Designing Glamping: Ad hoc strategies in construction, material reuse, and user experience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14687/jhs.v22i2.6013Keywords:
Ad hoc, Glamping, Accomodation, Tourism Structures, DesignAbstract
Research Problem: Shifting travel habits have generated demand for novel accommodation that blends comfort with authentic experience. Glamping (“ehl-i keyf” camping in Turkish) has emerged as a hybrid model of tourism, yet its relationship to design strategies such as ad hoc remains underexplored. Aim: This study examines glamping structures as a new building model in tourism and explores their alignment with the ad hoc design strategy, focusing on improvisation, material reuse, and rapid construction. Method: A case study was conducted at Whispering Springs Wilderness Retreat (Ontario, Canada). Data were collected through field observation and a semi-structured, face-to-face interview with the owners, guided by open-ended questions on site selection, construction, materials, and user experience. Findings: Results reveal that glamping structures reflect ad hoc design in four key respects: (i) improvised techniques adapted to site conditions; (ii) extensive use of reclaimed and second-hand materials; (iii) short construction periods allowing rapid deployment; and (iv) small-scale interior improvisations that enhance authenticity and comfort. Conclusion: Glamping offers a viable design model that merges ad hoc pragmatism with contemporary tourism expectations. Beyond documenting a single case, this study suggests that ad hoc design strategies can support scalable tourism development that is both sustainable and experience-oriented, including potential applications in Turkey under the cultural lens of ehl-i keyf.
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