Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture

Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, Facade
© Yuchen Zhao

Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows, FacadeHive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Image 3 of 37Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, FacadeHive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows, Lighting, FacadeHive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - More Images+ 32

Yilan County, China
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  220
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Yuchen Zhao
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Samhan Brick & Paver
Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, Brick, Facade
© Yuchen Zhao

Text description provided by the architects. This is a facade remodel project commissioned by a new owner of an old hotel building.  The old hotel was the largest hotel in Luo-dong when it was built in the 70's.  Luo-dong is a town with a population of 70 thousand, located on the north east coast of Taiwan.  It was historically a center for lumber business of the region and has been transformed to a tourism hub when the timber industry declined in the 80's.  The original hotel was a successful hotel for businessman at time but has been unable to attract tourists when the tourism develops quickly in the town.  The hotel had been dismal since then for decades.  The mission of this project is giving the hotel a new identity so that the architecture can continue its life through the new era of the town history.

Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Image 34 of 37
Surface Adjustment Diagram. Image Courtesy of Preposition Architecture

A strategy combining renovation and preservation was quickly established: Remodel only the facade facing the main road, preserve the rest of the original building skin as detailed as possible.  The building may not have much public recognition but was a true local landmark bearing the history of a generation in the region.  Preserving and reinstating the connection to the local history is as important as (if not more important than) giving the building a new outfit.

Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Image 3 of 37
© Yuchen Zhao
Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Image 36 of 37
Brick Surface Section. Image Courtesy of Preposition Architecture

Most of Luo-dong's tourists are from the nearby Taipei metropolis.  Foreign tourists from cities in Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and other southeast Asia also stop by this town occasionally.  Located at the center of this small town, the new hotel sets a business strategy targeting urban high-end customers.  It is crucial having a design that forges global and local atmosphere together.

Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Yuchen Zhao
Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Image 37 of 37
Facade Isometric
Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows, Door, Facade, Brick
© Yuchen Zhao

Standard, off-the-shelf brick emerges as the key element.  This ancient building material has proved itself being highly adaptive and capable of handling contemporary technology.  Algorithmic computer tools and digital fabrications are utilized to create a textile-fabric-like facade and improve construction precision and speed.  Instead of robotic construction, local masonry workers are commissioned to this challenge and they instantly realize that it will be the first of its kind and scale in the nation when completed.  A mock-up was constructed to test the feasibility of the construction method and budget, giving confidence to both the masonry workers and the owner.

Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
© Yuchen Zhao

Bricks from local brick kilns are originally preferred and researched but they end up not fit to the design and construction requirements. All bricks are manufactured in Korea and shipped oversea to Taiwan, then handled and constructed by local workers in town.

Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture - Image 11 of 37
© Yuchen Zhao

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Cite: "Hive Hotel Facade Remodel / Preposition Architecture" 12 Feb 2018. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/888528/hive-hotel-facade-remodel-preposition-architecture> ISSN 0719-8884

© Yuchen Zhao

Hive Hotel 外墙更新设计 / 前置建筑

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