Redesigning shipping containers into living space for travellers

Amar Maksumić and the rest of the team have worked hard to gather needed resources for the hostel, and in doing so they applied for Social Impact Award 2016 and won.

Travelling around the world is a wish we all humans are guilty of, because who can resist wonders of travelling and seeing and experiencing the culture, nature and lifestyles of different places and countries. Those who travel want to live the local experience and immerse themselves into their treasures. They want to eat where the locals eat, party in best party locations, experience places not offered in tourist booklets. They want to feel at home, or at least like they are visiting a friend.

Unfortunately, not everyone has a friend in every place of the world, but luckily there are places where everyone is welcomed as dear friends instead of guests. Those places are often hostels, and even more specifically – youth hostels.  If you want to feel like at home – Youth Hostel Abrašević is your go-to place. It’s located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the heart of City of Mostar, only ten minutes walking distance from old town and less than five minutes from city center.

This hostel was born as a project of young people from Mostar.  Amar Maksumić and the rest of the team have worked hard to gather needed resources for the hostel, and in doing so they applied for Social Impact Award 2016 and won. They built the hostel themselves and with the assistance of the locals, provided through few “volunteer working actions”, thus engaging the local community as well. The hostel was built from recycled shipping containers, which were repurposed and adopted to serve as lodging and accommodation for friendly travellers. Hostel is equipped with functional kitchen and bathrooms as well.

The hostel is located on the roof of Youth Cultural Center Abrašević, and is part of the wider cultural local ecosystem created by this organization for all Mostar and youth visiting their city.  They describe themselves as a safe space for young people, for art and creative self-expression, for open discussions and exchange of ideas. Ideas that promote discrimination, or abolishing of any human right are not welcome here. Youth Hostel shares the same vision and values, which is why Youth Cultural Center was the perfect  spot to build the hostel.

Although tourists are highly relevant to hostel’s work, the space is actually designed to serve a higher local purpose: to connect youth from a deeply divided City of Mostar. Youth Cultural Center hosts over 80 cultural events over the year and the Youth Hostel is a response to the need which already existed and which was an open space to create new jobs. Hostel staff and employees would be given to students of Mostar, as a support to student and youth employment in the country where more than 60% of youth is unemployed.

Youth Hostel is a unique place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but they hope to inspire others to join the philosophy behind their social business and mission.

So, what are you waiting for? Check the calendar of events and weather forecast and pack your bags, Mostar and Youth Hostel await you!