In the international design idea competition to find the best design solution for a music themed upscale hotel in Jurmala, Latvia, the proposal by Nobutaka Ashihara Architect (NAA), which won the third prize, transforms the existing, implements a new linear sinuous curve circulation spine to which the public elements are attached, and reinforces the predominant east-west circulation of Pumpuri. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The existing is transformed by morphing the guestroom tower to a pure geometric shape, removing its bottom 3 floors to create the hotel entry and adding these floors on top. The new is a linear sinuous curve that crosses under the transformed pure geometric shape. This sinuous curve has an undulating green roof that is a pathway, connecting the west and east ends of the site welcoming pedestrians to pause and relax while traversing the site. The undulating form of the sinuous curve also achieves its own vertical balance as it sweeps through the site.
Through these 2 architectural gestures, a new equilibrium is achieved between old & new and man & nature. This balance of the sinuous curve creates an indoor musical space by the hotel entry at one end and an outdoor musical theater at the other end. In between, the lobby, lobby bar, pool, gym, breakfast buffet, restaurant and conference are attached to the sinuous circulation curve in a manner that preserves and enhances the nature of the curve.
The morphed reflective glass sheathed tower melts into its natural surroundings, enclosing the hotel guestrooms and the back of house areas. There are 7 guestroom floors (floors 3 through 9) with 84 standard rooms, 18 family rooms, 12 business rooms, 6 junior suites and 1 presidential suite for a total of 121 keys. The elevated 2nd floor houses the back of house functions of the hotel including administrative offices, housekeeping storage, linen rooms, engineer’s workshop, staff lockers and canteen. There will be a small cellar footprint for utility connections and trash storage. There will be a mechanical penthouse at the top of this tower.
Intertwining the hotel with nature, using the linear sinuous curve and the pure geometric tower, spaces have been created where music can be celebrated, both in an active and passive manner, whether the music is man made or perhaps just the sounds of the waves reaching the beach, the wind whistling through the trees, or of birds singing. As is the relationship between the 2 distinct parts of the building to each other and to nature, this duality of co-existence can be experienced and appreciated in the spaces created by our proposal.
