PROJECTS & HOSPITALITY
PEOPLE
W Changsha, China
Joe Cheng
It would also be interesting for us to know what kind of ‘East meets West’ approach you choose considering the scope of your firm’s work. “East meets West” refers to refining the essence of Western design with Eastern culture as the axis; telling detailed stories to create design “resonance.” For example, we based our recent renovation of the Suning Zhongshan Golf Resort on its geographical location and its important role in the history of modern China. The property is located right next to China’s first golf course, built by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China in 1929. In the 1930s, this field served as a key platform for negotiations between Chinese and Western politicians. This is what informed CCD’s transformation of the hotel with a design that emphasizes the link between past and present, the intersection of East and West, and the integration of an elegant European style. We used the latest techniques to design this luxury accommodation, reopening it to the public after ten years of work. Such an operation must also include the skillful use of greenery since it enhances the guests’ experience. We therefore lined the road leading to the hotel with Chinese parasol trees. These robust, locally grown deciduous trees with their glistening branches and leaves provide the perfect respite during the hot months.The building’s entrance with its copper doorway opens onto a reception area adorned with blackwood paneling, a golden ceiling and a stone floor. The subtle blend of black and golden tones recalls the city’s prosperity and old-world charm. Even the octagon-shaped layout of the reception area is a reminder of the past since it was inspired by the graphic symbol of the Bagua. Attention to detail is also evident in the hotel’s restaurants and guest rooms. Here, the visual connection with the landscaped garden enlarges the space towards the outside, underlining the important role of the site’s natural aspects in the project. What about the value and role of craftmanship in your work? Does it connect local culture to your creativity? Now that the structure of our lives is changing, our education, tastes, identity and other aspects are changing too. I think people’s needs for hotels and homes are no longer about covering their heads with tiles and having beds to sleep in. They care if a space has particularly strong natural and cultural characteristics. So, I think interior designers should consider factors like local culture and a sense of story. Take DongFengYun Hotel Mi’Le - MGallery, for example. The hotel is located in Dongfengyun Art Town,
90 | IFDM
