Ancient district
The courtyard hotel is located in China’s high-end Sanfang Qixiang district, in the city of Fuzhou. The region is noted for its abundance of Ming and Qing dynasty landmarks and national monuments.
In the historic Sanfang Qixiang district – which translates to ‘Three Lanes and Seven Alleys – preservation and conservation concerns are paramount. PEI’s design team worked with Fuzhou Alleyway Hotel Co., Ltd., to ensure the hotel would be harmonious with its surrounding environment.
Plans for the hotel include a private, planted courtyard with a lagoon and a lush landscape ringed by reception buildings and villas, all with dedicated gardens. A sunken garden within — and a replica opera house — is a focal point for guests.
Thoughtful design
The hotel’s courtyard concept involves low-rise villas, which reduce the overall building density and site coverage on the property. This will bring extensive green space and exotic garden specimens that directly link the hotel to the adjacent Guanglu Park.
“Our design brings vestiges of iconic cultural landmarks from Fuzhou’s history directly into the site with homages to the historic Dao Nan Library, reimagined as an important function room, and a reinterpreted Opera House setting for daily performances of traditional Chinese Opera,” says Toh Tsun Lim, AIA, partner with PEI Architects.
“In addition, our courtyard villas exemplify the natural beauty of archetypal Fuzhou courtyard house living by providing two signature courtyards and an interior light well for all guests.”
Shared spaces in the hotel include a restaurant and multiple socialising zones. The design will also bring vestiges of iconic cultural landmarks from Fuzhou’s history directly into the site with homages to the historic Dao Nan Library, reinterpreted as an important function room, and the replica Opera House for daily Performances of traditional Chinese Opera.
