"Zen Hotel"

University of Prishtina

Project idea

Zen Hotel draws its inspiration from the natural wonders of Kosovo's mountains. The hotel's design concept is born from the region's sloped landscapes, aiming to mimic the mountainous terrain with a stair-like escalation between each floor. This design not only reflects the natural environment but also promotes sustainability by incorporating green roofs that replace the green areas taken from the ground.

Project description

Project name: Zen Hotel


Zen Hotel is a four star hotel that offers an unparalleled experience of luxury and tranquility amidst the natural beauty of the mountains. Nestled in the district of Peja, Drelaj village, the hotel is strategically positioned to offer stunning panoramic views and easy access to outdoor activities. The hotel is planned with elegant rooms and suites, each designed to maximize comfort and offer stunning views of the landscape.

To achieve the effect of integrating the building with the surrounding nature and region, the idea is to use traditional materials for the facade. One of these is stone, as it is one of the most familiar and widely used materials in Albanian territories. To give the building a more contemporary look, we have combined wooden slats on the facade and, in small quantities, Corten steel for its unique color. The shape of the building was conceived to create a corridor as a kind of "neck" connecting the two "separated" areas of the hotel, allowing guests to enjoy the mountain views from both sides of the window as they walk through this area. Additionally, the floors narrow as they ascend, creating a stepped appearance that mirrors the concept of terraced mountains. We have extended the building lengthwise due to the limited number of floors allowed in the parcel, which belongs to the third zone, and to fulfill the required number of rooms (46 rooms).
Since the position of the hotel is in an area with different climates, it has been challenging to determine a roof that can adapt to all climates, so a green roof has been placed, which during the summer can cool the hotel, and it also makes it more efficient in terms of energy expenditure for heating and cooling.

Technical information

Zen Hotel is constructed using reinforced concrete, ensuring durability and safety that are essential for its mountainous location with harsh winter conditions. The design thus incorporates sloped roofs to manage snowfall effectively.

For the facade, we carefully selected materials that reflect the natural beauty of the region: stone, glass, and wood. These choices not only enhance the hotel's visual appeal but also harmonize it with the surrounding environment. This beautiful integration guarantees that Zen Hotel blends seamlessly into its mountainous setting, offering clients an elegant retreat.

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