Archinect
Rico Kwok

Rico Kwok

Hong Kong, HK

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YAC- Arctic Hotel

With a scattered cluster of inhabitable glamps, the Arctic Sky Centre strikes a balance between accessibility, sustainability and comfort. From afar, the centre blends in with the surrounding nature while its lighting serves as navigating constellations for explorers in extreme weather conditions.

As one arrives at the centre, the long strip of walkway provides a protected entrance into the main area. Connecting three pavilions, the walkway stands as a windshield and protective barrier.

As homes for travellers and researchers, each of the hotel glamps employs a self-supporting Buckminster structure. Most of the parts can be prefabricated and mass produced in smaller modular units for easier transportation. The double skin provides a thermal buffer while the underground provides storage space for vehicles and generators. To further protect people from extreme weather, an underground tunnel network connects all the glamps and the central focal cluster.

The central cluster is made up of the Research lab and classrooms, Exhibition Space and a Winter Sports School. As the major focal point, it is composed of three interconnected domes, made of prefabricated parts and materials. 

Through this design, it is hoped to provide innovative direction to a new era of nomadic architecture, leading mankind to discover the unknowns where no formers were capable of reaching.

 
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Status: Competition Entry
Location: Rovaniemi, Finland
My Role: Team member
Additional Credits: I would like to express my very great appreciation to my teammates, Canossa Chan, and Connie Yeung.