While it may be a problem for some guests with leanings towards claustrophia the perhaps soon to be built Songjiang hotel is an amazing innovative design. It is a 400-bed, five-star resort hotel set in a deep quarry in the Songjiang district of China and within easy distance of Shanghai.

Bristol based Atkins Design Studio designed the hotel and said it was inspired by the water and landscape features of the quarry it is to be set in.

The structure’s foundation will be laid into the 100 metre deep quarry and rise two levels higher than the rock face of the quarry. This will enable it to have several underwater public areas, restaurants and guest rooms facing a ten-meter deep aquarium.

When and if completed (nothing seems to be firmly set as yet) it should be totally astounding. Note that we have mentioned this hotel before and will continue to mention it until it becomes a reality. It is a fascinating idea.
Source: Journal de l’Atelier d’Architecture

Atkins Architects has won an international competition to design a five-star resort hotel set within a beautiful water-filled quarry in the Songjiang district close to Shanghai. Its concept designs inspired by the natural water and landscape features won the prize.

The 400-bed resort hotel stands two levels higher than the rock face of the 100 meter deep quarry and includes underwater public areas and guestrooms. It is very much a MICE hotel in that it will incorporate conference facilities for up to 1,000 people, a banqueting centre, restaurants, cafés and sports facilities.

An aquatic theme runs through the design. Curved wings of the main body of the guestrooms enclose a naturally lit internal atrium, which uses the existing rock face with its waterfalls and green vegetation. This will be overlooked by guestroom balconies and contain restaurants and cafés at the base.

The Songjiang district is a natural beauty spot close to Shanghai and an increasingly popular weekend and holiday destination for Shanghai residents and other visitors. The new resort hotel will help to meet growing demand.

The project is Atkins’ eighth design competition win in China and was the result of collaboration between Atkins’ teams in Bristol and Shanghai.
Source: eArchitect