LIESMA HOTEL

The analysis of the site and the area reveals abundant vegetation and the presence of small-scale buildings. The site has preserved its natural quality through the lush flora but is left weighted by the imposing structure of the old hotel. Therefore, the primary objective was taking a new approach to arranging the garden, at same time creating structures that would reduce the dominance of the hotel building. The hotel functions have been segmented and distributed into a pavilion system which helped sustained the low-rise nature of the district. This approach also brought human angle to the design and increases the areas appeal.

The new volumes and the old one are united by a well-organized space which brings to mind an analogy with music: a number of carefully selected notes skillfully put together creating harmony.

Together with the old major building, the volumes create a composition and meet the major requirements of the project: the multi-purpose hall can be found in the area next to the entrance, while the restaurant behind the garden offers privacy and has all the supplementary conveniences like a cloak-room, toilets, kitchen, and staff area. All facilities are easily accessible for independent activities. The restaurant has a terrace extending along the pool and a foyer for holding summertime activities. The leisure area is located in the northern part of the hotel, giving privacy and merging with a large green area on the right side of the site. This suite contains technical spaces in the basement with access from the outside. Breaking up hotel facilities into separate suites allows for gradual construction, which would extend further to the western part of the site. This area is located at a considerable distance from the current hotel building, which provides for a better layout of the area and more spectacular views from the hotel windows.

The space that connects the pavilions is used as foyer/lobby and bar and creates a fluid, common space, where people can meet. The space is dedicated to musical instruments, with exhibits and pictures that celebrate the orchestra and history of music. In the center of this space, there is an outdoor amphitheater where musical events can be held during the summer. The roof terrace also binds together these elements.

In contrast to this space dedicated to orchestra, musical objects are working together to create music, the hotel rooms space is dedicated to the musical instrument and the artist who plays it. To create the impression of immersion in the world of music, some walls have been decorated with big posters of musicians. Thus, the hotel offers a collection of singers and instruments. Each room illustrates the artist and the instrument preferred by the occupant, who is drawn into the story, inducing a sense of belonging, doubled by the presence of audio systems and infinite musical database made available. This is where luxury comes into place, by individualization and attention put into detail, the hotel becoming more than a place to sleep. Wood is the material most used on the inside, continuing the tradition of the area. The accommodation unit has been divided into an area that houses the standard rooms and special rooms area. Presidential Suite is located on the top floor, enjoying the privacy and beautiful views. The hotel celebrates simplicity and elegance, creating a favorable environment for listening to music.

Dynamic relationship between the ground floor space of the lobby and the other volumes is doubled by the contrast of materiality, between transparency of the first and opacity conferred by the apparent concrete to the latter. The interior has been treated as a neutral space to give a proper exhibition space of the main artist: music. White, clean spaces, where the only freedom allowed are furniture items like the bar or the reception. The accommodation building facade is made of prefabricated concrete elements, following the same language with the volumes by arrangement of windows, arrangement that creates rhythm and dynamism.

The site layout of the new extension allowed the location of the parking lot in an area where the life of the trees has been spared. The access inside remains almost unchanged and the access for supply and technical aspects is made by the side-alleys. The intervention in the design of the unbuilt space was almost minimum for the preservation of green, by creating paths necessary to ensure circulation and alveoli in green spaces, as well as the playground for children.

The sustainable aspect of the investment mainly focuses on low loss of energy by efficient thermal insulation, energy recovery and storage. Ventilation efficiency is also a very important aspect in such a program. To these, rainwater harvesting and using them as gray water, use of geothermal heating and cooling and sunlight capture through solar panels present on the terraces of the volumes. Construction in stages and the preserving of the vegetation at ground level participate in ecosystem balance and ensure a temperature lower by a few degrees inside the building.

Adding all the above, the new building certainly becomes a landmark, having music as the leading element of the composition and considering the area specificity and sustainability issues.

Location

Pumpuri, Latvia

Team

Mihai Brad, Ioana Marica, Vlad Popa, Oana Trusca