Construction of an Amazing Underground Hotel in Songjiang Begins
Some years ago, a British engineering firm Atkins
proposed an extravagant design for a five-star hotel located deep
within a 100-meter, abandoned and half flooded pit near the base of
Tianmashan Mountain in the Songjiang District of Shanghai. Construction
on the 19-story, 380-room Shimao Intercontinental Hotel finally is
already underway. Initially the hotel was expected to be completed by
May, 2009, but construction commenced only in March early this year.
The
innovative design of the luxury resort hotel stands two levels higher
than the rock face of the 100 meter deep quarry and includes underwater
public areas and guestrooms. Instead of draining what water there is in
the quarry, it will be flooded to become a sunken artificial lake. Two
of the hotels floors housing guest rooms and a restaurant are to be
situated underwater. An artificial waterfall will plunge down in front
of the hotel's facade and into the quarry, at least, according to the
concept images. Curved wings of the main body of the guestrooms enclose a
naturally lit internal atrium, which uses the existing rock face with
its waterfalls and green vegetation. There will also be sports
facilities and a ten-meter deep aquarium. Among other things, the hotel
will feature an extreme sports center for activities like rock climbing
and bungee jumping will be cantilevered over the quarry.
Artist’s concept of the Songjiang Hotel
The
entire hotel is to be covered in a green roof, while the building will
use geothermal energy for it’s electrical supply and heating. The quarry
will also provide a good source of heat control and shelter from the
environment.
“We drew our inspiration from the quarry setting
itself, adopting the image of a green hill cascading down the natural
rock face as a series of terraced landscaped hanging gardens.” said
Martin Jochman.
The Shanghai Shimao Property Group has so far
invested US$555 million into the entire resort, and hotel rooms are
expected to start at $320 per night. The hotel is scheduled to open in
late 2014 to early 2015.
View of the pit where a five-star hotel will be built in Tianmashan, Songjiang, Shanghai, China, 13 March 2012.
