A cinematic backpacker’s hostel in Shimla

A hillside stay designed by Space Goals Design Studio where solitude and community co-exist

20 Mar 2026

Are you a traveller drawn to the mountains? Someone who finds meaning in the journey as much as the destination? This hostel is designed for backpackers who arrive with that intent. Perched in the hills of Kufri, Shimla, this 18,290 sq.ft. hostel designed by Space Goals Design Studio, led by Principal Architects and Co-Founders Siddharth Gokhale and Gaurav Shankaran, along with Principal Architect Priyansh Seth and Project Architect Nima Das, emerges from that response. The stay is designed for backpackers who arrive in search of a moment with the mountains where the experience lies in simply being present.

Building on rocky terrain, mountain slopes leave little room for one-size-fits-all approach, yet these conditions constantly ask the design to adapt at every step. In landscapes like these, the scale of the mountains is difficult to ignore. Here, the architecture takes a step back, allowing the terrain to take the lead.

“The brief was ambitious: to transform this unassuming shell into a renowned backpacker hostel, one that travelers would not merely check into, but remember.”

Siddharth Gokhale and Gaurav Shankaran

The common room is defined by striped walls, complimentary colours and a balanced layout that brings the space together. Surface finishing by Sirca Paints and wall finishing by Asian Paints. Upholstery by KC Fabrics and rugs by IKEA; Photography by Manan Surti

Life at altitude

Resting within the hills of Kufri, near Shimla, the hostel is designed as a contemporary refuge for backpackers seeking community and solitude within the mountains. The architecture unfolds through a series of spaces that balances privacy with a shared sense of kinship. The arrival opens into a double-height reception hall which leads into the hostel’s social heart where a sculptural reception desk acts as a focal point. From here, the design opens out to frame panoramic views of the valley and the mountains stretching across the horizon.

The accommodation is spread across 22 private bedrooms and 12 dormitories, catering to everyone exploring tranquility and backpackers travelling in groups. Set on steep terrain with irregular boundaries, repetition was impossible. Instead, the architects embraced the condition, allowing the layout to evolve naturally along the hillside. The corridors follow along the slope and rooms shift slightly in orientation as the terrain changes. The architecture moves the way the land allows it to.

The premium private room features soft-hued teal walls and clean structured lines on the ceiling creating a calm bedroom ambience. Surface finishing by Sirca Paints and wall finishing by Asian Paints. Upholstery by KC Fabrics and rugs by IKEA; Photography by Manan Surti

A small writing desk placed by the window in the premium private room creates a quiet nook to sit and work among the hills. Surface finishing by Sirca Paints and wall finishing by Asian Paints. Upholstery by KC Fabrics; Photography by Manan Surti

Echoes of Art Deco

The design takes cues from Shimla’s colonial architectural legacy, but interprets it in a more contemporary way. Instead of directly borrowing from the past it leans into the clean geometry of Art Deco to mould its visual language. Inside, the palette reflects what the designers describe as “English boldness” with saturated hues and vertical stripes. These stripes mirror the rhythm of the surrounding pine forests creating a connection between the interiors and the landscape.

The interiors come together through a palette of muted greens and soft neutrals which immediately feel connected to the landscape outside. Shades of sage, olive and deep teal run across the walls balanced with cream-tones that keep the spaces cohesive. Stripes show up throughout the hostel, on walls and even ceilings echoing the pine trees. Against this base warmer tones begin to emerge. Dusty pink seating, hints of deep red and the warmth of wood add more depth in quality. There’s a nice balance at play; nothing feels too heavy or overdone. Black furniture and brass lighting details add just enough contrast to hold everything together giving the palette a classic edge. The large openings frame views of the hills, allowing natural light and the landscape to become an integral part of the stay. It all comes together in a way that feels effortless.

The dusky pink seating corner is defined by sage green and cream striped walls and rugs by IKEA. Surface finishing by Sirca Paints and wall finishing by Asian Paints. Upholstery by KC Fabrics; Photography by Manan Surti

The waiting area features a comfortable seating corner set against tall windows allowing the views of the hills to become a part of the experience. Surface finishing by Sirca Paints and wall finishing by Asian Paints. Upholstery by KC Fabrics and rugs by IKEA; Photography by Manan Surti

In good company

Beyond the rooms, the hostel feels like a place where people grow together. “The brief was ambitious: to transform this unassuming shell into a renowned backpacker hostel, one that travelers would not merely check into, but remember” says Siddharth and Gaurav. Travellers arrive from different places and cross paths in the shared experiences. The restaurant and common gathering area naturally become social hearts where new conversations start over meals. Outside, seating areas open up to the hills and the starlit night sky allows people to simply sit alongside one another and be present in the moment. Nearby a pickleball court draws people in creating moments of interaction between strangers. Over time, the hostel is shaped as much by these exchanges as by its architecture where a mix of people, pace and place come together to define the experience.