Escape: Designing the Modern Guest House

A book showcasing guest house design which merges practicality with motifs of nature and art, to create the perfect combination of user convenience, comfort, and a unique experience Guest houses can be found in nearly every corner of the world as urban and rural dwellers open their homes, or build new ones, to host visitors. These guest houses take a multitude of forms, styles, and even names - BandB in Britain, 'pension' in France, 'minshuku' in Japan, as well as being referred to as apartment hotels, boutique hotels, or hostels in some cases - but their primary goal is to satisfy the accommodation requirements and desired experience of the guests. In contrast to the ordinary hotel, guest houses combine unique and attractive features with thematic concepts that are intended to appeal to a visitor's individuality. Hosts provide guests with more than just accommodation options; they seek to generate an environment that offers a cultural experience by means of personalised interaction and service. On a conceptual level, the guest house addresses architecture and interior design as critical methods of contributing to an alternative or ideal lifestyle. "Escape: Designing the Modern Guest House" showcases 43 distinctive projects from around the world. These exclusive works have visual and spatial impact, representing the essence of new guest house design. This book highlights some of the most outstanding architectural strategies of recent years, displaying variations on spatial experience through the interplay of design elements. It provides strong reference material for design professionals and students in architecture, interior design, and related fields, as well as those looking to revamp their guest house accommodation with a contemporary 21st-century focus. Features guest houses in Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Chile, China, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, France, and Greece. AUTHOR: Shanshan Qi is founder and principle of STUDIO QI Architects, an international cutting-edge architectural design firm belonging to the American Institute of Architects. Qi has received a Master's from Harvard Graduate School of Design in Architecture in the United States, and achieved a Distinction for her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Columbia University. She was formerly with internationally renowned architectural firm Foster and Partners in New York, responsible for its China division, and later worked with top international architect Renzo Piano, among others. She has won several international honors, and has played a key role in the selections for two Pritzker Prizes for Architecture winners. SELLING POINTS: - Includes 43 different guest house design styles - Showcases an exciting range of projects from around the world, from an esteemed mix of architects, designers and artists - Provides a strong source of reference materials for design professionals and students in architecture, interior design, and related design fields 300 col.