San Francisco, California, USA
“There’s a much greater appreciation of outdoor hospitality spaces among today’s travelers and the design of AutoCamp Joshua Tree highlights the beauty of the natural landscape around it,” says HKS principal Thomas Sprinkle.
“From a design perspective, it was important to use elements of passive design to inspire guests to have that deeper connection to nature. Including orienting the building to shelter from winter winds to take advantage of summer breezes, expressing shading elements on all façades, and using simple compact architectural forms.”
Thomas Sprinkle and the San Francisco-based office of HKS, together with interior design firm Narrative Design Studio, have crafted two new AutoCamp locations as part of the upscale glamping company’s mission to double its footprint through 2022.
AutoCamp Joshua Tree in California and AutoCamp Zion National Park in Utah is set to debut this Spring 2022, respectively.
The AutoCamp Joshua Tree will comprise 47 Airstreams, four accessible suites, and four X suites across 25 acres.
The outposts will also feature AutoCamp’s first outdoor bar, as well as amenities like a hybrid hot tub, plunge pool, and a mobile kitchen for chef residencies.
“One of the critical design drivers was to incorporate a feeling of both privacy and community on the property,” said HKS.
The Clubhouse at Joshua Tree will serve as the nucleus of the site, crafted as a modern interpretation of a traditional Quonset Hut.
Totaling 25 acres (10 hectares), the grounds offer around 50 customized Airstream trailers and a spacious clubhouse. Woven into the site are pathways, fire pits, and a plunge pool.
HKS was tasked with designing the site’s master plan and architecture, including a clubhouse created in collaboration with San Francisco’s Narrative Design Studio, which oversaw the interiors.
The clubhouse consists of two joined structures that were informed by the Quonset hut — an arched, lightweight building that become popular during the Second World War.
Exterior walls are wrapped in steel and thermally modified pine and shading elements were incorporated to help reduce solar heat gain. In the summer, the area’s temperatures can often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius).
The building is oriented in a way that takes advantage of summer breezes while providing shelter from winter winds.
The building is filled with warm hues, contemporary details, and handcrafted pieces. A high, rounded ceiling provides a lofty feel.
In a lounge area, woven chairs and sofas upholstered with waxed cotton canvas surround a blocky, wooden coffee table. Underfoot, a textured rug lays atop concrete flooring.
Eclectic details will instill a sense of place across the modern space, which will be punctuated by golden hues and rough textures in a scheme by Narrative Design Studio that pulls inspiration from the landscape.
HKS worked on multiple studies to identify the best orientation for the property and factor in Joshua Tree’s intense climate.
By shifting the axis of the property, HKS was able to provide a seamless indoor/outdoor experience that shades visitors from the desert sun and wind, while allowing views toward the vistas and beauty of Joshua Tree.
Narrative Design Studio, led by designer Shannon Niehenke, aimed to create a quiet atmosphere that would not compete with the exterior landscape.
Together, the firms worked to create a contextually appropriate building that captures the serenity of the desert.
Sculptural elements will be complemented by artwork from Ana DiGiallonardo and Jacque Fragua as well.
“Intimate moments and privacy are encouraged at the Airstream campsites, but guests can also opt for shared spaces,” the HKS added.
In 2022, HKS will again collaborate with Narrative on AutoCamp Zion National Park.
The Clubhouse will unfold across separate volumes installed across the sinuous landscape. South-facing glazing will be oriented toward the firepit and views of the Virgin River, which will be accessible from expansive event spaces.
“The architecture nods to the eclectic nature of the town it resides, supplemented with a mid-century modern elegance,” HKS said.
A range of accommodations will promote exploration and recreation in alignment with the AutoCamp experience.
Project: AutoCamps at Joshua Tree and Zion National Park
Architects: HKS, Inc.
Interior Designers: Narrative Design Studio
Client: AutoCamp
Manufacturer: Airstream, Inc.
Photographers: Josh Franer and Matt Kisiday
