Located in the center of old town, Kempinski Hotel Nanjing is adjacent to the Ming Dynasty Palace Ruins, the world’s largest palace complex during the Middle Ages. To remind people of the transient yet glorious dynasty and to endow the hotel with unique memorable points and core competitiveness, the designer applies cultural narratives of Ming Dynasty to the magnificent space to give a review of the ancient Chinese civilization that appeared 600 years ago. Typical cultural themes of Ming Dynasty, such as the “Imperial Palace”, “Jiangnan Examination Hall”, “Qinhuai Night Scenery” and “Jinling Taverns”, are included into the space design. Through modern design approaches, rather than boring history reproduction, the design simplifies the otherwise complex palace architecture and royal culture, making the space an epitome of history, a place that meets modern people’s residential requirements, as well as a perfect integration of international hotel brand advantages and local ethnic features. The lobby was the pain point of design. Its east-to-west orientation, plus the glass-structured curtain wall, introduces strong sunlight to the interior space. To reduce light transmittance, the ceiling is decorated with dark metal instead of regular white paint to darken the tone in the space. Carved feature screens, made of double-layered metal panels and placed at the reception, not only help weaken dazzling light, but also lead guests into historical context through the Ming royal architecture motif. The design maximizes the usage of natural light to lower energy consumption. Cases include main function areas like the western restaurant, bar, lobby and lobby lounge all being arranged along the glass curtain wall to borrow outside landscapes and light for ambience creation. Ceramic tiles, low-impact paint and other innovative environment-friendly materials are used in the fitness center to create an interior relaxation environment closer to nature. In terms of circulation design, considering business requirements and later-phase operation, the designer separates public areas from guestroom areas. The lobby and guestrooms are on higher levels, which can be reached via dedicated elevators and therefore provide a better and more private living experience. In contrast, the ballroom and restaurants are at the first floor to facilitate hotel guest services and to attract surrounding potential customer. What’s more, the lobby lounge, meeting room, bar and other adjacent function areas share the F&B preparation system to optimize public space efficiency while maximizing the hotel's revenue.
Kempinski Hotel Nanjing
Yang Bangsheng & Associates Group
Bronze

1 / 10

Mike Tristram
Strategic Lead
at Checkland Kindleysides
Clearly a lot of thought has gone i...
8
8
9
7
8

Sonya Simmonds
Global Head of Design & Build
at Spotify
It is an impressive space with the...
6
6
7
5
6

Mustafa Afsaroglu
Interior Designer, Co-founder
at TS-DS
4
4
3
3
3.5

Rosie Haslem
Director
at Spacelab / Labthinks
Strong concept and bold brand state...
6
6
7
5
6

Francesca Perani
Founder
at Francesca Perani Enterprise
Spectacular lighting showroom, I lo...
8
8
9
6
7.75
Luís Pedra Silva
Founder and Lead Architect
at Pedra Silva Arquitectos
7
4
6
4
5.25

Wang Guan
Founder of Matrix Design
at Matrix Design
6
5
5
5
5.25

Dang Ming
Founding Partner / Chief Designer
at HONG Designworks / XUST
6
5
6
6
5.75

Jose Manuel Ferrero
Creative Director
at Estudihac JM Ferrero
6
6
6
4
5.5

Minyu Zhang
Interior Design Director
at SUNAC ShangHai Group
8
6
8
6
7

Jun Aizaki
Founder & Owner
at Crème Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design
6
4
6
5
5.25
Designer
Client
Nanjing AVIC Science and Technology City Development
Floor area
36666 ㎡
Completion
2019
Chief Designer
LATEST SUBMISSIONS
MORE PROJECTS
Hortensia Herrero Art Centre
Gold

Zara Ski Verbier
Silver

Hyundai Motorstudio Senayan Park
Silver

Scusa
Silver

Van B
Gold

The Cube Canary Wharf
Silver

V&A Photography Centre
Silver

L’École School of Jewelry Arts - Dubaï
Silver
-thumb.jpg)
Macquarie Group Americas Headquarters
Silver

Nikko Style Niseko Hanazono
Silver