Hotel Indigo Shanghai JingAn: A Modern-Day Interpretation of Location and Memory

Xin Yan Wang's Award-Winning Design Transforms Office Building into Boutique Hotel

The existing architecture was an office building, and the site demanded the creation of a renovated environment to embrace Indigo’s cutting-edge hospitality standards. Instead of creating a brand new bright space, which would require more time and cost, Xin Yan Wang aimed to imbue the space with an air of mystery and art by juxtaposing dramatic lighting with carefully selected colors and materials. The LED panels on the walls continuously present images related to the hotel's geographic area, inviting the traveler to a contemporized story.

Located in the north of Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, the hotel stands out in an era when "boutique hotels" seem to lack character due to non-specific and generic solutions that could be anywhere in the world. The renovation project of Shanghai Jing’an Indigo is a modern-day interpretation of the stories related to its specific location, creating a place where memories of the building, the location, and the guests are crystallized by art, fashion, and multiple media.

The height is reinforced when the huge corrugated glasses are placed on the entire wall in the reception area. The LED panels on the walls continuously present images related to the hotel's geographic area, inviting the traveler to a contemporized story. This approach of clash between art and fashion is a bold attempt in the interior design industry.

The project started in 2017 in Shanghai China and finished in November 2018. The existing architecture was an office building, and the site demanded the creation of a renovated environment to embrace Indigo’s cutting-edge hospitality standards. The project spontaneously responded to the site disadvantages, which included limited stories height and lack of light. The designed space perfectly meets the client’s limited budget requirement and ensures that the fantastical design interventions disguise the shortcomings of the old building.

This design was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. Silver A' Design Award is rewarded to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.