Located in Broadway, close to the Sydney CBD, this project explores a new possibility for capsule hotels within the Australian urban context. The design transforms an overlooked underground space into a warm and efficient short-stay accommodation.

With Australia’s strict fire, safety, and ventilation regulations, redefining what constitutes a “room” became the central design challenge. The project seeks a careful balance between compliance, privacy, comfort, and shared experience—pushing the boundaries of an emerging accommodation typology.

The design responds directly to the site’s industrial past. Broadway was once a key transport and industrial corridor in Sydney. In the entry and public areas, red brick, aged copper, and warm lighting recall the materiality and atmosphere of this history. The bar acts as a social anchor—more than a functional element, it reflects Australia’s culture of gathering, conversation, and connection.

Within the capsule areas, the spatial language shifts to a softer and more intimate tone. Light timber finishes, gentle lighting, and rounded forms reduce the sense of enclosure, allowing each capsule to function as a calm and private retreat. Even within a compact footprint, the design aims to create comfort and a sense of belonging for short-term stays.

This project is both an adaptive reuse and a design experiment—reimagining future urban accommodation while respecting the memory of the city.