Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa -
The 'Frozen Music' In Process
By Kay Wilthew
Peace, tranquility, natural balance. These are terms not customarily associated with hotel development, but developer Wen-I Chang aspires to make them commonplace in the industry. Chang's vision for the future of hotel development conveys his deep philosophical concern for the welfare of the earth and its environment.
Wen-I Chang in front of his Gaia Napa Valley Hotel. With its distinctive canopy and Cor-Ten walled lobby, the design by world-renowned architect Mickey Muennig seeks to mimic the ocean wave and echo with music. (Photo by Bruce Schneider)
Chang's Atman Hospitality Group brings these ideals to fruition with the opening of the Gaia Napa Valley hotel, the first "green" hotel ever constructed in the state of California. The Gaia Napa Valley is being recognized by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, and expects to be awarded LEED's Gold designation for environmentally sustainable development.
When developing the Gaia Napa Valley, Chang's intention was to create a "sense of beauty, a sense of place." From the elegant arch of the entryway to the pair of swans gliding through the lagoon ecosystem, the grounds were designed to promote an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation. Everything in nature and the universe, Chang believes, is a dynamic web of interdependence and interconnection. This principle extends to the guest rooms, each of which is named for a different bird, plant or animal, and includes a description of the behavior and eco-environment of each species written by a biologist in Redding. Chang desires to raise his guests' awareness of the crucial role they play in protecting endangered plants and animals. A slim book of children's stories titled Sweet Dreams, currently in the making, will rest on the nightstand, an invitation to view the world from a simple, unencumbered perspective.
The wavy line on the structure intended to symbolize mountain terrain. (Photo courtesy of Atman Hospitality Group)
In spite of his prevailing concern for the environment, Chang is still a hotel developer who understands the importance of good business practices and operating within budgetary constraints. But Chang has proven that building green does not preclude profitability. Even within an environmentally conscious model, there is still profit to be made. Utilizing low-flow showerheads and low-flush toilets reduced water consumption by 40%, and restrooms were built using recycled tile and granite. Windows are efficient, low-energy transmittable and reduce glare. A special, noiseless ventilation system that offsets temperatures between rooms, although initially expensive to install, will result in significant energy savings. Solatube tubular skylights were used throughout the hotel, including the lobby, conference rooms and hallways, and 10% of the hotel's electricity is powered by solar panels. The use of native plants adapted to the climate reduces watering, and landscaping and fertilizers are all chemical-free.
Swan Lake - an ecosystem at Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa (Photo courtesy of Atman Hospitality Group)
(Photo courtesy of Atman Hospitality Group)
While green features provided a cost savings in construction and operation, the hotel's image and aesthetic appearance was an extremely important component to Chang's overall concept for the project. Mickey Muennig, a well-renowned architect who shares Chang's goal of green building, created the design. Chang expresses great admiration for Muennig's talent, and of their first meeting, Chang says the two "immediately clicked." Both men share a love of art, discussing at length the works of famous artists, such as impressionist painter Monet and the composer Debussy. "Before I knew it," Chang recalls, "Muennig had designed the beautiful main entrance roof line to reflect the wave line of La Mer by Debussy and the Water Lily Garden," which was inspired by Monet's famous Waterlilies series. "This was the first time I realized what Goethe meant by 'Architecture is frozen music.'" To make this beautiful design a reality, Chang commissioned Todd Jersey in Berkeley as the final production architect.
At the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel, the front wall mural is a beautiful wetland scene, featuring an oversized egret, representing harmony. On the side wall, with a pointillist approach, is a painting of a vineyard - spring morning, summer noon, autumn dusk and winter night. This depiction of the four seasons is intended to represent a metaphor for the recursive, non-linear cycle of nature - one of the 10 greatest concepts of the late 20th century.
Full-lobby view with solar lightubes directing the sunlight to the ceiling in a magnified way. (Photo courtesy of Atman Hospitality Group)
Kiosk display for tech-knows gives information on how they create energy, conserve resources and save the CO2 from going into the air. (Photo by Bruce Schneider)
As a developer, Chang plans to create a system, a brand or model, for hotel developers to follow when designing a hotel utilizing green elements. The use of his hotel's trademarked name Gaia, which translated from Greek mythology means "Mother Earth," could be associated with hotels developed using Chang's business model. But, Chang insists, "They must have true substance." Hotels designed under this model would undoubtedly be required to meet stringent specifications. Chang's goal is to create the next generation of hotels with "lifestyle beauty ... hotels with character."
(Photo courtesy of Atman Hospitality Group)
Chang understands the significance of compelling leadership in the hotel industry. He hopes to inspire other developers and builders to recognize the inherent benefits presented with environmentally responsible design. "The business entity is the only agent that is powerful enough to make a difference," Chang emphasizes. "We need to shift the mindset in the industry - that is what is most important." Chang believes developers will come to understand the potential cost benefits and the goodwill travelers feel when supporting this type of responsible business model.
Harmonious wetland and vineyard in pointillism. Wen-I commissioned one of the world's most famous muralists, Yuan Lee. The mural reflects American Canyon spirit, the wetlands and vineyards in its theme. (Photo courtesy of Atman Hospitality Group)
Pool at night. "In nurturing of green hotel ideas, I act like an inchworm clinging to the end of the leaf or twig revolving to the air trying to reach something out there beyond the place where I have a footing." - Wen-I Chang (Photo courtesy of Atman Hospitality Group)
Chang's mission is, simply stated, honest and from the heart: "A place. A journey. A dream." By striking a balance between environmental responsibility and profitable construction methodologies, he fervently wishes to transform the industry "one traveler at a time, and ultimately change the world." Innovation flourishes when change is embraced, and the success of the Gaia Napa Valley proves Chang is well on his way to making his dream a reality.
Atman Hospitality Group, Inc. is located at 395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 213 in South San Francisco, CA 94080. Call (650) 588-5599 or visit atmanhospitalitygroup.com for more information. The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel is located at 3600 Broadway St. in American Canyon, CA 94503. Call (888) 798-3777 or visit gaiahotelnapavalley.com for more information.
April 2007 Builder Architect Edition Issue
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