PLAT ASIA Designs A Prefabricated Volcano Hotel That Can Rise Almost Anywhere

The Volcano-In Visitor Center and Hotel of Arrivals, both built by PLAT ASIA in Inner Mongolia’s Baiyinkulun Steppe, inspired the project’s name. The two comprise the first phase of a tourism resort set amidst an ancient volcanic terrain. This region of town contains an astonishing 108 volcanoes, many of which have long ago vanished but are still strewn around the steppe, sandy plains, lakes, and wetlands. It is located around 380 kilometers north of Beijing, inside a C-shaped crater that originated approximately 150,000 years ago.

The visitor center, located directly on the disturbed landscape to the west of the volcanic cone, was not positioned there by chance. By depositing it on previously disturbed area, they were able to halt erosion and stabilize the volcanic ash and soil. Three circular sections protrude out at varying heights, connected by a continuous 274-metre meandering corridor that winds around the steppe. You can walk the complete circle without leaving the building because it follows the rim of a crater-like enclosure. Curved roof parts give shade for internal courtyards while also framing views of the surrounding plain, neighboring lakes, and distant volcanoes. Glass walls capture sunlight and reflect the surrounding topography, allowing the building’s interior to blend seamlessly into the scenery. Weathering steel platforms just sink into the ground, with local volcanic stone paving the paths and squares. The dark metal covering in basalt tones helps the building merge into the landscape over time.

Inside, you’ll find visitor services, a café-bookstore, exhibition sections detailing the geology of the plateau and its volcanoes, a restaurant with breathtaking views, and offices. Between the three parts, there is an open square that serves as an exterior theatre, with seating neatly cut into the slope. The design was meticulously planned to withstand the terrible weather conditions, including strong winds, huge snow drifts, and winter temperatures as low as -43 degrees. Curved profiles reduce wind pressure, while extended eaves prevent snow from accumulating.

Next to it is the Volcano-In Hotel of Arrivals, a small cluster of modest guest suites. The spherical houses are scattered across the steppe southeast of the main crater. Each one is built on elevated foundations with curving retaining walls that shield the wind and catch the snow, which is rather useful considering the weather conditions. By laying them over existing sand depressions, the snow is prevented from expanding and allows the soil to recover. The reddish metal panels on the rounded facades are paired with aluminum roofs that reflect the steppe’s harsh light and complement the earth’s colors. The narrow horizontal windows are supposed to focus your gaze out towards the volcanic horizon, while the oval skylights above the beds open up the view of the stars.

Each guest room has a sleeping area, a living area, a bathroom, and a separate terrace, and because the units are so spread out, they are all connected by unique stone walks. The hotel has a total size of 1,634 square meters. To protect the fragile ground and minimize disruption, they employed pre-fabricated parts that were entirely assembled on-site.
[Source]