The design of the new Morpheus Hotel in Macau, China is embellished with a series of voids carved through the center that give the structure a fluid, almost liquid look reminiscent of the T-1000 terminator’s mimetic polyalloy reforming.
Comprising 770 guest rooms, suites, and sky villas, the Morpheus Hotel provides 147,860 sm of space across 42 stories. Amenities include civic spaces, meeting and events facilities, gaming rooms, a lobby atrium, restaurants, and a spa and rooftop pool.
Photo: Virgile Simon Betrand.
ZHA designed the hotel as a simple extrusion of the existing abandoned foundations. The underlying diagram of the hotel’s design is a pair of towers connected at the ground and roof levels. The central atrium that runs between these towers runs the height of the hotel and is traversed by external voids that connect the north and south facades. Between the voids are a series of bridges that give the building its fluid sense of motion. The bridges provide a unique space for the hotel’s restaurants, bars, and guest lounges.
Photo: Virgile Simon Betrand.
The Morpheus also includes what ZHA describes as the world’s first free-form high-rise exoskeleton. This exoskeleton maximizes the building’s interiors by creating spaces that are uninterrupted by supporting walls or columns. The exoskeleton pattern becomes less dense as it climbs the building’s facade.
See Also: Zaha Hadid’s King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station incorporates futuristic façade
The Building Team included J. Roger Preston (M&E engineering), Buro Happold International (SE), Arup (fire engineering), and Dragages Macau (main contractor).
Photo: Virgile Simon Betrand.
Photo: Ivan Dupont.
Photo: Virgile Simon Betrand.
Related Stories
Hotel Facilities | Apr 24, 2024
The U.S. hotel construction market sees record highs in the first quarter of 2024
As seen in the Q1 2024 U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics (LE), at the end of the first quarter, there are 6,065 projects with 702,990 rooms in the pipeline. This new all-time high represents a 9% year-over-year (YOY) increase in projects and a 7% YOY increase in rooms compared to last year.
Mixed-Use | Apr 23, 2024
A sports entertainment district is approved for downtown Orlando
This $500 million mixed-use development will take up nearly nine blocks.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 17, 2024
Will the surge in hotel construction carry resorts with it?
The resort corner of the hospitality sector has been a bit slower to expand than the whole for the past few years. But don’t tell that to Bill Wilhelm, President of R.D. Olson Construction.
Sponsored | Hotel Facilities | Apr 8, 2024
The Rise of Mobile Keys in Hospitality
Unlocking the future of hospitality—mobile keys are transforming the guest experience and streamlining hotel ops.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 30, 2024
Hotel vs. office: Different challenges in commercial to residential conversions
In the midst of a national housing shortage, developers are examining the viability of commercial to residential conversions as a solution to both problems.
Adaptive Reuse | Mar 26, 2024
Adaptive Reuse Scorecard released to help developers assess project viability
Lamar Johnson Collaborative announced the debut of the firm’s Adaptive Reuse Scorecard, a proprietary methodology to quickly analyze the viability of converting buildings to other uses.
Products and Materials | Feb 29, 2024
Top building products for February 2024
BD+C Editors break down February's top 15 building products, from custom-engineered glass bridges to washroom accessories.
Designers | Feb 23, 2024
Coverings releases top 2024 tile trends
In celebration of National Tile Day, Coverings, North America's leading tile and stone exhibition, has announced the top 10 tile trends for 2024.
Mixed-Use | Jan 29, 2024
12 U.S. markets where entertainment districts are under consideration or construction
The Pomp, a 223-acre district located 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and The Armory, a 225,000-sf dining and entertainment venue on six acres in St Louis, are among the top entertainment districts in the works across the U.S.
Industry Research | Jan 23, 2024
Leading economists forecast 4% growth in construction spending for nonresidential buildings in 2024
Spending on nonresidential buildings will see a modest 4% increase in 2024, after increasing by more than 20% last year according to The American Institute of Architects’ latest Consensus Construction Forecast. The pace will slow to just over 1% growth in 2025, a marked difference from the strong performance in 2023.