LTW Designworks - JW Marriott Qufu, China

BIRTH OF CONFUCIUS

LTW DESIGNWORKS IMBUES TIMELESS CONFUCIANISM AT JW MARRIOTT QUFU.

Unveiling the designs for JW Marriott Qufu – a new luxury hotel in Qufu, China, the birthplace of the renowned philosopher Confucius. Celebrating ancient heritage with modern elegance, LTW brings forth a timeless design that pays tribute to the deep-rooted ancient traditions and cultures of The Analects.

Anchoring the main lobby is the hotel’s centrepiece sculpture of Confucius under a gingko tree, lit by the skylight above.

Seth Powers

Sitting adjacent to the Confucius Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the two-story JW Marriott Qufu stands as an emblem of the ancient city. Tastefully appointed with traditional Chinese features, the hotels’ distinctive exterior emulates structures from the ancient city, with architectural accents such as wood partitions and columns that blend seamlessly with its surroundings. Complementing the architecture, LTW aims to bring forth Confucian values through aesthetics inspired by the Six Arts, including music, rituals, and calligraphy.

The main lobby has ample space for exploration and contemplation.

Seth Powers

Inspired by Confucius’ teachings, the Lobby, Lobby Lounge, and the Tea House on the first floor replicate the scholar hall at Confucius Temple. Stepping into the lobby, guests are met with a stone relief wall depicting tales of Confucian history. Graced with slate tiles, grey stone features, and bronze lattice with white ceramic ornaments, the Lobby emulates an outdoor courtyard.

“Upon their arrival, guests are welcomed by a 7 meter tall gingko tree installation, but what they don’t notice right away is that the artwork is surrounded by water,” H.L. says. “When it’s quiet, you can hear the trickling sound of water.”

The central Confucian installation floats on a marble reflection pond.

Seth Powers

The unique aspect of the spiritually charged site is indeed the main feature of the hotel’s peacefulness which sets apart from typical hospitality setting. Designed as a poetic allusion of “The Great Teacher”, the statue of Confucius courteously kneels before the gingko tree art installation, created with intricately weaved metallic scriptures. Natural lighting saturates the Lobby under a glass roof in a dark timber, bronze-detailed ceiling, highlight the centerpiece against a stoned Moon Gate – an architectural feature of traditional garden passageways – that partitions the Atrium and Lounge.

A contemporary white marble reception counter sits in front of a gold feature wall with falling gingko leaves and hand painted calligraphy.

Seth Powers

Echoing this illusion is a striking gold accent wall, engraved with illustrations of falling gingko leaves, which stands behind the reception desk located on the left side of the lobby upon entrance. The gold accent wall, set against the neutral toned lobby, intentionally highlights a dimension of space that draws on the ancient and modern, allowing guests to travel between the times.

Dramatically tall ceramic screens provide semi-privacy and a gallery-like feeling.

Seth Powers

Behind the lobby’s moon gate lies the relaxing and intimate Library Tea Lounge.

Seth Powers

UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, GUESTS ARE WELCOMED BY A 7 METER TALL GINGKO TREE INSTALLATION, BUT WHAT THEY DON’T NOTICE RIGHT AWAY IS THAT THE ARTWORK IS SURROUNDED BY WATER. WHEN IT’S QUIET, YOU CAN HEAR THE TRICKLING SOUND OF WATER.

Lim Hong Lian, Founder and Principal partner of LTW Designworks

Curated literature and objets d’art sit gracefully on solid timber shelves.

Seth Powers

A la carte seating defined by a long central banquette that allows for various seating configurations.

Seth Powers

Behind the Moon Gate, the meditative tranquility continues throughout The Lounge. Dark timber furniture, rattan chairs, wooden shelves, ancient Chinese scrolls, and traditional stitched bound books fill the space, adorned with low-hanging mesh lanterns, giving a warm and inviting ambiance. Paying homage to The Analects’ value of education, the Tea House, surrounded by wooden shelves, books, and exquisite tea sets, creates a tranquil retreat for guests to rest and study. Public and private spaces are partitioned by white ceramic lattice, accessorized by figures of the Disciples and artistic representations of books and musical instruments.

To the right of the Lobby, a grey stone wall encased with small glass lanterns illuminates the hallway leading to the restaurant spaces. Boasting a few view of the courtyard, the All-Day Dining Area is complete with dark timber tiles, complemented by textured walls and tawny brown leather seating, providing flexibility of functions for groups and private dining.

The Chinese Restaurant entrance pays homage to traditional timber houses.

Seth Powers

Custom artworks strategically placed to invite exploration and foster discovery.

Seth Powers

The hotel’s Spa reception and retail display.

Seth Powers

On the other side, Residence, the two-storey Chinese restaurant, translates the architectural details of the outdoor courtyard into an opulent gathering space. Blending the outdoor environment into its interiors, the ground floor public dining area is framed by stone walls, with a cream-colored lounge seating area on both sides of the restaurant as a tea-tasting area. Traditional wooden door panels are translated into ornate bronze latticework as door panels and partitions, covering ceilings and window screens. The private dining rooms are highlighted by shades of ochre, displaying artwork that reflects the surrounding historic structures of the area.

Relaxed ambiance of the Spa treatment suite with private shower and changing facilities.

Seth Powers

Set aside a private courtyard or a veranda, the Guestroom design draw inspiration from a well-known Confucius saying: “The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills.” Taking water and woods as the main inspiration, LTW uses a contrasting palette to convey the yin-and-yang of the two elements: deep brown, to represent the rigidness of the mountain and white, to illustrate the fluidity of water. Dark walnut wooden tiles, ripple-designed carpet and embossed headboard to inject a calming meditative effect in the space. The Presidential Suite combines a bedroom, bathroom, living and dining area that features a neutral color palette, providing uninterrupted respite for the guests.

The theme of meditative tranquility runs seamlessly throughout the hotel. To further strengthen that whilst expressing Confucius’s teachings on humility, H.L. chose materials like wood and bronze, combined with neutral shades of grey, white and brown.

THE GUESTROOM DESIGN DRAW INSPIRATION FROM A WELL-KNOWN CONFUCIUS SAYING: “THE WISE FIND PLEASURE IN WATER; THE VIRTUOUS FIND PLEASURE IN HILLS.” TAKING WATER AND WOODS AS THE MAIN INSPIRATION, LTW USES A CONTRASTING PALETTE TO CONVEY THE YIN-AND-YANG OF THE TWO ELEMENTS: DEEP BROWN.

Guestrooms face outward toward views of the garden and landscape with custom mother-of-pearl inlay headboards.