The site is located on the outskirts of Dresden, occupying a former military barracks which is rich in history. Former railway tracks, concrete floors, cranes and cobble stones reveal its original function as a freight depot. These historically significant features not only establish a connection to contemporary shipping and transport around the site but also provide the framework for an unusual project designed to appeal to a young demographic.
The Boarding House in Dresden is composed of 150 stacked shipping containers, forming compact volumes which can each house up to four different hotel rooms. These towers ensure a balance between sufficient transparency and a high urban density. A substantial part of the original pavement was removed to make way for a young birch forest to grow over time. The containers are sporadically placed in the forest and create numerous semi-public outdoor spaces. Formed from remnants of the original flooring, a pathway weaves all these elements together, revealing a palimpsest of historical change.