Architecture

The Idyllic Hidden Gem of Songyang

January 13, 2022

Shanthi Boutique Hotel is a testament to how Jiakun Architects and CSD Design succeeded in combining the timelessness of old Chinese ambiance with modern architecture.

The Shanthi Boutique Hotel is located in the picturesque county of Songyang, which is located in the province of Zhejiang in China. Songyang is known as “the last undiscovered jewel south of the Yangtze River.” The region stays close to nature, far away from the rush and bustle of city life, with a plethora of ancient settlements numbering in the hundreds buried along the far side of mountain roads and undulating cliffs.

The aged trees, antique temples, and old dwellings provide a particularly ancient Chinese cultural ambiance, making authenticity a fundamental experience.In the guise of design interpretations, the landscape of nature and culture has been given a new lease on life. Songyang has become a design nirvana for people all over the world, with a wonderful mix of varied components ranging from mountain scenery to primitive historical villages and modern architectural wonders.

Jiakun Architects, lead by principle architect Liu Jiakun, began work on the overall design of the Songyang Wenli Community Center with an emphasis on the architecture, interior, and landscape with this inspiration. Jiakun’s decision to establish the Shanthi Boutique Hotel in the heart of the city was also influenced, with Zhang Can, the principle designer of CSD Design, joining the team to further enrich the hotel’s interior design.

The hotel is made up of two parts: old architecture and structures that have been preserved, and brand new spaces that work nicely together. The architectural design process followed only one simple rule: all items on site, including buildings and trees, were to be respected and integrated. As a result of this decision, the hotel’s courtyard is a manifestation of historical and natural features that has been meticulously managed to perfection.

The idea with traditional buildings was to leave the structures alone and blend the ancient architectural styles into the new spaces. The goal was to leave the expansive central patios alone so that healthy feng shui might flow through, with “water from four directions flowing into the hall,” akin to the manner of old mansions south of the Yangtze River.

The welcome room was also created and constructed around a large, old tree that has been standing for hundreds of years. The boundaries of space are blurred indoors and out using terrazzo-like materials, with vibrant palm-weaving works by local craftsmen giving more character to the design of the area. Nature, culture, and life are purposefully assimilated into a well-balanced concept in which all areas and objects are in harmony. The interaction of rigid and soft design elements allows for an outpouring of feelings and emotions to merge in the area.

The fireside lodge, an intersecting space that connects the newly created guest rooms with the main living area for guests to spend time, illustrates the linked mechanism of people and time as a vibrant environment. It also elevates everything in the new structure to the “status” of the old structure. The hotel offers a “cloaked” style by placing mesh screens that separate the access lines to the guest rooms, creating a poetic environment appropriate for “late night discussions by the fireplace.”

Color plays an important influence in the hotel’s general design and atmosphere. The movement of time can be readily seen, from the usage of original wood doors to the cascades of wooden trusses that change up the style.To complete the dreamlike ambience of ancient China, towering dark brown wood baseboards and low-hanging corduroy curtains in dark-green tones were used.

While nostalgia and antique designs are prominent, they are counterbalanced by contemporary aesthetic features such as the caramel leather sofa and vertical patterned glass, which are sufficient in bringing guests back to the present. This is consistent with several interior design ideas, in which contemporary space and things are all concise and straightforward. Cement and timber walls that have been artistically decorated give the greatest environment for reflecting light and shadows. In order to preserve the area pure, a reflection screen and shading system are hidden on top of the curtain walling.

The hotel’s interior is enhanced by beautiful palmweaving patterns and a diverse variety of designer furniture in various styles that perfectly capture the hotel’s time and space. These centrepieces bring the hotel’s whole appearance and feel together, giving guests with a lasting impression.

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