GLA design elevates detached hotel cabins amid towering trees in chinese forest

GLA DESIGN USES CHINESE FOREST AS THEIR HOTEL’S BACKDROP

GLA Design unveils the Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel, an establishment nestled amid the lush greenery of Dongmingshan Forest Park in Hangzhou. The project includes a reception center and different types of detached guest rooms and is set within a landscape of towering metasequoia trees and moso bamboo. The design team wanted to keep the natural environment intact, aiming to achieve minimal ecological impact. Adopting a minimally invasive approach, the buildings preserve the original appearance of the forest and blend in, respecting the woodland. Entering the park, visitors meet the reception center, serving as the most significant element of the hotel. There, floor-to-ceiling windows on the south side frame views of the sequoia forest, and smaller ones on the north allow glimpses of the bamboo grove.

all images by Chen Xi Studio, courtesy of GLA Design

THREE ROOM TYPES WELCOME GUESTS IN Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel

Chinese firm GLA Design designed three types for the guest rooms of the Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel. Nestled among the trees, the Pinecone Cabin adopts a modular design to respect the natural terrain and avoid disruption to the forest. Its raised base adapts to the uneven ground of the site, and its form echoes the vertical growth of the sequoia trunks. The Cedar Grove Cabin uses a raised design as well to protect the forest floor, improve ventilation, and minimize disturbances to local wildlife. Its double-sloped roof mirrors the shape of the surrounding trees, while skylights bring natural light into the high-ceilinged space, creating a sense of being within the forest. Similarly, the Bamboo Hut features woven bamboo curtain walls, allowing light to filter through in a way that complements the forest setting.

GLA Design unveils the Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel, nestled amid Dongmingshan Forest Park

entering the park, visitors meet the reception center

the reception building serves as the most significant element of the hotel

smaller windows on the north allow glimpses of the bamboo grove

the project includes a reception center and different types of detached guest rooms

set within a landscape of towering metasequoia trees and moso bamboo

the design team wanted to keep the natural environment intact

minimal ecological impact was the main goal

the buildings preserve the original appearance of the forest

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chinese firm GLA Design designed three types for the guest rooms

double-sloped roofs mirror the shape of the surrounding trees

allowing light to filter through in a way that complements the forest setting

the Cedar Grove Cabin uses a raised design as well to protect the forest floo

three types of guest rooms are found in the Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel

the materials create a warm atmosphere inside the cabins

the design improves ventilation and minimizes disturbances to local wildlife

the Pinecone Cabin adopts a modular design to respect the natural terrain

its raised base adapts to the uneven ground of the site

the Bamboo Hut features woven bamboo curtain walls

nestled amid lush greenery

project info:

name: Dongmingshan Senyu Hotel
architect: GLA Design
location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

photographer: Chen Xi Studio | @xichen_photo

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom