A holiday makes room for a more unhurried rhythm of everyday life. Surrounded by nature, people have more time for themselves and their families. A hotel gives these wishes a place, turning a brief departure into an opportunity to rediscover the everyday. Taking a lakeside cabin in the woods as its starting point, Sò Studio brings this vision to the design of y HOTEL. Warm grey and camel tones establish a gentle palette, while wood and textiles create a warm, enveloping atmosphere. Light moves across different materials, adding depth to the quiet interiors. From communal areas to guest rooms, a sense of nature runs throughout, making each stay comfortable and relaxed.
The cabin provides an overarching idea for y HOTEL’s scale, materials and way of living. Responding to the need for both companionship and solitude, the design accommodates conversation, reading, dining and rest within a sequence of connected spaces. In the lobby, a ring-shaped sofa creates an open gathering point, softening the formality of the reception area. Woven rattan, wood and screens incorporating traditional Lingnan grey-plaster relief motifs bring natural materials and regional references into everyday use. Along the corridor towards the guest rooms, the atmosphere gradually becomes more private. Translucent curtains soften the daylight, creating a gentle transition from arrival to rest.
Each guest room responds to its own layout and natural light, making thoughtful use of the building’s original features—from octagonal windows to attic spaces—to bring a sense of discovery to every stay. A shared palette of tones and materials runs throughout, giving each room its own character while maintaining the hotel’s gentle, natural feel. The design’s approach to comfort extends from a layout that separates active and quiet areas to the furniture itself, where generous, rounded forms soften sharp edges. Seats resembling oversized pillows offer ample support, while irregularly shaped wooden tables retain the handcrafted feel of joined timber planks. The space feels welcoming through the way these forms accommodate the body at rest and in use.
