Project Overview
The town of Jingshan was formed by the fishing and mining industries in the earlier times. However, population moved out as the old industries declined, and today the local government is striving to redefine the Jinshan’s features and wish to transform the area into a tourism spot worth exploring.
Absorbing the heat from Datun volcano group, Jinshan is a famous hot spring town since the Japanese colonial period. Hot spring is the most valuable natural resource in the area. Replacing the building of former recreation center, Jinshan Hot Spring House is a new attraction of relaxing bath and gourmet for the local tourism. Flowing with the surrounding landscape, the new architecture is a friendly platform with connecting routes into the historical streets, surrounding neighborhoods and nearby parks. Starting here, the visitors can easily explore the area via access to villages, mountains and sea.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Project Brief
In the thinking process of design, the local traditional architecture the style of the Japanese colonial period was originally the key point in our research. However, as we learned more and decided to reflect the context of regional culture, we found that the natural environment is the best feature that represents the characters of Jingshan area.
As Jinshan is known for its surrounding volcanic landscape and rocks of wonder, we aim to reflect the unique environment with design and expression of the architecture. The earthly tone of the exterior melts seamlessly into the mountain scene, and when the steam of hot spring rises from the outdoor pool, it looks like wondrous mist in high mountains, creating a new natural spectacular for Jinshan scenery. In order to promote Jinshan’s hot spring culture, the house provides different types of relaxing spaces for all-around hot spring experience. There are single bathrooms, hot spring foot bath, indoor pools for men/women and outdoor open pool with a great view at visitors’ choce.
Project Innovation/Need
The architectural form flows with the natural landscape and smoothly connects with the community center in the neighborhood. The house and its vicinity is a friendly backyard for the local residents, who can also become the best guide for the coming visitors.
The spatial arrangement is to accommodate the best hot spring experience. At each level, the curving walls and the circulation design allows interaction with the natural environment, and makes sure the beautiful scenery is visually accessible while the privacy is preserved. Behind the high parapet wall, the open outdoor pool on the roof top directly faces the grand views of Datun mountains. On its northeast corner rises a high wall and machine room to block freezing monsoon and the view of public cemetery, creating a cozy and private outdoor space to enjoy the hot spring.
Design Challenge
The new-rising hot spring house and the remaining community center has a shared wall, which poses a challenge for building the new space. To reduce the vibration that might damage the structure, we employ water jet to cut off the girder and preserve the foundation of the shared wall to enhance the bearing capacity of the architecture. The landscape is partially backfilled for creating instant green space.
Adopting the traditional building materials found in the area and new building technology, we create a brick masonry of reef rock for the skin of the architecture. The extending, curving form of structural walls spontaneously define spaces and various functions, and heat-reserving materials will also be used to block the strong northeast monsoon in the winter.
Sustainability
The use of local building materials not only reduces carbon footprint and the use of concrete, it also facilitates future maintenance and replacement. The recycled spring water can also be used as environmental water within the site and the flushing water for the public restrooms on the first floor. Solar panels and wind turbines will also be equipped to generate energy from the surrounding nature. As for the lighting system, low-e glass and LED lighting are used throughout the building to light up the space in the most efficient way.
Architecture - Proposed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project can be a concept, tender or personal project, i.e. proposed space.
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