Set within a predominately industrial context, this hotel will serve a newly created whisky distillery and visitor centre in south-west China. Drawing from the orthogonal and repetitive industrial surroundings, the form of the hotel is initially perceived as a pure and familiar geometry. This simple gesture is broken emphatically by a large circular courtyard at the centre of the plan. This generous yet introverted move creates a natural and peaceful sanctuary amidst the noise and bustle of the immediate context.  

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The plinth is carved to create moments of unexpected visual connection between the primary and secondary courtyards, each of which takes on its own distinct character. The primary hotel functions open and connect to these generous natural spaces, creating a resort feel within an urban context.

The towers that contain the 180 guest rooms dematerialise from the plinth below, allowing increased openness and visibility to the surroundings beyond. The material language is initially rooted in the stone of the site’s geological history, while the use of timber and brass evokes the materiality and heritage of the whisky process.

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This project is undertaken in collaboration with Office FUU in Shanghai, and is slated for construction in early 2024.