RANYA Hotel

Horizon & Atmosphere Landscape Co.

Short description

Our aspiration is to preserve the mountainous and forested environment to the greatest extent possible, allowing the therapeutic essence carried by the flowing streams to permeate. We envision a space where weary travelers, having undergone the trials of their journey, can gently release themselves amidst the embrace of the land adorned with mountains, forests, streams, and mist.
Adhering to the principle of "nature's inherent beauty without human craftsmanship," the design starts from the local topography, making the most of the native vegetation. In terms of spatial organization, rigid constructions are abandoned in favor of utilizing the natural terrain and plant life for delineation. A spacious lawn area is left open in the central courtyard, while the topography rises at the entrance, forming a valley-like enclosure with the buildings and the mountains. This design creates a sense of being cradled gently by the mountains and forests, allowing observers to experience the soothing embrace of the natural surroundings.
The entrance, formed by locally excavated mountain rocks, deliberately unveils a low and discreet mountain gate. Opting for black carbonized wood, in contrast to the white architecture, strives to blend seamlessly into the vegetation, aiming for a more natural environment. Upon entering the mountain gate, one must traverse uneven stone pathways and cross through a pebble garden before reaching the hotel. The central courtyard unfolds with a sudden openness. The stone-strewn sandbanks stand motionless, while the plants blossom and shed leaves responsive to the changing seasons through the whole year. This dynamic of change and constancy sparks philosophic reflections and dialogues, unconsciously guiding observers into a flowing natural landscape within the timeline.
The landscape incorporates a significant number of stones, yet not a single one adheres to a regular form. Rich stone textures bring detailed sensations and aesthetic pleasures. The hot spring retreat is nestled against the mountain, with a loop formed by pedestrian suspension bridges on either side of the stream, allowing guests to choose their own path to the hot springs. The design focus here is on subtle intervention. We have preserved the arranged stones at the entrance to the hot springs, allowing the architectural platform to recede and harmonize with its surroundings. The intertwining of plants and architecture, careful blending from various perspectives, obscures the mass of the structure. The hot spring retreat appears elusive amid the mountains and becomes even more enticing. The rugged rock wall at the base of the mountain requires only a minimal foreground of vegetation to complement its raw and rough texture, inviting contemplation and a sense of Zen. Within the stream, we sowed dense aquatic plants to soften the raised stream banks. The boat by the shore invokes cultural imagination, bringing warmth and dynamism to the scene.