Alila Yangshuo: from sugar factory to exclusive resort

In the south of China, in the southern Guangxi region, in the mountainous county of Yangshuo, the Vector Architects studio has transformed an old sugar factory in the Alila Yangshuo hotel, an exclusive resort where tourists can relax among the greatest comforts and enjoy the picturesque landscape.

Preserving and enhancing the uniqueness of this location and the original building, dating back to the sixties, has always been the guideline to follow during the renovation project.

"Imagining industrial heritage as a representation of the spirit of the old generation" - explained the architects - "We kept the profile of the new buildings as simple as possible to avoid unnecessary distraction to the old sugar mill caused by overly expressive geometry".

The old sugar mill and the adjacent industrial truss, used for transporting sugar cane on boats, occupy the central part of the hotel complex and house the reception, a café, a bar, a multipurpose room, a gallery and a library.

Next to the old mill there are the new gabled masonry buildings. Constructed using blocks of perforated concrete and concrete marked by panels with perforated surfaces, materials and methods of construction more contemporary that recall the original ones. Inside these spaces have a variety of rooms and suites for guests, set in landscaped park.

"We view our site as a garden for guests to wander and ponder: old sugar mill, industrial truss, new volumes, reflecting pond and path define spaces of different kinds" - with these words Vector Architects describes the Chinese project - "Two circulation systems pass up and through the suite building: one being completely functional corridor system while the other serving as a free public walkway, connecting three important cave-like node spaces. The public walkway is the extension of the promenade experience on the ground level. Wandering around the resort hotel, guests experience the alternation of light and dark, change of framed landscape view, distance and elevation".

The karst tops and the Li river complete the relaxing and unique atmosphere of the Alila Yangshuo hotel.