Neri&Hu’s design for a boutique hotel on Hua Bird Island blends with the natural landscape and offers a sublime experience.
Contents
Island Context and Design Inspiration
Hua Bird Island, part of the Zhoushan Archipelago, boasts a rich maritime history as a vital node on the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Unlike the rapid urbanization of the mainland, the island’s isolation has preserved its pristine natural beauty, making it an idyllic retreat. Neri&Hu’s design for a new boutique hotel on the island draws inspiration from this unique context, including the island’s culture, history, geography, and environment. The concept of “the sublime” is central to the design, reflecting the awe-inspiring power of nature. The design challenge was to create a landmark that harmonizes with the island’s landscape while providing a transformative experience for visitors, promoting reconnection with themselves, with each other, and with nature. The architectural design of the hotel is deeply rooted in the vernacular architecture of Hua Bird Island, particularly its traditional white houses. These dwellings serve as a prototype for the hotel’s public spaces, which are integrated into a stone base that evokes the island’s natural terrain. This juxtaposition of built and natural forms creates a unique dialogue between human intervention and the landscape. Neri&Hu’s design for a boutique hotel on Hua Bird Island blends with the natural landscape and offers a sublime experience.
Spatial Organization and Functional Layout
The hotel’s layout is organized along a central axis that extends from the lobby to the north and south. The lobby, conceived as an outward-facing living room, provides a space for social interaction and daily activities. At the northern end of the axis, the spa is an inward-facing sanctuary, nestled underground to offer a tranquil retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. On the southern end, the ceremonial hall opens towards the sea, framing breathtaking ocean views and connecting visitors with the vastness of nature. The guest rooms are housed within a unified stone base, providing comfortable and functional living spaces that cater to the needs of daily life. This arrangement ensures that the public spaces, designed for social interaction and contemplation, are distinct from the private areas dedicated to rest and personal reflection. This careful zoning creates a harmonious flow between different functions within the hotel. Neri&Hu’s design for a boutique hotel on Hua Bird Island blends with the natural landscape and offers a sublime experience.
Architectural Expression and Aesthetics
Drawing inspiration from the island’s vernacular architecture, the hotel’s public spaces are envisioned as white volumes that emerge from the stone base, creating a dynamic interplay of forms and textures. The stone base, with its rugged and natural appearance, anchors the hotel to the site, while the white volumes provide a sense of lightness and airiness, reflecting the vernacular tradition. The hotel’s design transcends conventional notions of landmark architecture by offering multiple perspectives and embracing the fusion of diverse elements. It emphasizes the integration of various functions and fosters connections between people and nature. Neri&Hu’s design for a boutique hotel on Hua Bird Island blends with the natural landscape and offers a sublime experience.
Conclusion
Neri&Hu’s design for the Hua Bird Island Boutique Hotel aspires to create a new landmark that celebrates the island’s unique character and natural beauty. By drawing inspiration from vernacular architecture and integrating the hotel into the landscape, the design seeks to provide a sublime experience for visitors, promoting a deeper connection with the island’s environment and culture. The hotel is conceived as a beacon of hospitality, inviting guests to embark on a journey of discovery and reconnect with the essence of island life. Neri&Hu’s design for a boutique hotel on Hua Bird Island blends with the natural landscape and offers a sublime experience.
Project Information:
Project Type: Boutique Hotel Competition
Architect: Neri&Hu Design and Research Office
Area: 9,843 sqm
Project Year: 2024
Country: China
Materials: Stone, Concrete, Wood
Photographer: Ray Qian
KTS
