“Budget Chic” Look for Hostels
As part of the £13.5 million plans announced last week, YHA have appointed design consultancy Blacksheep to develop “interior concepts” for up to 37 of it properties, according to a report in Design Week.
These concepts will be based around five themes: city, coastal, country, activities and heritage. In addition, finished designs will need to push the YHA brand whilst reflecting the individual character of each property. No simple task then!
We looked at part of the YHA’s mission statement,’ says Blacksheep senior designer Kylie Holton, ‘and have drawn out four things that we will apply – integrity, inclusivity, a useful element and a sense of value. There are different ways we can go about these things. There must be longevity in the design, with a natural look which can be reflected in the graphics. County schemes will be featured, such as moose heads made out of timber. We are looking towards a kind of “budget chic”.
Tempting though it is to snigger about wooden moose heads, I think that it’s good to see YHA investing in the design of its hostels - maybe it will tackle issues like the lack of ambience The Guardian found at National Forest last month. I just hope they don’t allow form to override function, members’ kitchens and drying rooms may not be chic but they’re vital to what hostelling is about.
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Not just sniggering, I’m afraid I laughed out loud at the thought of Fawlty Towers being re-enacted at Youth Hostels around the country as the moose heads are nailed up. “Hello. How are You Today?” “I can speak English, I learn it from a book”
Being serious, I believe that to get a high number of the tourist board stars that the YHA uses to rate its hostels, there has to be co-ordination of decor.
Comment by John Mann — 8 Feb 2008 @ 7:22 am