Hasta La Ideas

A hotel comprising four prefabricated fibreglass tubes has opened near the top of Europe’s highest peak (+ slideshow).

Named LEAPrus 3912, the complex is designed by LEAPfactory, a team of Italian architects who specialise in designing accommodation for extreme environments and who previously constructed a survival unit atop a mountain in the Alps.

The hotel is located on the southern side of Mount Elbrus, a dormant volcano with an altitude of 5642 metres in Caucasus, Russia, and it offers accommodation for up to 49 mountain climbers.

Communal bedrooms and lounge areas are contained within two of the tubes, while a third houses a restaurant and staff accommodation. Toilets and showers are located within a smaller fourth block.

All four bunkers were prefabricated in Italy using a composite sandwich of resin and fibreglass. They were then airlifted to the site in pieces and assembled by a team of technicians.

The architects integrated various technologies into the structures to make efficient use of energy and to recycle available resources.

These include a system that melts snow to supply water for sanitation, a hybrid system that produces electricity and a sewage treatment plant.

“The activity of LEAPfactory is centred on the continued search for and the realisation of innovative solutions in response to the problems of creating infrastructures in the natural environment,” said the designers.

The hotel opened to the public in September and is operated by the North Caucasus Mountain Club. It is the first phase in a series of planned projects intended to encourage tourism in the region.

Photography is by the architects.

Here’s a project description from LEAPfactory:

LEAPrus 3912 is the name of the new Eco-Hotel located on the southern side of Mount Elbrus, at 4.000 metres in altitude: completed by Italian firm LEAPfactory in September 2013 it is now already open to the public.

Mount Elbrus is the highest peak in Europe, and is one of the Seven Summits, the circuit of the highest mountains in each of the seven continents. It is located at the centre of the Northern range in the Russian Caucasus, halfway between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Mt Elbrus is a dormant volcano, characterised by twin summits of 5642 and 5621 metres, dominating all the mountains in the area, the lowest of which is at least 1000 metres. Its environmental and climatic conditions are known for their extreme severity.

The installation of LEAPrus 3912 was developed on behalf of the North Caucasus Mountain Club, a Russian company which is responsible for the development of tourism of the mountainous region in the North of the Russian Caucasus; LEAPrus 3912 is the first stage in the complete reorganisation of hospitality on Mount Elbrus. The entire region has a great potential for tourism: the vastness of the unique natural landscapes and the ancient troubled history of its peoples are the centrepiece of a great potential interest.

The complex is situated on the normal ascent route of the mountain, on the immense southern glacier, a few hundred metres from the historic refuge Priut 11, destroyed by fire in the 1990s and never rebuilt.

The new station accommodation is structured with four completely prefabricated buildings. The modular structures were designed and manufactured in Italy by LEAPfactory, and then transported to Russia. The installation on the slopes of the Mount Elbrus took place in a few days in July; the modules were transported by helicopter and assembled by a team of highly trained technicians from the company.

In the first days of September, after the final set-up of the technological systems the Eco-Hotel has been opened for activities.

LEAPrus 3912 in brief
» altitude: 4.000 metres above sea level
» 49 beds, living area, restaurant with kitchen, toilets, reception and staff accommodation
» 3 separate LEAPs1 units, with synthetic composite shells
» 2 newly designed s2 type units, with natural composite shells, in which the toilets, the biological depurifier and the sophisticated technological systems are housed
» timing for the project realisation: 10 months in total, just 20 days after positioning “in situ” before the opening to the public

The structures of the new alpine station are made with durable materials of the highest quality, using cutting-edge technologies in the field of environmental sustainability.

Getting the best possible performance in terms of energy efficiency and home comfort was the main goal along with the achievement of maximum self-sufficiency of the new settlement on the highest mountain in Europe.

