for their latest project, neri&hu has designed the alila bangsar hotel located in kuala lumpur, malaysia. positioned in between a former colonial neighborhood, and bangsar, a burgeoning area of the city, the intervention intends to form a dialogue between the old and new districts, linking past with present. characterized by a uniform, grid-like structure, the scheme focuses on creating a functional hotel centered around an ‘urban oasis’ at the heart of the building.

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

all images and video © pedro pegenaute

 

 

the building rises 42 storeys into the city skyline, with the program of the hotel occupying the ground floor and top eight floors. upon entering, guests are met by a continuation of the structural grid and elements of lush greenery that bring the architect‘s concept of an ‘urban oasis’ to life. a double height volume also articulates the lower lobby, inviting an abundance of natural light into the space.

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

 

 

on the upper floors of the hotel, the areas are split between five levels of guest rooms and three levels of public areas. the lobby space of the upper floors welcomes guests into another double height volume, opening up to the sky beyond and forming a direct relationship between the indoor and outdoor environment. beside this space there is also a large swimming pool, surrounded by spaces for relaxation, providing a place of calm and tranquility. 

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

 

 

centering around the internal courtyard are the public functions of the hotel that occupy three levels. while on the top two levels, you can find the specialty restaurant, the cocktail bar and the outdoor rooftop bar. all the spaces converge round the open atrium space that has been inserted into the architecture. this element brings natural light and transparency through the different area. 

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

 

 

with regard to the finishes, custom furniture and crafted bronze details are employed to complement the simple material palette of gray stone, white plaster and balau wood in the public spaces. for the priavte guestrooms, the concept was to define the layout with two different elements: ‘the hut’ and ‘the indoor courtyard’. following the analogy of a small village, the hut functions as the indoor space where the functions of daily living are enclosed. the bathroom is inserted as a floating box in the hut structure and allow for free-flowing circulation around the space.

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

neri & hu inserts a lush internal courtyard into the alila bangsar hotel in kuala lumpur designboom

 

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project info:

 

project name: ‘the inserted courtyard — alila bangsar’

location: ​kuala lumpur, malaysia

architect: neri&hu

images/video: pedro pegenaute