A-asterisk constructs gabled hot spring for three-part complex in china

A-asterisk constructs gabled hot spring for three-part complex in china
all images courtesy of A-asterisk

with the intent to fully submerge a design into the landscape of qiqihar, china, A-asterisk has constructed ‘hezhitang hot spring’. as part of a three-phase complex covering approximately 62,000m², the overall plan includes aquatic clubs, charted spa rooms, a five-star hotel, small theaters, a mall, and corresponding ancillary buildings. each of these programs are contained within rectilinear volumes that orient themselves towards the nearby wetlands. the architectural style is that of a gable roof structure with black walls, black tiles, and accented edges lined in white. the sides of each form are built with expansive glass curtain walls, creating a long cylindrical viewing container which frames the surrounding scenery.

layered structural supports of the roof

the beginning construction of the development occupies the southern portion of the 170,000m² site. as visitors walk through the doorway from the east, they arrive at the entrance hall that continues the dark color palette of the exterior. the extruded massing is covered by a layering of ceiling supports that force perspective down the elongated interior. as circulation continues, a service counter filters men and women into corresponding locker rooms and small hot springs that are concealed by barriers of trees and shrubs. in the main space, a figural pool is situated in the center as smaller water features line the perimeter for different functions that accommodate groups of all sizes.

figural pool

hot spring 

the second floor is accessible through circulation cores for opposite sexes and a large staircase that evenly divides the plan into the restaurant and the upper lounge that faces the greenery. for added privacy, occupants may also navigate behind the kitchen where a relaxation room is hidden from diners. up on the third floor, the roof separates the administrative functions, such as staff storage and offices, from individual meditation rooms above the pool and lockers respectively.

hot springs

hot spring

corridor to the saunas

night view

exterior entrance at night

looking at the structure from the wetlands

from south

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project info:

project name: qiqihaer hezhitang hot spring
location: qiqihaer, china
principle use: hot spring
client: mingdao group
site area: 169,140.53m²
total floor area: 11,357.03m²
height: 17.035m
structure type: RC
design period: november 2010 – july 2013
construction period: august 2011 – may 2014
architecture design: A-asterisk (nakamura nobuhiro, qin yi, shigeno yuji, wang wenping, he zengcai)
construction drawing: heilongjiang linye architectural design institute (dong changzheng, chang yuting, zhang shaohua, lin ping, jiao youfen, wang huijie)
interior design: A-asterisk (nakamura nobuhiro, qin yi, shigeno yuji, wang wenping, he zengcai)
landscape design: A-asterisk (nakamura nobuhiro, qin yi, shigeno yuji,, lai jie, wang wenping, he zengcai), kanemitsu hiroshi design office (kanemitsu hiroshi), sea bass (suzuki chiho)
signage design: A-asterisk (nakamura nobuhiro, qin yi, shigeno yuji) uji design (maeda yutaka) 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.