Cloud Hotel / Studio8

Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Exterior Photography, WindowsCloud Hotel / Studio8 - Image 4 of 32Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Interior Photography, Windows, ChairCloud Hotel / Studio8 - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Windows, Chair, BeamCloud Hotel / Studio8 - More Images+ 27

  • Architects: Studio8
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1061
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Rui Hsieh, Sven Zhang
Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Exterior Photography, Windows
exterior. Image © Rui Hsieh

Text description provided by the architects. Nestled in the mountains of Moganshan, Cloud Hotel sits serenely in a bamboo forest in Deqing County, a popular retreat destination 200km away from Shanghai. The original building had three levels built along the mountain slope and carried features inspired by European castles. STUDIO8 was commissioned to renovate the architecture and interiors and redesign the visual identity.

Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Image 4 of 32
exterior. Image © Rui Hsieh

In the renovation process, STUDIO8 aimed to best utilize the natural slope formed by the landscape, while taking full advantage of the spectacular mountain views. The designers were also faced with a challenge to create a dynamic integration of the spatial experience and the “Cloud” brand image, and to infuse it into all design decisions. “Architecture built in nature functions as the media in between humans and nature; it should blend into the landscape organically, instead of just being in it,” says the studio principal.

The original building had guest rooms on the first and second floors; a lightweight extension with arched glazings had been added on top to serve as the dining space. While the architecture lacked a coherent hierarchy and style, it did have a feature that served the renovation well – it was not built directly against the mountain, providing much more room and potential for the extension. Rather than stacking upwards, STUDIO8 decided to bring life to the underused belowground levels, adding more layers into the space without increasing the height of the building or creating additional impact to the environment.

Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Image 2 of 32
exterior. Image © Rui Hsieh
Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Exterior Photography, Facade, Arcade
before and after renovation. Image © Rui Hsieh
Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Image 7 of 32
landscape. Image © Rui Hsieh

The new hotel has a total of five levels terraced alongside the mountain slope. Entering from the west corner of the premises, guests pass through the garden and arrive at the reception, a glass room enclosed by large glazings. On one side of the reception is the wine cellar and the private dining room, linked by a sunken garden designed to provide more natural light and better views; on the other side lies the steel staircase, leading to the swimming pool and the restaurant on the second level.

Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Windows, Chair, Beam
restaurant. Image © Rui Hsieh

To achieve a consistent brand image, STUDIO8 carefully curated the interior and visual identity design of the hotel to match well with the “Cloud” concept. The ubiquitous presence of curve and arch elements akin to clouds can be seen throughout the space - the ceiling, the spiral staircase, and the openings in various expressions.

Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Interior Photography, Windows, Chair
suite. Image © Rui Hsieh
Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Interior Photography, Bedroom
suite. Image © Rui Hsieh
Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Bed
suite. Image © Sven Zhang

Pure white finishes give a clean background to the interiors of the restaurant, while the bronze accent found in the tables and lighting adds a warm, earthy tone. The dining area boasts a cloud-like fluctuating ceiling that also hides the light strips and air vents in between the gaps. A one-off vintage cabinet from Belgium - the focal point of the dining space - is set against the whitewashed wall. The restaurant also features customized circular dining tables made of wood, local granite and rufous lacquered stone.

Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Interior Photography, Windows, Facade, Arcade
exterior. Image © Rui Hsieh

To avoid cliché and excessive ornaments, the interior settings are kept to a minimum for a bright and airy feel. Guest rooms have a subdued aesthetic. In the largest suite, a bespoke laurel green headboard hangs from a brass rod, echoing the green-hued Persian carpet and green walls in the bathroom. The curve element appears not only in the spiral stair but also in the bathroom partition walls. Gentle curves soften the room’s layout, re-emphasizing the light and airy feeling of the “Cloud”.

Cloud Hotel / Studio8 - Image 8 of 32
landscape. Image © Rui Hsieh

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Miaoqian Village, Deqing County, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Cloud Hotel / Studio8" 07 Oct 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/926029/cloud-hotel-studio8> ISSN 0719-8884

exterior. Image © Rui Hsieh

云顶堡酒店改造项目 / 八荒设计

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.