B2 BOUTIQUE HOTEL BY ALTHAMMER HOCHULI ARCHITEKTEN

 

“During its 130-year long and eventful history the site has been modified and converted multiple times. The hotel’s concept and design follow the spatial and structural parameters of the complex stock of buildings. Accordingly, the conversion’s concept imbeds three distinct scenarios: rebuild (the boiling house) – build up (on top of the turbine hall) – incorporate (into the cooling sector).

Rebuild
The boiling house is situated on top of the Sihlberg, a hill in the middle of the city, dominating the site of the former brewery. The brewery’s facade reveals an amalgamation of various phases in the building’s history. When entering the spacious hotel foyer today, three vertically scaled cathedral-style windows – once part of the boiling house – draw the visitor into the depths of space, and into the library.

It is an inviting setting with more than 33.000 books which are piled up in the wall lined with smoked oak and three impressive bottle chandeliers. An upward glance will reveal three high windowed recesses in the shelves – giving away a glimpse of the spectacular first floor board room. The visitor accesses the guest rooms via an open foyer, where a sculptured body of fair-face concrete marks both, spatial centre and reference.

The precisely set windows of the construction provide insight into a body of light which runs through the inner zone of the boiling house, linking the first floor with the roof. At its basis the sculpture leads into the board room where the angular conference table mirrors the erratic shape of the body of light, surrounded by a heavy textile wall cover of red velvet. The rooms are pragmatically arranged in line with the ductus suggested by the existing windows in the facade.

While further pursuing this idea, the rooms are individual in cut, proportion and atmosphere. They commonly avail of a bathroom cubicle which enlarges the living space through partial vitrification. The bathroom cubicle’s modern shape is in deliberate contrast with its traditional materials, such as the textile tapestry made of canvas, or the quality floorboards of oiled oak. Together with vintage objects they remind of the old brewery’s golden age.

Build up

The listed turbine hall – unique in Zurich – and its conserved dignified machinery are witnesses of a proud history in beer brewing. The light enters the turbine hall via two old skylights. Within the modern, slightly raised build up of the hall they form at the same time the centre of two courtyards encircled by the hotel’s corridors. Visitors who follow the hotel corridors are being granted surprising views into the two yards since they are covered with shards of green bottles. The bottles’ colour is complementary to the colour of the flamboyant red carpet runners, modelled from historic photographs.

The rooms in the build up are marked by their large windows framed in expressive oak cases. Mighty outdoor sliding shutters allow to determine view and shading, in brief generate atmosphere through varied incidence of light. The build up distinguishes itself from the turbine hall through this materiality but with its characteristic iron slats it also sets a reference to the neighbouring cooling hall.

Incorporate
An imposing overbuilt construction bridges the boiling house and its adjacent building, the cooling hall. In the brewing process the cooling hall served as a place to chill the wort after the boiling. This fantastic hall perfused by winds is the site where the hotel realises the concept of ‘house-in-house’. Eight large suites add up to two long ‘terraced houses’. They are entirely detached from the existing husk, and concise architectural interventions still allow to fully experience the hall with its bold structure of steel.

The ‘house-in-house’ theme is also echoed in the interior design of the suites. The open spatial structure is coined by a compact body, which encompasses all functions characteristic to a suite. The homogenous materialization in oak supports the visual detachment of the construction from its husk. The living space widens by means of the space between apartment and the facade of the cooling hall. The guest can from the inside enjoy a panoramic view over the city outside.

The guiding principle to create from the wealth of existing industrial heritage substance make the hotel’s ambiance both, a unique and authentic experience.

Swim in Aqui mineral water on the roof of the hotel The hotel is also home to the Thermalbad & Spa Zurich, which opened in December 2010 and provides 3,300m² of relaxation space in the brewery’s former barrel filling area. Guests of the B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa can enjoy special deals and direct access via the roof pool.

