Location: Huaikhwang Bangkok
Project Type: Architectural and Interior Renovation
Size: 600m2
Completion: 2014

Design Team: Pitupong Chaowakul with Suchart Ouypornchaisakul, Korakot Meesatien, Kasidis Puektes, Supakorn Sinthutarn and Sujinda Khawkum

Photographs: WWorkspace

yim huaikhwang hostel

A young couple walked into our office, eager to leave their routine jobs behind and dive into an exciting new adventure. They shared their dream of creating a chain of small hostels with compact yet incredibly cozy beds for travelers of all ages. They named their dream "YIM," which means "SMILE" in Thai. The first of its kind is Yim Huai Khwang, nestled in the bustling Bangkok district of the same name. And guess what? More YIMs are on the horizon!

Their first move is transforming a 20+ year-old shophouse into a 16-room pilot hostel. This building, once a rental condo sales office, is getting a major makeover while keeping some of its original charm. We’ve dubbed it the "Batman Hostel" – think superhero transformation but with a nod to Bruce Wayne’s roots.

Outside, we're uncovering the building’s original modernist façade, which is bursting with character. We added bamboo panels, handmade in rural Thailand, behind the existing sunshade to create a striking contrast and spotlight the architecture we admire. These bamboo walls also provide privacy between the hostel rooms.

Inside, it’s all about mixing it up. We kept the marble reception counter from the previous tenant and paired it with a new collage wall made from old fashion and design magazines. Divided by a giant clock covered in colorful toys, the guest dining area is a vintage all-white tile space. Just a few steps away, the public areas are an explosion of colors: a turquoise stairwell, an orange hall on the second floor, and a yellow corridor on the third.

The 16 hostel rooms keep it simple with white and natural wood tones to make the compact spaces feel roomier. Six bunk beds are built into capsule-like units for added privacy. Staying at Yim Huai Khwang Hostel isn’t just about saving money – it’s about enjoying a unique experience. YIM Hostel is here to show that budget travel can be both comfy and unforgettable.

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