Hetzel Design’s collaboration with Chimelong begun with Chimelong Spaceship, an award winning aquatic indoor theme-park and mega aquarium.  The client wanted us to study opportunities for the location next door- the top of Hengqin Mountain, with the commanding views of Macau and Hong Kong. The idea was to create a visitors’ center on the mountain’s peek and celebrate the amazing views, provide guests with opportunities to relax and take break from the excitement of the neighboring Ocean Kingdom, Macau and Hong Kong.

The idea was to create something iconic, exciting, yet contextual. We embarked on a long journey searching for solutions.  We are providing a case study of our explorations. We obviously enjoyed this assignment and explored a plethora of avenues until we embarked on the CHAMELION concept- a simple wedge block of mirror glass.  It is a building which fully reflects its surroundings, aiming to fully blend into the natural environment. The only visible feature is the cantilevered observation disc, seemingly floating over the landscape.

Chimelong would not be Chimelong if there was not a magic moment- the mirror glass envelope is animated by programmable actuators- so it can become alive, jumping out of its invisibility and into full performance mode when necessary!