» the high efficiency structural shells contribute to the dramatic reduction of the energy requirement which supplies lighting, heating and indoor air treatment, hot water and a system for monitoring and remote management of all devices
» a stand-alone hybrid system for the production of energy, with high efficiency and integration of the various sources used, with an innovative park for the ecological accumulation of sodium
» a specific internal air circulation system with heat recovery
» LED lighting
» underfloor heating designed to work at very low outdoor temperatures
» a system for melting of snow for the supply of water to the sanitation services
» a sewage treatment plant (LEAPecoR) specifically designed to work at high altitude that permits the centre to almost completely overcome the dispersion of organic pollutants into the environment
» the whole system is regulated and controlled, also remotely via satellite, facilitating effective management of the structure throughout the year

The interiors and the architectural design of the units are unique in the panorama of buildings at high altitude: there is a close visual relationship with the surrounding landscape, they have elegance, functionality and durability – and are carefully designed to provide users with real comfort. The Italian company that designs and manufactures modular prefabricated buildings with minimal environmental impact, LEAPfactory has realised already the successful of Nuova Capanna Gervasutti (Mont Blanc, Courmayeur, 2011). The activity of LEAPfactory is centred on the continued search for and the realisation of innovative solutions in response to the problems of creating infrastructures in the natural environment.

Designers: Luca Gentilcore, Stefano Testa, Davide Barreri, Morena Caredda
Project Team: Edoardo Boero, Stefano Girodo, Tamara Panetta, Edoardo Riva
Geologist: Alberto Morino (Gd Test)
Structural engineer: Luca Olivari (Olivari Composite Engineering), Andrea Bruzzone
Energy and plant systems: E++ srl, DANTE srl, SASSO srl
Client Relationship Manager: Cristiana Minetto
Client: North Caucasus Mountain Club
Project Responsible: Andrey Kataev

Main Technical Partners: ACTIS, CICLES, CLEAF, FIAMM, GEMAP, GERFLOR, GIOCOsolution, GP Tecno, GVM arreda, HOVAL, LCM group, NAYLcomposite, NDA nova design automazioni, NORDCOMPENSATI, SALT, VABER

Leap on site equipe: Alberto Altavilla, Gabriele Basile, Saverio Crocco, Emanuele Foglia, Giorgio Garzena, Luciano Pisu, Stefano Quaranta, Andrea Sasso, Paolo Sasso, Alessandro Simeoni, Roberto Toffanin, Luca Tomatis

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by LEAPfactory appeared first on Dezeen.

Balconies covered in tropical plants and contoured surfaces based on rock formations surround this Singapore hotel by WOHA, which topped the hotels category at the Inside Festival awards last week.

Singapore studio WOHA designed the PARKROYAL on Pickering hotel as an extension of Hong Lim Park, a new green space located next to the site in the centre of the city’s business district.

By adding plant-covered balconies and terraces around the exterior, the architects were able to create 15,000 square metres of greenery – around double the area of the site – and give every guest a garden view from their room window.

These green spaces are complemented by the contoured surfaces that make up the building’s podium. Modelled on the topography of natural landscapes, these surfaces break through the glazed outer walls and continue through the reception spaces at ground level.

Other details such as hanging vines, pools of water and raw stone continue the natural theme, while mirrors line the walls and ceilings to reflect light through the space.

The top of the podium accommodates a terrace for guests, complete with infinity-edge pools and pavilions shaped like giant birdcages.

A total of 367 rooms are contained in the upper levels of the building. The architects were also responsible for the interiors of these spaces, but dropped the garden theme in favour of clean bright spaces with bespoke furniture and fittings.

PARKROYAL on Pickering was named best hotel interior at the Inside Festival, which took place in Singapore last week alongside the World Architecture Festival. The overall prize was given to a Barcelona apartment with patterned floor tiles.

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Here’s a project description from WOHA:

PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore

Designed as a hotel and office in a garden, the project at Upper Pickering Street is a study of how we can increase the green replacement in a high-rise development in the city centre and multiply it in a manner that is architecturally striking, integrated and sustainable.

