1 Hotel Haitang Bay, Sanya: Designing a Sustainable Tropical Oasis
The Oval Partnership Ltd., guided by Dr. Lin HAO, has reimagined a Balinese‐style resort to become 1 Hotel Haitang Bay—a sustainability‐driven hospitality landmark on Hainan Island’s pristine shores. Awarded in the Architectural Design (Hospitality Architecture) category by the Architecture MasterPrize, this project transforms an existing structure into a climate-responsive, biophilic haven rooted in local vernacular and regenerative practices. We spoke with Dr. Lin HAO about The Oval Partnership’s ethos, the brief to redefine luxury through nature, and the strategies that bring “100+ Gardens” to life.
How does The Oval Partnership’s philosophy shape projects like 1 Hotel Haitang Bay?
Dr. Lin HAO: At The Oval Partnership, we embrace evolving business and social needs through intuitive design—prioritizing sustainability, heritage conservation, and placemaking. Our process engages stakeholders collaboratively, weaving narrative formation and data analytics to create authentic experiences. Under my leadership, projects span urban regeneration to landmark architecture. For 1 Hotel Haitang Bay, our commitment to a meaningful, lasting impact meant embedding the local context of Hainan Island’s biodiversity and tropical vernacular right from the start.
What was the core challenge identified by Sunshine Insurance Group for this resort transformation?
Dr. Lin HAO: The brief called for a thoughtful redesign of an existing Balinese-influenced resort to align with a sustainable tourism model. We needed to preserve the existing concrete shell while rebranding it under 1 Hotels’ ethos—maximizing biophilic connections, local materials, and efficient energy use. Our goal: harmonize global stewardship with a deep understanding of the site’s tropical environment, creating a resort that feels both of the island and ahead of its time in green hospitality.
How did you translate that sustainability brief into a cohesive architectural concept?
Dr. Lin HAO: We began by drawing inspiration from Hainan’s raw beauty—limestone outcrops, lush rainforests, and ocean breezes. Our overarching concept, “100+ Gardens,” weaves permeable, landscaped zones throughout the hotel’s layout. We applied passive cooling strategies—orienting structures for cross-ventilation, employing large overhangs and open corridors to harness sea breezes, and integrating abundant greenery to shade and insulate. Locally sourced and reclaimed materials—lava stone gabions, eco-timber screens, rattan, and untreated steel—reinforce a sense of authenticity and minimize embodied energy.
Renovating an existing shell has its own hurdles. What challenges did you encounter, and how did you solve them?
Dr. Lin HAO: Adapting an existing Balinese-style concrete frame required us to rethink its orientation, fenestration, and circulation to meet 1 Hotels’ climate-responsive requirements. We needed to introduce daylighting through skylights and clerestory openings without compromising structural integrity. Moreover, connecting interior and exterior spaces meant dismantling certain solid walls and replacing them with living walls or perforated screens. Negotiating with local contractors to source low-VOC finishes and setting up on-site rainwater harvesting and greywater treatment systems also demanded meticulous coordination. By integrating an organic farm and distributing lush planting pockets throughout guest corridors, we turned logistical constraints into opportunities for place-making.
Which sustainable strategies do you consider most innovative at 1 Hotel Haitang Bay?
Dr. Lin HAO: The “100+ Gardens” concept is central—landscaped courtyards, green roofs, and living façades permeate guest rooms, dining areas, and circulation paths. Rainwater harvesting feeds irrigation and back-of-house needs; greywater is reclaimed for landscaping; and solar thermal panels supply hot water. Extensive green turf and vertical gardens provide natural insulation, while semi-open spaces promote cross-ventilation. We also prioritized a circular-economy approach: over 75% of construction waste was diverted to recycling facilities, and materials were sourced within a 500-mile radius. This holistic integration of ecology and architecture defines our mission-driven luxury.
How does the local community and cultural context inform the guest experience?
Dr. Lin HAO: Hainan Island’s tropical vernacular guided our material palette—lava stone, reclaimed timber, bamboo, and rattan—and inspired artisanal detailing, from handcrafted screens to stone-clad walls. We partnered with local farmers and fishers, not only for our farm-to-table restaurant but also to feature Hainan’s heritage through culinary and cultural programs. Guest activities include guided nature walks, storytelling experiences around local myths, and interactive farm tours. By anchoring the resort in community engagement, we ensure the hotel is a center for authentic exchange, not just luxury.
What outcome of this project are you most proud of?
Dr. Lin HAO: I am proud that 1 Hotel Haitang Bay redefines modern hospitality by placing nature at the heart of every guest interaction. The resort does more than impress with raw materials—it educates visitors on sustainable travel and demonstrates a genuine synergy between architecture and ecosystem. From solar-heated water to living plant walls, the building doesn’t just stand on the island; it thrives with it. Seeing guests wander through our gardens, dine on farm-fresh produce, and relax in shaded, naturally ventilated spaces brings me the greatest satisfaction.
Looking back, what inspired you to pursue architecture and sustainable design?
Dr. Lin HAO: Growing up in Beijing, I studied architecture at Tsinghua, then at Berkeley and Cambridge. Early on, I realized that buildings shape how communities live. I wanted to embed culture, heritage, and nature into every project—transforming places and lives. Co-founding The Oval Partnership and leading projects from Taikoo Li Chengdu to 1 Hotel Haitang Bay allowed me to push boundaries, merging scholarship with hands-on, community-driven design.
Who are your biggest influences and mentors in your field?
Dr. Lin HAO: I draw inspiration from vernacular traditions—such as the climate-responsive courtyards of southern China and the stone-terraced villages of rural Hainan. Scholarship-wise, figures like Kenneth Frampton and Hassan Fathy have influenced my emphasis on context and sustainable building. My mentors at Tsinghua and Cambridge taught me that architecture can endure for millennia if it honors regional culture and ecology.
If you could own one architectural work or design object, what would it be and why?
Dr. Lin HAO: I’d choose the Pantheon in Rome. Its 2,000-year-old concrete dome with an 8-meter oculus embodies timelessness and mastery of materials. It reminds me that architecture can transcend eras—and that we, as designers, have a responsibility to create enduring legacies.
How do you see technology and social change shaping architecture’s future?
Dr. Lin HAO: AI and data analytics will transform how we model environmental performance and optimize materials. Yet we must resist letting algorithms replace human insight into lived experience and cultural narrative. Socially, travelers now prioritize health, storytelling, and eco-consciousness. Architects must respond by weaving community, ecology, and digital innovation into every design.
In your view, how can architecture and design improve society?
Dr. Lin HAO: Architecture frames life—cities, neighborhoods, shared spaces, and homes. Thoughtful design inspires social connection, supports well-being, and champions environmental stewardship. By integrating placemaking and narrative into built environments, we elevate quality of life and foster sustainable, inclusive communities.
What does receiving the Architecture MasterPrize mean to you and your team?
Dr. Lin HAO: This award affirms our mission to create architecture that is as regenerative as it is beautiful. It motivates us to continue pioneering intuitive, sustainable design that resonates with both people and planet. We hope 1 Hotel Haitang Bay sets a benchmark for hospitality around the world.
We thank Dr. Lin HAO for sharing the vision behind 1 Hotel Haitang Bay—where architecture, nature, and community coalesce into a tropical retreat that champions sustainable luxury.