Project name: HUALUXE Xi’an Hi-Tech Zone

Interior design firm: CCD / Cheng Chung Design (HK) (www.ccd.com.hk)

Construction firm: Shenzhen Asiantime International Construction Co., Ltd.

Project type: Hotel

Project location: Xi’an, China

Project area: 41,000 m2

Completion time: August 2019

Photography: Zhu Hai, Qiu Xin

New definition of Chinese hospitality

HUALUXE Hotel & Resorts is IHG’s another classic work in its exciting course of reformation, and a new international luxury hotel brand tailored to Chinese guests. Relying on IHG’s world-renowned excellent management system, it’s dedicated to providing attentive and considerate services in a new definition of Chinese hospitality centering on four principles: Chinese etiquette; status recognition; rejuvenation with nature; and enabling spaces, which offers an ideal choice for business, entertainment, family reunion and friend gatherings.

Magnificence & dignity inherited from Tang dynasty

Chang’an, today known as Xi’an, is a world-famous ancient capital and one of the birthplaces of Chinese and Oriental civilization. It used to be the capital of 13 ancient Chinese dynasties, and was especially flourishing at the apex of Tang dynasty. Back then, the imperial palace complex was magnificent and splendid featuring connected roofs, spectacular structures and exquisite decorations, making it a paradise on earth. Though later having undergone vicissitudes for several hundred years, the ancient capital is still worshiped for its past grandeur.

Situated at this land with rich cultural heritage, HUALUXE Xi'an Hi-Tech Zone is HUALUXE’s first hotel in West China and is positioned as an Asia-pacific flagship hotel, which pays tribute to the city of etiquette via orthodox design languages.

Symmetric aesthetic: epitome of Oriental architectural wisdom

The Chinese philosophy of Zhongyong was frequently applied to traditional architectures, which was embodied on the symmetric layout. Peace and order represent an ideal city. In the prosperous Tang dynasty, the layout of Chang’an adopted Lifang System (“Li” and “Fang” refers to residential unit). With Zhuque Street as the central axis, 108 residential units were arranged orderly on the two sides, together constituting a magnificent built landscape. CCD interprets the aesthetic of symmetry and order through modern approaches, and incorporates Chinese etiquette and philosophy into spaces in a subtle way, which allows the guests to immerse themselves in the wisdom of Chinese civilization.

Lobby: Tang style & archaic charm

The hotel entrance is secluded and keeps a low profile, with a vigorous upright pine tree welcoming the guests. Following the dim light and wandering along scattered gray hollowed-out stone walls that close off the hustle and bustle of the city, silent pine trees, lush bamboo groves and transparent glass bricks, the guests can have a fantastic experience of exploring a garden with intricate spatial pattern. This enables them to obtain inner peace without stepping out of the city, and to indulge in exploring the city of etiquette behind it.

Passing through the deep tranquil garden, the lobby gradually appears, grand and dignified. Two magnificent doors erect on its sides, showing courtesy to respected guests. The details engraved on the doors draw inspirations from city gate bolts in ancient Xi'an, and the black wood grain is embellished by Chinese red and bronze. All of those elements innovatively reproduce the cultural heritage of the ancient city, present an archaic and solemn impression, and produce a sense of formality.

The space features large surfaces, which are well matched with exquisite details, together creating a noble, elegant and grand ambience; besides, creative shapes fuse the modern with traditional, and are dotted throughout the space in a subtle manner. In this way, the overall space is endowed with a magnificent sense of propriety as well as modern Oriental charm.

Baxianzhuo, a traditional square table for eight persons, was indispensable in ancient formal guest reception occasions. Based on such cultural background, Baxianzhuo are brought in to function as reception desks. With symmetric shape and simple yet delicate form, they greatly combine practicality and aesthetic, style and playfulness.

Looking around, the guests may feel like they are in an imperial palace with splendid interior structures and color palette. Passing through a corridor supported with columns and traversing doors along the central axis, they will arrive at the lobby bar — LUXE Tea. The left part of it provides a tranquil space for private conversation, with delicate censers, ancient books and seals placed on the desks. On the right side, several tea tables are specially arranged for tea masters to perform tea ceremonies. The refreshing tea flavor, combined with soothing traditional music, brings the guests back to the time a thousand years ago.

Taking cues from architectures in Tang dynasty, the design languages discover beauty in rules. The horizontal and vertical wooden structures showcase unique Oriental charm whilst manifesting a single-minded pursuit of purity and the power of perseverance and steadiness, which seem to be murmuring, just like the city of Xi’an.                                                                                               

LUXE Gathering — all-day-dining restaurant

LUXE Gathering, i.e. the all-day-dining restaurant, continues the design languages of the lobby. Two upright doors open up a fabulous dining space to experience through five senses. The space is characterized by large areas of brick walls, with bricks arranged in a connected and staggered way similar to that of traditional wooden mortise and tenon joints. The brick walls present the integration of solidness and void, and remind the guests of the spectacular Xi'an Ancient City Wall. The overall space is laid out in an interweaving way, full of variety. Wooden frames are utilized in the space to collide with bronze, acrylic, gauze and other materials. Colors, material textures, light and shadows, greenery and artworks are perfectly mixed and matched, together producing a lively dining environment.

CAI FENG LOU — Chinese restaurant

Phoenix, a mythological bird in Chinese culture, is a symbol of high virtue and grace and a sign of auspiciousness. The Chinese restaurant takes “phoenix” as theme to imply courteous reception. The reception foyer is embellished by several eye-catching acrylic artworks that are made by novel methods. Gauze are inserted between acrylic sheets, and the views of undulating palace roofs are created on those sheets via laser engraving, which are visually pleasing. With an elegant overall tone highlighted by vivid Chinese red and royal blue, the space presents a tasteful and elegant style, reminiscent of the historical joyful scene of Southern Tang Minister Han Xizai’s evening banquet.

Executive lounge

The executive lounge adopts many Chinese design elements, such as the symmetric layout and the brick wall. The entire space is dominated by calming hues, interspersed with bright Chinese red. Besides, the unique Chinese-style furniture, as well as vivid artworks refined from local customs, contribute to creating an elegant, dignified and sedate spatial ambience.

Guest rooms

The guest rooms are designed in either light or dark hues, awash with elegance and warmth. The painted light-colored oak wood that maintains its original grain, comfortable cotton and linen, woolen carpets, as well as archaic weaving materials, all show natural textures and the return to simplicity. Time slows down there, and the guests can feel extremely relaxed and cozy. The delicate artworks are full of classic charm, while the exquisitely-made furniture is integration of modernity and tradition. The spaces are laid out in a magnificent and elegant manner, dotted with classic delicate details and interspersed with Chinese red and royal blue, to salute the ancient capital. Characterized by Oriental Zen ambience, elegance and nobility, the interior design provides poetic living experiences, and enables the guests to feel inner peace.

Many designs are superficially appealing, but leave nothing lasting. However, a classic design may not catch our eye at first glance, but after experiencing it in depth we’ll be touched by its eternal charm.