Thinking about building a motel

topic posted Sun, October 25, 2009 - 5:33 PM by  Goat
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Greetings everyone. My wife and I have been kicking around the idea of building a motel. Not your typical motel, more like bungalow style rooms individually built with their own patios. We would definitely want to build them in an inexpensive, environmentally friendly way, make them energy efficient, and comfortable and interesting to guests.

Anyone have any ideas/suggestions?
posted by:
Goat
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  • Re: Thinking about building a motel

    Mon, October 26, 2009 - 5:59 AM
    Check out the Desert Hot Springs Motel, a four-unit motel designed by John Lautner in 1947:

    www.youtube.com/watch

    www.johnlautner.org/wp/
    • Re: Thinking about building a motel

      Wed, October 28, 2009 - 1:20 PM
      Thanks for sharing that information. The photo of the room located at www.johnlautner.org/wp/ is very similar to the vision I have for our bungalow style rooms, only I'd use different materials to build it, and it probably wouldn't be painted white on the inside.

      I have a vision of a place that hunters can enjoy in the winter, bikers can enjoy spring and summer, and hippies can enjoy all year around that has access to lush gardens, a group of hot tubs, and lots of land for hiking/hunting/being close to nature. A place where I can afford to rent rooms for reasonable prices (not looking to get rich, just hoping to earn a good living running the motel) and when/if I start staying consistently full I'll have space to build more bungalows to accommodate more guests. Thinking about building a restaurant/bar on the property as well where we'd serve food made with organically grown meat, fruit, and veggies.

      The pool/hottub/shower area would be clothing optional. I'd like to start with 4 or 6 rooms and go from there. My idea is to build the pool/tub/shower area, and the first couple of room at the same time, not far from where I plan to build my home, and start renting them out while I continue to make improvements to the property. I believe if I pick the right location, and price them right, I can keep them rented all year long.

      A place similar to Harbin Hotsprings in aesthetics, but without the wierdos running around in t shirts that say "security" on them is what I have in mind.

      I would love to partner with others who might have a similar vision, or who might share my vision, and create a type of intentional community of neighbors/friends who want to live in/near that type of place.
      • Re: Thinking about building a motel

        Sun, November 1, 2009 - 12:42 PM
        >>I'd use different materials to build it, and it probably wouldn't be painted white on the inside.<<

        Sounds like you're looking for something with modern design, but rustic materials... Check out Rudy Schindler's Kings Road house, a classic of early modernism that used concrete tilt-slab construction with redwood beams and roofing. His objective was to create a kind of permanent campsite, open to the outdoors in patios and rooftop sleeping areas.

        en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php

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