Hospitality Design - July 2015 - 76

perspectives

places beijing
7. In the Rosewood
Beijing's lofty fivestory lobby, a series of
connected pavilion-like
spaces and courtyards
are made from screens,
columns, and beams.

8. Rosewood Beijing's
guestrooms are
reminiscent of
contemporary private
apartments, complete
with window seats
looking out over the city.

hotel's resort location." Honey golden wood in
the flooring also brightens while providing a
sense of warmth.

Rosewood Beijing

7
8

light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and a
skylight-esque light installation done in an ice
ray pattern that spans the ceiling and can project
multiple images.

Sunrise Kempinski Hotel

Thoughtful design also pervades in the Sunrise
Kempinski Hotel, set on Yanqi Lake at the foot
of the Yanshan Mountains. The lantern-shaped
hotel is eco-friendly, with each floor basking
in 25 percent more daylight than the norm,
and is "based on the idea of creating harmony
between the heaven and human from Taoism. It
uses a circle as the starting point, representing
the concept of an Oriental sunrise, which also
stands for uprising power, development, and

076

July 2015 hospitalitydesign.com

future," explains Zhang Hai'Ao, chief architect
of Shanghai Huadu Architect Design Co. "From
the side, it can be interpreted into the shell
shape that is the symbol of wealth in ancient
China." There are other emblems: a podium that
resembles a cloud, a five-story lobby reminiscent
of a fish mouth, and the hotel's reflection in
the lake, redolent of the lucky number eight.
"We chose glass as the main material for the
tower because of its transparency quality. The
building could be dissolved into the surrounding
landscape thanks to its glass spheroid shape.
The upper part of the spheroid could reflect the
sky, the middle the mountain, and the bottom
the lake," says Zhang.
The interiors, by Providence, Rhode Islandbased DiLeonardo, probe this design scheme
further by framing views and intertwining
geometric forms. The staircase in the lobby,
for instance, is a center of activity. Thousands
of crystal spheres hanging from ceiling to
floor on stainless steel cables call to mind the
mountainous environs. The hotel's backdrop is
also apparent in the guestrooms, which partner
Giana DiLeonardo describes as "minimal,
contemporary, and relaxed. Hints of soft blue
conjure a peaceful ambiance with wallpapered
panels softening the overall space, while printed
fabric selections for accent pillows suggest the

Instilling a residential vibe was also essential
to the recently unveiled Rosewood Beijing,
designed by Melbourne-based BAR Studio. "We
were struck by the idea of Beijing presenting an
impervious exterior to visitors but concealing a
series of inner sanctuaries like the traditional
courtyard houses of the city," explains Stewart
Robertson, director and principal designer.
"The design explores the notion of moving
beyond the hard exterior to find an interior
world that is something else; something unique,
rich, and unexpected to reflect the history, art,
and vibrancy of Beijing. It is not a design that
relies on effect after effect after effect." For the
exterior, Robertson's team opted for Mongoliansourced bluestone, "embracing the idea of an
impenetrable urban armor in architectural
form." Inside, marble floors, a color palette
informed by calligraphy, and natural timber
veneer columns are offset by intricate metal
screens with subtle Chinese patterns, bespoke
furniture, and recycled bronze tiles molded by
local craftsmen, along with a massive collection
of artwork that combines traditional materials
and techniques with contemporary appeal. "The
placement of these pieces throughout the hotel
invites guests to undertake their own journeys
of discovery," Robertson says, "to uncover the
layers of meaning and reference within the art
and the city."
The 283 guestrooms, meanwhile, are
imagined as private apartment sanctuaries
with contemporary furniture, mood lighting,
and window seats framing city views. Says
Robertson: "The architecture and design is like
a brilliant series of photographs, composing
and framing views and experiences for each
individual guest." hd

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Hospitality Design - July 2015

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