GLA Architects has completed the Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel in Hangzhou, China, a poetic retreat that blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings. The 1,300-square-meter hotel features three cabin types and a reception area, designed to minimize site disturbance and preserve existing greenery.
The hotel’s design is a response to its natural environment, with subtle interventions that allow guests to immerse themselves in the forest. The reception center features large windows framing the woodland, while the Pinecone Cabins are modular and lightweight, raised to protect the forest floor.
The Metasequoia Wood Cottages boast elevated designs, improving ventilation and minimizing site disturbance, with double-pitched roofs and skylights allowing natural light to permeate the tall internal spaces. Bamboo huts feature transparent and flexible designs, with woven bamboo façades filtering daylight.
GLA Architects approached the project with respect for nature, mapping every tree on-site and modifying construction plans to prevent damage. The result is a hotel that feels integrated into its surroundings, encouraging visitors to reconnect with the environment and themselves.
Image Courtesy: worldarchitecture.org
