size is price/night for a couple
Vision 2030
Launched in 2016, Vision 2030 aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a global hub for luxury tourism, emphasizing sustainability, nature preservation, and cultural awareness. Unfolding in three five-year phases, it began with reforms to society and the economy, accelerated with major investments and ambitious projects, and now focuses on sustaining impact while expanding new growth opportunities.
To have three Saudi cities be recognized in the top-ranked 100 cities in the world
To increase annual capacity to welcome Umrah visitors from 8 million to 30 million
To more than double the number of Saudi heritage sites registered with UNESCO
Research
Target Environment Analysis
1
Temperature
Neom is experiencing rising air temperatures with large differences between day and night (20+°).
2
Weather
There has been more frequent extreme weather events in the NEOM region over the past 40 years.
3
Landscape
Most of Neom is situated on a flat terrain.
4
Precipitation
Most of Neom experiences low precipitation rates.
5
Flooding
There is some risk of experiencing flash floods in Neom.
6
Windspeed
The range of windspeed throughout a year is 8-14 mph.
Research
Target Consumer Group Analysis
After abundant user research, this project defined their target user group. Based on this groups characteristics, I created a specific persona profile for a couple visiting Saudi Arabia.
John and Jane are adventure-seeking individuals from New York City who had just married last week. Coming from busy lives, they want a private vacation to spend between themselves. They’re hoping to find an intimate and memorable retreat for their romantic honeymoon.
Couples
Adventure-Seeking
5-Day Itinerary
$7900/night
Predicted Pain Points
Predicted Expectation Points
Project Nimbus is a new concept that clients would never have had experienced. Naturally, there will be fear of the unknown.
Fear-related
Exclusive Activities
Luxury is fostered when there is scarcity. Participating in exclusive activities makes visitors feel special.
This exclusive space and experience is meant for intimate relations. Clients may have concerns with violations of such privacy.
Intimacy-related
Purposeful Zoning
Separating space by functionality helps make design feel intentional, controls aesthetics, and ensures privacy.
The trip represents the culture and developments of Saudi Arabia. Resources are needed to provide such knowledge.
Knowledge-related
Attention to Detail
Personalization combined with flawless execution transforms ordinary experiences into memorable moments. Services that anticipate needs makes guests feel cherished.
In consideration of the target consumer group’s pain points and expectation points, 3 main design goals were generated...
Safety
Addressing fear of flying by increasing the psychological safety of customers.
Addressing fear of the space by increasing perceived openness and transparency.
Privacy
Addressing sense of foreignness by increasing client’s control of their environment.
Addressing quality times by creating romantic spaces for couples to explore.
Once-in-a-Lifetime, Luxurious Experience
Addressing lack of resources on experience by seamlessly integrating local cultural learning throughout the journey.
The additional research gave my team the information needed to fill in the blanks and make decisions in tailoring the experience.
STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Building the Base
Material Analysis
ampliTEX
With Bcomp as Neom’s partner, amplitTex would be the main structural and aesthetic materials to the pod.
ampliTex is a composite material made of woven
hemp reinforced by biodegradable resin.
low-carbon manufarutinrg process
high strength and insulation
impact resistant
waterproof
lightweight
Floor Plan Modification
Smart glass: to give clients a sense of privacy and so that AR entertainment can be embedded into the space.
Furniture: continuous lines are used to thread spaces together.
Loft: hallowing out some ceiling would increase perceived spaciousness and decrease chances of claustrophobia.
Circular balcony: 360° sight viewing regardless of rain or wind.
Angled grass slope: replicate the experience of stargazing, an activity perfect for Neom where skies are clear.
Smart Glass
ampliTEX
Beige Hemp Fabric Upholstery
Recycled Polyester (PET) Carpet
Permeable Rubber Paver
Beige Cork Carpet
Artificial Turf
Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Solar Panels
Ground Floor
Balcony
STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Taking Off
Weight Summary
Particulars
NIMBUS Carrying Capacity
Structure
Fresh Water
Renewable Propane Tank (60g)
Solar Film
Tesla Powerwall + Batteries
Furniture
Couch
Couch Table
Living Room Side Table
Dining Chair
Dining Table
Bed
Bedside Table
Deco
Pilot Simulation Chair
Grey Water
Black Water
Human Considerations
Guests
Guest Luggage
Staff
Weight/Unit (kg)
-
400
400
55
2
154
355
70
25
15
10
40
130
15
30
20
50
50
253
90
23
90
Total Weight (kg)
2,746
400
400
110
180
308
400
70
25
15
20
40
130
30
30
40
50
50
316
180
46
90
Total: 2,214
# of Units
-
1
1
2
90
2
-
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
-
2
2
1
Structural Modification
Cultural & Religious Inspiration
Celestial Globe
Pioneering approaches to navigation and interpretations of the constellations from the Islamic Culture.
Mashrabiya
Beauty of geometry in architectural elements.
The Icosidodecahedron
generates isotropic strength which distributes loads evenly.
Symmetry
great for aerodynamic motion.
Spherical Approximation
resist deformation and provide structural stability.
Triangles
allow for larger transparent panels and doorway.
Pentagons
Weight Consideration
While the deliverables only required spatial modifications, our team strongly felt that a smart home application would pair the best to create a complete user experience for high-end travelers. looking for an intimate ambience, cultural-immersion, and a tailored trip in Saudi Arabia.
SmART HOME CONTROL
Take Control of Your Journey
“We provide full transparency to let you know how we operate to ensure your safety”
Access cameras from different angles to monitor NIMBUS’s flight
Lock and unlock doors conveniently
Simulate the pilot’s cabin to understand the mechanics behind the magic
Track your NIMBUS’s location throughout your flight
SmART HOME CONTROL
Entertainment That Follows You
“Watch culturally-significant films overlooking the breath-taking scenery”
Connect your personal device to the smart home system to view entertainment on larger surfaces
Control glass opacity of the surface selected to project entertainment
Adjust screen opacity, screen size, and volume for level of immersion
SmART HOME CONTROL
Setting Up Your Own Story
“Customize each room’s lighting, temperature, and aroma to create the perfect ambience for any situation”
Takeaways
This project strengthened my ability to think beyond isolated products and design at the level of integrated ecosystems . I learned to translate speculative concepts into spatially grounded, experience-driven strategies, balancing aesthetic vision with environmental constraints, feasibility, and user flow. By weaving together physical architecture, digital interfaces, and contextual storytelling, I refined my approach to designing immersive, adaptive environments that respond to both high-level user desires and landscape conditions.
