Sanya Block 5 / NL Architects

Feb 2012

By Alison Furuto — Filed under: Hotels and Restaurants , China, NL Architects, Sanya

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Courtesy of NL Architects

As part of a resort development, the first prize proposal for Sanya Block 5 by NL Architects consists of 8 blocks of 6 stories on top of a ground floor with restaurants, bars and retail. Located in the Hainan Province and the southernmost city in China, Sanya is well known for its tropical climate and popular tourist destination. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Courtesy of NL Architects

The blocks are placed on a public deck, a new ground level that covers the basement with parking spaces and service. Each block is build up from 15 individual units. Four hotels will be build that consist of two mirrored blocks each. One block is facing the street life and the other has a view over the surrounding landscape.

Courtesy of NL Architects

The two units are connected by an intricate 3D ‘maze’. From the elevator core a refined network branches out, replacing an obligatory gallery. This spectacular ‘infrastructure’ forms a super-sized sculpture that ‘stitches’ the blocks together. The hotel rooms have a unique organization. The units are organized over two levels. This creates exceptional potential: a double height space can now be introduced, providing a spacious ambiance.

Courtesy of NL Architects

The double height of the duplex room is extended to the outside: a wonderful balcony comes into being, intimate but spacious. The balcony serves as an out-door living room. We image there will be an open-air kitchen. And a hot-tub with shower that will be placed flush with the terrace.

Courtesy of NL Architects

The hotels feature a large triangular ‘flowerpot’ for each room. Together they create a rhythmic, dynamic pattern. The lush greenery aspires to increase privacy, provide shade and cooling and will create a natural atmosphere. Perhaps even a micro ecology.

Architects: NL Architects
Location: Sanya, China
Team: Pieter Bannenberg, Walter van Dijk, Kamiel Klaasse, Gen Yamamoto, Bobby de Graaf; Zhongnan Lao, Pauline Rabjeau (2nd design phase), Yajing Huang, Ana Gavilanes, Antariksh Tandon (1st design phase)
Client: Vanke Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. Hainan
Project: Sanya – Block 5: International Recreational, Leisure and Health Resort Phase III, building Block 5 (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D)
Status: Competition 2011 (1st prize)

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

: Courtesy of NL Architects

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Cite:
Furuto , Alison . "Sanya Block 5 / NL Architects" 19 Feb 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 25 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/209188>

Comments (7)
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common_cents says:

Not buying what this project is trying to sell.No offense to the architects,but it will be a nightmare trying to navigate through the vertical ‘maze’ of circulation trying to find your room.the “networked Projections” from the elevator to the rooms seem like they’ve just been slapped on.No threshold between the walkways and the door to least in the rooms.It looks like a backpacker hostel.And what is the strategy for maintaining the plant facade?who maintains it?Some of the views from the rooms look like a double height prison cell.Again no offense to NL architects,but this is not a hit but a clear miss, as alot of stuff hasnt been resolved well

# February 19, 2012 at 06:57

Bálint Marosi says:

“navigate” through the “maze”?… The elevator takes you up to one of the 3 floors (only three!), and there you go: you arrive home on a straight corridor. What could be more simple than that?…

the plants maintained by the dwellers – as always, in the case of “plants in the flat”.

I see the double-height flats as a re-thinking of Le Corbusier’s Unité Habitation. I like it!

# February 19, 2012 at 10:27

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Bmock says:

I don’t know, it looks more simple to navigate than the majority of hotels I have been to with endless disorientating corridors with no views out or differenciation.
I think the threshold here becomes the walkways themselves, seeing as they are room specific the threshholds seem quite generous. Generally resorts or hotels have people who occaisonally change the sheets so surely taking care of the plants could be factored into that, if it is not the duty of more permanent residents. I am not really won over by its appearance but I think there is some definite common sense at play here with intriguing spatial arrangements and solar ideas. Pretty interesting stuff.

# February 19, 2012 at 22:08

neko says:

Someone bought themselves a nice library of 3D trees to play with.

“I know – let’s try one of each plant ! Does this count as a green building then ?”.

# February 19, 2012 at 08:57

Robbert says:

Simply briliant! They reinvented not only the rooms itself but also the logistics of a hotel. Small but, due to the different levels, very spacious rooms with a lot of privacy..

# February 19, 2012 at 16:54

Stan says: