Axis Viana Hotel / VHM

Dec 2009

By David Basulto — Filed under: Hotels and Restaurants , Selected , Nelson Garrido, Portugal, VHM

Architectural photographer Nelson Garrido shared with us an amazing set of photos for the Axis Viana Hotel by VHM in Viana do Castelo. This Business & Spa Hotel is an ode to cantilevering, as you can see on the section shown below.

The overlapping stacked volumes generate a series of different perspectives, ranging from a full box in a frontal view, to a complex column when seen from the sides. The 2 lower levels have a concrete structure, with the rest of the boxes resolved in a steel structure sitting on top of it.

More photos and the section after the break.

Architecture: VHM I Departamento de Arquitectura: Jorge Sodré Albuquerque, Ana Luísa Almeida, José Magno
Coordinator: Jorge Sodré Albuquerque
Team: Isabel Flamínio, Rui Silva, Eduardo Brito, Carlos Sousa, Pedro Couto
Structure: A400
Services: VHM, Gestão e Coordenação de projectos
Landscape: Nuno Viterbo
Construction Management: Vítor Hugo Leal Gomes, Carlos Xavier
Contractor: Europa Arlindo, Scout, Fernando Coelho Unipessoal Lda.
Decoration: Gaston y Daniela
Year: 2003-2008
Photographer: Nelson Garrido – NG Photo

Section

3 reactions on Twitter »

12:14 AM Dec 19th

Hotels Resorts Apart

Axis Viana Hotel / VHM | ArchDaily http://bit.ly/4SRQul

4:51 AM Jan 12th

Ivor Tillier

RT @silap: "Axis Viana Hotel / VHM | ArchDaily"( http://twitthis.com/chwoka )

10:27 AM Jan 13th

Michael Garner

Axis Viana Hotel by VHM in Portugal – An Ode to Cantilevering. http://www.archdaily.com/43112

23 comments »

ballistamagazine says:

The elevations don’t do the perspectives justice…I love the cantilevers but it would appear the elevation would have benefited from a little extra thought. One of the more refreshing points this project brings to the table is that its interior is as stunning as the exterior. Clean, simple, and minimal with one of the most dramatic pools I’ve seen…

# December 7, 2009 at 16:43

bilo says:

What’s the point of giving extra to the elevations, since the volumetric result is good. Elevation is a way of experessing something graphically depending of ehat neesd to be explained, not adding quality to it. Of course, the purpose of seducing with a drawing is another matter wich i guess you were maybe referring to.

I try to not forget that buildings are not just elevations mapped on volumes. Perception of the built result is very much important, as your comment points out.

# December 8, 2009 at 12:18

ok, i think i get what you mean by looking at the picture of the elevation.

# December 8, 2009 at 12:21

bpv says:

This looks amazing, I would love to stay here and swim in that pool. It all looks great, except for that second photo-it looks like a monster behind those small white homes!

# December 7, 2009 at 17:48

james says:

pretty slick

# December 7, 2009 at 19:09

joe says:

very cool hotel…great piece of art

# December 7, 2009 at 20:30

Tosh says:

very nice and probably expensive..
But if it’s a hotel – it’s fine.

# December 7, 2009 at 20:34

Jonjon says:

Best building I’ve seen on here in months………well done, but I’m sure you don’t need me to say that.

# December 7, 2009 at 20:47

deaw says:

I like it..nice photos indeed. can we use the roof of those cantilived part?
it’d be great if i could have more text and info ;)

# December 7, 2009 at 22:56

mardjun says:

it’s very cool, the black box
but it’s so different with its environment

# December 8, 2009 at 03:34

# December 8, 2009 at 03:35

blues75 says:

Algorithm rhythm in designing..Interesting!

# December 8, 2009 at 03:36

james webb says:

impressive and its not very expensive to stay there. approx 90 euros/night for a double….hmmm next holiday plans.

# December 8, 2009 at 03:39

Tim says:

It reminds me of this project:

http://www.zerodegree.com/E5/Z4P/Z4_PB_F.htm

# December 8, 2009 at 04:14

pixelcube says:

Superbe!

# December 8, 2009 at 04:21

kenchikuka says:

hot.
Maybe when Nouvel gives up the ‘growies’ he will turn stuff out as good as this

# December 8, 2009 at 06:34

Dariusz says:

wicked.. minimal.. love it! Dark and black! IN!

# December 8, 2009 at 06:37

WSBY says:

flying death :)

# December 8, 2009 at 06:40

dah says:

wow, amazing

# December 8, 2009 at 10:24

HMMM says:

Reminds me this building. Exact same idea. I certainly dont try to suggest a “copy” though. It simply doesn’t matter in my mind. Both are good projects.

http://www.internationaldesign.nl/amsterdam.html

# December 8, 2009 at 13:59

miguel silva says:

Sorry. The photos are nice but the place is terrible. I have been there- It is a gigantic black monolith in the middle of lovely green trees and traditional white and small houses. Completely out of place, dark, too big.

# December 9, 2009 at 22:27

john avlakiotis says:

Great work! So simple but rich…

# December 11, 2009 at 08:57

usti says:

HI EVERYBODY.
I MADE UN ARTICLE ABOUT THIS AMAZING PROJECT IN NOVEMBER. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PORTUGUESE ARCHITECTURE PLEASE VISIT MY ARCHITECTURE WEBZINE http://ustidesigner.over-blog.com
A LOT OF OTHERS GREAT PROJECTS THERE.
GREAT CHOICE ARCH DAILY FOR THAT…

# December 12, 2009 at 12:22