LAVA

LABORATORY FOR VISIONARY ARCHITECTURE

HARBIN ICE HOTEL

  • Client:
  • Undisclosed
  • Location:
  • Harbin, China
  • Size:
  • 530,000m2
  • Status:
  • Concept Development
  • Partners:
  • Arup Sydney/ China

ABOUT

Icebergs and quartz crystal are the design inspiration for a new hotel, retail and cultural centre in Harbin. 

Ten quartz crystal towers of varying heights reference Harbin’s famous Ice Festival. Their transparent facades glow as an electro light display celebrating the colours of light and highlighting building functions.

The tenth largest city in China is a key political, economic, scientific, cultural and communications hub in the North China. The combination of Han, Manchu and Russian cultures influences the local architecture style, food, music, and customs.

'Ice Hotel' is a dynamic clash of fire and ice, with a dramatic crystalline lobby that draws the user into a warm, cave-like interior.

The visitor moves from the perceptually 'cold' exterior of a transparent facade and vertical linear iceberg geometry. The grouping of several crystal-shaped buildings adds to this drama.

WATCH VIDEO

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Design: Toko / Development: Damien Aistrope