 

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Architect: Althammer Hochuli Architekten

Design Project: Margrit Althammer - René Hochuli Architekten, Ushi Tamborriello Innenarchitektur & Szenenbild

Structure: Engeneering dsp Ingenieure+Planer AG

Contractor: MLG Generalunternehmung

Area: 3.500 mq

Year: 2011

DROP ECO-HOTEL BY IN-TENTA

DROP microarchitecture is a removable hotel room that draws inspiration from organic shapes found in nature. This hotel is a portable living space that treads lightly on the environment and allows tenants to experience nature while surrounded by comfort.

Some of the many green features that are planned for these "removable" hotel rooms include photovoltaic films that can be combined with wood siding for power generation and a rainwater collection system for bathing. The use of lightweight materials allows the modules to be transported to virtually any legally permitted solid ground, including remote forests, beaches, mountains and jungles.

The units generally consist of a terrace, living room, kitchen and bedroom in the same shared space, as well as a separate bathroom. The living room can also be opened to the outside environment and used as a porch, while the bathroom can be converted into an outdoor spa.

One of the key design features of the design is the use of hemispherical transparent windows at each end that can be completely opened to provide a 180-degree view of the surrounding environment. In addition, a skylight running the entire length of the pod allows daylight to flood the entire space even when both ends are closed.

Drop units can also be maneuvered and joined to form larger housing units for more than two guests. Larger models, In-Tenta says, may be obtained by adding circular wooden extensions on either end. In-Tenta is hoping the Drop Eco-Hotel design will meet the growing demand for eco-tourism around the world with customers who demand sustainable architecture and a high degree of luxury. The Drop concept will now be produced by Urban Square, In-Tenta says.

 






Design: In-Tenta

GRACE SANTORINI HOTEL BY DIVERCITY ARCHITECTS

“The Grace Santorini Hotel (completed in 2010 by Divercity and Mplusm), has recently opened the exclusive Grace Santorini Villa.

The hotel's original concept was to follow the broken geometries of the ground's contours, forming a series of ledges into the steep gradient of the Caldera. The understated design allows this extraordinary landscape to take centre stage.

The Villa, a 400 sq m luxury residence, keeps the radical simplicity and the organic forms of the hotel while providing a contemporary interpretation of vernacular architecture. The concept is inspired by the local natural and geological surroundings, specifically the volcano and properties of porosity.

An exclusive spa area is dedicated to the well being of the guests with therapies and treatments based on volcanic ash, vines, and lava stones.

The space is articulated through a sequence of thick walls with concave openings, prismatic patterns on the floor and rock-carved furniture.

The thick porous walls of the master bedroom and the Volcanic Spa are interspersed with apertures that provide glimpses from one room to another as well as the exterior view.

The bespoke black and white resin floor, inspired by the stone-cobbled narrow pathways (calderimia) of Cyclades, lead the guests to the spa, where strong contrasting colours are continued into the hydro massage area.

The Villa, and Volcanic Spa, includes a master bedroom with lounge area, an en-suite bathroom, dressing area, show kitchen, and a guest bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.

All four units lead directly onto the spacious outdoor lounge and dining area and the private swimming pool with its view to Santorini Caldera.” Description of Divercity Architects.

 

Location: Santorini, Greece

Architect: Divercity Architects. Mplusm

Client: Grace Hotels Group

Project Status: Complete, 2012

Collaborators: Alkestie Skarlatou, Sophia Vantaraki

Photos: Serge Detalle

AHMEDABAD HOTEL BY STUDIO SYMBIOSIS

Designed as an iconic building in Ahmedabad, the hotel proposal by Studio Symbiosis focuses on interweaving the concepts of waves in nature. Using fold lines as movement trajectories and perception along with programmatic requirements, the project’s form demonstrates a sense of elegance with soft, subtle touches.

Seamless waves flowing on the landscape and flowing on the façade are the focal point for this full service five star property. The different functions in the building with different programmatic requirements are blending together thus resulting in this iconic building. The building comprises of three waves which are very carefully translated into dramatic key spaces on the lower floors and on the upper floors they translate into room grids with focus on standardized room sizes.

