Hilton

According to the architect, the new Hilton hotel aims to “transcend the generic and at the same time symbolise the spirit” of Inner Mongolia.
The urban plan dictated a maximum height of only three storeys, leading VMX to propose a round building providing views in every direction, and integrating the building into the landscape, whilst minimising the distance between guestrooms and hotel functions such as lobby, dining areas, bars, concert stage and swimming pool. 

The rooms are divided over four levels, three above and one below ground level. All rooms face the green landscape, with the other functions centred in the heart of the building. A partial glass roof protects the building from the harsh climate of the surrounding area.
Explain VMX: “In our design we intend to combine our rational, pragmatic, in a way ‘western’ perspective, with a more ‘eastern’, oriental approach. In our eyes, this eastern approach has a strong symbolic component.

“Considering this aspect we conceptualised the form of the building by referring to the Sun, an important Mongolian symbol, and the Moon from the nearby Moonlake. In its section, the silhouette of the yurt, the archetypical Mongolian settlement, can be recognised. The colours inside and on the outside of the building refer to the local natural colours of grass, sand and water.”

The architects say that viewed from above, the hotel will resemble a flower, symbolising its function as an oasis in the desert, and making it easily identifiable on Google Earth.

The hotel will be located close to the Ordos 100 project, curated by artist Ai Weiwei, and FAKE Studio Beijing, for which architects Herzog & de Meuron invited 100 young architects to each design a 1000m2 villa.

www.vmxarchitects.com