liu jiakun completes monochrome hotel as part of sifang art museum complex in china

located near the chinese city of nanjing, the steven holl-designed sifang art museum was completed in 2013.

located near the chinese city of nanjing, the steven holl-designed sifang art museum was completed in 2013. the building is the focal point of an evolving campus of architectural works, designed by some of the world’s most feted creative forces. structures by wang shu, david adjaye, and ai weiwei, among others, provide on-site accommodation in the form of individual villas, while a new hotel designed by chinese architect liu jiakun has now opened its doors to its first guests.

operated by artyzen hospitality group, the artyzen sifang nanjing hotel comprises 91 rooms that offer views of the adjacent lake and woodland landscape. liu jiakun’s design is based on a monochrome palette, employing traditional and unassuming building materials favored by the region’s artisans and widely used in the country’s small villages and towns. the hotel’s public areas, including the lobby, restaurant, and parking garage, are embedded into the landscape.

meanwhile, more private areas are positioned above the terrain to maximize external views. however, in order to reduce the apparent scale of the building, the hotel’s guest suites are contained within a series of smaller volumes. grouped according to different orientations and views, in order to enhance ventilation and lighting, these rooms blend into their surroundings in form of a village settlement.

‘artyzen sifang nanjing offers the perfect escape from the bustling city life where visitors can take a break and rejuvenate,’ explains robbert van der maas, president of artyzen hospitality group. ‘it also offers a unique stay experience in the green sanctuary of lao shan national forest park, which is a destination in itself. architecture and art lovers will be able to visit the sifang art museum and appreciate the architectural collection of uniquely designed villas that bear the artistic hallmarks of 20 world-renowned and local architects.’

‘the intertwining of art, culture and nature at artyzen sifang nanjing makes it the best destination in nanjing to celebrate special occasions and host memorable events,’ van der maas continues. the hotel complex is one of 24 individual schemes that make up the china international practice exhibition of architecture (CIPEA). see the other projects that form part of the complex here.