△ Video © Literal Translation of Architecture
The Mufengyue Tangquan Hotel is situated in Fengxi New City, Shaanxi Province, China, surrounded by natural wilderness yet just a stone’s throw from urban life. Positioned at the intersection of city and nature, it offers a tranquil and elegant retreat. The designer embraced the philosophy of “nature, following the trend,” creating a refined space with a minimalist exterior and a richly detailed interior.
△ A peaceful and elegant paradise © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ Elegant space with a simple exterior and rich interior © Literal Translation of Architecture
Overall bird’s-eye view © Literal Translation of Architecture
This project shapes not just a building, but an immersive environment.
The designer reinterprets and sculpts space by arranging a series of walls that fold and unfold, seamlessly integrating this environment with its larger natural surroundings.
△ Walls that fold and unfold the space © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ Close-up of wall details © Literal Translation of Architecture
Nature-Inspired Oriental Charm
Sunken courtyards are tailored to give the impression that the building organically grows from its natural surroundings. The use of loess-colored plain concrete echoes the earth’s texture and tone without disrupting the urban landscape. Features like the elevated “rice paper lantern” tea room, calm water surfaces, water staircases, and an orange glass pavilion imbue the building with a distinct oriental mystique.
△ Architecture seemingly growing from nature © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ Oriental-style courtyard landscaping © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ “Rice paper lantern” tea room leading to the orange glass pavilion over water © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ Courtyard view through French windows © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ Arched corridor © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ Detailed texture of loess-colored clear water concrete wall © Li Hui
The hotel covers 3,440 square meters and offers six luxury rooms, each featuring a private indoor bathing pool. Additionally, there are eight outdoor pools with private showers and relaxing rest areas.
△ Outdoor bathing pools © Shaanxi Fengxi New City Investment and Development Co., Ltd
A Secluded and Serene Healing Retreat
The hotel boasts exquisite restaurants and tea rooms offering local specialty teas and cuisine. Spanning 10,005 square meters, the grounds include expansive gardens, water features, lush lawns, and seasonal flower fields, creating a spacious and comfortable landscape.
This environment fosters a secluded and peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal escape for city dwellers seeking relaxation and mental rejuvenation.
△ Night view of restaurants, tea rooms, and pavilions © Literal Translation of Architecture
Seasonal flower fields at the hotel © Literal Translation of Architecture
Adapting to Local Conditions: Respecting and Utilizing the Site
Notably, the project integrates an urban pumping and distribution station beneath the structure. Due to the deep underground pump station and to minimize earthwork, the designer planned building functions starting from the underground level. By cleverly adapting to the terrain, a sunken courtyard was created, connected to the ground level by green slopes on two sides. This approach not only reduced construction costs but also demonstrated respect for the natural site through thoughtful design.
△ The sunken courtyard connected to the ground level by green slopes © Literal Translation of Architecture
△ Outdoor “water staircase” aligned with the indoor staircase © Li Hui
△ Night view of the green slope © Literal Translation of Architecture
Sustainable Architecture
The project features a temperature-sensitive skylight that intelligently opens to promote air circulation, regulate indoor climate, and bring natural vertical light into public indoor spaces. Additionally, skylights illuminate the underground level, supporting energy conservation and reducing consumption.
Extensive green roofs purify the air, recycle rainwater efficiently, save energy, and cool indoor spaces. These environmentally conscious design choices significantly reduce long-term operational costs, underscoring the commitment to sustainability.
△ Private outdoor bathing pool also serves as a light well © Li Hui
△ Interior details and room photography © Literal Translation of Architecture, Shaanxi Fengxi New City Investment and Development Co., Ltd
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan © STUDIO A+
△ Elevation drawings © STUDIO A+
△ Elevation drawings © STUDIO A+
△ Section diagrams © STUDIO A+
△ Detailed samples © STUDIO A+
△ Detailed samples © STUDIO A+
△ Detailed samples © STUDIO A+
△ Sectional perspective view © STUDIO A+
Project Information
Project Name: Mufengyue Hot Spring Hotel
Location: Fengxi New City, Shaanxi, China
Building Area: 3,440 sqm
Land Area: 10,005 sqm
Building Height: 8.4 meters
Design Team: STUDIO A+ (Youjia Design)
Lead Architect: Wang Min
Team Members: Wang Min, Ding Mei, Wang Yuliang, Li Hui, Wang Xuan, Wang Chongshuo, Zhang Wenwen, Xu Bin, Shi Guozhen, Liu Kefeng, and others
Design Services:
Architectural Design: STUDIO A+ (Optimal Design)
Interior Design: Public Areas by STUDIO A+ (Optimal Design); Guestrooms and bathing pools by Xi’an West Travel Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd
Structural Design: Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd
Mechanical and Electrical Design: Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Consultant: Harbin Institute of Technology Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Lighting Design Consultant: Beijing Ningzhijing Lighting Design Co., Ltd
Landscape Design Consultant: Xi’an Symbiotic Architecture Landscape Planning and Design Co., Ltd
Client: Shaanxi Fengxi New City Investment and Development Co., Ltd
Design Period: August 2019 – January 2021
Construction Period: April 2021 – August 2023
Construction Contractor: Shaanxi Construction Engineering Fengxi Construction Co., Ltd
Main Materials: Loess-colored wood grain plain concrete, weathering steel plates, polycarbonate panels, ultra-white steel laminated glass for digital printing, ultra-narrow framed large movable doors and windows, temperature-controlled operable skylight system, light guide tubes, and more.
Photography Credits: Literal Translation of Architecture (Photographers: He Lian, Pang Jiasen), Shaanxi Fengxi New City Investment and Development Co., Ltd., Li Hui
Photographer: Pang Jiasen
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