HASSELL finalizes plans for mountain top wawu shan resort

From Designboom.
http://www.designboom.com/architecture/hassell-finalize-plans-for-mountain-top-wawu-shan-resort-11-20-2013/

HASSELL finalize plans for mountain top wawu shan resort
all images courtesy of HASSELL

designs for a sustainable mountain-top retreat located in central china have been unveiled by international practice HASSELL. the brief for ‘wawu shan resort and hotel’ called for the construction of an eighty-room complex set amid the region’s scenic forests and waterfalls, without adversely affecting the site’s natural heritage.

the mountain-top retreat provides views of the region’s dramatic landscape

navigating challenging contours, a series of pilotis have been used to elevate the structure’s various volumes, establishing an elegant sense of weightlessness. covered walkways and layered paths connect the proposal, with a series of cantilevered observation platforms extending out over the 500-meter drop below. in addition to the main hotel building, ten villas rest within the forest, offering more secluded dwellings.

the resort is perched on the edge of the world’s second largest plateau

sustainability is an important aspect of the scheme with locally sourced materials and resources used to minimize the project’s carbon footprint. consequently, the scheme will be constructed around ancient trees with no need to uproot them. guests can also only access the complex via cable car, with the remainder of the journey to be made on foot.

construction of ‘wawu shan resort and hotel’ is underway, with the project due to be completed by 2014.

aerial view of the complex, highlighting the protruding observation deck

a series of pilotis have been used to elevate the structure’s various volumes

observation decks cantilever over the 500-meter drop

the scheme will be constructed around existing trees with no need to uproot them

covered circulation space connects the hotel building with the cliff edge

the hotel lobby links the two wings of the hotel

one of the resort’s many dining areas

bedroom overlooking the surrounding mountain range

site plan showing the scheme in context

section demonstrating how the level change across the site is accounted for

project info:

location: wawu mountain, sichuan province, china
client: sichuan wawu mountain tourism development
area: 20,500 sqm, (220,660 sqf)
scheduled completion: 2014