In the sinuous landscape of Ninghai county, China, a cluster of six buildings has been transformed into a resort, emphasising the materials of the existing structures – stone, brick and wood – built in 1956. An addition to the original layout is the reception building, a central white volume that introduces the visitors to the landscape between the Tiantai and the Siming mountain.
The existing constructions consist of stone in the lower part, surmounted by brickwork; these two structural parts are linked together by a cement ring beam. One of the challenges of the project resided in the enlargement of the windows in order to accommodate the new function in the old building. Indeed, these windows were characterised by a minute size and were placed at a height of 2.5 m. The cleaning of the masonry work from the thick layer of white paint in the facades allowed the original material to come back to light. The same approach has been applied to the interiors, where the false ceilings that hid the wood structures of the roof had been removed.
In the reception building of Huchen Barn Resort, that replaces a structure of the 70s, Ares Partners folded the east elevation to respond to the porch of the front building, and raised the roof on the North façade to open a view on the landscape. The new volume is abstract, as concrete and bricks are painted white, and covers a pivotal position in the interplay between the elements of the cluster.
- Project:
- Miya Lostvilla Huchen Barn Resort
- Location:
- Ninghai County, Ningbo, China
- Program:
- hospitality
- Architect:
- Ares Partners
- Principal in charge:
- Helen Wang
- Design team:
- Helen Wang, Cheng Hui, Colin Zhu, Hu Jieling, Mei Qin, Zhan Tengjun
- Area:
- 5,430 sqm
- Completion:
- 2018