When Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule, the government regarded Kaohsiung as the base for the Southern Expansion, and many armaments-related constructions were left behind. After the Nationalist government governed Taiwan, it followed the soldiers and their families who came to Taiwan forming the settlement of “Military Dependents’ Village(family village)”. As time changes and the aged family village face the situations of maintenance, repurposing, or demolishment, how to blend the family village into modern life becomes a pressing issue. In 2014, Bureau of Cultural Affairs Kaohsiung City Government proposed the policy on “Living in Replacement of Preservation” to adopt the core concept of “the family village began as a residence and is revitalized through living".” The public is invited to accommodate, repair, take care of the old house, and then eventually expand to accept the application for stay operators.

Hostel operator Chieh and the interior design team, RND Inc. co-designed the fascinating look of the space. In order to preserve the appearance of the old house and bring the idea of living into the interior layout, the space is divided into two areas; the main Japanese-style building is used as a public communication space while the additional building is designed with five rooms and bathroom facilities. In the past, a house in a family village might have two or three families sharing facilities. For keeping such function of interration in this renew space, the east side is designed into a living room, a study room with a mini ping pong table, while a dining area, a kitchen and a game room on the west side with plenty of sunlight. Except for the four-person suite, all other rooms are "inherite the old style" by use the shared bathhouse outside the room. This special Japanese bathhouse is set up where the round bathtub and wooden lid, as well as the water faucet in the shape of a water pump, are incorporated with the word “goonight” mosaic wall which represents the soul of the goonight hostel.

“Rediscovering the life style of the Family Village" – a living experience combining military dependent’s village and hostels.” Although it’s called a hostel, it is designed according to the original profile and user preference of the old house. Staying here for one night is more like experiencing and exploring another way of life. It is always difficult to face the stories left behind in time but the willingness to understand is the power of continuing the stories.

Edited by STAYFOLIO
Design by Goonnight Hostel
Photo by Goonnight Hostel