Winner: Hospitality building of the year 2019. XY Yunlu Hotel is a boutique eco-resort situated along the dramatic landscape of the Li River valley in the Guangxi region of China.
Nestled within a village between Guilin and Yangshuo among the rocky pinnacles of China's Yangshuo County, the site consists of five renovated disused farm houses that have been renovated into 23 guest rooms and a restaurant. The new building accommodating the all-day restaurant for guests was designed to reflect the forms and materials of the vernacular architecture. With villagers still living nearby, Atelier Liu Yuyang wanted to respect the character of the existing village and take a sensitive approach to the local culture.

Judges comments: “The project deserves to win due to its sensitivity to materials and surroundings,” the judges said. They also mention that the project shows “sensitivity to the combination of what’s old and new”.

Architect: Atelier Liu Yuyang
Project: XY Yunlu Hotel
Winner of: Hospitality building of the year