Jingdezhen, in North-Eastern Jiangxi, China is renowned as the porcelain capital of the world. As the place of origin of this wonderful ceramic, the kilns and artisans serviced the requirement of emperors for more than 1000 years, and still supply greater China and the global market today.

Through the interior design at the Taoxichuan Hotel in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, AIM Architecture reflects this special location, and pays tribute to the history of porcelain in China.

The architecture of the Hotel was designed by David Chipperfield Architects with the public spaces and guestrooms by AIM Architecture and the building form sets the scene for an interior vision that incorporates ceramics in every area of the hotel.

The project is named “The Road of a Fascination” and fascinating it is, as the physical spaces are divided into themes that feature the journey of porcelain through the ages. For example, there is the Origin or lobby, the Creation – the lounge, the Discovery – the ballroom, the Fascination – all day dining, the Appreciation – spa and pool and the Return – the guestrooms.

Each space interprets and explores porcelain in a different way, through colour or texture, within the interior and the outside architecture and furniture and patterns.

The hotel comprises three courtyard blocks connected by a spacious interior street. AIM Architecture design principals, Wendy Saunders and Vincent de Graaf, project architect Alba Galan and the team, extended the brick façades of the exterior to the interiors incorporating the architecture into their interior design.

Each of the three volumes utilises a different colour – celadon-glazed porcelain in the lounge, cobalt blue in the restaurant and spa and white, light and transparent porcelain in the meeting areas and ballroom. The hotel rooms showcase a more rustic porcelain finish dominated by terracotta and clay tones with canvas walls to create another texture but also add warmth in these private areas.

The aesthetic of the connecting street is inspired by the fire kilns used to bake porcelain, with black adding definition and roof lights to depict fire that brings drama to the scene.

AIM Architecture has again created something original through its interior design of the Taoxichuan Hotel. This is a venue that sits well in its surrounds and speaks of a heritage that is unique in the world. The melding of culture, interiors and architecture results in a beautifully resolved project on every level.

Established some 15 years ago in Shanghai, AIM Architecture principals, Wendy Saunders and Vincent de Graaf have, together with their team, produced myriad projects that excite the eye and fulfill the brief.

Working with 40 people from 10 countries provides insight for a project, whether that is the site, culture or context that enables the studio to constantly produce best practice for every commission on every level.

With Taoxichuan Hotel in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, the interior design is a journey, a physical storyboard, of a special product that has intrigued the world for millennia.

This project celebrates the beauty of porcelain through innovative design and is certain to satisfy all who visit and stay there.

AIM Architecture
aim-architecture.com

Photography by
Wen Studio

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