The Hua Xu Boutique Hotel

A refined hotel designed to celebrate Jiangnan aesthetics and the waterways of the ancient city of Suzhou, China.

Tradition expressed in a contemporary design, this inspiring hotel in China celebrates the past with a distinctly modern aesthetic that weaves a constant thread between ancient times and the present moment. To complete the Hua Xu Boutique Hotel, architect and designer Zhang Haihua, founder of Z+H Renhai Design, took inspiration from the city of Suzhou. Born and raised in the ancient city, he not only used the rich history and culture of Suzhou as the foundation and soul for the design, but also his own memories as a child. The project involved the transformation of three residential buildings into a high-end retreat with a central courtyard. Every detail of the design, from the garden to the smallest decorative items and the orientation of the openings, pays homage to the region’s traditional Jiangnan-style dwellings.

Located in the ancient city district, the Hua Xu Boutique Hotel boasts a more traditional exterior that follows the strict local building regulations. Painted with gray and white tones, the facade harmonizes with the surrounding architecture. At the same time, the use of contrasting hues accentuates the relationship between light and shadow. Openings of different sizes frame specific views and create a dialogue between the interiors and the landscape.

Defined since ancient times by its waterways, the city of Suzhou features many canals which twist and turn around the buildings. Traversing the city by water is an everyday occurrence and common urban circulation route, so the architect used these local features as a core element of the design. For example, the common lounge space near the lobby is slightly lowered to recreate the viewing point of someone who admires the urban setting from a boat. At the same time, the lounge area references the classic Chinese central hall. Italian Cassina chairs and contemporary artworks give this space an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere.

Large windows open the lounge area to the courtyard, which also references tradition. A small hill topped with a tallow tree features an integrated timber deck. Seven tea trees provide shade around the courtyard, while local rocks punctuate the moss layers and the water where small fish swim. A staircase connects the courtyard with the upper levels, referencing a metaphorical climb on a mountain as described in the work of Jiangnan-era writers.

Throughout the hotel, different elements reference the city’s architecture, including its distinctive tall and narrow alleyways. A covered patio connects the courtyard with the main spaces, another nod to ancient Jiangnan designs. In the atrium, a skylight frames the sky and the clouds while filling the interior with natural light. Placed on one side of the courtyard, the tea room boasts floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors that open the space to the tranquil garden. Around the building, a passageway brings guests within touching distance of a traditional stone wall that creates a poetic contrast with the white finish of the hotel’s exterior walls.

Deeply inspired by the area’s vernacular architecture and connection to nature, Zhang Haihua created contemporary spaces that have a strong connection to the past and the city’s traditions, daily life, and culture. The public areas reference the relationship with ancient Suzhou, while the courtyard and garden remind of the surrounding mountains, waterways and forests. Finished with contemporary furniture, lighting, and finishes, the Hua Xu Boutique Hotel provides a special travel experience strongly rooted in the city’s history. On this project, Z+H Renhai Design completed not only the architecture and interior design, but also the landscape design. Photographs© Cai Yunpu.