Hidden Gem Of Songyang

The Idyllic Hidden Gem of Songyang

With a vision to incorporate the timelessness of ancient Chinese atmosphere with modern architecture, Shanthi Boutique Hotel is a testament of how Jiakun Architects and CSD Design have succeeded.

Nestled in the idyllic county of Songyang, located to the southeast of the province of Zhejiang in China lies the Shanthi Boutique Hotel. Songyang is often referred to as “the last hidden gem south of the Yangtze River”. With a plethora of ancient villages numbering in the hundreds hidden along the far side of mountain roads and undulating cliffs, the region remains close to nature, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Authenticity is a key experience; with the aged trees, ancient temples and old houses providing a uniquely ancient Chinese cultural atmosphere. The landscape of nature and culture has seen a boon of fresh new life in the form of design interpretations. Songyang has become an utopia for designers around the world, with an added dimension to a charming collection of diverse elements ranging from mountain scenery to primitive ancient villages and modern architectural masterpieces.

It is with this inspiration that Jiakun Architects, led by principal architect Liu Jiakun began working on the overall design of the Songyang Wenli Community Center, with particular focus on the architecture, interior and landscape. The idea to build the Shanthi Boutique Hotel at the center of the city was also an inspired decision; with Jiakun inviting Zhang Can, the principal designer of CSD Design to join the team and further enhance the interior design for the hotel.

The hotel consists of two elements; preserving the ancient architecture and structures while building brand new spaces that integrate well together. The architectural design process followed only one simple rule; to respect and remain the integration of all objects on site, including buildings and trees. From this decision, the courtyard of the hotel consists of a manifestation of the historical and natural elements, carefully curated to perfection.

With the traditional buildings, the approach was to allow the structures to remain and to incorporate the ancient architectural styles with the new spaces. The idea was to allow the sprawling central patios to remain as they were, to allow for good feng shui to flow through, where “water from four directions flows into the hall”, similar to the style of the ancient residences south of the Yangtze River.

The reception area was also designed and built around an old tree that has stood for hundreds of years. Using terrazzo-like materials indoors and outdoors, the boundaries of space are blurred together, with vivid palm-weaving works from local artisans adding more flavor to the design of the space. The interior design deliberately assimilates nature, culture and life into a well-balanced concept where all spaces and objects are in harmony. Rigid and soft design elements are allowed to interact, leading to an outpouring of feelings and emotions to converge together in the space.

The hotel consists of two elements; preserving the ancient architecture and structures while building brand new spaces that integrate well together. The architectural design process followed only one simple rule; to respect and remain the integration of all objects on site, including buildings and trees. From this decision, the courtyard of the hotel consists of a manifestation of the historical and natural elements, carefully curated to perfection.

With the traditional buildings, the approach was to allow the structures to remain and to incorporate the ancient architectural styles with the new spaces. The idea was to allow the sprawling central patios to remain as they were, to allow for good feng shui to flow through, where “water from four directions flows into the hall”, similar to the style of the ancient residences south of the Yangtze River.

The reception area was also designed and built around an old tree that has stood for hundreds of years. Using terrazzo-like materials indoors and outdoors, the boundaries of space are blurred together, with vivid palm-weaving works from local artisans adding more flavor to the design of the space. The interior design deliberately assimilates nature, culture and life into a well-balanced concept where all spaces and objects are in harmony. Rigid and soft design elements are allowed to interact, leading to an outpouring of feelings and emotions to converge together in the space.

The fireside lodge, an intersection space that connects the newly built guest rooms with the main living area for guests to spend time exhibits the intertwined mechanism of people and time as a uniquely vivid space. It also makes everything in the new building worthy of the “stature” of the old building. By installing mesh screens that separate the access lines to the guest rooms, the hotel offers a “cloaked” design that provides a poetic atmosphere proper of “late night talks by the fireplace”.

Color plays an integral role in the overall design and feel of the hotel. From the use of the original wood doors to the cascades of wooden trusses changing up the style, the flow of time can clearly be seen. The use of tall dark brown wood baseboards and low-hanging corduroy curtains in dark-green tones to add the finishing touch to a dreamy atmosphere of ancient China.

However, while nostalgia and the ancient designs are prevalent, they are balanced out with modern artistic elements such as the caramel leather sofa or vertical patterned glass, which are sufficient in bringing guests back to the present time. This is in line with the different interior design strategies, in which modern space and objects are all concise and simple. Artistically painted cement walls and wooden walls provide the best atmosphere to reflect light and shadows. There is also a reflection screen and shading system hidden on top of the curtain walling in order to keep the space pure.

The interior is complemented by the artistic palm-weaving patterns as well as a vast selection of designer furniture in different styles that perfectly describe the nature of time and space in the hotel. These centerpieces fully complete the overall look and feel of the hotel; leaving a memorable and lingering emotion in the hearts and minds of guests.

About Jiakun Architects

Jiakun Architects was founded by Liu Jiakun in 1999. Since then, Jiakun Architects has continuously organized and also participated in various international collaborations and exhibitions. As a multidisciplinary office, Jiakun Architects has been working with clients from different countries. It is not only specialised in architectural design, but also large-scale planning, urban design, landscape design, interior design, product design and installation art. With a focus on social reality, Jiakun Architects always insists that architecture, which is in respect of tradition and vernacular, is the symbiosis with nature.

About CSD Design

CSD Design is an integrated, research-based, international design company. Founded in 1998, their design covers architecture, interior, furnishing, landscape, graphic design, brand planning and more. With unique views on the comprehensive design and research of hotels, offices, clubs, cultural and creative projects, mansions, their process of design research and exploring shows quality and value. CSD Design is developing from a domestic first-line brand into an international brand that cooperatively finishes projects from planning, research and execution, providing the best solutions for the clients with a global vision.