From ruins to refuge: The architectural revival of Angkor Grace Residence
by Nikitha SunilMar 20, 2025
•make your fridays matter with a well-read weekend
by STIRworldPublished on : Jun 08, 2020
Within the El Peblado neighbourhood of Columbia’s second largest city of Medellín - home to several rental apartments, cafes, boutique stores and shopping malls - a chic four-storey hotel has been designed between two existing buildings, by local firm A5 Arquitectura. Referred as The Somos, the hotel includes common areas such as a bar and an open air garden, and accommodation spaces vary from individual suites to dorm-style rooms.
The design draws from the prevalent style of local housing in which staircases are integrated as part of the building’s exterior to allow independent access to different storeys and to free interior spaces that otherwise get commonly consumed by the steps.
An open facade comprising a black steel staircase covered with perforated steel screens and natural wood ascends the entire height of the hotel. This intervention not only doubles the number of rooms within the building and acts as a sound barrier from exterior noise, it also offers the guests the possibility to walk through the building and enjoy the idyllic climate of Medellín, which is known as the City of Eternal Spring.
“The stairs are not designed as an enclosed and decoupled space, but as a collective balcony which ascends over the street," says A5 Arquitectura.
Potted plants dot this path along the staircase; their foliage can be seen bursting atop the balconies.
A sunken restaurant has been designed below the ground floor, and it can be accessed via a direct entry down the pavement. On the inside, in addition to serving as a cafe and a bar, the space opens onto a stepped outdoor garden that hosts lush greenery and uninterrupted views of the street.
Exposed beams, roughly textured concrete walls, wooden furniture and flooring inside the bar are kept in sync with the industrial-looking exteriors of the hotel. However, adding vibrancy to the entire decor are streaks of colours in irregular bursts – be it the red fire sprinkler system covering the ceiling, the slender blue-legged chairs lining one corner, the peach bar counter, or the yellow stencilled 'Ask here' sign that fills the space with a compelling contrast.
Taking the route of the external staircase, one arrives at the reception on the first floor. To create an arrangement of a four-storey building in an 8m height, within the corridors the architects interleaved every two floors by a series of gaps that generated high ceiling.
As sunlight filters through the facade screen, someone standing in the corridor can witness the beautiful play of light and shadow. Further, adding a character to the hotel is the space around the lift shaft that features mosaic-tiled flooring and a mural on the outside of the elevator.
The accommodation on the upper floors keeps simplicity at the core of its design. The first floor has a dorm room comprising eight beds and a king size suite, while the top floor has two private rooms – a king and a double.
The Somos brings together diverse styles that add homogeneously to the rustic vibe of the space,making it a distinct spot for both the locals and tourists that throng the city.
by Anushka Sharma Sep 10, 2025
In a conversation with STIR, Esther Rejai and Hugo Topalov discuss the cooperative's annual festival, the value of reuse in construction and their low-tech approaches to architecture.
by Aarthi Mohan Sep 08, 2025
A screening of E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea (2024) turned into a meditation on power and a flawed architectural history as Kadri delivered a searing ~epilog(ue).
by Bansari Paghdar Sep 06, 2025
Featuring Ando’s distinctive ‘pure’ spatial expression and minimal forms in concrete, the museum reflects the nation’s cultural identity with a contemporarily resonant design.
by Anmol Ahuja Sep 05, 2025
The film by Francesca Molteni and Mattia Colombo chronicles the celebrated architect’s legacy and pioneership in green architecture through four global projects and exclusive interviews.
make your fridays matter
SUBSCRIBEEnter your details to sign in
Don’t have an account?
Sign upOr you can sign in with
a single account for all
STIR platforms
All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices.
Stay STIRred
Already have an account?
Sign inOr you can sign up with
Tap on things that interests you.
Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch
Please enter your details and click submit.
Enter the 6-digit code sent at
Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process
by STIRworld | Published on : Jun 08, 2020
What do you think?