Project: Hua Xu Boutique Hotel
Architecture: Zhang Haihua
Design team: Wang Xiao, Sun Huihui
Location: Suzhou City, China
Area: 1000 m2 + 300 m2 courtyard
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Cai Yunpu
A Contemporary Approach to Tradition
Located in the ancient city district of Suzhou, Hua Xu Boutique Hotel represents a thoughtful transformation of three residential buildings into a modern courtyard hotel. Designer Zhang Haihua, born and raised in Suzhou, took this project as an opportunity to blend contemporary aesthetics with the cultural and historical richness of the Jiangnan region. His design reflects a profound connection to Suzhou’s traditions, architecture, and natural surroundings.
Chapter I: Traversing by Water – A Homage to Suzhou’s Canals
Suzhou’s ancient urban layout, defined by its many canals, deeply influenced Zhang’s design approach. Just as boating was once an essential mode of transportation in Suzhou, Zhang used this concept to shape the hotel’s experience. In the lobby area, a lowered lounge space evokes the height of viewing the city from a boat, creating an intimate relationship between the interior and the external courtyard.
Zhang also crafted a miniature landscape in the courtyard, referencing the natural elements of Suzhou’s Taihu Lake Basin. The integration of a small hill, tea trees, and local rocks further enhances this connection to Suzhou’s water-centric history. This design harmonizes nature with architecture, offering a space that feels timeless and deeply rooted in Jiangnan culture.
Chapter II: Light, Shadow, and the Alleyway Experience
Situated in a historical district, Hua Xu Boutique Hotel maintains strict exterior design controls to blend with Suzhou’s traditional grey and white architecture. Zhang employed deep eaves, a common feature of Jiangnan houses, to frame the patio area, integrating the sky, earth, and the architecture.
Inside, the tea room is set behind a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that allows the garden to become part of the space. Zhang was inspired by Suzhou’s narrow alleyways, using light and shadow to create dramatic effects, mimicking the atmosphere of ancient city streets. The visual contrast between the old walls of neighboring buildings and the sleek new hotel creates a tangible connection between past and present, symbolizing the coexistence of different eras in Suzhou.
Chapter III: Renewing Jiangnan Culture Through Design
Zhang’s design echoes the architectural philosophy of Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who emphasized modernism while honoring regional characteristics. Zhang sought to capture the spirit of Jiangnan architecture by seamlessly connecting the hotel’s interiors to nature. His design not only reflects the materiality and scale of traditional architecture but also recreates the experience of walking through Suzhou’s ancient streets, where time feels suspended.
The Hua Xu Boutique Hotel, infused with metaphors linking Suzhou’s people, culture, and environment, becomes a spatial representation of Jiangnan’s unique relationship with nature. Through the use of contemporary materials and modern design techniques, Zhang has created a hotel that pays homage to the past while offering a refined experience for modern travelers.
Conclusion: A New Interpretation of Tradition
Zhang Haihua’s Hua Xu Boutique Hotel is a modern masterpiece that honors the rich traditions of Suzhou while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design. By thoughtfully integrating elements of Jiangnan’s architecture and natural landscape, the hotel creates a unique experience that blends history with the present, offering guests a space of tranquility, beauty, and cultural connection.
