Neo-Chinese Elegance: The Sanya Peninsula Clubhouse

Joe Chan's Innovative Design Transforms Basement into Luxurious Leisure Space

The inspiration behind the design of the clubhouse was a damp, unused basement space with intertwining beams and columns. This sparked the idea of emulating a sea cave journey for visitors, transforming an otherwise neglected area into a luxurious retreat. The clubhouse, exclusive to residents of the CITIC Peninsula Estate, boasts a variety of facilities including a lobby, cafeteria, Chinese restaurant, private rooms, tea room, library, chess rooms, gymnasium, and swimming pool, spanning a total area of 5,000 m2.

Unique to the design is the use of local materials. Volcanic rocks native to Hainan line the lobby walls, while the floors feature highly reflective Mongolian black marbles to create an inverted effect. Displays of stone lion statues unique to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and ancient ebony found in a sunken ship, awaken a sense of wanderlust in visitors. The various function rooms are harmonized by a low-cost smoky oak grille featuring an elaborative Sanhualiuwan design that can be found in the buildings of the Forbidden City, invoking the Chinese legacy.

The design process was not without its challenges. The clubhouse's proximity to water and the mountain rendered the lobby entrance a challenge to design. Following leak proof measures, designers decided to keep existing beams and columns while making additions to strike a visual balance. Designers also transformed a 155 metre corridor into a 60 metre coffee lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing plenty of space for various function rooms and the leisure facilities offered by the clubhouse to its residences.

The project, which commenced in December 2015 and finished in April 2016, was completed with a budget of just EUR400 per sqm. Despite the budget constraints, the design team managed to create a Neo-Chinese style clubhouse using inexpensive decorative materials. The result is a stunning leisure space that reflects the Chinese legacy and provides a luxurious retreat for the residents of the CITIC Peninsula Estate.

The Sanya Peninsula Clubhouse is a testament to Joe Chan's innovative design approach and his ability to transform challenges into opportunities. The design was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. The Sanya Peninsula Clubhouse is indeed a shining example of design excellence, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with its desirable characteristics.