Together Hostel by Cao Pu Studio: 2017 Best of Year Winner for Budget
Going camping in the middle of a city of 21 million would seem an oxymoron. Yet architect Cao Pu gives hospitality a new twist with a hostel that he describes as “indoor camping for youth.” The location is equally unusual, two levels rented from a conventional hotel. While one level still has rooms, the other is the so-called campground. Cao conceived the 7,200 square feet as an open space where people can hang out, watch movies, and cook together as well as staying overnight. “The concept of a music festival was mentioned during the design process,” he continues. He’s referring specifically to Woodstock, although 1969 is ancient history to this crowd.
Major demolition made way for the single-occupancy and double “tents.” Actually more like cabins, the structures are framed in wood, with walls and roofs in translucent polycarbonate, and arrayed in groups. Each group shares electrical sockets and extension cords, and each tent has its own reading lights. Should guests opt to put on a concert, wooden amphitheater seating provides for that, too.
As for the cost, it came in at the equivalent of only $110 per square foot. Happy campers all around.
Project Designer: Shanmu Zihong.
> See more from the December 2017 issue of Interior Design
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