Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Exterior Photography, WindowsLittle Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Windows, FacadeLittle Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Exterior Photography, Facade, WindowsLittle Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, ChairLittle Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - More Images+ 29

Tambon Nong Hoi, Thailand
  • Design Team: Adhithep Leewananthawet, Pitchaya Poonsin, Tanadeth Mahapolsirikun, Supavit Junsompitsiri, Yada Pianpanit, Apisara Lertrattanakit
  • Clients: Little Shelter Co.Ltd
  • City: Tambon Nong Hoi
  • Country: Thailand
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Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Exterior Photography, Facade, Windows
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Text description provided by the architects. Little Shelter is located in Chiang Mai where its old cityscape and vernacular architecture are characterized by wood structure with shingle pitched roof.  The hotel roof form inspired by traditional hip roofs as homage to the local architecture has a little reinterpretation with an asymmetrical form blending naturally with the surrounding tree top silhouette.  The west side of the roof is partially carved out to become a roof deck for guests to enjoy the panoramic river view at sunset.

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Windows, Facade
© W Workspace Company Limited

The design continues the local architectural character through the use of the predominant traditional material – the wood shingles.  The most interesting aspect of the material is in its system that has been well developed for hundreds of years.  Small units of wood shingles are laid out like fish scales to become a watertight architectural plane.  

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Image 20 of 34
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The design has explored a possibility to fuse new materials into the system to create a contemporary architectural surface yet deeply rooted in tradition.The wood shingles are used on the roof and side walls.  On the river facade, polycarbonate sheets are cut into the same size as wood shingles and constructed to become the architectural translucent facade.  

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Chair
© W Workspace Company Limited

On the entrance  façade, the upper portion is composed of solid wood shingles and they trickle down to mixed with polycarbonate shingles on the lower part.  Although working with the traditional shingle system, the uninterrupted translucency surface is achieved by a special detail design using translucent studs and special transparent screws.

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Image 29 of 34
Ground floor plan
Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Image 30 of 34
Second floor plan

The facade is glittering in the sun as the light touches different material grains, from the solid wood shingles to the different translucency levels of the polycarbonate shingles.  The light passes through the facade and creates varying interior atmosphere at different time with the changing light condition of the sky.  At night with the light from the inside, the building becomes a lantern glowing on the riverbank.  The structure seems less of a building but becomes more like a piece of craftwork.

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair
© W Workspace Company Limited

The public area interior complements the exterior simplicity, gives a gallery-like feeling that accommodates the site-specific installations inspired by the famous Boh–Srang umbrella, and creates delicate and dramatic silhouettes expressing contemporary interpretation of the local handicraft.  

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Interior Photography, Bedroom
© W Workspace Company Limited

The guest room interior is a place to rediscover Chiang Mai in a new angle, literally.  Images of important places and events of Chiang Mai such as its ancient city wall, floating lantern festival, pine forest, Pah-Chor canyon, etc., are placed on the entire ceiling.

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows
© W Workspace Company Limited

The images infinitely reflected onto the two long walls cladded with small mirror shingles, giving a surreal borderless sensation.  The images are all different for each of the fourteen guest rooms.  Each emanates different and unique feeling: tranquil, playful, cultured, mysterious, etc. suitable for any preferences of the guests.

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Image 7 of 34
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Little Shelter is not only a place to sleep.  It is an introduction of the past, the present, and probably the future of Chiang Mai to its visitors.

Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows
© W Workspace Company Limited

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Project location

Address:208 / 25 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd, Tambon Wat Ket, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Little Shelter Hotel / Department of Architecture" 26 May 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/917767/little-shelter-hotel-department-of-architecture> ISSN 0719-8884

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小小庇护所,镜面瓦片立面打造超现实无边界酒店 / Department of Architecture

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