Panoramic slabs
Second Prize, 2006 competition

In response to the spectacular view of the Sun Moon Lake and surrounding mountains, the building expresses the 360-degree vista experience of the site. The form and placement of the hotel is “molded” from the natural boundaries set by steep unbuildable slopes and crops of old trees on site. The molded building footprint is further stretched to its maximum to harvest the horizontal expanse of the site. The resultant contoured forms of the architecture hovering above the treetops evoke images of geological or meteorological effects liken to spinning clouds or wind-swept rock striations. Each floor is a pre-stressed prefab structural unit organically stacked. The generous overlaps create vast, sweeping overhangs of roofed patios as layers of hanging gardens of landscape, deck and views.

scope: development positioning, masterplan, architecture and landscape design
client: Ambassador Hotel Group
site: Nantou, Taiwan
site area: 2,000 sqm
total floor area: 17,000 sqm
building cost: 30Million USD
design: 2006