London Design Gold

2026

Ninghai Novotel Apartments

Entrant

SHANGHAI YIGAO ARCHITECTURE&ENGINEERING DESIGN CONSULTING CO.,LTD.

Category

Interior Design - Hospitality

Client's Name

-

Country / Region

China

About The Entry

Contemporary hotel design often chases "Instagrammable" trends and fleeting visual impact. This project returns to the essence of time. We focus on the "Warmth of Time" as our core theme. In a fast-paced urban environment, we have built a spiritual sanctuary for introspection. To us, luxury is not a pile of expensive materials. It is an energy of "eternal contemporaneity." By blending Eastern Liubai (void) wisdom with modern minimalism, the space evolves beyond a functional dwelling into a field of tactile delicacy and emotional field that stands the test of time.

The narrative follows a rhythm of "progressive immersion." We use shifts in light and scale to create a sense of belonging. The lobby sets a quiet tone with restrained lines, raw wood, and matte metal. In the bar, we employ the "borrowed scenery" technique of Eastern gardens. This blurs the line between architecture and nature, creating an urban landscape indoors. At the far end of the space, the VIP area shifts from open to enclosed. Here, a sunken layout and modern fireplace create a "social theater." This shift from open interaction to private envelopment transforms arrival into a homecoming ritual that engages all five senses.

Material innovation represents a pivotal breakthrough for this project. The design integrates dynamic, interactive multimedia screens that dissolve the static boundaries of traditional space, fostering a real-time dialogue between people and their surroundings. This provides guests with a deeply immersive interactive experience.

In terms of material strategy, the primary spaces are swathed in eco-friendly natural materials. These raw textures infuse the environment with a warm, rustic temperament, translating the concept of sustainability into a tangible, everyday reality.

A masterstroke of craftsmanship is found in the treatment of high-frequency touchpoints. Bronze-mottled stainless steel, treated with specialized techniques to evoke an aged texture, gradually develops a unique "patina of use" as guests interact with it over time. Each touch transcends simple functional interaction, evolving into a dual sensory dialogue of sight and touch. This transforms "traces of time" from an abstract concept into a tactile, visible spatial narrative.

Credits

Jianqing Sun
Sinan Zheng
Guangyuan Qiu
Zhikai Xu
Xiaoling Zhang
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