15,809 SQM, BUILT 2024
155 KEYS, INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL GROUP (IHG)
AN ODE TO OPERA_ At the heart of every Indigo hotel lies an authentic neighbourhood story. For Indigo Hangzhou, we drew richly from the city’s history as a key birthplace for the nationally acclaimed “Yue” style opera, as well as where multiple legendary opera stories have been set. We celebrate the creators of these operas as well as themes from the most famed ones, abstracting them and drawing from each opera’s pivotal scenes.
The design of the public spaces have been inspired by the likes of “Madame White Snake” and “The Butterfly Lovers”, allowing us to create numerous spatially unique and memorable moments. The guest rooms on the other hand are designed to provide a refuge of calm and respite. Both color and material palettes are delightfully light and inviting - a subtle reference to the opera actor’s face paint. Furniture and artefacts in each room have also been inspired by the portable furniture itinerant opera troupes would use for ease of movement as they toured.
(The hotel has since been rebranded and is independently operated as Xianghu Liberty Manor)
Situated by a restful lake several kilometres on the outskirts of Hangzhou, the property comprises several undulating hotel blocks which step gently up the sloping site. The meeting facilities is anchored by an skylit atrium space with an operable glass roof. Stadium seats allow for a more relaxed break out area. The grand stairs lead to a roof top function room, and this adjoins an all day dining venue that is inspired by the Opera "White Snake", where snake mythically transforms into a woman to be with her lover - the ceiling feature draws inspiration from the shedding of the snakes skin during this transformation.
The lobby's art installation is inspired by “Madame White Snake” - where the lovers first meeting amidst a misty lake. Employing custom printed fabric screens on the walls and floor mounted acrylic sculptures, we evoke a sense of mist and water which create a holistic and dreamy mood. The lake inspired sculptural tables arcade from resin and are internally illuminated.
The atriums fronting each of the room corridors feature a series of hanging lighting features inspired by “stage props and lighting”. These mark the transition point between the stage and what lies behind it. Upon arriving at the doorway of each room, guests encounter what seems like a portion of a drawn back curtain, providing a welcoming invitation to enter the room.
Restful, Calm and Tranquil - we designed the rooms with a colour and material palette to sooth the guest - and also a subtle reference to opera actor’s face paint. Furniture and artefacts are inspired by the need for itinerant opera troupes to move their furniture easily from town to town - as such, pieces are designed with details such as hanging rails, carrying handles, legs, and lightness adding to the illusion.
Providing a nurturing and healthy environment, the hotel houses a sizeable lap pool, kids pool, well equipped gym and extensive Neighborhood Workshop where fun activities are conducted. Located in close proximity to each other, this hub also provides a backdrop for key scenes from the “The Butterfly Lovers” as they transform and reunite as butterfly spirits. The transformation process is depicted through the abstraction of the colours, vivid patterns and shape of a butterfly chrysalis - creating a series of unconventional and memorable spaces.
