RooMoo Transforms Abandoned Mountain Cabins Into Hotel in China
A sustainable retreat on Jinfo Mountain repurposes salvaged local materials for modern hospitality design.
1Adaptive Reuse Project
The Cloudhaus Hotel, designed by Shanghai-based studio RooMoo, occupies a former five-level sales office on Jinfo Mountain. Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters in Chongqing, the project transforms an existing structure into a 24-room retreat. The design prioritizes the preservation of the original building frame while integrating locally sourced, reclaimed materials.
2Sourcing Local Resources
RooMoo designers spent significant conceptual time exploring the surrounding mountains to identify available resources. They collected materials from abandoned wooden cabins, nearby bamboo forests, and local furniture workshops. By avoiding new industrial materials, the studio aimed to respect the local environment and integrate the hotel seamlessly into the forested landscape.
3Innovative Material Application
The interiors feature unconventional elements, such as walls constructed from concrete drill cores extracted during structural renovations. These cores are stacked vertically and separated by dark metal supports. Additionally, demolished red bricks were repurposed for the restaurant area, while discarded bamboo scaffolding treads were cut into strips for ceiling panels and paving.
4Reception and Lobby Design
Visitors enter the hotel via the uppermost floor through an entrance courtyard and bridge. The reception area features a wall decorated with bamboo panels and discarded bamboo-shoot shells. Above the lounge, an exposed pitched roof is supported by substantial timber beams, complemented by a large, custom-woven bamboo installation hanging overhead.
5Guestroom Layout and Aesthetics
The 24 guestrooms are arranged in a fan-shaped layout to maximize views of the mountain landscape. Available room types include standard king rooms, suites, and courtyard rooms. Each space utilizes earthy color palettes, salvaged timber, and locally crafted furniture to maintain a consistent aesthetic that reflects the surrounding mountain environment.
6Restaurant and Dining Spaces
The restaurant occupies an expanded podium at the building's lower level, connecting indoor dining areas to outdoor terraces. The interior finishes combine stone walls with reclaimed bricks and bamboo offcuts. Woven seating and timber furniture create a tactile dining experience that emphasizes the project's commitment to sustainable and local material usage.
7Architectural Exterior Features
The building's white-rendered facade is punctuated by eight projecting white frames that extend vertically across the elevations. Sections between these frames are filled with bamboo panels and stone slabs. Sloping tiled roofs and timber detailing serve as architectural references to traditional buildings found throughout the mountainous region of Chongqing, China.
8Studio Background and Context
Founded in 2017 by Tao Zhang, Ray Zhang, and Marine Bois, RooMoo specializes in hospitality and commercial projects. This project follows their previous work involving the reuse of whiskey barrels for bar decor. The studio continues to focus on interior interventions that draw inspiration from historic buildings and local industrial heritage.
Original article: Dezeen — RooMoo Transforms Abandoned Mountain Cabins Into Hotel in China