The citizenM Menlo Park Hotel, a new addition to California's Silicon Valley, has officially opened its doors. The 5-storey hotel, developed by the internationally renowned boutique hotel chain citizenM, offers a total of 240 guest rooms.

The hotel was assembled on-site in a process resembling a giant LEGO project after the modules were shipped from China to the United States.

The volumetric modules were provided by CIMC Modular Building Holding Company Limited (CIMC MBS), a subsidiary of CIMC Construction Technology Company Limited, part of CIMC Group.

Similarly to other CIMC MBS modular projects worldwide, the citizenM Menlo Park Hotel relies entirely on its modules to meet seismic design category level E.

It is therefore well-equipped to resist seismic forces in the earthquake-prone zone of California - part of the Pacific's Ring of Fire - where it is located.

Smart features and environmental considerations

Each guest room is equipped with an intelligent room management system, allowing guests to control TV, heating, air conditioning, day/night shades and lights through tablet computers.

Guests can use the citizenM app for check-in and out, room reservation services, and tracking the hotel's sustainability performance.

CIMC MBS's design team collaborated extensively with local consultants to optimise the volumetric steel structure system and construction processes.

The curtain wall windows of the project also underwent careful consideration to meet local regulations, thermal insulation and soundproofing requirements, along with seismic considerations.

The citizenM Menlo Park hotel project adheres to US LEED [leadership in energy and environmental design] certification at gold level. CIMC MBS has successfully reduced material wastage and carbon emissions by completing more than 90% of the fit-out and decoration process in the factory.

The modular construction approach also minimises the impact of noise and dust on surrounding communities and the environment.