Red Vessel by ROOMOOR

The hotel typology has an aspect of temporality, an in-between, or a transitory dwelling condition. This idea of transition is adapted consciously, with the structure becoming a portal from land to sea. Three parallel linear structures are connected with semi-open corridors fostering connections with the surrounding landscape. The east-to-west spanning linear blocks create a self-shading morphology, with gaps between the blocks acting as wind shafts due to their narrow proportions. A four-story Southern block has 40 rooms that can host 160 guests. A room size of 3.65 meters X 6.35 meters forms the basis of the proportioning system. This block provides shade over the low-lying Eastern terrace, ensuring all-day comfort in the hot and humid climate. To the North is a two-storied dormitory block crowned with another terrace opening up to the lawn and distant surroundings.

One encounters tall red shafts and passes through the entrance, gradually shifting to a dark interior with diffused natural light, a space akin to a primitive cavern. Walking along the light trail of skylights, one discovers a hidden staircase and vertical circulation. A path begins from tall and narrow space proportion of site constraints that opens up to deep panoramic views of the coastal seascape, creating anticipation as one goes through diverse spatial qualities of changing light, depth, and compression; culminating in a final release on the open sky terrace, where the sky and the sea converge into a singular line. A mere parapet remains of the building as the sea takes center stage. The breeze and sounds of waves take over as the setting Sun paints the sky with its reddish-yellow hue; a moment of calm presides over the scene. The eyes gaze toward silhouettes of ships passing by, deep in the distant horizon. The experience offers a contemplative getaway to the guests in an architecture that attempts to converse with the serene natural elements.