

Typologies:
Hotels & Hospitality
Status:
Concept
Year:
2023
Location:
Russia, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk
Area:
32 364 m²
Client:
LIGO
Design concept
The site is located on the grounds of the Gorny Vozdukh sports and tourism complex, considered one of Russia's best ski resorts.
Mount Bolshevik, where the resort is situated, has a relatively modest elevation (602 meters above sea level). In summer, cycling and hiking trails open up, offering breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings.

Hotel concept
The architectural concept of this project aims to achieve harmony between nature and modern technologies. Inspired by the beauty of the environment, we are creating a hotel building that not only respects and celebrates the natural landscape but also leverages technological innovations to achieve maximum comfort and guest satisfaction.
The concept's goal is to create a unique place where modern amenities and technologies merge with natural beauty, stimulating interaction and inspiring guests towards a deeper understanding and respect for the environment.

The hotel building is based on a concise, austere volume that during the design process was divided into several blocks according to functions and facade solutions. The facade's primary rhythm is set by the room layout and has a clear rational structure. To reduce the perceived scale of the volume, we overlay an additional grid with a larger module.
The glazing pattern references window mullions and partitions found in traditional Asian architecture.


Detail
The proportions, simplicity, and laconic facade details reference Asian culture. The use of deep natural material tones responds to the surroundings and immerses us in an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.
Dark metal panels are combined with an elegant light metal frame grid. The railing is made of cable mesh, creating a transparency effect without overloading the facade with excessive details.


Interior
We drew inspiration from East Asian philosophy of contemplating the natural landscape: that sense of relaxation and serenity that arises when we feel at one with nature while in a picturesque setting.
The play of light and shadow, natural tactile materials, and large-scale textures in warm tones create a welcoming interior space.

Spa
SPA architecture is built around working with natural elements — stone, wood, water.
Meditation, yoga, and massage spaces are arranged so that the boundary between interior and exterior remains conditional.

Street baths
The bath complex adjoins the hotel ensemble and spa center, completing the project's axial composition. The paired structures extend into the forest thicket along the dynamic mountain terrain. The route begins with an alpine sauna embedded into the rock using terraces, piles, and a sloped roof.
The living roof, overgrown with grasses, merges with the retaining wall. Below is a relaxation area with swings and stone loungers, while the terrace features ice plunge pools.

The black-style Russian banya seems to float above the ground: the pile foundation allows the space beneath the deck to be used effectively for relaxation. The architecture is built around the ritual, where the terrace, the cooling-down area, and the contrast plunge pools become an extension of the banya's interior space.


Landscaping
We sought to preserve the natural terrain and environment of Sakhalin Island. This became the foundation of our approach: walking routes follow the natural slopes based on the terrain cure principle, and playgrounds are placed at different levels.
The unique natural surroundings, including protected plant species growing nearby, are integrated into the landscaping concept and become part of the project's visual identity and branding. See the landscaping project here.

Site balance
Project team
Name | Position |
|---|---|
Amir Idiatulin | Founder, Chief Architect |
Vitaly Verbitsky | Project Group Lead |
Andrey Zamyatin | Deputy Project Manager |
Ксения Фитисова | Lead Architect |
Anya Kukol | Lead Architect |
Arseny Rod | Project team leader |
Margarita Savina | Project team leader |
Sergey Shishkin | 3D Visualizer |
Ekaterina Papazova | Architect |
Избранные проекты
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