Heritage High with Contemporary Comfort: Flow Hostel, Budapest

Flow Hostel’s location in downtown Budapest, not too much in town centre yet very comfortably close to all the visit-worthy sites and transport links, undoubtedly gains primacy over the other reasons for it to be a popular choice among travellers. It is reported to be easy to locate (except for a few grumbles about unclear signage) and safe to approach. But, its functional and attractive design comes a close second in endearing it to visitors and ensuring their return and recommendation.

The property proposed for this hostel space was an emphatically longitudinally disposed space of around 6000 sq ft on the second floor of a hundred year old building. With a loadbearing wall running down the middle through its entire length, several perpendicular walls divided the ‘now even more linear’ spaces into numerous small interconnected rooms, which had been used for variable purposes, and long dark corridors. Adapting and transforming this into the bright, warm, roomy and convenient spaces of the Flow Hostel has been PRTZN Architecture’s commendable achievement.

Beds and bunkers, 98 in total, have been dispersed through the length of the property in large dorms as well as smaller rooms for four to eight persons, with access to common or attached washrooms having showers and toilets. Interactive common spaces, such as the welcome desk area, lounge, canteen with a large service kitchen, a media room and others, have been located in between the dorms and rooms at intervals such that they form a chain of interlinked spaces threading through the layout. The location of the reception lobby at nearly the centre of the length of the front face helps tie up the scheme around a pivot.

The layout having been thus managed to affect an efficient functional flow, the details have then been called in to take over the aesthetic appeal as well as comfort and convenience. The obvious scheme that strikes an observer is the use of smaller surfaces with solid bright colours set against an expansive backdrop of white floors, walls and ceiling. This scheme remains constant throughout the hostel in all kinds of spaces indiscriminately – bed/ bunker rooms, common spaces, kitchen, washrooms or admin. And the choice of colours – with a single theme colour for each space – is basic, bright and warm. Endearing hues of amber, tangerine, marmalade red, sky blue and sap green sometimes spread themselves over large panels of wall-paint, tiles or furniture or make little splashes in nick – knacks like planters gracing a wall or lights dotting a ceiling.

The background spread of simple white is also intentioned to accommodate additions or changes any time in the future. So is the ceiling, with its neatly laid and camouflaged rows of Electrical, HVAC and other services having the flexibility to be tapped at any point. And the manner in which this cold generic set-up comes to warm life with the prudent use of colour is simply amazing.

The warm and sprightly envelope that any visitor experiences while passing through any of the common spaces is particularly notable. Green sprouts, perky hues and fun furnishings ensure comfortable interactions, blossoming friendships and forthcoming exchanges. Two design inputs that never fail to find a mention in the reviews on travel websites are the self-sufficient and well-provided beds/ bunkers and the large and equipped self-service kitchen. Each bunk-space is fitted with large roomy luggage compartments under the bed, a locker for valuables plus electrical light and outlet points over the head, as well as a towel hanging on the bedside wall and curtains for privacy – practically everything today’s young traveller needs, in a capsule!