These waves emerge effortlessly from the landscape creating a sense of harmonic relationship with the ground. The profile of the building has been designed with keen emphasis given both to the smooth transition from the horizontal landscape to the vertical building and to the standardization and repetition of the façade components.

The façade is designed as an intricate part of the building. The entire façade system feels the reverberation of the slightest of change in the external skin due to flux in the internal spaces. This interdependent relationship between the skin and structure of the building makes the system a very coherent one.

The entry to the building has been marked with a column less cantilever that creates a dramatic entrance space. The guests are welcomed by the architecture of the canopy that follows the seamless nature of the design proposal, emerging from the ground and morphing back into it.

On the lower three floors the proposal consists of reception lobby, shopping area, banquet hall, meeting rooms, restaurants, lounge space and service areas. All these elements are tied with a coherent design language of natural canyon like formations.

The spaces are carved out using the same design principles with which a wave carves out a canyon. This helps in connecting the various public functions into one space visually which still have the capability of functioning independently.

A spill out space in the landscape has been provided for the banquet hall whereby adding to the experience of a celebration. Thus helps in creating an animated landscape which has a direct use and is actively used and enjoyed by the guests.

The restaurants are located amidst splendid view of the green with the fascinating façade wrapped around the restaurants making it a unique experience. The all day dining is designed in a way to create a more open feeling where the buffet would be the main attraction. As well as being visible form the main Lobby. In contrast the specialty dining is located one floor higher with an introvert character.

This restaurant is about an intimate play between the senses, the space and the food, to create this sense of very intricate relationship it has zones of small and bigger more private areas.

The roof and the last habitable floor house the spa, gym, saloon and the swimming pool. The swimming pool is located on the terrace with breathtaking views of the city. Alongside a sky lounge has also been provided here which will help guests relax, unwind and absorb the beauty of the city and the building itself.

Architects: Studio Symbiosis

Location: Ahmedabad, India

Site Area: 6860 sqm

Built-up Area:24,000 sqm

Start Date: April 2012

Completion Date: June 2014

source: archdaily

HILTON PATTAYA LANDSCAPING BY TROP

Pattaya is a two hour drive from Bangkok. Historically, it was famous for beautiful long beach and unobstructed sea view. However, lacking local regulations, the beach is now crowded with nightclubs and bars.

In order to avoid the noisy beach, Hilton Pattaya, a 200 room hotel, is a floating full-service hotel above a multi-use shopping, dining and cinema complex. 

TROP, a landscape architectural design studio, is responsible for creating an urban sanctuary hidden from chaotic beach below.

The designer’s goal is to re-connect the landscape with Pattaya's beautiful sea view. Because of the limited area, they had to re-organise the overall spatial structure of the garden.

Strategically, the designers divided the garden into three main components. The first component is the sand court. This sand court is also the arrival area.

Only two materials are used in the design, sand and green land-form. Sand is chosen because of its relationship with ocean and beach.

It is also used as a piece of canvas for all the hotel’s installations throughout a year. The second is the sun deck. To maximise the garden area, another 'Layer of Landscape' is added on top of the gym and toilets.

Their roofs are extended and connected with the hotel’s 17th Floor, 1 floor above the lobby. The result is a reasonable-size deck with a direct access from the hotel.

Instead of walking through the lobby, guests can walk directly to the pool area. The infinity pool is strategically placed at the edge of the roof, making its water visually connected with the ocean below.

It is designed as one big sheet of water with lap pool, fun pool, jacuzzi maze, and a kids pool hidden underneath the same water surface. 

Inspired by a school of shiny fish, they added fibre optic lighting to the bottom of the pol.

So, at night, the it glows like those silvery fish giving the same effect as stars. Combining the three components together, they managed to create a true hidden sanctuary above Pattaya’s Skyline.