The Alley Hotel

In response to the brief and the site itself, the consideration of how different programs alter the identity of Joo Chiat highlighted that introducing a hotel typology for visitors to experience the real Joo Chiat was paradoxical. As such, the idea of residential involvement in a transient space could reinforce the presence of locals over tourist, retaining as much of its original character. Thus the focus became on creating various infrastructure to facilitate the flexible usage of open space, similar to a void deck typology which Joo Chiat lacks.

The design was conceived such that tourists and residents are always provided with the choice of having interaction with one another. It moves away from the typical hotel typology which serves tourists exclusively. As such, in the design, certain facilities are shared between the tourists and residents. By intentionally creating alleys of varying spatial qualities throughout the design, the aim was to inform people of the positive spatial qualities which an alley can possibly achieve, such as intimacy and providing a certain degree of privacy.