Maritime Silk Road Inspires Fuzhou Marriott Riverside Design

Bo Liu and Hank Xia Blend Ancient Culture with Modern Aesthetics

The design brief required the creation of a contemporary Marriott branded hotel that could articulate Marriott's international brand strategy, philosophy, and globally consistent image while incorporating Fuzhou's 2500-year history and unique cultural heritage. The result is a 45000㎡ hotel featuring 318 modern rooms, three restaurants, and a large grand ballroom and meeting area spanning 1800 ㎡.

The design elements are a tribute to the region's historical and cultural influences. The hotel lobby features 16 stunning lacquer screens that soar sail-like into the high ceiling, reminiscent of the ocean waves and sails in Marine culture. The use of natural colors such as black, gold, and orange on the lacquer art screens highlights the local geographical features of mountains, forests, and oceans, offering guests an immediate understanding of the local Fujian culture and characteristics.

The project was not without its challenges. The designers had to find a way to combine classical techniques and modern styles in perfect harmony, creating an innovation in design aesthetics. Furthermore, they had to coordinate with various technical stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and manufacturers, to ensure all physical features and architectural elements aligned with the client's vision, business requirements, and operation standards.

The design process was a strategic and well-thought-out endeavor. The designers applied perception theory to enhance the humanization level of the hotel and earn the customers' affirmation. The most efficient planning configurations design solutions were given by the designers to make use of each corner to create a more interesting spatial sequence and keep a minimum amount of circulation and service space.

The Fuzhou Marriott Riverside is a testament to the successful blending of ancient culture and modern aesthetics, earning it the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.