Wayfarer_Hostel_Santa-Barbara_Hero@2x

THE WAYFARER HO[S]TEL

Design Challenge

How did the architects challenge the notion of shared, budget lodging, while creating and maintaining a sense of community?

Design Solution

AB design studio’s design makes The Wayfarer an alternative for many travelers seeking a new experience in Santa Barbara. The boutique hotel offers both private and shared room configurations, and integrates seamlessly into the urban fabric of the Funk Zone arts district, a dining and entertainment destination also designed by the architects. The architects preserved the pre-World War II style construction by updating exterior finishes to reflect the maritime heritage of the site’s past. The design of The Wayfarer hinges on a clearly defined hospitality concept that combines quality finishes and materials, with common spaces that encourage group interaction. Guests are greeted by a front desk evocative of a pub, complete with leather barstools, which create a warm and welcoming environment. Communal kitchen and lounge areas in the lobby serve as an epicenter of gathering for patrons. Rooms, which come in a myriad of configurations, are equipped with bunk beds, convertible beds, and hidden loft beds to accommodate a variety of families and travelers. Among the numerous room configurations, each has its own private bathroom, a feature rarely seen in shared accommodations. 

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Project Data

LOT SIZE
25,480 sf
PROJECT SIZE
9,811 sf
CONSTRUCTION COST
$2.98 Million
LOCATION
Santa Barbara, CA
PRINCIPAL
Clau Aurell, AIA
PROJECT MANAGER
Matthew Beausoleil
DESIGN TEAM
Josh Blumer, AIA | Anthon Ellis | Aramis Arciga | Kenneth Allison | William Reid | Christine Lynne Kutzer | Chris Richards | Thomas Pfister | Amy Tripp | Glen Deisler
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Young Construction
MEP
PBS Engineers
Landscape Architect
Suding Design Landscape Architects
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COLLAGE
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