The TIDE Hotel is located in Chaozhou, China, a city rich in Ming Dynasty architecture and in close proximity to the South China Sea. The designers have created an external facade for the project which incorporates a number of curved balconies, arched openings, and materials inspired by the colour and texture of marine shells and the architectural forms of the city’s ancient buildings.

The designers wanted to integrate a contemporary aesthetic sensibility with traditional Chaoshan culture, applied to the concept of tides and its implications of transformation over time. The building’s exterior aims to reinvigorate the local area while respecting the scale and materials of the existing built environment.

At the front entrance of the hotel, two box-like structures with a golden finish are nested one within the other, providing a natural transition between the bustling city atmosphere and the quiet internal space.

Upon entering the entrance lobby, visitors encounter a sumptuous interior which continues the arched forms of the exterior, but furnished here with a golden pearlescent finish. A wall of colorful inlaid porcelain, a timeless art form of the area, enlivens the space behind the reception desk.

The individual rooms of the hotel also celebrate the artisanal history of the city, featuring artworks produced with thousand-year-old embroidery techniques, combined with modern furnishings which continue the marine theme of the main spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a neon-lit restaurant on the eighth floor, which presents a vibrant atmosphere composed from a number of local traditional materials – presenting a bold fusion of history and contemporary aesthetics. Floor to ceiling glazing affords visitors a panoramic view of the city and beyond, allowing guests to enjoy an unparalleled atmosphere at any time of the dayn or evening.