Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects has taken the idea of a structure being built “on the lake” quite literally with its recently revealed plans for a granite clubhouse and spa complex located directly on top of a lake. The 34,014-sf space will be built at the center of a lake in the southern China district of GaoYao and will eventually become an art gallery, spa, and lounge, serving residents of nearby exclusive villas, according to Dezeen.
The goal is not to make the structure look as if it is sitting on top of the lake but, instead, to make it an integrated part of the lake.
The complex will consist of three concave blocks with each block being connected to another via one of its corners. From above, the overall design looks like a giant lobster with two meaty claws, which is fitting, considering its aquatic locale. Specifically, the building will be located on the edge of a weir that controls the lake level. The only connection between the complex and the mainland will be a narrow pedestrian bridge.
The building will use its location in the center of a lake and its framed panoramic views in an effort to quickly connect visitors to the surrounding landscape. To make the most of these panoramic views, a Feng Shui expert was brought in to determine the building’s orientation within the build site and the direction of its entrances.
Due to the beauty the surrounding mountainous landscape offers, an open, column-free layout will be used in tandem with floor-to-ceiling glazing.
The building’s three parts will feature different amenities and facilities, but will be visually linked by light oak floors and gray granite walls that will be carried throughout the complex.
The complex is expected to be completed in early 2017 and is currently under construction.
Rendering: Luxigon
Related Stories
Smart Buildings | Jul 25, 2024
A Swiss startup devises an intelligent photovoltaic façade that tracks and moves with the sun
Zurich Soft Robotics says Solskin can reduce building energy consumption by up to 80% while producing up to 40% more electricity than comparable façade systems.
Adaptive Reuse | Jun 13, 2024
4 ways to transform old buildings into modern assets
As cities grow, their office inventories remain largely stagnant. Yet despite changes to the market—including the impact of hybrid work—opportunities still exist. Enter: “Midlife Metamorphosis.”
Adaptive Reuse | May 9, 2024
Hotels now account for over one-third of adaptive reuse projects
For the first time ever, hotel to apartment conversion projects have overtaken office-to-residential conversions.
Adaptive Reuse | Apr 29, 2024
6 characteristics of a successful adaptive reuse conversion
In the continuous battle against housing shortages and the surplus of vacant buildings, developers are turning their attention to the viability of adaptive reuse for their properties.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. hotel construction market sees record highs in the first quarter of 2024
As seen in the Q1 2024 U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), at the end of the first quarter, there are 6,065 projects with 702,990 rooms in the pipeline. This new all-time high represents a 9% year-over-year (YOY) increase in projects and a 7% YOY increase in rooms compared to last year.
Mixed-Use | Apr 23, 2024
A sports entertainment district is approved for downtown Orlando
This $500 million mixed-use development will take up nearly nine blocks.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 17, 2024
Will the surge in hotel construction carry resorts with it?
The resort corner of the hospitality sector has been a bit slower to expand than the whole for the past few years. But don’t tell that to Bill Wilhelm, President of R.D. Olson Construction.
Sponsored | Hotel Facilities | Apr 8, 2024
The Rise of Mobile Keys in Hospitality
Unlocking the future of hospitality—mobile keys are transforming the guest experience and streamlining hotel ops.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 30, 2024
Hotel vs. office: Different challenges in commercial to residential conversions
In the midst of a national housing shortage, developers are examining the viability of commercial to residential conversions as a solution to both problems.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 26, 2024
Adaptive Reuse Scorecard released to help developers assess project viability
Lamar Johnson Collaborative announced the debut of the firm’s Adaptive Reuse Scorecard, a proprietary methodology to quickly analyze the viability of converting buildings to other uses.
