Project: Boatyard Hotel
Interior Design: WJ Studio
Principle Designer: Hu Zhile
Design Team: Yang Xi, Yang Lilien, Zhou Shuyi, Ye Zi
Architectural Design: GOA
Lighting Design: Yi Ke Guang Lighting Design (Shanghai) Co.
Location: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Completion Date: 2023.2
Project Area: 1200 m2
Photo Credits: Zhu Hai, Zhang Xi
Boatyard Hotel by WJ STUDIO sits in the tranquil village of Shanwan, Wujiang District, Suzhou. Surrounded by rivers, bridges, and the cultural depth of Jiangnan, the hotel embodies the elegance of a waterfront settlement while transforming everyday life into a poetic and timeless journey. Inspired by crow-top boats docked on the shore, its black-roofed buildings evoke movement, stillness, and the spirit of traditional ink paintings.
Dialogue of Time and Space
“Proper architecture grows naturally, logically, and poetically in its environment,” Louis Sullivan once wrote. Boatyard Hotel follows this principle by integrating its forms into the surrounding river landscape. High and low arched roofs cluster like boats moored at the water’s edge, creating a settlement that feels both ancient and new.
Guests experience this dialogue of time through a series of unfolding spaces. A trestle bridge leads to interiors where light filters from domed skylights, etching patterns on stone slabs. On rainy days, water droplets and scenic rocks reveal the distinct colors and sounds of Jiangnan. These fleeting moments reinforce the sense of architecture as a living canvas of memory.
Glory of Memory
Floor-to-ceiling windows open panoramic views of the water, trees, and drifting clouds. A recessed bench invites quiet reflection, echoing the feeling of sitting in a boat adrift on the river. Hidden islands appear in the distance, subtly present yet never intrusive.
As guests stroll along the promenade, spaces flow like a scroll. A coffee and book bar offers a pause, while the long arched roof frames scenes of sunrise, sunset, and riverbank life. At the journey’s end, a bay window recalls Corbusier’s “Mother’s House,” intertwining light, water, and memory to create a deep sense of homecoming.
Peaceful Dwelling
The artistic metaphor of the docked boat defines Boatyard Hotel as a place of calm. A sunken courtyard invites rest with its open sky, water reflections, and simple rituals. Rooms facing the river extend life outward, offering sunset views framed by trees and waves.
Spatial sequences unfold with pauses, turns, and subtleties rather than rigid axes, producing an atmosphere like gentle singing. Guest rooms rise across two levels, with vaulted ceilings and wide windows that merge indoors with outdoors. A seat by the window, a cup of tea, and a view of the river embody the essence of peaceful living.
Conclusion
Boatyard Hotel by WJ STUDIO transforms the riverside village of Shanwan into a poetic landscape of time, memory, and peace. Through vaulted spaces, fluid circulation, and immersive views, the project offers guests a journey that is both architectural and emotional. Ultimately, Boatyard Hotel serves as a reminder that true luxury lies in harmony with nature and the essence of dwelling.
