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As a counterpoint to an established heritage brand such as Morgan, Robert Craft chose to explore an advanced modular hotel room inspired by Japanese solutions to space and volume. Called YOMAD after the fast-developing YO brand in Europe, the concept comprises of two cylinders that rotate internally to arrange themselves in a variety of positions to provide accomodation. A kind of VW Microbus for the 21st Century.
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Daniel Durrant also took the theme of a transforming vehicle as the basis of his Nissan model. Called Nexum 2025, the monovolume concept divides into two independent vehicles, much in the same way as the Chrysler Voyager 3 showcar of 1990. The small front part can act as a 2-seat city commuter car while the rear pod is added for weekend trips with a full family on board.
Bustami Pollard's Ford city car explores a new honest sculpture and sheer surfaces for an advanced form of public transport. The monolithic, somewhat sinister, form appears slammed into the ground yet it actually uses electromagnets within the 'wheels' to provide lift, propulsion and braking, powered by a fuel cell. The cabin seats three passengers seated sideways.
Other projects included:
- Cadillac 'Thunder-Bay' 2+2 by Leon Comben
- A luxury transatlantic Ekranoplan by Will Jarman
- A Nissan for the Playstation generation by Ian Gray
- A self guided, long-distance commuter vehicle by Greg Shilton
- Volvo 'Active Life' Pick-up for USA by Paul Goldsmith
Although cars make up the majority of the projects on show, the sheer range of projects covered is impressive. No less than seven motorcycles, two aircraft and four boats also featured in the show and it's particularly in these non-automotive areas of transportation design that Coventry is increasingly successful in placing graduates.
Industry visitors to the Show included senior design staff from BMW, Ford, GM, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan USA, Nike and Porsche.
Coventry School of Art and Design website: www.coventry.ac.uk
Related stories:
Coventry University Degree Show 2004
Coventry University Degree Show 2003
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