Studio A+ Designs Captivating Urban Hot Springs Oasis in Shanxi, China

Studio A+ unveils Mu Feng Yue, a tranquil hot springs hotel in Shanxi, blending urban life with nature through innovative design.

 

Studio A+, led by Min Wang since 2007, has unveiled a boutique hotel and hot springs retreat in Fengxi New City, Shanxi Province, China, that embodies a perfect blend of urban and natural elements. The property, known as Mu Feng Yue Hot Spring Hotel, aims to offer a serene escape within the city, harmonizing with its natural surroundings.

The design centers around a sunken courtyard, creating the illusion that the structure rises naturally from the earth. Notable features include a Zen-inspired orange glass pavilion over water, reflective pools, and sloping water surfaces, enhancing the tranquil ambiance.

The hotel boasts six luxury rooms, each with its own indoor pool, and eight outdoor pools, complete with showers and lounges. Guests can also enjoy dining halls and tearooms that celebrate local cuisine, surrounded by gardens, water features, and seasonal blooms, further solidifying the oasis vibe.

In choosing materials, Studio A+ favored those that echo the natural palette of the local environment, using earth-toned, timber-textured bare concrete to emphasize this connection.

The project was a collaboration with Xi'an Xilv Tourism Culture Development, Beijing Qinghua Tongheng Planning and Design Institute, Architecture Design and Research Institute of HIT, and Ning Field Lighting Design. Commissioned by Shaanxi Fengxi New City Investment & Development in August 2019, the project concluded in August 2023.

This development is part of a broader resurgence in hot springs globally, with increasing interest and investment marking a new age of social bathing. For more insights into this trend, including developments in Australia, New Zealand, and the US, the Spa Business feature offers an in-depth look.