‘acoustic composition’ by betillon / dorval-bory, jurmala, latvia all images courtesy of betillon / dorval-bory

paris-based architectural practice betillon / dorval-bory have proposed ‘acoustic composition’, a hotel dedicated to the cultural music environment of jurmala, latvia. encompassed with pine trees, the site is particularly conducive to producing a pleasant audible atmosphere, offering background sounds comprised of a mixture of wind through foliage, the crashing water on the sand and caws of seagulls. the structure is formed with a 6.6 meter framework with an integrated grid of balconies which creates rational spatial divisions within the building. a hollow volume placed in the center of the cube becomes a neutral space to channel sound waves through open-air trapezoidal tunnels.

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition exterior

the guest rooms are placed at the ground and upper levels while public spaces are housed within and adjacent to the void. marble with a textured finish of three-dimensional trapezoids surfaces the internal walls to reduce reverberations within the spaces. floors in the middle contain restaurants, conference rooms and spas while elevated terraces include a swimming pool. four auditoriums are placed on the top face of the crisscrossed voids with the seating oriented to face each other.

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition recreational grounds

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition trapezoidal marble application strategically surfaces the exterior

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition lobby

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition central void

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition elevated terraces adjacent to central void

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionhotel room bathroom

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionhotel room dining area

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionfloor plan / level 0

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionfloor plan / level 1

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionfloor plan / level 2

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionfloor plan / level 3

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionfloor plan / level 4

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition hotel room plans / sections

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition sectional perspective

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionaxonometric of site

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionaxonometric

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic compositionmarble wall applications

betillon / dorval bory: acoustic composition acoustical diagrams

project info:

title: acoustic composition type: music themed hotel competition – 2nd prize location: jurmala, latvia year: 2011 area: 9500 m² client: hotelliesma architect: betillon / dorval-bory (nicolas dorval-bory & raphaël bétillon) assistants: erin durno, julie arnaud