Huang Hotel: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Yun LU - MUDA-Architects Designs an Award-winning Hotel in Xi-An, China

The Huang Hotel stands out for its unique features. The building houses a small internal courtyard, with all public areas and room entrances facing it. This design not only allows ample sunlight to filter in but also enhances the feeling of traditional Chinese architecture. To maximize these inherent advantages, the design team replaced all the glass facing the yard and minimized the number of mullions. The yard itself is adorned with a contemporary sculpture and a small tree, serving as the visual center. The addition of artificial fog creates a peaceful ambiance.

The hotel's realization technology primarily involves the use of natural materials such as wood, bronze, stone, and diatom mud. These materials lend the hotel a sense of antiquity while maintaining a cozy atmosphere. The project covers a total area of 2,002 square meters and is currently under construction.

The design team, led by Yun Lu, has also considered the interaction and functionality of the hotel. The underground parking lot, initially too large for a boutique hotel with only 20 rooms, has been partially converted into a bar. The ground floor houses a coffee shop connected to this bar, serving as an additional gateway to attract more guests. However, the traffic flow of these two retail areas is completely separate from the hotel guests’. The inner yard, surrounded by clear glass on all four sides, allows people in the main lobby to dimly see activities in the restaurant and teahouse, thanks to the artificial fog in the yard. This design feature creates a unique spatial mood.

The Huang Hotel project is a testament to the design prowess of MUDA-Architects. The design team, which includes Ying Zhang, Dandan Ni, Jiandan Xu, Guojun Zhao, Xiaoqiao Liu, Ruiting Wang, and Yalan Zhu, has successfully integrated traditional elements with modern design principles to create a space that is both antique and comfortable. This design approach has earned the project a Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019, a prestigious accolade awarded to designs that showcase outstanding expertise and innovation.

In conclusion, the Huang Hotel project by Yun LU - MUDA-Architects is a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity. It embodies the spirit of Xi-An and offers a unique hospitality experience that is both peaceful and aesthetically pleasing. The project is a shining example of how design can bridge the gap between the past and the present, creating spaces that are not only functional but also deeply rooted in their cultural context.