Blending into its surrounding environment, The Changbai Mountains Korean Pine Valley Hotel incorporates five-star standards with the natural scenery and regional characteristics of the Changbai Mountains and the time-honoured Shaman culture.
The eye-catching lobby features an array of chandeliers made of interlaced tree root, a reception made of tree trunks, and floor lamps made of tree branches. This lends the space a sense of mystery, especially against the mountain backdrop that can be seen through the lobby window.
In the lounge area, artistic treatments of natural elements—such as deer, pine cones, mushrooms and leaves—along with colourful cushions and furniture, present the elegance and vitality of the hotel through lively hues and rich details.
Inverted pyramid-like ceiling lights, down the length of the banquet hall, represent a snow mountain range. Along the curtain walls, alternating panels of local logs and cross sections of wood highlight the hotel’s theme.
The guest rooms feature a streamlined design, with simple lines to extend a sense of cosiness and comfort. A flat wooden piece, shaped like the ‘Mountains of God’ of Changbai, hangs above the beds. The passageway outside the rooms are encased in brown wood panelling, with a carpet patterned as a timber slab running through, turning the hotel into a ‘castle in the woods’.
LOCAL RESOURCES
The timber used throughout the hotel in multiple applications was sourced from the Changbai Mountains. This not only further integrated the hotel with its environment but also saved on freight cost. Recycled old solid wood was used as the texture was suitable for the design theme.
Due to limited budget, the use of stone material had to be significantly reduced. Initially, the solution was to apply a rough texture coating, but the cost and texture representation could not meet the design requirements. The design team then expanded its search and eventually found an affordable shell-powder coating that could highlight the design effect.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: The Changbai Mountains Korean Pine Valley Hotel
Location: Baishan, Jilin, China
Completion Date: April 2017 (second phase)
Site Area: 14.53 hectares
Gross Floor Area: 212,315 square metres
Number of Rooms: 280
Building Height: 34.99 metres
Architecture Firm: Hongshi Design
Principal Architects: Zhang Bing; Zhu Xuan
Interior Design Firm: Zhejiang University of Technology Engineering Design Group Co, Ltd
Principal Interior Designer: Lu Weidong
Images: Lu Weidong; Wang Hairong
