Excerpt: Ansan Hotel is a renovation project by WJ Studio based on the idea of symbolization. It was intended that the building’s exterior form, material, and colour will reflect the local qualities and urban culture of Keqiao. The team also focused on reimagining public and private indoor and outdoor spaces to add a sense of freshness while maintaining the integrity of the original location.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The Ansan Hotel is an architectural masterpiece that showcases a unique blend of regional characteristics and urban culture. Situated in the ancient town of Keqiao in Shaoxing, China, the hotel has undergone a remarkable renovation that has transformed it into a symbol of community and cultural identity.
The original building was a business hotel without any regional or brand identity. The design team proposed a renovation plan with the concept of symbolization, hoping that the exterior form, material, and colour of the building would convey the regional characteristics and urban culture of Keqiao. The team began by considering the architectural form on the interface along the street, where one side of the building is covered with metal mesh, creating a sheer volume that echoes the horizontal lines of the light strips. The result is a visually striking building that stands out in the surrounding area.
The team also focused on reinventing indoor and outdoor spaces, public and private, to create a sense of freshness while respecting the original site. The second floor features a common space for travellers, consisting of two relatively private and quiet game rooms and a spacious public lounge area that can be used to provide entertainment or to enjoy the city streetscape from the window. The guest rooms are designed with dark walnut and beige fabrics to create a relaxing, home-like feeling for the residents.
Ansan Hotel’s design takes symbolic language as its concept, transforming the building’s form, material, colour, and interior space to create a personal yet detached, blurred yet clear boundary for the travellers in the urban business hotel. This community space becomes part of the customer’s experience and is finally immersed in the brand story.
The hotel’s design is an excellent example of how a building can be transformed into a cultural symbol that reflects the regional characteristics and urban culture of the area. The design not only provides a unique experience for hotel guests but also creates a communal space for young people in the surrounding community to interact, enriching the overall experience of the traveller. This has helped to foster a sense of community and belonging, as well as provide opportunities for young people to learn and grow.
In different historical periods and regions, the forms and functions of buildings reflect the cultural characteristics and values of the society at that time. The Ansan Hotel is a perfect example of how a building can be transformed into a cultural symbol that reflects the regional characteristics and urban culture of the area. The hotel’s design reflects the idea that architecture is not just a physical object but also a cultural symbol that can enrich the lives of those who experience it.
The renovation of the Ansan Hotel has created a unique and memorable experience for travellers. The hotel’s design reflects the cultural identity of the region while also providing a communal space for young people in the surrounding community to interact. The hotel is a testament to the power of architecture to transform a space and create a sense of community and cultural identity.
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