GAD's hospitality center echoes the contours of yuxi city's hillside and waves of fuxian lake

xi an club sits in dialogue with its natural context in china

Amid the mountainous landscape of Yuxi City, China, and overlooking the Fuxian Lake, GAD has developed Xi An Club as a versatile hospitality center ‘born in nature, grown in nature’. The project, rich in cultural connotations, primarily utilizes the engulfing natural context, making use of the distinct stepped typography to inform the design. By extending the structure downwards, the architects ensure minimal disruption to the ecology, and allow the center to embrace the varying contours of the surrounding hillside. Further echoing the panorama of the lake beyond, the architects have topped the structure with an image of the rippling waves.

all images courtesy of Qiwen

Gad creates a cave-like immersive spatial experience

From its vantage point, Xi An Club enjoys expansive views and abundant landscape resources. Spanning 4,740 square meters, the center comprises an array of functional spaces, with an architectural design concept that strikes a balance between spatial purity and versatility. A modular approach is employed to effectively conceal equipment while also guiding the flow of movement throughout the center. Each area’s unique shape serves as a specific function, embedding spa, fitness, entertainment, reading, and art exhibition spaces into one another to create a cohesive and complete spatial experience in terms of usage.

The team at GAD has further enveloped the club with a fully open glass curtain wall, creating the comfort and charm of a natural cave and blurring boundaries between interior and exterior. This transparent boundary enables warm breezes and bright sunlight from the lake to permeate the interior. Multiple sunlight patios further enhance the openness and brightness of the spaces, allowing light and air to flow freely within the building.

Xi An Club integrates with the stepped terrain of the hillside

GAD has topped the structure with an image of the rippling waves beyond

the structure sits in dialogue with its natural surroundings with minimal ecological impact

generating a cave-like ambiance

the club is enveloped with a fully open glass curtain wall, enabling sunlight from the lake to permeate the interior

a modular approach effectively conceals equipment while guiding the flow of movement

‘born in nature, grown in nature’

axonometric

plan

project info:

name: Xi An Club
architecture: GAD

location: Yuxi City, China

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom