Tang Dynasty Revival
In the mountains of Huzhou, Changxing Datang Gong Cha Vipusea Hotel has been designed by Hangzhou Kenna Interior Design as a reinterpretation of Tang dynasty architecture and ways of life. Here studio design director Huijuan Gu tells us more about the project
Design Anthology: Where is the hotel located?
Huijuan Gu: Changxing Datang Gong Cha Vipusea Hotel is in the town of Gong Cha in Changxing, Huzhou, which is known for its tea culture.
What makes the location unique?
The town of Gong Cha is the birthplace of Chinese tea culture. It’s surrounded by forest and combines a vibrant city centre, resorts and cultural activities that drive both business travel and tourism. The hotel is surrounded by traditional commercial streets where local food, shops and exhibitions can be found. You can really feel the centuries of cultural heritage and the area’s unique historical charm.
What unique features does the building have?
The hotel spans more than 8,000 square metres and was designed around the theme of the Tang dynasty culture. To achieve that, we restored the building’s original Tang dynasty architecture and its various existing features, such as the overhanging gable roofs, hip roofs, bucket arches, cornices and stone foundations. With this project, our aim was to bring back to life the disappearing Tang dynasty culture.
What was the design concept for the hotel?
The hotel integrates elements of zen, tea culture and the spring season, reinterpreting the Tang dynasty style in a modern context. China inherited the ancient system of establishing spatial order in a way that affects people's behaviour, and according to this system, moral values can be transformed into an aesthetic awareness that can be integrated into daily life and customs through the design of our environment.
What will guests look forward to experiencing in the rooms?
The hotel has 178 rooms scattered among courtyards and facing different landscapes, including mountain views, small courtyards and pavilions. We believe that a love for nature is the essence of life.
Images / Tupai Photography
