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THIS PAGE & PREVIOUS PAGE: Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa is inspired by traditional tulou architecture and features semi-circular bamboo rising from a lava stone base OPPOSITE PAGE: One of the 61 treatment suites


of the new development, where semi-


circular bamboo rises from a lava stone base, fusing western and oriental design elements while honouring the Chinese philosophies of balance and harmony. It was Mission Hills Group Chairman and CEO Ken Chu, who requested tulou architecture be used as a inspiration, recalls SB Architects’ President, Scott Lee: “Our client wanted something that contained Chinese history and vernacular, something that was iconic.” Lee describes the structure as an “experiential building with an outdoor environment” where the site’s unique characteristics dictate the eventual outcome. “The buildings expose the indigenous qualities of the site,” he explains. “We took advantage of the views over the golf courses to include large rocks and outcroppings, so


42 Sleeper China 2012


that you look across the grass and lava. “All the materials were carefully chosen.


We left the lava unpolished in the interior and exterior and used unfinished materials such as natural clay tiles for the roof to age over the years. This made the design look like it has been there over a period of time, with an overgrown feeling,” Lee continues. The circular nature of the architecture


proved something of a challenge for SB Architects, as Lee explains: “It was difficult to work with walls that were not parallel. Hakka architecture dictated the round shape and led to the curved nature of the building and its walkways.” The resulting space however, has a very organic feel – natural and undulating. Lighting includes gentle uplights along the pathways and buildings. To accentuate


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