ContainHotel in Czech Republic, Artikul Architects

The architects from Czech firm, ARTIKUL have designed a small, mobile hotel in the surfing campsite on the Elbe riverbank close to Litomerice, Czech Republic. Three containers have been turned into a self-sufficient, sustainable hotel.


ContainHotel is a mobile, sustainable and self-sufficient hotel for contemporary nomads in a truly enchanting setting, the Elbe riverbank close to Litomerice, in northern Bohemia ad just over 50 km north-west of Prague. This is where the Ohře joins the Elbe, creating the right conditions for river surfing.
The ARTIKUL design team decided to create a flexible, easily demountable structure. So they went for the timeless shipping containers, three to be exact, resting on old railway sleepers for a minimal footprint and easily demountable so they can be moved quickly; they are all separate and independent and each one is connected to the local power supply system. Two, 20 ft. by 6 ft. (6.096 x 2.4384 m) containers on the bottom, one of which is used for storage, bathroom facilities and plant room, and the other a four-bed guest room, and the larger, 40-foot long (12.192 metres) container resting on top of the two bottom ones, divided into four rooms that all share a scenic balcony.
The architectural solutions adopted by ARTIKUL to make the containers liveable are based on sustainability, from the birch plywood walls and ceilings to the sun-breakers made of waste wood planks from a nearby sawmill, from the industrial lighting to reduced water consumption to the bespoke furniture.
The dark blue colour and original graphics of the containers have been retained and, along with the round portholes and rope and net balcony railing, this gives the whole thing a slightly maritime feel, in keeping with the water sports practised here.
The ContainHotel is a practical solution with a contemporary look to spend some time off without impacting the environment too much and in harmony with nature.

Christiane Bürklein

Architectural firm: Artikul Architects, www.artikul.eu
Lead Architects:  Pavel Lejdar, Jan Gabriel, Jakub Vlček
Project location: Třeboutice, Czech Republic
Completion Year:  2015
Gross Built Area (square meters or square foot): 60m2
Photo credit: Michal Hurych, www.michalhurych.cz