For centuries people throughout the world have gathered around the hookah to share stories and life experiences. The ancient smoking custom first gained popularity in the Middle East, then spread to India, Europe, Russia, Canada, and more recently, the U.S. Today, there are hookah bars in major cities worldwide.
At the heart of the hookah experience is the water pipe itself, comprising a main body (usually made of glass or ceramic) that holds water and circulates air, a bowl for burning charcoal and various shisha tobacco flavors and a flexible hose for smoke inhalation. While all components have seen minimal design tweaks over the generations, the basic form, function, and materiality of each have remained fundamentally unchanged for hundreds of years.
With Boombang's help, Kaloud was poised to catapult this ancient tradition into the twenty-first century in new and exciting ways.
Since smoking the hookah is at its core a social and communal occasion, its recent appeal tends to skew to an under 30 demographic. After gaining valuable insights into the market through extensive industry research, we determined that the traditional hookah design needed to radically evolve if it wanted to penetrate a newer, younger market in the U.S.
The first question we asked ourselves was: how do we take an ancient practice that transcends and unites cultures and move it forward while still honoring its heritage and cultural vitality?
The answer: by completely reimagining the traditional water pipe from stem to stern and elevating the entire product to feel luxurious, handcrafted (and hand-numbered!), and uniquely modern. More than just a common hookah, Boombang and Kaloud set about creating the Krysalis.
The Kaloud Krysalis system is truly a revolutionary design. Taking cues from the Japanese tea ceremony, we aimed to position this new experience as a socially appealing activity and make the physical components objects of art in their own right.
The Krysalis consists of 80 different high-end and components sourced from the best materials on earth, such as premium hand-blown crystal from Czechoslovakia, hand-cut marble inlays and sustainably sourced exotic woods from Italy. The final result? A new kind of communal smoking experience that is as easy on the eyes as it is to use.
We didn't just completely redesign the water pipe on the outside; we also considered the mechanics of each individual component and the physics surrounding them. We updated the fluid and air dynamics of the traditional pipe's air and water circulation by developing a patented enclosed heat management device that dramatically helps regulate airflow. And we added a downstream filtration system that allows the user to inhale cleaner, less toxic smoke.
To appropriately bring this new product and experience to market in a compelling and dynamic way, we created a complete packaging and branding strategy for Kaloud's rollout.
We also developed an advanced sensor technology that allows smokers to network as a group and create a living community through their Kaloud experience. And we added a Bluetooth enabled lighting control system to set and adjust the mood of the party. The Kaloud Krysalis also has a customized storage area that neatly and smartly hides all smoking paraphernalia to comfortably display as a stylish and exotic jewel box on any coffee table.
Kaloud's new offering is a tradition evolved. The new Krysalis entices all of your senses while also updating the whole experience to be more stylish, safer, smarter, accessible, portable, and ultimately, much more enjoyable for future generations around the world to share love, laughter, and life experiences.