Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) is opening a new chapter at its Studio City resort in Macau. The firm recently unveiled the W Macau hotel — one of two new hotels in the Hollywood-inspired second phase of the Cotai development. The project includes 557 rooms and suites spread over more than 40 floors, with amenities such as cafes, restaurants, a pool, a spa, a gym, and even a recording studio for guests.
Expansion of Studio City Resort
The Studio City resort first opened to guests and visitors in 2015. In 2017, ZHA was commissioned to expand the resort through a second phase of development. That expansion aims to broaden the resort’s leisure, entertainment, and hospitality offerings, adding features like one of Asia’s largest indoor water parks and extensive meeting facilities.
Drawing on cinematic references from the existing resort, the ZHA team used rich detailing, bold geometry, and Art Deco craftsmanship reinterpreted through a modern lens. The firm says one standout feature of the new W Macau is its eco-friendly design, visible in both construction and energy performance.
Eco-Design of W Macau Hotel
Designboom notes the building’s facade uses three gradations of glass which, together with external ribs, emphasize the verticality of the hotel towers. Beyond their visual impact, these elements reduce solar heat and glare and help maintain thermal comfort for guests and staff.
The W Macau received the BREEAM Asia Award in 2021 for its environmental-efficiency measures. The resort’s high-performance building envelope, combined with new energy-efficient systems, is expected to significantly reduce energy demand and set a new environmental precedent.
Studio City – A Resort with Nature in Mind
The architects say environmental concerns played a central role in shaping the second phase of Studio City. Construction was carefully planned to keep as far away as possible from the neighboring Macau Cotai ecological zone’s protected 15-hectare wetland.
The orientation and configuration of the elliptical towers were calculated to promote natural ventilation within and around the resort, improving overall comfort. To limit impact on local plant life, the project’s ecologist developed measures to preserve existing vegetation and to plant native species suited to Macau’s climate.
