M Hotel in Da Nang,
designed by Ho Khue Architects
Vietnamese firm Ho Khue Architects (APLES Green Design & Build) once again explores the trend of biophilic design, presenting the hotel in the port city of Da Nang. This building reflects a conscious approach to architecture, combining nature with development in a way that balances functionality and harmony with the environment. Da Nang is also home to an intimate art center by the same studio, reinforcing its presence in the region. The hotel draws on the local landscape to offer users a space that is integrated into the coastal context, while encouraging analysis of the solutions used and the idea behind them.
A hotel in Da Nang, Vietnam - the shorter, western facade is distinguished by a sculptural structure into which greenery has been woven
photo by Hiroyuki Oki © Ho Khue Architect
A biophilia in the heart of Da Nang
Situated along the waterfront, the M Hotel is a 25-story structure with two underground floors, housing 199 guest rooms ranging in size from 35 square meters to 100 square meters. The building was designed to open up to the beach, which stands out on the global map of coastal landscapes. Its form and location form a coherent relationship with its surroundings, emphasizing the role of architecture as an element that contributes to the coastal landscape.
Hotel in Da Nang, Vietnam - stages of construction.
© Ho Khue Architect
A form inspired by nature: a stream among concrete
The concept of the hotel, based on a rectangular plan, draws inspiration from the image of a stream flowing over a rocky mountain. Raw architectural concrete exposes the solidity of the structure, alluding to natural mountain forms. The stream gained expression in the flowing lines of greenery that permeate the body of the building, creating 5,000 square meters of plant area. This approach allows the creation of architecture that seamlessly blends with the urban coastal landscape, integrating with its natural and urban context.
A hotel located along the coast of Da Nang, Vietnam
photo by Hiroyuki Oki © Ho Khue Architect
living walls of the building
The north-facing façade of the longer edge is almost entirely covered with vegetation, while the shorter, west-facing façade is distinguished by a sculptural structure into which greenery has been woven, giving it spatial dimension and dynamism.
Hotel in Da Nang, Vietnam - elevation drawing
© Ho Khue Architect
space with breath
Green garden spaces within the hotel interact with the zones assigned to the rooms, creating a cohesive and functional layout. Ocean-facing rooms are equipped with wide glass windows, allowing the full experience of the coastal landscape. On the other hand, rooms facing west, towards the city center, have been designed with an offset, allowing for gardens full of vegetation. This solution introduces a green zone into the urban fabric, promoting indoor thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption for air conditioning or heating.
A hotel in Da Nang, Vietnam - an interior view of one of the rooms
photo by Hiroyuki Oki © Ho Khue Architect
gardens at height
Facades adjacent to other hotels limit the visibility of their rooms. To solve this problem, four spacious gardens at height were introduced, designed to offer rooms access to viewing spaces while optimizing the layout of common areas like elevator lobbies. The vertical garden further distinguishes the building's structure, attracting attention and enhancing its architectural form from the first glance.
Hotel in Da Nang, Vietnam - bird's eye view of the gardens and rooftop pool
photo by Hiroyuki Oki © Ho Khue Architect
the future of high-rise buildings
The M Hotel, surrounded by lush vegetation, is an example of how high-rise buildings can interact with the coastal urban landscape. In the face of the dynamic development of high-rise buildings, often based on standard schemes detached from the local context, this project opens new perspectives for "green" high-rise architecture. It encourages investors and designers to explore solutions that combine functionality with respect for the environment. Rooftop gardens, by offering visitors spaces with a view of the neighborhood, not only enrich their stay, but also highlight the potential of architecture as a tool for creating sustainable, living spaces in the heart of modern cities.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Ho Khue Architects.
