PL interior design recycles materials to create hostel in taiwan

the studio, PL interior design, has transformed an existing nine level property into a hostel in the city of hualien in eastern taiwan. inspired by the client’s inherited background and hualien’s beautiful nature, the interior design plays with materiality between concrete, stone, wood, and greenery, using recycled or discarded items, such as old window frames and timber. the resulting interior creates a concept of contrasts between modernity and locality, and inherited and reborn.

communal open space with table in the center, branching out to lounge areas in each corner

images courtesy of PL interior design

the ground floor is created by the designer to contain a cafe serving coffee and cocktails, attracting not only customers who stays here but also passersby. the feature living wall connects the ground floor and second floor, which leads the customers to go up and check in. the check-in reception in front of the living wall is occupied by staff welcoming all customers. the back wall white stones gives a hint to hualien’s best feature- the beach.

customized cabinetry showcasing artwork

the large table sits in the center of the communal space and from there travellers can branch out to lounge areas in each corner. the feature wall in the back wall of communal space contains a customized cabinetry made of discarded window frames from local residences. PL interior design gathered and reused these window frames to showcase art works and travellers’ souvenirs. in one of the frames, a football was donated by a winning teenage football team with their signatures on it.

a lounge space allows travellers to enjoy the full street view

a discarded shipping container door has been reused to define the indoors and outdoors

the ground floor cafe serves coffee and cocktails

the reception area welcomes travellers to check in

3D wall painting by local artist with a real size boat hanging on the wall

an 8-person dorm with 4 double beds

one of the private suites on 7th floor to 9th floor

communal area on the second floor has a big communal table, allowing customers to mingle

project info:

project type: youth hostel

design: PL interior design

design team: chienhsin lu, chengwei chiang

client: yeh family

location: hualien city, taiwan

year completed: 2015

area: 2500 sqm

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom