folded zinc roof undulates atop floating hotel by more architecture in china

MORE Architecture’s Floating Hotel emerges from bamboo forest

In the mountainous region of Anji, China, MORE Architecture designs Floating Hotel, a boutique hotel that appears to hover above the bamboo forests. Located three hours from Shanghai, this structure creates an immersive relationship with its natural surroundings.

Over the past four decades, China has rapidly urbanized, resulting in densely populated cities. As domestic tourism grows, city dwellers seek rural retreats, finding solace in nature. The Floating Hotel addresses this demand, marking the first development in Dachangping, a bamboo-rich area in southern Anji, part of the Yangtze River Delta.

The hotel features a large, striking roof reminiscent of traditional Chinese architecture, designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding mountains. This zinc roof covers four transparent collective spaces: the lobby, a yoga room, a restaurant, and an event space, all offering views of the dramatic valley. The design promotes a smooth transition between nature and architecture, with guests moving under the roof, across terraces, and between glass-enclosed rooms.

The project is captured by architectural photographer Kris Provoost.

all images by Kris Provoost

steel structure elevates Floating Hotel above the mountains

The hotel’s eighteen rooms are uniquely located beneath the main amenities, accessible via outdoor staircases. This design eliminates closed corridors, maintaining constant contact with the environment. The architects defied conventional hotel layouts, opting for three room types: single-loaded rooms with dual views, double-loaded rooms with expansive views, and corner suites offering views in two directions. An outdoor corridor winds past these rooms, enhancing the connection to nature.

The challenge of elevating the building above the mountains led to the use of a steel structure. The zinc roof accentuates the building’s folded design and will age beautifully over time. To create a warm atmosphere, the designers at MORE selected wood for floors, ceilings, and room fittings. Custom-designed wooden furniture, including beds and tables, complements terrazzo desks and bars. Steel columns elevate the hotel eight meters above the hills, creating a dramatic space underneath that houses a swimming pool and changing rooms, allowing nature to flow uninterrupted beneath the building.

Floating Hotel by MORE Architecture appears to hover above the bamboo forests of Anji

the boutique hotel creates an immersive relationship with its natural surroundings

the striking zinc roof is reminiscent of traditional Chinese architecture and blends with the mountains

the roof covers four transparent collective spaces: the lobby, a yoga room, a restaurant, and an event space

the hotel’s eighteen rooms are located beneath the main amenities, accessible via outdoor staircases

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project info:

name: Floating Hotel
architect: MORE Architecture | @more.architecture

lead designer: Daan Roggeveen

design team: Robert Chen, Sander Marino, Xue Guangjie, Adrian Briega Muñoz, Lai Zheheng Jui-Heng Chuang, Sun Furui, Emilio Wang, Pedro Martins, Lina Peng, Mari Moldre Bernie Wang, Mae Szto, Jeffrey Kuo

client: Huazhang Real Estate Development

structure/ MEP/ HVAC: ECADI Contractor – Zhejiang Dadongwu Construction Company

surface area: 6,000 sqm

location: Anji, China

photography: Kris Provoost | @krisprovoost

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom