Contemporary design comes with a traditional twist at new Pullman hotel in China's ancient capital
Singaporean Hospitality design firm LTW have completed a design-led Pullman hotel in Kaifeng, China that references the architecture of it’s neighbour – an ancient imperial palace.
The city was the capital of ancient China during the Northern Song dynasty, and as such is steeped in history and culture.
LTW were commissioned to reflect this in their design for the Pullman Kaifeng Jianye, which subsequently features an expansive layout, sloping roofs and numerous other design elements inspired by ancient Chinese architecture. These are juxtaposed with modern touches to “unify Kaifeng’s imperial past and contemporary concepts.”
The guest rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows to provide ample natural light, “bringing attention to the clean lines of the interiors.” Murals depicting ancient Chinese art line the walls, and lighting is inspired by lanterns.
Chrysanthemum motifs – which are a symbol of the city – are used widely, while “a neutral and earthy colour palette accentuates intimate spaces and creates a calming atmosphere where both leisure and business travellers can fully unwind.”
Traditional architectural elements are incorporated into the interiors to echo the building’s façade, such as in the Presidential Suite where the curvature of the ceiling corresponds to the undulating roof.
Lim Hiong Lien and Teo Su Seam, LTW’s partners, have said that the rise of online lodging service Airbnb means interior designers should shift their focus towards creating “residential-style interiors that are characterised by simplicity and comfort, matched with luxurious touches.”
“In the future, there will be an emphasis on a less-is-more approach, with meaningful design details without being overly decorated,” they added. “As hotel design gears towards a more universal look familiar to frequent travellers, designers will need to develop a stronger narrative for the interior space and to add a sense of place.”
LTW’s previous hotel projects include Conrad Beijing, Hylandia by Shangri-La, Four Seasons Seoul and Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay.
China LTW architecture design Pullman Kaifeng Jianye kaifeng Pullman HotelsUAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From parks designed to mitigate the effects of flooding to warming huts for one of the world’s coldest cities, these projects have been designed for increasingly extreme climates