YOUBUILD | 06-2022

YELLOW SQUARE HOSTEL

A 30’s yellow

Contemporary hostel chain YellowSquare arrives in Florence, Italy, as a converted 1930s building. Led by studio Pierattelli Architetture, the project comprises over 5,000 sqm of colorful, dynamic, and intercultural spaces for rest and socialization. It stands a few steps from the iconic Fortezza da Basso

The YellowSquare Firenze accommodates 250 beds, distributed in rooms of fours and eights and 12 private rooms equipped with their own facilities. Design wise, Pierattelli Architetture shaped the interiors as a multifunctional and inclusive hub focused on exchange, sharing, and informal gatherings. The bar, restaurant, common kitchen, and top floor swimming pool with a view of the Florentine skyline are some spots where guests can enjoy that sense of conviviality. The new hostel also offers numerous activities to foster socialization, including cooking lessons and sunset yoga classes.

While sharability here is key, the architects still had to consider privacy in the spatial layout. As such, all social functions and program are held across the ground floor, basement, and rooftop, while private rooms occupy the entire first and second floors. This balance of privacy and publicness exemplifies the inclusive spirit that fills the interiors.

Vitamin colors, from bright yellow and orange to calming green and blue, serve as the protagonists of the project and convey a welcoming energy. The vibrant palette is complemented by geometric layouts and a textured, sound-absorbing ceiling fiber that envelopes passageways across the hostel. Together, these elements outline a youthful and open interior design.