You may never have though of staying at a hotel made of concrete pipes. The though of sleeping in a sewer pipe was probably not ever in your thoughts. However the repurpose of the concrete tube hotel is real and you can stay there.

You next travel destination could see you kipping in a concrete tube. The original pipe hotel concept comes from German architect, Andreas Strauss, who created Dasparkhotel in 2006. Though the idea of sleeping inside a concrete tube probably doesn’t sound that appealing, architect firm T3arc have found a way to make sleeping inside a pipe not only comfortable but also a holiday experience.

The lodgings are clean, eco-friendly, and fairly unique. While the rooms are similar at the TuboHotel in Mexico City, the European design offers an obviously distinct location. The rooms are meant to host one or two guests. Furnished with just a double-bed, the sleeping quarters encourage people to go outside and explore. Lets take a look at these two hotel concepts in Meico and Germany.

Mexico’s Tubohotel

The idea of sleeping inside a concrete tube probably doesn’t sound that appealing. The architect firm T3arc have found a way to make sleeping inside a pipe not only comfortable but also a holiday experience.

The elevated design of the bed provides space for luggage storage underneath. A circular glass skylight brightens the interior, and the unique textile wall brings color to the otherwise minimalist chamber. An innovative, contemporary camping lodge, the design is also wired with electrical outlets and outfitted with a reading lamp.

Mexico’s Tubohotel, which opened in 2010, is a unique and affordable holiday destination. Room accomodation created from recycled concrete tubes. Located approximately 45 minutes south of Mexico City in the village of Tepoztlan, Morelos. The tube rooms of the hotel are stacked in a pyramid shape. Set in a atmosphere of ancient Aztec. Reflecting the Aztec pyramid of El Tepozteco that overlooks the town.

The original pipe hotel concept comes from German architect, Andreas Strauss. Strauss created Dasparkhotel in 2006. The T3arc architects drew inspiration from Strauss. Expanding on the idea to create two-story triangular modules.

Stacking Tubes

By stacking one tube on top of two base tubes, they were able to create a striking visual display without impacting the surrounding natural environment.

The Tubohotel offers 20 concrete rooms. Each room measuring 2.44 m wide and 3.5 m long (8 ft x 11.5 ft). Using simple furnishings with a queen size bed, desk light, fan, and under-bed storage.

The rooms overlook a central courtyard, which is otherwise completely surrounded by lush native trees. They didn’t come up with an idea to squeeze in a bathroom. Guests have access to two communal bathhouses located on the hotel property.

Tubohotel is the hostel made of huge concrete tubes in pyramid form in an organic garden in Mexico´s Magic Village, Tepoztlán, Morelos. You can access their website here

Dasparkhotels in Austria and Germany

Dasparkhotels was designed by the Austrian architect Andreas Strauss. Dasparkhotels are found in in Ottensheim, Austria, and in Essen, Germany.

The Dasparkhotel layout is simple. On both sites, there are five individual units upcycled from unused sections of sewer pipe. The concrete structure never has and hopefully never will come into contact with human waste. The concrete tubes are newly made for the hotel.

The lodgings are clean, eco-friendly, and fairly unique. While the rooms are similar at the TuboHotel in Mexico City, the European design offers an obviously distinct location. The addition of greater privacy from the opaque doors and the space between dwellings.

Surrounded by Concrete

Walled entirely in concrete, Dasparkhotels are energy-efficient, safe, and easy to maintain. The natural material passively cools the rooms in the summer, is virtually impossible to break into, and requires only basic cleaning. Because of the low-key setup, Dasparkhotels are easy and affordable, operating on a pay-what-you-wish basis.

Unless you’re prepared for a basic getaway adventure, there is always going to be some conflict.

Up side: Sleeping One or Two

The rooms are designed to host one or two guests. A private getaway for two. Furnished with just a double-bed, the sleeping quarters encourage people to go outside and explore. Nonetheless, the Optimo bed is quite nice with an ergonomic frame made of slatted wood.

A Eurofoam mattress cushions the bed, and a built-in desk surface holds fresh linens and blankets inside. The elevated design provides space for luggage storage underneath.

A circular glass skylight brightens the interior, and the unique textile wall brings color to the otherwise minimalist chamber. An innovative, contemporary camping lodge, the design is also wired with electrical outlets and outfitted with a reading lamp.

Down side: cold water and shared bathroom

Electricity aside, the grounds are rather spartan. There is a water fountain and a shared bathroom in a separate unit, but the showers are medium-cold, and there are no toiletries. Unless a “no shampoo experiment” sounds like fun, visitors should bring their own products or stock up locally.

Location Austria

Austria’s Dasparkhotel location is in Ottensheim, the home of the Open Air Ottensheim music festival and one of the oldest movie theatres the state. Situated in Rodl Park, the accommodations face the creek Rodl, which runs into the Danube River.

The rural site is just a five-minute walk from town. Tourists can dine, shop, and enjoy the culture. Dasparkhotel recommends dining at the local eateries and there are a few. Enjoy eating breakfast at the park buffet or the café Rechberger.

The Friday farmers market offers wine and snacks. After a meal, guests can stroll around the historic streets and enjoy the beauty of Rodl park. If you prefer walking, enjoy hiking through the forest and swimming in the Danube.

Location Germany

Vacationers looking for an outdoor adventure in a slightly more urban environment should try Dasparkhotel’s German outpost is in Essen. Essen is one of the country’s greenest cities.

The locale often holds large events such as the Essen Motor Show, the SPIEL gaming exhibition, and the Equitana horse fair. Throughout the year, activity-seekers can also check out the pastoral Emscher bicycle path. History buffs can check out Design Zentrum NRW (the Red Dot Design Museum), and the historic Zollverein Coal Mine.

Additionally, the hotel itself is located in BernePark, previously BernePark sewage. The reclaimed industrial site is elegantly revamped with circular pools and landscaped gardens. The on-site restaurant is housed inside a former plant. Renovated with luxury dining rooms, the bistro serves modern German dishes made with fresh, local produce.

You can access there website here

Conclusion

Sleeping in a concrete tube may not be your idea of a holiday. If you are looking for a place to sleep in relatively civil abodes then the concrete tube hotel is inviting. With stunning locations and surrounds it makes waking up an invigorating eye opener to the world.

Using concrete sewerage pipes is an alternative to a shortage of accommodation. Seems to be started in Singapore and has spread around the world. The hotel option is a unique but practical way of offering overnight stay accommodation for those in need.

In search of less expensive housing, use of other forms of housing have evolved. We see shipping containers being transformed into houses. Concrete tubes being converted into accommodation style sleeping quarters, even homes. More houseboats are appearing on rivers and canals. The human race is evolving.

Before you leave why not read our article Can I Live in a Concrete Pipe? Lets Find Out!