Located in central Singapore, the site is at a junction between the CBD and the colourful districts of Chinatown and Clark Quay, and faces Hong Lim Park. A contoured podium responds to the street scale, drawing inspiration from a combination of landscaped bonsai arrangements that are modelled, chiselled and spliced to mimic natural landscapes and mountain rock formations as well as that of the contoured padi fields of Asia. These contours are precast concrete elements of modular radii, allowing the complex, sculptural podium to be put together from a basic ‘kit of parts’.

On the ground the contours create dramatic outdoor plazas and gardens which flow seamlessly into the interiors. Greenery from the park is drawn up in the form of planted valleys, gullies and waterfalls. The landscaping also conceal openings to the above ground carparking while allowing in air and natural light. The top of the podium is a lush landscaped terrace housing the development’s recreational facilities, with infinity edge pools opening up unobstructed views of the city. Birdcage cabanas perched over the waters add interest and delight.

The crisp and streamlined tower blocks harmonise with surrounding high-rise office buildings. They are attenuated into an open-sided courtyard configuration, breaking down the ‘wall of buildings’ effect and maximising views and daylighting into the building. Blue and green glass create a patina that recall the waters of Singapore River adjacent. Lofty 4 storey sky gardens which bring lush greenery directly to the rooms and breaks down the scale of the building. Corridors, lobbies and common washrooms are designed as garden spaces with stepping stones, planting and water features which create an alluring resort ambiance with natural light and fresh air, instead of being 24-hour energy guzzling air conditioned spaces. Tall overhangs work together with leafy foliage to screen these spaces from the weather and direct sun.

A total of 15,000m2 of skygardens, reflecting pools, waterfalls, planter terraces and green walls were designed; this is double the site area or equivalent to the footprint of Hong Lim Park! A diverse variety of species ranging from shade trees, tall palms, flowering plants, leafy shrubs and overhanging creepers come together to create a lush tropical setting that is attractive not only to the people but also to insects and birds, extending the green areas from Hong Lim Park and encouraging bio-diversity in the city.

These landscapes are designed to be self-sustaining and rely minimally on precious resources. Rainwater collected from upper floors irrigate planters on the lower floors by gravity supplemented by non-potable recycled Newater, which will also be used for all water features. Photovoltaic cell arrays on the roof will power grow lamps and softscape lighting, making these Singapore’s and perhaps the world’s first Zero Energy Skygardens!

This project is awarded Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum, the nation’s highest environmental certification. The hotel officially opened in January 2013.

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by WOHA appeared first on Dezeen.

A hotel shaped like a giant horseshoe by Ma Yansong of Beijing studio MAD is set to open later this year on the edge of a lake in Huzhou, China.

The Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort was designed by MAD as a pair of curvaceous towers that connect on the upper levels to create an arched profile. Located on the edge of Taihu Lake, the building’s iconic shape is reflected in the still waters.

Architect Ma Yansong says the form was inspired by the traditional bridges depicted in old Chinese paintings.

“Throughout China’s history, people have always pursued a harmonious relationship with nature and this has become a major part of Chinese culture and tradition,” he said. “Huzhou itself is a place famous for traditional ink paintings and splendid water views, and the arch bridge is one of the key elements of traditional architecture.”

He added: “By incorporating this iconic ring-shape, my goal was to design a contemporary resort that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding environment while evoking the beautiful arch bridge over Taihu Lake.”

The 27-storey building contains a total of 282 guest rooms, but also encompasses 39 villas with access to hot springs. Additional facilities are contained within separate buildings and offer a variety of restaurants, a ballroom, conference suites and a wedding centre.

Although some rooms are already available, the building will officially open in December.

Other projects completed by MAD in the last year include an icicle-shaped museum for wooden sculptures in northeast China and a pair of curvaceous twisted skyscrapers in Canada.

See more architecture by MAD »
See more hotels »
See more architecture in China »

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by MAD appeared first on Dezeen.

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