columns rescued from the Old Mill. A water feature breaks down the traffic noise. The lobby receives the hotel guests with an industrial, open and authentic atmosphere. Reclaimed materials, like bricks from the historical building, were cleaned, repaired and re-integrated. Also the backdrop of the reception counter was made from old machines. Although being transferred into a modern architectural language, natural materials, such as oak and copper, refer to the history of the site. Structurally necessary concrete incision were kept rough, in order to compliment the overall industrial look. These heterogenic materials and functions are than contrasted by a giant white structure, fusing them into a spatial continuum. Acting like a white canvas it displays their different ages and qualities, giving them new life.
The creation of these introverted spaces with a restricted sight to outside surroundings is inspired by the metaphor of a bride veil, “a detached façade”. This façade acts like a screen for the accommodation floors level 3 – 7, as to create the ability to concentrate more on the hotel’s inner sceneries; green plaza, sunken court, swimming pool, façade lighting, etc., than focusing on the surrounded areas of old shop houses. The façade’s pattern design is made of a series of parallelogram aluminum composite module, laser-cut to create the variations of 4 different void sizes. The overall façade composition represents the dynamic folding mask with patterned punctures that gives a various amount of light and different degrees of sight outside-in and inside-out.