this project is a comprehensive renovation of an existing hotel located deep in the mountains of xi’an, china. the building is a two-storey structure with a site area of 10,168 sqm and a total floor area of 3,499 sqm. The most distinctive characteristic of the site is its exceptional natural setting: clear spring water flows continuously from the surrounding mountains throughout the year, and natural hot springs emerge on the site itself. it is an extremely rare environment, defined by an abundance of water and rich mountainous nature.

 

in the renovation, several small existing guestroom units were combined to create more spacious rooms. each guestroom is equipped with a private hot spring bath. in addition, private gardens were carved into the mountainside at the rear of the building. these gardens are directly accessible from the guestroom balconies via unique bridge structures, creating a continuous spatial experience that connects architecture and nature.

 

the central design theme of the project is water.

rather than focusing solely on its visual clarity, the design process began by exploring how water could be experienced through all five senses — the sound of flowing water, the steam rising from the hot springs, and the subtle scents of the surrounding natural environment. by reexamining the relationship between water, architecture, and the human body, the project seeks to propose a new way of experiencing water and nature — one that could only emerge from this specific site.