Guizhou Weng'an Yingbin Hotel by JDKJ Design (China)
The Guangdong JDKJ Design Team, starting from the heart of Weng’an city — the Weng’an County Committee complex, ingeniously integrates local customs and natural beauty into their design. With minimalist creativity and landscape ink painting, they sketch the unique charm of “Weng’an Yingbin Hotel.”
“Through the leisurely water under the ancient bridge, heavenly mountains and exquisite pavilions reach into the clouds.” Beyond the veil of lush grass and verdant trees, one can see buildings nestled among vibrant foliage. The project involves the transformation of an existing structure, where designers preserved the original framework and massing. They reconstructed its texture and details using materials and design techniques that align with modern practical aesthetics, connecting nature, history, and contemporary beauty. This allows the building to sprout new branches from its original roots.
The design of the lobby is inspired by the breathtaking scenery of Xianqiao Mountain, where the essence of design and the charm of nature blend and enhance each other beautifully. At the center of the lobby area, an artistic landscape stands majestically. A stone sculpture of an immortal, poised and elegant, stands under the green pines and cypresses, resonating with the legends of Xianqiao Mountain. As Hegel said, “Architecture is frozen music, and design is flowing poetry.” Through design, the legends of the Guizhou region are vividly brought to life in the architecture.
Jade-like polished marble is the primary material selected by the designers, whose delicate texture, as warm and smooth as jade, fills the space with light and colour amidst the interplay of light and shadows. The openwork screens partially conceal murals of bamboo shadows, as if transplanting the scenery from distant mountains indoors. Carrying the mild bitterness of a gentle breeze and the fresh scent of bamboo leaves, these elements infuse the space with the essence of a mountainous atmosphere.
Stepping into the public dining area feels like entering a natural realm. Floor-to-ceiling windows introduce natural light and the forest into the space, harmonizing the rhythms of nature with the pace of dining, integrating into the daily living experience. The dining tables and chairs combine wood and bamboo weaving techniques, inheriting both the natural texture and the craftsmanship of human artistry. This design allows one to experience the boundless freedom and leisure of the natural wilderness within a confined space.
“Jade enriches the vegetation in the mountains, and pearls thrive in deep waters without making the cliffs barren.” Jade is the finishing touch in new Chinese-style design and a manifestation of the refined taste of scholars. The designers integrate Weng’an’s local jade carving craftsmanship, blending the scholarly essence of Weng’an with the contemporary minimalist style to create a flowing cultural scroll. Dining here, guests not only savour the delicacies of Guizhou but also appreciate the literary spirit of Weng’an. Amidst the clinking of glasses, one can experience the bold and unrestrained joy expressed in the sentiment, “To sketch a wild joy with a hearty drink.”
“Design is not just about the presentation of appearance but also the transmission of emotions.” Through meticulous selection of materials and careful attention to detail, the designers skillfully create a warm and elegant banquet atmosphere. Immersed in this setting, guests can deeply appreciate the profound sincerity and thoughtful care embedded in those subtle details while enjoying the fine dining and the pleasure of gathering.
The guest rooms employ warm-colored wallpaper paired with natural wood, together creating a cozy resting experience akin to a warm home. This colour scheme resembles handmade paper penetrated by sunlight, carrying a gentle warmth in its haze, bringing deep tranquillity and comfort. As the saying goes, “Design is the art of living, and home is the harbour of the soul.” Skillful soft furnishing design reaches deep into the human spirit, subtly adjusting one’s perception and emotions towards the space, allowing even travellers far from home to still enjoy a deep and sweet sleep.
In the conceptual design of the guest rooms, the subdivision of functional areas goes beyond the traditional concept of accommodation, providing travellers with a deep travel experience of refined living. The restructuring of room functions not only preserves private and tranquil sleeping areas but also incorporates diverse functional zones to meet the higher lifestyle expectations of travellers. Here, travelling is not merely about finding a place to rest, but also a profound exploration of living quality and lifestyle.
