Project name: Intercontinental Hotel Zhuhai
Interior design firm: CL3 Architects Limited
Designer: William Lim
Project location: No.1 Qinglv South Road, Gongbei Area, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China
Completion: 2018
Photographer: Nirut Benjabanpot
Zhuhai, a city in South China, is experiencing tremendous growth due to the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, making it a key city in China to benefit from the Big Bay Economic Zone.
Zhuhai Intercontinental Hotel is situation within a landmark development, the Yanlord Marina Centre, located right on the coastline, within walking distance to the Macau border, and with a magnificent view to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the ocean beyond.
The hotel design commenced a few years ago, and the owner placed great importance on the lobby and public area design, and there upon enlisted CL3 Architects to revisit the design that has not met with the owner’s expectation.
The building architecture is a 47 storey tall high rise with a wave form that defines a 15 meter tall entry port cocher. A strong window farming system gives a orderly rhythm to the building which is brought to the interior to form a rhythmic, orderly module that organizes the interior spaces.
The Design of the Hotel is based on the idea of Exploration, Islands, and Ocean. Zhuhai is formed by 148 islands in the Pearl River Delta that connects all the way to Macau and Hong Kong, which are now further connected by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. This beautiful scenery of ocean, island and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in the distance is in full view from our unique hotel lobby located right on the Zhuhai Coast, which becomes the inspiration of our design.
The islands and water becomes the theme of a series of art installations that link the hotel arrival area, the main lobby and the reception. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a large landscape art piece in the auto court called “3 Islands”. Abstract crystal and metal cutouts in mountain shapes symbolize Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong, and are placed among lush trees and planting to form a 3 dimensional landscape composition. Upon entering the lobby, a large 10m tall mural wall becomes the focus, depicting an aerial view of 28 silver islands floating on a transparent sea of mirror and metal weaving. This dramatic installation combines serenity and drama, carefully incorporates lighting to set mood effects for day time and night scene. Upon arrival at the reception desk, a 3rd set of art installation composed of crystal islands can be seen floating on a water surface behind the reception. The water and the crystal islands connects visually to the beautiful scenery of the ocean and islands immediate behind the reception area.
The design pays attention to every detail to create the Intercontinental luxury and care for comfort of hotel guests. Import designer furniture is carefully selected. The artworks are carefully sourced from around the world to reflect an explorer’s collection amassed during his travel. No detail is spared in the design of this lobby that combines art, luxury and comfort.
