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1900s schoolhouse renovated into rustic yet modern hotel

Full of outdoorsy charm

By Liz Stinson
Pentagon-shaped building sits among a rural landscape. Lara Swimmer courtesy of Waechter Architecture

Society Hotel Bingen has all the requisites for a modern glamping hotel: lightly charred timber facade, concrete floors, and the rustic, yet chic, demeanor of a place that will send you on a hike during the day and serve you Negronis by the pool at night.

Portland, Oregon-based Waechter Architecture transformed a schoolhouse, originally built in 1908, into the 20,000-square-foot lodge that sits along the Columbia River Gorge in Washington. The hotel has two main buildings: the refurbished schoolhouse that’s home to 10 rooms decorated in a hip outdoorsy style, complete with earthy tones and camp throws. One room holds 24 hostel-style bunk beds. There’s also a library and lobby, which all have the original flooring from when the schoolhouse was rebuilt in 1937 after a fire.

Pitch-roofed timber structure next to mountains. Lara Swimmer courtesy of Waechter Architecture

On the former school playing fields the architects designed a series of standalone cabins that appear to form a continuous ring thanks to cantilevering roofs that connect all of the residences. And in the center of the ring? That’s a modern gym with an atmospheric pool and sauna.

Woman sitting in library room, with a shelf full of books, green leather sofa, and two gray armchairs. Micah Cruver courtesy of Society Hotel
Hotel room featuring bed with white duvet and red patterned blanket. Micah Cruver courtesy of Society Hotel
Large hotel room with wooden built-in shelves and tables. Micah Cruver courtesy of Society Hotel
Indoor pool surrounded by wooden walls and large skylight above. Micah Cruver courtesy of Society Hotel
Glowing red light in sauna. Micah Cruver courtesy of Society Hotel
Woman sits in hammock next to a picnic bench. The space has a view of mountains in the distance. Micah Cruver courtesy of Society Hotel
Aerial view of a building clad in wood with a pool under the ceilings. A row of lounge chairs are on the patio. Micah Cruver courtesy of Society Hotel

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