Ashlee House hotel lobby and lounge
London
24H-architecture

Vibrant touches make a low-cost hotel buzz with activity

© Christian Richters

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For this low-budget hotel in the center of London, the architects designed a reception area and lounge. Despite its messy interior perimeter wall, the existing space boasts large windows along the sidewalk and wood floors, creating the potential for an impressive low-cost design.

A new curved wall hides the walls of the storage room and office space, effectively concealing their defects. On this surface, custom-designed wallpaper transforms the area, displaying tourist information such as images of the subway map printed on a semi-transparent mesh. Other areas show London streetscapes, replete with lampposts that light up at night, giving a surreal effect from the outside. This combination of image and texture reflects the comings and goings of guests in the hotel.

The architects used the idea of a "shop window" to inform the lobby area, with guests lounging on specially designed couches serving as advertisements for the hotel. Covered with brown snake-print leather and sheepskin, the couch and other seating are arranged to encourage interaction.

In this manner, the Ashlee House makes the most of its potential, confirming that a low-cost hotel must not be low on design.

Formal name of Project:
Ashlee House hotel lobby and lounge

Location:
London

Gross square footage:
1,076 sq. ft.

Total Construction Cost:
$30,000

Owner:
Anne Dolan, Ashlee House, London

Architect:
24H-architecture
Rotterdam
info@24h-architecture.com
www.24h-architecture.com

Maartje Lammers & Boris Zeisser