Project Credits & Specs
- Interior Design: CCD / Cheng Chung Design (HK)
- Architectural Design: RSAA/Büro Ziyu Zhuang
- Photographs: Qiu Xin, Su Shengliang
- Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Area: 77 700 m2
- Year: 2020
Project Description
A repository of history, a new chapter of future
Nurtured by the Qinhuai River, Nanjing, a city known as “the capital of six ancient dynasties”, boasts a rich cultural context, and has cultivated its people’s carefree and calm temperament.
The people of Nanjing have settled down from the vicissitudes of history towards a tranquil daily life. Their perception of life, the transformation of local lifestyle throughout the times, and the humanistic spirit of the city itself become the blood and bones of Nanjing, growing together with the land.
Grand Wuji Hotel is near Tianlong Temple, a tranquil environment that creates a peaceful Zen world away from the hustle and bustle. This kind of quietness and leisure set the tone for the design intervention for the project.
The interior design inherits the plainness, tranquility, and elegance of the architecture and landscape, and meanwhile creates varied scenes in different functional areas. The history of Nanjing is the underlying keynote, inviting people to unwind while perceiving the heritage of the city. Through the subtle arrangement of lighting, materials, and textures, as well as the contrast of light and darkness, an engaging, impressive experience is created.
The cycle of five seasons composes poetry
There are blossoming flowers in spring, a round moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, and snow in winter. The best time is when there is no annoyance in mind. When the mind is not bothered, all things tend to be elegant.
Sprouting in spring, growth in summer, transformation in late summer, harvest in fall, and storage in winter. With the cycle of the five seasons throughout the year, the mind becomes more clear and more elegant. With a philosophy close to Zen, one turns to seek inner peace rather than extravagance.
Located at the intersection of Andemen Street and Software Avenue, the Grand Wuji Hotel features a C-shaped layout, opening to the ancient Tomb of the King of Boni and Tianlong Temple. It is a “hidden garden” in the midst of the bustling downtown of Nanjing.
Here, the guests cannot help but get into a Zen state of mind and wander away from the disturbing affairs of the mundane world, shed all restlessness and agitation, and immerse themselves in a secluded world to purify the mind.
At the entrance, the lush green trees are vigorous and unrestrained, with the swaying shadows effusing the essence of Zen.
The elegant wooden elements are arranged in an orderly manner to create a serene rhythm.
Water, stone, and plants in the courtyard form a natural Zen landscape. The design deepens guests’ multi-sensory experiences in this place by building an interactive and fluid relationship between the interior and the outdoors. In this way, the spatial narratives are formed.
Walking through the winding passage and the long corridor, guests will feel the serene Zen atmosphere blowing away the confusion in the mind like a breeze. Even the most restless heart will be calmed here. In this serene and transparent environment, people only need to feel and gain strength in their solitary moment.
The fusion of Oriental art and modern minimalism in the lobby brings out a tranquil and welcoming atmosphere. The natural wood tone and the pure marble embrace the return to nature and purity.
The interpenetrating blocks emphasize the integrity of surfaces and produce a calming rhythm.
In order to avoid the monotony of the horizontal and vertical arrangement of the functional layout, the CCD team tries to create a hierarchy of space by differentiating the structure of each functional area. Circulation routes are organized according to this logic to guide and stimulate guests’ behaviors.
Leisure state of mind, resonance with Zen
The whispering of “Zen” in the vegetarian restaurant reaches guests’ hearts soundlessly. The interplay between “the virtual” and “the real”, as well as the harmony between “dynamism” and “stillness”, implicitly incorporate the unrestrained spirit of Oriental art into the expressive details. Ultimately, the spiritual cores of “clearness, integrity, harmony, and elegance” are reproduced in the space.
The quintessence of nature is metamorphosed into a scenario of Zen. The natural texture of wood, expressed in the form of wooden grilles, is integrated into the space and complements each other. The veil and soft lighting render a pure realm of vagueness and openness.
The pendant ceiling lamps show a restrained gesture and staggering heights. The soft primary colors soothe the mind, making one feel open-minded, emotional, pure, and peaceful…
The greenery teeming with natural vigor breaks the boundary between “human” and “nature”. Low-saturation colors tone up the gentle elegance of the space. The tables and chairs are simple, mellow, and plain.
The banquet hall abstracts the image of a “birds’ nest”, manifesting the concept of “nest and union”. A large art installation made of wooden pieces showcases extraordinary appeal.
The rippling water seems as if floating above the mist, hidden among the mountains. In this colored “landscape painting”, the water is brimming with rays of sunshine.
Slow down, immerse yourself
The unique Zen guestroom is a blend of Chinese style and modern minimalism.
In the afternoon, bathed in the warm sunshine, guests may make a pot of tea for leisure and let the fragrance wash away the dust in the mind, hence gaining inner peace.
When the heart is clear, enlightenment of Zen comes. Here, guests can taste the true essence of life in the trivial and ordinary. Amid all the hubbubs of the world, the design reminds people always remember to take a deep breath and calm their minds.
“Slowness” washes away anxiety, fatigue, complaints, and worldliness, enabling the guests to regain purity, joy, and pleasure.
A sense of freedom is perceived and attained. The harmony of humanity, spirituality, and divinity, along with the immersive ambiance and the transitions and turns, controls the rhythm of the space and mind.
Taking the passage of time easy, enjoying a tranquil life, and breaking away from the daily hustle and bustle, a serene and peaceful state of mind is obtained.
The project description is provided by the interior designers, via Sunshine PR.
About the Designers
CCD / Cheng Chung Design (HK) was founded by Mr. Joe Cheng. Mr. Cheng is an outstanding designer who specializes in hospitality design and who has worked with most high-end international hotel brands. CCD’s elite team, with its detailed design knowledge, international experience, and management skills, is poised to provide top-quality services and products to its clients. The diverse background of the team and its technological expertise allow it to keep abreast of new directions and innovations in the industry. CCD has always been the icon in the hospitality design field, with the whole industry chain operation mode (pre-consultant, architectural design, interior design, to electromechanical, lighting, logo, decoration, art, etc.) covering hotel, corporate, commercial complex, and high-end residential design. Actively innovate commercial and luxury home design, and create a smart home design laboratory to integrate the latest scientific and technological research and development results, applying to the in-depth development of CCD interior design.
