On September 1, 2024, Avalon Collective officially opened the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou Center. Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou Central is located in the heart of Hangzhou City, famous for the West Lake and the Grand Canal.
The design skillfully integrates the simplicity of Hangzhou architecture, the profound artistic conception of literature, the dynamic atmosphere of art, the thick historical heritage and the ingenuity of handicraft in the modern hotel life. From arrival to check-in, guests can have a great time at any time of the week, whether for business or leisure.
A proverb from Fan Chengda’s Wujun Annals of the Song Dynasty says: “Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” Hangzhou is a fairyland. From the famous West Lake to the legendary Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, water is the soul of the city and forms the aesthetic of local life and culture. With water at its core, the design transforms the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou Central into a mirror that captures the charming reflection of the city.
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou Central is a modern interpretation of the “Water Theatre” that perfectly integrates the essence of water into this trip to the water country, creating a soft and peaceful atmosphere that leads guests into a state of contemplation and meditation. Design of hotel lobby Spaces as “INTERCONNECTED”, adding “LAYERED” to functional venues, turning recreation Spaces into “REFLECTION”, and guest rooms acting as “LIGHT & SHADOW”, Make the hotel a quiet place for business trips and weekend getaways.
Escape the world junction, convergence and communion
Drop-off area and lobby reception
The drop-off area and the lobby area serve as interconnecting hubs, like the intersection of canals, where multiple rivers intersect, where people from all over the world meet, where ideas collide, and where various activities set sail.
When guests arrive at the hotel, what they can see is the moment when the willow leaves are falling on the water with the wind, and the carved stone is a shallow ripple on the water surface blown by the breeze. Details are frozen next to the reception desk, and a floor lamp symbolizing the lotus on the Grand Canal beside the concierge station, as a guide to guide guests to follow the water, integrates traditional Hangzhou craft elements, showing exquisite folds similar to Wang Xingji’s paper fan, adding a rich cultural connotation to the space.
Throughout the ground floor, a patchwork pattern ripples like a canal. When guests walk to the elevator hall, the curved arches are decorated with layers of elements, reminiscent of the rolling waves, as if they are in it.
After entering the lobby, the double-layer high ceiling meets the guests’ eyes, and the decorative art lights on the ceiling are like a wave of ripples and waves, and the shape of the eaves of the Jiangnan buildings painted by Wu Guanzhong, which are the graceful silhouets depicted in the “Misty waves swaying in the sky, the buildings and halls leaning against the sunset”. Shaped like a boat on a canal, the central lounge is surrounded by a wavy profile overlooking the low-key reception at the far end. The floor tiles reflect the wavy waves of the canal, creating a peaceful start to the water journey, as if meeting the West for the first time, soft and stunning.
Overlapping layers, continuous waves
Lobby, meeting room, banquet hall and executive lounge
Inspired by the endless waves, the function rooms and executive lounges are designed in neutral, soft tones and with subtle patterns to cater for everything from toasts to peaceful relaxation.
The glass ceiling in the vestibule area allows natural light to pour in from above, making the space bright and comfortable. “Spring on the lake like a picture, chaotic peak around the horizontal shop.” Bai Juyi has depicted the scene of overlapping layers in “Spring on the Lake”, and the design presents the spring on the lake through the curves of furniture, lamps and walls. The color of the carpet and the green plants echo the line in the poem, “The green carpet thread draws early rice, the green skirt shows new Pu.” On both sides of the vestibule, curved arches of different heights cast unique shadows on the carpet, like sparkling water. The low lamps scattered in the vestibule area turn into “a pearl at the moon point wave center”.
Inside the banquet hall, graceful and winding waves adorn the entire space, giving a sense of tranquility and harmony. Floor-to-ceiling glass offers a panoramic view, evoking a peaceful atmosphere. The blue carpet extends into the ballroom, echoing the lobby area. The cross chandelier in the banquet hall presents a cascading wave effect in a modern and simple form, enhancing the overall beauty. The meeting room also features a soft canvas that is layered with subtle patterns inspired by waves, harmonizing the entire space with the core of the design.
The Executive Lounge is a separate space located on the upper floors of the hotel. Its design focuses on layers and intricate details. The curved design of the ceiling lighting creates a special lighting effect. Walking through it, guests can experience seamless transitions and thoughtful seating arrangements. Each seating area resembles a boat floating gently on a canal, while low lanterns provide soft lighting reminiscent of those on a ship. The multi-layered layout creates a warm and comfortable atmosphere that supports the needs of private meetings and is also a stopping point for this water journey, moored on the river to enjoy the moonlight and celebrate together.
