Freehand Atlanta is a hypothetical hostel renovation of a warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia as part of my final thesis project. The project was heavily researched based on the feasibility and programming needs for an Atlanta hostel. The outcome was a vibrant hostel tailored to the new influx of urban travelers that need more than just a place to lay their heads. The tech savvy budget conscious travelers have created a niche market for boutique hostels. These hostels provide an environment where socialization thrives and the essence of the city has to be captured and cultivated. 

What is a hostel? 

Budget accommodation that provides dormitory style sleeping quarters. Socialization and community is the key ingredient to a successful hostel. A sense of community in a foreign place  is created and loved.

The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs hosted a design competition to reinvent the new city asset and transform the bottom floor of 72 Marietta into a contemporary gallery space. The pivotal re-design focused on the visitors entry way and lobby of the 9 story tower, a Brutalist style building that once housed the Atlanta Journal Constitution‘s headquarters.

The space created is versatile in order to accommodate various media types of artwork. The exterior activation takes on the form of a newspaper being leafed through as a recognition to the very important history the Atlanta Journal Constitution shared in this building.