Dali Munwood Lakeside Resort Hotel / Init Design Office

Architects: Init Design Office
Area: 1000 m²
Year: 2015
Photographs: Cunzai Architectural Photography
Owners and Operators: Chongqing Munwood Hotel Management Co.Ltd.
Collaborators: Chongqing Hexin Architectural Design Institute Co.Ltd.
Design Team: Su Yun-Feng, Chen Jun, Zong De-Xin, Li Ge, Dengchen, Li Chao, Li Yuan-Chu, Chen Gong
City: Dali
Country: China

Munwood Lakeside Resort Hotel, designed by Init Design Office, is located beside Erhai Lake in Jiapeng Village, Dali, Yunnan. Transformed from a 300 sqm farmhouse to a 1,000 sqm resort, the project involved complete site planning, architecture, and interior design. The design features cascading buildings with multi-level public spaces, connecting the resort to the lake. Custom-made bricks and fair-faced concrete reference local masonry traditions. The resort includes ecological strategies like a solar hot water system and a 10-ton water treatment system. Emphasizing site-specific design, the project blends modern and traditional elements, promoting sustainability and user experience.

Dali Munwood Lakeside Resort Hotel / Init Design Office

Munwood Lakeside is located on the west road of Erhai Lake in Jiapeng Village, Dali, the smallest natural village around Erhai Lake. The village is surrounded by the unique Haixi wetland, characterized by fluttering willow catkins, cruising waterfowls, and clear blue skies and waters. The serene and picturesque village hosts five or six inns along the wetland shoreline, with Munwood Lakeside among them.

Init Design Office (IDO) has completed numerous business projects over the years, from large city complexes to small private clubs. However, many innovative ideas were not realized, particularly due to the lower quality of Party A in Western China. Believing that good building results from the collaboration of multiple forces, especially a strong client, IDO decided to take on the role of Party A themselves. In early 2013, IDO decided to build a house in Dali. They faced new challenges in this role, such as financial constraints, leading to the establishment of Munwood Hotel Management Co. Ltd. Several architect friends with similar goals joined the investment team. Despite realizing that being the client was difficult, involving numerous practical problems and coordination efforts, they remained committed to architectural principles. The construction site required strict control, and plans underwent multiple revisions to meet their standards. Fortunately, they found solutions to these challenges and adhered to the core principles of architecture throughout the process.

For over two years, the Init Design Office (IDO) functioned as both Party A and Party B. They meticulously planned and designed with a focus on user experience, adhering to their principle of “Design to create value.” By analyzing the behavior patterns of hotel guests, they aimed to enhance the overall user experience.

By controlling costs and emphasizing “the suitable construction strategy,” architects can improve the quality of the space despite the relatively low construction costs and outdated construction technology in Dali.

Emphasizing social responsibility, Init Design Office (IDO) invested hundreds of thousands of RMB to install a reclaimed water system, despite the imperfect municipal pipe network around Erhai and limited investment funds. This system treats sewage for use as garden landscape water, ensuring no sewage is discharged into Erhai Lake.

Architects’ influence in leading development and construction can steer projects toward positive outcomes, achieving win-win results for users, owners, and the community. This approach contrasts with the traditional model of prioritizing financial returns in extensive real estate development.

Promotion of the design through post-occupancy evaluation: After nearly a year of operation, guest feedback has served as a real evaluation of the building, guiding future hotel design improvements. This represents a shift in approach, especially during the current economic transition, where the role of the architect is being redefined in the post-real estate era.

Init Design Office insists on creating buildings that belong to their site. By controlling the scale, breaking the structure into parts, and incorporating sloped roofs, they ensure the design echoes the surrounding farmhouses.

The stone walls serve as a boundary, establishing a relationship between the inn and the surrounding neighbors that is both distinct and connected.

Creating a multi-level public space experience established a multi-dimensional relationship between the architecture and Erhai Lake, allowing users to meet their needs without interference. The most challenging aspect of the design was crossing the front road to access Erhai Lake. To address this, a half-sunken public space was created to form a link. The space below the partition provides a psychological connection with the water, while the platform built on this space establishes a direct relationship with Erhai Lake. This platform, made of steel, differs from the main structure, and its reduced elevation creates a closer relationship with the ground floor. The building on the right side of the platform is open for two reasons: to maintain an outdoor feel for those below and to appear more ethereal and light from the road, unlike the thick surrounding houses.

Opting for regular structures and construction systems that align with cost constraints and local conditions, the design emphasizes the relationship between modern and traditional architecture. By creating a resort atmosphere using simple materials and employing stone walls within a frame system, the approach respects and utilizes the expertise of local artisans.

Furniture and furnishings are made from locally dismantled wooden beams, reflecting the passage of time and a sense of place.

A century-old tea tree is planted in the heart of the water courtyard, with its leaves available for roasting in the fire pit. Pomegranates and plums from the courtyard can be brewed into wines, and served as a welcome drink upon arrival. Vegetables from the backyard are used for breakfast. The designer aims to convey a simple life concept to the users.

Beyond localization, Init Design Office emphasizes social responsibility. They utilize local climate advantages with a solar hot water system. To ensure no sewage is discharged into Erhai Lake, they invested hundreds of thousands of RMB in a 10-ton water treatment system, purifying and reusing water for landscape purposes. This demonstrates their commitment to the natural environment. Furthermore, a display window at the hotel’s main entrance showcases the water system to promote environmental protection to guests.

The original design featured a lean-to roof, intended to reflect a modern take on vernacular architecture. However, due to a sudden style control during construction, it was changed to a double-pitched roof, which was a source of regret. Surprisingly, this modification resulted in internal rooms and lake views that created a more spiritual space under the double-slope roof, exceeding initial expectations.