The project is the latest in a series of projects in Kunming aiming at raising aspirations for environmentally sensitive design and establishing a benchmark for future development in the region.
Innhouse is set on a forested hill with sweeping views of a green valley and the Kunming cityscape. This eco guest house is conceived as a village for travellers, with 17 guest suites in a cluster of four L-shaped structures linked by natural trails and courtyards at varying levels.
Densely landscaped with many retained trees, the timber clad building with reconstituted bamboo decking is a simplearrangement of forms largely devoid of decoration. Each building unit is composed of three masses – two wings and a semi-opened vertical circulation unit – linked by a viewing bridge corridor. Each guest suite reads as an extension of the landscape. Integrated with a cantilevered balcony, the living spaces open directly into the surrounding greenery. With subtle lighting through a series of vertical windows, the more private bathroom end is behind a feature partition wall and forms a box within a box.
Primary sustainable technologies applied include passive design to maximise day lighting and natural ventilation, site watershed conservation, solar thermal hot water, rainwater recycling and grey water reuse, a highly insulated envelope, reconstituted bamboo with low embodied energy, habitatpreservation and intelligent building control.
Team:
Architect: The Oval Partnership Ltd
Client / Developer: HEXY Horti-Expo Xing Yun Real Estate Co Ltd
Project Manager: HEXY Horti-Expo Xing Yun Real Estate Co Ltd
M & E Consultant: Hyder Consulting Limited
Structural Engineer: HEXY Horti-Expo Xing Yun Real Estate Co Ltd
Quantity Surveyor: HEXY Horti-Expo Xing Yun Real Estate Co Ltd
Signage and Environment Consultant: Hybrid Limited
Landscape Consultant: Atkins Landscape Shanghai
Interior Consultant: Kunming Jingshi Environmental Art Design Ltd
Main Contractor: HEXY Horti-Expo Xing Yun Real Estate Co Ltd
Photography: Kerun Ip
Material Used:
1. Facade cladding: Cedar Timber
2. Flooring: Reconstituted Bamboo
3. Windows: Double Glazing
4. Interior lighting: LED
5. Interior furniture: Timber and Laminated Bamboo
