new buildings, old topography
introduction
This hotel is situated within a disused quarry in the tree lined hills of Suzhou New District (SND). It forms Phase Two of a business hotel complex owned and patronised by the local government and run by JAL Japanese hotel group. Phase Two provides the complex with conference facilities, indoor pool and fitness centre, 14 villa units, and 150 additional rooms.
fill the quarry and replace the hill
The design integrates with the topography and follows the geometry of bent forms of phase one, also designed by BAU to follow the pre-quarry land-form. To further minimise its visual impact from the city the building’s massing is broken down and the silhouette of the demolished hill top is broadly restored. This topographic massing creates terraces and social areas with views over the emerging city and beyond.
virtual ridge
The hotel program is divided by the levels and by orientation. On the east side of the virtual ridge are the villas and to the west of the ridge is the main hotel. The public areas including lobby, banquet hall, restaurant and fitness centre take up the ground floor of the main building. The guest rooms are placed above this and spread out along the natural curve of the mountain to capture views of the adjacent mountains, lakes, forests, & urban districts.
villas
The villa units are nestled on terraces amongst lush vegetation on the mountainside. Each has a central courtyard and a double height living space opening onto it.
ESD
The project achieves a MOHURD China 3 Green Star accreditation. It is equipped with a geothermal heat exchange pump system among other initiatives.