The project is currently raising money on Kickstarter, where the founder – photographer Jeremy Cowart – is asking donors to become cofounders of the first Purpose Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Everything that a hotel guest interacts with, from the linen to the soap, is connected to a meaningful idea. Each room supports the education of a child, whose personal story is printed on the wall by the door. The bedspreads are sewn by survivors of human trafficking. Wifi is free but can be upgraded to a faster connection for a fee; the money then goes towards the fight against human trafficking. The art on the walls features important humanitarian projects around the world. A co-working space offers guests the chance to collaborate with each other, and everything lends itself to the creation of a purpose-driven community.
Finally, your receipt doesn’t just outline where you have spent money: it indicates where you have made an impact.
There is a growing trend towards technology, art and design meeting justice and microenterprise. In September 2015, Benjamin Hubert of Layer Design Studio launched Worldbeing, a wearable that helps the user track their carbon footprint and work towards decreasing their impact on the environment. The Purpose Hotel is a new addition to the wave of conscious consumerism.
Design Indaba inspires and empowers people to create a better future through design and creativity. We are an online publication (www.designindaba.com) with an annual festival and social impact Do Tank.
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