DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
For the exterior, composite wooden rods were chosen to handle Bangkok’ s heat and humidity. This approach gives the old wood new life, while ensuring the facade can withstand the weather.
Each guest room features an integrated pocket lightbox— a recessed glass balcony with plants that draws natural light inward, while maintaining privacy from neighboring buildings. This internal lighting strategy extends into the courtyard, where planted balconies create an open-air garden atmosphere that relies on natural ventilation to stay comfortable. A large exhaust system pulls hot air upward from below the glass roof, drawing fresh air in at lower levels to keep the green spaces from becoming stagnant. The hostel works within Bangkok’ s dense urban constraints by layering these systems together— light, air, and greenery— to create internal spaces that feel open, breathable, and connected to nature and daylight.
“ We started with a simple idea: to draw as much natural light as possible into the heart of the hostel and reconnect the building with the craft heritage of the neighborhood,” says Vichayuth Meenaphant, Principal at VMA Design Studio.“ The flowing wooden facade is more than just an architectural exploration— it’ s a bridge between tradition and innovation, shaped with advanced design tools, but relying on local hands and knowledge for making. It creates a space that feels open, bright, and rooted in the spirit of old Bangkok.”
Technical sheet Project Name: Double B Hostel Location: Sao Chingcha, Bangkok, Thailand Architects & Interior Designer: VMA Design Studio Project Type: Hospitality, Hostel Size: 1,200 square meters
Photo credit: Art Chitsanupong / Art Chitsanupong / Peerapat Wimolrungkarat
www. vmadesignstudio. com
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