flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Development startup brings modular solution to hospitality industry

Modular Building

Development startup brings modular solution to hospitality industry

Tomu Inc. provides aspiring hosts and hoteliers with modular units akin to upscale tiny house hotel rooms, that are sustainable, affordable, and customizable.


By Quinn Purcell, Managing Editor | October 11, 2023
TOMU Villa Rendering Luxury Resort
Tomu Inc.’s modular and sustainable Villa Collection provides comfortable, private, and affordable accommodations. Rendering courtesy Tomu Inc.

The hotel industry has long been dominated by major global corporations, making it difficult for newcomers to break into the field without significant financial resources and industry connections. However, building startup Tomu Inc. wants to change the landscape by offering an innovative and accessible solution: modular hotel units.

Tomu Inc., a sustainability-focused development startup that designs and builds prefabricated housing units, has started production of its luxury hotel units. The startup's modular system provides aspiring hoteliers with turnkey hotel units, akin to upscale tiny house hotel rooms, that are sustainable, affordable, and customizable to cater to various audiences, including underserved travelers. Chris Osaka, CEO of Tomu Inc., emphasizes the company's mission to empower a more diverse range of hosts and hoteliers.

“Our sustainable modular hotel units save money and time, while providing the individual owner a realistic opportunity to enter into the hospitality industry," says Osaka. The CEO underscores that Tomu can bring concepts to life, from design to delivery, within a few months.

Building Customized Modular Hotel Units

The company's approach extends to various types of accommodations, from landscape hotels and cozy bed and breakfasts to compact micro hotels and food and wine-themed properties. Tomu's selling point lies in its proprietary prefab hotel units, which allow property owners to design their rooms with different aesthetics to target specific customer segments.

Modular living unit bathroom and kitchen
Courtesy Tomu Inc.

The process involves selecting a prefab unit shell from Tomu and working closely with a design team to fully customize the physical elements and desired design parameters. The company offers three levels of unit configuration:

  • Ready To Stay: Tomu's line of detached guest units, known as the Villa Collection, come in studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans—all designed in a distinctive Tomu aesthetic. The Villa Collection caters to the evolving preferences of modern travelers, suitable for both short weekend getaways and longer stays.
  • Made To Suit: Developer clients have the option to customize configurations of Tomu's Villa Collection to align with project requirements. The startup collaborates with developers to tailor amenities to match the project's unique concept.
  • Fully Bespoke: Rather than maintaining Tomu's signature material palette and fixtures, this configuration gives clients full design control.

To support their vision, Tomu recently acquired a 15,000-sf production facility at the Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Md., in order to expand manufacturing capabilities and production by Q4 2023. Learn more about Tomu Inc. on the company's website.

Tomu Inc.'s Studio Villa Model (480 sq. ft.) - Living and Sleeping Area Rendering
Tomu Inc.'s Studio Villa Model (480 sf) — Living and Sleeping Area Rendering. Courtesy Tomu Inc.

Related Stories

| Jul 15, 2014

A look into the history of modular construction

Modular construction is more than a century old, and throughout its lifespan, the methods have been readapted to meet specific needs of different eras.

| Jul 9, 2014

The one misstep that could be slowing your company’s growth

Change. It’s inevitable. And success for any professional may very well depend on how well we adapt to it. SPONSORED CONTENT

| Jul 7, 2014

7 emerging design trends in brick buildings

From wild architectural shapes to unique color blends and pattern arrangements, these projects demonstrate the design possibilities of brick. 

| Jul 2, 2014

Emerging trends in commercial flooring

Rectangular tiles, digital graphic applications, the resurgence of terrazzo, and product transparency headline today’s commercial flooring trends.

| Jun 30, 2014

Gen X, not Baby Boomers, spending the most money on homes [infographic]

It turns out that Generation X, who have the highest incomes of the three generations surveyed, are paying the highest home payments and tend to have the largest households. 

| Jun 25, 2014

The best tall buildings of 2014

Four high-rise buildings from multiple continents have been selected as the best of their region. The best worldwide tall building will be announced November 6. 

| Jun 23, 2014

5 new designs unveiled for Make It Right homes at Fort Peck, Mont.

Make It Right, Brad Pitt's foundation that builds homes for people in need, has just revealed five new designs for the Fort Peck (Mont.) Indian Reservation.

| Jun 19, 2014

First Look: 10 Design unveils new luxury apartments plan in Dubai

The Seventh Heaven complex features a stepped form that will offer stunning views of the Dubai skyline.

| Jun 18, 2014

Arup uses 3D printing to fabricate one-of-a-kind structural steel components

The firm's research shows that 3D printing has the potential to reduce costs, cut waste, and slash the carbon footprint of the construction sector.

| Jun 13, 2014

First look: BIG's spiraling museum for watchmaker Audemars Piguet

The glass-and-steel pavilion's spiral structure acts as a storytelling device for the company's history.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021