Architect Antonio Virga has completed work on youth hostel Centre d’Hébergement et d’Accueil International (CHAI) in Cahors, France. Overlooking the Lot River and the Valentré Bridge, the CHAI building is crafted in context to its many medieval surroundings with a landscaped scheme that acknowledges the existing architectural heritage of the town.
Detached from the ground, the minimalist volume is clad with stonework and provides a glimpse into the publicly accessible ground floor lobby via a transparent façade. The reception area is conceived to serve as a circulation space for visitors to familiarize themselves with the setting. The hostel is also outfitted with a central green space designed in homage to Cahors’ 25 secret gardens.
